Man on a Ledge Review

January 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The movie is about former cop, Nick Cassidy, who was accused of stealing a $40 million dollar diamond.  He was tried and sentenced to 25 years in jail for the crime, completely ruining his life.  With nothing left to lose, he risks it all to clear his name and bring the true culprits to justice.  While in jail, Cassidy concocts an elaborate scheme that is designed to “steal” back the diamond he was accused of really stealing to clear his name.

To get the attention he needs, Cassidy escapes from jail and plants himself on the ledge of a hotel in a fake suicide attempt.  It captures the media’s attention, which is something he wanted because just across the street lies the building of Englander Jewelry, owned by David Englander, the owner of the alleged stolen diamond.  Cassidy believes he had the diamond all along, and set him up as a thief so Englander could collect the insurance money on the prized jewel.

From the beginning to the end, the movie is packed full of thrilling  twists. It has the audience constantly wondering what is going on, including who’s good and who’s bad.  With elaborate plots, daring break-ins and near-death experiences, the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time.

The ending is fantastic, as you will finally see the whole elaborate scheme as it comes to light,  in triumph and amazement.

I have to admit, I am more of a comedy guy myself, but I really enjoyed this movie.  I would definitely recommend Man on a Ledge and give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.  The cast  played their roles with passion and power, and the plot was outstanding.  Don’t expect to see a lot of special effects, but they certainly weren’t needed.  This is a movie that invokes thought, which makes it an epic classic.

Director:  Asger Leth

Writer: Pablo F. Fenjves

Stars: Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks and Jamie Bell

Filed Under: featured, Movie Reviews

Brush and Guns and Guns and Brush

January 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The culture of Ireland inspires thoughts of trooping fairies, rolling hills, and humble folk dancing and singing the night away in pubs. What no one imagines is Brian Rock’s reality: explosions, gunfire, death and destruction amidst dirt, poverty, and political unrest. Growing up in Belfast during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, war is engraved in his psyche. He continues to see it, smell it, taste it, until he puts it on canvas so everyone else can feel it. His emotions control his paintings, conveying a sense of chaos and frustration with just a hint of coherency.

“Playground,” for example, is drawn from childhood memories of cowering in bed while explosions filled the night. Then, a few days later, he and his friends would run outside, excited for the things they would find in the wake of battle. The children collected nails, various shapes of glass, and bullet casings the way most would pinecones and worms. Dwelling on this memory, adult Rock used these objects to capture movement. “Playground” is a hybrid of paint and object mosaic, with a girl’s dress soaked in red to represent the destruction of innocence. The painting moves like fire, with nails and bullet shells spiking the red and maroon border. A Peace sign made from rust-colored barbed wire is barely visible amongst the gray, red, and orange glass hovering over the scene. Altogether, the piece is six and a half feet long and weighs over 100 pounds; a heavy painting for a heavy memory.

A core element in Rock’s past and portraits is color. His piece “Ardoyne,” named for his home town, illustrates the atmosphere of the IRA neighborhood: dark, black as gunpowder with grit and smoke hanging in the air. “In the gray, dark…nasty nasty world, the bright colors are what you’re drawn to.” For Rock, those are the green, white, and orange of the Irish flag. Red of blood is also prevalent, repulsive yet intriguing. In the painting these bright colors are splashed against a backdrop of black and maroon, shining against the dark but still a mess in and of themselves. The paint is lumpy, thick, like plaster dried on pavement. To demonstrate the nastiness of war, Rock literally scoops dirt and mud from the ground and mixes it with the paint on canvas. “It also illustrates that we’re all dirt…that we’ll all be back in the ground, pushin’ up clovers…”

His intense involvement with his pieces is all part of his personal therapy; while most people talk through their past traumas, Rock paints through his. He literally lets his emotions and memories possess him until the rush is spent, the tension is released, and he can ride the euphoric high of completing his piece. “A lot of physical work goes into all my paintings,” he admits. The best example of this is “Burn,” which stems from a direct memory of his fourteenth year, when he helped clean corpses from a gas station explosion. The mannequin is stuck to the canvas, purple, black, and gray as charcoal with splashes of red. It’s wrapped in barbed wire painted to look like the Irish flag. While Rock loves his country, he admits that even in times of peace, the political closeness is binding and suffocating for the people. “Peace is never, ever free. [We] may achieve peace, but there’s always constraints.”

Rock’s work is all about his Irish heritage, but he now resides in the countryside of New Mexico, where he’s happy to say that he can hear the birds sing and has a new studio from which to work. Allowing the frantic nature of his memories to take control in his art has helped him immensely, though there’s always more to let out. While he still harbors chaotic memories, he hopes his paintings will give a voice to others from Belfast, to show the world what war was like and what it is like and what it will continue to be like. He has captured pictures of emotions behind his most painful memories so all can look at them and see the psychological scars of battle. One glance brings to mind anguish, frustration, and danger. On the other hand, they also carry a sense of hope; that the world will come to realize the atrocities of violence and stop before the next generation suffers its consequences.

Filed Under: Art, featured Tagged With: , , , , ,

Alana Lee – Synchronizing into the Music World

January 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Alana Lee is definitely your average teenager, and if you ask her, she’ll tell you the same.  She gets up each morning and tries to find the perfect outfit to wear to school.  She goes to her high school dances.  She hangs out with friends and loves to shop.  If you looked at her, you would see the typical, bright-eyed American girl with aspirations of greatness.  And, there is no doubt, Alana’s voice will excel her to that level.

At the tender age of 14, Alana produced her first single written by her production company for the music video called “Butterflies.”  When Alana first set out to create the video, she had no idea what to expect; all she knew was she was having fun with her friends in a way most teens can’t experience.  What came next was nothing shy of amazing.

After a few months of being live on YouTube, Alana’s video recorded over 11.5 million views, and that number continues to grow.  She was almost an overnight Internet recording sensation!

Maybe the video is so successful because of Alana’s good looks, or maybe it’s because the youth today love YouTube and simply watched it over and over- but I don’t think so.  The real reason the video has done so well is because of Alana’s fresh voice that’s full of passion for whatever she sings about.  The talented young singer puts heart into her music, and it shows.  The video also does quite well because of its great cast and story plot.

Few adults really know what goes on when they send their kids to school.  It’s actually a downright brutal experience for most, and this video shows how vicious kids can be.  The cast is comprised of all Alana’s close friends who create the “perfect” chemistry, giving the video believable reality.

It’s tough enough for adults to break into the music world, but imagine a 14-year-old doing it – and she’s succeeding.  Some musicians would do anything to have the kind of views for their music videos as Alana has for hers.  In fact, she is in great company; many top legends in the music industry have as many hits as she does, including her inspiration – Taylor Swift.

Now, let’s go back nine years ago.  Alana made her first live performance on a cruise ship while vacationing with her family, at the sweet age of six.  Even then she had stardom written all over her, because she wasn’t shy in the least.  Alana got on that stage and wowed the audience, and her parents, as it was at that moment they realized she had a wonderful talent.

To make it in this cut throat industry, Alana will have to overcome many tough obstacles including finding time to practice, record and produce more music.  She will have to do this while going to school and keeping up her grades.  In addition, Alana must also create moments to hang out with her friends, and, in general, experience childhood to its fullest.

She will have to battle the politics and harsh criticism that comes with the fame and glam of being a musician.  But heck, Alana’s in high school; it should just be like any other day in class, except she won’t get bullied.  This is one task she will be able to pass with flying colors.

It won’t be hard to do, especially with the love and guidance of her family and friends.  Alana credits their support as the main reason she has accomplished so much already.

In 2011, Alana released another single titled, “Synchronize,” written for her by her manager.  This song boasts a message of what it’s like to have a  true friend – a bond that cannot be broken.  Everyone in life can think back to that one person this song talks about.  That special someone who could finish your sentences, or all they had to do was look at you and you knew exactly what they were thinking.

When I first listened to the song it blasted me back to 1990 through 1993 – one of the best times in my life as I was surrounded by great friends.  It brought back memories of my best friend, who sadly we lost in 2006, and all those good times we had together.  Times I hold dear to my heart, and memories nobody can take from me.

Just listen to this song and you will know exactly what I’m talking about.  It will bring a smile to your face and tears to your eyes as you reminisce about good times with your best bud.  Add in Alana’s youthful voice, and it completes the formula for time travel.

Lastly, she completed and released, “This is Me,” a song that talks about something we all hold dear- ourselves!  Alana compliments this song with a pictorial montage of her life from her days as a baby to her teenage years where she is today.  It’s a wonderful video that shows you how she’s grown and matured throughout the last decade to today.

I can’t say I am a true “psychic” or anything, but I can predict we will see a whole lot more of this young, talented artist in the future.  In fact, don’t be surprised if you see Alana someday accepting her first Grammy Award.

To find out more about Alana Lee and view her videos, visit http://alanaleemusic.net  or go and LIKE her Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/alanaleeproductions

Filed Under: Bands & Singers, featured

Lizard Lick Towing on TruTV: Licking the Competition

December 30, 2011 By 2 Comments

It wasn’t too long ago that the reality show, Wife Swap, sought after Amy Shirley, co-owner of Lizard Lick Towing.  Producers of the hit show were interested in Shirley because of her incredible story of being a world champion powerlifter, a mixed martial arts fighter, a licensed mortician and mother of four.  After careful consideration, they simply didn’t feel it was the right path for them.

Instead, Lizard Lick Towing became one of the anchor segments for a new reality show,  All Worked Up, on TruTV.  From that point on, Lizard Lick Towing’s popularity grew, which spun them into their very own show.  Lizard Lick Towing exposes all of what the crew does and what they deal with on a daily basis.

The show is currently in its third season and can be seen every Monday night at 10:00 PM (EST).

Lizard Lick Towing‘s popularity stems from a few elements.  It’s taped in a real southern neighborhood -something many people can relate to.  Also, the show’s lovable cast, with their “real” and “charismatic” personalities that we fall in love with, make each episode delightfully entertaining to watch.  And, of course, there is plenty of  the usual day-to-day drama that confronts the Lizard Lick team.

Ron Shirley, the co-owner of Lizard Lick Towing, takes his best buddy Bobby Brantley on some amazing adventures, deep into the North Carolina backwoods and repos cars from people, including the Army rejects.  You never know what they will encounter next.

Throughout the years, the folks from Lizard Lick Towing have been threatened numerous times with various weapons- guns, knives, and even the occasional flame thrower.  Under an extreme circumstance once, the crew was even held up in their office with a hand grenade.  They’ve repossessed everything from high-end collectible cars to surfboards and even deer.

In Season 2 we saw an ex-fiancé of Bobby Brantley’s, Micky, return and woo Brantley away from Lizard Lick.  Her first run-in with the team, even before the show aired, she stole thousands of dollars from Lizard Lick and broke Brantley’s heart.

When she came back, she put a real kink in the friendship between Brantley and Ron Shirley.  Basically, Mickey tried convincing Brantley that he was better off without Lizard Lick.  Brantely was eventually given an ultimatum by Shirley, and he chose to leave the team.  That choice cost Ron and Amy Shirley a dear friend, and nearly their business.

“Me and Bobby are tight as a frog’s butt and that’s water tight,” says Ron Shirley, and with that statement and an act of friendship, Shirley accepted Brantley right back into the Lizard Lick family.  They are now trying to save their ailing business.

One of the greatest aspects of the show is that it’s real.  The Shirleys and Brantley are not paid actors.  Lizard Lick Towing actually exists in Lizard Lick, NC.  Unlike many other reality shows out there today, what you see is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

TruTV also allows the Lizard Lick crew to just “be themselves”.  “When you see us bickering, it’s real, and when you see us loving, it’s real,” says Ron Shirley about the show.  The owner adds, “I really like that TruTV allows us to be ourselves.”

That means that when you watch this show, they are not acting and it isn’t scripted in any way.  The crew of TruTV tapes Lizard Lick as they are, as if no cameras are present.

Life of a Repo Man

Unfortunately, we’re in tough economic times.  Even some of the most well-off individuals find themselves in tough times, struggling to pay their bills.  When that happens, you may see Ron Shirley and Bobby Brantley come to your home, to take your ride.

“At one time, we were one of the most hated people in the community,” states Shirley.  He recalls a time when he had to check over his food to ensure it was only food he was eating, and walking down the street meant being glared at with powerful stares.  However, he didn’t blame them because his  job requires taking from people at their lowest times.

Since the show, that has changed.  When he pulls up in their driveways, he generally is met with a handshake and is asked for an autograph, especially at the local watering hole around town.

 From episode to episode, we’ve seen many life and death attempts on their lives.  Shirley states that what you see is the bad end of his job, but not all jobs are like that.  Sometimes he’s in and out before the owner even knows the car is gone.

What you may not know is why Shirley and his team don’t pull a gun or taser out on these whack jobs that attack them when they are confronted.  Well, the answer is quite simple.  In North Carolina, repossession companies can’t carry a gun or knife in their car.  The insurance company takes it to another level and says they won’t cover them if they have a bat, pole, taser or any other kind of weapon.  So to avoid being blacklisted, they rely on their intelligence, a skilled plan, and a friend who can fight!

Because of the fact they are not allowed to carry protection, and Ron Shirley has a family who depends on him, he has no problem saying that he’s pulled back a bit.  A few years ago he would have gone into location like a cowboy riding a tornado, without much care, but not when others are counting on him.  You could say, his family has helped tame his wild side.

When I asked Shirley about the situations he’s run into he replied, “It’s not the people who wave guns and knives in our face and the loud ones that we really worry about, they are usually all smoke in the mirrors;  instead, we worry about the silent ones who give you one warning and walk off.”

The repo business is a tough profession that takes a certain personality to master.  It has its good days and its bad days, and what you see on Lizard Lick Towing are the days that we should be thankful we’re safe behind a desk!

If you want to see a true reality show, portraying the real lives of repo men in totally unscripted situations, then I encourage everyone to turn into Lizard Lick Towing on TruTV.  It’s probably one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time.

If the Shirleys and Brantley show up to your residence, you can bet …. “You’ll get licked!”

 

 

Filed Under: featured, Reality TV

Rocky Karlage: His Days of Walking with Ghosts and Life on ‘The Farm’

December 24, 2011 By 1 Comment

Rocky Karlage wears many hats, and I’m not referring to the literal kind you take to baseball games or the beach.  What I mean is, the guy keeps busy.

Highly creative, intelligent and motivated, the Cincinnati, Ohio resident has worked as a producer, writer, creative consultant, photographer, and researcher just to name a few.  The man of many titles refuses to get bored.  “I’m always thinking and planning,” laughs Karlage during our recent interview.  “However, the hard part is making it happen.”

He doesn’t seem to have too much trouble making it happen though.  This past year, the talented Karlage produced an independent feature film titled, The Farm.  Not only did he act as the film’s producer, but he also worked as its screenwriter and web developer.  Steve Olander directed and edited.

According to Karlage, The Farm is based on true events, and let’s just say, it’s not exactly about cows and chickens.  Rather, the film focuses on a young, married couple while on their honeymoon.  The bride’s aunt, who is a realtor, loans her and the groom a rustic farmhouse to stay in after their wedding.  The country abode, however, is hardly charming and the couple’s romantic retreat turns into a horrific nightmare of sorts.  Estella and her new husband, Johnny, become stranded at the farm due to inclement weather and they soon realize they are not alone.  Ghostly events begin to take their toll on the couple, and whether or not they can escape their ordeal is left to be unseen- or at least for now.

Karlage will not discuss too many of the film’s details at the moment, as The Farm is still in the editing process.  He hopes that its full length version will be released the end of February 2012.  Currently, only a shortened version can be seen, which was run at a festival in Ohio in October of 2011.

The paranormal-horror film has the perfect trifecta for the making of a hit:  a creepy setting, several very talented actors and a brilliant production crew.  Karlage proudly states that Hollywood is already beginning to take notice of The Farm, and he hopes that after its spring release, the film will gain even more praise and recognition from not only big name critics, but also from audiences across the nation.

I, personally, have no doubt that Rocky Karlage will soon become a household name after The Farm‘s major debut, earning him a much coveted mark in the film industry.  In fact, the film did so outstandingly well at its Ohio screening in the fall, that it was also invited to be shown at the 2nd Annual Independent Film Festival in California in March of 2012.  Karlage further states the film will have a sequel, which hopefully will premiere sometime next year.

The Farm is not the only big project that Karlage has under his wing.  He is also the creator of  the much loved and highly respected Ghost Walk Saga.  Karlage’s Ghost Walk is an epic ghost story based upon historic events in late 1800s America, centered around the prestigious Lane Family of Cleveland, Ohio.  The fictional characters were  founded by Karlage; however, they may be more real than they seem.  “I have been told by psychics that the characters created for Ghost Walk are very close to “people who actually exist or existed.”  For instance, take Ghost Walk‘s most popular character, Little Lela.  Lela, the mysterious girl whose story is unfolded in the series, is based upon the “real” spirit known to Karlage as Lilly Rose.  The producer states that Lilly Rose has visited him in her ghostly form many times over his lifetime.

“Lilly Rose is a little girl ghost that is always around me.  She makes herself known quite abit,” explains the Ghost Walk creator.  Karlage goes on to state that Lilly Rose, who according to sensitives passed away over 200 years ago, looks for her mother who may be trapped, paranormally speaking.  Karlage feels this notion to be true as he communicates directly with Lilly Rose.  Considered to be an intuitive, Karlage often receives messages from this little spirit.  And, according to other Ghost Walk staff members, Lilly Rose is beginning to connect with them as well.  “Lilly Rose just wants to be heard.  She has reasons for reaching out to me and pushes me with my plans,” confides Karlage.  “She is an inspiration behind Ghost Walk .” 

Karlage continues on to say how all the characters in the saga are amazing.  Each and every one of them is beautifully complex and fascinating, adding to the drama and intrigue of Ghost Walk.  “To me, the saga is the ‘Gone with the Wind of the Paranormal’,” chuckles Karlage.  “In all seriousness, the Ghost Walk stories are very important.  They have meaning, are educational and full of history.  And within each story they feature dangers that are real.”

Some of Ghost Walk‘s other characters, in addition to Little Lela, include The Ladies Three:  Miss Dorian Lane, Mistress of Lane Estate and Manor; Leila Trent, Dorian’s best friend; and Sara ‘the hunter’, guardian of Lane Estate.  The Main Men of the Estate are as follows:  Taggart, the foreman of Lane Estate; Siegfried Lane, Master Lane of the Estate; and Jonathan ‘Jack’ Dawson, Lady Dorian’s fiance.  There are also the two children:  Little Lela (also known to many as Lilly Rose) and William, who is Lela’s best friend.  In addition, the Romy gypsies are characters in the saga, and their caravan lives on the eastern border of the Lane Estate.

Within the Ghost Walk series, “monsters” are said to walk among the so-called ordinary population, unbeknownst to others.  These dark creatures may look typical, acting much like “real” individuals, when rather they are far from it.  The three main female characters become entrapped in the supernatural schemes of the evil master of an ancient secret society.  All the while, times and places depicted within the stories are historically accurate.  Karlage is particularly proud of this, as he is a lover of history.  Ghost Walk‘s president and producer has worked hard on his saga.

Ghost Walk:  The Harvest Ball was screened at the Indie Gathering International Film Festival in August of 2010, a most honorable accomplishment indeed.  Karlage’s Ghost Walk company continues daily to develop a high concept story that incorporates many aspects of art, such as photography, video and musical composition.  “Ghost Walk Productions will bring the Ghost Walk story to book and even cinematic reality,” explains Karlage.

In addition to the actual saga, Karlage hosts a blogtalk radio show titled, Ghost Walk Mysteries, which airs every Monday at 6 pm EST.  The weekly broadcast of old-time radio from the mysterious to the downright frightening transports listeners to an era past.

Ghost Walk also features an online store, which can be found at http://ghostwalk.miiduu.com/index.php?route=product/allproducts.  Here, one can browse various items, some of which are a tad creepy.  Karlage sells haunted dolls on the site, which are quite popular nowadays.  The dolls are said to hold the spirits of the deceased either by choice or because the spirits were forced into the dolls (or hosts).  Dolls are “adopted” regularly through the online store.  Karlage also offers a variety of jewelry, worry doll accessories, and smudging kits.  This season Ghost Walk Productions has joined forces with the FreeStore Foodbank to help ease the hardships of families in need.  Therefore, the online shop will give 25% of all sales to the foodbank til December 31, 2011.

And speaking of haunted dolls, Karlage excitedly takes a moment to mention his good friends and colleagues, Tom and Traci Watkins of Knight Paranormal Investigation out of Albany, Pennsylvania.  The Watkins are the founders of the famous “Doll House Cam.”  The two paranormal investigators started the idea simply enough a few years ago at their home.  The couple set up video cameras in the hope of capturing evidence of their haunted dolls moving about on their own.  According to the Watkins and those who watch the videos through www.dollhousecam.com, the dolls will move slightly, without any help- at least from the living.  On one occasion, one of the Watkin’s cameras caught something pretty phenomenal.  On March 20, 2009, a camera facing an empty stairway, caught a most extraordinary ghostly image.  The apparition stayed in view for nearly two whole minutes, something quite rare when it comes to capturing evidence of this kind.  The image, most likely a small child, is very easily seen in the film.  Traci Watkins was out of town that day, and Tom was busy with their three children in another section of the house at the time.  The paranormal footage is now on YouTube under the title, The Apparition.  Karlage helped put the video together along with colleague, Sharon Watkins.  The video is well watched and continues to amaze even the most skeptical of viewers.

When Karlage is not busy with making films or videos, and isn’t working on his Ghost Walk projects, he is spending time on his publication, Haunted Path Magazine.  Karlage is the magazine’s publisher and consultant.  He started Haunted Path in August of 2010 and it has been growing rapidly ever since.  Haunted Path Magazine is both a printed and online publication, as well as a website.  The magazine features special industry and life interviews, topics involving the paranormal, horror, spiritual and human interest.  There are also write-ups on all the latest books, movies and works of art in the world of the paranormal.  Editor Sharon Watkins and General Manager Traci Watkins work alongside of Karlage and their outstanding efforts are easily seen in each and every issue.  In addition to the magazine, there is Haunted Path Live, which is the radio version of the popular publication.  The weekly show is hosted by Maria Mazur of Knight Paranormal Investigation.  Each week a new guest is interviewed for the show.

Karlage confides to me that he is currently working on forming a band in order to promote his latest projects.  Although the idea is just in its beginning stages, he is quite excited about getting members together and coming up with a unified musical group; yet another “hat” for Karlage to try on.

Oh, and did I mention that Karlage is also a professional photographer?  “I don’t have much time for this anymore, but I do still enjoy it when I can,” states the talented Ohio resident.  “I have done a lot with fashion models in particular.”

Karlage was also chosen for Stanford’s Who’s Who “Black Book” 2012 and was published and listed as one of “Ohio’s Top 77 Poets.”

No doubt Karlage is incredibly gifted and passionate, but he’s certainly not one to boast his achievements.  During our interview I found him to be a genuine and modest person; quite rare in this day and age.  I found his kindness and humble nature to be extremely admirable traits indeed.  “My dad, the best man I ever knew, always told me that if I wanted to have friends, then I needed to be a friend,” states the gentleman.

While chatting with Karlage recently, I found myself wanting to ask him more and more questions.  To say the least, I was intrigued.  I wanted to know more about his inspirations, his mentors and what got him interested in the paranormal and horror.

For Karlage, as long as he can remember, has been fascinated by things that go bump in the night. ”I have always loved horror movies and have always been interested in the paranormal.  I love Hans Holzer books.  I used to be very much into H.P. Lovecraft, but it was a little too dark and creepy, so I got away from that after awhile.  I’m also a very big fan of Alfred Hitchcock,” says Karlage.  “I’m not so much into slasher films.  You know, the ‘in-your-face’ blood and guts kind of stuff.  I would much rather watch a suspense film, a psychological thriller, if you will.  Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy some of those gruesome movies at times.  They can be fun.  I respect the people who do those films, but I love something that makes me think and that’s why I love Hitchcock.”

“As far as mentors go, I would have to say Hitchcock again here.  I also must note William Stafford.  He was a college professor I had.  He was very well respected and his writing class was very hard to get accepted into.  He selected me; it was a huge honor.  I also look up to all the classical horror writers of the past,” says Karlage.

And as for inspiration, Karlage has no problem answering that question either.  “My wife.  She is incredibly supportive and she always encourages me.”

It is quite obvious to me that Mr. Rocky Karlage has a lot on his plate, but unlike most of us, he can handle it- and well.  Karlage is, indeed, a rarity in the film industry with his combination of friendliness, creativity and dedication.  His production, The Farm, will most certainly make even the hardest to entertain, stand up and cheer; a frightening cinematic delight that it sure to please.  Karlage has come far, but doesn’t plan to stop here.  His hardworking ways and determination will take him to places many others in the industry only dream about.  With his creative and brilliant mind forever churning, Karlage has no reason to hang his hats up anytime soon.

For more information on Rocky Karlage and his work, please view the following sites:

http://thefarmfilm.com/

http://ghostwalkproductions.com/

www.blogtalkradio.com/ghostwalk

www.linkedin.com/in/rockyohio

http://hauntedpath.com

www.facebook.com/littlegirllilly

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: articleimg, featured, Film

Exclusive Interview with Author Jonathon Charlap

December 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Expressionist Magazine sits down with Author Jonathon Charlap, who recently released his novel “Aloisius”.  We undercover his reasons and passion for the novel, and get to know Charlap a bit better.

Q. Where did you get the idea for your novel ‘Aloisius’?

I’ve always been fascinated with genetic engineering, robots, and artificial intelligence. Growing up, I was drawn to books, movies, and tv shows about characters who were different or enhanced in some form. I was in high school when I decided to put my ideas in book form. I owed it to my characters to give them a voice.

 

Q. Have any of your characters demanded more page space than you had originally planned?

I would say Jonas and Matt.  They definitely surprised me when they started interacting with Tori more than I expected.

 

Q. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Don’t give up and always try to sharpen your writing skills. Its easy to get discouraged but you have to keep your mind set on the goals you are trying to achieve.

 

Q. Has researching for a novel ever got you into any funny situations?

Not yet, but I found myself learning new things, especially when it comes to the military, science, and technology.

 

Q.As a writer, who are your main influences?

Lois Lowry and Frank Peretti.

 

Q. It seems that more and more adult readers are finding their way to YA books. Why do you think that is?

I think young adult novels appeal to the child inside us that likes to be taken from reality and into another world. They teem with imagination which is what readers are drawn to.

 

Q.What is the best part about being an author?

Creating characters, settings, and other worlds, and being able to materialize your dreams in the form of a story.

 

Q. And the worst?

Editing and marketing. Both are very hard work.

 

Q. What books have you recently read and loved?

The Giver by Lois Lowry is my favorite novel of all time. I recently discovered a book called Moloka’l by Alan Brennert, that I plan to read soon.

 

Q. Can you tell us a bit about what you are currently working on?

I will be taking a much needed break now that the first book is published. After I’m refreshed, I’ll be working on the second book of The Aloisius Series.

Jonathon Charlap is an article writer whose interviews, reviews, and other pieces have been featured in The Expressionist and Pet O’ Mine magazine. His interest in science, genetic engineering and artificial intelligence, inspired him to write his first book series, Aloisius.

Website: http://www.wix.com/jonathoncharlap/jonathon-charlap

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/jonathoncharlap

Filed Under: featured, Literary

Sitcoms: Oh How They’ve Changed

December 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I can still remember when I was younger, rushing home from school to get my homework done just so I could watch my favorite sitcoms on TV.  Throughout the 80s the TGIF lineup (Thank God its Funny) on Friday night brought lots of enjoyment.  I still remember my favorite shows like Punky Brewster, Mr. Belvedere, Full House, Family Matters and shows like that.

Now I sit down after work and watch TV and wonder “WOW, sitcoms have grown stupid”.  Don’t get me wrong, they are good but they fall far short of the quality the sitcoms brought back in the 80s and 90s.  To me it almost seems like these people are being so fake and acting so stupid on these shows; almost as if the writers and networks feel that they feel they need to downgrade the content to amuse a less intelligent audience.  Just look at the commercials, they’re no different.

So what changed over the years?

Today I had the esteemed pleasure to talk with a star of one of my favorite sitcoms of all time, Soleil Moonfry, who played Punky in Punky Brewster.  This particular sitcom undeniably defined my generation, and its a show that is still revered by people my age today.

In talking with the star we talked about her show and during that answer she said something that made me think, “Punky Brewster used to not only be funny, but it taught us valuable lessons, I don’t know if you remember when Cherry got stuck in the abandoned refrigerator but that show taught us the value of CPR” said Moonfry.

And that is what changed!

She hit the nail right square on the head.  These shows had comedy in it, they were still fun and whimsical yet they taught a lesson.  They also took real life situations kids, young adults and adults faced in real life and brought them to life giving them something to connect to.

Today’s shows seem to portray sex, broken families, disfuction at it best, glorify bad morals and values, and have actors playing roles that make them look too fake, like they are trying too hard to be funny.  The morals in the story is usually “don’t do what they do” or “this is exactly why you don’t do drugs” etc…

Actors back in the day like Punky Brewster or Full House made it seem like they were an actual family, they acted so well it seemed like you put a camera in their home and watched them live their lives.  Sitcoms were not all comedy, it had drama and sadness intertwined; and that was OK.  You learned things, you cried, you laughed and you came away at the end of each episode feeling generally better about your life.  Most importantly, families came together and spent quality time with each other watching these shows.  Parents would talk to their kids after the show and explain what they watched.

Now parents are in other rooms watching one of several TVs in their house because they can’t stand to watch the “stupidness” their kids are watching.  Mom doesn’t want to watch the skankilly clad shows her husband is watching and Dad doesn’t want to be bored by the chick shows his wife is watching.  There is no togetherness and shows don’t cater to the whole family.

Sure, I like watching mindless stupidness from time to time, but I also enjoy learning things and actually thinking about what I am watching; but those days are a thing of the past.

Our society has changed over the years and maybe these shows have to keep up with the times to be more modern.  I believe that these shows could tone down the disfunction, and implement learning and values with comedy as the older shows did and still stay modern.

Back when Punky Brewster blairing on televisions across the country, you couldn’t cuss or swear.  I have yet to find shows, shy of children shows, that don’t include cussing or cursing – and even implied or full nudity and sex at times.

If we want to fix our tomorrow, maybe we should look at the shows of yesterday and expose our children to entertainment with a meaning!

 

Filed Under: featured, TV

April DeBord: Red Hot Talent

November 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It was 6:15 on a breezy November evening.  I sat outside the restaurant, eagerly awaiting her arrival.  Suddenly, there she stood, her long red hair cascading down past her shoulders and a smile so effervescent and bright, it was hard to imagine she had just come from a full day of work.

April DeBord is one-of-a-kind.  Adventurous, charismatic, intelligent, passionate and ridiculously creative are just a few ways of describing the artist I was sitting across from over our dinner interview.  To be honest, when I first scheduled our chat, I thought I was only going to be talking with DeBord about her firedancing.  Granted, that would have been plenty enough to keep me intrigued; however, it was just the tip of the iceberg.

Originally born in Akron, Ohio, DeBord is an artist who has dabbled in a variety of mediums.  “I tend to get bored easily,” explains Debord over her linguine alfredo.  “I like to try out a little of everything.”  DeBord is a painter, professional photographer and has even published a book.  She is also an avid traveler, with her great love being road trips.   ”I love to travel all around the U.S. and outside of the country.  And I love to document my travels through photography and my writings.  While I’m in different places, even some as extreme as the South American jungles, I will stop and do a fire dance,” states DeBord.  Her goal, in fact,  is to travel to every continent and fire dance.  And I do believe, DeBord will achieve this.

DeBord combined her love for traveling with photography through a book she published in January of 2011.  “Heads Toward the River!” is a visually stunning and beautifully written volume of DeBord’s adventures through the jungles of Columbia.  This self-proclaimed adrenalin junky spent ten days sleeping in hammocks admist oversized insects and venomous snakes.  DeBord joined an adventure/travel group out of Tampa and quickly made friends with folks she had never met.  The gregarious and cordial artist also met with another interesting group while on her travels.  The Kogi Indian tribe was a significant part of DeBord’s South American excursion.  “I loved the Indians.  We sat around in huts with them and got to learn their culture,” reflects DeBord.  One of the adventurist’s favorite memories of her trip was being able to climb all 1200 steps to “The Lost City,” or Ciudad Perdida.  The location is considered to be quite magical in many respects.  However, DeBord’s journey offered a lot more than just enchanting jungle sites or sacred Indian villages.  “We had to trek through the jungles by mules.  It wasn’t always easy,” explains DeBord.  She also recalls having a couple very close encounters with snakes and enduring a painful knee injury.  “I was thankful for our travel guides.  They were amazing, always there to help us in a difficult or scary situation,” remembers DeBord. One of DeBord’s most daunting moments was while walking through a river.  “We often had to trek through rivers, but none were very deep.  However, there was one river that nearly swept me away.  It was treacherous and we had to hold on to each other to pass it.  There was a spot in the river that took a sudden drop and it was very deep.  I was in shock, as the water was freezing cold.  My guide was there to save me.  He really took hold of me and grabbed me,” recalls DeBord.

Personally, I was rather amazed at this young woman’s Columbian adventure.  It was all very Romancing the Stone-from Indians and snakes to dangerous rivers and mysterious jungle destinations.  And if you don’t think you have what it takes to trek through the jungles, but would love to visit vicariously through DeBord, simply check out her book.  It can be found at http://www.blurb.com/user/store/Apryl00.

Though DeBord’s travels may seem extreme, she also likes to just jump in her car and drive around from city to city, state to state.  Recently, the road tripper drove solo to all the New England states, minus Connecticut.  “All the states were so beautiful, but I really loved Maine,” states DeBord.  The daredevil naturalist even climbed Mount Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine. “I love to hike and climb mountains.”

So, was DeBord born with wanderlust, or did she somehow acquire the love of traveling as she got older?  “I lived in Alaska for a while and it changed me.  It made me really want to explore the world.  I loved it.  Somehow, living there, opened me up; it freed my spirit.  I was born in Ohio, moved to Florida when I was eight, and then years later in July of 2000, I got myself a one-way ticket to Alaska.  I was with a man at the time who was in the Coast Guard.  We had to live there.  I was worried about moving there initially, but I ended up loving it.  It was incredible.  I developed a love for exploration during this time, as well as for photography.  I felt creative,” fondly remembers DeBord.  The beauty of the rugged Alaskan wilderness was breathtaking and inspirational for the emerging artist.  Then, just two years later, DeBord packed up whatever she could fit into her car and took off on a road trip with a couple of her friends.  First, they went to New York, then to Florida, camping and making other fun stops along the way.  In the end, they finished their venture at DeBord’s home state of Ohio.

I had to ask DeBord, if she could go to one dream destination in her travels, where would it be.  “Oh, I have so many places yet that I would love to discover, but if I had to narrow down my list it would be New Zealand or maybe Africa for a safari.  Another place I have to go one day would be Bali,” answered DeBord.

If the artist isn’t on one of her many adventures, she may very well be taking pictures.  DeBord is a professional photographer, after all.  She earned a BFA in Photography at the University of Akron, along with a minor in Professional Photography and Computer Graphics.  Today, DeBord owns Inner Sanctum Photography and specializes in unique portraits, fine art nudes, wildlife/nature and pet photography.  She also does amazing black and whites, in addition to her color shots.  DeBord further mentions that she does hand coloring, upon request, for any of her black and white photos.  The photographer came up with the name, Inner Sanctum, because for her it means a place of calmness and peace inside the mind and soul.  DeBord explains that the words translate roughly into “mind den.”  For more information on DeBord’s photography, or to schedule a sitting, visit her website at www.innersanctumphotography.com.

DeBord also keeps busy with her everyday job, which is working at HSN, here in Tampa Bay.  For all of you home shoppers, HSN is your one and only go-to place.  At DeBord’s “day” job, she works as a freelance post-production artist- just something else the artist can do to spark her creativity and keep herself from getting bored.

To me, DeBord is synonymous with an onion; peel and onion and you will find lots of layers.  This fascinating thirty-something may indeed, wear a lot of hats; however, her most well-known hat is perhaps the one she wears during fire dancing, symbolically speaking.

DeBord began fire dancing in 2004.  “ I took a trip to Key West with a friend of mine and we went to Mallory Square at sunset to watch the street performers.  I saw a couple doing fire dancing and said to my friend, ‘I have to do this!’  After the two were finished dancing, I approached them and asked them about it.  When I returned home, I went online.  I learned a lot about fire dancing just by watching YouTube videos for six months.  Then, I started practicing with my roommate at the time.  When I first started, I used glow sticks so I wouldn’t hurt myself.  I eventually began using fire once I became more comfortable,” explains DeBord.  “The second time I did fire dancing was at my family’s annual Halloween party in Ohio.  Contrary to what people think, I don’t spend all my time fire dancing.  I’m afraid I would get too burnt out!  I like to keep things fresh.  I do love fire dancing though.”

Fire dancing is an ancient performance art.  For those who are not familiar, it is a beautiful and creative way of manipulating fire, and more specifically, objects set on fire through dance.  Objects, such as fans and staffs have wicks, which are soaked in fuel and then ignited.  The art form, obviously, is quite dangerous so it is crucial to take precautions while dancing.  Poi is fire dancing performed with a ball in each hand, suspended by a plaited cord (or chain).  It is then spun in circular and other acrobatic patterns.  Poi is also a traditional art performance of the Maori people who live in New Zealand, a group that DeBord would love to one day meet in person.  The Maori, however, never used fire while dancing; instead, the Americans were the first to light the match.

Poi began many years ago in New Zealand and for the purpose of increasing flexibility and strength in the hands and arms of the Maori people.  It was also excellent for improving coordination.  Poi dance was originally used by the Maori women for keeping their hands flexible for tasks such as weaving.

The wicks used in fire poi come in a variety of materials, most commonly, KEVLAR.  The material is a man-made organic fiber.  If used correctly and is well taken care of, KEVLAR will last and can then be used numerous times.  According to DeBord, it is also the same stuff that firemen’s suits are made out of.

DeBord performs wherever and whenever.  In fact, she has a few YouTube videos of herself performing at an old, abandoned Orlando amusement park called Splendid China.  DeBord felt inspired while inside the park, and even though she didn’t have music, she often would just dance to the sound of the wind.  Splendid China has since been razed, but DeBord still cherishes many of her memories performing there inside the cracked and decaying walls and corridors.  Over time, DeBord has danced at proms, private Halloween events and birthday parties.  She was once asked to lead the very famous Guavaween parade in Ybor City, Florida.  In addition, DeBord performs at her favorite venue, her family’s Ohio Halloween party.  “I’ve been asked to do many events, but unfortunately, there are a lot of fire restrictions that do not allow me to participate.  Fire codes are tough.  When I was asked to do Guavaween, I had to have a Fire Marshall on each side of me at all times.  It was pretty expensive in the end to hire all three of us, so I ended up not walking in the parade.  I really regret that,” states DeBord.

DeBord generally goes by the name RED, especially when she is fire dancing.  It is a nickname that she acquired while visiting New York years ago.  “While I was there, a group of obnoxious New Yorkers kept screaming out to me, ‘Hey Red!’ It was because of my bright red hair.  This was while I was in college, and now years later, I still go by the name.  It’s perfect for my fire dancing.”

When DeBord fire dances, she captivates.  “I use belly dancing with the element of fire.  I also like to experiment with objects such as fans.  I would like to get a fire jump rope to use in my routine.  I would use it to swirl around me, not to jump over.  I think it would look very cool,” explains the fire goddess .

Since fire dancing is considered to be such an intense performance art, I couldn’t help but wonder, has DeBord ever been burned?  Well, as the old adage goes, if you play with fire, you get burned.  “I usually don’t get hurt too badly, but once I got badly burned when a Poi wrapped around my arm and got stuck.  I actually could feel my skin melting off of my arm until I was able to pull it off.  It happened during a performance, but I just kept on going and played it off like nothing was wrong.  Everyone thought it was just part of my act.  Today, I will just get the occasional superficial burn, which tends to heal pretty quickly.  When I first started my fire dancing, I used to frequently singe my hair.  Now I use a scarf or put in dreads!”

DeBord brings her fire dancing along with her on many travels, as stated previously.  Her most beloved fire destination, thus far, being the DeBord Halloween Party.  The annual event just celebrated its 16th successful year and now has over 150 special guests.  It all started back in 1995 in the backyard of  DeBord’s brother’s house.  The party was modest and only a few family members and close friends were invited.  “My brother started it as a family thing.  It started in the backyard and then migrated all over the house and past it.  It just kept getting bigger and better with each year.  It became a street party,” states DeBord. “It then got so big, the police told us we had to stop it as a street party and move it to a bigger location.  What once started out with just a few people, soon had become an event of over a thousand.”  The party takes place typically the first or second weekend in October and there is always plenty to see while there.  An extravagant list of vendors and performers are on hand to entertain the crowds.  “We have jugglers, bellydancers, hearses, paranormal investigation groups, bands, costumed characters and so much more,” DeBord proudly tells me.  DeBord performs her fire dance at sunset.  And although the party is great fun, there is quite a bit involved.  “My brother and I are in charge of it and there are a lot of responsiblities for us.  I do the fire dancing, but also take many of the photos. I have to worry about putting things out, such as decorations, and taking it all down in the end.  We had to move it from the street to the VFW.”  All the hard work that the DeBords put into their party, sure is apparent in the end.  It is, by far, one of the most outstanding and elaborate of its kind.  If in the Akron, Ohio area next October, make sure you stop by.  It’s a great way to celebrate the bewitching season; the party is safe, family-friendly and best of all, free.

There is no doubt that DeBord is a stand-out kind of gal.  She knows what she wants in life and is not afraid to go after it.  She is strong and ambitious; kind and lovable.  DeBord is, indeed, unique and I mean that in the very best of ways.  A creative and free spirit that inspires and encourages everyone she meets.  A most talented artist and a most caring friend.

After our meal, I realized that our interview never really was one in the first place.  It was more like a dinner with a long lost buddy.  Or, maybe it was like some sort of self-reflection. Perhaps DeBord represents a small part which exists deep within each and every one of us- our adventurous side, our risk taking side, our creativity. Talking with this amazing artist was an awakening.  Life is far too short.  We need to live each day to its fullest; try new experiences and to not be afraid to learn something new.  Don’t just add on to your Bucket List- start scratching things off!  Not surprisingly, DeBord is doing just that…and more.

 

For more information on the annual DeBord Halloween party, please visit www.debordhalloweenparty.com.  The next party is scheduled for Oct. 13, 2012 in Akron, Ohio from 1 pm-11:30 pm.

To see DeBord performing some of her fire dancing routines, including those done at Splendid China, please visit her YouTube channel found at www.youtube.com/AprylRED

If interested in learning more about DeBord, please “like” her at www.facebook.com/FANSofRED. 

 

 

 

Filed Under: featured, Photography

Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files- Keeping it Real with Ben Hansen

November 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For over 20 years, I have been investigating the unknown.  With that said, it takes a lot to impress me when it comes to paranormal television.  Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of entertaining and smartly written series out there to watch.  However, I do believe that some are beginning to overlap and meld together a little too much.  Personally, I wanted something fresh and different in this genre.  On July 15, 2010, my paranormal prayers were answered.

Fact or Faked:  Paranormal Files is a uniquely developed concept admist the more “typically done” shows on the unexplained.  Fact or Faked isn’t just about a group of ghost hunters who go out and simply film their investigations in the darkened corridors of old, abandoned buildings.  There’s a whole lot more to this series.  In each episode, a team of paranormal experts review various viral videos and photographs which may possess unexplainable and strange phenomenon.  The videos and photos are mostly submitted to the team, although some of the footage is searched out by the show via the Internet.  The team, led by former FBI agent Ben Hansen, looks over the photos and videos in the hope of finding whether they might be faked, or possibly authentic, paranormally speaking.  If the footage is deemed worthy enough for further investigation, the team will then travel to the destination at hand (which may be out of the country, in some cases) to try and replicate the paranormal activity reported.  The group will also attempt to test out various theories through experiments to see if the phenomenon was manipulated in any way.  Once the testing is complete, the members will discuss their findings back at their headquarters in Los Angeles.   When investigating, the team of six will divide into two seperate groups, allowing coverage of more than one case.  For instance, three members of the team may take on a UFO case out in a Nevada desert, while the remaining few will visit a notoriously haunted bed and breakfast in Vermont.  In the end, all members will share what they have learned on their cases with one another in what is called The Situation Room.

On a show such as Fact or Faked:  Paranormal Files, good teamwork is crucial for obtaining significant research and evidence.  I recently was given the great honor of catching up wiht the show’s team leader, Ben Hansen.  Hansen enthusiastically discussed his role within the group, and how his esteemed colleagues help make the show so successful.  Jael de Pardo is a journalist, Bill Murphy acts as a lead scientist, Austin Porter is the stunt expert, while Lanisha Cole offers her expertise in photography and Devin Marble gives support as a tech specialist.  The team meshes well, and brings forth good chemistry and harmonious cohesion.  Cole and Marble are the team’s newer members, replacing former photographer, Chi-Lan Lieu, and effects specialist, Larry Caughlan, Jr.  According to Hansen, team members sometimes need to move on and so they must be prepared to let go and bring in new experts as needed.  “We have open calls for new members all the time.  You just never know when someone will need to leave, and so we are always looking for new additions to the team,” explains Hansen.  Cole, the newest member this season, was the perfect fit in the area of photography.  Hansen states, “She always has a camera with her.  It’s great for a lot of behind-the-scene photos we are doing right now.”

Though some team members have come and gone, Hansen has no intention, himself, of leaving anytime soon.  He loves where he’s at in regards to the show, and is looking forward to Season 3 with great anticipation.  For Hansen, this is a dream job.  “I have had a life-long interest in the paranormal,” confides the team leader.  When Hansen was a child, he started to become passionate about the unknown, especially after watching a certain movie.  “I was around eight-years-old and I watched E.T.  After I saw it, I laid awake that night thinking about life on other planets.  My dad bought me a book on extraterrestrials, but I hid it.  I thought it was geeky, and I was embarrassed to show anyone else the book.  I also very much became inspired by UFOs because of my grandfather.  He worked at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.  Later on, while I was in college, I got into ghost hunting.  I would go out on ghost investigations and it was then that I got my first EVP.  I guess I probably should have been studying instead,” Hansen says with a chuckle.  Post college, Hansen started working in law enforcement and investigated child sex crimes, among other things.  “I love criminal investigations,” states the former FBI agent.  “I always watched X-Files when I was growing up, so I thought, ‘Why can’t I do both?’”  Hansen further states that he uses many of the same skills on Fact or Faked that he did while working in the FBI.  He considers interviewing witnesses to be one of his strengths while investigating.  “After doing an analysis of a video, I need to talk to the witness or the source.  Replication of the video only gets you so far,” explains Hansen.

I asked the show’s leader what is the one place he would love to investigate that he hasn’t had a chance to as of yet.  “I would go to Roswell.  I am really into UFOs, and it would be amazing to investigate there,” answers Hansen.  “There is a supposed autopsy video of an alien at Roswell.”  Now, that would be quite a piece of footage for the team to review!

So, what does it take for Hansen and his team to analyze their submitted videos and photos back at their California base? “First off, I don’t like the word, ‘debunk;’ instead, I like to use the phrase, ‘verifying paranormal claims.’  As far as what to look for in footage, well, that’s a good question.  The human mind has different levels of intellect.  The mind can only keep track of four variables, including logic and emotion.  To me, if I look at something and it just doesn’t feel right, then I break it apart logically.  Then, there are the signs of c.g. (computer graphics) and there are also the psychological aspects.  If I see a video where the camera is set to a certain spot in a room, to me, it looks like the person filming may be staging something; by getting the viewer to look in a specific area, as if something will be happening there.  Also, majority of hoaxing videos are brought to us and not the other way around.  If we go searching the Internet for footage, it’s different.  If someone seeks us out to show their video, it very well could be faked.”

When it comes to hoaxes, some can be quite involved and elaborate.  One case, in particular, comes to mind for Hansen.  “On our show one of the most amazing hoaxes was that of the Dr. Jonathan Reed alien case out of Washington.  We still get comments from Reed’s group, and he is still striving to revisit his case.  What amazes me is the extent he goes through to talk about it,” states Hansen.  Reed is infamous for his tales of alien encounters.  Many in the field consider him to be a showman of sorts, and even worse, a fraud.  Apparently, as one of Reed’s stories go, he was once walking through a quiet Washington forest with his dog.  Suddenly, the dog became spooked and broke loose from his leash.  Reed tries to chase after his pet, but can’t get to him.  Eventually, he discovers a gruesome scene.  Reed’s beloved pet is being ripped apart from limb to limb by an alien-like creature, only a couple of feet away.  Reed runs up to the creature and smacks it on the head with a large stick, knocking it to the ground causing it to bleed.  Soon after, Reed sees a floating object, much like a spaceship, that measures  3 feet by 2 feet.  In addition, after the dog died, Reed claims that the alien turned its bloodied body into ash.  So, he grabs a video camera and starts filming everything going on around him.  Meanwhile, Reed starts vomiting in the background, and can be heard breathing heavily on camera.  He then takes the alien back to his house, wraps it in a blanket, and puts it in a freezer.  Shortly after, Reed decides to take a nap but is too restless to sleep.  He goes back over to the alien body and starts to film once again.  Most who view the footage adamantly believe it to be nothing more than a hoax, albeit an elaborate one.  Some disagree, however, and claim the video to be legit, noting the convincing blinking of the alien’s eyes in one scene.

Hansen believes that paranormal hoaxers have been around for centuries.  Doctored photographs of spirits and ectoplasmic images were commonly seen during the Victorian Era.  “This was like an early version of Photoshop,” laughs Hansen.

Though there are plenty of fakes out there, Hansen also notes that there are videos and photographs that just cannot be explained, especially some of which are seen on Fact or Faked:  Paranormal Files.  “I like the cases that leave me perplexed, including one that will be seen in the spring season.  It’s about a woman in the U.K. who disappeared.  It involves alien abduction.  I can’t really say too much about it, but you do know now that I never could understand the case and I am still intrigued by it,” confides the investigator.

As mentioned earlier in this passage, some footage needs a more detailed investigation, which warrants a visit to the actual site where the activity was experienced or recorded.  Theories need to be tested in order to ensure the evidence filmed is indeed, authentic.  Scientific gadgets and impressive pieces of equipment are used during this part of the research process.  Everything from inflatable spaceships to high-tech thermal cameras are utilized, and many of these devices are worthy of a James Bond movie.  Team members must be prepared for just about anything when investigating a para-claim.  So, how do these guys think of such involved and highly detailed theories and experiments?  “A lot of what you see is through our viewers’ suggestions which are found online.  We try out their ideas, even if the experiments seem over-the-top and ridiculous,” explains Hansen.  “We’ve even called Disney before for information on holograms.”

When the team is not looking for mermaids or is busy searching out life on other planets, they are spending time with people who love them best- their fans.  For Hansen, meeting fans face-to-face is his other great passion.  “I love to break away from filming and meet my fans.  This brings me satisfaction.”  Hansen and his teammates get to visit their Fact or Faked fans at a variety of national paranormal conventions set up throughout the year, and also by organizing ghost hunts with the public.  Hansen, and sometimes other members from the team, will host paranormal investigations and allow their fans to participate.  One of Hansen’s last ghost hunts was at the very haunted Ft. Mifflin in Pennsylvania.  Hansen has worked with the cast of the hit show, Ghost Hunters, and is planning a large investigation set for March with Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango.  Sometimes Hansen leads his public investigations alone, while other times he will join forces with other team members or paranormal celebrities.  “It really depends on the size of the event ultimately,” states Hansen.  “We love bringing the investigations to our fans and allowing them the the chance to learn.”  Participating on an investigation with highly skilled researchers such as Hansen, is a truly great way to gain experience and insight as a paranormal investigator.

Though many aspects of the paranormal are not fully understood, and we often encounter numerous faked or hoaxed pieces of evidence in the field, one thing is for certain-Hansen and his team of experts are the real deal.  Knowledgable, credible and highly professional, the cast of Fact or Faked:  Paranormal Files  is one to be watched for many more seasons to come… and that, after all, is a fact.

Fact or Faked:  Paranormal Files  can be seen on the SyFy Channel on Wednesday nights, 10/9c.

There are only two weeks left of Season 2, so catch these last great episodes while you can!

 

If you would like to connect with Ben Hansen, look for him on Twitter at BenHansen00.  Or, you can become a fan of Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files by going onto syfy.com/factorfaked/twitter.  If on Facebook, you may look for Ben Hansen or go to www.facebook.com/FactOrFaked   

If you would like to make arrangements to do a ghost investigation with Ben Hansen, please contact Kim Rebman at penkavak@yahoo.com for more details. 

For more information on the show or if you are interested in submitting a video or photograph to the team, please visit www.syfy.com.     

Photos for this story were granted by NBC Universal.  Copyright 2011 NBC Universal, All Rights Reserved.

Filed Under: articleimg, featured, TV

Leave it to Bieber

November 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Justin Bieber has made it a long time without any major scandal or controversy, which is an oddity in the public eye.  I think the worst thing that almost cost him his career was that he cut his signature hairstyle, and that really disappointed the ladies.  Now, Bieber is facing the worst scandal of his career at the age of 17, and should it be true, it could destroy his career.

It’s been alleged that Bieber has fathered a child and the mother is so sure it’s his, she’s demanding a court ordered paternity test to prove what she already knows and will validate her claim for child support.

Now I am personally not a fan of Bieber, but the mother’s story is delusional at best.  If it did happen, it’s a stroke of bad luck and proves that testosterone is the worst thing in the world, making young teenage boys go temporarily insane.

The girl involved states that a security guard saw her getting into a concert, which she attended at the Staples Center last year.  The guard asked her if she wanted to come backstage and meet Bieber after he performed – now what girl would say no to that.  However, why didn’t he take a few of the other thousands of screaming tweens backstage?  Then, her story gets even more strange.  She alleges that when Bieber met her it was love at first sight.  They started making out, then he asked her to come to a place a bit more private, which she obliged.

You’d think it would be his changing room; however, the young pop star took her to the bathroom where she conceived this baby.

Come on, this is a person who rented the very same arena to watch a movie in private with his girlfriend, Selena Gomez.  So, why in the world would Bieber take this other girl to the bathroom?  I personally think the popular singer is the victim of a girl’s fantasy.  I know this young woman has a child, but she probably thought back to the guy she slept with that is actually the father and said, “Hmm, I have an idea!”  Realizing he would never pay, she went after her dream man.  On the other hand, she may not know who the real father is, and it may get very Maury Povich up in here.

If this is Bieber’s child, it is very out of character for the pop star and this could destroy his career.  Why?  Teen idols don’t tend to have it very easy in their adult years because their fan base goes on to the next young heartthrob.  In other words, these girls throw them to the curb like yesterday’s designer looks. Bieber, being 17, is almost at that plateau where he would make it or become another victim to teenage stardom.  Since he’s at that critical age, and if he has a child, he will no longer be as desirable among teenage girls.  Moms will not want to have their girls look at him as a role model.  It could spell tragedy.  Hopefully, he has invested that money into something other than renting arenas.

Only time will tell, but it’s not looking good for old Bieber!

Filed Under: Bands & Singers, featured
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