We have Dangermaker, Roosevelt Radio, and Loftin giving us same great music.

We also have a bit of Feb 8th history and celebrity birthdays. Also, I talk a bit about our new show, Behind the Scenes which is at the blog. This show talks about RfL, the web, and all kinds of other stuff. Check it out at Eban Crawford dot Com.

Roosevelt Radio

Enjoy the show!

Music on the show

Dangermaker : Your Not There and Wake Up

Roosevelt Radio : Deadlocks and The Siege

Loftin: Grind

Dangermaker

Loftin

Reaching for Lucidity Indie Music Blast Episode 422 is going full throttle featuring the tunes of Electric Frankenstein! Enjoy!

The tunes on the show today are Electrify Me and Coolest Little Monster

Keep checking back for more goodies from RfL in 2012. We have graphic novels, more radio, and some animation heading your way. Don’t miss any of it.

Thank you for hanging out here while RfL had a bit of downtime over the last 18 months. Now, get ready as we ramp things back up.

2012, the new “Year of RfL Productions!”

Cheers everyone.

We are getting closer to the release of the first issue of the RfL Adventures. It is a blast producing this series. It is fun like in the old days.

The way the issues will be laid out will be in chapters telling the main story of Eban and SJ’s adventures. In between chapters we will have short stories set at a school  in the dimension of Crawford Valley. Since nothing in Eban and SJ’s world is normal, you can’t expect the schools to be any different.

As a gift to you I am giving you this filler chapter from the first issue. This story is co-written by Alisa Humphrey. She came up with the idea of the naked mole rat and things went from there.

I hope you enjoy this. You can catch the panels here in the post or download the color or black and white .pdf  at the end of the post.

Keep an eye out for the first issue. This will take Eban ans SJ to places not explored in the Animated Adventures. The guys take a step into darkness as SJ’s past is revealed and the crew has to scramble to save him. He will of course still be a wise cracking weirdo, but we finally see a  bit deeper.

Cheers!

The .pdf versions are below for downloading or viewing.

Color .pdf

Black and White .pdf

Or you can click on the pics to view full size right here.

My main software tools for animation and new Manga are Reallusion’s iClone, Crazy Talk, Crazy Talk Animator, and 3DXchange. For audio I use Audacity and Ableton Live.

For video, I have traditionally used Sony Vegas. I am looking into new options right now so I do not currently have a go to program for this.

For all of my project management and script writing I use Celtix. That software ROCKS! For note taking and documentation I use Google Docs and Springpad. I like to use utilities with a cloud aspect so that I can access my work fro almost any device.

For storage on the go and syncing files between my computers and devices I use DropBox.

For graphics I use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Fireworks.

To format and produce my Manga series I use Comipo. Comipo is a progrm with graphics collections for those with no artistic talent to be able to produce Manga. I use this differently. I produce all off my art in my Reallusion programs as I have all of my already designed characters in there. I use Comipo’s easy to use formatting to put my art together into book form. I love taking programs and using them in new ways that they were not originally designed to be used.

Well, that is about it. I of course will pull out other programs from time to time, but this forms the core of my creative tools, software wise.

In the near future I may post how I use the above tools. Also, I may post about the hardware I se to create my media.

Cheers!

i like the idea of re purposing tools I already have and know how to use to create something unique. By going this way I save myself from having to draw out every element for every panel. I already have my characters created so I figured this would be a prudent  way to use them. Also, when I do get to animating the stories I will have one hell of a good road map.

I hope you like the panels. There is no story here, just a couple of tests to see how this will all fit together.

Cheers!

Test panel for RfL Adventures

Another change is the semi-retirement of RfL Indie Music Blast. I know, the show has been in semi-retirement for a while now. This is just the official acknowledgement. The indie music scene has slipped as a passion of mine. This lead to the shows not being as fun to produce. Audio is not dead here, it is just changing.

I will be adding a show to our productions to take the place of the Indie Music Blast. This show will focus a bit on music, but not breaking new artists. I will post soon about all the reasons I have shifted on this point, but for now let me just say the new show will be more focused on RfL, current events, and a couple of great songs thrown into the mix. Look for this next year. No name as of yet.

As for animation. With my boxing, I just don’t have the time. I will again, just not now. This is why i am shifting to Manga. We have stories, and this is a way to get them out. A bonus is that when we do get back to animation, the comics will act as a script and story board all in one, thus making the animating easier and quicker.

We will be focusing on three titles. One is RfL Adventures. This will be the further stories of Eban and SJ. We will work a few of the Animated Adventure stories in while pushing the storyline in new directions. This will be fun and a bit adult in nature.

The second title is to be determined and will be for the youngsters. Thank my new godchildren for this. I want to put something out that is for them, and all other young folk out there. This is directed straight at the kids.

The third title is the Purity Coalition. This is a story I have been working on for a while and is pretty big in reach. This is an epic tale of a future/past gone wrong. I will be testing my abilities with this but I do think it will be a good read. If we don’t take big chances, we do not get big rewards, right?

To put a visual to this change, here is an early take on Eban and SJ’s new appearance. This is not the completed look, but you can see the direction. They are going Steampunk/Sci-fy. i hope you like it.

Keep looking here for more news on the future projects at RfL.

Cheers!

I still have a lot of stories ready to go so I started looking at ways to get these stories out with less of a time drain. I am working on putting the stories out graphically. Below is a sample of the direction I am going. I am now trying out two manga programs and will get started once I figure out which one I like the best. This should be fun.

An upside is since i have the stories done in graphic form, if I get the time to do the animations the stories are all story boarded and ready to go.

Pretty neat.

Cheers!

It is a short show to check in on this Friday, October 21st. We have The Substitutes for your enjoyment.

The Substitutes were a Bay Area band that were active in the heyday of podcasting. Unfortunately, they are no longer with us as a band, but they left behind some great tunes.

Today we are playing “Taken a Lifetime.” This was one of the tunes that made them members of the RfL Royal Court.

I also talk about why it is so hard to get shows out these days, how I am trying to get the passion back for podcasting, and my entry into the sport of boxing.

I did this show fast and on a whim. I was not monitoring while I recorded and the show mic was a bit hot. Sorry for the sound in the spoken parts. I will monitor next time.

Enjoy the show. Cheers!

Eban

Today’s episode, number 420, is a quickjabs artist spotlight on the Royal Court members Waiting for Decay.  This set is another nostalgic look back and these tunes are from the 2008 period.

Remember, this coming Saturday we are having a full Coffee House episode featuring special guest co-host Effie! Don’t miss it.

Also, Happy Birthday Mick! Jagger that is. Keep those freakin lips singing!

Songs on the show today: Self Destruct and Mask or Face

Today we have an Indie Music Blast Quickjabs spotlight on the UK band Oswald, episode number 419. This show focuses on their 2007-8 period. A look back of sorts.

Big news, next week we have a special co-host for a Coffee House episode. The co-host will be Effie, or Princess Faith, or just Faith. Does not matter which name you choose, it will be a fun show!

Now on to Oswald! Songs on the show today are Middle Boy and Love.

Cheers!

So, be sure to check out next the show next week. We will be presenting a Coffee House episode for your enjoyment.

Also, stay on alert for more news on the new season of the Animated Adventures Machinima series. A long time in the making, but worth the wait.

Cheers,

Eban

To let you know this is true I decided to share and in progress scene of my machinima. Todd Jordan actually laid out a challenge on G+ yesterday to create something and share it. I figured this in progress scene would do the trick.

I love Machinima, that is for sure. I actually toyed with the idea of moving towards more traditional cut-out and cell style 2d animation for the new season, but my heart is in Machinima, and that is the world the The RfL Animated Adventures belongs.

In this short scene, SJ gets a little upset after his day takes a turn for the worst. I have most of the motion finished, about 90% done. I have some effects in place, maybe 50% done. There is no sound yet such as dialogue, soundtrack, or sound effects.

Hope you enjoy this tiny peak into the season two of The RfL Animated Adventures machinima series.

Cheers!

Those familiar with the series, and Lester, know that can’t be a good thing.

I  can work with people anywhere in the world. All I ask is that you be able to supply a good quality recording and performance and that you have fun with the role. Anyone interested, drop me a line right here or leave a comment.

Cheers,

Eban

Today’s show is all about driving rock, and how much a certain Oscar buzzing movie sucks. We feature acts such as The Evidence, When Summer’s Gone, Gotham City Mashers, August Ruins, Jsin, and with one of our five ultimate show closers, The Supersuckers.

That brings me to apologies to Gotham City Mashers, I mispronounce the band several times during the show as Gothic City Mashers. I had a typo in my show notes. Oops. I always have my mistakes, it is one way to define me.

Yes, I did go see a movie yesterday when I was supposed to be doing this show. Trust me, I paid for it. I will talk about my movie disappointment from a major Oscar front-runner.

The show also has our celebrity birthdays, some facts for Jan 23rd through history, and more.

Enjoy the show!

 

Music on The Show!

The Evidence__Crossing the Rubicon

When Summer’s Gone__Ocean Boulevard

Gotham City Mashers__The Heist

August Ruins__What You Don’t Know

Jsin_Inside

The Supersuckers_Pretty fucked Up

 

Real stars in the world of online music publicity, Ariel Publicity

While waiting for the next episode, be sure to check out our show archives. We have a lot to offer. RfL has been going since 2005, 2004 actually, but it was not called Reaching for Lucidity at the time. That is a lot of shows. 417 to be near exact.

Also, you can check out our animated adventures as well.

I have also started a new blog called Eban Crawford dot Com, Everything Eban That Fits Nowhere Else. Check that out as well.

So, be back here Saturday evening, we will miss you otherwise, seriously.

Cheers,

Eban

**PS** Episode 419 will be Monday or Tuesday and will be Blues and or Groove Rock. Stay tuned.