A CRY FROM CAPTAIN KELLER

Hello Kids!

So, as many of you already have seen, A CRY FROM CAPTAIN KELLER was posted on the Phantom Harbor Site, YouTube, and Vimeo simultaneously this Saturday, March 27th.

This episode finally takes the beloved Captain off of the Sofia Maria and transports him to locations exotic. The next episode will more full exploit the island and I'm sure that you won't be disappointed.

Yes, I know there are sound issues but thanks to Tracy Shea, my wife and live action director, we hope to sort those out before the next episode airs in June.

Now, for me, this was the biggest news: The reading of our first "fan written" poem on the show. Lucia Fasano, on her own accord, wrote the short poem at the Fasano Family table at Monsterpalooza last year. Upon receiving it, Tracy and I knew we HAD to do SOMETHING with it other than post her drawing in the gallery.

So, after getting her permission, I set out animating short segments to reflect her tentacled beastie to include it on the show and her father, John, wrote and told me that she LOVED it.
Mission accomplished!

This should be the START of this kind of audience participation. We ENCOURAGE you to send in your photos, drawings, writings, letters, questions, whatever....We want YOU to be as excited as we are to put the show on.

Send your submissions to : TheCaptain@phantomharbor.com - yes, he answers e-mails. Or, if you have a technical question about the show or want to buy a T-Shirt via snail mail, write: info@phantomharbor.com and I'll be sure to get to you ASAP.

Don't despair! Most of the live action for the next show is already shot! Gotta hit the studio to create some new puppets and miniatures and then shoot, shoot, shoot! We're hoping to post in early to Mid-June! You have time! Send your submission in TODAY!

Until next time, see you at the Harbor!

Shannon Shea

Goblin HD Shoot!

Ahoy Boys and Girls!

So big news...well, big for us here. Today was the first time we've shot the Goblin puppet on High Definition. We are now shooting on the Kodak Zi-6 (hopefully, the Zi-8 soon!) and getting much cleaner composites because of the higher pixel count!

Let this be a lesson to all of you garage filmmakers. Hi-def is now just $150.00 away! And by the way, check out this incredibly practical home set up! Ridiculous! But anyway, this gets all of us closer to the new episode, so stay tuned!

Until next time, see you at the harbor!

Shannon

Viewer Poem to be Featured in Next Episode!

Ahoy Boys and Girls!

Just wanted to let you know that on the next episode of Phantom Harbor, the Captain will read a short poem submitted by a viewer! Lucia Fasano wrote a short rhyme to accompany the drawing she did on her "Draw Your Own Monster" sheet! She turned it in at MONSTERPALOOZA last year and impressed everyone at the table with her creativity!

Who's next? Why not YOU?!

Sharpen your pencils, exercise your gray matter and write the Captain to request another "Draw Your Own Monster" sheet or forgo the formalities and just send a drawing and poem in and who knows? Maybe the Captain will read YOUR creation on the show!!! Write him now at: TheCaptain@phantomharbor.com

Until next time, see you at the Harbor!
Shannon Shea



LEGAL CRAP: Submission to Phantom Harbor implies permission for any creations to be posted on the show. No payment will be made for the use of any materials. All rights to the materials remain the property of the creators and Phantom Harbor does not claim or keep any exclusivity to the use of the submissions. Should Phantom Harbor want to purchase a design, musical composition, or written piece, the artist will be contacted so that exclusivity and ownership can be determined and agreed upon by both parties. Let's keep it simple, folks!

New Title Music (WDYT?)

Ahoy!

Thanks to our friends at youtube, I have changed the music for the opening titles to an original assembly. Like many of you, I loved the HAUNTED PALACE theme (having animated to it) but seeing that this music is for a very popular* movie and my use of it for a free web series undermines tons of royalties it should be generating, I am complying and discontinuing the use of it.

I'm no musician, sadly, and I don't wish to lean on any of my super-talented musician friends to step up and compose something for me for free - ugh, no way. So, I submit this to you all and await your feedback. If it sucks, so be it - I'll figure something else out before the next episode airs later this month.

Until next time, see you at the Harbor.
Shannon


* I'm being a bit sarcastic. Although I LOVE "The Haunted Palace", I'd dare say that nearly no one under the age of 30 has ever heard of it unless they love Uncle Vinny.

Happy New Year!

Ahoy there, friends!

I know, I know, I know, I know...no new Christmas Message this year and of that I'm as disappointed as you. Unfortunately my paying job on PREDATORS required my complete attention up until Christmas Eve.

The good news is that during my one day off a week, a group of friends and I have been shooting footage for not one but TWO episodes concurrently! Gino Crognale, long time friend and Special Make Up Effects artist has been driving production in Austin, Texas. Dave Wogh, miniature maker and animatronics expert has been providing special props and his keen eye and experience to the specialized shooting.

So what can I tell you about what is coming up? Well, since the set is in California and we're in Texas, prepare for the Captain to be out and about in the world more. Prepare for new creatures and animation. Phantom Harbor is getting kicked up a notch for the new decade.

Happy New Year, and until next time, I'll see you around the harbor!
Shannon Shea

Where the HELL is the Phantom Harbor Halloween Special?

Hey Kids!

Happy Halloween! So, if you have stumbled across this blog WITHOUT going to www.phantomharbor.com, then you should definitely find your way to the STORIES page and watch the new Halloween Special. Everyone who participated is so proud of what we have made for your holiday enjoyment!

Or

If you REALLY don't want to watch the show distracted by old-fashioned (so I've been told) frames, then go to http://www.vimeo.com/7093976 and you can watch it on the ALL NEW vimeo Phantom Harbor channel.

In the next few weeks, I'll be posting all of the original postings that have appeared on YOUTUBE.

Now why the heck would I do that?

Well, I like Vimeo so far. Less busy than YouTube. Less advertising. Simpler and with none of the annoying time constraints of YouTube.

The show is 12 minutes long and that is on purpose. It is a Halloween SPECIAL, in the vein of an old Andy Williams Christmas Special (yes, I'm showing my age). That said, I wouldn't cut a minute. We've all worked dilligently to give you as many Halloween Treats as we were able to, so INDULGE!

Until next time, I'll see you at the Harbor!

Shannon

Plans Underway for PHANTOM HARBOR special!

Hey Kids!

So, I know that you have all been patient while I worked out some personal distastrophes but since the season is nearly upon us, it stands to reason that a new PHANTOM HARBOR HALLOWEEN SPECIAL should be produced.

Now I know that you are already rolling your eyes.

Where's the second episode already?! Yes, yes, it is coming, but until I can complete the animation, you'll just have to be happy with a new seasonal show full of Halloween Tricks and Treats! The fellow in the video above is receiving some choreography for his musical number.

So stay tuned! Just as soon as the episode is completed, there will be a big announcement. Oh, and by the way, here is a frame from the animation (limited animation mind you so don't get all crazy on me) from episode 2:




So until next time:

WELCOME BACK TO THE HARBOR!

Shannon