Crush Magazine April 2014

Saving DC Comics Paul Levitz Talks Shop

By TJ Jordon

Voice Actor Billy West Cosplay Craziness Pics from Super Mega Fest

2014 Anime Boston Lish Ventura Music EXCLUSIVE : Rusty Tagliareni Looking inside lost worlds How I see the world

Kiev Ukraine with Photographer John Mooney

Feature:

COVER Model Christina Therese on on alternative alternativemodeling. modeling.

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Lish Ventura Modern Musician – Model - Actor The world of popular music is in a constant state of change. The new generations of performers coming up through the ranks are smarter, faster, and far ahead of those who preceded them in years past. Sure Hollywood still has its share of big stars, but the old system is fast becoming outdated and is full of holes that leave open doors never before possible. For those who are truly talented it is now possible to create your own music empire completely outside of the system. This is exactly the mindset of up and coming music star Lish Ventura. Determination and hard work are beginning to pay of for this 17 year old singer as she moves up in the ranks. Balancing school with a career is no easy task mind you and requires a lot of sacrifice when it comes to the normal activities of a teenager. Choral lessons, two vocal coaches, and a producer keep her well involved in the world of music most days of the week. On the weekend you will find her in the recording studio or on the location set of a music video shoot with a small film crew if the weather is right. Even with all that she still finds time to take to the stage performing in musicals as well as trying out a little acting for independent films on occasion.

“Music What meansreally a lot to counts me. It’s here one is of work those ethic. things that have been Something that’s there hardfor tome findwhen in your people average aren’t. teenFor me ager.

Then it’s aagain way even to describe professionals emotion seem through to have a lyricstime hard and not getting justtheir words. ducks I feelinlike a row whatever most days, is going so maybe on in it’sthe easier world when music there canisdescribe less pressure it. Popto ular songs perform forcan a big alter label theallowing way thatfor people morethink. creative If there’s a happy freedom when getting popularthings song Idone. feel like This a lot is not of the to timethat say then it all we come are allabout happywithout together. some If it’sform a sad of depressing song supervision.

Working then Iwith feel like a professional we are all grieving producer for something. and a small production ” team is what makes it all happen, however being small and concentrated

also allows What forreally morecounts attention heretoisdetail workand ethic. adds a Something that’stohard to findpackage. in your average teenlot of flexibility the entire ager. Then again even professionals seem to have a hard time “There is lot getting that goes theirthrough ducks inmy a row mind most when days, Isoam maybe singing, it’s easier other when times there is less nothing pressure at all.to perform forIaget Sometimes bigcaught label allowing up in thefor moment more creative and I freedom feel like no when onegetting else is there. thingsWhen done. IThis feel is like notnoto say that one is there it allitcome creates about this without area where some I am form myself. of

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“Music means a lot to me. It’s one of those things that have been there for me when people aren’t.

For me it’s a way to describe emotion through lyrics and not just words. I feel like whatever is going on in the world music can describe it. Popular songs can alter the way that people think. If there’s a happy popular song I feel like a lot of the time then we are all happy together. If it’s a sad depressing song then I feel like we are all grieving for something. ” - Lish Ventura

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It’s really indescribable.”

For now covering popular songs is the road to building a social media following, but there is much more on the horizon for Lish Ventura and her music career. With Emmy Award winning producer Sunny Lake and music industry veteran Hugh Norton waiting in the wings the goal of new original music is not far off. With a social media team helping out to build an audience new music is definitely on the list of things to come.

“I would say to the people who are supporting me so far, that they are helping me throughout this long journey that has just started. I can only hope that they are always there.”

For now 17 year old Lish Ventura is content not being in the spotlight and chooses to focus on perfecting her music and learning from those around her. With a whole batch of music videos in preproduction and the certainty of original music not far down the road this young lady has a great hand in the game. What we can learn from her is being humble and working hard are two things that are vital when getting started in the music business. Combine that with good values, a supporting family, and reasonable goals you have a formula that may well lead to success for this grounded young performer.

To lean more about Lish and follow her progress on this journey you can visit her social media: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lish-Ventura/244960985659643 www.youtube.com/channel/UCOF0WoxKD7lXBx6-mroGAxw

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ANIME BOSTON 2014 images and story by Anthony Choder

Anime Boston, New England’s largest anime convention; I’ve been attending every year since 2008, and this year continues the trend. One notable difference is this year being the first that I’m attending as an actual member of the press; as opposed to my usual modus operandi of galavanting about with my camera awkwardly asking cosplayers for a picture as a normal attendee.

I arrived at my hotel around 7:45 a.m. on the first day of the convention and cracked open the first of what will be many Red Bulls, still not completely awake following the early morning bus ride. I take a moment to drop my bags off in the room and then head over to the Hynes Convention Center. After a little confusion as to where and how I can actually get my press pass, I was finally able to get into the convention shortly after it opened.

Upon entering, there’s only one thing on my mind: Cosplay. Even this early on, there’s no shortage of great costumes for me to photograph, and I quickly set about my task of awkwardly asking for photographs. The fandoms cover anime, science fiction, comic books, video games and everything in between. For the first couple of hours I wander the halls and give my camera a thorough workout; then I did something that I haven’t done in years: I attended the Opening Ceremonies.

Shortly before the introductions of the guests of honor, I managed to get acquainted with some of the fellow members of the press. Among them: the guys from Wicked Anime )who I would run into repeatedly throughout my odyssey) and James from the Toonami Faithful Podcast. We spent the few minutes before the actual ceremonies talking about our respective outlets, exchanging business cards, and cracking jokes about the amusing prospect of a 1:1 ratio of convention attendees to press outlets

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After the Opening Ceremonies, I met up with my co-correspondent, David. After exchanging greetings and high-fives, we were off to the appropriately named “Live Action Adaptations That Don’t Suck” panel. I’ll confess, I don’t normally go to panels during conventions, I generally use my time to wander aimless and take pictures of whatever I think is awesome. I really enjoyed the panel, having learned about some adaptations that I weren’t aware of, and adding a few of them to my “Need to Watch” list.

Dave and I then proceeded to take a break in the press room to compile our notes and enjoy the Spam musubi he brought for the sake of snacking. For those not familiar, Spam musubi is sushi, but with Spam replacing the fish (which makes it much more appetizing in my opinion). Afterwards, Dave attends a press panel while I spend the rest of the afternoon getting more photographs.

When the sun sets on Friday, the crowd thins out ever so slightly, and the convention’s edgier offerings are on the table. However, before Dave and I partake of our selection, we stop at the Live Gaming room. The room is dimly lit, making the various offerings on a variety of consoles glow that much more enticingly.

The two of us sit down at a Sega Saturn and I get my ass handed to me in several matches in Street Fighter Alpha. After we walk about the room for a bit, Dave joins in on an old-school beat-’em-up arcade game while I take a minute to step outside the room to stretch and regret leaving my Red Bull in the hotel room.

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I’ve been doing cosplay photography since 2008, and there are characters and series that I’m always pumped to see cosplayed.

Topping off my personal list is Capcom’s Darkstalkers fighting game series. With vibrant and uniquely designed characters based on mythical monsters from all over the globe, it’s great to see them cosplayed at all levels, especially as the series appears to be on a slow slide into obscurity. What characters or series do you like to see cosplayed? Send me an email at achodor@iamthink.com and sound off.

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Having scratched our gaming itch, it was finally time for us to attend our second panel of the day. This panel was an 18+ event hosted by the good folks at Wicked Anime we met at Opening Ceremonies. The panel was a glorious look at some of the most glorious violence in anime, with no shortage of blood and guts spraying about for all to see (a decidedly different set of bodily fluids than those usually associated with 18+ events), peppered with hilarious commentary. The whole experience was unabashedly fun, and was a great way to finish off the evening.

The sun rises on Saturday morning, and Dave and I awaken bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, or at least as much as one can be after having spent the previous 21 hours split between travelling and running about the convention center. Saturday is the busiest day of any convention, and with Dave attending press panels while I conduct private photoshoots in the morning, it’s certainly our busiest day as well. Fortunately, my photoshoots go well despite my social awkwardness and amateur level photography skills.

Dave and I meet up again in the early afternoon so that I can collect the digital recorder for the press panel I’ll be attending later on. As we rest our aching feet in the press room, Dave relays his success at the panels with two of the guests of honor: Patrick Seitz and Wendee Lee. With my confidence bolstered, I head into the press panel with industry guest Tom Wayland.

In the panel room, I’m joined by the folks of Con-Men, a web series covering various convention and Anime Boston’s press liaison. The usual pleasantries are exchanged, and small talk is made as we wait for the panel to start. My social trepidation keeps me largely silent. Tom Wayland enters the room and I fire up my recorder. After the folks from Con-Men and myself do our brief introductions, the time for questions begin, and I’m first up. At this point, my brain finally makes the connection that I’m amongst people who actually know what they’re doing, and quickly sets about making feel like I’m about to be exposed as a fraud and a charlatan. Good job, brain!

Thankfully, my nervousness does eventually subside after a few rounds of questions, and I survive. The panel overall was a positive experience. Tom Wayland discussed his entry into the industry as a voice director in the early years of anime distribution in the USA, which also led him toward voice acting as well. I’ll have more details of the panel and a recording up on IAmThink.com.

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Once my batteries were recharged in both the literal and metaphorical senses, I returned to the convention center to meet back up with Dave. We decided to top the evening off by attending one of Anime Boston’s most popular late-night events: Dick and Buster’s Hentai Dubbing Extravaganza! This particular event gives audience members a chance to try their hand at providing voices for clips of adult anime, often with hilarious results that contribute to the event’s popularity. Being that it was Dave’s first time at this event, I was giddy as a schoolgirl. I found myself spending half of my time watching Dave’s reaction to some of the strangest, yet oddly hilarious animated pronography around. I can’t get very far into the details of the event, but when I utter the phrase “I’ve seen some shit,” Hentai Dubbing is definitely included.

By the time Sunday morning rolls around, Dave and I are mentally and physically ready to return to our respective homes. After checking out of the hotel, we check our bags and make one last trip to the convention center. We walk about the Dealer’s Room and meet up with the guys from Wicked Anime once more. All of us agree that Anime Boston was great, we exchange good-byes and express our hopes of meeting up again at future conventions. As we walk about the Dealer Room, I take the time to get a few last floor shots. After a couple of hours, I take my leave and pick up my bag at the hotel so I can catch a bus back to the real world.

Just as the years before, Anime Boston 2014 failed to disappoint, which is why I consider it my official kick off to the convention season. On top of that, my first year covering the event as press added a whole new dimension to the experience over just going as an attendee. If this was any indication to the rest of the year’s conventions, 2014 is going to be a hell of a ride.

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Christina Therese lives in Milford PA, with her slightly overweight cat Kiwi. She began modeling around 2007, and quickly found success as an alternative model due to her unique styling. To date she has been featured in numerous publications, and countless websites, catering to various fashion subcultures. She has a vast collection of stiletto heels, as high as 11 inch, and none shorter than 6. Some even come with warning labels, warning the wearer to not actively attempt walking in them, due to their height. She does anyway, of course.

Keeping with her roots in alternative fashion, in 2008 Christina formed an online business catering to clients seeking made-to-order synthetic hair pieces. From falls to full wigs, and in every color found in (and beyond) the rainbow. She often wears her own creations for her shoots.

Another passion of Christina’s, when not in front of the camera, is to be behind one. She has a driving passion for architectural preservation, and can often be found trekking around abandoned buildings, documenting them via her vast array of video equipment.

You can see more @ https://www.facebook.com/PanzerKitty

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Believe it or not, our summer movie season is upon us. Most people on the upper half of the country won’t believe that as they are still bundling up from the bitter cold and weekly snow storms, but not in Hollywood! The big-budget highly anticipated tent-pole films start rolling out as early as March and in some cases go as late as September. And this season is no different as it has already given us the purposed blockbusters 300: Rise of an Empire, the long awaited sequel to 2006’s Zack Snyder’s Spartan epic and the video game adaption Need for Speed (which to me seemed more like a remake of Vanishing Point). While 300 has found its audience and is off to a great start with solid box office numbers that will most likely exceed its budget domestically, Need for Speed is officially the season’s first bomb barely making an impact it’s opening weekend. So what does April have in store for us?

April kicks off with the biggest movie this month and that’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, where Super-Soldier Steve Rogers finds himself facing down a shadowy enemy from his World War 2 past. This is Marvel Studio’s 9th film in a summer that’s already over-stuffed with several other superhero movies. But what sets Cap apart from the rest is what comes next.

Kevin Feige, producer and mastermind at Marvel Studios has gone on record stating that despite Guardians of the Galaxy (another Marvel Studio’s film due out August 1st-ish), it’s the events in Captain America that lead directly into next year’s mega-sequel Avengers: Age of Ultron (May 2015).

Looking at the success of Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World in a post-Avengers world, it pretty much guarantees to put butts in seats for Cap’s April 4th release.

Also look for Cap co-star Scarlett Johansson in Under the Skin, a psycho-sexual scifi thriller in limited release that same day.

The following week we get a trio of major releases, including Rio 2. The follow up to the 2011 CGI animated hit, this time we’re transported from Rio de Janeiro to the Amazon. A box office contender being the only animated film in April. Also out is Draft Day the football drama starring Kevin Costner and teaming with Ivan Reitman, where the General Manager for the Cleveland Browns tries to acquire the number 1 draft pick. Also in limited release is Cuban Fury, starring Nick Frost (Shaun of

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the Dead, Attack the Block) and co-starring Chris O’Dowd(The IT Crowd, Bridesmaids) and Rashida Jones.

First time film director James Griffith’s dance comedy could be a sleeper hit this month, as it’s at 84% for audience anticipation despite a 53% freshness rating on the review site Rotten Tomatoes.

Rounding out the remainder of the month you have Johnny Depp’s sci-fi thriller Transcendence, playing a Steve Jobs-like terminally ill scientist who converts his consciousness into a data stream of artificial intelligence, becoming virtually unstoppable. Also out is Tom Hardy’s psychological thriller Locke, playing a Construction Manager who is posed with a life altering decision on the way home from work one day.

Closing out the month we have a duo of comedies. Elizabeth Bank stars a reporter, whose life is turned upside down after a one night stand in Walk of Shame. Then, Cameron Diaz deals with a cheating boyfriend in the The Other Woman.

And there it is! a profile of what you can expect at the theaters this April. From star-spangled superheroes, power hungry mad scientists or celebrity voiced cartoon birds, there is a little something for everyone this month. Come back here next month for a look at a jam packed May filled with Mutants, a Giant Radioactive Lizard and Spider-Man and his Amazing Foes.

http://www.alleventsound.com

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There is a lot of recent history just sitting around doing nothing. Hundreds of old and rather outdated places site silent and empty. For many in our society these relics would be best forgotten about forever than have to deal with the ghastly remains of our mistakes. We are not talking about museums or roadside attractions here these are truly ghosts of days gone by. The key word here is “contamination” in more ways than one. Decrepit hotels, shuttered hospitals, and crumbling industrial sites pepper the landscape in just about every city around the world. Mankind has a nasty habit of tossing away things that are deemed no longer necessary. We “abandon” failed projects, outmoded facilities, and economic failures in very much the same way we take the trash to the curb each week. It goes somewhere, but honestly who cares, it’s gone. The last thing we need is to turn back, right? What is it that we can learn by trudging around in old worn out, condemned buildings? This has to be dangerous. It is also illegal in most locations. So then tell me why there has been a huge surge of modern day explorers/photographers who are getting some serious mainstream publication over the last few years? Showing the rest of the world what has been left behind with stark and at times overwhelmingly poignant images has become all the latest rage.

Thanks to a world of social media connections and the availability of super hi resolution photography equipment even the untrained photographer can at times capture bits of the past that make us even more curious about the who, what, when, and whys. Damn you guys look what you have done. You made us all interested in something historic. The nerve of these guys.

The recent surge of amazing images appearing on the internet from all over the world attests to the fact there is a new generation that wants to know more about where they come from and maybe learn a little something from past mistakes. There are also those who wish to share with the world the stories that surround these slices of time that seem ride on the edge of reality. If you have never stepped foot inside a shuttered insane asylum (and I don’t recommend you do) then you will not quit understand the feeling of being on another world all alone. These places are desolate, empty, and devoid of the most common everyday sounds that make up our lives. No water

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running, no electricity humming, nor are the lights on, nothing but dust, debris, and the occasional forest creature that is looking for a new home. Nothing but miles of silent corridors envelope the explorer and rooms sometimes empty, other times full of the remnants of past lives and occupations. But they are not as empty as they seem. Upon closer inspection many exciting things can be found by the trained if you take the time to look. Dates, names, pictures of those who once lived or worked in these halls are hidden under years of dust and debris. Artifacts of past practices and machines that no longer function, but still leave a perceived presence of the time when they were part of daily life are scattered and broken by years of decay and vandalism.

The halls may be quiet, but the leftovers speak for themselves. These are the things that many modern explorers use to compose their stories of the locations they document. Rusted beds, gigantic iron machines, and piles of patient records make for a lot of camera fodder. Even the patterns of peeling paint or moss growing on the interior of a building make for some spectacular imagery.

The devastated remains of the once spectacular showroom at the “Pines” resort in the Catskill mountains. Hollywood stars such as Dean Martin once made apperances here nightly during the busy holiday season. Now sillent its rich history is slowly decaying. The shows over for this grand old lady.

Photo by Rusty Tagilareni

There seems to be no end to the material for those who have then understanding of composition, light, and exposure.

“Urban Exploring” as it is sometimes called is not for everyone. These places can be extremely dangerous. Many buildings are on the verge of collapse. Broken glass litters the floors. Weather and decay weakens the structures to the point of implosion. Toxicity is also a major problem at all of these locations. Asbestos, leftover chemicals and super strong strains of black mold can cause extreme health issues for anyone entering beyond the The Catskill Mountains were once the summer playground for tens of thousands escaping the heat of city life. For years traveling north to the breezy resorts was a ritual for families from the dense chaos of New York City and its many bouroughs. During the heyday of the 1950’s the likes of Dean Martin, Bob Hope, and Sammy Davis Jr. would follow entertaining in the many showrooms along with a host of other Hollywood stars. Many families continiued to vacation here as generations developed, but all good things must come to an end. The 1970’s would see a turn in the tide as cheap airfare and new southern resorts would attract away many of the longtime guests. Family values would change and the freedom movement would alter our lifestyles forever. Slowly the Catskill resorts would begin to die. Each year less would make the trip to the old summer fun spots. One by one these once famous destinations were shuttered for good. Now they lie in ruins a symbol of a time gone by.

Slowly being over run by mother nature Penn Hills Resort might look like it just closed in recent years but nothing could be further from the truth. Inside mold and decay are fast taking hold of this 1970’s honeymoon retreat. One of many that have suffered then same fate. These places struggled for years until the death blow of cheap air fair and corporate resorts sealed their fate.

Photos by Rusty Tagliareni

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forbidden zone. The modern explorer has to be well equipped in order to deal with all possibilities. Not to mention you don’t just go stomping around in a decaying building. Not if you want to stay in one piece. Falling is no joke at these places.

Rotten floors, hidden traps and open shafts make this venture all the more deadly than most might understand. Boarded up windows add to thicken the darkness inside making the challenge of moving about even harder for the untrained and ill equipped. Those who bust into urban exploration with an air of false confidence are not only a danger to themselves, but to everyone around them.

Safety is of utmost importance to those who are truly in the know. Serious injury or even death can occur when caution is tossed to the wind in favor of having a good time with your buddies.

Just before midnight on April 6, 2010 a then nineteen year old art student by the name of Brian Jerome never gave safety a second thought when it came to urban exploring. With his group of friends they scaled the chain link fence surrounding the long since closed “Hotel Lorraine” in an urban PA city. Entering the darkness that enveloped the doomed hotel they made their way through the darkness to the stairwell. After splitting up they climbed up into higher floors of the condemned structure using cell phones and a small flashlight to navigate the murky interior.

Reaching the fifth floor Brian stopped to open a can of spray paint. He had straddled a hole in the floor and his goal was to paint a face in the old hotels wall. Shifting his feet ever so slightly Brian disappeared into the darkness. One moment he was there and the next gone, vanished. After some scoping about it was found that Brian had fallen 5 floors and beyond. Ending up his sudden journey at the bottom of and old elevator shaft this was to be an unexpected disaster for the young man. His legs broken, face smashed, and in dire need of medical attention he struggled to remain conscious in the dark. With the aid of his companions Brian would live to see the light of day once more. This story could have ended in a much more horrific manner. Lucky to be alive the days of exploring abandoned building were over for Brian thanks to one stupid mistake.

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“Social media is, without a doubt, the singular driving force that has allowed me to share my work and stories with the world. Without it I would just be some creepy dude who enjoys climbing around smelly old buildings, risking injury for a shot that may never be seen. However, through the workings of the internet, and the interactions it stirs between people, I am able to share my work and thoughts in such a way that viewers can finally grasp just how beautiful or important a place can be, regardless of the fact that it’s been left abandoned. I mean, I communicate with people as local as my home state of New Jersey, to those across the sea in Europe. To this day, when I sit back and think about what social media has made available to the average person, I am still amazed.

Many of these people who read my work online may never have given a rundown old building a sideways glance before, yet through the ability to present my work with these places, in a very public and accessible way, these same people are now compelled to understand the place better, and perhaps even care about it to some degree. To me; if even a small bit of respect is garnered for a location that is else-wise forsaken by the world, then it was well worth the effort to document it.

Many people claim that the internet has become saturated with people, and that there are no truly original ideas anymore. If you think of something, then it is (very) likely that someone else has already done it. The people who say this don’t understand two key things: First – Social media and public forums are not some form on online competition, they are meant to be community centers. We should celebrate those who share our interest, not look upon them as competition in an already over-crowded environment. It is those very people who may come to your aid one day, so try not to alienate yourself through jealousy or bitterness. Second – Use the high quality of work done by others to motivate yourself and yourself to do better. If you were to constantly judge your work against that of lesser quality, you would never grow as an artist, or a person for that matter. I was overwhelmed when I was first trying to establish an online presence for myself, but through simple persistence I was able to get a firm footing in a “genre” that is, admittedly, very full of people who do the same things I do.” ~Rusty Tagliareni

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A woman’s finishing school sits in the center of an overgrown campus. A relic of not only past events, but a shift in the nation’s social climate.

On most days you can find Photographer Rusty Tagliareni wading through thorns and thick undergrowth on a mission to capture images of some place that time or, society at least, has virtually forgotten. From abandoned psychiatric hospitals to shuttered schools and decaying resorts, his lens pokes its way into worlds that the average person would not be caught dead entering. These sorties are not random nor are they hastily planned.

Capturing specific history and documenting the remnants of lost society is passion that reaches deep into his psyche. Experienced, well equipped, and keeping attentive to the dangers around him is always on the forefront. It is his systematic approach combined with considerable research that brings value to his art.

There is no fooling around when it comes to being respectful and considerate to those who one occupied these places. It is with this thinking in mind that Rusty has been able to amass a vast collection of mind blowing photography. This is an art and backed up by historically accurate facts Rusty has found a way to preserve history that many of us never even knew existed. Future generations will look back on this catalogue with an eye of both bewilderment and awe. Many times so called explorers have gotten a bad rap by being stupid and tarnishing the entire pool by extolling their expeditions and giving away the secrets of a very underground society. Here is one person who truly understands what the whole thing means not only to history, but also the art community, and the world of exploring in general. In the shadows of the original explorers that opened the tombs during the 1920’s Rusty Tagliareni is accomplishing the same thing with a little less gold and a lot more dust.

Author and photographer Rusty Tagliareni has doumented hundreds of lost and forgotten places across the Northeast Uninted States. His unique talent for sharing hidden history gives the viewer an inside look at places time has left behind.

You can see more of Rusty’s amazing work by visiting: http://www.antiquityechoes.com

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The man of a million voices

Thomas Jordan from IAMTHNK.com sits down with master voice actor Billy West TJ: When you were at Boston Comic-Com you cut a PSA for us and the Autism cause. Doing that has really initiated support from a lot of people.

Billy: That’s so great.

TJ: You really opened up a huge door for us. People love you, people know you, and if you were kind enough to do this type of thing others will follow.

Billy: It’s not about kindness, it’s about noblesse oblige. I’m not in pain. I’m not suffering. I don’t have a disability in any way, except the fact that I couldn’t even tie my shoes. I invented my own way of tying them and I still do that today. You think I would learn? No, but I can do some other stuff that nobody else in the world can do so eh, eh.

Billy: It’s not like I’m going out of my way this is the most important stuff you can do.

One of the biggest reasons for being in the world that I am in with performing and stuff is the thing that you want more than anything else is to inspire other people that have an interest or a passion about something. I never played it small. I always played it big because you can never inspire anyone else if you don’t go forward.

TJ: I know you have had a profound effect on many people. Time and time again we hear that exact thing through other people. At IAMTHINK.com we do a lot for autism detection and intervention. The auditory sense can really unlock a lot of doors.

Have you found that to be the case when it comes to disabilities or reaching someone?

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Billy: When I grew up it was more important to listen to the radio than the television. Number one: there were like two and a half channels and TV went off at 11:00 o’clock at night. Radio was always on. In the middle of the night you could tune in and hear some lonely guy in the middle of nowhere playing 45’s. That’s the stuff I lived for. Everything was sonic for me. Sounds were important. I use them to this day, all the junk I could do as a kid.

It’s still the same thing. I’m still the same guy. I wound up in a situation where I had nothing but gratitude, all around, 360 you know. I’d come out and thank people for supporting stuff that I did. What are the odd of that?

Chances are a zillion to one that something like that could happen. I don’t mean to do the super hero thing.

“With great power comes great responsibility”. It’s not like I have to be responsible for anything, but to just sit by when stuff is going on that you could actually affect the outcome in some way. Maybe it’s miniscule maybe it’s a grand scale. If you don’t do that it’s almost like you might as well think of no one except yourself.

TJ: That’s so true. I’m in a position where I get to see and interact with a lot of your fans. One of the best things for me is coming to CON’s and see guest interacting with fans. You have a dedicated fans and to see you be able to talk to them. It is that one moment with you that makes such a profound difference. Every time you talk to that one fan is special. They don’t get that anywhere else. That’s what makes them such loyal and diehard fans.

You do it so well with grace. I have seen other personalities interact with their fans. Many of them are just like machines. They’re not smiling. They are not looking at them.

Billy: No, but they’re glad to come and make a few bucks that they don’t have to declare on their income tax. To just be there for that reason alone make you very small in my eyes.

TJ: It happens a lot. I won’t mention any names….

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Billy: Oh go ahead. We’re all friends here. I won’t tell anybody. (Siren Sounds from Billy) TJ: (Laughing) the photo ops. You see people that spend a hundred dollars, two hundred and fifty dollars for some really amazing people and the talent is not smiling in the photo. They almost look like they hate the fact that they have to be there. It’s just such a tragedy.

Billy: Don’t you see how absurd that is? It’s not beneath some stars to get on a plane. Get a hotel room and get paid some money. But, talking to someone is beneath them. You want to take someone like that and swing them around the room by their nose. How do I express this? I want to smack a bunch of people right now. (Everyone Laughs.)

TJ: That is the difference between you and them. I said all of that to say: watching you talk to the people who are your fans is a powerful and amazing moment.

Billy: Thank you so much. I never hear that. TO me, I have always been like that. I’m damn lucky because as a kid I didn’t get a lot of attention. My dad was a psycho. He tried to kill me like 20 times. I’m telling you stuff that will be in a book someday.

I wanted to be anywhere than where I stood. No matter where I was sitting I never felt comfortable. My mind would be 80 miles away even when someone was talking to me. I had to be hyper vigilant. I could tell you what kind of night I was in for by the way the car pulled up in the driveway. Like the sound of the key in door. They were all clues.

To me my life was at stake.

TJ: You have some beautiful philosophies about growing up and capturing entertainment. What I like is they way that you still hold all of that, especially the golden age of entertainment. You have captured that and I love to hear that come out in you. It makes you unique.

Billy: Thank you so much. I had my gallery of heroes Weather they were musicians or artists. Singer, writers, or directors, it’s still the same energy. You recognize it immediately. You know this guy, You feel it. I’m always going on and on about I hate the fact that celebrities are TRYING to do voices in cartoons and I still say trying. To me there’s no sign of achievement there. If there is, it’s the size of bacteria. Here, me and my buddies are trying keep the bar off the ground and putting it higher. Then these people are doing their level best to come along, take it off the thing and toss it on the ground. Then they go: “where’s my 20 million dollars”. Excuse me?

TJ: They have the platform of celebrity.

Billy: I know, but in the eyes of true artists it’s coming through a disgusting filter. Without alchemy you can’t have art. Producers would say; “Billy we have a bar of lead on the table. We’d love it if you could turn it into gold before you leave”. That was our job. We’d leave and there was the bar of gold. They were so thankful. Then when the celebrities come in there is no change. There is no alchemy. The bar of lead stays on the table and they’re going to go; “Where’s my money”.

TJ: The good thing about it is no matter how hard somebody tries you are our generations Mel Blanc.

Billy: Really? That guy is one of my heroes. I had Les Paul as a hero. Jeff Beck, Mel Blanc, June Foray. I had a large gallery of heroes. Including the first images I ever saw on television. I remember watching Sid Caesar on TV because my mom let me stay up. I could watch this crazy nut on TV. He was blowing my mind and I real-

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ly didn’t have much of a mind to blow. I had to have been five or six. I never forgot what this guy did. He just fractured me on a molecular level. I never forgot it. I followed his career and also his decline and self destruction over time. He pulled out of a nosedive. I got to work with him on a project that I did called; “Comic Book the Movie”.

Here I was in Jonathan Winters house another hero of mine. Sid Caesar is at that house and I’m working with the two of them. Life goes by so fast you don’t even know how you got there. That’s when the Talking Heads song made sense to me. “And you may find yourself, sitting next to Sid Caesar”. My god how did I get here?

Now it makes sense. Now things happen so quickly and you can’t follow the comics trail. You never looked back.

They one day you go;”What did I do?”. I did a lot. I played with Brian Wilson. You know.

TJ: I will tell you I can relate to that felling. It was only a few short months ago. We were standing in line waiting to get an opportunity to talk to you for 3 min. Now we have actually had some time to speak with you.

Billy: Well, You’re family now!

TJ: That reminds me, can I borrow some money?

Billy: That’s a sore subject with me.

I had a terrible accident the other day. I fell off my wallet.

TJ: Billy you are always amazing. One of the most entertaining people I have ever been able to speak to. I absolutely appreciate the time. It’s profound for us.

Billy: Thank you so much. I’m taking it seriously. I’m really not looking for a way to sneak in a garbage joke or something like that.

TJ: Without a doubt. We take it seriously too. I wanted to be able to talk to you about things that were more important instead of just doing the voices you know.

Billy: That’s the machine stuff. I have compassion. Some people hide it like and appendix scar. I don’t mind letting people know there’s a real person at home here. It’s not just a collection of witty little voices.

TJ: To us that’s what make you Billy West.

http://www.crushmedia.com

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You might find him under a bridge, or perched on top of some strange rock formation in the middle of nowhere, or in a desolated city overcome by radiation but one thing is for certain John Mooney will be looking through his lens searching for a world that is part reality and part absurdity.

It is fair to say there is little chance at finding him at a summer wedding snapping pictures of a glowing bride as most days John can be found crawling around empty buildings or traveling around the world looking for pieces of our past the world has forgotten. However he is just as much at home with his picture machine prowling the streets of Boston in search of an urban landscape or the occasional willing human subject.

Last year one would have found him wondering the streets of the now trouble laden Kiev in the Ukraine searching for both history and the human condition. Now the trip may seem bittersweet as the political landscape is changing. Maybe it is good that John was able to capture a few moments in time from Kiev preserving what once was into permanent memory. His pilgrimage into this strange land is just part of the process for many photographers. It has been said that each image a photographer takes is a compilation of every previous shot from s library if thousands in their minds. That’s a bit heady from some to think on that level, but it seems to be true. However this all works John is on a mission everyday and is quickly building this giant file not only in his mind, but in front of his fans and social media followers. His works have been displayed in galleries and he now has several thousand followers on line and those numbers growing everyday.

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John’s trip to the former Soviet country also included a life changing visit to a ghostly city left empty and abandoned by tragedy. His images of this place evoke mystery, and awe, showing how things that are so dead can also be so very alive. We recently talked with John after he returned from photographing the decimated city of Pripyat inside the hot zone of Chernobyl in the Russian Ukraine. Look for an exclusive in next months Crush Magazine.

Getting him to put his camera down for even an hour is a challenge. Talented, driven, and creative there is little doubt we will be gazing upon the images that John captures no matter where he roams. If you would like to see more of his amazing work you can visit his photostream and social media here: https://www.facebook.com/Trespassion http://www.flickr.com/photos/trespassion/ Here’s what John had to say about visiting the abandoned city of Chernobyl during his time in Russia: “It was wide Variety of a wash of emotions. I guess I didn’t know how much it would affect me.

We made it into Central Square and from there we headed to the amusement park and on to the Olympic pool and the basketball courts. Then we visited school #3 and also a day care. One word I can say is fallout. The horrors that these people went though is still present to this day.

The images speak volumes for what happened there. I really didn’t realize how it would affect me as a new father. Spending my first father’s day there was a sobering experience. When we went into what was left of the daycare I found hand written letters from parents asking acceptance for children into the now destroyed child haven. As a new dad I have written these same letters for my own son. Imagining that happening to my family was heart breaking. It was a life changing experiences to see how people can be affected by the actions of others. It has certainly changed my point of view on life over all. I see the world differently now. I plan on doing some gallery shows of the images and sharing the stories of my trip. I think these are images that everyone should see.” – John Mooney

“You can find out about John’s trip to the city of Chernobyl in next months Crush Magazine.”

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Weird Urban Legends .

The Story of MOTHMAN

This country has some truly weird urban mysteries. The act of telling stories around the campfire or in a dark room with nothing but a dim flashlight under your chin has been around forever. Putting away a few too many beers can make these odd stories seem a bit more convincing for some. Maybe we have seen too many spooky movies. “Don’t go in there” they yell, but inevitably some poor unwitting soul opens the door to the basement stairs and sealing their fate. Like the guys in the red shirts on Star Trek we all knew what was going to happen.

There are a few stories, myths, legends, yarns, whatever it is you want to call them that even the best script writers could not conceive. In fact for years the movie industry has relied on extolling these urban stories to make big bucks. Once a month we will explore one of these so called “Urban Legends” to see if we can separate fact from fiction.

The Mothman is a creature reported in the Charleston and Point Pleasant areas of West Virginia between November 12, 1966, and December 1967. It’s described as a winged, man-sized creature with large reflective red eyes and large moth-like wings. Sometimes it appeared to have no head, with its eyes set into its chest.

On November 15, 1966, two young, married couples from Point Pleasant, David and Linda Scarberry and Steve and Mary Mallette, were traveling late at night in the Scarberrys’ car. They were passing the West Virginia Ordnance Works, an abandoned World War II TNT factory about seven miles north from Point Pleasant, in the 2,500 acre McClintic Wildlife Station. Suddenly they noticed two red lights in the shadows by an old generator plant near the factory gate. They stopped the car and reportedly discovered that the lights were the glowing red eyes of a large animal shaped like a man. The creature was very large and stood six and a half to seven feet tall.

With big wings folded against its back according to Roger Scarberry. Terrified they drove toward Route 62 where the creature supposedly chased them at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.

However, as quoted in Keel’s The Mothman Prophecies the Scarberrys, despite driving more than 100 miles per hour, claimed to have noticed a dead dog on the side of the road. They made such accurate note of its location claiming to go back the very next day and looked for it. Explanations for how they were able to make so accurate a mental note at a time of such great distress, or why they would go back to look for the dead dog are not included in Keel’s book.

The following night, on November 16, several armed townspeople combed the area around the TNT plant for signs of Mothman. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Wamsley, and Mrs. Marcella Bennett, with her infant daughter Teena in tow were in a car en-route to visit their friends, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Thomas. The Thomas’s lived in a bungalow among what were called the igloos (concrete domeshaped dynamite storage structures erected during WW-II) near the TNT plant.

The igloos were now empty. Some were owned by the county others by companies intending to use them for storage. They were heading back to their car when a figure appeared behind their parked vehicle. Mrs. Bennett said that it seemed like it had been lying down slowly rising up from the ground. Large and gray, with glowing red eyes it appeared out of the darkness. While Wamsley phoned the police the creature walked onto the porch and peered in at them through the window.

On November 24, four people allegedly saw the creature flying over the

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TNT area. On the morning of November 25 Thomas Ury, who was driving along Route 62 just north of the TNT, claimed to have seen the creature standing in a field.

The strange being then spread its wings and flew alongside his car as he sped toward the Point Pleasant sheriff ’s office.

On November 26, Mrs. Ruth Foster of Charleston, West Virginia reportedly saw the Mothman standing on her front lawn, but the creature was gone by the time her brother-in-law went out to investigate. Further, on the morning of November 27 the creature allegedly pursued a young woman near Mason, West Virginia. It was reported again in St. Albans the same night by two children.

A Mothman sighting was again reported on January 11, 1967. Several other times that same year the winged bird like specter was sighted in Point Pleasant. Fewer sightings of the Mothman were reported after the collapse of the Silver Bridge over the Ohio River. During that tragedy 46 people died during rush hour traffic plummeting vehicles in the water. The Silver Bridge, so named for its aluminum paint, was an eyebar chain suspension bridge that connected the cities of Point Pleasant, West Virginia and Kanauga, Ohio. The bridge was built in 1928, and it collapsed on December 15, 1967. Investigation of the bridge wreckage pointed to the failure of a single eye-bar in a suspension chain due to a small manufacturing flaw. There are rumors that the Mothman appears before upcoming disasters, or that the Mothman is the cause of these terrible disasters. Some say he is the dark angel that brings warning of events that bring death and destruction.

Hollywood has captured the essence of this moth like creature already in a somewhat skewed feature “The Mothman Prophecies” based on the book by Keel. There is also several full fledged documentaries that pose all the questions revolving around this bizarre half man half insect. There have been reports of sightings all over the world including reports of his flights just prior to the disaster of 911. Weird as it may sound something strange happened in the little town of Point Pleasant. The newspaper reported it at the time in full detail. During 1966 the sheriff at the time even held a press conference of which there is footage that can be viewed. There have since been more than a handful of sightings of the red eyed winged mystery man. Some reports have those numbers into the hundreds. It is obvious that something out of place has happened here in the sleepy little town of 5000.

The big question is what or who is soaring around in the dark of the night in a desperate effort to warn of disaster. Who is the Mothman? We may never know, but one thing is for sure. Witnesses will swear on a stack of bibles they saw this strange creature. The stories they tell are not amusing. For most reliving the ghostly appearance of a winged man with flaming red eyes is serious stuff. Legend, oddity, or savior, Mothman is not something to just be ignored. So the Mothman is the harbinger of disaster and mayhem. Whatever this creature is hundreds have seen something that they all describe as tall with a huge wing span, and glowing red eyes. Seeking a logical answer scientists have suggested to the believers that it may be a large owl or bird. Due to the make up of their super sensitive night vision owls have the distinct reflection of red eyes when light shine into them. Adding to this theory research has show that when people are terrified by the unknown they tend to exaggerate size and scale. This is all interesting, but how does a bird like the Bard Owl, large as they are, swell to eight feel tall. Not possible in nature as far as we know. So we are left with a huge problem; Hundreds of similar sightings by unrelated, regular everyday people that all seem very close in description. Some have even said they heard scream like a banshee coming from Mothman as he swooped through the trees. Has Virginia got some sort of weird genetic

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bird population we don’t know about? Unlikely considering the Mothman has been seen in other places across the country.

Stranger still is when compared to unknowns like Bigfoot, this Mothman has been seen in populated areas by many more people. I have seen large birds like cranes and owls and not been so scared as to run the other way in a panic. The Indians passed down stories of the Thunderbird for generations. Maybe we are talking about the same thing here. Is it possible that some yet to be discovered species lives right here among us? Is there a supernatural being that is our guardian only we are not listening? When the silver bride collapsed into the river in 1967 many had reported seeing this Mothman in the area several days prior to the disaster. Did he cause the death and destruction, not likely as it was a bad link in the structure? The Mothman was only there to warn of impending doom. Maybe he is a collector of souls. If the winged creature could see into the future he just might have been biding his time as fate approached. Waiting to finish the job so to speak and then move on. After 1967 sighting diminished, but for those who experienced his presence the memories are as clear as if it happened yesterday. There are so many stories and urban legends that we tend to become a bit desensitized to these thing.

In that jumble of mixed up tales the Mothman may just be the one that holds the most truth.

Oddly enough the story does not end here. Believe it or not every September in Point Pleasant,WV there is a somewhat official Mothman Festival. That’s right even you can pack up the car and head out for a weekend of fun and excitement with like minded moth person enthusiasts. I know I’m going to be booking early this year to avoid the rush!

To Learn more about the mystery of Mothman you can visit: www.mothmanfestival.com

www.veroconcepts.com

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The web is endlessly expansive and far reaching. Over the past decade we have seen networks that have exploded worldwide. Now even in places that used to be remote and out of touch with the rapid pace of our growing society are getting connected. One only has to look at the iconic Facebook map of lights showing its users to see just how massive it has grown.

This is great for anyone who wants the world to see what they are working on. From music videos to independent films right down to the very basic home video or simple blog posting it is all right at our fingertips ready for review. But what happens when things go wrong and get out of control and what simple rules should you follow to keep potential disasters at a minimum. Let’s face it we have all seen or read something that sparked a little anger or resentment in one way or another. Controversy can be a great way to get people to interact with your content, but in some cases it can also be a death blow to projects or even and entire full of your work. Today we take a look at what happens when the masses gang up on you and learn some of the best practices to avoid the pitfalls altogether. (continued)

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The biggest thing the internet offers is a mysterious cloak of anonymity.

We can be anyone we want, say what we like, and post as many times as we please (Until you get blocked or banned from a specific site by the author or owner). Something we will discuss below) Many people out there are thrilled about this because there are no repercussions to them whatsoever. They can say what they want, anytime they want, and trust me they will. In an ideal world people would be kind, offer creative suggestions, or stay neutral, but who wants to do that. It is far too easy to get caught up in a flurry of negative commenting once a few people jump on the bandwagon. In the past I even found myself running with the mob so to speak and it can be strangely exhilarating. Then there are the “Trolls”; people who live just to splatter negativity around the web. These people are professional complainers who could care nothing about your feelings and offer up some of the hardest hitting comments in an effort to garner a reaction. These comments can then be amplified by other who joins the bandwagon by using the “reply” as a way to voice their own opinions toward you and the original trolling commenter.

Once this wave starts is can be hard to stem the flow of negativity surround your project.

Making it even more complicated fans of your work may stand up in an effort to defend you and your work. Although they feel like they are doing a service by defending you, all this does is create an exponential barrage that drives the baddies even harder. These types of things can create a wave of sharing that some might think is useful as views are gained and your product reaches more people. The problem being in most cases your link are reaching the wrong people and only adding to the fodder of negativity. Yes the web can be an angry place if you let it take you down that road. Many times ground that has been gained can be lost in short order and create doubt about whether your content is not what you thought it might be not to mention causing damaged to your entire web presence. There are things you can do to avoid falling into this trap. Like a warden it is your job to control everything that happens with your content and all its related support structures.

The most important thing to keep in mind is your reputation as a quality content creator. Site like YouTube use a complex algorithm that uses ratings (thumbs up or down), views, and other data to help get your content seen. When you video get a large amount of thumbs down it falls in the system and the chances of you being seen grown smaller.

Combine that with negative reactions and all you have done is move even further down the ladder. It is not entirely about the views as many factors come into play. Having a million views on a video that is controversial or poorly produced is not a good thing. Having the same views on a quality piece that people enjoy goes a lot further in the long run.

There are more than enough knuckleheads posting truck loads of absolute rubbish in an effort to gain views from controversy. Yes this is an old method for stirring people up and getting reactions. Our advice is to focus on the best content you can author and always stick to your guns.

Television” as more and more we hear the groaning of the masses as-

What should I do when people on my video channel or web blog start on a negative rant?

One of the most important practices is biting your tongue. As a content producer defending your honor might seem the right thing to do, however losing your cool by striking back at a commenter is one thing you should never do! Ever!

No matter how angry you become at what people are saying this method only serves to fuel the fire.

Choose your battles wisely. Some comments can be solved with a simple “Sorry you did not like my (song, video, article) we do our best to prove content that everyone can enjoy.”

Should I block users that constantly cause a commotion on my page?

Banning or Blocking users should be a last resort. After all you have put your content out for the world to see and you are responsible for managing it. If your content is controversial then you should expect a reaction that fits the bill. Controversial content comes with a price and you must be willing to pay the piper if that is the road you are heading down.

Posting videos or “blogs” that stir up emotions are sometimes a good way to generate lots of views; however this can come at a rather high cost to you and your place on the web. Once a flurry of emotion gets under way it can be impossible to stop, putting you the spotlight with little or no defense. The last thing you want is to be standing naked on the stage as the audience bombards you with rotten tomatoes. If it comes down to blocking users don’t be afraid to do so. It just might save your skin in the long run and your real fans will thank you for it.

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the production ideas get thinner and the plots more predictable. One example is the world famous National Geographic. For many years it was the respected magazine and then TV program producer who we could count on for interesting and factual programming. Recently they also jumped in the bottomless pit of reality TV and to their dismay people across the web are lambasting them for creating show that are not only poorly produced, but are also downright ridiculous. Now they are caught in a downward spiral and viewers are bailing out even faster than ever. Just looking at the comments online as they post trailer and other videos is enough to make me sick. It is understandable that change in inevitable, but it can also come at a price for even the most respected of creators. Even they have had to remove videos, block users and battle as the hoards tear them to pieces on a daily basis.

So what should you do to avoid this whole mess? The answer is very simple. Create the best content you can. Be wary of drawing lines in the sand and choose your battles wisely. We are in a period of transition. With hundreds of thousand of new independent content producers now pushing towards the surface being vigilant and putting some thought into what you create before launching is the key. Don’t throw it over the wall unless you are ready to stand your ground. If it’s good they will praise you and share it with a smile. If it’s bad then be prepared to face the angry mob -Eric Baird Crush Media Boston-

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