Author: Tim Ludy

Episode 47: Fred Van Lente Author of The Con Artist

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Fred Van Lente, the #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning writer of comics like Archer & Armstrong (Harvey Award nominee, Best Series), Action Philosophers! (American Library Association Best Graphic Novel for Teens), and Cowboys & Aliens (with Andrew Foley), the basis for the feature film.

Last year he branched out into novels with his debut Ten Dead Comedians and his second book The Con Artist comes out July 10th! The Con Artist follows a comic book artist who is accused of murdering a rival at San Diego Comic-Con. The book explores both the mystery and con culture itself.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

Be sure to check out The Con Artist and follow Fred on Twitter @FredVanLente and at FredVanLente.com

If you’re attending San Diego Comic-Con, check out Game of Bloggers on Wednesday night! You can learn more here.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 46: Marty LeGrow

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Marty LeGrow, cosplayer, comic book artist and professional party princess. She was a contestant on Cosplay Melee in Episode 3: Angels and Demons. Her most recent comic book work, Toyetica, is currently available on Amazon and Comixology.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • 2:00 How Marty got started in cosplay
  • 8:00 Trying out for SyFy Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and Cosplay Melee
  • 14:00 Process of filming Cosplay Melee
  • 21:00 Tips for becoming a Party Princess or other party entertainer
  • 37:00 Creating Toyetica comic book with Action Lab
  • 46:00 Interacting with and representing fans of Toyetica
  • 49:00 Importance of being genuine and not focusing on growing a following

Be sure to follow Marty on Facebook, Instagram and check out her weekly Twitch stream on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9PM EST.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 45: 6 Beginner Podcasting Tips

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings entreprenerds!

In this episode, I’d like to share some podcasting tips I’ve learned in the past year of producing the Under the Capes podcast and from talking to many successful podcasters. I hope these tips help you as you start or grow your podcast!

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

Tip #1: Start Simple with Podcast Equipment and Software

Tip #2: Make Things As Simple As Possible for Your Guests

Tip #3: Have a Clear Podcast Concept and Format

Tip #4: Promote Your Podcast in Many Different Ways

Tip #5: Be Consistent

Tip #6: Pick Something You Love and Get Started

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 44: The Mighty Jerd

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Jeff Mueller aka The Mighty Jerd. He is a podcaster, actor and entrepreneur with the goal of helping geeks and nerds lose weight, get stronger and feel better about themselves. He is the co-host of the Geek Fitness Matter Podcast with Ryon Day where they discuss fitness and geekery.

As an actor he has appeared on television (Copy Cat Killers), in films (Mennonite of the Living Dead, I Want To Tell You Something, Riverment), and in commercials.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode we discuss:

  • How Jeff got started with fitness
  • How he created the Mighty Jerd “brand”
  • Starting the Geek Fitness Matters Podcast
  • Attending conventions like San Diego Comic Con
  • Tips for getting Comic Con Fit
  • Advice for actors
  • Importance of being fun and easy to work with

Be sure to follow Jeff at TheJerd.com and OfficialJeffMueller.com and on Twitter @TheMightyJerd and check out the Geek Fitness Matters Podcast and follow them on Twitter at @GFMPodcast.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 43: Crit Academy

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guests this week are Justin, Ian and Brandon from Crit Academy, a Dungeons and Dragons podcast that provides guidance to players and DMs to help improve their games and inspire them with new creative content. The show offers adventure giveaways, new game concepts, educational material and many entertaining guests from the D&D community.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode we discuss:

  • How Crit Academy got started
  • How they keep Crit Nation engaged through Patreon, listener questions, giveaways, etc.
  • The importance of the segments of their show
  • How the podcast has opened up other opportunities like contributing to Monsters of the Guild
  • Future plans for Crit Academy
  • Much more…

To support a new program to help special needs kids build social skills through Dungeons and Dragons, head to Gofundme.com/critacademyhelps

Be sure to follow Crit Academy on Facebook and Twitter.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 42: The Crooked Feather

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Alexis Noriega from The Crooked Feather, a costume maker specializing in realistic feathered wings for cosplayers, models and actors. In addition to custom commissions, Alexis also has a YouTube channel where she helps guide others to make their own articulating wings. Her work has been featured by People, Insider and others.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode we discuss:

  • 2:30 How The Crooked Feather got started
  • 9:00 How her wing design has improved over 10 years of cosplaying
  • 13:00 Creating tutorial YouTube videos to help other cosplayers
  • 14:30 Getting new opportunities with press and new clients
  • 20:30 Guiding how you would like press to cover your brand and use your content
  • 22:30 Creating viral videos
  • 29:30 Future plans for The Crooked Feather
  • 32:00 Keeping with your project through the tough times

Be sure to follow Alexis at TheCrookedFeather.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 41: Avengers Infinity War Spoiler Review

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

Instead of our usual guest talking about building their geek brand, I wanted to have a special episode for the release of the most anticipated movie of the decade! My friends Lee and Rob join me for a full spoiler discussion of all things Avengers: Infinity War. (You might remember Rob and Lee from the SDCC 2017 episodes! Rest assured, they’ll be back for the SDCC 2018 shows as well.)

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

If you like episodes like this and would like to hear us do more reviews, recaps and other fun stuff please let me know! I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 40: One Piece of Advice – Just Get Started

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

This is another special episode where my past guests urge you to JUST GET STARTED! Whether you are debating whether to start your first geek brand or you want to add a new medium or element to your existing brand, just do it!

If you’re looking for some great advice and motivation, these 9 guests will talk to you about the value of getting started, learning as you go and improving along the way.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

In this episode you’ll hear from:

This is a great episode to get an idea of what this show is all about and to provide some quick previews of some of the past episodes. If any other these guests sound interesting to you, be sure to check out their full interviews to learn their stories and get more in-depth tips and advice!

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 39: Red Hood The Fan Series

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greetings Entreprenerds!

My guest this week is Ian Lang, the co-creator and star of Red Hood: The Fan Series. Ian’s CD828 Studios and Tim Kou’s Method 2 Madness Films are co-producing the show featuring Red Hood in an original story with an original villain. Jason Todd will be joined by other members of the Bat-family including Nightwing, Damien Wayne, and Red Robin.

The first episode will premiere on YouTube on May 18th and you can follow them now for trailers and behind the scenes features.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

 

In this episode we discuss:

  • 3:00 How Red Hood: The Fan Series got started
  • 12:00 Why they decided to fund the series themselves vs crowdfunding
  • 15:45 Cosplaying and building the costumes for the series
  • 21:30 How the series was filmed
  • 25:00 How the fights were choreographed and filmed
  • 29:15 Promoting the web series and building an audience on social media and at conventions
  • 38:30 Cosplay and promoting the series at C2E2 2018
  • 49:30 Tackle your passion project, even if it fails

Be sure to follow Red Hood: The Fan Series on YouTube so you can see the first episode when it comes out May 18th and follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Also make sure to follow @CD828Studios and @Method2MadnessFilms for more updates on this and future projects.

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!

Episode 38: One Piece of Advice – Follow Your Passion

Posted on by Tim Ludy

Greeting Entreprenerds!

This week is a very special episode! Over the past year, I have asked dozens of guests what one piece of advice they would give to someone just starting out building a geek brand. One of the most common responses I get is to “follow your passion!”

In this new series, I’ll share clips from past episodes where geek brand builders talk about how they have followed their passion. In future episodes of this series, I’ll share clips from some of the other great pieces of advice this question has generated.

Listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

Here are the entreprenerds you’ll hear from in this episode:

This is a great episode to get an idea of what this show is all about and to provide some quick previews of some of the past episodes. If any other these guests sound interesting to you, be sure to check out their full interviews to learn their stories and get more in depth tips and advice!

I’d really appreciate any feedback either on Twitter @UndertheCapes, in the blog comments or through a rating on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks and see you soon!