Kickstarter Roundup - Igniting the Spark

Today on the blog, I wanted to point out a current Kickstarter project that I think you all might be interested in. It is a major documentary about the history of the art and game of Magic the Gathering, and if you have not already checked it out, you should do so NOW!

IGNITING THE SPARK, The Story of Magic: The Gathering

This time around, the amazing humans behind EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons are back, and this time they have their eyes set on Magic the Gathering with IGNITING THE SPARK, The Story of Magic: The Gathering! 

In their own words, here is what you can expect from this project:

"IGNITING THE SPARK, The Story of Magic: The Gathering explores Magic's origins, its rapid growth, its enduring popularity, and its massive influence on the gaming industry and people’s lives. How did a card game developed by students at the University of Pennsylvania—simply constructed but with highly sophisticated rules—turn into a multi-billion-dollar pastime and pop-culture juggernaut? Why has it been so passionately embraced by millions of players for three decades and counting? What makes Magic so… magic? Through interviews, archival footage, and deep dives into hidden vaults of long-lost treasures, IGNITING THE SPARK answers those questions, and so many more!"

 

"The production phase of the film is complete and we have a digital distribution agreement in place with The Nacelle Company—the team behind the hit docu-series The Toys That Made Us and The Movies That Made Us (Netflix), Behind The Attraction (Disney+), Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek (History Channel), and Icons Unearthed (Vice TV). Specific distribution deals with various streaming services are still being worked out, but IGNITING THE SPARK will appear on at least one streaming channel once the film is finished by Spring 2023. (And likely many more.)

This Kickstarter will primarily help us raise money for post-production expenses, the largest of which include editing, animation and graphics, acquiring the rights to video and photographic assets, color correction, and music. It will expand our creative options, and it's also a unique chance to include you, the Magic players and fans!

The documentary features more than 50 interviews, including the game’s creator, Richard Garfield, and Wizards of the Coast founders, as well as current and former Magic: The Gathering executives, creative leads, art directors, artists, editors, production specialists, and designers. We also sat down with art collectors, store owners, museum curators, cosplayers, casual and professional players, and fans."

I don't know about you, but that sounds amazing and that it is nearly here. They need your support so that they can get IGNITING THE SPARK, The Story of Magic: The Gathering across the finished line. I hope you can support this project at whichever level catches your eye.

That is all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here on Monday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability, head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons - Now Out!

I am a little late in getting this one the blog but better late than never! EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons is now out and available for streaming everywhere you like to purchase streamable movies. As you may remember from previous posts that I am featured in the documentary, and I talk about making monster art. There is a really nice review on Geek and Sundry that shares images and clips from the film. Speaking of clips, one of them is me talking about monsters! RAWR!

Just some idiot, talking about monsters while ruining a really awesome documentary

Kelley Slagle, Seth C. Polansky, and Brian Stillman did a tremendous job on the documentary, and I can not say enough good things about it. I HIGHLY recommend you getting a copy and checking it out this weekend. You will not regret it!

That is all for another exciting week on the blog, see you back here on Monday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Pensacon 2019 Recap

Another amazing Pensacon has come and gone. I can not say enough good things about the convention, those that run it, work it, and attend it. Three days of super fun times and really great people. This year was by far my best Pensacon to date, both financially and as a convention. The area of Pensacola that surrounds the Bay Center is getting to feel familiar, and we are taking part in a lot more events outside of the convention. Our con family is expanding, and the fun level has significantly increased. Pensacon 2020 has been announced, and I can not wait to return!

A HUGE thanks goes out to Mike Ensley, Steve Wise, and all of the AMAZING staff and volunteers for bringing me back and making it such a wonderful experience. And thanks to all those that stopped by my table to talk about art, monsters, and more. You are all responsible for making my time at Pensacon so much fun and memorable! 

Here are some images and thoughts from Pensacon 2019...

 Once again it somehow all fit into my car.

 Getting ready for set up.

 The vendors are hard at work getting everything ready.

 My Pensacon 2019 booth set up. I tried something different this time around, I left my original paintings at home and brought canvas prints of my most popular paintings. It was more successful than expected!

 My favorite drawing from the Thursday night drink and draw. Drawings will be auctioned off for charity.

 The vendor floor is ready for the first day of Pensacon!

 My con neighbor is Sam Flegal! This is the first time we have ever been set up side by side, and it was a great time. We are both ready for the first day of Pensacon!

 I started the first day with a panel on working on game art, usage, and collecting. It was a great panel, and I think we actually talked about relevant topics and answered questions.

 On the panel was me, Brain Stillman, Sam Flegal, and Seth Polansky. I would do another panel with these guys in a second. 

 These are the droids I am looking for.

 Pictures will never do it justice, the vendor floor was packed all weekend. On Saturday there was little to no room to move down there.

 The top highlight of the Pensacon for me was meeting Alan Harris. He was the actor that performed Bossk, who is the character that most directly influenced my journey as an artist. I got a couple figures signed. I had an absolutely lovely conversation with him, and he told me about his time on set performing Bossk. Good times. I mostly kept my cool...

 Here is a set of four Festering Mummy artist proofs with one big sketch on the back. RAWR!

 Speaking of artist proofs with sketches, here are some more.

And, here are even more. I forgot to get images of them all. Artist proofs were huge for me this year at Pensacon.

 The screening of the Eye of the Beholder was GREAT. There was a good turn out, and the Q&A afterward was fun and informative. There were many great questions about making art for D&D and playing D&D.

 Another highlight of Pensacon 2019 was seeing the Cybertronic Spree play on Saturday night.

 The show was beyond AMAZING and if you ever have a chance to see them perform you must go.

 With the help of Dear Wife, I was able to get to the front of the stage, and there was much rocking out.

 By Sunday I was running low on energy, as with most cons, but there was still a lot of fun, excitement, and attendees to meet.

 I was able to finally cross paths with Jeffery Combs at Pensacon. He and I both worked on All Souls Day fifteen years ago, but I never had a chance to talk to him on set. I adore his Star Trek work, and it was great to finally have a moment to talk. I, of course, got my DVD of All Souls Day signed.

 Sunday was busier than expected, and I caught a second wind to see Pensacon over the finish line.

 Beginning last year, we instituted a recovery and rest day after Pensacon on Pensacola Beach.

 After three (four with set up) on the convention, it is good to have some downtime with friends to rest and ease out of the convention experience.

 There are worse ways to end a convention. Thank you Pensacon! It is, as always, a WONDERFUL time!

Be sure to check out the Pensacon website to see who will be coming in 2020 and to follow them on social media to get the newest announcements. I hope to see you all there next year!

That's all for another exciting week on the blog, see you back here on Monday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Pensacon 2019 THIS WEEKEND!

I am THRILLED to be returning as a guest to Pensacon this coming weekend, February 22-24! I LOVE Pensacon, and I always have a fantastic time there. Not enough good things can be said about Pensacon, and I hope to see you there!

I will see you at Pensacon February 22-24, 2019!

The map for Pensacon is up, and you will be able to find me at table 20N on the third floor of the venue in the artist alley. There are a ton of fantastic artist appearing this year at Pensacon, and I will be tabling near several of them. It should be an excellent time with lots of yummy art for the eyes to take in.

Come find me at table 20N, I will be right next to Sam Flegal!

Lastly, I will be part of two events this year. The first will be a sit down with Brain Stillman and Sam Flegal to talk about making art for gaming and dealing with collectors and collecting art. It should be a fun chat and the first time I have had the opportunity to panel with Sam. This panel takes place at the opening of the show on Friday, so don't miss it. The second event will be the screening of the Eye of the Beholder on Saturday. There will be a Q&A after the screening, and since I will be the only artist in attendance that is in the film, I will be there with the filmmakers, Brian Stillman, Kelley Slagle, and Seth Polansky. I hope to see you at one or both of these events! 

Come see me talk about things!

That is all for another exciting week on the blog, see you back here next week after Pensacon! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

Eye of the Beholder Kickstarter NOW LIVE!

Back in October of 2016 I shared with you a teaser trailer for a project I am thrilled to be a part of, EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons Documentary. Time has passed, the film is done, and the Kickstarter to get the film across the finish lines is now LIVE!

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons Documentary Kicksstarter

It is a true honor and privilege to be a part of this project. If you are interested in Dungeons & Dragons and art then this is the project for you. I can not speak highly enough about the work of Brian Stillman, Kelley Slagle, and Seth C. Polansky. I supported their documentary about the history of Star Wars toys, Plastic Galaxy,  and that film personally touched me. I can not wait to finally watch Eye of the Beholder because I have no doubt that it will be any less amazing than Plastic Galaxy. I STRONGLY urge you to take a moment to go check out the Eye of the Beholder Kickstarter and hopefully contribute at some level.

That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog, see you back here on Friday! Until then...

 
For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons - Documentary - Teaser

Back in November I mentioned that I had the great pleasure to be interviewed by Brian Stillman for the documentary that he, Kelley Slagle, and Seth C. Polansky are working on, Eye of the Beholder: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons. Time has passed and the teaser trailer for the film is now out! Not only does it look completely amazing and there are a ton of amazing artist featured in the teaser, but I am in it too. Or should I say, the pre Pokemon Go version of myself. If you did not click the link above to watch the teaser trailer, here it is...


EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons - Documentary - Teaser from Kelley Slagle on Vimeo.

If you missed me in the trailer I am the second artist featured, here is a screen shot so you know what to look for...

Manga wanjee kohkpah peecha wahnjee kohkpa tahng nahngee toochantkee troi.

I will definitely be bringing you any and all updates regarding EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons. It already looks amazing and I can't wait to see more!

That is all for another exciting Wednesday on the blog, see you back here on Friday! Until then...

For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com