Watch STRIPPED the Documentary

Several GHPALS were Kickstarter supporters of STRIPPED, the comic strip documentary. It had a fundraising goal of $33, 560 and raised $75,550. It had its debut this week, and while we couldn't go, we urge all our readers to buy it through iTunes.

There's no better description of it than this one, copied directly from their website http://www.strippedfilm.com

STRIPPED is the ultimate love letter to comic strips. It brings together the world's best cartoonists to talk about the art form they love, and what happens to it as newspapers die. …Over 70 interviews were conducted, including the first-ever audio interview with Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes), as well as Jim Davis (Garfield), Cathy Guisewite (Cathy), Mort Walker (Beetle Bailey), Mike & Jerry (Penny Arcade), Mat Inman (The Oatmeal), Jeff Keane (The Family Circus), Ryan North (Dinosaur Comics, Lynn Johnston (FBOFW)*, Zach Weiner (SMBC)**, Scott Kurtz (PvP), Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics), Richard Thompson (Cul de Sac), Jeph Jacques (Questionable Content), Stephan Pastis (Pearls Before Swine), Bill Amend (Foxtrot), Kate Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant) and more. Set to a gorgeous original score by Stefan Lessard of Dave Matthews Band, STRIPPED explores comic strips in depth, why they're so loved, and how they're navigating this dicey period between print and pixels.

* For Better or For Worse
** Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

Those GHPALS who contributed have already watched it, and loved it. Many of us still read the comics section of the paper first. Others don't get a paper but faithfully follow a web comic or two. At Comic-Con and Wonder-Con we always go to the indie comics section in the exhibit hall to see what's new and how we can support the makers of the comics we like. And an interesting group they are.

The film explains how cartoonists make it into the newspapers (the whole syndication system) and how nowadays anyone can be a cartoonist on the web. The first group is paid, the second isn't. The film makes it clear it isn't easy to make a living with a web comic, but creative folks have. The creators of Unshelved tapped into a great niche, librarians. Others, like Girl Genius and Supernatural Law have used Kidkstarter to fund printing compilations of their strips. Many sell their drawings (I remember one cartoonist telling me he stopped drawing on his tablet when he realized he wouldn't have original artwork to sell anymore.)

STRIPPED is full of good stories told by interesting people. We encourage our readers to pre-order it on iTunes and help make it the best seller on April 1.

Buy It Here on iTunes

Keep your finger on the pause button when you watch it because you will want to look at the comics.

http://www.strippedfilm.com

Volunteer at the Newport Beach Film Festival

Now's the time to volunteer for the Newport Beach Film Festival!

Despite it's name, much of it happens right here on Goat Hill, at The Triangle (or Triangle Square for us long-time locals).

Our scribe has volunteered for several years and yesterday she went to the meeting for returning volunteers.

She reports events/film showings will be at The Lido, The Triangle, Fashion Island, Big Newport, Sage Hill High School and South Coast Plaza Village. In other words, the whole Newport-Mesa area.

One of the most exciting announcements was UBER will be a sponsor. If you sign up during the festival using the code that's printed on your ticket, you'll get a $50 credit! How's that for a good deal?

Every volunteer gets a unique code that can be used to buy a certain number of half-price tickets.

Volunteers work a 4-hour shift doing everything from traditional theater activities like ticket sales to taking tickets at the door to the non-traditional, like bar tending and transportation. Our scribe sells tickets every year because everyone stops at the ticket booth.

Volunteers have to attend a training meeting and buy the volunteer T-shirt for a whopping $5! They are collectible as the color changes every year. 2014's is a muted orange.

The opening night film is Lovesick, directed by Luke Matheny, starring Matt LeBlanc and Chevy Chase. Closing out the festival is John Favreau's Chef. In between is something for everyone.


Ticket sales start April 1, and you can buy your tickets through this link.

Want to volunteer? Sign up here: Volunteer for NBFF