Been a little while since the last update and I have my long list of excuses of why. At the top of that list is the fact that I'm a senior and as this semester comes nearer to closing, the hectic level seems to be snowballing. Myself and another have been toying with VCD creation, which is just one more project I shouldn't be putting time into. The two things that calm me right now are: 1) One more semester to go 2) Received confirmation that my previous calculus credit counts at my new college, resulting in my permitted absence from next semester's Calc class. Whoohoo.
This month marks the 2nd anniversary for Betamountain.org. That's right, we've been around since 1999 and we've registered the domain for yet another two years. Looking back, this year has gone by pretty well. Dan Fiorella has volunteered a number of episode guides (including a new one with this update), Robert Mandell mentioned that the DVD talks were still on (sadly, no update since...), Christopher Rowley has been ever quietly present on the mailing list and most recently, we've had word from Cy Voris (see below). The number of people emailing me about where to get VHS copies (see FAQ) of the series is ever growing, showing that people are finding this site and, more importantly, new fans are finding the show even now.
Thanks for all the contributions and I hope this next year continues on in the same spirit. If anyone wants to help out with the site, drop me a line. That's enough babble for now. On to this update!
Dan Fiorella took some time this month and cranked out a synopsis on 'The Ax' for the episode guide section. Along with the storyline, Dan sheds a little insight on what was his first script for the Ranger series and where a few of the running Doc jokes originated. Read The Ax!
Cy Voris (credits as series writer & storyboard artist) dropped a line via email awhile ago (sorry for the long delay Cy). Check out what he has to say:
"So here's some Rangers scoops, blast from the past, etc...
The lack of writing credits on the show had something to do with Rangers being a total nonunion show & not wanting to deal with any credit claims, etc, down the road, hence the vague credit of STORY PEOPLE (not to be confused with STORYBOARD ARTIST) which encompassed all the writers on the show.
In addition to the late, great BRIAN DALEY (of "Han Solo at Star's End" fame, etc) -- who penned "Supertrooper", "Smuggler's Gauntlet", "Heart of Tarkon", "Ariel", etc, and was the key guy in filling out the back story of Shane Gooseman AND Niko, there was TOM DeHAVEN (a novelist & National Book Award Nominee from New Jersey??!!) who wrote "One Million Emotions", "Rainmaker" and "Galaxy Stranger" and CY VORIS (who was also a Storyboard Artist) who wrote "Rusty & The Boys" and "Renegade Rangers" (creating the memorable Daisy O'Mega) and went on to co-write the feature film "Tales From The Crypt presents Demon Knight", a straight-to-video series of sci-fi flicks for a young audience "Josh Kirby - Time Warrior!" and co-created the Fox TV series "Brimstone!
A pretty interesting bunch."
Not only did Cy write us, he hooked Lee T. up with a copy or two of original scripts for the series. During the next update, we'll be posting a copy to the script for Renegade Rangers! Just debating on how to provide it, as it's weighing in at 7MB+ as it is right now. I'm leaning towards PDF format.
09.21.01 (Happy Birthday, #38 of 100, Mailing List, Banners, FanFic, FanFic Challenges, Bruinhilda gets the scoop on Xanadu, and who knows what else we'll find?)
According to our sources, it was 15 years ago on 09.14 that 'Phoenix' aired on U.S. broadcast television. Being the root of everything this site is based on, it's aptly due for a Happy Birthday. Just in time for the birthday, as reported to the mailing list:
Wizard magazine issue#121 (Oct) ranked the show #38 of 100 in their top Cartoons Of All Time list. By way of MikeV & ScottF (I've yet to pick up the issue myself), we were posted the snippet from the magazine:
"38.The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers (Transcom Media). Heroes with extraordinary powers (team leader Zachary Foxx, for example, was enhanced via biotechnological engineering), the Rangers fought crime across the space ways as part of the Bureau of Extra-Terrestrial Affairs. With a complex cast of characters and deep storylines built around a carefully maintained continuity, "Rangers" is as close to anime as a syndicated show has ever come."
More happy stuff....
Also sporting a birthday last week was our mailing list owner, Ranger Mel. Happy 'late' Birthday!!!!<br On a personal note, I'd like to wish my good friends Rob H. and Andrea T. a wonderful life together. Rob & Andrea were married two weeks ago at a beautiful ceremony of which I had the pleasure of being a party to. Congratulations and may many happy years be shared. 'Hey you kids, get out of 'da pool!"
With the past events during last week, the mailing list managed to get itself a little 'off center' and in the process we unfortunately lost a few members. Ranger Mel was off the list due to technical problems, but she's back and has brought order back (she beat us, but not too severely). So, if you're one of the ones that left, just know that everything is back to normal and you've already missed the 'RangerCon4 Quotes' list!
Bruinhilda put together an essay on Xanadu with some pretty tongue-in-cheek views of probably the least seen planet with the most promising story development prospects ever created in the G.R. universe. Check that out here.
On the geek side of web fun, hit "reload" or "refresh" and watch the Betamountain banner. Little random acts of CGI thrown in there to give a different feel every time you visit. Check all of the available 'new' banners out here and mixed in here.
AKK was kind enough to resend the links to her latest FanFic that is over on her site. Check out the following new additions to her FanFic library.
* Reason #1 (or Why I Am (Sorry I Became) A Galaxy Ranger
Garbage In, Garbage Out (And We Do Mean Garbage) - together with Elizabeth Bales
Shattered Souls - Interference
Improvements
Speaking of FanFic, AnnieO has a challenge out for writers:
Hello all. 'tis I the AnnieO, and I have invaded your in boxes and make a challenge to you writers. Once again the holiday season is closing in on us and I have decided for this years challenge to allow you to choose any and all holidays that run with in the year. Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, you choose the one you want :). All entries are due by January 1st and the winner will be announced by that Sunday. As I am the one issuing the challenge I will be ineligible from entering. The prize this year is still being decided on, but may range from a drawing of the winners choice by one of our wonderful artiest, to one of the original videos! Who knows what I shall decide on this year ;). There are no length requirements this year, make it as long or short as you want. Well that's all for now.
I wish you all luck.
AnnieO [send submissions to annieo1 @ NETZERO.NET]
Some other things to check out:
* Are we one step closer a neural uplink? See the article at Nature.com [Thanks EB]
More neural fun: Here and here. [Thanks, ScottF]
Galaxy-Rangers.com had a face lift. Check it out sometime (see menu above, left).
