This album, released September 21, 2016, is a tribute to all things "Blade Runner"..the book, as well as the movie and its score. Each has touched or inspired so many people around the world, in one way or another through the years.
Likewise, each artist who has contributed to this project is a fan of the late Philip K. Dick's book..Ridley Scott's movie..or Vangelis' iconic score. Each worked to the same mandate..to produce an original piece of music that was inspired by one or all three of the above..
This is their HOMMAGE to those who gave us Blade Runner. Nine tracks by four artists.
The HOMMAGE Project is basically four individuals who are members of an online music community, www.idmforums.com, who came together to produce this album.
Each one has their own influences and musical tastes, as is clearly evident by the differences in style found on this release.
"As a literary figure, Philip K.Dick is popularly perceived as a crazed, drug-addled mystic with a sinister Third Eye. Nothing could be further from the truth––the Phil I knew was a warm, humane, very funny man. Maer Wilson understands these truths far better than I, and The Other Side of Philip K. Dick casts a welcome shaft of daylight upon the real PKD, as opposed to the dark, distorted caricature Dick has become." –– Paul M. Sammon, Author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner
The Other Side of Philip K. Dick
by Maer Wilson
Blade Runner, Total Recall, The Man in the High Castle
What these projects have in common is that they are based on the books or stories of Philip K. Dick. And those are just the tip of the iceberg of PKD Hollywood hits.
But what about Phil the man?
For years I’d heard hints of Phil Dick as someone unrecognizable to one who knew him well. And I knew him well the last ten years of his life. However, it wasn’t until I started doing research for my own memoir that I realized just how off the charts some of the theories about Phil had grown. Instead of dissuading me, those accounts made me more determined than ever to bring to light the man I knew. Of course, I spoke to some of Phil’s other close friends––Tim Powers, James P Blaylock, Merry Lou Staylor. They agreed that the myths in no way resembled the man we knew. So I settled in to set the record straight.
All these stories were brought home to me when I did a panel at the Philip K. Dick conference at California State University, Fullerton in April, 2016. Merry Lou, her husband, Pete, and I wandered around at the beginning of the conference for a bit, listening in to various presentations. We slipped into the back of one presentation being given by a PhD. I was almost immediately put off, as the researcher seemed to connect all of Phil’s writing to drugs.
Let me explain why this was off-putting. Phil was known for doing drugs up into the 1960s. He even wrote about it. However, once he moved to Southern California in 1972, he had undergone a complete change in attitude about drugs. The man I knew did not pop pills, or indeed take anything other than snuff and his prescribed medications. In fact he became a staunch anti-drug supporter.
But since Phil himself wrote about taking drugs, it’s understandable why someone might think what Phil wrote was true. Unfortunately that is not necessarily the case. Phil loved stories. He loved writing them, he adored telling them and he especially enjoyed recounting his latest theories to his friends. The thing is––the theories were not always true, and Phil would later tell friends he was just pulling their legs or whatever. He did this a lot. He also did it in his writing. He might propose a theory and in the same session contradict that theory and move on to another.
He especially did this in his Exegesis––a daunting two-million-word work that is part journal, part story templates, part whatever he needed it to be at that moment. The one thing it is not is completely accurate. To point at anything in it and say “Oh, this defines Phil as a person” will send you in a direction so far removed from the real man that it becomes nonsense. And that is exactly what has happened.
There are theories out there about who Phil really was and why he did whatever. Phil himself contributed so many different things that trying to get a sense of who Phil really was is close to impossible. Because Phil the man was nothing like those theories. He is not the myth that has sprung up about him. In fact, Phil himself would probably be appalled at the legends about him. But maybe––just maybe––he might think they were hilarious. And maybe even have a good laugh that his ultimate joke had been played as all these folks try to (incorrectly) dissect his personality. I can hear him saying, “I really had you going.”
So in the end, maybe Phil would enjoy all these silly theories and the nonsense that has been assigned to him by people who never met him. Folks who don’t have the advantage of knowing that Phil loved a good joke. But I do think part of him would regret that the real Phil was left out of the mix.
But no worries. Phil’s friends took care of that part. Tim and Jim have been telling the truth for ages. And I wrote a book that will give new insight as to just who Phil Dick was. It wasn’t an easy task. I did a lot of fact checking, research and talking to friends. But I did manage to capture the Phil that his friends knew. I hope you enjoy the real man as much as we did.
At the end of the day there is this truth: Philip K. Dick does not need to be sensationalized to be interesting.
I just finished reading this book last night. It was my intention to spread my reading over the week, at least. However, I could not put this book down! And I found that, in this story, it was just as fascinating learning about Maer Wilson as it was about PKD. It was a story that, like the main subject, ended too soon. The “Endings” was truly heart-wrenching, overwhelmingly so. I'm still processing it. And I will probably be reflecting on this for some time. But, it was an awesome read. One that I recommend to every PKD fan. And also quite a treat for Blade Runner fans in particular.
Maer Wilson's friendship with PKD, like this book, was akin to a symphony––Beethoven's symphonies, to be precise. PKD could be moody: gloomy one day, and passionate the next. He was a very compassionate and generous man. And also mischievous. Much like Beethoven's work. The chapters are grouped into modules––symphonies, an intermezzo, and the like. The musical pieces coincide with the mood of each particular module of the book. Combined, they tell the story of two friends. And invites the reader a glimpse into the last ten years of an oft misinterpreted, but very human, Philip K. Dick.
You can read an awesome interview Nick Buchanan did with Maer Wilson for PKD OtakuHERE!
Welcome to another edition of the OFF-WORLD NEWS Digest.
In the news ...
‘Blade Runner’ Sequel Moves to October 2017
With pre-production in high gear, Alcon Entertainment is now set to release the movie on Oct. 6, 2017, shifting it from its original date of Jan. 12, 2018. [Source: Variety.com ]
Roy Batty & William Blake " Burning with the fires of Orc" by Juan Cairos
BLADE RUNNING MATES
Art by Patrick Ballesteros
Music:
Podcasts:
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Welcome to another edition of the OFF-WORLD NEWS Digest.
In the news ...
Robin Wright in Final Talks to Join
Harrison Ford in 'Blade Runner' Sequel
The actress will join Ryan Gosling and
Harrison Ford in the sci-fi project, being directed by Denis
Villeneuve. House of Cards star Robin Wright is in
final negotiations to star in Alcon Entertainment’s sequel to Blade
Runner.
The actress will join Ryan Gosling and
Harrison Ford in the sci-fi project, being directed by Denis
Villeneuve, the acclaimed filmmaker behind drug drama Sicario.
Other plot details are being kept under
wraps, but it is known that the story takes place several decades
after the conclusion of the 1982 original and that Ford is reprising
his role as replicant hunter Rick Deckard.
There are three major female roles, and
Wright has nabbed one of them. The casting was rumored for weeks, but
one thing that held up negotiations was Wright's schedule for the hit
Netflix show.
Hampton Fancher (co-writer of the
original) and Michael Green wrote the new screenplay based on an idea
by Fancher and Ridley Scott.
Principal photography is scheduled to
begin in July with Warner Bros. distributing in North America and
Sony Pictures Releasing International handling the rest of the world.
Ivor Powell will be a special guest interviewee at London’s
Soundstage event soon. Powell has had a varied and fascinating career in the film industry. He worked alongside the legendary Stanley Kubrick, overseeing publicity on 2001: A Space Odyssey and collaborating with various departments on the sci-fi classic. He was an assistant director on two Carry On films and production manager on a Peter Sellers drama, The Optimists of Nine Elms. Ivor was the associate producer on Ridley Scott’s first three features, The Duellists, Alien and Blade Runner. The latter two, viewed as among the greatest sci-fi films of all-time, will certainly be discussed in this interview.
Wednesday June 8th / Doors at 7pm, starts at 7:30pm, £14
The events will take place at The Others, 6 Manor Road, Stoke Newington.www.theothers.uk.com
DECKARD, the Fanzine of Comic -- created by 6 students 3rd comic Joso School of Barcelona, aims to create an editorial space where fantasize amateur in the world of "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" The group is preparing to publish in the 34th Barcelona Comic Fair 2016. Go ahead and participate!
And remember to follow @OffWorldNews on Twitter to receive these and other Blade Runner related news items, (including movie showings, specials, and more not featured in this newsletter), as it comes in. Also be sure to visit KippleZone's Pinterest page for more Blade Runner images and videos; from behind-the-scenes photos to fan art, figures, and props!
Welcome to another edition of the OFF-WORLD NEWS Digest.
In the news ... The sequel to Ridley Scott's Blade Runner has gotten a domestic release date from Warner Bros. The film will hit theaters on January 12, 2018. [Countdown anyone?] Ryan Gosling will star in the project alongside Harrison Ford, who will be reprising his role as San Fransisco police officer Rick Deckard. Sicario director Denis Villeneuve will helm the anticipated follow-up, which was written by Alien: Covenant writer Michael Green, and Hampton Fancher, who co-wrote the original sci-fi classic, based on Philip K. Dick's 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Principal photography will begin July 2016. Alcon Entertainment's Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson are set to produce alongside Cynthia Sikes Yorkin. The late Bud Yorkin, who in 2011 sold the film, television and ancillary franchise rights to the 1982 original to Alcon, will also receive producing credit. Scott will act as an executive producer along with Frank Giustra, Bill Carraro and Tim Gamble. Sony Pictures Releasing International will be releasing the film in all overseas territories. [Source: The Hollywood Reporter]
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We celebrated Pris' Incept Date this month, February 14th -- Valentine's Day.
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Fellow Blade Runner enthusiast, Lukas Mariman, unexpectedly died January 28 2016. I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Lukas and I "chatted" via email some. And he was very supportive when I created the KippleZone website.
Rob Mellor shared the following on the alt.fan.blade-runner Facebook page.
"A short Lukas memory for you all. I've previously remarked how good Lukas' grasp was, not just of English, but English humour. Here's a favourite example from a.f.b-r, where we were discussing differences in languages and the foibles of translation."
I think, René, therefore I am (Pienso, René, luego existo)
Music:
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Welcome to another edition of the OFF-WORLD NEWS Digest.
In the news ... The Blade Runner sequel will be distributed internationally by Sony Pictures Press release is as follows: LOS ANGELES, CA, JANUARY 25, 2016 – Sony Pictures Releasing International will distribute Alcon Entertainment’s follow-up to Ridley Scott’s 1982 masterpiece Blade Runner in all overseas territories in all media; with Warner Bros. Pictures distributing in North America and Canada through its output agreement with Alcon, it was announced by Alcon co-founders and co-CEO’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson. Denis Villeneuve is directing the film starring Ryan Gosling (The Big Short) and Harrison Ford (Star Wars), who is reprising his role as Rick Deckard. Hampton Fancher (co-writer of the original) and Michael Green have written the original screenplay based on an idea by Fancher and Ridley Scott. The story takes place several decades after the conclusion of the 1982 original. Alcon Entertainment acquired the film, television and ancillary franchise rights to Blade Runner in 2011 from the late producer Bud Yorkin and Cynthia Sikes Yorkin to produce prequels and sequels to the iconic science-fiction thriller. Cynthia Sikes Yorkin will produce along with Johnson and Kosove. Bud Yorkin will receive producer credit. Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEO’s of Thunderbird Films, will serve as executive producers. Ridley Scott will also executive produce. The film marks Villenueve’s third collaboration with 13-time Oscar nominee Roger Deakins, who will serve as cinematographer, following Alcon’s Prisoners and the hit drug-trafficking drama Sicario, which brought Deakins his latest Oscar nomination. Principal photography on Villenueve’s new Blade Runner sequel is scheduled to begin in July 2016. States Kosove and Johnson: “We are excited to work with Tom Rothman, Michael Lynton and then entire Sony team on this very special project as well as maintaining our important and long-standing relationship with our domestic partner Warner Bros. Pictures.” States Tom Rothman: “At Sony, we have made a strong commitment to the international marketplace. We know of few projects with greater international potential than the long dreamed of sequel to ‘Blade Runner,’ especially given the all-star creative team Andrew and Broderick have assembled. We are deeply grateful to everyone at Alcon, Denis and Ridley for entrusting us with such a gift. Working on a ‘Blade Runner’ film also fulfills a long-time personal ambition, as I deeply love and admire the original.” Among its many distinctions, Blade Runner has been singled out as one of the greatest movies of all time by innumerable polls and media outlets, and overwhelmingly as the greatest science-fiction film of all time by a majority of genre publications. Released in 1982 by Warner Bros. Pictures, Blade Runner was adapted by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples from Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” and was directed by Ridley Scott, following his landmark film, Alien. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Visual Effects, and Best Art Direction) and is now regarded by media and cineastes as one of the greatest movies of all time and the defining vision of the cyberpunk genre. In 1993, Blade Runner was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” and is frequently taught in university courses. In 2007, it was named the 2nd most visually influential film of all time by the Visual Effects Society. Source: COMINGSOON.NET Chatting with Jeff Bridges in Interview, Deakins revealed that the "Blade Runner" followup will likely be presented in 3D. Asked by the actor if he would ever shoot in 3D, Deakins said: "No, I won't. I've been offered it. I just don't want to. I think I'm gonna do this film with Denis [Villeneuve] that'll be made into 3D eventually, but it won't be shot in 3D. I don't really like watching 3D. I mean, I've worked on a lot of animated movies that were 3D." Source: THE PLAYLIST During an interview with Collider, Roger Deakins revealed that, while he loves the original film, this follow-up won't necessarily have the same visual style. "I think the look of the film is an organic process. You don't just look at the script and it comes in your head. While I think the original film is wonderful, this is not the original film... visually it doesn't have to be anything like the original. It has to stand by itself, and its particular script and its particular story. The original was wonderfully shot, but to me, the most powerful thing about the original film is the death of, what's the actor's name... Rutger Hauer's death in the rain with the white pigeon. And then you watch the documentary about the making of the film and realize that was all something that was kind of created on the day." Source: MovieWeb.com The eagerly-anticipated sequel to Blade Runner could be called Androids Dream. The BBC reports that a company used in the past by Warner Bros., the studio behind the sequel, has recently registered the domain names bladerunnerandroidsdreammovie.com and androidsdreammovie.com, suggesting the sequel might be titled Blade Runner: Android Dreams or simply Androids Dream. Source: NME Ridley Scott Says He's Got Final Cut On 'Blade Runner 2', Teases More Sequels "Everyone else is" is probably the worst reason or excuse to embark on any kind of creative endeavor, but believe it or not, director Ridley Scott is trotting out those exact words when asked if there's a possibility of more than one "Blade Runner" sequel.
"Listen: Everyone else is, so why not? I love to work," Scott told Yahoo when they asked about the possibility of more "Blade Runner" movies. "The French say, 'Work to live,' and I live to work. I’m very lucky to have a job that I adore. All my kids do the same thing. Some of it’s trying, but it’s like being in professional sport. It’s so competitive [that] you better keep bouncing the ball. You can’t rest." That being said, Scott is protective of his sci-fi masterpiece and the legacy that will follow, and not only is he producing the followup, that will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, apparently he has some serious oversight too.
"I always have final cut on everything, really," Scott told the site when they asked if he'll have final cut on "Blade Runner 2." "Partly because I’m very user-friendly. I always believe when you’re given X amount of money by someone to f–k around with and make a movie, you can’t draw lines in the sand. If I was an investor and you did that to me, I’d remove your ankles. So don’t do the auteur s–t. I respect the guy for giving the money and I respect the studio for saying, 'Yeah, you want to do this, here we go.' " But don't get this twisted. It's not like Scott will wrest control from Villeneuve, but it's probably more akin to the director protecting the overall vision for the sequel from any meddling studio hands. Source: THE PLAYLIST
Roy Batty's Incept Date: January 8, 2016
On Blade Runner's Roy Batty's birthday, the internet was very excited! Read the article from The Telegraph.
Roy Batty birthday greetings from Rutger Hauer HERE.
Pris' Incept Date is coming up next -- February 14, 2016. I wonder if Daryl Hannah will make a video greeting?
Now for some articles, art, music, videos, podcasts, and some miscellaneous !
Open-source software for volunteer computing Use the idle time on your computer (Windows, Mac, Linux, or Android) to cure diseases, study global warming, discover pulsars, and do many other types of scientific research. It's safe, secure, and easy: A - Choose projects B - Download BOINC software C - Enter an email address and password.
And remember to follow @OffWorldNews on Twitter to receive these and other Blade Runner related news items, (including movie showings, specials, and more not featured in this newsletter), as it comes in. Also be sure to visit KippleZone's Pinterest page for more Blade Runner images and videos; from behind-the-scenes photos to fan art, figures, and props!
