Carl Reed

A long time ago, I started my own videogame company called “Covenant Studios”. I had managed to convince the folks at Pamplin Entertainment Corp to let me license “Bibleman”, after weeks and weeks of bugging them… I had no budget, mortgaged our house to buy the license, and managed to get just enough funding from a Taiwanese businessman who was a Buddhist, but respected Christianity - he knew we needed more wholesome content for kids than the current crop of games like Grand Theft Auto. Even guys like Phil Mikkelson who worked for Rockstar were impressed by what I had come up with. So, Pamplin gave us 4 months or so. I found a developer, Ando Sonenblick who had a cool game engine - and a work buddy, Steve Howson from my day job at CSC, along with a handful of animators and modelers from my old Hash Animation:Master community. I formed “Covenant Studios” as an LLC with my friend Michael Martin and “Good Games Ministries” as the publisher. Nights, weekends, holidays were spent until it was done and previewed at a big Christian Retailer Convention… bugs included. 10,000 units were produced and sold in a matter of months. We were poised to do some additional levels, and began story development as well for a World War 2 time travel epic adventure that combined video gaming, comic books and a journal… Pamplin sold Bibleman to Thomas Nelson Publishers kid’s division, Tommy Nelson, and shortly thereafter the license was revoked (with no refund even though it was a 5 year contract). Before all that, I had never worked in the videogame industry, never published a game, never ran a videogame business. BUT, this effort was extremely successful until it wasn’t. God gave me the ability to do something I’d never even remotely thought I could do not ever imagined doing. He inspired the idea, and gave me the skills and people (and ability to convince the owners on my third attempt). Jackalope Junction will do extremely better, in fact can’t fail - as it’s my own IP, and the ideas for what it needs to be are inspired by Him who gives me the ability to do this, and has assigned and inspired so many amazing people who can take the vision and bring it to life. As the new parks are being built and revealed - with some truly amazing features and literally epic lands, Jackalope Junction will be something so completely different, I can guarantee that it will set a new direction for theme parks of the future… And the really neat part is that literally anyone can be a part of making it happen… Help us get to $50,000 to get our Wefunder campaign off the ground so bigger investors from their site will be invited to participate as well! https://lnkd.in/g52wsTuP

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Mr. Robotic's key takeaways for sync success: -Dollar for dollar, sync fees outweigh music downloads/streams -Use your PRO as a resource for networking -Face-to-face interactions at conferences are crucial -Syncs on popular shows drastically boost downloads/streams -Be ready for any sync opportunity with metadata, splits, etc. -Use sync as a tool for strategically building your overall music career Align with his insights and approach sync licensing as a long-term career strategy.

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Loved this demo of Restream Studio 2.0 from Charles Quilley! Lots of great features that you can manage from your browser. For content creators, having the right tools is key. While Riverside.fm excels in high-quality recordings and post-production, Restream Studio 2.0 is a great option for live, real-time engagement across platforms. Together, they'll give you total flexibility—whether you need polished edits or live streaming power. Why limit yourself? Maximize your content impact with the best of both! #ContentCreation #Livestreaming #Restream #VideoProduction #Riverside

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I put together a quick and easy guide on how I'm using my Character Generator LoRA to create consistent characters to animate. It covers how to one-shot a character sheet, then use that character sheet of 4-6 poses to train an original character LoRA. #StableDiffusion #AIArt #CharacterDesign

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(Optional) A reminder to scan one's M_nst_r ENergy drink can QR code receipts in order to unlock🔑 😉 👌 😎bonus "content" for C.o.D. (Call of Duty): B.O. (Black Op/erations) 6! #qrCodeScanforBonusContentCoDBO6

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It’s unfortunate that many qualified individuals miss out on opportunities because they aren’t aware of positions suited to their skills. Enterprise companies often struggle to properly articulate their need for creative and interactive skill sets, which are similar to those in the gaming industry. Many times, they don't know how to accurately describe or validate these needs. When trying to build internal capabilities, positions are often mislabeled based on traditional standards, leading to confusion and missed connections. For instance, companies may assume a developer with Blender knowledge can serve as a 3D artist, which is not the case. Or they might label such a position as a designer or another term that a 3D artist wouldn’t typically search for. This mislabeling creates a disconnect between the job listing and the talent pool. Additionally, the recruitment process itself can be flawed. I’ve seen applications rejected based on the personal biases of recruiters who may not have an artistic background. This means many talented individuals never make it to the interview stage, which is disheartening. The issue lies not with the recruiters but with the organization’s inflexibility and outdated processes. Consider a retail company wanting to enter the metaverse or interactive 3D space. How should they proceed? Should they hire internally to manage the initiative, bring in consultants for strategy, or hire an external expert? And how can they ensure this external hire is capable of building a new department or capability if the person hiring them has no experience with that industry? Chicken and egg situation I guess. With so many people in need of work and companies eager to develop strong interactive, digital, and gaming capabilities, some guidance is crucial. Accurate job descriptions, better validation processes, and an adaptable organizational structure are key to bridging this gap. If your company is looking to navigate this complex landscape and needs help finding the right talent or structuring your team, get in touch. Might be able to provide the guidance you need to succeed.

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Identifying whether you’re at the WRONG acting studio is crucial for your personal and professional growth AND safety. Here are five signs that suggest you might need to consider finding a new studio: 1. Negative Comments About Competitors: - If the studio owner or staff frequently bad-mouths other acting studios or competitors, it’s a red flag. This behavior indicates insecurity about their own program’s merits. A reputable studio should focus on its strengths rather than disparaging others. 2. Inappropriate Behavior or Advances: - At no time is it appropriate for a studio owner, or coaches to make sexual advances or comments towards or about students, regardless of age. Such actions are a clear abuse of power and indicate a toxic environment. Professional boundaries must always be maintained to ensure a safe and respectful learning space. 3. Mandated Agent Signings: - A studio owner should not dictate which agent you must sign with. While it is beneficial for studios to introduce students to reputable agents, the ultimate decision should be yours. Your career choices should remain in your control, and any pressure to sign with specific agents suggests a conflict of interest. 4. Outrageous Fees: - Be wary of studios that charge exorbitant fees for classes, workshops, or other services. While quality training often comes at a cost, fees should be reasonable and transparent. Excessive charges can indicate that the studio is more interested in profit than providing quality education. 5. Lack of Professional Credentials and Experience: - Ensure the studio owner and instructors have legitimate professional credentials and experience in the industry. If they lack a proven track record or credible background, it might be a sign that the studio is not equipped to provide the quality training needed for your career development. A reputable studio should have experienced professionals who can offer valuable insights and guidance. By keeping these signs in mind, you can better assess whether your current acting studio is the right place for your growth and development as an actor.

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Identifying whether you’re at the WRONG acting studio is crucial for your personal and professional growth AND safety. Here are five signs that suggest you might need to consider finding a new studio: 1. Negative Comments About Competitors: - If the studio owner or staff frequently bad-mouths other acting studios or competitors, it’s a red flag. This behavior indicates insecurity about their own program’s merits. A reputable studio should focus on its strengths rather than disparaging others. 2. Inappropriate Behavior or Advances: - At no time is it appropriate for a studio owner, or coaches to make sexual advances or comments towards or about students, regardless of age. Such actions are a clear abuse of power and indicate a toxic environment. Professional boundaries must always be maintained to ensure a safe and respectful learning space. 3. Mandated Agent Signings: - A studio owner should not dictate which agent you must sign with. While it is beneficial for studios to introduce students to reputable agents, the ultimate decision should be yours. Your career choices should remain in your control, and any pressure to sign with specific agents suggests a conflict of interest. 4. Outrageous Fees: - Be wary of studios that charge exorbitant fees for classes, workshops, or other services. While quality training often comes at a cost, fees should be reasonable and transparent. Excessive charges can indicate that the studio is more interested in profit than providing quality education. 5. Lack of Professional Credentials and Experience: - Ensure the studio owner and instructors have legitimate professional credentials and experience in the industry. If they lack a proven track record or credible background, it might be a sign that the studio is not equipped to provide the quality training needed for your career development. A reputable studio should have experienced professionals who can offer valuable insights and guidance. By keeping these signs in mind, you can better assess whether your current acting studio is the right place for your growth and development as an actor. 

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In 2016, I created Side Chick. Like most indie filmmakers, I wore several hats to bring my vision to life. What did I do, you ask? - Produced, wrote, and directed eight 10-minute episodes. - Personally cast every single actor. - Hired and managed the crew, including DP, Sound, AD, Script Supervisor etc.. - Acted as Music Supervisor, discovering new artists seeking exposure. - Secured every location, negotiating directly with owners for access. - Edited the entire series myself. The list goes on, but you get the idea. At the time, my goal wasn’t to make money—it was to see if there was an audience for the story I wanted to tell. The answer? A resounding yes. Over 4 million viewers, ages 18-35, tuned in as we released the series on YouTube. Fast forward to today: As my journey evolved, so did my perspective. While storytelling remains my passion, I’ve learned the importance of putting on my business hat to ensure my art generates a return. Side Chick, the first project I created with minimal resources, has generated over $50,000 in revenue. Now, I know that’s not a massive amount, but for a creator who didn’t set out to monetize, it’s a significant achievement. Even today, this IP—100% owned by me—continues to generate income. With every new project, I now prioritize strategies that not only mitigate risk for investors but also set the stage for a solid ROI—all while staying true to my commitment to telling meaningful, impactful stories. This journey has taught me how to balance art with business, making me not just a filmmaker, but a creator who builds sustainable and profitable ventures.

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https://lnkd.in/dF4BXW4p Here's the latest creation for all streamers! Check out "Twitch Overlay Animated Evil Awakening" – our newest animated overlay for Twitch and YouTube, perfect for OBS. Take a step to the dark side! 😈 ➡️ Click the link to learn more or purchase: https://lnkd.in/dZdHuz2v... #Streaming #TwitchPl #GamingOverlay #YouTubeGaming #OBSOverlay

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🌟 As big fans of historical fiction, we here at Anime Village are never shy about borrowing characters and narratives that populate other mythologies and lore. As enamored as we are with these established characters, we’re steadfast in our efforts to create unique spins on them to make them our own. 🌌✨ 🖌️ Take Li Yuanba, for instance. While not a household name, Li was a renowned Chinese warrior, who struck fear into his opponents by wielding a pair of 400-pound pots on his fists. Li’s been reimagined by Oscar Jimenez, the illustrious artist behind our shonen manga, ADAMANTO. Oscar's spin on this relatively unknown historical figure is nothing short of mesmerizing! Here are five ways he infuses uniqueness into Li Yuanba's character: 1️. Dynamism: Oscar breathes new life into Li Yuanba's appearance, incorporating sleek armor designs, traditional uniform, and expressive facial features, making him visually striking and instantly captivating. 2️. Personality: Beyond the historical accounts, Oscar crafts Li Yuanba's personality with layers of complexity, infusing him with quirks, strengths, flaws, and relatable emotions that resonate with readers on a deeper level. 3️. Backstory: We weave a rich backstory for Li Yuanba, drawing inspiration from historical events and myths, adding depth and dimension to his character arc, making him not just a warrior, but a legend in the making. 4️. Culture: Oscar seamlessly blends elements of Tang dynasty culture with contemporary manga aesthetics, creating a fusion that pays homage to history while embracing the vibrancy of modern storytelling. 5️. Iconic: Through Oscar's skilled artwork and storytelling prowess, Li Yuanba is brought to life in iconic moments that leave a lasting impression on readers, cementing his place as a memorable character in the ADAMANTO universe. 🚀 By reimagining historical figures and mythological characters like Li Yuanba in fresh, inventive ways, manga artists like Oscar not only honor the past but also push the boundaries of creativity, inspiring audiences worldwide. 🌏✨ #Manga #CharacterDesign #HistoricalInspiration #CreativeSpin #ADAMANTO Gary Phillips MBA, MSc Greg Phillips Oscar Jimenez Garrett Lucas Jeffrey Morrone

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Planning your next release? Check out our “Road to Release” checklist! It’s packed with essential steps to help emerging artists make a strong impact from start to finish. Let’s get your music heard. #RoadToRelease #TLBCMusic #MusicIndustry

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𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝟬𝟯𝟯𝟭 - 𝗜𝗻 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 One question I get asked often: Do we have a physical school? No. Before COVID, VFX artists were used to being on-site, working shoulder-to-shoulder under "tight" deadlines. That was just how it was. But things have changed. Now, we’re finding there’s real value in: - More time with family & pets! - Fitting in a gym session during the day (our Alpha Chromatica lunches run 90 minutes for just that reason! whether you’re pumping iron or taking a long walk!) - No long commutes, especially in cold, rainy weather In short, a work-life balance that wasn’t even on the radar before. At Alpha Chromatica, we figured out work-from-home on day one and we love it. Remote setups deliver the same quality of work with less burnout and more flexibility, which ultimately leads to better focus and creativity in our students' projects. So, returning to a full-time, on-site model “just because” seems outdated. Especially when, too often, “collaboration” means sitting in separate rooms, still Zooming. Hybrid work respects artists’ lives without compromising results. Isn’t it time we rethink what office work really looks like? With fewer options to hire foreign talent, studios are going to be competing for a finite pool of local artists. No matter how prestigious the studio, those unwilling to offer artists the balanced lifestyle they’ve come to expect are going to find themselves in a tough spot in the months ahead. P.S. How else can I take a break from teaching and cuddle with Luna-Chan?

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Yo! Longjuice Squeeze is a video game I've helped create that’s finally ready to wishlist on Steam. If you're into fighting games or know someone who is, let ‘em know! It's been a crazy time learning how to create art for video games after mostly making comics. Some of the most challenging and fun parts have been moving between 2d and 3d environments, (sometimes painfully) learning how to use almost every inch of the Adobe suite, and how comic storyboarding prepped me for building fully animated scenes. Talk soon, love you witches (it’s almost Halloween time). 🧙‍♀️ #gaming

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Everyone is a "Producer/Engineer" until it's time to listen to a snare drum on repeat and start filtering out freq's and figure out compression. That's where you find out where the real ones are that are built for it. Also things like that one line in a vocal that you have to listen to on repeat, and by itself, for an hour until that one mouth click or a spit slurp is gone. Or finding what track is giving a weird hum, or line noise, or that weird ghost note because of a feedback setting in an amp that is throwing everything off. And my least favorite: removing bad vocal crossfades on vocal edits. And in second place: Acoustic Guitar fret squeaks. Not so glamorous. Mixing is actually kind of a pain. I love it, but I also kind of hate it sometimes. Getting to "rock" is literally the LAST thing you get to do in a mix. And at that point, you are ready to be done with it and move on.

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You don't need it but it's still worth it Personally, I think about this alot What makes animation valuable? Animation is slow... ➥ It takes weeks to create a single piece ➥ There is alot that goes into making it ➥ And because of all this it's expensive Who would want to work with an animator? When they can simply hire a Video Editor and get similar results in a fraction of time Who will pay me for this? And for the longest time I've been seeing it the wrong way Until very recently When one of my videos got viral Animation won't give you instant results It will take time But once you incorporate it You will get attention why? because people crave variety they are bored of looking at the same old Iman ghazi style videos It's so easy to set yourself apart these days because no one is trying new things people just stick to what works ➥ To get attention, you need variation ➥ To get variation, you need animation ➥ To get animation, you need animators Now by no means I am telling you to replace video editors with animators Do both Video Editing for fast reach Animation for slow retaining So yeah... I think it's worth the gamble ___ PS: This was an attempt at pitching How did I do? ____ PSS: What do you think? If you were a 2d cartoon animator how would you pitch to your clients? _______ here's a fact: "Great stories need great storytelling " I help brands do exactly that with 2d animated cartoons DM me "Cartoon" to get started Let's bring your story to life :)

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Yesterday, I posted about Animation+, the Adult-animation-only Samsung TV FAST channel. Well, here's yet another specific offering! MeTV Toons is setting itself up as the defecto linear location for retro kids cartoons and animation classics. Launching JUNE 25th, it's aiming to be the 'Boomerang of 2024' for those old enough to get the reference. https://lnkd.in/dsQn9Nd7 Note that this is traditional and virtual MVPD (Multi Video Programming Distributor) not streaming. So, think more Cox Cable, Time Warner, Verizon FIOS, and Charter Spectrum. In other words, if you need an old-school remote control to watch and need to sit down at the exact time to watch, then that's probably MVPD! But of course, like my parents, you can also record it and play it back later on those strange cable boxes that are somehow still around! 😅 This distribution method seems right considering the age of the target fan and their affinity for programming produced 30, 40, and even 50 years ago! The only problem is... I only visit my parents a few times a year. So, how the heck am I gonna watch those Droopy, Popeye, and Mr. Magoo episodes!?! #animation #cartoons #retro #linearbroadcasting

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