An Interview with Patrick Rami of Lethal Shadows Productions, Seattle’s Best Kept Secret for All Things Tabletop Gaming Related

From dice to fantasy miniatures to painting accessories, Lethal Shadows Productions is ready to take the gaming world by storm!

Patrick Ramey, Lethal Shadows Productions PresidentLethal Shadows Productions is a producer of many role playing game style goods, and they have a bit of everything for the discerning player. They launched their paint line this week, and I’m very interested in seeing how well they can fare against the other companies like Games Workshop and Reaper Minis who manufacture just as diverse a range! The difference lays in not producing a huge set of a specific colour in varying tones, but instead to keep it simple. As a launch promotion, anyone buying more than eight bottles to represent every colour of the rainbow (along with black and white) will get a 20% off.

This company began operation in 2019, making some high quality products for their own group, but when there were a few industry insiders who said they should really put these out in the market, Patrick Rami listened. At first, they were focussed on producing terrain and miniatures. After a few months, they got a business running, and it grew from there. He says his operation is very mom and pop, and there are plans to expand this Seattle based operation further. There’s very few people handling all the mail orders, and shipping those packages out slows down during convention season as there’s nobody at home manning the castle.

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Catching up with Brinke Stevens. From Scream Queen to The Night Jane Went Insane, and Director, She’s Doing It All!

In what get get to learn in part two of this look at The Night Jane Went Insane is in how it connects to Brinke Stevens personal interests.

Brinke Stevens and Ed SumBrinke Stevens really needs no re-introduction. I met her a long time ago, and when I heard she would return to Victoria, BC for another convention, I interviewed her. Because I’m a fan of scream queens from the 80s, I was more than thrilled when the opportunity was made available. Plus, when I see that she’s keeping busy with new projects, from more scary stories to even serious ones, I’m glad she’s showing no signs of slowing down. She’s a different kind of wonder woman.

She’s no longer that “nubile coed” from long ago and the reason is not about ageism in the entertainment industry. It’s about respect. These days, she’s getting offers to play characters whose profession is that of a doctor, lawyer or even a sheriff! The films might still be campy, and that’s okay. For her, “It’s really fun to be in roles that’s more about female empowerment,” stated this actress.

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Introducing a New Talent to the Horror Scene, Zach Lorkiewicz, and Why “The Night Jane Went Insane” in 2023/24!

What’s special about Zach Lorkiewicz’s art, music videos and short films is that he’s willing to put it all out for free on YouTube!

Zach Lorkiewicz and Brinke Stevens at The Night Jane Went Insane Zach Lorkiewicz may seem like a new name in the horror indie film industry, but when you look at his online profile, he’s been at it for a decade, and his prowess must be noted. According to Brinke Stevens, an icon in the horror film community, he has a solid work ethic. She’s seen him at work, and the fact he has a clear vision speaks volumes.

“And I also love art; It all started when I was young, making my own films and going to schools for it. I woke up to it,” said this filmmaker. Examples can be found on his Instagram page. “I enjoy making things outside the system. It allows you to have a lot of freedom, and that ultimately is the most important thing to realise.”

This talent is based out of Los Angeles, and to stand out is tough. He said that in this city it’s easy to meet folks in the industry, but he had to be cautious. “That’s because not all of them have my back. I’ve been very lucky. It is very difficult to find producers in the Indie world willing to commit to your project. I’m consistently making other [corporate] videos and random experimental things to put on display, to make ends meet.”

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The Deets on Island Fancon According to Lonnie Eckardt, An Interview

… and we have reactions from the fandom community far and wide about Island FanCom, taking place mid-april!

Lonnie Eckardt, Spokesman for Island FanConLonnie Eckardt has been passionate about all things pop culture for as long as he can remember. And after spending time at Northern FanCon not only as an attendee back when they first started in 2015 but also as a president in the latter years since 2021, he’s decided to bring some of that vibe to Langford, BC! This sibling event known as Island FanCon is being run by a dedicated group of individuals from this community.

As he’s no stranger to event organisation and after a decade living in the Dogpatch (a term used back in the 90s than today), it will be difficult to sway some people who have opinions about this part of Greater Victoria. But since Lonnie is up-to-date in seeing how this sleepy township has grown, he felt it was time to set up a celebration locals can like. The response has largely been positive.

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Regarding The Great Salish Heist and it’s Vancouver Island Connection According to Leslie D. Bland

This producer said, “The Great Salish Heist is indigenous version of Ocean’s Eleven. Instead of breaking into a casino, they’re going to have to find a way into a museum after hours.”

The Great Salish Heist Movie PosterLeslie D. Bland is a filmmaker who has crafted a lot of documentary style content over the years. In 2021, he and Harold Joe made Tzouhalem, which examined the impact a local legend had in the Vancouver Island region (my coverage can be read here). And to change what they enjoy making together, they produced an action-comedy The Great Salish Heist.

When I last talked to him, this project was in the early stages of pre-production. And now that it’s ready to make its world debut at the Victoria Film Festival (Feb 9 at the Blue Bridge Theatre), they can talk about the concept more! There will be a Q&A after the screening, and for those wondering how this concept came to be, “The original idea is based on Harold’s work,” said Bland. “He’s a cultural worker for the Kwakiutl and other neighbouring Nations, and it was from a pitch he put forth in front of our staff one day.”

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An Interview with Indie Filmaker Jayson Johnson and Black History Month

Jayson Johnson’s love for artistic expression goes beyond what goes on the canvas, but also with what’s put on cinema in the short films he makes.

Jayson Johnson Publicity ShotJayson Johnson is a prolific filmmaker who grew up in a household where his creativity in the fine arts and storytelling was encouraged. Like every other kid back then, he watched a lot of television and read comic books. And to help him find a career in this world, he took all the prerequisite courses in college. However, to truly pursue his dreams, he had to move from Chicago where he worked as a bill collector to San Francisco in hopes he can get his foot in the door! Even though this decision was mostly influenced by his girlfriend at the time, there must have been a part of him wanting to connect to the artistic collective that lived in the City by the Bay.

That’s because she wasn’t fully supportive of his dreams. And what he did to prove to himself that he can do it (than show this lady off) is a story in itself! “My first job was at Francis Ford Coppola Winery, which ultimately gave me a chance to eventually work with him on some creative writing,” revealed Johnson.

Although he fibbed his way through the interview process, he was hired and started as a wind steward. But ultimately, this role wasn’t for him and human resources shuffled him around, and he did other work. He wouldn’t meet his boss until eight months later.

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