Vote and put a roof on a school in Africa, you’re money not required

myFRIENDS

My friend John "apuuli" does community development work in Africa through an organization he started World Community Development Programme.

One of the communities he works with is trying to raise money through a website called givemeaning. This community, Bulaga, has raised thousands of dollars to build a school using local fundraisers, marathons, and selling crafts created by the kids. Bulaga just needs $1600 to complete construction of the roof so the kids can use the school. At present, they are barred from using the school by the government inspectors.

“The way givemeaning.com works is they post a proposed project and then individuals, like you, must review it and vote on it to see if it is worth funding,” says apuuli. “WE NEED YOUR VOTES!!!”

What you're "voting" on is whether you feel the proposed project is worthwhile. When you vote, you're NOT making a financial commitment of any kind; you're simply indicating that you think it's a good idea and should go ahead.

Voting takes less than a minute, and it's easy - so please VOTE NOW, by clicking here:
http://www.givemeaning.com/proposal/littleangelsskul2 to review the project profile (and then just click on the Vote icon to cast your vote).

With enough votes, the Project's founder can work towards making the idea a reality.

Hollywood and the Graphic Novel

iwNEWS

Last month, I attended an excellent panel on Hollywood and the Graphic Novel at Wizard Los Angeles.

Half the panel were filmmakers who had produced comic book properties for film/TV and now were launching their own original graphic ventures. The other half of the panel were graphic novelists/content creators who are venturing into film, TV and other mass media outlets. The panel included Silent Devil/Kompany X/Zenoscope creators John Leekley (“Spawn: The Animated Series”), writer Michael Olmo of Chamber Six, Top Cow’s David Wohl (“Witchblade,” Executive Assistant), Christian Beranek (comics Dracula vs King Arthur, “Se7en”) and Zenoscope co-founders Joe Brusha and Ralph Tedesco.

It will shortly become common practice that Hollywood directors, writers and cinematographers, in collaboration, will first have to produce graphic novels in order to get their films made. This is why an increasing number of established Hollywood directors/producers are actively working in the comicbook industry like Bryan Singer and Joss Wheldon, as well as visa versa like writer Jeph Loeb (co-creater on Heroes, Lost and writes many of DC's top titles). This is perhaps not a revelation to those in the know, but for writers and artists looking to break into the creative arts it may not be widely advocated (certainly, not in the nation’s university programs).

The panelists encouraged first-time writers to partner with graphic artists and develop screenplays with companion comics. Studios won't invest unless they see exactly how stories are conceptualize from beginning to end. Furthermore, I learned that despite an explosion of independent labels, comic book companies are not money makers. It’s increasingly difficult to successfully launch and sustain new titles.Only when you have properties that are carried by Borders or Barners & Noble can you make any money. That goes for Marvel and DC. So, everyone is scramble to great collections that will attract the big book chains.

The discussion had many more shades to it than describe here. But, it was illuminating and offered to me further evidence that we are living in era of enormous transformation for content creators where new rules are being forged everyday. None of the traditional creative assumptions apply.

Read Wizard’s take

Asimov’s Three Laws Come Closer to Reality

iwNEWS

Asimov had only three laws governing robots, following in the wake of Europe and South Korea, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry has sixty pages of rules.

Korea plans to adopt the world’s first robot ethics code that bans humans from abusing robots and vice versa.

The charter, which will be adopted near the end of this year, will be applied to both humans and robots.

It will be based on the "Three Laws of Robotics” put forward by U.S. science fiction author Isaac Asimov in 1942. The laws ban robots from attacking humans, require them to obey human orders and preserve their own existence.

A 12-member panel consisting of lawyers, government officials, scientists, medical doctors, and a psychologist will draft the ethics code.

Lee Jang-han, professor of psychology at Chungang University and a panel member, said the committee will find a way to have robots abide by the ethics of human society.

The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has drafted guidelines designed to keep future generations of robots on their best behavior, as well.

The document, titled Draft Guidelines to Secure the Safe Performance of Next Generation Robots, calls for the Japanese government to convene a panel of industrialists, academics, ministry officials and lawyers to create stricter measures governing the development of advanced robotic machines, The Times of London reported.

The draft proposal demands that robots be equipped with the means for logging and communicating any injuries they cause to the people they are meant to be helping or protecting. It calls for a central database of all recorded incidents of humans harmed by robots, and demands that it be accessible by all robot-makers.

After a yet more convoluted process of public consultation, the ministry will draft, as early as May, a set of principles to which all robots must conform.

'Metal Men' forged at Warner Bros.

iwNEWS

Mining for new projects, Warner Bros. Pictures is hoping to strike gold with the robotic superhero team "Metal Men."

Based on a DC Comics hero created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru in 1962, "Metal" revolves around a brilliant scientist, William Magnus, and his creations: six highly advanced robots who have powers associated with their respective metals -- gold, iron, lead, tin, mercury and platinum. Instead of having to be programmed, the Metal Men can think for themselves, which is both their genius and their biggest flaw.

The heroes made their first appearance in "Showcase," where they were created as filler but proved to be unexpectedly popular and received their own title. The heroes served as a dysfunctional family, and the stories balanced sentimentality, humor and action.

The project will be produced by Lauren Shuler Donner, who has a history of bringing comic books to the silver screen. She was behind the "X-Men" movies at Fox, which were based on the Marvel Comics superheroes, and 2005's "Constantine" at Warners, based on a DC Comics/Vertigo title.--
Source: Borys Kit, Reuters News

Indianapolis makes a home for nation’s superheroes

iwNews

Dane Nash's collection of Superman and Batman items, including costumes worn by television and movie actors who portrayed the Man of Steel, Superboy and Supergirl, fill a 3,300-square-foot space near Union Station, at 20 W. Louisiana St. in Downtown Indianapolis.

Nash retired last year from the property insurance business to devote his full attention to fulfilling his dream of opening the American Super Heroes Museum.

Besides, he needed a place to display the thousands of items he has collected.

About 15 years ago, Nash sold his extensive collection of all the Superman comic books to that point so he could buy a Superman costume worn by George Reeves on the 1950s television series. He also has the white shirt and tie Reeves wore as Clark Kent, Superman's alter ego.

"It was a goose-bump moment," he said of the purchase. After returning home , he put it on for several minutes before putting it away.

He experienced a similar fascination with Batman after the Adam West "Batman" show aired in the 1960s when he was 12 or 13. This time it wasn't so much for the character of Batman, but he absolutely loved the Batmobile.

Batman items are displayed in the "Batcave." Nash plans to bring his replica of the Batmobile that appeared in the "Batman" movie featuring Michael Keaton in 1989. The car has a Corvette engine and a capsule over the driving compartment that pops up and slides back just as it did in the movie, Nash said.

Nash plans to bring the car, along with a replica of the 1966 Adam West Batboat, to the museum in the weeks ahead.

The American Super Heroes Museum is at 20 W. Louisiana St. in Downtown Indianapolis.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $5, or $3 for senior citizens. Children younger than 8 are free.
Source: ROB SCHNEIDER
Indianapolis Star