HelloGreedo, Author at HelloGreedo

Apr 25
0

Inspiration is Everywhere

Posted by | Blog | 32,548 Comments

We don’t live in bubbles of seclusion, or information-blocking castles surrounded by a stagnant moat of uninfluenced thoughts. Isaac Newton hit the nail on the head, we all stand on the shoulders of giants. Whether that giant is a globally known and admired film director, or your friend who comes up with a clever idea that you then run with. Influence surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together. That’s not to say that you can’t have an original thought, but generally the flame that sparks an idea is rooted in an experience, an individual, or an event happening somewhere on planet Earth. Even the inspiration to write this entry came from an outside source. That source would be James Rolfe. Some of you may know him better as The Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN). James is turning his beloved web series into a full length feature film. This is an incredible feat, and one that should be admired by not only lovers of movies and games, but by anyone who has ever had a dream to tackle a creative project.

If you haven’t taken the time to research the Angry Video Game Nerd Movie, be sure to watch the video on the right. The heart and soul that is being poured into James’s project is incredible, and if his story doesn’t inspire you to pick up a camera, brush, or a pen, I don’t know what will. As you can already guess, I’m a huge fan of The Nerd. I’ve probably been watching his videos, on and off, for nearly a decade. I recently received a message from a HelloGreedo viewer mentioning that I used a line from an AVGN video in my Star Wars Holiday Special review. I didn’t realize this, and at first I didn’t believe him. I then proceeded to sift through old AVGN videos to find the exact phrase I was being accused of using. I found it. Of course me using his phrase wasn’t on purpose, it was a simple mind-slip. A case of a hearing something years ago, and using it without putting two-and-two together or remembering the source. A drawer of thoughts from the past being opened, and a memory slipping through the cracks. This sort of thing happens in comedy, speeches, and even in visual mediums such as film or photography. So, I cheers a Rolling Rock to you James. Sorry about that one buddy. I promise it won’t happen again.

I have had correspondence with HelloGreedo viewers who say that my YouTube channel inspired them to pursue a creative project. That is an incredibly humbling thought. The idea that something I am so passionate about was the spark that aided someone in their pursuit, simply put, is an amazing feeling. Sure, HelloGreedo started as just a man. An individual. One guy with a camera and a voice. But just as HelloGreedo has grown up, so have I. HelloGreedo has become a symbol (at least in my mind) for the pursuit of enjoyment. It’s so much bigger than just another Star Wars YouTube Channel. It is the idea that, in the year 2014, you don’t need a studio. You don’t need a label. You don’t need a publisher. There is no reason you shouldn’t pursue your art.

So, I raise a big snifter of scotch to everyone who ever had an influence on me. From my dad helping me film stop-motion movies with Jurassic Park action figures, to the big man Lucas himself. Everyone who has ever helped me with a HelloGreedo video, whether in filming or simply juggling ideas, thank you. Inspiring an artist is one of the easiest things you can do. So, do your good deed for the day, tell someone you know that you dig what they’re doing. Tell them to keep it up, and press on. Tell them to continue developing their music, or make that indie film they’ve been talking about for years. Tell them to open an Etsy store and start selling their paintings. Inspire him to start a Star Wars YouTube channel, and grow a fan base that ends up inspiring him.


– HelloGreedo
avgn2
Apr 18
0

Episode VII Leaked Photos Hint at Possible Tatooine Setting

Posted by | Blog | 30,301 Comments

Photos taken by The National seem to reveal what most of us have suspected, the desert planet Tatooine will make an appearance in Star Wars Episode VII. With Disney’s secrecy surrounding every aspect of the new film, these images seem to only serve to tease and draw more speculation from fans. The rumored set photos were taken in Abu Dhabi near the Qasr Al Sarab resort. Crew members can be seen moving what appear to be set pieces into a large tent, which one can only speculate to be used for ensuring that details from the production remain a secret.

What do these photos tell us? Not much. Nothing really important. Are they exciting? Sure. They are some of the first images to show the production of one of the world’s most beloved franchises. These photos of have been analyzed by internet detectives, and the running consensus seems to be that the large circular object being hauled into the tent is an AT-AT foot. Is this a stretch? Absolutely. Could these two objects be anything? Yep! You can rest assured that every single piece of leaked material from Episode VII will be analyzed and scrutinized until December 18, 2015. What do we know? We know that Star Wars Episode VII has, or is days away from, the start of filming. It’s completely possible that these practical set pieces will be used as the foot of an AT-AT, and the body of the AT-AT will be digitally added (similar to some of the Tyrannosaurus Rex scenes in Jurassic Park).

We’ve never seen an AT-AT on Tatooine, so it will be interesting to see those giant metal beasts clumsily stepping across the desert. Another question is, do you want to see these leaked photos? A part of me wants to avert my eyes and look away. It’s incredibly early in the production, but do you consider these leaked images spoilers? 

Star-Wars-News-ATAT-2
Sep 13
0
abrams

J.J. Abrams Not Directing Star Trek 3

Posted by | News | 19,171 Comments

abrams

What was already highly speculated has become official; J.J. Abrams will be abandoning the Enterprise, and focusing his efforts on Star Wars Episode VII. This news is completely unsurprising; Abrams’ exit from Star Trek was expected when he took the director’s chair for the Star Wars franchise.

“It’s a little bittersweet,” Abrams told Collider. “But I will say that I’m going to be producing the movie. Whomever it is that directs the film will be someone we all know is going to keep the cast and crew in good hands. I feel very lucky to have been part of it, and it definitely feels like the right time to let someone come in and do their own thing.”

I personally loved the Star Trek reboot. They’re fast, entertaining, and incredibly fun. Star Trek (2009) and Into Darkness made me despise the prequel trilogy even more; because I saw the potential, I saw the missed opportunity. While it is sad for me to hear that J.J. Abrams will not be directing the third installment of his Star Trek reboot, I’m more happy than anything that his attention will be fully and solely devoted to Star Wars Episode VII. What I would prefer is that they hold off on Star Trek for maybe…hm…five years, and then come back with J.J. Abrams and Star Trek 3.

But hey! J.J. Abrams is fully on board. He’s 100% devoted. He’s going to give us Star Wars fans an incredibly fun and entertaining film! In J.J. We Trust! #InJJWeTrust

Aug 19
0
Post-003

J.J. Abrams & ‘Bad Robot’ Mystery Project – Teaser Video

Posted by | News, Random | 28,154 Comments

Post-003

Earlier today a teaser video was released from J.J. Abrams’ production company, Bad Robot. The 1 minute and 7 second clip is titled Stranger. Speculation and rumors are running rampant across the internet, and nothing official has been released regarding this mystery project from Bad Robot.

No, I personally don’t think the video has anything to do with Star Wars. But it’s fun to think about! It’s hilarious when a one-minute teaser video is already more entertaining and enjoyable than the nearly six-hour-long prequel movies.

Let’s play the what-if game. What if this is Star Wars? What if we’re going to get a dark and gritty Star Wars film? What if our villains will be merciless, and our heroes will be flawed? I’m in! That’s the kind of Star Wars I want! Leave your kids at the door. Take off your podracing goggles. Throw away your “I don’t like sand” and your “m’lady“. If this is Star Wars (I don’t think it is), I think we’re all in for something new and fresh, fast and deep, sinister and malevolent.

What is more likely is that this is a product of Bad Robot’s newly acquired right to Rod Serling’s, the creator of Twilight Zone, final script titled The Steps Along The Way. Sure, it’s way too early to tell what this video is teasing for, but it’s always fun to jump on the internet and join the rumor machine!

Aug 05
0
Untitled-1

‘Star Wars: Battlefront’ Releasing Alongside Episode 7 in 2015.

Posted by | Games, News | 26,528 Comments

Untitled-1

As we all know by now, DICE is currently developing the eagerly awaited Star Wars: Battlefront. Rumors and speculation of a new Battlefront game have plagued the internet for over eight years, and news has finally been dropped of a release time frame.

The announcement came during E3 2013 and Electronic Arts’ Media Briefing. According to Blake Jorgensen, CFO of Electronic Arts, the current release date for Star Wars: Battlefront is in the summer of 2015. There’s no doubt for the reasoning behind this specific time frame; Episode VII is slated to release in the summer of 2015.

Details are still slim regarding the game itself, but every detail that has been released to the public thus far is very encouraging. I know many people are worried that Battlefront will be a Battlefield 3 clone. Is that really a bad thing? Truthfully, that’s exactly what I want. Battlefield 3 was and is an amazing game. The action is intense, the sound is impeccable, and the graphics are light years better than any other FPS on the market today. I don’t want third-person, I want in-the-trenches first person action. Sure, I really enjoyed Battlefront 1 & 2, but they were a bit too arcady for my taste. Give me grit. Give me grunt. Give me realistic war-like action set in the Star Wars universe. Imagine deploying as a Snowtrooper, running between the legs of AT-ATs, as lasers zip by your head and Snowspeeders zoom over you. First person please! 

Stayed tune folks! Our Star Wars dreams are about to become a realty in 2015. A dream team is making Episode VII, and an amazing game developer is taking the reigns of one of the most eagerly anticipated Star Wars games of all time.

star-wars-battlefront-header

Aug 04
0
Post-1

Episode 7: More Practical Effects, Less CGI.

Posted by | News | 25,929 Comments

Post-1

Kathleen Kennedy, the new head of Lucasfilm, recently revealed that Star Wars Episode VII will bring back what made the original trilogy so great; practical effects. Physical sets, tangible objects, and real droids. Kennedy said that computer generated effects will be less relied upon, and characters and story will take center stage.

“Looking at all the Star Wars movies and getting a feel for what even some of the early films did, combining real locations and special effects – that’s something we’re looking very seriously at. So we’re going to find some very cool locations that we’re going to use in support of Episode VII. And I think we’re probably going to end up using every single tool in the toolbox to create the look of these movies.” – Kennedy

Star Wars Episode VII seems to be in extremely competent hands. Lawrence Kasdan, the screenplay writer for The Empire Strikes Back, is signed on to the project. Michael Arndt is writing the script. He previously worked on Toy Story, and won an Academy Away for Little Miss Sunshine. J.J. Abrams is in charge of directing Episode VII, and I personally have full faith in his ability to produce an incredibly fun film. I recently started watching his television show Lost, and it has immensely grown my respect for Abrams. The show is brilliantly written, perfectly mysterious, and has characters that you love, hate, and love to hate.

“I do think making huge popular culture – and I’ve had the good fortune to be a part of a lot it – is really hard to do and get right. And if you don’t spend the time you need on developing characters, and finding stories, complicated stories, the audience gets tired because they think they’re seeing the same thing again and again.” - Kennedy

abrams1

The team in charge of Episode VII knows what the original trilogy meant to millions, and you should have no doubts that they will try and produce a Star Wars film that will bring back what was so amazingly about the originals. My expectations are high, my hopes are through the roof, and I fully believe that I will be pleased when I walk out the theater in 2015.

Star Wars Episode VII starts production in the UK next year, and will hit theaters in 2015.

Aug 04
0
Post-1

History of HelloGreedo.

Posted by | Featured, Random | 28,036 Comments

I found myself standing in front of MovieStop, eagerly waiting for the clock to strike midnight so I could feel the weight of the Star Wars Blu Ray box-set in the palm of my hands. Sure, I knew about the changes. Yeah, I knew about the pointless alterations. But the excitement of seeing the Wars in crisp 1080p and ear-shattering 7.1 surround sound trumped an activist’s itch to boycott. I gazed at the people standing in line with me. A grown man, probably in his 50’s, wearing an Anakin podracing helmet. A teen boy wearing a Clone trooper mask that was being held on by Walmart quality and dental floss. Despite finding no enjoyment in the two characters these guys were portraying, I felt at home.

Why am I telling you this? Well, it’s one of the chapters that would ultimately lead to the creation of HelloGreedo. I invited some friends over to watch A New Hope with me. At some point in the night I turned to my buddy and told him my idea for creating a Star Wars based YouTube channel. He said “do it”, and so I did it.

In 2005, six years prior, I went to see Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, at the midnight premier. I bought a Don Post Greedo mask, wore a green jump suit, found an orange vest, made my own blaster out of plumbing parts, and walked up to the theater with intense excitement. My friend dressed up as Han Solo. People were taking pictures with us, kids in Jedi robes swung their lightsabers at us, and we even made the local news.

test

I originally used the name HelloGreedo on a website called Justin.tv. I would put on the mask, go on webcam, and sometimes have up to 200 people watching me. I would yell obscenities, talk about all the “space pussy” I was getting on Tatooine, and just act like a complete ass. I had a blast. This was in 2007, and the Greedo mask found itself boxed away in a closet for the next 4 years.

So, that’s the history of my channel in a nutshell. The support that HelloGreedo has received over the past two years is more than I could have ever imagined. It has wildly exceeded my expectations. I owe it all to you guys; my army of supporters, my fellow Star Wars lovers! I’ve had some amazing conversations with you guys, shared some great ideas, and am happy to see that HelloGreedo has grown to become a genuine community. Where do I see the channel going in the next few years? I really don’t know. I’d like to continue pumping out videos on a regular basis, and eventually create a podcast where you guys could call in and be a part of the conversation. As for now, I’m starting this blog. I’ve been insanely busy these past few months, and it definitely shows in my lack of recent video content. So, I’m hoping this blog will allow me to share my thoughts in a more timely fashion.

I’m also in the process of designing shirts, stickers, and posters. Not only will you be able to represent the HelloGreedo community, you’ll also be directly supporting the channel with your purchase! I can’t wait to get the first batch and throw a sticker on the back of my truck :)

Once again, thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This has been such an amazing and fun ride, and I can’t wait for us to grow the community even larger.

Take Care, and May the Force Be With You!