Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak

By Dot Cannon: Public Speaker & New-Media ReporterSociety & Culture Education Arts

Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak episodes

October 21, 2017 Inspiration in the Making
(Photo courtesy of Houston Maker Faire, and used with permission.)

"Houston Strong" is the theme of this year's Houston Maker Faire.

But that's a lot more than just a theme.

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Houston makers have already been using their skills and imagination to help rebuild communities.

And Maker Faire Houston, happening this Saturday and Sunday, October 21st and 22nd, is going to challenge them.

As Maker Faire Houston celebrates its fifth anniversary, David Brunet and Andrew Lynch, two of its three co-founders , discussed the ways they've reached out to local makers. For 2017 especially, Maker Faire Houston has asked to showcase their ideas, even beyond what they've done in the past.

(Photo courtesy of Maker Faire Houston, and used with permission.)

The result: some exciting keynotes, new educational sessions geared towards teachers, startups, a pitch competition, and lots of fun. And they're having Houston's first-ever

David and Andrew are the President and Vice-President, respectively, of nonprofit Innovation Spark. In addition to producing Maker Faire Houston as its flagship event, Innovation Spark is dedicated to advancing STEM education in the Houston area. Innovation Spark furthers that mission with additional events throughout the year, including Comic Palooza and mini maker faires at local schools.

Andrew and David talked about their Maker Faire experiences, the creation of Maker Faire, five years ago, and what 2017 Maker Faire Houston visitors can experience, as makers go "Houston Strong".
On this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

*
The surprise David received at his first Maker Faire, in San Mateo;

*
How David, Andrew and fellow co-founder Mike Kinkel came to create Houston's Maker Faire;

*
"Don't miss" features at Houston's Maker Faire 2017;

*
What's going to be going on at Houston Maker Faire's first "Raspberry Jam" session, with Raspberry Pi;

*
What attendees can look forward to, for keynote presentations;

*
How the Houston Maker Faire is working to inspire and rebuild Houston after Hurricane Harvey;

*
What will be available, in the areas of educational workshops for teachers;

*
How a high-school activity sparked Andrew's passion for robotics;

*
What First Robotics will be offering for students;

*
A preview of the 3D printing and virtual reality activities onsite;

*
What arts and crafts opportunities will be available to younger attendees;

*
How the Houston Maker Faire has led to some startups' success

26 min
October 21, 2017 Inspiration in the Making
(Photo courtesy of Houston Maker Faire, and used with permission.)

"Houston Strong" is the theme of this year's Houston Maker Faire.

But that's a lot more than just a theme.

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Houston makers have already been using their skills and imagination to help rebuild communities.

And Maker Faire Houston, happening this Saturday and Sunday, October 21st and 22nd, is going to challenge them.

As Maker Faire Houston celebrates its fifth anniversary, David Brunet and Andrew Lynch, two of its three co-founders , discussed the ways they've reached out to local makers. For 2017 especially, Maker Faire Houston has asked to showcase their ideas, even beyond what they've done in the past.

(Photo courtesy of Maker Faire Houston, and used with permission.)

The result: some exciting keynotes, new educational sessions geared towards teachers, startups, a pitch competition, and lots of fun. And they're having Houston's first-ever

David and Andrew are the President and Vice-President, respectively, of nonprofit Innovation Spark. In addition to producing Maker Faire Houston as its flagship event, Innovation Spark is dedicated to advancing STEM education in the Houston area. Innovation Spark furthers that mission with additional events throughout the year, including Comic Palooza and mini maker faires at local schools.

Andrew and David talked about their Maker Faire experiences, the creation of Maker Faire, five years ago, and what 2017 Maker Faire Houston visitors can experience, as makers go "Houston Strong".
On this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

*
The surprise David received at his first Maker Faire, in San Mateo;

*
How David, Andrew and fellow co-founder Mike Kinkel came to create Houston's Maker Faire;

*
"Don't miss" features at Houston's Maker Faire 2017;

*
What's going to be going on at Houston Maker Faire's first "Raspberry Jam" session, with Raspberry Pi;

*
What attendees can look forward to, for keynote presentations;

*
How the Houston Maker Faire is working to inspire and rebuild Houston after Hurricane Harvey;

*
What will be available, in the areas of educational workshops for teachers;

*
How a high-school activity sparked Andrew's passion for robotics;

*
What First Robotics will be offering for students;

*
A preview of the 3D printing and virtual reality activities onsite;

*
What arts and crafts opportunities will be available to younger attendees;

*
How the Houston Maker Faire has led to some startups' success

26 min
October 08, 2017 The Red X: “Augmenting” the Haunt Experience
(Photograph courtesy of Todd Larsen, and used with permission.)

The Red X, the world's first augmented-reality immersive-theatre haunt, is back with something new for Halloween 2017.

And Immersion X Productions founder and creator Todd Larsen is already innovating beyond this latest show. He's come up with an app that enables you to use AR in your own Halloween haunts!

Todd, who premiered his immersive augmented-reality show in 2015, is now scaring everyone with The Red X:The Torn. This is the third installment of the story of ill-fated painter Emily Robeson.

But, if you haven't already experienced The Red X, don't expect to just walk in on the designated date and be scared. Todd and his crew have designed the experience to start from the moment you buy your ticket, according to Immersion X Production's website.   And "Emily" is no traditional ghost. She could even be called "tech-savvy"!

And, just wait till you hear Todd's plans to bring his augmented-reality series into your home in 2018. Hint: Emily may take up residence with you!
On this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

*
    How Todd's background in theatre led to his current work;

*
    What he learned from meeting Vincent Price;

*
    How Todd's experience as a performer with Cirque du Soleil helped him grow creatively;

*
    How "The Red X" came about;

*
    The story of Emily, in "The Red X";

*
    What visitors will experience, when they come for the latest installment: "The Red X: The Torn";

*
    The ways in which Emily is an "interactive ghost";

*
    The real-life story on which Emily is based;

*
    What's involved, for Todd as an entrepreneur, in creating a his interactive AR haunt experience;

*
    The ways he'll be continuing "The Red X' as entertainment AFTER Halloween;

*
    A resource available to you (inexpensively!), to incorporate AR into YOUR haunts;

*
    A new idea that will bring "The Red X" series into your home, like a live multi-player video game, in 2018!

24 min
October 08, 2017 The Red X: “Augmenting” the Haunt Experience
(Photograph courtesy of Todd Larsen, and used with permission.)

The Red X, the world's first augmented-reality immersive-theatre haunt, is back with something new for Halloween 2017.

And Immersion X Productions founder and creator Todd Larsen is already innovating beyond this latest show. He's come up with an app that enables you to use AR in your own Halloween haunts!

Todd, who premiered his immersive augmented-reality show in 2015, is now scaring everyone with The Red X:The Torn. This is the third installment of the story of ill-fated painter Emily Robeson.

But, if you haven't already experienced The Red X, don't expect to just walk in on the designated date and be scared. Todd and his crew have designed the experience to start from the moment you buy your ticket, according to Immersion X Production's website.   And "Emily" is no traditional ghost. She could even be called "tech-savvy"!

And, just wait till you hear Todd's plans to bring his augmented-reality series into your home in 2018. Hint: Emily may take up residence with you!
On this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

*
    How Todd's background in theatre led to his current work;

*
    What he learned from meeting Vincent Price;

*
    How Todd's experience as a performer with Cirque du Soleil helped him grow creatively;

*
    How "The Red X" came about;

*
    The story of Emily, in "The Red X";

*
    What visitors will experience, when they come for the latest installment: "The Red X: The Torn";

*
    The ways in which Emily is an "interactive ghost";

*
    The real-life story on which Emily is based;

*
    What's involved, for Todd as an entrepreneur, in creating a his interactive AR haunt experience;

*
    The ways he'll be continuing "The Red X' as entertainment AFTER Halloween;

*
    A resource available to you (inexpensively!), to incorporate AR into YOUR haunts;

*
    A new idea that will bring "The Red X" series into your home, like a live multi-player video game, in 2018!

24 min
September 29, 2017 Podcast Legalities: The “Wright” Approach
(Photograph courtesy of Shahara Wright, and used with permission.)

If you're a small podcaster, how can you possibly get into legal trouble?

All too easily, says business attorney, author, professor and business strategist Shahara Wright.

Shahara's career is all about serving small businesses, both as an attorney and as a business strategist. She founded her law practice, The Wright Firm PLLC, in 2000, and serves as lead attorney. Meanwhile, Shahara also helps small businesses chart a course to survival, through her company The CEO Effect, LLC.

In August, Shahara gave a great talk at Podcast Movement 17, in Anaheim, about the legal side of podcasting. She also offered an excellent resource for podcasters: her e-book, The How-to Guide to Keeping Your Podcast Legal.

The scary part? A podcaster--especially a new one--can be breaking the law without even realizing it.

For International Podcast Day, Shahara joins us, to take a look at the common legal mistakes podcasters make, and how to keep your podcast legal.

(This podcast is for informational purposes only, and is not intended as legal advice. Please consult an attorney with any legal questions.)
On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

*
How Shahara first became interested in law, as a career path;

*
How podcasting first came on her radar;

*
Some of podcasters' most common legal mistakes;

*
What to do if you want to use copyrighted information or material;

*
The process of getting licensing to use copyrighted music legally;

*
How podcasters can protect their own recorded content, by registering it for copyright;

*
Considerations for podcasters, before applying for a trademark;

*
Who owns a co-hosted show;

*
Some of the considerations involved in distribution;

*
Some of the current legal trends that may affect podcasters in the future;

*
Is a podcast considered "news"?;

*
What are some of the legal issues that could be involved in promoting your podcast?

Want to read a great book? Check out Shahara's From Entrepreneur to CEO: How to Position Your Business to Accelerate Growth.

Meanwhile, Happy International Podcast Day!!!
28 min
September 29, 2017 Podcast Legalities: The “Wright” Approach
(Photograph courtesy of Shahara Wright, and used with permission.)

If you're a small podcaster, how can you possibly get into legal trouble?

All too easily, says business attorney, author, professor and business strategist Shahara Wright.

Shahara's career is all about serving small businesses, both as an attorney and as a business strategist. She founded her law practice, The Wright Firm PLLC, in 2000, and serves as lead attorney. Meanwhile, Shahara also helps small businesses chart a course to survival, through her company The CEO Effect, LLC.

In August, Shahara gave a great talk at Podcast Movement 17, in Anaheim, about the legal side of podcasting. She also offered an excellent resource for podcasters: her e-book, The How-to Guide to Keeping Your Podcast Legal.

The scary part? A podcaster--especially a new one--can be breaking the law without even realizing it.

For International Podcast Day, Shahara joins us, to take a look at the common legal mistakes podcasters make, and how to keep your podcast legal.

(This podcast is for informational purposes only, and is not intended as legal advice. Please consult an attorney with any legal questions.)
On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

*
How Shahara first became interested in law, as a career path;

*
How podcasting first came on her radar;

*
Some of podcasters' most common legal mistakes;

*
What to do if you want to use copyrighted information or material;

*
The process of getting licensing to use copyrighted music legally;

*
How podcasters can protect their own recorded content, by registering it for copyright;

*
Considerations for podcasters, before applying for a trademark;

*
Who owns a co-hosted show;

*
Some of the considerations involved in distribution;

*
Some of the current legal trends that may affect podcasters in the future;

*
Is a podcast considered "news"?;

*
What are some of the legal issues that could be involved in promoting your podcast?

Want to read a great book? Check out Shahara's From Entrepreneur to CEO: How to Position Your Business to Accelerate Growth.

Meanwhile, Happy International Podcast Day!!!
28 min
September 22, 2017 Octobo: Cuddly Technology for the Future

Remember your favorite stuffed toy, when you were a kid?

What if that teddy bear, dog, cat or otherwise had really been able to interact with you?

Meet Octobo, a blue plush octopus. He's equipped with sensors and designed to work through your tablet.

And his goal, says creator Yuting Su, is to get families playing together and sharing stories.

Yuting is the founder and CEO of Thinker-Tinker creative lab, in Los Angeles. On her website, she describes herself as a "thinker, tinker and dreamer".

For Yuting, Octobo represents the latest in a series of interactive projects. With professional degrees in both the medical field and interactive media design, her past work has included "Curiouser and Curiouser", an interactive pop-up book based on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland; and the augmented-reality urban puzzle game "pocketOULO".

Currently, Yuting is planning a Kickstarter campaign for Octobo, which has already garnered award nominations and been selected for the Electronic Entertainment Expo's 2016 IndieCade.

Yuting, who recently exhibited Octobo at TechDay L.A. 2017, shared the story of creating her interactive octopus, some of the resources that worked well for her, during the creative process and her thoughts on the ways she'd like her stuffed toy to improve her young customers' lives.
On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

*
How Yuting first became interested in creating interactive experiences;

*
How she and her team came to create Octobo;

*
Why Yuting decided on an octopus for her interactive plush toy;

*
The steps she and her team took, from coming up with a concept to making Octobo a reality;

*
An important point of focus for Yuting and her team--and for any startup--in developing a new product;

*
How Octobo works;

*
One of the best reactions Yuting and her team saw, when exhibiting Octobo to young prospective clients;

*
Resources Yuting found helpful (including an innovative "new-ways-to-play" website that may inspire your next fantastic idea!).

14 min
September 22, 2017 Octobo: Cuddly Technology for the Future

Remember your favorite stuffed toy, when you were a kid?

What if that teddy bear, dog, cat or otherwise had really been able to interact with you?

Meet Octobo, a blue plush octopus. He's equipped with sensors and designed to work through your tablet.

And his goal, says creator Yuting Su, is to get families playing together and sharing stories.

Yuting is the founder and CEO of Thinker-Tinker creative lab, in Los Angeles. On her website, she describes herself as a "thinker, tinker and dreamer".

For Yuting, Octobo represents the latest in a series of interactive projects. With professional degrees in both the medical field and interactive media design, her past work has included "Curiouser and Curiouser", an interactive pop-up book based on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland; and the augmented-reality urban puzzle game "pocketOULO".

Currently, Yuting is planning a Kickstarter campaign for Octobo, which has already garnered award nominations and been selected for the Electronic Entertainment Expo's 2016 IndieCade.

Yuting, who recently exhibited Octobo at TechDay L.A. 2017, shared the story of creating her interactive octopus, some of the resources that worked well for her, during the creative process and her thoughts on the ways she'd like her stuffed toy to improve her young customers' lives.
On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

*
How Yuting first became interested in creating interactive experiences;

*
How she and her team came to create Octobo;

*
Why Yuting decided on an octopus for her interactive plush toy;

*
The steps she and her team took, from coming up with a concept to making Octobo a reality;

*
An important point of focus for Yuting and her team--and for any startup--in developing a new product;

*
How Octobo works;

*
One of the best reactions Yuting and her team saw, when exhibiting Octobo to young prospective clients;

*
Resources Yuting found helpful (including an innovative "new-ways-to-play" website that may inspire your next fantastic idea!).

14 min
September 19, 2017 His Creativity is Going to Haunt You
(Photograph courtesy of Jeanne Escher, and used with permission.)

"Godfather of Haunting" Leonard Pickel knows exactly what will make you jump.

He's been creating haunted attractions--and leaving patrons screaming with fear and delight--since his college days.

In the process, he's revolutionized the haunt industry.

Leonard, who has a background in architecture, is the owner and designer of Hauntrepreneurs Themed Attraction Design and Consulting. which he founded in 1987. Through Hauntrepreneurs, he uses his professional background in architecture to design new haunted attractions, consult with haunt owners and come up with workable business plans to make a haunt profitable.

His career has included starting Haunted Attraction Magazine, which he edited for fifteen years. He also owned and operated the largest haunted-house manufacturing company of its day, in the late 1980s.

And in 2004, he began sharing his expertise, through eerie education.

That's the year Leonard founded "HAuNTcon". "HAuNTcon", an acronym for "the Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Conference", is the nation's first haunted-attraction trade show and conference. The show offers three days of tours of haunted attractions, educational seminars and "make and take" sessions for haunt creatives. (The next "HAuNTcon" happens in January, 2018 in New Orleans.)

Leonard shared the story of his career, offered some insights on what makes a haunt work (and what doesn't), and discussed the changes and trends he's seeing in the haunt industry.
On this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

*
How Leonard first became interested in creating haunted attractions;

*
The ways haunt technology has evolved, since he began designing haunted houses;

*
Resources he recommends, for anyone designing a haunted house;

*
The business considerations involved in running a haunted attraction for profit;

*
What makes a good haunted attraction;

*
Whether anyone's managed to scare Leonard (who tours haunted attractions worldwide)!

*
The techniques behind a good haunted-attraction scare;

*
The trends Leonard's seeing, for the haunt industry of the future;

*
His thoughts on augmented reality and virtual reality for haunts;

*
Some of the subtleties that make a haunted attraction work well.

27 min
September 19, 2017 His Creativity is Going to Haunt You
(Photograph courtesy of Jeanne Escher, and used with permission.)

"Godfather of Haunting" Leonard Pickel knows exactly what will make you jump.

He's been creating haunted attractions--and leaving patrons screaming with fear and delight--since his college days.

In the process, he's revolutionized the haunt industry.

Leonard, who has a background in architecture, is the owner and designer of Hauntrepreneurs Themed Attraction Design and Consulting. which he founded in 1987. Through Hauntrepreneurs, he uses his professional background in architecture to design new haunted attractions, consult with haunt owners and come up with workable business plans to make a haunt profitable.

His career has included starting Haunted Attraction Magazine, which he edited for fifteen years. He also owned and operated the largest haunted-house manufacturing company of its day, in the late 1980s.

And in 2004, he began sharing his expertise, through eerie education.

That's the year Leonard founded "HAuNTcon". "HAuNTcon", an acronym for "the Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Conference", is the nation's first haunted-attraction trade show and conference. The show offers three days of tours of haunted attractions, educational seminars and "make and take" sessions for haunt creatives. (The next "HAuNTcon" happens in January, 2018 in New Orleans.)

Leonard shared the story of his career, offered some insights on what makes a haunt work (and what doesn't), and discussed the changes and trends he's seeing in the haunt industry.
On this edition of Over Coffee® you'll hear:

*
How Leonard first became interested in creating haunted attractions;

*
The ways haunt technology has evolved, since he began designing haunted houses;

*
Resources he recommends, for anyone designing a haunted house;

*
The business considerations involved in running a haunted attraction for profit;

*
What makes a good haunted attraction;

*
Whether anyone's managed to scare Leonard (who tours haunted attractions worldwide)!

*
The techniques behind a good haunted-attraction scare;

*
The trends Leonard's seeing, for the haunt industry of the future;

*
His thoughts on augmented reality and virtual reality for haunts;

*
Some of the subtleties that make a haunted attraction work well.

27 min

About Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak

From the publisher's feed

Would you like to know more about the art of twenty-first century "cool stuff" that's changing our world? Such as: robots, space exploration, new media, wearable technology and other innovations that…

Share Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak

Sign up to save your podcasts

Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak

Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak episodes

About Over Coffee® | Stories and Resources from the Intersection of Art and Science | Exploring How to Mak