HiSciFi - Podcast Feed

HiSciFi - The Future of Torrents, Santas Parade, Misfits

irma — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:17:11 -0800

This week we lament the fall of Mininova.org, bring you some alternatives to the ever popular torrent site, and discuss the issues surrounding copyright.

Also, hold your breath for Santas Parade and the newest UK show, Misfits.

HiSciFi - Sexual Lives of Bats, Spiderman 4, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and more...

irma — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:33:55 -0800

The long lost Halloween episode rises from the grave to haunt us…with goodness!

This week we bring you the sexual lives of bats, cartoons, and some major asteroid attacks…oy!

Also we discuss the future of comic book entertainment with Adam McCormick of Greyhaven Hobbies, give you the deal on Spiderman 4, Captain America, and Thor. And we give you the latest in comic books - Sweettooth and all.

HiSciFi - Steve Anderson on Net Neutrality, Fresh Media and Canadian Journalism

irma — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:23:04 -0700

This week, we chat with Steve Anderson of SaveOurNetcoalition and he gives us the goods on Fresh Media Fresh Media, an event dedicated to new and changing state of digital art and media. We also discuss the recent CRTC decision on Net Neutrality in Canada.

Currently, media in Canada is experiencing a major crisis, as CanWest, one of the few and overwhelmingly penetrative media conglomerates has declared bancruptcy due to seemingly insurmountable debts.

Prior to kicking the bucket, so to speak, CanWest did its best to cut down on “corners” by closing local television stations, cutting newsrooms and engaging in mass layoffs. One of the requests forwarded to the CRTC was to eliminate costs by adjoining the newprint and broadcasting news rooms, working with only a fraction of journalists who would potentially occupy a small rooom in a basement somewhere in Toronto.

While the CanWest proposal never saw the light of day, it is worthwhile noting that similar redundancies have been committed by variety of news agencies across Canada. As a result, we are currently experiencing a disappearance of local news coverage.

However, there are select few, such as the chosen panel participants at Fresh Media, who see an opportunity. In this time of economic crisis, online-only publications such as the Tyee or Rabble, are gaining ground by producing the local content relevant to readers.

That said, these select few are neither freelancers nor new graduates with irrelevant, unnamed blogs. They are professionals who not only have full time, financially supportive jobs, but are working in the for-profit media.

According to Statistics Canada, independent enterpreneurs are doing really well, if they happen to be in the upper 10th percentile. The rest though, are having tougher times selling their wares, be it twitter or pen.

HiSciFi - Starz Animation on 9, iRobot Poetry, Mars

irma — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:39:51 -0700

This week we bring you Starz Animation who made the animated feature “9” come to life.

The animated feature “9”, created and directed by Shane Acker, has been awaited in anticipation by fans of fine animation, and it has set a new bar for animation.

We are joined by David Steinberg of Starz Animation who is calling us from Starz Animation Toronto studio, a facility that made “9” into the animation feature of the year.

We also have Jason Christie, author of iRobot poetry whose work, though published for 3 years now, has only been gaining fans. Not only is his work turned into a theatre play, but there are fans who animated the poetry.

HiSciFi - Fair Copyright w Geoffrey Glass

irma — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 10:04:59 -0700

This week we bring you Geoffrey Glass who is an outspoken critic of lobbying efforts by movie and record industry to reform copyright in Canada. The corporate efforts to reform copyright are astounding, as recent Townhall meetings in Toronto were filled with pro-corporate lobbyists who simply pushed out the consumer advocacy and artist perspective.

Now is your time to be heard. Visit FairCopy.ca or SpeakOutOnCopyright.ca

The simple way to respond?

SEND EMAIL TO: info@copyrightconsultation.gc.ca

HiSciFi - Green Hornet, Fair Copyright, Planet of the Apes, Geoengineering

irma — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:42:11 -0700

This week on HiSciFi, with Irma and Tarek in the studio, we bring you a glimpse into past, as we explore 1970s Planet of the Apes TV show, as well as discuss the Aggression Theory.

We also discuss the keyword of the past week - GEOENGINEERING. What is it and what it may mean for you?

And Copyright in Canada - what can you do to prevent corporations mandating copyright law reforms in Canada?

And we give you the latest update on the Green Hornet!!!

OPEN PUBLIC COPYRIGHT CONSULTATIONS ARE OVER on SEP 13th - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE visit FAIRCOPY.CAFAIRCOPY.CA and send in your responses NOW.

HiSciFi - Robert Burns on "The Unselfish Gene"

irma — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:41:47 -0700

This week we have one of my new favorite authors, Robert Burns, who not only has the touch for the undead, but writes most beautiful adventure sci-fi pulp I’ve read in a long, long time. And together with Burns, we bring you his new novel, The Unselfish Gene.

The premise of the novel is genuinely un-boring: colonists on moon are the last of humans as we know it, because the rest of the Earth’s populus has been affected by a Zombie virus.

But that is only where the fun starts, as moon colonists seem to suffer from endless complications and health issues of their own: they are not the best choice for human propagation due to long-term radiation exposure, and mental ilnesses, including clinical depression, are quite common.

Worst of all, they are the only and best candidates for survival of humanity, because they have the runaway vehicle: Anita, an Orion-like ship, propelled by nuclear-bombs, is a way out, as Earth also faces a run-in with a comet.

The premise of the novel simply spells disaster, which is AWESOME.

Do check out The Unselfish Gene novel. Not only does it have new and surprising twists to the Zombie lore, but it also happens to be one of those endearing publications with surprisingly cool illustrations. Best of all, Burns not only writes great pulpy sci-fi, but writes science articles for living, which makes his prose surprisingly palatable and enriching.

I don’t do this often, but this time I will make an exception - Buy a copy. Give it to your friends, especially the ones that join the local Zombie Walks.

District 9 Review

irma — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:15:40 -0700

HiSciFi - Gabrielle Rose on BSG, Taken, Grace and Sweet Hereafter

irma — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:18:25 -0700

We give you the lowdown on the Pirate Bay Four trial, inform you of the latest case of a comic book collector thrown in jail for owning manga, and more…

We are also joined by one of Canada’s most notable actresses, Gabrielle Rose. You have seen her everywhere, as the grand dame of acting had worked on Spielberg’s Taken, as well as BSG, Stargate, Smallville and Sanctuary.

While we’re excited about these shows, Rose is really amazing in drama productions. From Robson Arms, to Atom Egoyan’s The Sweet Hereafter, Rose made a lasting influence on small and silver screen.

The career of Gabrielle Rose started in 1975, and despite her remarkable success, she remains a positive, yet down-to-earth persona, who is really exquisit to watch.

We ask her about her recent sporting of gray streaks, a bold statement on her age, and get her to give us the goods on collaborating with known directors. We also talk about the nature of Canadian cinema and television, and reveal the details on her latest project, “Shattered.”

Rose has recently scooped the Leo Award for the Best Dramatic Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series, for her work on Sanctuary. She also received her own star on the Canadian Walk of Fame.

The most interesting bit about having Gabrielle Rose on air with us, is that she is genuinely excited about being on our show.

HiSciFi - Jody Thompson on Alien Trespass, Flash Gordon, and more Star Trek!

irma — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:38:01 -0700

This week we have Jody Thompson as our guest, an actress who has a mile-long list of shows to her credit, many of which happen to be our favorites.

She tells us of her experiences on Flash Gordon, as well as her role in the fabulous remake of Alien Trespass, a film that is to appeal to all lovers of classic B-Movies, and pin-up goodness of days gone by.

We also give you the goods on Bisphenol-A, and we simply cannot stop talking about Star Trek.