Felicia Day and quite a number of friends helped raise over $250,000 for charity for the Nonprofit organization RAICES, to #KeepFamiliesTogether.
Felicia hosted a 12 hour livestream, featuring games, music, and so much more.
Garnering over 850,000 viewers total on live streaming platform Twitch, the 12-hour marathon of gaming and community outreach featured appearances by Avengers director Joss Whedon, Grant Imahara (“Mythbusters”), Ruth Connell (“Supernatural”), Rob Benedict (“Supernatural”),Josh Brenner (HBO’s “Silicon Valley”), Seth Green (“Family Guy,” “Robot Chicken”), Team Unicorn’s Clare Grant, Nathan Fillion (“Castle,” “Firefly”), Alan Tudyk (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, “Firefly”), Jason Ritter (“Parenthood”), Garfunkel & Oates’ Kate Micucci, David Dastmalchian (Ant Man & The Wasp), Troy Baker (“The Last Of Us”), Ashly Burch (“Attack on Titan”), Amy Okuda (“The Guild”), Nerdist’s Jessica Chobot, Taliesin Jaffe (“Critical Role”),Alex Hirsch (“Gravity Falls”), CollegeHumor’s Siobhan Thompson, comedian Danielle Radford, Anne Munition, negaoryx, Megan Dong, Geoff Keighley, Barneezy Jones, and more.
“The response to the charity stream was incredible,” said Day. “I was blown away by how this issue mobilized viewers and guests alike. Everyone who attended, online and off, were there because they were passionate about the cause. The amount we raised, above and beyond anything we ever expected, will truly help to change immigrant children’s lives.”
“Felicia Day and the community that rallied behind her prove that good people can make a significant, positive impact, no matter how dire the situation gets,” said Chris Michael, Vice President of Digital Programming for Funny Or Die. “We were honored to take part, and feel inspired to keep working to help those in need.”
The livestream also featured an outpouring of heartfelt video messages and pledges to match donations from celebrities who were not able to attend including Misha Collins (“Supernatural”),Clark Gregg (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), Ricky Wittle (“American Gods”), Yetide Badaki(“American Gods”), Omid Abtahi (“American Gods”), Jewel Staite (“Firefly”), Mayim Bialik (“The Big Bang Theory”), Rocsi Diaz (“Entertainment Tonight”), Robbie Amell (“The Flash”), and many others.
Entertainment Tonight dropped an exclusive sneak peek of The Flash Season 4 Gag Reel. The season focused on Team Flash’s battle with The Thinker and if this little look is anything to go by, it was a hilarious time. We get to see some dancing and other fun moments from Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Tom Cavanagh, Carlos Valdes, Danielle Panabaker, and Hartley Sawyer. The full version is sure to show us more of our faves, as well as some other familiar faces.
The full gag reel will be released on Monday, July 2nd, 2018 and can also be seen on The Flash Season 4 DVD box set which will be available on August 28th, 2018.
The Flash will return to the CW on Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 at its usual 8/7c time slot.
As a writer, I find myself connecting with characters who share my passion and frustrations. Nothing hits home more than watching a scene where a person deletes an entire section of their work or has a waste bin full of crumpled papers. Over time, a few things have stuck with me. From funny to heartwarming, here are five things I have learned from fictional writers.
1. It’s okay to be vulnerable.
“With writing comes exposure, and with exposure comes vulnerability.” -Jane, Jane The Virgin
This goes for anything you write, whether fiction, articles, essays, etc. If you put it out there, you are putting yourself in a vulnerable position. There are people who won’t agree with you, people who just plain hate what you produced, and people who will troll because they’re bored. However, unless you accept that and let yourself be open to it, then you’ll never get the other side – the people who leave nice comments, who start following you, who recommend your works to their friends. Vulnerability is a hard thing and it can be scary, but once you embrace it, you’ll find a freedom in what you write.
2. Write what you want to read.
“It’s not just sex! It’s love! It’s two people connecting…with four other people…and aliens.” -Suzanne, Orange Is The New Black
I totally connect with this line. It basically sounds like fanfiction. I have seen countless variations of characters in fics that range from totally canon to an entirely different, tentacled being. Sometimes I don’t get it, but the point is something that I have heard over and over as advice from seasoned writers to newbies -write what you want to read. If you want to write a smut-filled love story between six people and aliens, then write the hell out of that story. Don’t write what you think “people” want. Write what you want to read because I guarantee you when you do, you write it better. Don’t worry about it getting read by others. If you put it out there, you’ll find you’re not the only one who likes that story.
3. Writing is just hard…
“Writing is hard!” -Chuck, Supernatural
Chuck had every writer nodding in agreement when he whined those words. It is hard. It’s not just putting words on paper, it’s more than that. Whether fact or fiction, there are hours spent researching, learning more about subjects than any average person should know. There’s time spent going over and over and over what you’ve written before deleting it and starting again. Then you edit, edit, edit until you believe you caught every typo and incorrect word. You bravely send it to the editor only to have it kicked back with notes on the mistakes. Your head hits the desk, but you get back to work. This is just scratching the surface. I won’t get into how writers put their whole heart and soul into their work at times. That is a truly exhausting thing to do, but the final product is so worth it.
4. …and terrifying.
“As a writer, I can think of no greater terror than confronting a blank page, except perhaps the terror of being shot at.” -Richard Castle, Castle
Preach, Castle! Writer’s block is a thing and it’s terrifying. Imagine going to your everyday job and just suddenly you don’t know how to do anything. A photographer can’t seem to figure out how to push the button. A cashier looks at a register blankly. A quarterback gets sacked because he has no idea what this “egg-ball” is or what he’s supposed to do with it.
It’s the same thing. Sitting down in front of a blank page and having nothing written is terrifying, especially if you define yourself as a writer. It creates a crisis of identity. “I was a writer and now I can’t write. What does that make me? What do I do? Should I keyboard smash until I have words? Should I give up and go work in the mine with dad?” Thankfully, there are ways to work through it, but in those first moments of staring at nothing, it’s daunting.
5. Ask a friend for help.
“Having someone believe in me? It’s a small, really, really big thing.” -Iris West, The Flash
The first time I wrote something, I was terrified to show it to anyone. Finally, I mentioned to a few friends that I had maybe, kind-of written a little thing. They asked to read it, so I sent it off and covered my head in shame and embarrassment. When I got positive responses back, it was like walking on air. I know we all have that one person we want to believe in us, but anyone having that faith is such a big help. Thanks to my friends, I published that piece online, got reviews that left me giddy, and followed it up with sixty-nine more chapters. There’s one important key here though – you have to believe in yourself. Have faith that what you wrote is worth reading in order to be brave enough to share it. Believe in yourself enough to put yourself out there and watch how so many other people will believe in you, too.
6. Find a balance.
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” -Jack Torrance, The Shining
No discussion of fictional writers’ teachings is complete without this iconic line. While for most of us it has a scary connotation due to the movie, it’s actually a sound piece of advice. You need to play. You need to have moments of fun and levity. It brings balance to your life and to what you write. Besides, that’s where all the best ideas are – out there, happening every day. Without this break from the monotony of staring at pages of text, everything starts to look the same and it becomes a great way to get burnt out. Take a break. Visit a friend, go kayaking, have a squirt gun fight with a kid, have a squirt gun fight with your best friend! To be the best writer and person you can be, you have to take care of yourself and that includes having fun in whatever ways you can.
It’s nice to see fictional writers being portrayed in ways that we can, at the very least, understand. While a person may not want to write stories of smut or of people going insane and murdering their family, there are little bits that can be learned from the characters that do. The one over-arching lesson from all of these writers, even Jack before he went off the deep end, is to love what you do. Write because it makes you happy and you can’t imagine not doing it. It doesn’t matter if it’s your job or the thing you do for an hour after the kids are sleep, you are a writer. Own that title and love it.
This was such fun, but I know there are plenty of other fictional writers, including those in literature. Has a fictional writer ever done or said something that impacted you? Share in the comments. I would love to read about them!
You thought Disney couldn’t get cooler? Think again. Disney Springs in Orlando now offers an adventure called The VOID – Star Wars Secrets of the Empire. It is a virtual reality game with a VR helmet, a vest with motion cameras and equipment and allows you to jump into the Star Wars universe. You can feel, smell and see the world around you so it feels as though you are really there! It is a top secret mission and no video recording or photography of any kind are allowed once you pass the curtain to another world.
My family and I tackling The VOID
This immersive virtual reality expedition allows you to become a Rebel to fight against the Empire. I won’t reveal any more about the mission but all I can say is that, it is worth it and a great activity to enjoy in Orlando. Visit thevoid.com for more information about pricing, reservations and more! Be a hero and save the Galaxy!
Disney will never stop changing the game with using new technology to create even better animations! It was recently announced by Disney Animation that Cycles, a new Virtual Reality animated short, will make it’s screen debut at the ACM SIGGRAPH (interest group on computer graphics and interactive techniques) in Vancouver in 2018! It should be a fantastic event and this is a huge step for Disney as they are opening the doors for movies and animation!
Cycles was directed by Jeff Gipson and the story is about the true meaning of creating a home and the life that is inside the walls. This new short should resonate with audiences all over the globe and will in fact be a historical moment for Disney. Date of the debut should be released soon so keep an eye out!
Disney Animation's first ever VR short, #Cycles, will make its world debut at @siggraph 2018 in Vancouver. The experimental film, from director Jeff Gipson, centers around the true meaning of creating a home and the life it holds inside its walls. pic.twitter.com/WWJfOdz2vV
This is your chance to hear Buckmaster and Manns sing together and get a glimpse of a few tracks from Buckmaster’s new album, Begin, which releases on July 13.
Manns gives us a little taste of what viewers can expect on the Stageit description:
Briana and I will sing a few songs & preview a few tracks from her brand new album!! And we’ll be doing it all from my office. Wha? Are you kidding me? I said it! yes, BB and I have a little work to do for the amazing kickstarters that funded her album, so she’ll be making the long journey to VA from VA(ncouver) and while she’s here we figured we might as well let you guys join on in!
The top tipper gets a Skype call from Buckmaster and Manns, and anyone who tips over 200 notes ($20) gets entered into a drawing to win a Skype call as well.
Buy a ticket, sit back, enjoy and if you want to pay it forward, there is information on the Stageit site for donating tickets.
Felicia Day hosted a livestream today on Twitch, from 9am – 9pm PST, in hopes to raise money for RAICES, a non-profit agency that provides legal services to immigrant/refugee families. Helping to reunite children with their parents.
Felicia was there almost the entire 12 hours, as well as brought in many amazing guests like Alan Tudyk, Seth Green, Nathan Fillion, and some of our favorites from Supernatural, Rob Benedict, Samantha Smith and Ruth Connell.
There were quite a few people who couldn’t attend live who also sent in videos, showcasing their support. Felicia started out the stream hoping for a goal of $12,000 which was easily met. As of right now, still with a little over an hour left, the total amount they’ve raised is over $166,000. I’m sure that number will still climb by the end of the night.
MargNation captured some of the singing that happened on the livestream, featuring Trevor (88 Bit Music) Rob Benedict, Felicia Day, and Ruth Connell.
You can find out more about RAICES and how to donate here!
Take a look at the clips below!
Rob Benedict Sings “Hallelujah”
Rob Benedict Sings “Yesterday”
Rob Benedict Sings “Dead Or Alive”
Rob Benedict and Felicia Day Sing “All Star”
Felicia Day and Ruth Connell Sing “Part Of Your World”
Briana Buckmaster’s video message
Rob Benedict, Felicia Day & Ruth Connell Sing “Carry On My Wayward Son”
Catfish lovers unite! MTV announced today on Twitter that the wildly popular reality TV show will begin airing all-new episodes on Wednesday, July 11 at 9/8c!
Season 7 had some of the best episodes we’ve seen in years, and we are anxiously counting down the days until we can see more of the hilarious reactions from co-hosts Nev Schulman and Max Joseph as they try to unite online lovers for the first time.
Not sure about Catfish? Take the bait and check out our recap of the last episode here, and get hooked into watching along with us at Nerds and Beyond on July 11!
Welcome to the final article in our Pride series for the month of June! Each day this month, we have highlighted a different LGBTQ+ character who we think is a great example of representation, dynamic characterization, and overall badassery. Today, we are concluding Pride with an exclusive interview! Check out the rest of the series here.
This Close is a six-part series on Sundance Now that focuses on best friends Kate and Michael (played by Shoshannah Stern and Josh Feldman, respectively), two twenty-somethings living in Los Angeles. Kate is newly engaged to boyfriend Danny and is trying to climb the corporate ladder in the public relations field, while Michael is a writer struggling with a suffocating bout of writer’s block that stems from an abrupt end to his engagement with his fiance. The series has garnered critical acclaim for focusing on the lives of two deaf lead characters, without making their deafness the primary – or only – focus of the story, like so many shows and movies have done in the past. Their deafness is a part of their lives, but Kate and Michael are not defined by that alone.
The series focuses on the fierce, and oftentimes codependent, friendship between the two main stars. But it is Michael’s story in particular that captured our attention. In the first episode, we learn that Michael is reeling from a breakup with his fiance Ryan, and his professional and personal endeavors suffer because of it. He tries to escape his pain in very self-destructive ways, using drugs and casual sex to carry him through each week. By the end of the season, Michael’s actions have even strained his relationship with Kate, and the final scene’s cliffhanger leaves the audience unsure of how the two will be able to make amends.
Nerds and Beyond had the opportunity to interview Feldman, one half of the writing and producing team (along with Stern) behind This Close, about the series and his character, Michael Rosen.
Nerds and Beyond: Can you describe the process behind This Close? How it got started, how you and Shoshannah came up with the idea as a series, etc.?
Josh Feldman:This Close started out as a short, twelve minute pilot that Shoshannah and I shot ourselves with the help of some friends. We were tired of having meetings or trying to explain to people why a show about two deaf best friends was going to be groundbreaking, and how it was going to build upon the common “twenty something best friends try to get it together” storyline. Our pilot, and subsequent Kickstarter, got the attention of Super Deluxe, which helped us produce five polished webisodes that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017. At the festival it caught the eye of people from Sundance Now who asked us to come in to pitch our idea for a full fledged television series that expanded on the webseries.
Nerds and Beyond: What is one of your favorite scenes from the first season of This Close?
Josh Feldman: One of my favorite scenes from the first season would have to either be the closing scene from the pilot, with Kate and Michael in airport jail, or their argument in the season finale, because those scenes just show you how a natural conversation is supposed to look and feel like between two deaf characters onscreen, while also hitting all the ranges of emotion sign language offers. Both scenes take place entirely in American Sign Language, with one being tender, the other crushing, but I think they both capture the beautiful complexities of sign language.
Nerds and Beyond: Like Michael’s deafness, his sexuality does not solely define him in This Close. Was it important to you for Michael to be gay? What do you think his sexuality brings to the story that would otherwise be missing if he were not gay?
Josh Feldman: It was very important for Michael to be gay, because I’m gay myself, and one of the things I desperately needed – and still do – is to see myself represented onscreen. Having Michael be gay also allows us to explore intersectionality, what it means to be a member of more than one minority, and more than one cultural group. Like myself, again, Michael is also deaf, gay, and Jewish – and that means he’s comprised of many different backgrounds that all share being underrepresented or discriminated against in common.
Nerds and Beyond: A common theme in This Close is the challenge of communication that exists between the Deaf and hearing communities. This is seen when Michael is wrongly arrested by airport security, when Kate’s interpreter at her work’s Disability Panel does not convey Kate’s words correctly or with much care, and it plays a significant role in Kate and Danny’s relationship. I can’t help but imagine that the process of coming out as LGBTQ+ would be made even more difficult for a deaf person who struggles to be heard in common, everyday situations. Was that the case in your personal experience?
Josh Feldman: I was fortunate enough that my coming out story, though it didn’t start happening [until] I was in college, was mostly without thunder. My family and friends were very understanding, and I’ve always felt fortunate I [did not have to] worry about them accepting that part of my identity so I could focus on other things.
Nerds and Beyond: This Close is a leader in shining a light on positive intersectional representation. Why is intersectional representation important in media, in your opinion? What can be done to ensure that representation is respectful and “gets it right”?
Josh Feldman: Intersectional representation is so important in media because more people are intersectional than you realize! We’re a country comprised of many different cultures, races, and experiences – but the media hasn’t been accurate in trying to represent that in television or movies. And I really think that had a big hand in our nation’s political climate right now. Who’s controlling what stories are being made and told? Who’s trying to make the laws right now? We have many things to change.
Nerds and Beyond: I know you and Shoshannah Stern are currently writing for season 2 of This Close. Do you have any other projects you’re currently involved with?
Josh Feldman: Right now I’m just focused on making season two of This Close the best it can be. I’m always trying to figure out what story I want to tell next, to make sure it is different enough from the show but within an experience that is familiar enough I can tell it authentically.
Nerds and Beyond: Something off topic but also important to us at Nerds and Beyond – What color would your lightsaber be?
Josh Feldman: The color of my lightsaber would most definitely be red, no question. Didn’t even have to think about that one.
Nerds and Beyond: Finally, my can’t-hurt-to-ask question: What This Close season 2 spoilers can you share with us?
Josh Feldman: Spoilers for season two? Hmm. Michael returns as a ghost and haunts Kate who decides to become the first deaf woman to hike Mount Everest. Just kidding. I can’t give anything away, that would be no fun, but you can rest assured there’ll be more laughter, and even more tears… Consider yourself warned!
Josh, thank you so much for your time! We can’t wait to see what you and Shoshannah have in store for us in season 2 of This Close!
Disney has released it’s new gamified park app and it’s taking fun to a whole new level! Available for Disneyland Resort in California and Disney World Resort in Florida, this first of its kind app is packed with cool features that are sure to bring even more enjoyment to your next Disney vacation.
Now, you can earn magical achievements for going on certain rides, attending specific shows, or playing games within the app. Share and compare your achievements with friends and family and see who can gather the most!
Bored while standing in line? Not anymore. Play Disney Parks includes multiple trivia sections to test your knowledge of the parks, movies, and more. Select attractions will even have uniquely themed games to play with your group. For example, you can play “Off To Never Land” at the queue for Peter Pan’s Flight at Magic Kingdom and Disneyland and “Playset Party” at Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios and Disneyland.
One unique features is the ability to click on music notes and get connected to a playlist on Apple Music that features music related to the area the note was placed. For those with a subscription to Apple Music, there is even an easy option for adding the music to your own playlists.
Disney has made a promise, though – “This is only the beginning.” Download the app today from the Apple App Store or Google Play to get in on the fun!
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Disney has released it’s new gamified park app and it’s taking fun to a whole new level! Available for Disneyland Resort in California and Disney World Resort in Florida, this first of its kind app is packed with cool features that are sure to bring even more enjoyment to your next Disney vacation.