Another interview in our Rockwood series of exclusives is with the one and only Briana Buckmaster. Briana has been an established part of the festival line-up since 2016 and has grown as a performer and musician ever since. She has released her own album, shown a wide range of musical genres and impressed fans anew every year.
In her interview she talked about her journey as a musician, the challenges she has faced and the lessons she has learned whilst touring and promoting her first solo record. She also shared insights about her own inspirations and musical history and talks about her future plans, the challenges of songwriting and the role of female artists in the industry. Her answers were insightful, inspirational and showed a thankfulness to those artists who came before her. Briana also talks about her favorite Rockwood memories and her future plans of collaborations and music releases.
Next week Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will open at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida (and later at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, on January 17, 2020.)
Here are some things to know before you go:
Courtesy of Staff Writer Shannon Laree
Enter Batuu from the Muppet area. This is a personal preference (unless otherwise directed by Disney) because there are two ways you can travel to Batuu. You can enter from the Muppet area or from Toy Story Land to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. My preference is to enter from Muppets and leave to Toy Story Land. If you travel this way, you can walk through a formal passageway to get into Batuu as leaving towards Toy Story Land reminds me of escaping through the woods or forest. If you come from the muppet area into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, then the new ride, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, will be immediately to your right. Another benefit of using this path is you can stop by Hollywood Studios’ other Star Wars ride Star Tours before traveling to Batuu.
Single Rider Lines: Be prepared for your party to split up. I have witnessed people utilizing the single rider lines, and then be surprised when they are split up when it comes time to board the ride. The purpose of the single rider line is for the workers to swiftly fill in ride vehicles when parties in the standby line are an uneven number. There are benefits to utilizing the single rider line, mostly because it can cut the wait time in half. But there are some cons. As mentioned, you will most likely be split up, so you need to be prepared for that. Another disadvantage is missing themed waiting areas and in the case of Smuggler’s Run, an animatronic pre-show.
Utilize the My Disney Experience app! The app can be very beneficial while you travel to Batuu. Depending on the size of the crowds, once the new rides open, Disney may reinstate Boarding Groups. If so, you will need to use the app to join a Boarding Group to enter Batuu. The app can also turn your phone into a datapad that will expand your experience within the area and keep track of achievements you earn. You can also use the app to make a reservation at Oga’s Cantina or to order food from Docking Bay 7, Ronto Roasters, or even the Milk Stand! When you are ready to pick up your food, you just click to let you know you are there and go directly to the Mobile Pick-up window to pick up your food without waiting in a line to order. Oga’s Cantina is not a full-service food restaurant so be prepared to be grouped with others.
While I was in Batuu, I snatched a reservation to Oga’s Cantina. Most of the Cantina is standing room, so you may not have a seat when you enter. When you enter the Cantina, the host or hostess will show you where space is available for you. The room has a fun Cantina feel, but if you are looking for a place to sit, relax and eat some dinner, this is not the place for you. There are a couple of appetizers on the menu, but drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are the majority of the menu. While I was visiting, a group came in thinking the Cantina was a restaurant and was greatly disappointed. It’s definitely something to experience, especially for any Star Wars fan. One traveler at my table had a drink that was so bubbly her glass was shaking! There was even a small sing-a-long with the droid DJ while I was there. And once everything was shut down we had to bring the excitement so the bartender would give the system a proper bang to come back alive! Note: you are limited to experiencing the Cantina for only 45 minutes.
Courtesy of Staff Writer Shannon Laree
Respect the mission of the character’s in Batuu. While traveling in Batuu, I witnessed Rey hiding from Kylo Ren and some Stormtroopers. Even though Kylo left the area without seeing Rey, she still needed to be stealth to make sure he didn’t return and capture her. During this time, I witnessed other travelers asking for a selfie with her. While they are on a mission, and ensuring their own safety from Kylo, they can’t stop to take selfies with other travelers. I witnessed the same with Chewbacca as well.
Have fun! Enjoy the area while you are visiting! It’s a lot to take in, and there is something new to see around every corner. I have been a traveler in Batuu several times now, and I can guarantee I haven’t seen everything there is to see. I love the area during the day, but even more so at night. It feels like walking through a market place on a planet far, far away. As mentioned in the last bullet, last time I went, I was fortunate enough to witness Kylo Ren making rounds. At one point, I realized Rey was right next to me! But went running as Kylo came closer. Even though I wasn’t directly a part of the action, it made my heart beat with excitement and anticipation! It was exciting to be there and see if Rey (and then later Chewie) was able to stay clear of capture. There was another traveler that was trying to point Rey out to Kylo! Luckily Kylo didn’t pay attention, and Rey was able to remain uncaptured!
Chris Evans is retaking up his superhero mantle, but not as the Human Torch Johnny Storm or Captain America Steve Rogers. Tonight, November 29, 2019, he’ll be reading Shelley Becker’s Even Superheroes Have Bad Days for BBC’s CBeebiesBedtime Stories at 6:50 p.m. GMT. It will also be available on BBC iPlayer!
When Superheroes don’t get their way,
when they’re sad, when they’re mad, when they’ve had a bad day . . .
. . . they COULD super-tantrum, they COULD but they DON’T,
because REAL Superheroes just WOULDN’T—they WON’T!
Join Evans as he tells the tale of superheroes overcoming their sour moods and learn that “with great power comes responsibility.” So dust off your blue cowl, pick up your shield, and enjoy the story!
Apart from their wonderful solo-interviews, Briana Buckmaster and Lisa Berry both treated us to an interview featuring the two of them. The two women talked all things Rockwood festival, Briana being an already-established and integral part of the line-up sharing some insight, while Lisa shared some of her hopes and expectations of the festival.
Our interview clearly shows the strong bond between the two women and also made clear how supportive the environment at the festival is for everyone involved. Watch the interview below to find out about any future collaborations and duet wishes, some favorite memories and some ideas about what makes Rockwood so special to everyone.
John Barrowman’s latest album A Fabulous Christmas will be released tomorrow, November 29, just in time for Christmas shopping.
You can currently listen to a preview of “Have Yourself of A Merry Little Christmas,” “When A Child is Born,” and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”here. On the album, Barrowman collaborates with The Puppini Sisters and Emily Atack (The Inbetweeners).
The complete tracklist includes holiday classics like “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” and “I Saw Mommy” (feat. Emily Atack). Plus these festive songs, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year,” “When A Child Is Born,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Happy Holidays” (feat. The Puppini Sisters), “Be Thou My Vision/ Away In A Manger,” “Save The Last Dance,” and “Grown-Up Christmas List.”
#fanfamily I'm returning this Winter for my ‘A Fabulous Christmas’ tour & I cant wait to celebrate the most #FABULOUS time of the year with you!
Following the release of the album, Barrowman will be touring in the United Kingdom. You can purchase your tickets for the tour are still available here for the following cities:
November 30 – Bristol (Hippodrome)
December 1 – Glasgow (Sec Armadillo)
December 2 – Manchester (Bridgewater Hall)
December 5 – London (Eventim Apollo)
December 6 – Harrogate (Convention Centre)
December 9 – Portsmouth (Guild Hall)
December 12 – Sheffield (City Hall)
December 14 – Oxford (New Theatre Oxford)
You can find A Fabulous Christmas on Spotify, Amazon Music, and you can order a CD, plus get some merchandise- which makes for a great gift here.
In the spirit of giving thanks in the name of family, football, and gratuitous amounts of food on today’s holiday, series creator Jon Favreau has shared an on set video from The Mandalorian of the internet’s collectively adopted child — “Baby Yoda.”
This much tinier, much cuter version of the wise old creature that Star Wars fans have revered for decades does not yet have a name, backstory, or any type of existential explanation really…but we love him anyway (and so does the Mandalorian, clearly).
Baby Yoda has captivated hearts both on-screen and on the set of The Mandalorian, as a recent Vanity Fair article described how Werner Herzog (The Client) and the rest of the cast and crew were absolutely enraptured by the adorable, realistic puppet.
Check out the behind the scenes video shared by Favreau on Instagram.
Oh Thanksgiving — it’s the day that has lots of food and lots of friends and family. Football, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, turkey, mac & cheese, stuffing are all traditional American staples for today. Those are all wonderful things, but today I’m thankful for something that is not so all-American. That’s right, today I’m giving thanks to Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’s BBC Sherlock. I read my first Sherlock Holmes story when I was in fourth grade, and was immediately hooked. The first hardcover book that I bought was The Complete Collection of Sherlock Holmes, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Fast forward a few years (or decades), and I heard that the BBC was going to be doing a modern version of Sherlock Holmes. Ok BBC, you have my attention. I knew who Benedict Cumberbatch was before I watched it, but every one else was new to me. Ten minutes into the first episode I was hooked and have rewatched it a few times over since then.
Courtesy of BBC.
Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock
I’m thankful for Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal of Sherlock. He sets the perfect tone with his cold and dismissive attitude, but every one in a while he slips and we see the true man underneath. He is a genius and has no tolerance for the stupidity of mere humans. He tells us in the very beginning of the show that he isn’t a psychopath, but he is a high functioning sociopath. Do you research Anderson! But as the series goes on, we can see that maybe it’s not that he doesn’t have emotions, just that they run deeper and for fewer people. He is all about his work, not because it makes the world a better place but because he is bored. Yet at the same time, we see glimmers of his emotions for those he cares about, namely Mrs. Hudson, John Watson, Greg Lestrade, Molly Hooper and even his brother Mycroft Holmes.
Courtesy of BBC.Courtesy of BBC.
Martin Freeman as Captain John Watson
Martin Freeman played John Watson and balanced out Sherlock perfectly. Now, that’s not to say that John Watson is a pushover. He may look cuddly in his jumpers and button downs, but under all that fluff is a core of steel and a heart of gold. John is the file that smooths out Sherlock’s rougher edges. He takes Sherlock’s moods in stride, going out for a walk or to visit a girlfriend when he reaches his breaking point. He shows Sherlock that emotions and relationships aren’t a sign of weakness, rather they help to make us stronger. He stands by Sherlock’s side and believes in him and is also ready to tell him off when he becomes too much. We should all have a John Watson by our side.
Courtesy of BBC.Courtesy of BBC.
Sherlock and Mycroft’s Sibling Rivalry
The sibling relationship between Mycroft and Sherlock reminds me so much of my relationship with my sister. I always felt the need to call her up and needle her after watching an episode. Mycroft is Sherlock’s genius older brother. He feels responsible for Sherlock, however he goes about showing it in the worst way possible. While Sherlock doesn’t care of society’s ideas of normal, Mycroft goes out of his way to blend in and be unassuming. After all, he occupies a minor position in the British Government, and you don’t get that by being a blunt hammer.
Courtesy of BBC.Courtesy of BBC.
A Blanket instead of a Cloak
Orange shock blankets may seem like an odd thing to be thankful for, but those blankets brought about one of my favorite lines from the show. “I’m in shock, look I’ve got a blanket!” The medical team on site keep trying to put a shock blanket on the Sherlock because he was almost shot when the unknown gunman shot Jefferson Hope through the window. However, Sherlock isn’t in shock nor is he scared — he is just very curious about who pulled the trigger and saved him. Once he starts deducing out loud and looking around, Sherlock spots John and then uses the blanket to deflect attention away from him when he realizes that Captain John Watson of the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers was exactly who he was describing.
Courtesy of BBC.
Detective Inspector Greg Lestrade
Last but definitely not least is Greg Lestrade. The Detective Inspector is Sherlock’s contact at New Scotland Yard, but they are much more than that. Lestrade calls Sherlock in on cases to help NSY, but also to protect Sherlock from himself. Just like John, Lestrade accepts Sherlock and all his shortcomings, including the fact that Sherlock never learned his first name! When everyone starts to turn against Sherlock, Lestrade goes to his flat to warn him and John, knowing that he will be arresting Sherlock before the night is through. He is almost a father figure or older brother to Sherlock and believes Sherlock to be a great man, on his way to becoming a good one.
Courtesy of BBC.
Actually, Sherlock really does encompass all that I associate with Thanksgiving and being thankful: friends, family and the angst that goes along with it, laughs and tears. Thank you, Sherlock!
Over 37 years ago Steven Spielberg’s E.T the Extra-Terrestrial debuted in theaters. This year during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, we were given the reunion we didn’t know we needed: Xfinity reunited Elliot (Henry Thomas) with his old pal E.T.
In the 80s, E.T was lost on earth and befriended 10-year-old Elliot. With assistance from friends and family (including his sister Gertrude, played by Drew Barrymore), Elliot had to keep E.T hidden from the adults as he tried to help E.T find his way back home. Technology has changed a lot from the Speak & Spell that E.T used during his last trip to Earth! This year Elliot and his family show E.T how technology has been updated, including how to speak and watch movies!
Duuuval, are you ready? Jacksonville native Emily Swallow has been announced for Collective Con 2020!
Collective Con is a three day pop culture convention held in Jacksonville, FL. Emily is scheduled to attend on Saturday and Sunday of the convention. You may recognize Emily most recently from her role as The Armorer on The Mandalorian. You may also recognize her from Supernatural (Amara) or Castlevania (Lisa Tepes).
Fans of Supernatural will be delighted to know that Reaper the Impala will also be at the convention.
Other guests that have been announced for Collective Con include Bai Ling (The Crow), Daniel Portman (Game of Thrones), Jason David Frank (Power Rangers), Cesar Garcia (Breaking Bad), Justin Briner (Seraph of the End), Brina Palencia (Black Butler), Chuck Huber (Dragon Ball Z), Elizabeth Maxwell (Attack on Titan), and E. Jason Liebrecht (Hero Academia). There will also be artists and cosplayers.
Collective Con will be held at the Jacksonville Expo Center on March 20-22, 2020.
Note: According to the Collective Con website, Autographs and Photos Ops are cash only.
The Hillywood Show. Established in 2009, comedy sister-duo Hannah and Hilly Hindi, have been writing, directing, and starring in parodies of various popular movies, songs and television shows to their ever-expanding YouTube audience.
Since their first parody Twilight Parody to their most recent, The Umbrella Academy, they’ve been working to bring fans parodies of all our favorite shows, songs and more.
In honor of their newest parody release, I’m taking a look back at their previous videos and ranking my personal top five favorite Hillywood parodies.
#5 Hocus Pocus Parody
Release date: December 2, 2015
In my opinion, this is one of the funniest Hillywood parodies to date. To mix Hocus Pocus with The Nightmare Before Christmas was a great idea, and even though it’s one of the shortest parodies, they hit all the best parts of the movie and then some. Who wouldn’t want to “Kidnap the Children” after watching this?
#4 Pirates of the Caribbean Parody
Release date: November 1, 2013
Captain Jack Sparrow loves his rum. This parody made to Adam Lambert’s “If I Had You” was funny and reiterated that Captain Jack really only has one love and that not all treasure is silver and gold.
#3 Supernatural Parody
Release Date: May 21, 2015
Who doesn’t love seeing Dean and Sam sing a parody to Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off?” That’s what I thought! You get to see some iconic moments from the show in true Hillywood style and also some cameos from Supernatural cast members Rob Benedict, Jensen Ackles, Matt Cohen, and Jared Padalecki, just to name a few.
#2 Harry Potter: So You Think You’re a Wizard
Release Date: August 27, 2012
What I loved most about seeing this parody was that Hannah and Hilly took on the challenge of recreating one of the most popular So You Think You Can Dance dances of all time, and then put a Harry Potter twist to it. The song “Outta Your Mind” By Lil Jon, fits perfectly with what they were trying to accomplish. Harry just wants Voldermort out of his head.
#1 Supernatural Parody 2
Release date: August 16, 2018
“Who you gonna call? Winchesters!” Compared to the previous Supernatural parody, Supernatural Parody 2 takes the spot in my book as my favorite The Hillywood Show release to date — the use of the parodied Ghostbusters theme was spot on! From the beginning with Misha Collins to the end with Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki coming in and everything in between, this parody is one for the books.
So there you have it! My top five favorite The Hillywood Show parodies. Which parody is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to check out The Hillywood Show’s newest parody The Umbrella Academy on their Youtube Channel. Also, make sure you show your support on their patreon.
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![WATCH: Interview with Briana Buckmaster at Rockwood Festival [EXCLUSIVE]](https://i0.wp.com/www.nerdsandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Screen-Shot-2019-11-29-at-8.40.32-AM.png?fit=696%2C501&ssl=1 "WATCH: Interview with Briana Buckmaster at Rockwood Festival [EXCLUSIVE]")
![WATCH: Interview with Briana Buckmaster and Lisa Berry at Rockwood Music Festival [EXCLUSIVE]](https://i0.wp.com/www.nerdsandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Screen-Shot-2019-11-29-at-8.40.13-AM.png?fit=696%2C549&ssl=1 "WATCH: Interview with Briana Buckmaster and Lisa Berry at Rockwood Music Festival [EXCLUSIVE]")
