WWWednesday: February 11, 2015

On this day in 1938, BBC Television produces the world’s first ever science fiction television program, an adaptation of a section of the Karel Čapek play R.U.R., that coined the term “robot”.

Medieval hunting scene

Writing, Editing, and Publishing

George R. R. Martin‘s original book proposal for A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE series looks radically different than the way the books have turned out. Still, as this article points out, it does provide us with some sense of where Martin is headed with the series.

Mark Lawrence gathers some fascinating responses from authors often labeled as “grimdark” about what the genre really means and where it might be headed. R. Scott Bakker, Kameron Hurley, and other legends share their thoughts.

J.K. Rowling answers lingering fan questions about Harry Potter, and gets a bit cheeky in the process.

Jen Williams guest-blogs for SF Signal on the 5 No Nonsense Women of Fantasy. I like the ones she suggests–especially Terry Pratchett‘s Granny Weatherwax–but I’d be remiss if I didn’t suggest Cadsuane and Sorilea from the WHEEL OF TIME series.

Elizabeth Bear is going to be with us tomorrow, giving away a copy of Karen Memory! Here she is, on John Scalzi‘s The Big Idea blog, talking about her puppeteer friend who inspired the title of her latest book.

A fox!

Movies and Television:

A French animation firm gave us a great example of how powerful silent CG animation can be. This short film about friendship packs a punch; enjoy.

So, you want to see Seventh Son, the new film starring screen icons Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore? This review will either give you pause or send you scurrying for tickets.

Patton Oswalt narrates this short film about aging, cloning, time travel, and (of all things, this Valentine’s Day) love; while Sponge Bob spoofs the popular 50 Shades of Grey film poster.

This video of a guy making “digital guacamole” isn’t strictly SFF, bu t I couldn’t resist sharing–it’s so clever and cool.

Finally, the big news is that an unauthorized pilot for a WHEEL OF TIME series was released this week on the Internet. Read here for responses from Robert Jordan’s wife, who runs his estate.

Naked lady on a swan

Internet Stuff:

Look at a beautiful walk-through of the new Ghibli studios video game to be released this march, Ori and the Blind Forest.

More pop culture movie poster parodies . . . oh Internet, you scamp.

Apparently Hunger Games tourism is a thing in Atlanta. The last time I was there for Dragon Con, I recognized the inside of the Marquis Marriott as a setting. (You should search an image of it; it looks like a space-ship, or the hive of a giant alien insect species.)

More on travel within our solar system, specifically to Europa and why Europa might be important later.

Finally, if you love the BBC show Sherlock and can get to London, there is a Sherlocked Convention happening in April.

Featured Art:

I’ve been interested in medieval tapestries lately, especially hunting scenes. But I couldn’t resist the swan-lady. Enjoy. Next week, unicorn tapestries.