The popular steampunk web show, Riese: The Series has taken an interesting turn. Episodes have been pulled down off the Web, which is sad news, indeed.
The good news, however, is that a distribution company has agreed to finance the show!
Here’s the scoop from the Riese website:
As the new year rolls around, we’ve had a lot of developments with the show that we’ve been itching to tell you about. First of all, as you’ve already seen, Chapter 2’s episodes are new and improved, with higher production values, exciting story and some really amazing cast additions. Also, we’re nearly finished with the development of our iPhone game tie-in. Without giving too many details away, I think you’ll all be really excited.
We also recently partnered with Fireworks, a digital distribution branch of ContentFilm, based out of the UK. They’re largely responsible for the transition of the webseries Valemont from internet to television, and they handle a number of many other well-known webseries as well.
What does this mean for Riese? It opens up a number of opportunities. For one, it increases the chances that we can keep making this show and letting you become further involved in the world of Riese. Additionally, it boosts the possibility of us being able to distribute the series on other platforms (episode downloads, DVDs, and television).
Now, for the bad news. While Fireworks is negotiating deals on our behalf, we’ve had to remove our episodes from online streaming. We’re not happy about it by any means, we want all of our fans to enjoy Riese whenever they want, but we also understand that it’s a necessary move in order to keep a project like Riese afloat. The few of us that are responsible for producing Riese on a day-to-day basis are realistic that we cannot sustain it without the support of Fireworks and our viewers.
We hope to have everything back up as soon as possible, and we’ll keep everyone posted as we move forward. I know a lot of people will be bummed out, but just know that this slight delay could mean a whole new future for Riese. We don’t want to disappoint you all, but I know you’d be even more disappointed if we left the rest of this epic tale untold.
I’m glad they found financing, and I don’t mind waiting until all the legal fineprint is hammered out.
This steampunk rifle not only looks gorgeous, but it actually works! Although, instead of firing real ammo, the creator of this gun uses ping pong balls, rubber bouncy balls and confetti.
It’s for sale on Ebay and the current bid is $250.00.
Fashioned from copper, brass, antique pine and assorted lamp parts. This air cannon can be loaded with four ping pong balls in its magazine that can be shot at high speed (the barrel is designed to hold the balls in place even with movement) or alternatively be loaded with confetti in the barrel. This stunning piece runs off two nine volt batteries and air pressure. The stock and stand are hand made from yellow pine that is over 100 years old.
Here’s a video of the steampunk gun in action. I love it, great work!
Wow, check out this really cool mechanical steampunk hand! It’s a work in progress for Kaynejack’s steampunk costume. This hand will be attached to a mechanical arm when completed.
Using wires that will connect to rings on his fingers, the hand can open and close fairly realisticly. This is pure genious! I can’t wait to see his costume. Let’s hope he posts another video when the costume is finished!
Check out these incredible steampunk guitars! Wow, they are sooo beautiful, I really want one!
Steampunk enthusiasts to do more than listen to, sing along, or dance to their music. Brass, gold, knobs, and clockwork gears are blended into a functioning fashion of fantasy where past and future mix…
Wow, this steampunk iPhone case looks seriously awesome. It’s currenlty for sale on Ebay with a starting bid of $195.00.
That’s pricey, but probably worth it. The case is handmade made of real wood and brass. Here are a few notes from the seller:
The body is made from one solid piece of Walnut Hardwood sanded, and finished with polyurethane. The faceplate is cut from .065 thick solid brass sanded and polished. The power button, volume buttons and Mute-Tool are hand made from solid brass as well.I hand make ,sand, finish ,polish and test each case myself one at a time. No two are exactly alike and are very unique.The winner of the auction will receive one hand made iPhone 3G case consisting of ; 1 Walnut Hardwood body, 1 solid brass faceplate, 1 solid brass power button, 2 solid brass volume buttons. 1 solid brass Mute-Tool, 4 screws and instructions.
Check out this gorgeous steampunk necklace! It’s selling for only $36.00 on Etsy. This is the perfect gift for a steampunk Valentine’s Day!
A gorgeous vintage watch movement provides the focal point for this incredibly cool necklace and is set in a brass ox setting. A small brass sparrow keeps careful watch over the golden gears and a shimmering pink glass opal. The pendant dangles from a triangle filigree that has been set with tiny gears. Necklace measures approx 19″ long.
What a cool painting! It’s Chuck the Wonderdog! Looks like he’s ready to hop into his airship and fly away. This is perfect for Bull Terrier owners who love steampunk.
This original painting is for sale on Etsy for $89.00 and Free Shipping worldwide.
Here are the details:
10″ x 12″ (25 x 30cm) acrylic paint on deep gallery wrapped canvas. The sides are painted and it’s ready to hang without framing. This dog is finished with a double coat of satin varnish, which gives it a slight sheen and aids cleaning. Postage is free worldwide.
Best-selling author Katie MacAlister has a new steampunk novel out soon, and the New York Times has just release the book trailer for it.
Entitled “Steamed”, this steampunk romance novel will hit the bookshelves on February 2, 2010. You can pre-order it on Amazon for $7.99.
Here’s the promotional synopsis:
Computer technician Jack Fletcher is no hero, despite his unwelcome reputation as one. In fact, he’s just been the victim of bizarre circumstances. Like now. His sister happens to disturb one of his nanoelectromechanical system experiments, and now they aren’t where they’re supposed to be. In fact, they’re not sure where they are when they wake up to see a woman with the reddest hair Jack has ever seen-and a gun. Octavia Pye is an Aerocorps captain with a whole lot of secrets, and she’s not about to see her maiden voyage ruined by stowaways. But the sparks flying between her and Jack just may cause her airship to combust and ignite a passion that will forever change the world as she knows it.
Ooh, this steampunk horror movie looks CREEPY! Imagine a world where humans are turned into living puppet slaves – complete with “marionette” wires mounted into their backs.
The movie is still in development as producers try to raise more funding. Visit the official site for more information.
This film is set in an alternate Victorian England, a world where steam-punk technology has developed rapidly and in a world where all creativity, art and individual expression is state-controlled. The Marionette Unit is a theatre show where machine and human have been fused together. A musical machine that resembles a twisted tortured church organ, run with valves, steam and electricity, is connected by a mass of electrical cables to three ballet dancers, who have the wires fused into their bodies. The dancers are controlled by the machine much to the amazement of the Victorian audience.
We follow the story of Smith, an enigmatic character connected to an underground society of artists, hunted by the police. He has come to watch the prize ballet dancer, Georgette try and escape the wired clutches of The Marionette Unit. Will she be able to wrestle free and escape with Smith, or will she succumb to the powerful forces that hold her captive? What follows is a stunning and imaginative display of the human spirit fighting to be set free.
