Fan Expo Vancouver is coming up this weekend as Sci-Fi celebrities, comic book artists, gamers, and cosplayers get together with fans for one mega pop culture convention in Downtown Vancouver. I had the opportunity to interview talented local comic book and storyboard artist Steve Skroce, who’s done work with Marvel and DC Comics, along with the Matrix Trilogy, V for Vendetta, Cloud Atlas, Jupiter Ascending and more.
“I haven’t been to a convention like this in probably a decade,” Steve told me over the phone earlier this week. “I transitioned out of comics and I got into movies doing storyboards and concept art for films. That kind of took up most of my time — not most, a lot of it — for 10 years. It was always on my list to get back into it.”
Steve got his first job in the industry when he was just out of high school and he says the momentum just built from there.
“I’ve been a long time nerd and ever since I was a little kid, all I wanted to do was draw comics.” He said he used to send Xeroxed copies of his work to Marvel and DC Comics, along with any other publisher who would accept them, for years until there was an opening in the industry.
Steve ended up at Marvel for 10 years where he did work on Spiderman, Wolverine, and other X-Men until he transitioned to movies thanks to what he says it just pure dumb luck. The first comic book he was hired to do for Marvel was in 1993 on the Clive Barker series Ectokid. He explained that editors will pair artists up with writers and he just happened to get paired up with the Wachowskis, who eventually went on to become the creators of The Matrix.
“[The Wachowskis] asked me if I wanted to do storyboards for this pitch — for this movie they were trying to get made called The Matrix — and I was like, ‘I don’t know I don’t want to leave the rock solid world of comic books for this flash in the pan movie business thing’… and then The Matrix became what it was and I would up working on the sequels, which led to other opportunities.”
I asked Steve about the transition from comic books to storyboarding live action movies and he said it is a very different process.
“You don’t have as much real estate to work with with a comic book. With a movie, you’re doing drawings that will supposedly play out in real time, with real actors or visual effects, so you can have sequences that run hundreds of pages long, hundreds of drawings long. With a comic book, which is generally around 20-25 pages long, basically the writer or artist is sort of figuring out the essential story beats for each page beforehand and figuring out exactly how much information needs to go on each page.”
He added that it’s about being a little bit more aware of how much room you have to work with, and how much drawing is necessary to tell the amount of story you want to tell.
Coming back to the comic book realm from film, he is excited about what that means for him and his lifestyle. “I got the opportunity to work on a movie and kind of let that take me away for a while. It was very exciting to travel and see the world, and do all of that stuff. Now that I’m older I just want to stay in one place and do something that I want rather than being a helping hand on something else — which is a great life experience — but it’s exciting to have the authorship and control of your own projects.”
Speaking of his own projects, he’s currently working on a comic book called We Stand On Guard alongside author Brian K. Vaughn (Lost, Under the Dome).
“[We Stand on Guard] takes place in Canada 100 years in the future. It follows a band of Canadian civilian freedom fighters who are battling this vastly superior force, the United States military, that have basically invaded us for our water and they are equipped with giant robots and futuristic drones and things like that. It’s kind of a Sci-Fi David and Goliath story about Canadians defending ourselves against Americans.” We Stand on Guard is set for release in July, 2015.
“There’s definitely a community here and that’s part of the reason why I’m going to Fan Expo, I want to get back into it and meet some people.”
~ Steve Skroce
On the Fan Expo website, Steve is listed under his recent work for DC Comics’ Suicide Squad and says that at conventions like these, he’ll get all kinds of fan engagement, from those looking to get their books signed to aspiring talent looking for feedback or tips on how to break into the industry. For the most part, he says it’s a friendly day of shooting the breeze.
“[Fans] talk about what you like, what they’re reading, what you’re reading, what you’re watching, that kind of thing. It’s a well-read community, with a lot of fans of the genre, which is fun.”
For those aspiring artists who do visit Steve’s booth at Fan Expo, he’ll have some words of wisdom to share, which I believe are also great life lessons. “I would say listen, be open to criticism, and be polite, and just make sure you are good at relationships. You have got to keep your relationships going, be professional, make sure you’re not a pain to work with. Be on time!”
Steve will be at Fan Expo Vancouver on Saturday, April 4th only so be sure you stop by, bring your books for singing, and soak up some of his experienced wisdom.
Fan Expo Vancouver Dates, Times, Tickets
Friday, April 3, 2015 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm
Saturday, April 4, 2015 from 10:00am to 7:00pm
Sunday, April 5, 2015 from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Passes for single day, full weekend, and VIP experiences are available online now. Same day tickets can only be purchased at the box office.
Check the guest list online for the latest announcements and follow Fan Expo Vancouver on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
You can now enjoy perks and prizes when you participate in the #S6Lineup while you’re waiting for the latest and greatest Samsung smartphone technology. Samsung Canada is celebrating the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge with the launch of the #S6Lineup, a social media challenge to put Canadians first in line for this most coveted smartphone.
Get in the Samsung Galaxy #S6Lineup
Fueled by social media participation, the lineup rewards participants with points for sharing content inspired by the Galaxy S6 on their personal Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels with the hashtag #S6Lineup.
Based on points earned from these daily shares, consumers will move up the line with the top six broadcast throughout the contest on Samsung Canada’s Yonge-Dundas LED billboard in Toronto, a digital billboard at Metropolis at Metrotown in Vancouver, and another at Eaton Centre in Montreal. The top six will also receive some of the first Galaxy S6 devices in Canada on launch day, April 10th.
To bring the excitement to life, consumers in spots 7 through 50 in the #S6Lineup will also be featured on a huge 80 foot installation at Yonge-Dundas Square. In addition to bragging rights of being amongst the first consumers in Canada to experience the new Galaxy S6, there are daily Samsung prizes and a grand prize all-expenses-paid 2015 Stanley Cup Final experience.
Each post = 1 point, and each point gets you closer to the front of the line. The contest runs from March 27th until April 8th. At the end of the contest the top 6 in line win 1 of 6 of the first Galaxy S6 devices in Canada. The grand prize for first in line is an all-expenses-paid trip for 2 to a 2015 Stanley Cup Final game. Additionally, there will be awesome daily prizes.
Why You Should Get in the #S6Lineup
I just received the Galaxy S6 to use over the next two weeks and the first thing I noticed was its new design with a very comfortable feel in hand. The Galaxy S6 Edge has a 5.1″ Quad HD Super AMOLED® dual edge screen offers wider viewing angles for an entirely new viewing experience with fluid access to information and notifications.
The Samsung Galaxy S6
Some of the feature I’m looking forward to trying out on my Galaxy S6 include:
Convenience and Power
Exclusive to the Galaxy S6, you have three ways to keep your phone charged up. Tap Ultra Power Saving Mode at 10 per cent charge and still get up to 24 hours of time. Use Fast Charging to power up to 50 per cent in about 30 minutes, or cut the cord and recharge wirelessly with a charging base, ensuring that you never miss a moment.
Camera Technology
The Galaxy S6 has a 16MP rear facing and 5MP front facing camera, and Auto HDR to make sure the light is right at any moment.
Exclusive Content
Canadians using the Galaxy S6 will be able to experience an enhanced NHL mobile app, which gives fans the ability to personalize their Samsung smartphone experience through NHL team-branded wallpapers and covers, keeping them in the loop with a countdown to puck drop, game scores, and updates of their favourite team, all delivered directly to their mobile devices in real-time. Just in time to get pumped for the playoffs!
Preorder the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge online and receive a complimentary gift with purchase. Both devices will be available starting April 10th. Consumers looking for a preview of the new devices can head to any of Samsung Canada’s preview locations, including 23 locations in BC. Follow Samsung Canada on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Two years ago I wrote about our award-winning airport, recognized as one of the best in the world and the best on the continent. As a frequent traveller, I outlined some of the reasons why I love Vancouver International (“YVR”) so much and my list included its size and layout, its beautiful public art collections, its accessibility, and amenities like free Wi-Fi.
Another reason to love YVR airport is actually its social media management, which I also profile in 2013. The communications team is still going strong, providing updates for travellers, but also teaching me a few things about local history.
This morning I posted about Burkeville, a community on Sea Island that was established in 1943 as a part of the Dominion Government’s Wartime Housing Plan. The federal government built 328 cottages for employees of Boeing, naming the development after Boeing’s president at the time, Stanley Burke.
Shortly after I posted this #ThrowbackThursday history piece on Twitter, @YVRAirport replied with even more knowledge about Burkeville:
“@Miss604 Fun Fact: Other names considered – Priorityville, Toyler’s Town, Fog Gultch, Essential Square, Aero and Victory. Fog Gultch!”
To which the Simpsons fan in me replied:
“@yvrairport Love it. They all sound like places that got the monorail before Springfield on the #Simpsons”
Within minutes they posted this image, dropped the mic, and – as the kids say – won the internet for the day:
So, thank you @YVRAirport for not only giving us global bragging rights as being the best departure or arrival point in our fair region, but for also having a wonderful sense of humour.
Vancouver’s skyline is constantly evolving and while we still have some heritage gems, like the beloved Marine Building or Dominion Building, all that remains of some fantastic, extinct, architectural structures can fit in the palm of your hand. RENEW Gallery’s “Period Lighting and Decorative Accessories” collection contains some of these artifacts, which are being featured leading up to the City of Vancouver’s 129th birthday on April 6th.
RENEW Gallery Period Lighting and Decorative Accessories
Home to an exceptional inventory of restored antique lighting, fine décor and architectural elements, RENEW’s collection includes pieces from Vancouver’s storied early years, flaunting the magnificent grandeur of days past:
Hotel Georgia Lantern Fixture circa 1927
This completely restored polychrome lantern was rescued from the grand lobby of the original Hotel Georgia, which opened in 1927.
1930: Hotel Georgia. Archives# Hot P2.
Many fixtures of this kind greeted guests as they descended upon the hotel, which was very progressive in its time, welcoming all guests regardless of race. For this reason, Hotel Georgia became a favourite of some of the jazz greats passing through Canada’s West Coast.
» More details and price available here «
E.A. Morris Tobacconist Window circa 1905
E.A Morris Tobacconist is one of Canada’s oldest tobacconists, serving as a rare example of early 20th century retail in North America.
1934: 527 Granville Street. Archives# CVA 99-4683.
Though the company continues to operate an outpost in Victoria (still located on its original site, opened in 1892), this leaded, beveled and stained glass window was part of E.A. Morris’ store in Vancouver, and formed the basis for a noted employee dispute – legend holds that an employee stole the window when he caught wind of his manager’s plans to remove it.
» More details and price available here «
Original Hotel Vancouver Monumental Mission Slag Glass Light Fixture circa 1915
This piece is from the second Hotel Vancouver (1916-1949), not the third (1939) which stands today on Georgia and Burrard. This spectacular, large-scale arts & crafts style fixture was sourced from the hotel before its demolition in 1949, after the building’s use as a government administration outpost during the second World War.
1917: Second Hotel Vancouver. Archives# CVA 677-20.
This fixture’s style is reminiscent of the hotel’s grand Italianate revival style, which contributed to its consideration as one of the great hotels of the British Empire.
» More details and price available here «
If I had the budget and the rooms to showcase these antique fixtures packed with local history, I’d scoop up each one. However, if you are looking for the perfect finishing touches for any project, these rare items might just catch your eye. They can be viewed in (and purchased from) RENEW Gallery’s antique collection, located at 5 East 5th Ave in Vancouver. The gallery is open for walk-in visits Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
