Morgun – *WORLD PREMIERE!*
I am so excited to announce, in conjunction with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba the WORLD PREMIERE of my work for Symphony Orchestra, Morgun. It premieres on October 31st, 2014 at 8:00pm at the Winnipeg Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. “Morgun” is Icelandic for “morning” and, when I was approached to write a piece as part of the 125th … Continue reading Morgun – *WORLD PREMIERE!*
Music Ed Monday – The Big Leagues
When I walked into Complex Games that fateful Spring day of 2013, I saw 3D models of, what looked like, the nephews from DuckTales, but immediately put it aside. I had a meeting with Noah Decter-Jackson (the CEO of the studio) because he wanted to talk to me about an upcoming project. “… No…” I thought to myself in disbelief. “I must be mistaken.” I … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – The Big Leagues
BEAT ALL THE FINAL FANTASIES: I + VIII + XIII-2
Well, it’s been busy, but I’ve been trying to find an hour or two every couple of days to work through this project. After beating XIII, I took my copy of FFVIII to get cleaned up and, while the scratches were still there, at least the FMVs didn’t freeze up and I could beat the game. Then, I went all the way back to the … Continue reading BEAT ALL THE FINAL FANTASIES: I + VIII + XIII-2
Music Ed Monday – Transform and Make It So (Part 2)
In Part One of this mini-series, I reviewed how the character of Jean-Luc Picard was influential to me in my adolescence. But, when I was a lot younger, I had Optimus Prime. Optimus Prime (from Generation One) was strong without being brutish. He would fight, but only when necessary. He would take responsibility of his actions and always, always protect the humans. That was a … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – Transform and Make It So (Part 2)
Music Ed Monday – Transform and Make It So (Part 1)
This past weekend, I read an article in the Winnipeg Free Press about how Captain Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation was a role model for the author (Melissa Martin, @DoubleEmMartin) during her youth. She starts by describing the alpha males of popular culture: In most pop-culture media, alpha males are swaddled in visual signifiers of virility and violence. They swagger, they swear, they have unfussy … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – Transform and Make It So (Part 1)
Music Ed Monday – Books, Covers, and Opportunity
“Opportunity looks a lot like hard work.” -Steve Jobs That sounds like something he’d say, right? Except that he didn’t, the actor playing him said that. “Opportunity looks a lot like hard work.” – Ashton Kutcher Yes, Ashton Kutcher. I went to see Jobs the other day (with my amazing wife) and I was a bit leary of Kutcher’s portrayal of one of the greatest thinkers … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – Books, Covers, and Opportunity
When the spark catches…
So, I worked on this game called DuckTales: Scrooge’s Loot that was made by Complex Games and published by Disney. My last post was about it and, now that the game is out, it’s starting to make some waves. I’ve been following online magazines like Destructoid and Touch Arcade for a long time and today I saw DTSL on both of those this afternoon. Then … Continue reading When the spark catches…
DuckTales! Woo-oo!
I’m so glad that I can talk about this now. I can’t believe I got this gig – it’s one of those types. The type that keeps you up at night from being both excited and terrified about writing it. Where you’re out for dinner and you can’t stop thinking about how you voiced the harmony coming into the B section of whatever, or if … Continue reading DuckTales! Woo-oo!
Music Ed Monday – When They Miss the Beauty
While at Grade 10 Band Camp, the chaperones (all of whom were educators) were discussing the trials of teaching and one of them said something that I haven’t forgotten: What really troubles me isn’t when they don’t get the material, but when they resist it. If they’re trying, then they’ll get it eventually, but when they resist it, they will always miss the beauty. That’s what is really … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – When They Miss the Beauty
BEAT ALL THE FINAL FANTASIES: Almost Halfway!
So, about two years ago, I began a mission to beat all of the numbered, original canon Final Fantasy games. No Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core (though I’ve beaten it and it’s wonderful), no Final Fantasy X-2 – just the original, numbered games. Since then, I’ve beaten 4, 5, 6, 7, and 13 (which I just finished tonight). Also, I’m not beating 11 because it’s … Continue reading BEAT ALL THE FINAL FANTASIES: Almost Halfway!