By Jason Harris
On Saturday, February 25, the Ashland Public Library held a “Mini-horror Book Festival” where six authors spoke and signed their books.
The aurhors attending were Errick Nunnally, Paul Tremblay, Eric LaRocca, Kayla Cottingham, Gretchen Felker-Martin, and Christopher Golden.
Author Tabitha Lord.
Author Katherine Silva.
Editor Tanya Gold.
Books & Boos Press/Rob Smales table.
Author E.J. Stevens.
Author Jackie Leduc.
Author Ian Hiatt.
Joe Ross of Rosstrum Publishing.
Actor/Author Mark Goddard (Lost in Space).
Author Guntis Goncarovs.
Author B.B. Boudreau.
Christopher Obert of Pear Tree Publishing.
Author Christopher Paniccia.
Author M.R. Tighe.
Diversified Manufacturing Technologies, LLC (DMT) has added a state-of-the-art Markforged Mark Two printer to its lineup of goods and services available to their customers.The Mark Two is an industry first, fiber filament 3-D printer that has the ability to make parts as strong as aluminum 6061. It prints in nylon, filling each part with close-packed reinforcement in continuous carbon fiber, Kevlar, or fiberglass. “These parts are extremely lightweight and durable,” said Diversified Manufacturing Technologies’ president, Andrew Tordanato. “With our ability to make fully functional parts right off the printer, we’re able to reduce project build times by 80%, and material and cost by 50%.”
Image is courtesy of markforged.com.
DMT provides parts, equipment, and services to manufacturing companies, enabling them to fulfill orders and accept jobs that the organizations may not have had the resources to accept in the past. They offer years of manufacturing experience along with extensive knowledge in additive manufacturing. “We understand how to simplify and make the best use of our machines and our processes in order to drive down prices while providing parts at a fast rate. The fact that we can make parts the right way the first time is a definite positive also,” Tordanato said.
With equipment like the Mark Two, DMT has broadened what it offers its customers. There are only a select number of these printers in use today. “[DMT] offers the services of this printer to companies who can’t or don’t want to invest in a printer to complete just one or two projects,” Tordanato explained. “We can now offer quick-turnaround prototypes that fully function, and build parts to replace ones currently made with conventional machining methods that are extremely heavy and have a long lead time. We can now help customers who currently use carbon fiber and fiberglass as their main focus area and material choice.”
Information about Diversified Manufacturing Technologies can be found on their website, www.divmfgtech.com. They offer services for any sized job and for every step of the manufacturing process, from file design and prototypes to large production runs and finishing applications. “You can find videos and updates on our social media accounts,” Tordanato added. “We’re always adding new services and capabilities.” Follow the company on Twitter @DivMfgTechLLC. For a free quote on a project, potential clients can contact Tordanato himself at atordanato@divmfgtech.com, or call (860) 919-9364.
By Jason Harris
Today, I’m taking a break from my next post of pictures from ConnectiCon, which I have at least one or two posts left to bring you.
Last night I went to Pandemonium Books & Games in Cambridge, MA. to listen to author Rob Smales.
Smales read his story, “Those Little Bastards,” from his short story collection, Echoes of Darkness published by Books & Boos Press.
I would recommend if you ever have the chance to go to a book reading and signing by Smales then do it.He is an excellent reader. He really got into his reading and brought his story to life. It even had an unexpected ending, which you will have to find out for yourself.
The perfect time to read “Those Little Bastards” and the other stories in Echoes of Darkness is now. There is a sale going on until July 18. The e-book is $1.99 and the paperback is $9.99. Click here for these great sale prices.
You can meet Rob Smales at the New England Author’s Expo on Wednesday, July 27, in Danvers, MA. He will be at the Books & Boos Press table.
The 2015 Fall edition of Super Megafest happened over the weekend and it was a great two days with celebrities, authors, artists, vendors and cosplay. Here are the pictures from the convention.
Actor John Schneider (The Dukes of Hazzard).
Author Stacey Longo.
Actress Catherine Bach (The Dukes of Hazzard).
Daisy Duke.
Actor Tom Wopat (The Dukes of Hazzard).
Hellgirl.![Actress Judith Hoag (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [1990]).](https://jasonharrispromotions.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/2015-11-21-12-13-29.jpg)
Actress Judith Hoag (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [1990]).
Ram-man and Orko.![Actors Leif Tilden and Michelan Sisti (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [1990]).](https://jasonharrispromotions.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/2015-11-21-12-06-03.jpg)
Actors Leif Tilden and Michelan Sisti (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [1990]).
Artist Hannibal King.
Heat Miser and Snow Miser.
Actress Addy Miller (The Walking Dead).
Wolverine.
Actress/Model Kristanna Loken.
Actor Bruce Boxleitner (Tron).
Ash.
Actress Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek).
Artist Steve Lavigne.
Crew from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Actor Michael Biehn (The Terminator).
Cosplayer Chelsea Von Chastity.
Actor Ricky Whittle (The 100).
Author Byron Turner.
Former NBA Player Dennis Rodman.
Actor Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl).
Actresses Natalie Skyy (Sons of Anarchy) and Arryn Zech (Red vs. Blue).
Authors Matt Herring and Stacey Longo at their The Art of Genre Writing panel.
A alien has burst onto the convention scene.
Playboy model Valerie Cormier.
Wolverine.
Artist Joe St. Pierre.
Musician/actor Peter Tork.
Author Matt Herring at his Dr. Who 101 panel.
Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney.
Musician/author Bobby Hart.
Mortal Kombat.
Actor Michael Winslow and myself.
Courtesy of Ken Reid’s Tumblr page.
Q: In 2003, you decided to try your hand at stand-up. What was the impetuous behind that decision?
A: I had been in bands from 1996-1999 or so, I am in no way shape or form a musician, but always wanted to perform. Once the band broke up and I had no musicians to ride the coattails of I thought stand up was my only route. I always liked comedy and watched tons of stand up, so i gave it a go.
Q: How many stand-up engagements do you perform in a year?
A: I average about 2 a week so 100-150 a year is probably about the normal.
Q: Do you have any engagements coming up? If yes, where and when?
A: I’ve taken the rest of 2015 off for the most part for a much needed breather, but I’m still doing the podcast weekly and will be back to frequent shows in 2016. My updated schedule is always at ikenreid.com
Q: When did the idea for your podcast, TV Guidance Counselor, come about?
A: Friend and fellow comic Sean Sullivan basically told me that I have all these TV Guides, when people come over my house we often will flip through them and discuss old shows, why not just do that as a podcast? I wanted to do a podcast for a long time but didn’t have a great idea that would be different from the usual two comics just chatting format, until Sean threw that at me. I also do almost no pop culture stuff in my stand up, despite that occupying a huge part of my brain, so it was a great excuse to exercise a lot of that stuff.
Q: When did you start collecting TV Guides?
A: As early as I can remember. There are photos of me at age 2 with a TV Guide in my hand.
Q: What issue made you want to collect TV Guides?
A: Not sure if it’s a specific issue really . I like having the little digest sized time machine on hand.
Q: Are you still collecting?
A: Not new issues, but if I see some old ones I don’t have, I grab them.
Q: What were some of your favorite shows growing up?
A: Just the Ten of Us is a lifelong favorite, Newhart, Parker Lewis Can’t Lose, The Adventures of Pete and Pete. The Facts of Life. Weirdly I’ve been lucky enough to have people who’ve been on all those shows guest on my podcast.
Q: What are some of your favorite shows now?
A: Weirdly I don’t watch too much new stuff. I like The Flash, and I still watch Supernatural. Fringe was the only show I watched weekly as it came out and LOVED in the last few years. I think it is the best sci-fi show of all time.
Q: Who are some of the people you would like to have on your podcast?
A: I do have some dream guests. Paul “Pee Wee Herman” Reubens, Cassanda “Elvira” Peterson, John Larroquette, John Waters.
Q: You will be at Super Megafest in November and the Pop Culture Expo in December, are these the first conventions you have been a guest at?
A: Weirdly no. Gary at North East Comic Con has had me do live TV Guidance Counselors at the last few. I always have a good time. Last year, I did the stand up show at Super Megafest, which was also fun.
Q: What drew you to being a guest at a convention?
A: They asked, and I’m almost always there anyway, so it’s a win-win.
Q: Are there any comedians you looked up to growing up?
A: Dana Gould was my absolute #1 for sure. I was also always a huge Bob Newhart fan.
Q: Who are some comedians today that you would suggest people go see?
A: Hmm….I’d still go with Dana Gould.
Q: Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to become a comedian?
A: Don’t do it! But if you must be prepared to be terrible for at least two years even if you think you are. Don’t do it with a goal in mind, just do it to enjoy doing it and you’ll be fine.
If you are free this weekend, go to Super Megafest to hear Ken and to meet a lot of celebrities. Find out more information here.
Lou Ferrigno. Photo by Jason Harris.
Lou Ferrigno, the original Incredible Hulk, is in town for the fourth Rhode Island Comic Con, which starts this afternoon and runs until Sunday, November 8. We sat down at the Dunkin Donuts Center to talk about bodybuilding, the Incredible Hulk, and being the personal trainer for Michael Jackson.
Ferrigno discovered weight training 52 years ago at the age of 12, he said.
“When I was a kid, I was really skinny. I was just obsessed with power. I wanted to be powerful. I discovered weight training and I knew it would make me feel good about myself.”
Ferrigno wanted to be a hero like Hercules. He would watch old Hercules movies, then want to be a modern day gladiator or some other heroic character from the movies or comic books.
“I would fantasize about being the Hulk because of the way I was built.”
One day, he received a phone call about auditioning for the role, which at the time was being played by Richard Kiel. Kiel played the character of Jaws in two James Bond movies. The reason behind the switch was because director Kenneth Johnson’s son was on set one day and said Kiel didn’t look like the Hulk in the comic books, Ferrigno said. They contacted hundreds of people, including him, to audition.
“They called me, I went down for the screen test and immediately they hired me. And the next day, I was filming. In 48 hours, I went from bodybuilding to show business.”
Everything he did for the role came naturally to him, Ferrigno said.
“When I did the pilot, I used a lot of the animalistic behavior the way the character should be.”
One of his favorite moments on The Incredible Hulk was meeting Cary Grant, who came to the set with his nephew to get a picture taken with him.
“I was excited because he was one of the top movie stars in the world. That was one of my exciting moments because of the fact I was well respected.”
Ferrigno enjoyed working with Bill Bixby, who he considered “a very talented actor.” He was a fan of Bixby’s television shows The Courtship of Eddie’s Father and The Magician.
“I learned a lot from him. He was an icon. I was excited to learn from him and watch him.”
Ferrigno’s portrayal of the Incredible Hulk ended in 1990 with television movie, The Death of the Incredible Hulk, but he has continued with the character by voicing him in the UPN cartoon and in the current Marvel movies that started with The Incredible Hulk in 2008. The job was given to him after the director heard him say “Hulk crash” and “Hulk smash” at New York Comic Con seven to nine years ago, he said.
In the last few years, Ferrigno has been on Celebrity Apprentice and in an episode of Star Trek Continues.
“It was great because you’re on a show with a bunch of egos, celebrities,” Ferrigno said about Celebrity Apprentice. “I’m glad I raised 100,000 for my charity [the Muscular Dystrophy Association]. It taught me what it’s like to be with other celebrities. It was fun, but the hardest thing was no one wanted to be fired so you’re forced to look at other people’s faults. That was tough.”
Ferrigno did mention that “Donald Trump is a loose cannon.”
“I was very tense because you’re in the boardroom three times a week. You have to be careful how you conduct yourself. So with me, they were afraid of me, because when we were in the boardroom I just spoke my mind.”
Ferrigno has always been a fan of the original Star Trek so he was happy to play slave trader Zaminhon on Star Trek Continues when Vic Mignogna asked him. He wasn’t happy with the makeup, which took five hours to apply, he said.
“I knew I wanted to play [the character] because it was against type. I enjoyed playing that character.”
His upcoming movie Instant Death will be released next April. You will see him do things in the movie that audiences have never seen him do before, he said.
“I would say it’s my best work ever.”
Along with his acting, he continues giving advice about being a person’s own personal trainer at his website here or being a personal trainer to stars like Chuck Norris and Mickey Rourke. He was also Michael Jackson’s personal trainer for 20 years, which came about because he was a good friend of Jackson’s doctor.
“He learned a lot from me and I learned a lot from him,” Ferrigno said about Jackson.
You can meet Ferrigno at Rhode Island Comic Con this weekend. Find out more about the convention here.
Rock & Shock begins this coming Friday. I have always enjoyed going to and taking pictures at conventions. This year I’m looking forward to seeing authors Jack Ketchum, Joe Knetter, and Stacey Longo again. They have all attended the convention in the past.
The celebrity, who hasn’t been to Rock & Shock in the past and the one I’m looking forward, is Samantha Mathis. I have been a fan since her first movie, Pump Up the Volume. 
Lately, Mathis can be seen on the television series The Strain or the now canceled Under the Dome. You can find out about the other celebrities and events happening at Rock & Shock here.
I was happy to see that three actors from the 1987 movie, The Monster Squad, will be at this year’s Rock & Shock, which takes place Oct. 16 – 18. These actors are Stephen Macht, Duncan Regehr, and Michael Reid Mackay. Macht and Mackay play Del and The Mummy respectively. In the last few years, Macht has been in the television series, Suits and The Mentalist while Mackay has been in Insidious Chapter 3. 
The one I’m looking forward to meeting though is Regehr who portrayed Dracula in the movie. I have always loved The Monster Squad. Yes, it has its flaws, but to me they are easily overlooked because of my love of the movie. If you haven’t seen it or don’t own a copy, it is streaming on Netflix at the moment. I own a copy, but once it became available on the streaming service this past September, I watched it there as well.
Besides The Monster Squad, Regehr has been in a few favorite television shows of mine such as V: The Series and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. I recently rewatched “The Begotten,” an episode of DS9, and it dawned on me that the same actor who portrayed Shakaar was also Dracula in The Monster Squad. I’m not sure if I’ve made that connection before. Before I started writing this post, I thought Regehr was on more than just three episodes of DS9.
So if you are a Star Trek or V fan, make sure to come to Rock & Shock to meet Regehr. Don’t me surprised if you see some V cosplay when you are attending Rock & Shock.
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