SPOTLIGHT--HAMID THOMPSON--Raptor "Blue" from "Jurassic World"-- Available for Booking!

Hamid Thompson as "Blue," with actor Chris Pratt.

When "Jurassic World" opened in 2015, it wasn't long before the much anticipated movie broke not only ONE, but TWO box offices records!

The film immediately shattered the domestic box office debut gross, and over it's first short weekend, "Jurassic World" somehow managed to bring in a record breaking $108.8 million, according to Forbes, which placed it then as the best all-time debut globally, ahead of "The Avengers" and "Avengers: Age of Ultron."

Just what made this astonishing record happen?

Dinosaurs! We love 'em. Always have. Always will. And "Jurassic World" delivered in herds.

Hamid Thompson as Blue in the foreground.

Some of the most interesting dino characters in the film were undeniably the group of raptors who moved the plot along.  Raised by humans, and seemingly making bonds with those humans, the raptors in the movie challenged our previous visits with the species-- encounters that had fueled many a kids nightmares up until now (and a few adults as well)!

What makes this movie magic and helps us connect with these conjured up beings is that they aren't conjured out of thin air at all!  There are actors playing them all!

And that goes doubly for the main raptor, BLUE (the favorite of Chris Pratt's Owen), as performed by the talented actor/dancer/stuntman Hamid Thompson!

Actor Hamid Thompson

Originally from Ann Arbor Michigan, Hamid Thompson IS Blue in the movie, all the interactions with the main actors, and the creature that drove much of the story, was motion captured with Hamid acting the part! 

In case you haven't seen Golem in "Lord of the Rings," or Hamid's performance in "Jurassic World," Motion-Capture Acting (or MoCap), is a type of acting in which an actor wears markers or sensors on a skintight bodysuit or directly on the skin. Several cameras from different angles record the actor's movements.

A few images of Motion Capture work.

It can be difficult work, but the finished product helps us suspend disbelief!

"It's really incredible to have this representation of the raptors in front of us that react to things that we do, the movements etc," related one of the human actors on set. "You're not acting to nothing, you have these professionals playing Velociraptors in front of you...and they move around exactly like the raptors in the film"

Hamid Thompson's other credits include "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back" (2016), "Kenau" (2016) and "Chi-Rag" (2015), among others.

Hamid Thompson

Now is the time to pull the trigger with this new opportunity to book Hamid Thompson into your convention or event and hear about his world.  New to any conventions, anywhere, not only will Hamid be available for signings and photo ops, but he can also do workshops and even panels about working on one of the biggest movies of recent times, "Jurassic World!"

For more information, contact Renee at Pros & Cons Celebrity Booking at: evaink@aol.com

Geof Isherwood and the Good Doctor (Strange, that is!)-- World Premiere Interview!

Geof Isherwood and wife, Amanda Muise at "Doctor Strange" premiere in Los Angeles. 

Comic book artist Geof Isherwood was a special guest at the recent Red Carpet World Première of Doctor Strange – a character he drew for Marvel Comics, with the film’s director taking Isherwood's art for inspiration.

Geof said the invitation to the October 20th event in Hollywood, California, took him by surprise, but he was happy to go. While there, he met the director, Scott Derrickson, and the movie’s stars, Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Doctor Strange.

"Mr. Cumberbatch himself, is a thoroughly charming and gracious man,” Isherwood recounted.

Director, Derrickson, at the Magic Castle after party, told Isherwood that he used his drawings in the old comic books as a jumping off point for the Doctor Strange movie character. In fact, Isherwood’s contribution was acknowledged in the movie’s credits.

With the good Doctor himself. 

“The movie itself was excellent. No spoilers, but I can say that while the visuals were so inventive and awe-inspiring, Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance of Doc was so human that he grounded the story in reality, and that made it work," explains Geof.

"Also, there is enough humour sprinkled in that adds nervous relief, and in places you would never expect. This was one movie that grows on you in retrospect, and provides a crossover for moviegoers who are not normally Marvel fans, yet it has enough specific references to Dr. Strange lore that us longtime fans (and artists) are left slavering for more. What these movies can show the public is how much imagination went into these characters in the comics. Folks can see what attracted us as readers when we were kids!” 

Movies director Scott Derrikson. 

For Isherwood his career began as just such a kid who loved comics.  He practiced and learned how to draw sequentially, and submitted his work to Marvel and DC Comics. 

“I decided young I could make a living  in comic books. It helped that I enjoyed reading them so much. So, I copied my favorite artists, learned how they drew--the specifics of faces, poses etc. I had the chance to go to the Marvel offices and get encouragement from a couple of artists there. I was 16. I continued to submit work, following their suggestions, and five years later I was assigned a short horror story," he recalls

"Then, a submissions to DC got me a short horror western story. In the spring of 1983 I went to New York to stay until I could get something more substantial. I didn’t take long before I was given a Daredevil fill-in and from there on I would be assigned one story after the next and within the year I had my first series, Swords of The Swashbucklers.  I drew a variety of titles: Conan The King, Conan The Barbarian, Silver Surfer,The ‘Nam, Suicide Squad for DC, Dr. Strange, Namor and many individual stories on Spider-Man, Thor and Avengers to name a few,” noted Isherwood.

Movie costumes (and comic book artist) on display. 

Along with his sequential art work, he has done a great deal of concept art for film. In fact, this is not the first movie where Geof Isherwood’s name appears in the credits.

Earlier this year Isherwood’s name could be spotted in the credits of the the X-Men: Apocalypse movie as a conceptual artist as well as on Battlefield Earth and The Fountain starring Hugh Jackman. He had previously worked on X-Men: Days of Future Past and the horror-thriller Orphan. 

Speaking of the X-Men movie and how these things germinate, Geof says “After moving to Ottawa, it took the Property Master, Claire Alary, some time to find me. I knew her from way back on Battlefield Earth. So, 15 years later, I get an email from her. When we met it was as if no time had passed between," he said. "That’s how it is in movies. It’s like when you see family members after many years: the time apart doesn’t matter and you pick up where you left off.

"At first, I was asked to design staffs, decoration and such that are in the ancient Egyptian scene at the beginning. After that I spent quite a bit of time-- a couple of weeks, working on weapons for Pestilence and then the katana for Psylocke. I cooked up an elaborate pattern for it. We were hoping she could use her psionic power to charge it up and display the pattern, but she wound up getting less screen time and that visual wasn’t able to be used." Perhaps in the future?

Artist Geof Isherwood. 

It’s hard for any artist to pick his favourite work, but for Isherwood, he reflected that a few do stand out. 

“It’s difficult to name a favorite, because every character I draw has to be real and interesting to me or readers will not enjoy the stories. However, Conan always stood out, and Dr. Strange as a modern hero. I can always see Conan as a real person and Dr. Strange’s universe promises great visuals because of his dealings with cosmic sorcery,” 

"Doctor Strange" opened worldwide November 4th. It tells the story of the world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange, whose search for help after a car accident destroys the use of his hands leads him to discover a world of sorcery.

Twenty-five years ago, when Geof Isherwood first put pencil to paper on Doc, he never imagined his journey would  take him all over the world for appearances to meet fans at conventions or that it would result in  a world premiere invitation to a blockbuster movie.

“It is still remarkable to me that drawing a comic book that I enjoyed drawing has lead to this," stated Isherwood.

Just a little bit of movie... AND comic... magic!

For information on booking Geof Isherwood into your convention or store, contact Renee at : evaink@aol.com

(The above article is excepted from interviews in "The Cornwell Speaker," article by Jason Setnyk, and from an interview in The Algonquin College News. )

JIM SHOOTER Announced for 2017 Convention Bookings!

There are few people in the world of comics that can claim to have their name in as many comic books as this creator.  There are few people in our world of sequential art that can talk about history and characters and stories,  like this man can. 

For these and many other reasons, we are pleased to announce Jim Shooter as part of Eva Ink Artist Group/Pros & Cons Celebrity Booking, and present him for convention bookings in 2017! 

Here is just a brief recap of credits (if for some reason, you've NEVER read a comic book!):

Jim Shooter

James C. Shooter



Jim Shooter started writing Superman and other titles for DC Comics at the age of 13 in 1965.  He worked his way through high school writing stories, laying out pages and designing covers. 

He was hired by Marvel Comics in 1976 as associate editor and in 1978 became Editor in Chief.  He introduced benefits, royalties and other incentives for creators that attracted a legion of phenomenal talents who, under his oversight, authored a decade of brilliant creativity and unparalleled success.  Jim wrote several notable series including the Avengers and Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars.  He also headed up the creative teams that developed G.I. Joe and Transformers.
 

Art by Mike Zeck and John Beatty

Jim went on to found Voyager Communications in 1989, where he was the CEO and President.  He also served as Editor in Chief, principal creator, head writer and occasional artist for the highly acclaimed comics published under the VALIANT imprint, which included Magnus Robot Fighter, Solar Man of the Atom, Harbinger, X-O Manowar, UNITY and more.

Later, Jim founded DEFIANT and Broadway Comics.  At each of these he served as CEO, Editor in Chief and principal creator.  DEFIANT properties include Warriors of Plasm and Dark Dominion.  Broadway stars include Star Seed, Fatale and Knights on Broadway.

Artwork by John Romita

In 2009, he was hired by Dark Horse Comics to do a second redevelopment of Gold Key comics characters Turok Son of Stone, Mighty Samson, Doctor Solar, Magnus Robot Fighter and others.  

Currently, Jim serves as Creative Director and Editor in Chief for Illustrated Media Group, which produces custom comics for promotion and advertising and has provided creative services to clients including Intel, the Mill Pond Group, Dark Horse and more.  Under the auspices of Illustrated Media, Jim writes a popular comics-related blog, www.jimshooter.com

 

Jim Shooter always does panels for free, as well as generally bringing binders of memorabilia to share with fans.  He has specific booking needs, so get with us to hear the details.

For booking details contact Renee at Eva Ink Artist Group/Pros & Cons Celebrity Booking at: evaink@aol.com

Which is the Fastest booking show around?

EVA INK Adds ANIMATOR ALLEY: Tom Cook, Phil Ortiz, Mike Toth-- Available for Show Booking!

Eva Ink Artist Group/ Pros & Cons Celebrity Booking is pleased to announce the addition of THREE amazing animator/artists-- Tom Cook, Phil Ortiz and  Mike Toth!

Tom Cook

TOM COOK (SuperFriends, Godzilla, Scooby Doo, Smurfs, King of the Hill!)

Tom began his career as an animator and director in 1978 at Hanna-Barbera Studios where he was hired to work as an assistant animator on Challenge of the SuperFriends, Godzilla, Scooby Doo, Smurfs, Pacman and the Flintstones.

A short stop at Ruby-Spears had him working on Thundarr the Barbarian (had the privilege to meet and work with Jack Kirby), Heathcliff, Fang Face and Plastic Man. Freelancing at Film Roman he worked on the Garfield Special Babes and Bullets and for Bill Melendez on the Peanuts Special This is America Charlie Brown.

He then moved over to Filmation Studios in 1980, which at this point had become the only animation studio doing animation in the United States, and worked on Tarzan, Flash Gordon, Blackstar, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, Brown Hornet, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, She-Ra Princess of Power, Ghostbusters, Lone Ranger, Zorro, The Kids Super Power Hour with Shazam (Captain Marvel), Hero High and the futuristic Western Bravestarr. He was also involved with many TV commercials such as The Jolly Green Giant, Chevrolet, and the 7 Up Spot campaign.

He then became the timing director on Road Rovers, Disney's Mighty Ducks, PB & J Otter, Duckman, King of the Hill, Savage Dragon, HBO's Happily Ever After Fairy Tales, Extreme Ghostbusters, Extreme Dinosaurs and many more.

He also animated on a number of motion pictures such as Walt Disney's Prince and the Pauper starring Mickey Mouse, Roger Rabbit in Tummy Trouble, The Jetson's Movie, Rover Dangerfield, Stay Tuned, Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night, Steven Spielberg's Were Back, and Don Bluth's Thumbelina.

Phil Ortiz

Phil Ortiz (Simpsons, Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros., Muppet Babies!)

Come and be sketchanized by Phil and see what you would look like if you were to appear as a character on the Simpsons! It costs $70 per person to be sketched inked and colored. This is a work of art that you will cherish for the rest of your life.

Phil Ortiz grew up in East LA of Mexican and Spanish/Norwegian parents in 1953. He currently lives and works in the beautiful Lake Arrowhead area. Over his more than 30 years as a professional artist, Phil has worked on everything from daily newspaper comic strips (Bugs Bunny) to layouts and character design for animated cartoons including The Simpsons where Phil had a hand in the look of about 200 characters on the longest running comedy series in TV history. Some of the notable characters Phil designed for the Simpsons include: Flanders, Otto, Herman, Lou and Eddie, Ralph, and Apu. Phil has won five CERTIFICATES of ACHIEVEMENT for his work in TV animation and has been drawing for The Simpsons comic books for many years. He won
three of these Awards for work on Jim Henson's Muppet Babies animated series. He has also worked on Disney's illustrated books and for Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros. Animation, Ruby Spears, and many other animation studios in his long career. Phil's talents include designing merchandise items and speaking to students from all over the world about his art form.

 

Mike Toth

Mike Toth (Lone Ranger, Tarzan, Shazam, Peanuts!)

Mike began his long career in the animation field in 1978 at Filmation Studios. Having been inspired by the Warner Brothers cartoons of the 1940s he always dreamed of being an animator. Starting his career at Filmation Studios he worked on He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, She-Ra Princess of Power, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, Tarzan, Lone Ranger Zorro Adventure Hour, Shazam, Blackstar, Bravestarr, Ghostbusters, New Adventures of Tom & Jerry. He also worked freelance for Bill Melendez on This is America Charlie Brown, Snoopy's Reunion and It's Spring Training Charlie Brown.

When Filmation closed it's doors in 1988 he moved over to the Baer Animation Studios where he got to work on many commercials such as the Green Giant, Chevy Lumina and also worked on Roger Rabbit in Tummy Trouble as well as the Prince and the Pauper short starring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. In the mid 1990s he found himself working at Disney Studios Animation in Burbank where he worked on such great Disney Classics as Aladdin, Pocohontas, Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Atlantis the Lost Empire, Treasure Planet, Hercules and Home on the Range. 

Now you can create your own ANIMATOR ALLEY at your event with these amazing and engaging guests!  Contact us for details at: evaink@aol.com