It still shocks and humbles me how many emails I receive about the little radio drama that could - A.Z. and The Adventures of the Crimson Mist. Each email asks the same question, “when are they coming back on the air”? I truly wish I could tell everyone [insert date here], but the truth is… I don’t know. The even harsher truth is; possibly never. It’s like trying to put the band back together after a 20 year hiatus. As the saying goes, the heart is willing but the body can’t.
Still, for a while now we’ve talked about simply posting the script to the Season 1 Finale of A.Z. And yes, to answer your question, Jayesunn Krump and I had about 3 seasons outlined. Anyway, we teased the final episode for a while now. Finally, after covering all our bases, we felt okay to at least give the long-time fans a small sense of closure. Click on the image and give it a read!
Yup, we used to phonetically spell the zombie moans. What can we say, we’re dorks!
I know we’ve been off the air for a long time now, but it still means the world to us that folks continue to drop us emails, ask us about the show in passing, and keep forwarding episode links to friends. (Kinda’ freaky and awesome to know the shows get played in tents in Iraq). Who knows what the future holds. However, for everyone that supported us, we figured that little script was the absolute least we could do.
Before everyone gets excited - First - Thank you for still being excited. For still being excited for a show that only lasted eight episodes over 16 weeks in 2009. Not to compare myself to the great Joss, but now I (and my friend and co-creator Jayesunn Krump) know how it feels to have such rabid and awesome fans. Our deepest of thanks. Second - The news is not what you are hoping for, at least not yet. Yes, we are in the most early of stages in bringing A.Z. back, but to tell you more wouldn’t be fair to you or Jayesunn and I, since it may still take a long time to get it off the ground (or, from under the ground as it were).
Anyway, what we can tell you is that certain elements of A.Z. that you know will not be the same. However, as a fan that knows how annoying it can be when a show just leaves you hanging, we have one small token of appreciation. We have the “un-filmed” lost episode of A.Z. And so, with that in mind we at GeekintheCity.com present the first ever poll:
Regardless of your decision (of which we will adhere and honor), you have our deepest thanks. It still shocks and humbles us that even after all this time, not a week goes by that we don’t receive an email from a listener asking about the return of A.Z. (and The Crimson Mist). Our deepest of thanks.
Keep tuning in - And remember - Aim for the head, one less Zed.
It is July 12, 2009 and I am sitting under a tree, hoping the thick green branches will keep me dry from this uncommonly cool and grey Portland summer afternoon. The park is beautiful, made even more so by the light rain falling upon the grass and stone steps of the Woodlawn Park Amphitheater. I wasn’t alone. Within minutes, the amphitheater filled with an eager audience. Couples, singles, friends, parents, and their children (both two and four-legged). It was going to take a hell of a lot more than a light afternoon rain to keep us all from experiencing life in the Final Frontier.
5 minutes till “curtain”. I glanced to my right and with no small amount of joy I observed the cast and crew. I knew the emotions flowing through the performers and crew at that very moment. That moment where you can feel the spark and energy from the audience start to build. That twinge you feel in the deepest part of your soul, the twinge that kicks in just the right amount of fear. The fear that tells your heart, “Ok, they came. Now it is your turn”.
Adam Rosko, co-founder of Atomic Arts as well as this performances’ James T. Kirk strode to the center of the stage. The rain already causing his golden Starfleet uniform to stick to his body, he thanked the audience for attending the show. In a few short moments we were going to enjoy a performance of the classic episode, Amok Time. With a simple nod and second thanks, Adam took his place on the set and the show began.
What a show it was!
If you don’t have a genuine good time at Trek in the Park, then there is something seriously wrong with you. That isn’t me speaking as a proud Trekkie that demands you love all things Star Trek. No, I’ve long since moved past that stage in my geek evolution. No, you will enjoy Trek in the Park because you feel the passion and work the actors and crew put into 53 minutes of classic Space Opera. Each actor knew their role in the show, and while none of them play to the character stereotype, they incorporated enough elements that made the crew of the USS Enterprise icons. Are these professional actors? No, but they are getting there and I for one look forward to watching them all grow. The sets are minimal, but a good stage production has no need for elaborate sets. The actors set the stage and the folks behind Trek in the Park do an Yeoman’s job at doing so.
Not even the growing rain could slow the voyage.
“Wet as Vulcan, I’m beginning to understand what that means.” Without skipping a beat or missing a cue, the cast and crew ran with the changing weather. Sure, the line got a chuckle from the die-hard Trek fans in the audience. But, like all good Star Trek moments, we were laughing with, not at. Indeed, I found myself laughing many times throughout the performance. Never once in mocking, just the simple and wholly human expression of joy I felt at watching these actors. Not a single wink or nod to the crowd. The Atomic Arts crew played it straight the entire time and the audience appreciated it.
Is it a little strange to watch an outdoor stage production of a 1960s science fiction television show? Well, yes. It is.
But you know what? I’ll take Go-Go Boots and Pointy-Vulcan ears over, well, Pixie Boots and Pointy-Fairy ears any ‘ol day.
Trek in the Park plays again on July 18-19and 25-26 at 5pm at the Woodlawn Park Amphitheater. No cost, but please, drop some gold-pressed latinum in the donation box.
Game Design by: Nathanael Phillip Cole - Cover Art by: Kathren Moss – Interior Art by: Leonardo Freites and Veronica Gandini
I know what you’re thinking. “Dude, Aaron, didn’t you just have a zombie-packed month back in May? Surely you’re sick of those shambling dead by now”. First, saying I’ve had enough of the undead is like saying I’ve had enough air. Second…Ahem… Don’t call me Shirley! (Ha! I’ve been running GeekintheCity.com 2004 and I finally got to work in that joke. Life is good). Anyway, no, one can ever review, read, or play enough zombie games. Even more so when the game comes from a Portlander. As the title spoils, the game revolves around the undead and all the havoc they cause the living. However, Nathanael takes the typical darkness and dread found in most undead-themed RPGs and gives it an absurdest spin. This is survival horror with a side of humor. Imagine a delicious cocktail with 1 part George Romero, a splash of Red Dwarf, couple shots of Takashi Miike, finely chopped Lucio Fulci, and a twist of old school Peter Jackson. Yeah, that about sums up the chaotic glee that comes from playing a game of Cannibal Contagion.
Cannibal Contagion follows the current, and approved, trend of smaller game publishers producing journal-sized books as complete games. Everything you need, save some pencils and a deck of cards, are in that 208 page book or pdf. The type of game you want to play is truly up to you and the other players. Do you want a simple one-shot night of zombie fragging, getting knee-deep in the gore? The game can do that. Just as easily as the game allows for some serious role-playing and character interaction. Taking broad strokes to the term “infected”, Nathanael draws heavily upon the themes of paranoia and alienation found in the best horror films. The level of emotional commitment is up to you.
The system itself is rather simple and elegant. Remember those deck of cards I mentioned? Good, because you won’t need any dice for this game. What? A Role Playing Game without any dice? Not even the beloved D6? Heresy! Well no. When you think about it, the only real point to the various polyhedral dice is the random element. I’d say 1 out of 54, (count them Jokers) makes for some seriously random events. I mean, if a game can use a game of Jenga as the random element, a deck of playing cards feels positively sane. Character creation is fast and simple, with the option of custom or random. Again, it is completely up to the players how they want everything to go down. Characters stats are simple: Kill – the active skill you use to win Showdowns, actions, and general badassery. Savvy – the active skill to win mentally based Showdowns and other Big Brains events. Grit – A passive score that keeps you physically alive, the only way to resist Hurtin’ and Infection. Finally, Cool – a passive score that helps you maintain your sanity after the dead came a callin’. Be cool. Everyone, be cool. From there, you get some items that fit your character archetype, but not to exceed your Savvy points. Next, you determine triggering events that could cause madness, get some Survival Tokens to help you out of extra-nasty situations, and then the secret votes. Here is where the real fun begins. Unlike most survival horror RPGs, all the players ain’t the best of friends. Sure, it would be nice if everyone survived, but that isn’t gonna’ happen. Why not make some friendly bets? First to die. First to betray the others. First to become infected. And, the first to go bat shite nuts.
Showdowns are resolved through a series of cards and some creative improv (or, blatant B.S., which is also completely valid…not to mention a hoot). The CiC (Cannibal in Charge, aka, the games GM) plays cards for any adversary the characters face. Be they a rampaging horde of undead Lemures, a big zombie space-giant, or a rather thick door, he or she plays the cards. You want to play a higher card than the CiC if you wish to win the event. But, don’t think you can just throw down an Ace and be done with it. Sure, you’ll probably win (assuming they don’t play a Joker), but you won’t do much damage. Therein lies the little twist. The more cards in play, the more damage will be dealt once the “combat” resolves. Want to go for the easy win, or do you want to drag it on and hope the CiC isn’t holding a ringer to ruin your day? To make matter worse (or, better depending on your point of view) the other players might jump in with their cards. They might help you, or they might spoil all your fantastic plans. In addition to the cards, Cannibal Contagion encourages player interaction. You could simply explain your actions and play your cards in dull tones. But, a good CiC will look kindly upon creative and exuberant role-playing. Seriously, the more Grindhouse flair you can put into a scenario, the more fun everyone will have.
Cannibal Contagion is real joy to play. With hyper action and frantic role-playing, Cannibal Contagion is the perfect game for the player that just wants to have some balls out undead fun. Be you an old school dice-tosser or RPG newbie, Cannibal Contagion will have something for you. Just remember, just because humans are an endangered species don’t me we all friends now!
As the cliche goes, saying goodbye is never easy. Better to simply get it out there and move on; so here goes. The Adventures of the Crimson Mist and A.Z. are going away from the airwaves for now. There is no dark reason or evil corporate conspiracy. Indeed, quite the opposite. Jayesunn and I were very blessed and humbled to have such a supportive friend in CBS. However, the current market and the effect that market has on people’s lives (both personally and economically) was making the programs more and more difficult to produce.
As much as it upset Jayesunn and I to make the call, we felt it would be better to exit on a high note, rather than let the show flounder as quality episodes grew more and more impossible to produce. (We’re totally taking a cue from the BBC style of entertainment, I mean, how many people wish X-Files stopped after the first movie? Yeah, all of you). To all the people that were ever involved in the shows, we thank you from the deepest corner of our hearts. This was a dream come true, and hopefully we’ve expressed our gratitude to each of you personally.
To all the listeners and fans, our most humble of thanks and respect. You ran and supported this grand experiment from day one. You are the reason we produced these shows. You are the reason the shows prospered and grew. And finally, you are the reason we are going to return. What does that mean?
To be blunt, we love these characters and stories and we aren’t simply walking away. The stories will continue. In what form we do not yet know. But please understand, the stories don’t end simply because we aren’t going to be on the air. As much as we hate to be “those guys”, we can’t tell you anything at this time. Trust us, it will happen and it will be very cool.
Please feel free to pass the shows on to others and keep spreading the world. Think of this not so much as an ending, but as an evolution.
