What Do I Know?

Hey all,

Today, I’m doing something a little different. I have invited Kyle Hoskins, the fine young actor set to play Raymond in our upcoming slasher film Raymond Did It, to write a guest blog.

Take a look at Kyle’s thoughts on playing a slasher:

Good morning, evening, afternoon horror lovers. My name is Kyle Hoskins and this fall you will come to know me as your friendly neighborhood slasher, Raymond. This is not my first time participating in a Travis Legge brain child. I was most recently in his zombie short “Kept” and prior to that I was the lovable loser ‘Dexter’ in “Skeet Shooting”.

Obviously this latest role is a bit of a departure from the victim or from the comedic lead, this role provides its own unique challenges. I always wanted to be a villain in a movie, I rooted for Darth Vader, I thought Hannibal had a good point, Freddy Krueger was just misunderstood. So when Travis asked if I wanted to cut people up on camera I couldn’t possibly say no.

However, this wasn’t exactly what I thought I would be doing when I dreamed of standing side by side with Vader on the Death Star. I always pictured myself as the insidious evil genius, the manipulative psycho, but Travis couldn’t possibly make it that easy.

My usual prep for a movie, the way I get to know a character, is I find a piece of him that I have in myself and than I form his personality around that. Playing a developmentally delayed killer is not the easiest head to get into but I’m making my strides.

I think the key to understanding any villain is to realize that they don’t think they are the villain. Raymond feels totally justified in his actions, he is pissed, he is slow, and he isn’t going to take it anymore. The wonderful thing about this villain in particular, I feel, is that he is driven by love. Raymond loved his brother and I feel that the source of his rage isn’t that he was wrongfully punished but that no one else was.

We might want to distance ourselves as much as possible from the guy with the knife but the truth is he is so much more like we are than any protagonist. If put in the same situation who among us wouldn’t consider taking our bloody revenge? Raymond doesn’t come to the conclusion that it’s killing time because he doesn’t have the mental faculties to understand that it’s wrong…he comes to that conclusion because he is human.

Aside from understanding the character’s motives the other obstacle you have as an actor is to genuinely portray any distinctive traits your character may have. The hardest part about this is going to be playing someone who is developmentally delayed and not have it come off as fake or insulting. The key to all this, however, is that Raymond is a child. He is an angry child who lost his brother. As long as I stay focused on that I am confident that I’ll be able to create a murderous, yet sympathetic villain for you all to love and fear.

-Kyle

You can see some of Kyle’s previous work at http://www.aegisstudios.com/film.html

Thanks,

Travis

For a few months now, I have been doing a daily post on my twitter and facebook entitled “Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation” For no particular reason I couldn’t sleep this morning and I decided to check out my tweetstats. I was thrilled to discover that I could use this site to acquire a list of all tweets containing a certain word. I’ve decided to share with the class, every “Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation” that I have written so far.

Enjoy!

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Texting on a T9 blows. about 19 hours ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: No matter how awesome the day, there are still dirty dishes at the end of it. 1 day ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: the best and most productive days go by the fastest. Kind of a shame. 2 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: A sweet note from @WordsmithSarah followed by finishing If Chins Could Kill makes for a great morning. 3 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: The incompetence of bureaucrats knows no bounds. But if it means I get money early its pretty sweet. 4 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Tools for low-no budget filmmaking-determination, thick skin, time, contacts & coffee…lots of coffee 5 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: I have a tendency to overbook myself. Alot. 6 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Sometimes you need to take a day to process things, for sanity’s sake. 7 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Paperwork will be the end of us all! 8 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Sometimes you learn by screwing up. The key is to LEARN from it. 9 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: sometimes even when you’re early, you’re a little too late. 10 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: a solid, well thought out plan is necessary to create, but that doesn’t mean you can’t adapt as needed. 11 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Losing early versions of work and having to redo it sucks. Balls. 12 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: the best laid plans of mice and men often require plans b, c, and d. 13 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Web design takes an inhuman amount of patience. 14 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: the 80’s were 30 years ago. Crap. 15 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: the best feelings, in order, are the embrace of someone you love, and the sight of a booked up calendar! 16 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: if you email them, they will come. 17 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: a low-budget filmmaker’s best assets are time, determination, will, and friends. 18 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: If you don’t have money, spend time. Lots…and lots…and lots of time. 19 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: for the next 5 months I am the Burt Ward to @tim_stotz’s Adam West. 21 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: it is good to be loved almost, possibly even just as much as @alyankovic, by the right person. 21 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Only use cleaning chemicals in a well-ventilated area. 22 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Sometimes you just need to take a day to acknowledge & enjoy your successes, no matter how big or small 23 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Pimpin’ ain’t easy…but it’s damn sure worth it! 24 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Procrastination due to lousy memory is still procrastination. 25 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: There is never enough time. 26 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Even the small tasks you complete are steps toward a greater whole. 27 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Web design is both frustrating AND time consuming. 28 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Watching @hotforwords videos and playing The Warlords on Facebook does not constitute work .29 days ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Creativity, or moreover, the urge to exercise it takes no holiday. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: To ensure productivity, we work THEN we play. To preserve sanity, it is best to do both. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: @jtimberlake is full of awesome. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Preproduction, when done properly, Is a metric shit-ton of work! about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: If you don’t coordinate properly incoming work can become overwhelming in a heartbeat. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: sexting at Christmas dinner is a good way to get grounded from the phone, young lady! about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not Shocking Revelation: An exhausting but productive day is far better than a relaxed but unaccomplished one. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Firefox is awesome and all, but sometimes Safari is just better. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Everything is better with John McClaine. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Ask and ye shall receive. In abundance, my friends. In. Abundance. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: there is no greater evil beset upon mankind than bureaucracy. about 1 month ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Advice should always be listened to and considered, but you are NEVER obligated to take it. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: walking away from your computer while logged into twitter is a terrible idea. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: The best day ever can be restless without having truly created…so i’m gonna write a while. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: sticking your hand in a snowblower is not a good idea. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So shocking Revelation: Best euphemism for vagina: Power Bunny Slipper (thanks @mamamanning and @wordsmithsarah) about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Peanut M&M’s have peanuts in them. (Via my 9 year old) about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: I need to buy gloves. about 1 month ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: I need a PR person. or 35 more hours in a day that I can dedicate to self-promotion. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Friday the 13th part V sucked. I liked it as a kid, but really, its kinda stupid. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: planning is damage control without the stress. about 1 month ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: no matter how badass the werewolves are, sparkly vampires are still gay. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: sometimes the best medicine is a good cuddle. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: work you love can eat a whole day and you’ll barely notice. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Sometimes being tired trumps the need for new furniture. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: productivity = planning + patience + perseverance about 1 month ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: by force of will, you can do almost anything, but it requires knowledge to do it well. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: It’s never acceptable to stop, but on occasion its necessary to pause. about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: I can burn 186 calories an hour while eating…Happy Thanksgiving! about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Some distribution avenues are less than forthcoming about their own limitations! about 1 month ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Migraines suck. 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: If you don’t plan well in pre-production, your post-production will be hell. 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Finishing a film is as exhilarating as it is exhausting. 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: pants shitting terror is not conducive to productivity. 2 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Few things kill the mood like a head wound…. 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Life is less fun when you’re not fun. 2 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: a nip here and a tuck there and a second set of eyes can make all the difference in the world! 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: the key is not to avoid stress, but to deal with stress in a productive way. 2 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: sometimes its best to take a step back. 2 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: One of the best things about indie filmmaking: working with your friends. 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: There are few things as flattering as a sincere compliment from someone you respect. 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Voiceover editing has illustrated to me how heavily I breathe. Time to cut back on smoking! 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: there are just not enough hours in the day to do everything I need to do. 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Fox cancels good shows. 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Every achievement is noteworthy. Note them, smile, and keep working. 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Some days are so full of awesome that there isn’t time to discuss it all. 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: When u procrastinate u end up spending what might be the last nice day of the year stuck inside editing. 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Sometimes the best decision IS to stay in bed all day. 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: if you ask, the worst someone can say is “no.” Take that chance and ask. 2 months ago from web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: its time to buy a winter coat. 2 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Doing 3 weeks of web design homework in one day = a really shitty plan. 2 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: All the good ones are taken or lesbians. 2 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: It’s easy to stay positive when things go well. Serenity is much harder to find. 2 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: The simplest things are often the most difficult to execute. 2 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: The best way to avoid being hit with a punch is to not be there when it’s thrown. 2 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Kids, Friends, Zombies and working from home makes for a damned good night. 2 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Sometimes you feel like you did your best, but deep down you know you didn’t. 2 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Just because i CAN function on 3-4 hours of sleep doesn’t mean I SHOULD function on 3-4 hours of sleep. 2 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Some of my best work is done while multitasking. 2 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: A is A 3 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Life happens in cycles. I am now where my mother was 16 years ago. I can honestly say I’m sorry, mom. 3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: at age 13 Halloween stops being about horror and becomes about dressing as a slut or drag queen…3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: If you want to find out the depths to which someone can sink, have a child with them. 3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: virtually all problems can be solved given enough time and money. 3 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: my ex-employer’s corporate payroll is staffed by fucktards. 3 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: the day after filming is always a downer. 3 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: No one can hurt you like your kids. 3 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: being alone is scary. Being in love is scarier. 3 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: if it wasn’t for oversleeping, I wouldnt get any sleep at all. 3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: It feels good to see a project through from start to finish! http://bit.ly/1BCuIK NSFW! 3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: all we need is just a little patience. 3 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: the “simplest” shoots are often the most complicated to arrange. 3 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Saturday mornings are better with the kids 3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: I’m a dipshit. 3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Sometimes all you need is a nap to go from a shit day to a “meh” day. 3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: I did it all for the nookie…really…3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: People suck. 3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: All relationships are transactional. 3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: People lie. Alot. 3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Rockford needs more stores downtown. 3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: waking up in my new place is just as awesome as going to sleep there. 3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: sometimes you just have to get by on grit. 3 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Its already tomorrow. 3 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Its time to rebuild 3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: It’s too damn cold. 3 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: spending a few hours chillin with your kid is theraputic 3 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: being a dick to the door guy at a club will not get you in faster. 4 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: attractive women travel in packs. 4 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Hangovers do not get easier to deal with in one’s 30’s….4 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation:if you just take a breath, slow down, and relax, things are often nowhere near as bad as they seem. 4 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: at age 30 I sill follow the “not tomorrow till I sleep” rule 4 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Losing your Blackberry cam fuck your whole existence up. 4 months ago from mobile web

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: No matter how much you care about someone, you can’t make them care back. 4 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation-being carless really dicks with one’s mastery of their own schedule. 4 months ago from UberTwitter

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: you can’t change the way a person feels. You can only change how you feel about their feelings. 4 months ago from UberTwitter

Today’s Not So Schocking Revelation: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. 4 months ago from UberTwitter

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: @theshadowed1 and I need to work on a script together. 4 months ago from UberTwitter

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: I need better organizational skills. 4 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Aetna is a horrible insurance company. Did they cover my prescriptions? Nope! 4 months ago from UberTwitter

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: the lyrics to Nazareth’s “Love Hurts” read like they were written by an angry 14 year old. Just sayin…4 months ago from UberTwitter

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: I suck at routines.-however I plan to fix this. Daily TNSSR’s and weekly blog updates from here on out! 4 months ago from UberTwitter

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation…i’ve been too busy lately for not so shocking revelations. Goodnight. 4 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: Waiting until sunday night to get a good start on homework that’s due on wednesday is a terrible idea. 4 months ago from TweetDeck

Today’s Not So Shocking Revelation: a bro can be a co-worker, but a co-worker is not necessarily a bro…#brocode 4 months ago from UberTwitter

Apologies-RT @MissXOAislan: @TravisLegge Today’s not so shocking revelation: Revelation is spelled “revelation” not revalation. hehe. 4 months ago from UberTwitter

Today’s not so shocking revelation: my van is a guo cao de piece of gao se! 5 months ago from UberTwitter

Today’s not so shocking revelation: I need a second, and possibly a third job. 5 months ago from UberTwitter

Today’s not so shocking revelation: if she is annoying at night, she will be twice as much so in the morning. 5 months ago from UberTwitter

Today’s not so stunning revelation: I smoke too much. 5 months ago from UberTwitter
Hope to see you on Twitter or Facebook! More blogging soon!

After much wrestling with Wordpress and a change of theme (do you like the new look?) I have integrated forums into the ever-expanding Aegis Studios website.

To commemorate the launch of this new, interactive, feature, Aegis Studios is giving away 25 free copies of Contagion: Revised Edition on pdf.

The first 25 users who register for the forums and post in the Games>Contagion RPG>Free Shwag thread will receive a coupon to download the Contagion: Revised Edition core rules ABSOLUTELY FREE from DrivethruRPG!

“The world of Contagion is a dark and terrifying place. On the surface it is no different than the world you and I live in. Most people go on about their lives never realizing the terrors that walk among them.
Despite humanity’s vast ignorance, the horrors are there. Angels and demons make war in the shadows. Hellspawn serve their demonic masters. Clergy and Slayers rise from the human flock to protect their brethren and work God’s will.

There’s a war in the shadows. Choose a side!”

Contagion: Revised Edition utilizes the OGL! System features include:

* New Races
* New Classes
* An improved Magic System
* New rules for Magic Items
* New Feats

Get your free copy of Contagion: Revised Edition today!

Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader

Aside from being a haven for tabletop roleplaying gamers, the forums at Aegis Studios offer a place to discuss our comics and films, a lounge to discuss filmmaking tips and tricks, an area for users to pimp their own work, and a subforum for players involved in the Rockford, Illinois World of Darknesss LARP to interact online.

Stop in, register, give feedback on Aegis Studios, tell us about your own cool projects, or join in on the games!

Thanks,

Travis

Greetings,

It’s been quite a busy week around here. 2009 is wrapping up, but I am going out with a BANG (or whatever onomatopoeia you find most appropriate). As part of the restructuring of my publishing company Aegis Studios I have incorporated each of my media endeavors into a separate area on the Aegis Studios website.

• Film: This area of the website is dedicated to the films of Plastic Age Productions, including Skeet Shooting, Jimmy’s Basement and Kept. Here you can see news and updates about my various film projects as well as watch trailers and full films in streaming HD.
• Games: This section is dedicated to the pen and paper tabletop Roleplaying games published by Aegis Studios including the critically acclaimed Contagion: Revised Edition published under the OGL.
• Comics: Here you will find various comic book work including the webcomic RECKONING: RE-CUT as well as news about upcoming print and web comic releases.

To commemorate these changes, we have something special in each section to bring in 2010.

First off, we are holding a screening of Jimmy’s Basement on Wednesday, December 30th at 9pm at Kryptonite Bar in Rockford, Illinois. We will be holding a contest at the screening in which attendees can write microreviews via twitter. The best review wins a 25 dollar gift certificate for drinks at Kryptonite!  What better way to ring i the New Year than with free booze? You must be in attendance at the screening in order to win, but don’t fret. If you can’t make it to the screening, you can watch Jimmy’s Basment online for free in its entirety at www.aegisstudios.com/film.html

Follow @kryptonitebar and @TravisLegge on twitter!

To celebrate the relaunch of the Contagion: Revised Edition Roleplaying game, we are running a promotion, in which you can win a free copy of our monster supplement Hell’s Henchmen: Servants of the Barbas via twitter just copy the following text and paste to your twitter:

Contagion RPG! Modern Horror Roleplaying from @TravisLegge http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/index.php?cPath=4012 #roleplaying

I will then send you a message requesting your email address, so I can email you a coupon to download a free copy of Hell’s Henchmen: Servants of the Barbas from DrivethruRPG

Lastly, we have launched the RECKONING: RE-CUT webcomic, which will be updating Monday-Friday at Midnight EST. You can comment on the comic, vote for it at Top 100 Webcomics, and we will be announcing a RECKONING: RE-CUT based contest very soon! In the meantime, read the comic, vote us up onto the top 100 and enjoy the bloody tale of Love, Loss, and Revenge!

These new and exciting changes are just the beginning! 2010 will be an astonishing year for Aegis Studios as I am now in preproduction for my first feature film, I am preparing all-new supplements for Contagion, I’m bringing together elements for the RECKONING: ULTIMATE CUT Trade Paperback, preparing for a relaunch of Corpus Christie and the Cape Girls, and developing ALL-NEW films, games, and comics to be announced in the new year!

Thank you and have a Happy New Year!

Travis

People keep telling me I need to get off of myspace and get an external blog. Fine. Here we are. At my very own blog on aegisstudios.net. This is where you will find the most informative and current updates about the film, comic, and gaming projects from Aegis Studios. Enjoy.