Geek Cred

Yuri Lowenthal is a prolific actor known for his voice over work in animation and video games, including the title roles of Ben 10 and Prince of Persia, plus shows like Young Justice and Legion of Superheroes, as well as a screen actor, with credits including Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Yuri and his wife, fellow actor Tara Platt, created Shelf Life, an irreverent live-action comedy web series about the action figures on young boy’s shelf, and co-write Voice-Over Voice Actor: What It’s Like Behind The Mic. Learn what appeals to him about the science fiction and fantasy genre (both as a fan and as an actor), how voice acting is more than just “doing voices” and impressions, and how he comes up with the voice for a new character. Plus, the differences between voice over and acting on camera, his most memorable convention experience, how he got composer Bear McCeary to score Shelf Life, what his dream role would be, the geekiest thing he’s ever done, and more. Links: Follow @YuriLowenthal on Twitter Yuri Lowenthal’s Official Web Site Watch Shelf Life on YouTube Con Artists Monkey Kingdom Productions

Geoff Lapaire is a Canadian filmmaker behind the popular web series Pure Pwnage and Space Janitors. Geoff started Pure Pwnage, one of the very first web series, back in 2004 with Jarrett Cale. Before the launch of YouTube and the emergence of streaming video, the mockumentary of video game culture became an Internet phenomenon, and was even adapted for television. His current project, science fiction parody series Space Janitors, is in it second season on Geek & Sundry. Go behind the scenes and learn about Pure Pwnage‘s explosive growth from very modest origins, making the jump from the Internet to television series, and how he first met and came to collaborate with production partner Davin Lengyel. Plus, the inspirations for Space Janitors, the unique challenges in making a space-based series, advice for up and coming filmmakers who want to produce their own web series, and more. Help make Season 3 of Space Janitors a reality by supporting their fundraising campaign on Indie Go Go–pledge today! Links: Red vs. Blue Homestar Runner Independent Production Fund Jeff Lewis 5-Minute Comedy Hour The Guild Save The Supers Pew Die Pie FreddieW Out With Dad Six Days to Air

Ron Richards is the co-founder and former editor of iFanboy and now Director of Business Development at Image Comics. Learn how he first got in to comics, the genesis of comics fan site iFanboy, and his journey from comics fan to industry insider with Image Comics. Plus, the digital revolution as it relates to comics, if Comic-Con is really about comics anymore, how there’s more to comics than just stereotypical superhero stories, and more. Links: All About Android San Diego Comic-Con The Walking Dead (Comic) Saga The Manhattan Projects Nowhere Men

Photo Courtesy Soulfire Photography Bill Doran operates Punished Props, and his costuming and prop building work has been featured at sites like Tested and can be seen at popular conventions. Learn how he got in to costuming and prop building, what’s so special about going to conventions in costume, and his journey to taking his hobby full-time, and advice for people that might be interested but don’t know where to start. Plus, how members of the community eagerly share their knowledge, what makes replica props special compared to Hollywood props, the difficulties in translating fictional items to physical props, and more. Links: Follow Bill Doran on Twitter Like Punished Props on Facebook Punished Props on YouTube Dragon*Con Penny Arcade Expo Harrison Krix’s Volpin Props Beginner’s Guide to Making Mind-Blowing Props Smooth-On TAP Plastics Shapeways Replica Prop Forums Project Triforce Cosplay Subreddit The Morning Stream

James Swirsky and Lisanne Pajot are the producers of the award-winning documentary Indie Game: The Movie, which chronicles the emotional journey of the independent developers of Super Meat Boy, Fez, and Braid as they struggle to make their video game dreams a reality. Go behind the scenes and learn about the inspiration for the film, what is so special about independent games, how their own journey as independent filmmakers parallels that of the developers portrayed on screen, and more. Plus the most challenging aspects of making the film, why thy bypassed more traditional distribution channels, and the unusual story behind the iconic Super Nintendo controller. Links: BlinkWorks Independent Games Festival Game Developer’s Conference Kickstarter Sword & Sworcery Humble Indie Bundle Minecraft Louis C.K.