January 12th - Winnipeg Free Press
IF you need a prototype of how modern films are made, there is no better example than the Winnipeg-produced Indie Game: The Movie.It used two successful bids on Kickstarter, a crowd-based funding site used to raise money for anything from innovative products to businesses, and in James Swirsky and Lisanne Pajot’s case, a documentary. Kickstarter not only helped raise the profile of the project, but infused some of the cash needed to realize the filmmakers’ dreams. Before they were accepted to their first festival, they already knew they had a market for their film.
Swirsky and Pajot’s documentary about the burgeoning indie game scene is being premiered at a coveted slot at the Sundance Film Festival and will be screened locally at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Feb. 3 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. The 7 p.m. screening is already sold out; tickets for the other screening are only available online at www.indiegamethemovie.com. Buy your tickets to the second screen quickly— chances are it will sell out as well.
EVERYONE loves to waste time on the Internet, but sometimes you want to feel productive, too. Instructables.com covers a wide range of topics, from food to technology, with step-by-step instructions, ebooks, videos, guides and more.
Not sure about canning? Need a refresher on installing trim? Forgot how to fix your bike? Instructables features crowdsourced projects that you can follow along, or you can upload your own innovative project for others to try. Even if you don’t end up making something from the site, it might provide some inspiration the next time you need a DIY fix.
WHAT’S better than the endless black hole of videos known as YouTube? How about a head-to-head battle between videos using YouTube’s new Slam feature? Vote for your favourite clips and watch the popular ones climb and the others fall.
BBC broadcaster John Peel had an enormous impact on the music scene. From breaking new bands and his legendary Peel sessions, to his popular radio program, Peel’s mark on music is undeniable. The Peel Player is loaded with every track that was part of the broadcaster’s Festive Fifty, a year-end list that the radio jock compiled while he was on the air. The Peel Player is a great way to discover new music or be reminded about an old favourite.
FOR HBO’s Eastbound & Down, spring training is starting early this year. Down-on-his-luck pitcher Kenny Powers (Danny McBride) is back, and this time his road to redemption starts with the Myrtle Beach Mermen. Season 3 begins Feb. 19 and for fans of the show, it couldn’t come soon enough. This quick teaser has everything you’d expect from Eastbound & Down.
If you haven’t given Kenny and his dreams of the big leagues the time of day, it’s time to power-disc the first two seasons before he gets back into action next month.
Anthony Augustine is a freelance music, technology and pop culture writer who spends way too much time in front of a computer. Got a site you think he should see? Email him at anthony.siteunseen@gmail.com or follow him at twitter.com/anthonya.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 12, 2012 E3
