Bear left, right frog...

I admit I have been spending a great deal of time and effort in to Vinylmation lately. This has been causing video production to suffer. I have even tried to put the two together...

What do you guys like? What is the balance? I know most of you out there aren't sold on the idea of Vinylmation yet, and don't see the big deal about it. It is also coming to that time of year where I stay way clear out of the parks due to heat, and crowds. Should Magic City Mayhem just close for the summer? No content at all? Lets see what happens...dun duuun duuuuuuuun....

Mikey Mayhem

Phil, her?

The Magic advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs today.

I should be able to start working on the backside(Hag side of my latest 3"custom).Pictured to the left is just the head, before I even started on the body.

I also started working on a new sort of custom 3" today. I say sort of because the design already exists. Its a hard to find, and popular Vinyl from an Urban series. It's ultimately going to be a gift for my sister, so I am going to wait until I'm done with it before I post pics.

I have also made several new videos lately. Ranging from stop motion stuff, to Orlando Magic related, to the AIDS walk we participated in to things in the parks.

Look for more WDW vids coming in the near future. Wednesday is finally the day I am taking someone to the Studios for the first time. Unfortunately, Muppet*Vision will be closed :(

I will try to update more frequently.

Send me ideas for videos!!!

Mikey Mayhem

Mikey and the playoffs

I grew up in NYC as most of you know, and I was always a New York Knick fan when it came to basketball. After living in Orlando for over ten years, I felt like it was time for a change.

Last season I watched a game here and there on tv, but once the playoffs came around, I felt like a kid again! I didn't miss a game! Watched every game all the way to their loss in the finals to the Lakers. Lauren and I even went to the Orlando Magic fan appreciation rally downtown. There are several videos of this event posted on Magic City Mayhems YouTube channel.

And then the 09-10 season came along. We wanted to go to so many games! But due to scheduling, and outrageous ticket prices(IMO), we never made it to one. I started to get the idea of trying to win tickets, or "mooch" a season ticket off of someone towards the end of the season. Then, my dream came true. There was a contest at work for two tickets to the last Orlando Magic home game at the Amway Arena ever! The tix would go to the server who sold the most Jumbo Combo appetizers in a 5 day span...I think I worked 2 serving shifts in that time frame. Failed attempt at free Magic tix number 1.

Then, Ryan Anderson, forward for the Magic, had a song contest of sorts. He created a beat, and you came up with lyrics and what not. The winning song would win tickets to every home playoff game this year!!!! I thought I did a pretty good job...But guess what? Failed attempt at free Magic tix number 2.

Lauren and I then participated in an Orlando Magic "text scavenger hunt" through Downtown Orlando. There was running involved, I had to throw plush cows through a basketball hoop, and it was quite hot! I call shenanigans to this day on the last clue that we got hung up on. They were looking for something of a "non-binary color". And the answer was something green. Granted I am a 3 time art school drop out, but I think I know my primary, secondary, binary, and whatever you wanna call them COLORS!!!! Failed attempt at free Magic tix number 3.

The following are pretty much showing how Matt Barnes is taunting me...

If you followed Magic player Matt Barnes on Twitter, and "re-tweeted" one of his messages, you'd win playoff tix AND a signed Barnes Jersey. Failed attempt at free Magic tix number 4.

I worked a day shift, and got out of the building around 5:30pm. Matt Barnes tweeted at aprox 5:35 "...come find me at The Loop for tix!..." The Loop is in Kissimmee, 35 min drive. He was found in 15. Failed attempt at free Magic tix number 5.

Either the next day or the day after that, Mr Matt Barnes Tweeted that he would be at Universal Citywalk, and to find him for tix! I work there. He was there while I was working, GAH!!!!!!!! Failed attempt at free Magic tix number 6.

The Orlando Magic decide to post 10 "runners-up" for the playoff song contest, and fans choose the winner, Failed attempt at free Magic tix number 7.

And finally, the Orlando Magic have been promoting a "one day vacation", where you would go to the game in Charlotte. You have to gather 7 clues, and deliver them to a location tonight. While I am working, Working a shift I have been trying to get rid of for the last 9 days!!!!! Failed attempt at free Magic tix number 8.

Dejected? Yes.

Frustrated? Definitely!

Still a Magic fan? Absolutely!

I watch at home for 100% cheaper then it would be to go to a game. And if we have the game on at work, I am making money while watching. With 14 games left to win the championship, I am sure more opportunities will arise to win tickets. Until then, GO MAGIC! BLUE AND WHITE IGNITE! And maybe I will pay to go to a bunch of games next year when they will have $5 seats in the new Amway Center!

Later kids

Mikey Mayhem

Vinylmation!!!!

People are trying to understand what Vinylmation is. They don't get it. What's the point?

I am totally in to it!

And I single handedly got my mom and sister in to it too. Lauren has been a little harder to persuade, but she'll come around!

Vinylmation are statues that come in 1 1/2 inch, 3inch, and 9inch sizes. You can get them in different ways.

The 9" statues are sold in visible fronted boxes so you know exactly what you are getting. They come in either "pre-designed", or "create your own" or "blank", designs. They usually run about $39.95 weather they are blank or not. Some come with accompanying 3" figures. For example, a 9" Sully and a 3" Boo, or a 9" Winnie the Pooh and a 3" Piglet. Those sets will set you back about $75.00. I found that when I design my own, my favorite platform is the 9", white blank. Like a clean sheet of paper. Ahhhh....

Now when you start to get in to the 3" collecting, that's when it starts to get more fun and interesting. You can get these several different ways.

Tin Set. Single 3" figure in a tin that usually surrounds a holiday or special event. You can probably find a display of this vinyl out on a shelf, so you know what you are getting. These usually go for $14.95.

Series Sets. A series of Vinylmation come in sets of 12. They show you on display what 11 of them are, and then there is one "mystery" chaser. This series range from things such as looking like Muppets, or resembling things found around Disney Parks. You can purchase one by one or a whole tray. They come in trays of 24. They are $9.95 each, or about $235 for the whole tray. You get two of each, and one chaser. That leaves one left over doesn't it?

When you buy them individually, you have no idea which one you are purchasing. They come in small boxes, then inside the box, the figure itself is sealed in a cellophane bag. Since they all feel the same, you never know just by feeling them what is in the bag. There is a pattern to the box, so if you get a whole tray, there is a chance you can open the whole set without opening any doubles!

If you do get them individually, and you happen to get a figure that you already have...NO FEAR! You can trade your Vinylmations! There are people in the same boat as you. They were hoping to get that one special figure, only to have two of the same. There are websites and forum set up specifically for this. There will also be places set up around the parks in the future(rumor has it).

I will go more in depth on customizing your own Vinyls in an up coming post. This was just somewhat of an introduction which I am sure I left tons out of. If you have any questions though, please post in the comments, or send me an email. Hope you are having an awesome weekend!

Mikey Mayhem

What exactly are we?

I was so happy to hear Magic City Mayhem mentioned by some of the panel on the BetaMouse podcast as their fave, and must listen to/watch podcasts! A great feeling of acheivement, and a sense of "making it" rushed over my entire body. Then as quickly as that orgasmic feeling flooded my being, it was wisped away just as fast. I thought to myself, "Is MCM a podcast?".

Sure we have content on iTunes, but more often than not, the same content is available on Youtube or Facebook. I just wanted the portability luxury to be available to those who wanted to watch our stuff on the go. Other than our "On Location" and "On Vacation" series, there has never been a true definite schedule as to when we release our videos.

So then the question remains. If not podcasters/vidcasters, what then?

I know one thing is for sure. The main reason MCM exists, is to bring Central Florida to those who can't be here to experience it first hand. Do I want to go to park openings, and be the first on new attractions, etc.. of course! Who doesn't? But mainly, it's for all those folks who come once a month, year, decade, who have no other way of getting a piece of the magic. I'd like to think I can bring it to them. For dirt cheap too! I hope to one day be recognized as some sort of ambassador of the city of Orlando. I truly am proud to live here!

Back to the other topic...

Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with being categorized as a podcaster. I just think of all the popular podcasts out there, and their structures, and formats. Then think of what we do, and they are nothing a like! I am happy to be included in the community, and look forward to working with any and everyone out there(at least once)

Online magazine? Orlando videography team? I am curious to hear what you think. Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

This may have come off as random, but that's what a blog is all about isn't it? Going to try to keep this up daily, or tri-weekly. Have a great Friday Magic City Maniacs!

Mikey Mayhem

Bringing a noob to the park.

My first post in forever! I know...well, here's the skinny...

Sometime in the near future, I should be venturing in to the Disney's Hollywood Studios(DHS), with someone who has never been before. You remember when you went to a park for the first time? My most recent would be this past September when Lauren and I visited Disneyland. But this isn't about that. It's about bringing my friend, DJ Dlux, the "noob" to DHS for the first time. He is a local to Orlando, and has lived here all of his life. And, ironically enough, has yet to step foot in to the third out of four Disney Parks.

Do you think I should drag him there for park open? Be outside the front gate at 8:30am? Be the firsts at the actual "rope" for rope drop, and walk very very fast towards Toy Story Midway Mania(TSMM) for fastpasses? Only to wait 20 mins for a fastpass, and then wait 30 mins to ride without using said fastpass and then ride again when it is time to use the fastpass???

How about dragging him through the entire queues for Muppetvision 3D and Star Tours even if the wait for the attraction doesnt recquire us using the extended queues?

We are definitely going to need sun screen because we are watching a serious amount of Citizens of Hollywood(COH). With Francis Floots' final days looming, Magic City Mayhem needs more footage anyway.

Seeing as how this will be his first and probably only time in awhile, we may skip things like, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. But if it was a toss up between Indiana Jones and Lights Motors Action, which would you choose?

We will also more than likely miss out on Fantasmic, and the American Idol Experience Finale show, and opt for the Rockin' Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror(TOT) combo to cap off the day. I'd say about 3 or 4 rides on the TOT should do just fine!

Sprinkle in a Great Movie Ride, drawing class, and a stop(or three) at the Tune-In Lounge, and I think we got ourselves a day to remember!

Look for the video of DJ Dlux's first time at the DHS coming to YouTube soon!

Mikey Mayhem