Epic Technology Failure

Hello, our loyal fans! First off, a few apologies are in order. There have been a number of technical difficulties (see "The Camera's a Toaster!" below) that have utterly consumes, chewed, and swallowed all of our creative endeavors from the past couple months. Things like "Kayak Jousting" and "The Cold Dark Hand of Oblivion" that desperately need to see the light of day. But our camera simply refuses to give up the footage. We're working to fix the problem and ask for your continued patience.

Now, you may be wondering about the strange and mysterious symbol on the page above. It is, in fact, the title of our newest web series, written in Arabic calligraphy. Pretty cool, huh? The show is called "Bismillah" and it is a dark, gritty tale of life, death, politics, faith, technology, prejudice, and the tortrous demise of human civilization in the not-so-distant future.

The script is written, the cast has been selected, costuming has begun, and set construction is about to commence. We're a little behind schedule, but we wanted to get it just right. You, our devoted fans, deserve nothing less. So, sit tight and we'll have some new entertainment for you soon!

Take it easy!

www.obscurestudios.net

THE FINAL BLOG OF REILLY'S DORM

As many of you know, our beloved web series is coming to its inevitable conclusion. Over the past 9 months, we have laughed, we have cried, and there have been lots of awkward silences. Yeah.

But, all good things must come to an end, and the school year at Fremont State University is no exception. Today, Monday July 20, 2009, will mark the final blog in the saga of one college student's tireless quest to be less-than-average. Secrets will be revealed, questions will be answered.

Our following may be small, but it is dedicated and in many ways, fanatical in its love for the series. Despite the stalkerish emails we have received, we are still humbled by your overwhelming enthusiasm and are working to bring you a thought-provoking, exciting science fiction web series in the fall unlike anything you have ever seen.

You ain't seen nothin' yet.

In the meantime, please feel free to browse back through the previous 95 episodes of Reilly's Dorm on our website - http://www.obscurestudios.net/ (and if you're feeling generous, purchase something from our store to help bring new Obscure Studios productions into being. Hint, hint.)

It's been wicked cool. Peace out!

Staff Retreat Update

Hey all, just wanted to keep you in the loop vis a vis our exciting Obscure Staff Retreat this past weekend. Sure, we hung out by the river and tanned and totally forgot about the retreat thing for a little bit, but some work was done. I promise.

While enjoying the sunshine in Sedona, AZ, our dedicated staff mused over where the city cages its resident artists, the strangeness of the McDonalds with turquoise arches (instead of the typical golden ones), how we would very much like to murder the man who thought that roundabouts where a brilliant idea, how cute little kids were when they ran around convinced that every rock formation contained a giant fossil, how expensive the food in town was, and how a lizard would react to being assaulted by the papparazzi (needless to say, Russell Crowe could learn a thing or two).

After those orders of business were taken care of and my tan was reaching a perfect golden brown, we did some actual work. Most of it was boring, but even the boring details are all leading up to an exciting plot to draw you away from useful Internet pursuits, such as researching a for that big paper due in the morning or paying your bills.

This fall, Obscure Studios is proud to present a science fiction series guaranteed to blow your mind. More details will be coming soon, but for now, revel in the nerdiness we are about to unleash. If you're feeling particularly brave, wallow in it. That's right. Get it between your toes. Doesn't that feel good? Like mud in Oak Creek down at Sedona.
Anyway, check out our photo album from the retreat, a video update on our videos page, and keep checking this blog for all the latest and greatest OS news. Cue rumor mills to begin to churn.

Peace out!

A Spoonful of Insanity

A little craziness can go a long way. All of us here at Obscure Studios are completely bonkers. It's true. Every single one of us belongs in a straightjacket. But don't call the asylum just yet.
Most film studios take themselves too seriously. They're concerned with things like critics and box office sales. They are all about profit and the bottom line. We're different. We just want to keep you entertained. We're concerned with the audience - you. We want to make sure that we deliver the best possible entertainment for you to secretly watch at work when you're supposed to be finishing your TPS reports. That's right, we know you're slacking off and pretending to be doing homework or whatnot, but we won't tell. In fact, we'd much rather you spend hours poking around here instead of actually doing anything productive.

So, when you're laughing at the drunken antics of Scott on Reilly's Dorm or taking perverse pleasure in seeing a clay blob jump from a cliff to his death, remember the crazy people that made it all possible. We look forward to entertaining you in the future and please drop us a line in our forums. Hero worship is always welcome.

And finally, remember that you don't have to be nuts, but it helps!

Top 10 Films

This is the founder of Obscure Studios and (currently) its top screenwriter and director. Here are my top ten favorite films of all time. Can I get a drum roll, please?

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10. Forrest Gump

An amazing human story that encapsulates the social and political movements of a generation, all told through an innocent, yet insightful narrator.

9. Ocean's 11

The remake with George Clooney and friends is quick, witty, smart, and an overall exciting heist film.

8. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

A sci-fi parable of the fall of the Soviet Union, with as much political intrigue and suspense as you can handle.

7. Throw Momma from the Train

Funny, suspenseful, and downright weird, this is a must see for any writer.

6. The Bridge on the River Kwai

A gripping tale of prisoners of war in Southeast Asia during WWII.

5. Double Indemnity

This dark thriller delivers a rollercoaster ride of excitement and surprising twists. The greatest of the film noir genre.

4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail

It's ridiculous, it's off-the-wall, and the ending is, shall we say...abrupt. But, you can't help but love this film. Superior quotability.

3. The Great Dictator

A stunning political statement, as well as a funny and heartfelt film. Chaplin's greatest achievement.

2. Good Night and Good Luck

An artistic and thought-provoking drama of one reporter's legendary struggle with the infamous Senator McCarthy.

1. Casablanca

The best film of all time. It's got everything: action, suspense, romance, intrigue. The best of the best, hands-down.

HONORABLE MENTION:
The Gold Rush
The Maltese Falcon
On the Waterfront
Duck Soup
Star Wars (A New Hope)
The Dark Knight
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Spaceballs

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There you have it, my personal top ten. Subject to change, of course. Now, we'd like to know your top ten. Drop us a line!

The Art and Strategy of Sharing French Fries

I was recently eating at In-N-Out (excellent munchables) and was forced (due to budget constraints) to share an order of french fries with a cunning friend. It was then that I became concious of the Art and Strategy of Sharing French Fries (or Freedom Fries, whichever you prefer.)

Human beings are extremely competetive and whether we realize it or not, we compete over everything.

Subconciously, we look at that greasy cardstock carton of fries and see it as a battlefield. We see that there's a good half of the french fries and that there's a bad half. The goal is to screw your opponent out of the good ones.

Every time we go to grab a sliver of starch heaven, we're plotting a course away from the inferior fries. You know the ones I mean: the ones that are small and too hard to bite through, the ones that are too soggy, the ones that are devoid of ketchup, and the ones that by some freak of nature refused to cook when immersed in a boiling vat of vegetable oil and liquified lard.

We are constantly searching for the Holy Grail french fries. The ones that are crispy on the outside, warm and mushy on the inside, and lathered in ketchup more precious than gold.
It doesn't matter how much you care for the person your sharing with. As soon as you sit across from each other in the molded plastic booth at your favorite burger joint, with the tempting french fries between you, the gloves are off. Your primative caveman hunting instincts take over.

If you don't scarf down every one of the perfect morsels, leaving your buddy with the scraps, your stomach thinks it will die. But remember, the enemy is thinking the same thing. That's when perfectly innocent family dinners at McDonalds become savage foodfights with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.

The next time you share an order of french fries with someone, bear this in mind. And let the games begin...

That's the way I see the world. You've been a wonderful audience. I'll be here all week!