SciFiMonthy No. 11 - New Year's Edition
The Science-Fiction-Create monthly newsletter
In this month's issue:
Welcome | Science-Fiction-Create Recap | More in SciFiNews | The Goods
Welcome
2021 is upon us - Happy New Year.
Of all the promises the new year holds, I hope vaccinations are widespread and successful. And of course, I want to see my family. It's been too long, and this isolation has taken its toll. Like you, I'm ready to move on, travel again, and see the people and places that matter most to me. But patience is critical right now, so I remain focused on my work from home and creating as much as possible. I hope you, too, can stay vigilant.
December was another full month for me with Science-Fiction-Create. My YouTube site is in full swing, and I've released six videos thus far. Many more are in the works, so you can expect a continuous streaming fun flow in the coming weeks.
And the stories - I've religiously maintained my Monday and Friday release schedule. But it hasn't been easy. I'm often writing the night before, which leads to errors. As a New Year's resolution, I now plan to write my stories at least two days in advance. The advanced schedule should give me a much-needed chance to "sleep on it." My hope is this will help me catch the small things that matter big. If you ever see a glaring error, don't hesitate to tell me. I appreciate feedback and am always looking to improve.
In this January's SciFiMonthly, I again share highlights from the previous month's stories and videos. And for SciFiNews and The Goods, I'll recap my top favorites from 2020.
It's a lot of content, so skim through and pick out your own highlights to read now and later. And share with friends - this is a great starting point to learn about all there is to Science-Fiction-Create.
Let's get started.
Science-Fiction-Create Recap
Videos
Looking for something to watch? Please, take another look at my YouTube channel. There’s a little something for everyone there. At the least, you can laugh at me as I make mistake after mistake! And please, like and subscribe - and tell your friends.
Here's what's available right now.
J ROBERT CLARK - Science-Fiction-Create - official trailer - my 40-second promo spot.
Evil Dead Chainsaw Build - Part 1 - The SciFiCreate YouTube Premiere! Watch me as I build a replica Evil Dead Chainsaw - from scratch. It runs!
Space-Time 5: CA (cyanoacrylate) glues explained! - A Science-Fiction-Create "Space-Time 5" video that explains all you need to know about CA (cyanoacrylate) glues. Commonly known as "super glue," all CA adhesives are NOT the same. Watch this video to learn more.
Evil Dead Chainsaw Build - Part 2 - The exciting conclusion! Watch as I finish final fabrication, assembly, and weathering on this WORKING movie prop replica. It's made entirely from scratch - no real chainsaws were cannibalized in its making!
Shop Tour - Visit The Lab! - Join me on this guided tour of the Science-Fiction-Create lab. Highlights include Mission Control, The Yard, and various Tools-on-Wheels! This tour is an excellent primer for anyone trying to do a lot in a small space. I cram tons of cool maker tech into my 210 sq. ft. shop. Watch along to see how he does it. And don't miss what's behind Door No. 2 (5:26)!
Space-Time 5: Best Measuring Tape for Makers - In this short tool-tip, I share my favorite measuring tape and explains why it's the best (for me, anyway).
The Mandalorian & The Child Gift Box Build - I make a custom gift box for 3 3/4" Star Wars - The Mandalorian action figures! This easy build is the perfect gift accompaniment for Hasbro-Kenner's Mando and The Child (Grogu, a.k.a., Baby Yoda). In this video, you'll get tips on designing and drawing a signet from scratch, as well as step-by-step instructions for making your own gift box. PLUS - an unboxing of The Mandalorian (2019) and The Child (2020) action figures!
Thanks for watching. Do you have any build ideas you'd like to see? Let me know. And are you a maker and want to collaborate? Be in touch!
Stories
December came in with blustering force in much of the country, San Diego included. I discussed "Inclement Weather" in this story, recognizing both the worries and excitement of a good storm. Not every cloud has a silver lining, but a nice accumulation of snow certainly sparkles.
In my former career as a conservation scientist, I learned a lot about life on Earth - and what we stand to lose. In this essay on diversity, I reflect on why variety is a critical part of our wellbeing - and not just in terms of planetary health. We thrive on diversity, and without it, life is bland. Let’s avoid a boring future; please read this story.
As a maker, I love to create things and give them away, especially for Christmas. I talk about this special joy in a subscriber-only piece I titled, "Making the Holidays." To make things is human. To give them away is divine. Not a paid subscriber yet? Contact me, and I'll share this one with you for free.
Folks, I am here to tell you, Santa Claus is real. It doesn't take a wild stretch of the imagination to understand why. Instead, one needs only to let go of their adult pretenses and view again through the eyes of a child. I can't wait for next Christmas!
I wrapped up 2020 by re-posting several of my favorite stories from 2020, ending with "The Rabbit." I hope you enjoyed these again (or for the first time). Did you have a favorite? Have story ideas for me in 2021. Please share in the comments or send me a direct message. I'd love to know what you think.
More in SciFiNews
These are a few of my favorite stories from 2020.
NASA launched the Mars Perseverance Rover. Atop an Atlas V rocket, Perseverance lifted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida, headed to Mars. The trip will take seven months to reach the Red Planet (editorial note: it’s only two months away now). Once there, it will collect data on possible microbial life and better detail the planet's climate and geology. All these data will prepare us for future exploration. And perhaps unlock one of the greatest questions in the universe - is there life on other planets?
Lifting off from Kenedy Space Center in Florida - from US soil - astronauts Doug Hurley and Robert Behnken blasted into history. They did so aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, the first-ever commercial crewed spaceflight. Having the US return to crewed space travel signals our best chance back to the moon, on to Mars, and beyond. The idea is to let commercial ventures take care of the trip to and from orbit; NASA will focus on getting us into deep space. Yes, the New Space Race is upon us, and SpaceX is way out front.
Finally, a bit more real science in the search for ET - astronomers have found two Earth-like planets orbiting a "near-by" red dwarf. What makes these worlds so unique is how inactive their star is. It does not emit excessive radiation or solar flares, both of which would jeopardize the long-term success of life on its circling planets. A calm star such as this creates a stable environment, enhancing the chances for survival and increasing the time life might have to evolve. Now, all we have to do is go explore them - they are only 10.7 lightyears away. That's 62.3 trillion miles from Earth.
We now have not one, not two, but SEVERAL viable vaccines for COVID-19 on the way. This is a reason to celebrate. But don't gather a big party to rejoice - not yet, anyway. It's still months away before we can get the shot and move on with our lives. Until then, be careful, everyone. And be mindful of your responsibility to others.
A significant casualty of 2020: going to the movies. I'm still lamenting the summer movie season that never was. My son and I ordered takeout in September and had a picnic in the San Marcos Regal Theater parking lot - to be near a favorite haunt. We also took advantage of a first-run film debuting on Amazon instead of in theaters. The two of us watched Bill and Ted Face the Music. We did it right - ordered pizza, made popcorn, drank sugary sodas, and even had candy - M&M's for him; Twizzlers for me. In the end, the movie was OK; I enjoyed how earnest it was. Alex Winter (Bill) and Keanu Reeves (Ted) we're sincere in their portrayals. The film even had a few moments of thoughtfulness (Bill always seems relaxed, but Ted has never been comfortable with himself, as in literally his "other self" whom they repeatedly meet while time traveling). As for us - the junk food made us both nauseous. Quarantine is not for the weak of stomach.
The Goods
Highlighting a few top likes of 2020.
Television Tales from the Loop – Created by Nathaniel Halpern with Matt Reeves, Executive Producer. An Indio Films/Amazon Studios production. Eight part episodic series based on the artwork and book by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag. Watch now on Amazon Prime. From the synopsis on Amazon: "Tales from the Loop explores the mind-bending adventures of the people who live above the Loop, a machine built to unlock and explore the mysteries of the universe - making things previously relegated to science fiction, possible." Why I like it: I stumbled on Stålenhag's artwork several years ago and have been looking forward to this show ever since. You might have seen the art – hyper-realistic landscapes/cityscapes with futuristic machines dominating otherwise conventional imagery. The feeling is at once familiar and unsettling. 'The Loop blends aspects of The Twilight Zone and Cold War Era period drama with stunning visuals and surreal suspense. In a fictional small town in Ohio in what feels like the seventies or eighties, the sets bring to mind the former Soviet Union, not small-town America. Strange buildings loom in the distance, and large robots stand in the shadows, all without explanation. "The Loop" serves as the central plot element, creating fantastical circumstances and testing the inhabitants of this altered reality. The story unfolds in a non-linear way, much like the space-time disruptions caused by The Loop. Characters seem oddly accepting of these disruptions, and with the sparse dialog, glacial pace, and haunting score, all converge to create an overwhelming feeling of dread. Perhaps best of all, it's heartbreakingly real at times despite being so outlandishly science fiction. At the risk of overselling this, I think Tales from the Loop is the best science fiction anything I've experienced in a long time.
Movies - The Vast of Night (2020), directed by Andrew Patterson and starring Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz. Available to stream on Amazon Prime. From Amazon's website: "In the twilight of the 1950s, on one fateful night in New Mexico, a young switchboard operator Fay (Sierra McCormick) and charismatic radio DJ Everett (Jake Horowitz) discover a strange audio frequency that could change their small town and the future forever." Why I like it: For a sci-fi enthusiast and mid-century technophile like me, this movie has it all - radio signals from outer space, cryptic phone calls, conspiracy, cover-up, and loads of spooky ambiance. The dialog between the two young stars is riveting, lightning-fast, and smart. The Vast of Night will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
YouTube - Adam Savage's Tested. Available to watch now on YouTube. From the Tested YouTube Channel: "Host of Discovery Channel's long-running series MythBusters, Adam Savage has spent his life making things. From a cardboard suit of Excalibur armor when he was 13 to a REAL suit of Excalibur armor (with Terry English) when he was 50, Adam has built just about everything you can think of. In fact, over his career as an industrial and special effects designer/fabricator, actor, educator and television personality, there isn't much Adam Savage has not done." Why I like it: Sure, Adam Savage is talented and witty, but what sells me on this maker/how-to guy is how real he seems. He's a joy to watch as he creates things in his self-described "cave." Savage is very much a skilled maker. He knows many tricks of the trade and has great tips for anyone interested in creating. Best of all, he takes his own mistakes in stride. There's a life lesson in that for all of us.
Monster Movie Happy Hour - online horror reviews and entertainment by David Geister, Mary Challman, and Scott Chesebrough. From their website: "The Monster Movie Happy Hour (Dave, Mary, and Scott) are just three folks from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, sharing life's greatest gifts - Cocktails & Horror Films! Why I like it: Dave, Mary, and Scott are three professional history buffs who love horror. They share their unique brand of reviews, cocktail recommendations, and humor via their podcast and YouTube channel. And do check out their other stuff too. Dave is an excellent historical painter, Scott is a monster enthusiast and model builder, and Mary is raising a lamb in her home during the quarantine. I'm sure there's a lot more going on with these smart horror fans. Visit their website here.
Rotted Reviews – Online horror film reviews by Mike Stone. Watch now on YouTube. From the Rotted Reviews YouTube page: "Welcome to RotD Entertainment! Devoted to all things related to horror: movies, tv shows, games, podcasts, etc. Please join me as we explore the wondrous and terrifying world of the macabre!" Why I like it: Yes, I'm all about sci-fi, but horror often blends with sci-fi and vice versa. Mike Stone is an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning more about horror movies. His YouTube channel has been going for several years now, and he's earned a loyal following. And for a good reason – Mike is extremely knowledgeable and provides thoughtful insights on the history and making of horror films. Best of all, he has a comfortable on-camera presence and speaks casually without sounding scripted. Watching Rotted Reviews feels like you're sitting with a good friend, talking movies. And he's like the best kind of friend – a super fan you can hit up any time for a good recommendation. For a first taste of Rotted Reviews, check out Mike's recent video on Horror Movie Tag! - Answering Horror Movie Questions. Note: It's horror, so expect some Not Safe for Work (NSFW) content!
Social Media - MutantFam.com (and Mutant Cafe) - a community built around scary films, creating, and friends. MutantFam.com is a collection of fans, filmmakers, actors, makers, and self-proclaimed "weirdos." They coordinate watch parties, host interviews & discussions, conduct cook-alongs, and - most of all - support each other during these strange times. Why I like it: Frank Somma, curator of mutantfam.com website, does much to inspire and teach others about the joys of a good scare. It's just plain fun in an era when fun is hard to come by. Check it out at mutantfam.com as well as on Twitter and YouTube. And don't miss MutantFam’s resident chef, Brian Biddle of MutantCafe, also on Youtube!
That's it for this January's SciFiMonthly. Happy New Year, everyone. Let's make 2021 a good one.