Other creative outlets?

[bloxham]

This tournament has been a nice experience of "seeing" old faces and learning about new writers in this hobby. In addition to writing, I'm curious if any of you have other creative outlets? I know Paul's a musician (recorded that cd yet?) Anyone else? What do you do? Do share.

I'm an art photographer which basically means the work I make isn't for commercial purposes (instead, galleries and art magazines). Here's a recent image from earlier this year.



Here is one that is currently traveling around in an exhibit...



I'm also a professor of photography, plus frequently visit other universities to give talks and workshops. Here's an example from a recent trip to North Carolina, where I led a group through the creation of a story-based photo.



And also do that with my own students for our class portrait photos...



And even sometimes while doing a photo road trip across the country, I come across other FW writers! Oh look there, it's Jamar Short!



So, please share!

 

[Dan]

I dabble in all different kinds of art. I've got a DeviantArt account: http://doonznasty.deviantart.com/ where you can check out some of my work, although I haven't updated in a long time. I should really get on that. For the most part, it just displays my digital work but I was using it as a portfolio at the time.

As most guys in FW know, I'm a poser artist and one of the old school variety. Meaning, basically, I use outdated software and character models while painting most of the clothing on their textures in Photoshop. It works for me, and I have downloaded the latest Daz software but I've only opened it twice.

In addition to the posers I do here I'm also attempting a web comic using poser. I was doing this using FW characters, at the handlers permission, but I kinda want to actually use it as a way to get my name out there and that means having to take it back to the drawing board with original characters.

At the same time I'm working on a Silver Surfer comic done in poser, which is ... pretty damn hard to accomplish. It's difficult to bring a grand scale cosmic storyline down to the scale of what can be created in poser. But, hey, I'm using the tools at my disposal and we'll see where that goes.

I really want to get into sculpting but I have yet to go out and buy the tools. I'd like to sculpt some superhero busts and statues then fill my apartment with things that my fiance will absolutely hate. It's my subtle revenge for all the fake flowers, candles, and girly picture frames.

 

[BigPimpin]

One of my biggest creative outlets aside from this game is the continued creation of Raw Deal, the WWE's first (and IIRC only serious) dive into the CCG market.

Basically the game died end of 2007, but it was produced for like 7-8 years and had a huge following. A bunch of us started making virtual extensions to the game and publishing them through a site called Team Canada Online. I was added to playtesting for parts of Set 1 and all of Sets 2 & 3, and was brought on for design of new cards from Set 3 forward. I love the game's structure, and growing up a huge WWE fan the chance to play the superstars was a huge plus for me.

 

[SpookyDoom]

One of my biggest creative outlets aside from this game is the continued creation of Raw Deal, the WWE's first (and IIRC only serious) dive into the CCG market.

Basically the game died end of 2007, but it was produced for like 7-8 years and had a huge following. A bunch of us started making virtual extensions to the game and publishing them through a site called Team Canada Online. I was added to playtesting for parts of Set 1 and all of Sets 2 & 3, and was brought on for design of new cards from Set 3 forward. I love the game's structure, and growing up a huge WWE fan the chance to play the superstars was a huge plus for me.

I was trying to get back into this: will subscribe soon!

 

[Deacon]

My only real "hobby" as it were is still writing, though in various forms. I've done comics in the past, but it's been a few years since I went that direction. I've completed initial drafts (or multiple drafts) of 2 novels. And below your post, I created a wrestling board/RPG-styled game that I hope to put on the market this summer...IF MY DAY JOB LETS ME GET IT FINISHED!

That's it on the creative side of things.

wf

 

[Aaron]

My creative outlet is cooking. I'm a professional cook. I also happen to love doing it. When given the opportunity, I will talk your ear off for hours about either the science of cooking, or the history of food. I will refrain from doing this here....

You hope.

 

[bloxham]

My creative outlet is cooking. I'm a professional cook. I also happen to love doing it. When given the opportunity, I will talk your ear off for hours about either the science of cooking, or the history of food. I will refrain from doing this here....

You hope.

You got me to thinking about and even googling a shawarma. I'm kitchen-illiterate. Seriously, an ex-girlfriend once had to show me how to turn my stove on. It was the only time it was ever turned on. But since I don't live around a Middle Eastern restaurant, learning how to cook just to make those might be worth it. [h=1][/h]

 

[Aaron]

You got me to thinking about and even googling a shawarma. I'm kitchen-illiterate. Seriously, an ex-girlfriend once had to show me how to turn my stove on. It was the only time it was ever turned on. But since I don't live around a Middle Eastern restaurant, learning how to cook just to make those might be worth it. [h=1][/h]

Schwarma is fairly simple to make. You just have get whatever meat you want, intersperse it with fat(for flavor, and so it won't burn).

The hard part is replicating a decent rotisserie. My suggestion, is as follows, and is a slight variation on the berber oven. Dig a shallow pit, On one side only, using cinder blocks(cost effective and great heat reflection), Build a half kiln since schwarma is also dependent on some side flame(if you wanna go balls out, build a recess in the cinderblocks for more coals(I suggest using wood in the pit for the smokey flavor)), the recesess require more cinderblocks, but if you're building this, might as well right?

Stack earth around the back of it, ensuring minimal dirt has gotten in to the recess, if it has, just do a free burn of coal in there to carbonize and remove it.

next you need to build your rotator. I suggest using stainless steel, for sanitation purposes. have your local hardware store make it in to a big ole |_
|

shape, go to your local cooking supply store and take the protective handle off of a pan, buy it. if they charge more than a dollar for it. tell 'em to lick balls. Alternatively, they may SELL the proper tool, negating the hardware costs, and further fabrication of a tight fitting metal disk for the meat to turn on.

Which you'll need to make if you go full blown DIY, Make sure you have a grill grate, for when some of that tender Beff/Lamb/Pork slides off, you don't lose any of it, and it gets the secondary benefit of being smoked slowly and then barbecued.

Obviously local ordinances may not allow this with a permit, better to check, than admit you got this from an e-wrestling site.

The other thing you will need is a thermometer, since this is one of the few times you will want to cook meat to an internal 160 degrees. Though if you feel good about it, do it at 130.

 

[bloxham]

Ooooooookkkkay... I might just fly to Toronto next time I want a good schwarma again. If I can't turn a stove on, building this might be out of my realm. But that's intense. And makes me appreciate them from the restaurant even more!

Schwarma is fairly simple to make. You just have get whatever meat you want, intersperse it with fat(for flavor, and so it won't burn).

The hard part is replicating a decent rotisserie. My suggestion, is as follows, and is a slight variation on the berber oven. Dig a shallow pit, On one side only, using cinder blocks(cost effective and great heat reflection), Build a half kiln since schwarma is also dependent on some side flame(if you wanna go balls out, build a recess in the cinderblocks for more coals(I suggest using wood in the pit for the smokey flavor)), the recesess require more cinderblocks, but if you're building this, might as well right?

Stack earth around the back of it, ensuring minimal dirt has gotten in to the recess, if it has, just do a free burn of coal in there to carbonize and remove it.

next you need to build your rotator. I suggest using stainless steel, for sanitation purposes. have your local hardware store make it in to a big ole |_
|

shape, go to your local cooking supply store and take the protective handle off of a pan, buy it. if they charge more than a dollar for it. tell 'em to lick balls. Alternatively, they may SELL the proper tool, negating the hardware costs, and further fabrication of a tight fitting metal disk for the meat to turn on.

Which you'll need to make if you go full blown DIY, Make sure you have a grill grate, for when some of that tender Beff/Lamb/Pork slides off, you don't lose any of it, and it gets the secondary benefit of being smoked slowly and then barbecued.

Obviously local ordinances may not allow this with a permit, better to check, than admit you got this from an e-wrestling site.

The other thing you will need is a thermometer, since this is one of the few times you will want to cook meat to an internal 160 degrees. Though if you feel good about it, do it at 130.

 

[blackshire]

No. No cd, Andy.

But I've recorded some ****ty covers and drunkenly posted them to YouTube. Http://YouTube.com/rayfordfaulkner

In addition to playing guitar and such, I've recently started an Indy wrestling blog and even started a borderline professional sounding podcast w my buddy, focused on Indy wrestling in ny and new England. Should check it out. Certainly sounds better than any of the swill being billed as a podcast in these parts! J/k

Http://wrestlefudge.blogspot.com

 

[Aaron]

Ooooooookkkkay... I might just fly to Toronto next time I want a good schwarma again. If I can't turn a stove on, building this might be out of my realm. But that's intense. And makes me appreciate them from the restaurant even more!

Building things is part of the gig for me. If you ever want more DIY fire based cookery ideas, lemme know. =D

 

[bloxham]

Building things is part of the gig for me. If you ever want more DIY fire based cookery ideas, lemme know. =D

Half of what you described sounded more like the preparations for firing ceramics.

 

[Aaron]

Half of what you described sounded more like the preparations for firing ceramics.

It's a similar style of oven. I'm building a full on one this summer to cook a whole pig all day in. the idea is to use the cinder blocks for radiant heat(ergo, build fire, let it burn down to coals) and then cook whatever, making sure your coals stay hot. My friends and I have built ovens hot enough to melt glass, just with a simple wood fire, so it's not impossible to build a kiln with cinderblocks. Probably just not advisably safe.

 

[Justin]

You're supposed to cook a whole hog in the ground.

Nevermind all this building, just bury it.

 

[BWade]

Mine, is music. Not nearly as interesting as Andy, which anyone who hasn't gone a checked his website and especially watched the video on the front page, you should.

It's Hip Hip, influenced strictly from the sample based boom bap of the 1990's. I produce using a Roland MV8000, Akai MPC2000XL, Akai MPK25 and an Ensoniq ASR10. Pro Tools 8, and myriad of other gadgets, plug ins, mics and such.

From what I've gathered over the year Hip Hop isn't the majority ruled cup o' tea here, but I'll toss it up any way. lol

This is a track we did with Apathy, formally signed to Atlantic Records, and Babygrande, called "Conquer Kill ****," I produced the beat, and do vocals on the chorus and second verse. Apathy takes the first, my good friend Omar, or Fortune takes the third and our DJ, DJ Iciris fills in everywhere else. It'll be featured on the next Apathy project along with DJ Premier, Royce Da 5'9", and Nas ... as well as our EP, "IRFC, The EP" which will feature another song with Apathy and on verse from Sadat X of 90's Hip Hop classic Brand Nubian.

Explicit lyrics ...

And if anyone is a Mac Lethal fan, we are opening for him at the end of the month.

 

[Ford]

Filmmaking and specifically script writing.

I've completed a few spec scripts : Community (Intro to Podcasting), It's Always Sunny (Charlie Steals a Lion) and 30 Rock. I'm kicking around ideas right now for a Modern Family spec script I'll try to submit to NBC's Writers on the Verge like I did the others I listed.

I've also completed a few original scripts including an animated high school comedy (20 scripts for Gen LMNOP), an adult themed superhero show (Disposable Heroes), a satirical look at television making(Network Tv), along with a half a dozen of semi finished scripts(Wonder Woman, Emergency Plan Z, Getting By, Project 4 in 3d, You Can't Steal Your Own Stuff). Plus a bunch of short sketches (Jesus Hates America, Heaven vs. Hell, St. peter's Gate is the DMV.)

Plus occasionally my work gets produced. Check out November 3rd, 2010 on YouTube. Or find me on imdb, it's the Thomas Ford who works on Doctor Phil. I've done a bunch of miscellaneous crew work, most not even listed there, including just last weekend shooting documentary style for Link tv, covering the nationwide unite women.org protest. Plus I'm helping out on a shoot in about twelve hours which should be fun.

And before I started doing Efed guerillas, in '09 I did a TNA podcast which you can still find on blogtalkradio.

I'm currently working with a writing partner on an original superhero live action pilot. Finished the first draft and we're working on the second as we speak. So I do a lot of writing. If I miss a show or an rp deadline, you can probably blame one of these projects.

 

[klatroz]

I write music, like, all the time. I play bass, guitar, mandolin, sing and compose piano pieces that I can't play.

I thoroughly enjoy marketing and advertising, but I doubt anyone would consider owning your own business a creative outlet.

 

[EpyonMarx]

Besides writing, I'm trying to break into voice over. I also tinker with the guitar and do some DJing.

In terms of writing, I mostly do script and prose.

 

[brusch]

I've got a small handful of other creative outlets. The first is probably music...I'm a classically trained bassoonist (though I haven't performed really in the last few years), and I dabble here and there in composition. I work as an arts administrator, and it's a career path that perfectly blends my craving for creativity with my logic-driven analytical side.

I've been getting more and more into creative writing recently. This past November, I completed my first ever NaNoWriMo novel. If you're not familiar with NaNoWriMo, it stands for National Novel Writing Month; the goal is to write a 50,000 word (roughly 175 page) novel in the month of November. This inevitably results in a "write write write" mentality, where you can't really stop to do many edits or nitpicky revisions. A lot of crap happens, but every now and then a magical little nugget happens and you feel like an artist. The novel ended up being a super-nerdy adventure story with many nautical elements to it. Really excited to give it another go next November.

Then the other creative outlet I go into a lot involves liquor infusions. It basically involves taking various fruits, spices, herbs, etc and letting your liquor of choice soak in their flavors for several days before separating/straining the solids out. I've made apple cinnamon whiskey (my personal favorite), orange cayenne vodka, strawberry lemon mint vodka (which Jacksonattack was able to sample last weekend), pineapple gin, and a bunch of others. It's a lot of fun, I highly recommend those of you of legal age to try it out. All you need is a glass jar with a strong lid, ingredients, and time.