Vox Populi With Sean Astin.

Sean Astin, we all know who he is. When you think of Sean, if you're like me, the first thought that pops into your mind are the movies that he has been in such as The Goonies or The Lord Of The Rings, right? Well Sean has been pretty busy lately with his newest project, Vox Populi, and he is looking for your help to get his talk show out there for everyone.

 "For everybody that understands freedom of speech, please KickStart Sean!" Edward James Olmos, actor & activist

Vox Populi: Voice of the 'Occasionally Interested' People

For 25 years Sean has been wanting to do a political show. He has campaigned for three Presidents, lobbied in front of congress and has managed a congressional campaign.Vox Populi, going into it's second season, is a radio show forum, hosted by Sean where people can discuss their viewpoints on the topics of politics, government and world events.

Sean has launched a Kickstarter campaign in order to bring you an all new second season. While the campaign has already met their initial goal of $30,000 they still need your help in order to reach their stretch goals that will allow them to make the show bigger and better.

The Kickstarter campaign is now in it's final days. Please consider making a donation and remember no amount is too small, whether it's $1 or $1,000, every little bit helps. In exchange for your generous donation you will receive certain rewards. Want a signed DVD from one of Sean's movies? Pledge $75 and you can take your pick.

"There's nothing that's phony about Sean Astin. What you see is what you get. And that's a tremendously winning quality for talk radio." —Michael Medved, radio talk show host, author and political commentator

"The show has a lot of heart, but now it's time to give it some muscle. We've past the viability test, now we are looking to you in the KickStarter community to help us deliver a bigger and more robust civic experience. Therefore, we are making the 1st Fully Produced Season of Vox Populi." -Sean Astin

Click the above image or here to be taken to the Kickstarter page where you can make a contribution and learn more about this project.

JOIN THE TWITTER PARTY:

Sean will be part of a live Twitter party on October 27, 2013.

Join in and tweet your questions using the hashtag #SeanAstin

To stay up to date on any new information you can follow Sean on twitter @SeanAstin

Click here to be taken to Sean's Facebook page.


*All images belong to their respective owners. I do not own any of them*

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PRESS RELEASE

SEAN ASTIN’S POPULAR POLITICAL RADIO SHOW VOX POPULI IS FUNDED FOR A SECOND SEASON, NOW DEVELOPING AN APP TO EXTEND THE SHOW’S REACH AND IMPROVE THE LISTENER’S EXPERIENCE

Astin Gains Support from Political Heavyweights such as Michael Medved and Robert Kennedy Jr, as well as Celebrity endorsement from colleagues Edward James Olmos, Matthew Modine, Skeet Ulrich, and Corey Feldman.  

LOS ANGELES (October 24, 2013) – Popular film and television actor and political enthusiast Sean Astin has announced the second season of his online political radio show Vox Populi: Voice of The ‘Occasionally Interested’ People and is now developing an APP for the show’s listeners.

With just five days to go in his crowdfunding campaign, Sean Astin is pushing hard to finish strong by raising the necessary funds to create a world class app for the show, “At this point, it’s all about the APP. People love helping create something that’s specific and real.” says Astin

Astin, successfully reached his Kickstarter crowdfunding goal of $30,000 and is now well on his way to his final stretch goal.  “It is absolutely clear to me now that the single best way to extend the reach of the show is to offer a complete experience for our listeners with a state-of-the-art app”, says Astin, “This app will allow for real time streaming, live call-in and text participation, as well as the ability to easily search archived episodes by issues and guests.”

"There's nothing that's phony about Sean Astin. What you see is what you get. And that's a tremendously winning quality for talk radio." says Michael Medved, radio talk show host, author and political commentator.

With support from fans and friends alike Sean reached his initial goal in just 15 days. "For everybody that understands freedom of speech, please KickStart Sean!" was the message from Edward James Olmos, actor & activist.  “Crowdfunding is a great litmus test for any project,” Astin said. “It’s a powerful market research tool that help creators determine if there’s enough consumer interest in their project to justify moving forward -- myself included.” Astin’s campaign has raised $35,410 (and growing) from 385 backers, with an average donation of $90. 

The show first launched in May 2012 and has already streamed 31 two-hour episodes over the Internet, brilliantly matching guests with opposing viewpoints. The premise of the show is to use civil discourse to explore often hot-button topics. Astin expertly interviews notable subjects while effortlessly guiding the broader conversation, creating a unique and accessible model for political talk radio.

“I’ve had to hustle from day one,” Astin commented. “I have literally contacted everyone I know to help drive awareness and donations for my campaign. I believe in it that much.” Astin recently partnered with FilmBreak, an integrated marketing and distribution platform for filmmakers and studios, to assist with strategy, branding and execution of the campaign.

At a recent event hosted by FilmBreak at Cross Campus in Santa Monica, Astin announced a slew of new rewards as well, including by popular demand, a sit-down chat over coffee for $500 (Los Angeles only), or a personal appearance at an event with a one-hour question-and-answer session and another one-hour event photo and autograph session for $10,000. “I know that experiential rewards are really compelling for my fans, and I’m willing to go to bat for my show and for them by offering these kinds of options,” Astin said.

After donating to the project, actor and friend Corey Feldman posted on the campaign page, “Goonies Never Say Die! I got your back!  Now go get ‘em!!”

To Check Out The Rewards and Donate to Vox Populi:
Please Visit http://www.StartTheVox.com

 
About Sean Astin

Sean Astin (born February 25, 1971) is an American film actor, director, voice artist and producer best known for his film roles as 'Samwise Gamgee' in the "Lord Of The Rings" trilogy, 'Mickey Walsh' in "The Goonies," and the title character of "Rudy." in television, he appeared as 'Lynn McGill' in the fifth season of "24" and currently vosices 'Raphael' in the Nickelodeon "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" TV series. Astin is currently in production for the much-anticipated series "The Strain" for FX based Guillermo del Toro's Novel Series.

Media Contacts:

Sean Astin Personal PR
David Lust
Rogers & Cowan
(310) 854-8133
davidl@rogersandcowan.com

Lana Rushing
Rushing PR
(310) 428-1805
lana@rushingpr.com

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A review of Buffy The Vampire Slayer

From March 10, 1997 to May 20, 2003, a pop culture phenomenon, that was considered to be one of the best television shows to hit the air waves, graced us on the small screen. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a mix of horror, comedy, romance, and melodrama. It spanned for seven seasons and the witty dialogue of the show continues in comic book form to this day.

 

"Into every generation a slayer is born: one girl in all the world, a chosen one. She alone will wield the strength and skill to fight the vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness; to stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their number. She is the Slayer."

Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, appears to be a normal high school student, except for the fact that she wields the power of the Slayer, an ancient line of female heroines who are chosen to fight demonic forces. After being kicked out of her old high school she relocates to Sunnydale, CA with her mom in hopes of pursuing a normal life in a town where nobody knows them. Unfortunately, Sunnydale happens to be located on a Hellmouth. A center of mystical convergence the Hellmouth attracts all sorts of supernatural beings and dark forces to it.

Though the Chosen One spends most of her time in cemeteries, and saving the world from the newest impending apocalypse, she's not the only one fighting the unhallowed beings of Sunnydale. Buffy has gathered around her a group of friends, that are referred to as the Scooby Gang. Willow (Alyson Hannigan) who becomes a very powerful witch, Xander (Nicolas Brendon), and Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) join forces with the Slayer and her Watcher, Giles (Anthony Stewart Head). As the Scoobies grow and change, so do the members of the group, adding to the mix Oz (Seth Green) who happens to be a werewolf, a former vengeance demon, Anya (Emma Caulfield), Tara (Amber Benson) another powerful witch, and Buffy's mystical kid sister, Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg), each one bringing a little something new to the table. Also joining the Scoobies are two unlikely demon fighters, vampires with a soul, Angel (David Boreanaz) and Spike (James Marsters).

Throughout the series you quickly come to realize that Buffy isn't only about fighting demons and evil forces, but also deals with the everyday life of a teenager who is struggling against her destiny. The Slayer and her friends deal with the struggles in life including love, romance, life and death. Combining everyday battles with characters that fans can easily relate to, and stellar dialogue, secured the show as one of the most memorable, and most quoted, of our time.

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 Buffy has had some of the most well-written episodes, among those are my top three favorite ones.

"Can't even shout

Can't even cry

The Gentlemen are coming by

Looking in windows

Knocking on doors

They need to take seven

And they might take yours

Can't call to mom

Can't say a word

You're gonna die screaming

But you won't be heard"

Show creator, Joss Whedon, received response from critics claiming that the show's success was due, largely in part, to its dialogue. In order to prove the critics wrong, Whedon wrote the episode Hush. With twenty-seven minutes of no dialogue and a riveting musical score, Hush was highly praised and went on to be nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a drama series. Hush takes place when a group of fairytale monsters, known as The Gentlemen, steal all the voices from the inhabitants of Sunnydale. The Slayer, along with the Scoobies, are left to figure out how to return the town to normal and restore everyone’s voice. 

This episode also introduces a new face to the Scooby Gang. Amber Benson would go on to play Willow's girlfriend Tara, who played a pivotal role in the series for the show's progression and fans alike.

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On the opposite end of the spectrum from Hush, an episode that's primary focus was on the music and interactions between the actors, was season five's episode The Body. Described as one of the most heart-wrenching and best episodes ever broadcast, The Body dealt with Buffy and the Scoobies coping with the real life loss of Buffy's mom, Joyce Summers.

The emotion throughout the episode is palpable as the Slayer and the gang deal with death, something that was an everyday occurrence for them, except this time, it was real and not by mystical means. The emotions that Whedon evoked from the actors were raw and believable. These same emotions lead to one of the most groundbreaking scenes for the gay and lesbian community. In an effort to comfort Willow, Tara kisses her, presenting the first onscreen kiss for the couple. Whedon was met with resistance from the WB network, who did not want the kiss in the episode. Whedon threatened to quit if the network didn't allow it, and them giving him the go ahead to do so, allowed the glass ceiling to finally shatter. Those among the LGBT community have often stated that the relationship between Willow and Tara was one of the reasons that they chose to come out, or why they hadn't taken their own lives, because they realized that it was okay to be who they are. This episode was just one more step in the growing up process of both the show, the network, and the characters.

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Season six set the stage for one of the most loved episodes of the show by fans and cast members alike. The episode Once More With Feeling goes through the motions of an average day in the life of the Scooby Gang, but with singing and dancing.

 

After Xander summons a dancing demon named Sweet, the entire town of Sunnydale bursts into song and dance. The Scoobies end up revealing their deepest secrets and worse fears in song, which gives us a chance to hear the actors display their vocal capabilities. Each piece of music was written by Joss Whedon and diversifies anywhere from retro pastiche, to breakaway pop-hit, to lyrical ballad, to down right Rockabilly. This particular episode is not only fun for the audience, but also allows the Scoobies the ability to come to the realization that they may not have things figured out as well as they think. 

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These, along with so many other episodes, have made Buffy one of the most loved television shows ever to air. It has become one of those classics that people won't soon forget. In fact, people of all ages are still discovering it, and will be continuing to do so for years to come.

After surviving as a mid-season replacement, something which almost never survives in a prime time lineup, as well as surviving a network jump, and continuing onward in a series of Dark Horse comics, Buffy the Vampire Slayer has more than stood the test of time

Written by Liliana Costa and Trista Holmes.

This review was originally written for and published in Kings River Life Magazine in the October 12, 2013 issue. You can find it by clicking here.

Be sure to like my Buffy fan page on Facebook. Buffy: The Fan Experience.

Follow us on Twitter @BuffyTheFanExp
 

*All images used belong to their respective owners. I do not own them*

LITERARY DEATH MATCH with authors Amber Benson, Cecil Castellucci, Nick Antosca and Brian Finkelstein.

*Photo from NerdMelt events page

August 3, 2013

A recap of Saturday nights Literary Death Match which was held at the Nerd Melt Showroom inside of Meltdown comics in Los Angeles, CA.

What is a Literary Death Match you may ask?

(from the NerdMelt event page):

"Literary Death Match, now in 48 cities worldwide, was called "the most entertaining reading series ever" by the LA Times. The live show brings together four authors to read their most electric writing for seven minutes or less before a panel of three all-star judges. After each pair of readers, the judges take turns spouting hilarious, off-the-wall commentary — in the categories of literary merit, performance and intangibles — then select their favorite to advance to the finals. The two finalists then compete in a vaguely literary competition to determine who takes home the Literary Death Match crown.
The night will feature four writers reading their own wonderful tales for seven minutes or less, judged by three all-star judges. Two finalists will be chosen to compete in the Literary Death Match finale, a vaguely-literary game that will steal your affection and make your heart pound."


          Hosted by Literary Death Match creator: 
          Adrian Todd Zuniga. @atzuniga
 
 














THE JUDGES:

Judging intangibles: Sara Benincasa is an award-winning comedian and author of the memoir Agorafabulous! Dispatches From My Bedroom. @SaraJBenincasa

Judging performance: Dr. Andrea Letamendi has a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology and writes and lectures about the psychology of fictional characters from comic books and science fiction. in 2013 she became known in the DC Universe as Bat Girl's therapist. @ArkhamAsylumDoc

Judging literary Merit: Will McCormack is an actor, producer and co-writer of Celeste and Jesse Forever from Sony Pictures Classics. He's producing TV for Warner Brothers. @skillzwill

THE READERS

Round 1: 

Nick Antosca is a novelist and screenwriter. His short story collection, The Girlfriend Game, is out now, and he also writes for the JJ Abrams and Alfonso Cuaron show Believe, coming to NBC next March.  Follow Nick on Twitter @nickantosca

 

 Nick was the first to compete reading his story from his new book titled The Rat Beast about the trauma of being a teenage boy.

Brian Finkelstein is a comedian and a regular performer at The UCB Theater as well as a regular storyteller and  host of the Moth. He's an Emmy-nominated writer for his work om The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Follow Brian on Twitter @bsfinkelstein

Next up was Brian who read his story titled The Hope Ring which is a true story about a fake engagement.

After the judges critiqued each author they huddled together to decide that the winner of the first round was Brian Finkelstein.

Round 2:

 
Cecil Castellucci is an award-winning graphic/young adult novelist for books including Boy Proof, The Queen of Cool, The Plain Janes and First Day on Earth. She's the YA editor of the Los Angeles Review of Books, Children's Correspondence Coordinator for The Rumpus and a two time Macdowell Fellow.
Follow Cecil on Twitter @misscecil.





Cecil came out on stage wearing a shirt supporting fellow writer, Amber Benson, that read "Team Amber" on it which I found to be very amusing.

Cecil read an excerpt from her sci-fi novel Tin Star.

Amber Benson is a multi-talented individual. She is an actress, writer, director and producer. Amber refers to herself as "a maker of things" and she is damn good at making things, in my opinion anyway but I'm sure a lot of her fans would agree with me.
She wrote the five book Calliope Reaper-Jones urban fantasy series and is currently writing her new series with the first book, Witches of Echo Park, due to be released next year. She co-directed the Slamdance feature Drones and co-wrote/directed the BBC animated series, The Ghosts of Albion.
Amber spent three years as Tara Maclay on the hit TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
Amber supports 826LA.
Follow Amber on Twitter @amber_benson.

 Like Cecil, Amber came on stage supporting her competition wearing a "Team Cecil" t-shirt.

Amber read her unpublished piece which I'm sure made quite a few of us blush a bit. If you know Amber then you know she has a naughty side. Amber held back nothing with her very graphic story that I cannot even repeat. My brain needed to be bleached after listening to that, lol.

"I told you it was bad" she said to me afterwards.

After critiquing the authors, the judges decided the winner of round 2 to be........ Cecil Castellucci.

Cecil and Brian went on to compete against each other in round 3 of the competition which consisted of three parts in which they had to draw each of the judges individually.

Host, Adrian Todd Zuniga, selected three audience members, dubbed them "art critics", and made them sit in the corner facing the wall. They would be the judges this time.

The first part, Cecil and Brian had 20 seconds to draw their best rendition of Will McCormack.

Second part, 15 seconds to draw Dr. Andrea Letamendi.

The final part they had 30 seconds to draw Sara Benincasa blindfolded.

 

Each selected audience member chose the drawing they felt was best.

Cecil took the first point with her drawing of Will McCormack.

Brian took the next two points with his drawing of Andrea Letamendi.

The final drawing, and three points, of Sara Benincasa went to Cecil.

In the end the winner of the Literary Death Match was Cecil Castellucci who won 4-2 and received a Literary Death Match medal.

It was such an enjoyable night and I am looking forward to the next Literary Death Match.

Amber and I after the show. 

                                     

                                            

*All images were taken by and belong to me except as noted*