Antarctic Nazis, Part 3: Herdegen's Locker, Chapter II - Professor Trygg

Another amazing tale from the inner sanctum of 'Commander Herdegen's Locker'..... prepare to be astounded:

Commander Herdegen's Locker, Chapter II - Professor Trygg (2023)

Running Time: 10 min (Approx.)

Chapter I replay:

Commander Herdegen's Locker (2023)

Running Time: 12 min. (Approx.)

 Apart from live action and still images, photography is entirely stop motion/miniatures and keyed plate backgrounds. We're not goin' into much other detail. We (maybe-maybe not) developed a (simple) process or two that we're keep'n secret - like a magician not divulging his magic. Or, more appropriately, the 'sacred geometry' secrets of the ancient cathedral and temple builders. 

The 'Colossus' sequence is paean to virtuoso 'Ray Harryhausen's' brilliant 'Talos' segment from the classic 

film 'Jason and the Argonauts' (1963): 

(Internet Image)

(YouTube Video)

When this trailer unexpectedly sprang up on the TV tube back in the day, that short glimpse of a sword wielding giant straddling the bay and hoisting the ship out of the water had us in front of the set every night for the rest of the week poised for another glance. No "on-demand", home video nor internet replay available back then. And if ya' didn't catch the flick first run at the theatre, it might be ten years before ya' finally got to see it once or twice a year on television.

Disclaimer: We obtained rights to use of all the soundtrack symphonics and effects - we thank the folks over at Pond5. A background plate or two we obtained on-line from sites tabbed as royalty free. Both videos are "experimental" works for on-line/private viewing only. No monetary compensation is involved.

Western Pennsylvania Ice (Cinema Part 12)

 Figured that we'd re-post this video here considering that it went the way of the website:

Western Pennsylvania Ice (2001)

Running time 40min. (Approx.)

 For more information, there's a previous post from 2019, retrievable by clicking here. A bit vintage considering that it's twenty-three years hence. At least one of the boys is no longer with us. The 'Tunnel Cliffs' have long ago been reclaimed by the mining company. 

A giant tin gate has since been constructed at the old 'Irishtown' mine entrance. Think that the site is posted 'No Climbing' now, anyway. The road leading into "Krahlak" has been gated - still, only about a half mile walk in. But, may be posted as well. Now'days winters around here are mostly rain, anyway.

Such is life. Bet that currently there's an ice climbing app you can play on your phone, though - don't even have to get up off the couch.

Pulled a few images from the archives of even earlier times. Nearing top-out at the 'Gun Club' above ('84) in good conditions. Bluewater 11mm rope. Stiff plastic Koflach mountain boots. Wool duds and mitts. No ratcheting-type ice screws. Lowe 'Foot-Fang' rigid crampons - those things were a bit of an innovation over the (subsequently obsolete) hinged strap-on crampons for steep vertical ice. Could relax your calves, too.  Leashed straight-shaft picks and hammers. Still gets the skin to crawling watchin' guys torquing modern picks on stiff dry-tool routes. Didn't take much to snap those old picks. Particularly 'Forrest' tools. Ya' had to be careful just levering them out of an overstuck ice placement. Broke several that way. Recall that on this route this day we broke a pick lower down. Always carried a hammer as a back-up (left hand in the image). Steep Grade 4 ice was a big deal. 

Climber Glenn Thomas on 'Layton Falls' (Grade 3) here. He's got some hinged strap-on crampons. Forest fixed shaft tools. 

Bit of top-roping fun at 'Irishtown' on some sketchy-condition ice. Forrest tools. Forgot to bring the gaiters so had to roll the pant legs - always sliced the heck out of the cuffs stumbling around in crampons. Must be cold this day - got out the wool hat.

More TR fun along Meadow Run up in Ohiopyle SP ('84). Lowe Hummingbird Hammer w/ tubular pic in left hand. 

Didn't take too many photographs back in the early days. Was more concerned with not killing ourselves. Wish we had been a bit more extensive with the photography.

Tools Old And New: Fitness Trainer

 "When he offered ten grand to any climber who could keep
up with him for one day, most of us figured it was all about man versus
man, dramatic but primitive game. When we realized that he did most of 
his soloing in private, nobody watching, we elevated his game to man
against nature. Only after knowing him for years did we understand
that his was the greatest show on earth - man against himself.

                                                          - Climber/author John Long on his friend John Bachar

Enlightening words, Long. Adversity comes from within.

(Internet Image)

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Picked up a "fitness trainer"a few weeks back to supplement road bike training from the comfort of the sanctum. Primarily for days of inclement weather. As well, achieved a pretty decent level of fitness daily riding for the past few months. Don't want to reverse order if stuck indoors be it a sh*tty winter.

Was more interested in a variable resistance-type machine than a high intensity "assault-style" trainer. No desire to go at the thing workin' like a madman. Years of experience has taught us that if ya' can run two and a half miles you can run twenty five. The magnetic resistance technology is pretty interesting - what'll they think of next. Up to this point have kept it set at (low to medium in) high range. Ya' work up a pretty good sweat well into an hour on that thing. Came with some extras we could have done without - twin 1.5kg dumbbells and water bottle holders. Also have no need for the attached computer console (not interested in a machine telling us how we're functioning) - have yet to power it up. We're content listnin' to Joe Rogan interview Rob Zombie and such (gotta' like a guy who can lucidly comment on all the "Jekyll and Hyde" film versions off the top of his head). They could probably have knocked off $200 on the cost by eliminating that stuff. After two weeks on that thing noticed a significant upgrade in the road bike performance - felt like ridin' at least one gear lower in the normal range of gears. 

Hadn't been on a "real" MTB ride in darn near a year. Was out this past weekend with these two guys who regularly provide a beatin':

Distanced 'em once or twice, including the "big hill climb" of the route

Probably just pissed 'em off, though. They subsequently smoked this long, technical (leaf hidden) downhill, long ago washed, rutted and fissured, including a rocky drop into a short, washed and rocky chasm, that I'd made the mistake of calling now unrideable considering the deteriorated condition of the past few years. Go f*k'n figure.

Hell-billies of Chestnut Ridge (An October Halloween Spectacular!)

Warning: Some content may be upsetting to the abnormally sensitive*
Disclaimer: For private entertainment only. We claim no rights to certain images and content*

We recently caught a viewing of this bit engaging documentary - "The incredible story of one of the more bizarre places in America!"... "The terrifying, true story!"... "The first feature film to document this hotbed of paranormal activity!"... "hair covered man-apes... monstrously large birds... upright-walking canine creatures... mysterious lights in the forest... UFO's that wreak havoc on the local populace... 'Invasion On Chestnut Ridge' is a "cocktail of weirdness!" ... So go the  promotional superlatives.

We can't attest to all the supernatural, paranormal nor extraterrestrial activity... but... having grown-up and lived here for many years (the "Ridge" is pretty much our back yard), and being fully familiar of the local populace of the heights and hollows, we can corroborate a "cocktail of weirdness" as fact (come to think of it, we're familiar with a few hair covered man-apes as well). And we do claim witness to a black panther sighting. The creature crossed our path while traversing the 'Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT)' quite a few years back.

But now, for the first time, we are releasing footage of our own horrifying ridge encounter. Caught on video! Words cannot describe what happens within the dark, deep recesses of the backwoods Ridge!:

Lost Footage

(Running time: 2min. (approx.)

A bit of nonsensical fun with an old film outtake. We have quire a few - several climbing falls, MTB crashes, boat flips, filming miscues - a bit funny stuff. (Rob) Goodman had been badgering me for a few years to put 'em all together in sequence. I put this clip together and once he viewed it he never bothered me about it again. Actually did start to go thru and sort out that stuff for 'em. Unfortunately, he's no longer around.

So why is he dropping his drawers behind a log in the middle of the woods to begin with you ask? That outtake is from the 'Backcountry' MTB video (available for viewing a few posts back). Filming took place throughout the Fall seasons over a period of two years. Temperatures were up and down - low 40F's thru high 70F's. He kept showin' up dressed for the days weather - short pants or long tights. This created a bit of a continuity issue for editing. We tried to work around it by including a shot of 'em changin' pants. Immediately upon viewing the footage everyone's comment was "looks like you guys are makin' 'Deliverance'." So that was the end of that notion. Didn't work, anyway. A bit of a take on the old film, Blair Witch Project, of the time

---------------

Any Rob Zombie has got to include the visuals:

(YouTube video)

(YouTube video)

Encore: Alice Cooper - one from a classic album from back in the day:

(YouTube video)

If ya' wanted to piss off the "old folks" (or "disco folks" for that matter) back in the day just turn-up the Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath and such. You could watch their socks rollin' up and down. Lent a copy of Cheech and Chongs Big Bambu album (with the included giant "rolling paper") to a gal once. She called me the next day and said that her dad had "accidentally" sat on it and broke it. Figured that the reaction alone was worth the $10.

---------------

We'll dedicate this post to these two guys. Figure that by now they've linked up and have at least put up a few routes on the amber yardangs of Venus in their ventures throughout the cosmos

*Subsequently, should any images or content disappear, ya' know why.

Night Creature

Have 100% free time on our hands - 

 Upside: No excuse anymore for missing early morning workouts
Downside: No excuse anymore for missing early morning workouts

Sunrise

Used to crank frequent long distance cross-country road rides back in the day, before MTB's came along. Twenty miles +. Some great rolling SWPA backroads directly out the from door of the sanctum. Currently have consistently been hitting up a before sunrise "every day but Sunday" ten miler. A rolling F1 track. 270 miles/monthavg - (say) 11mphavg. Not bad. The alternate could be stumbling about the back yard pullin' weeds - or pushin' 'em. 

Always an inspiration:

(YouTube video)

Since the local high schools have recently been back in session we've discovered that there is, apparently,  a few early morning/before school "make out" pull offs along our route. Our near silent, quick moving, white (t-shirt) clad apparition materializing from out of the cemetery darkness drove 'em off each instance - and fast. Pretty funny. We wonder what later tales were generated, if any.

(YouTube video)

Reminded us of the old Disney Scarecrow of Romney Marsh TV series from way back ('63). Remember when right after the first Sunday night airing that every eight-year-old kid in the neighborhood was runnin' around wearin' a Scarecrow hood that his mom sewed together from an old pillowcase.

Ass Blaster

 "Relax! I got it all under control!!" Our "other buddy Rob's" banner call to action. Somewhere between "This is a job for Superman!" and "Hold my beer!". Heavily weighted, more often than not, toward their latter. Typically with kindred results.

Was well into the late July "dog days of summer". Temperatures had been soaring. Probably day four inward a mid ninety-degree heatwave. What's more, for the past two days had been hit with quite the stench first step out the front door of the sanctum sanctorum. "Wow - somethings dead!". Did a bit of investigation. First along some foundation edge brush, then into the neighbors bushes - nothing. Only other possibility is that some varmint had made it's way into the next door neighbors latticed, inaccessible under porch crawlspace where it's perished and has been lying in a state of lingering rot.

Other buddy Rob (aka: paddlin' Rob, as opposed to recently departed climbin' Rob) and I are loading a few riverboats and gear into the pickup for an afternoon paddle trip to beat the oppressive temperatures. "Phew - what the f*k stinks?!" One whiff of the fetor and Rob's off to investigate. "Found it!" he shortly announces. Don't know how I missed it - was hidden right out in the open. A bit stout 'possum had got itself wedged within the neighbors porch deck wood lattice trimming. The poor critter was a bit too wide in the hips for the narrow opening for entrance and a bit too plump in the belly to reverse his escape. Definitely a sorrowful ending in this heat with no food nor water.

Business end of the "Ass Blaster"

(Image: ''Pennsylvania Game News', February '83 issue)

Reminded us of a long remembered image from an article published in an old issue of Pennsylvania Game News ('Wildlife Misfortunes' by Will Savage, February '83). A 'possum had met its fate after it had somehow entangled its tail into an overhand knot and was left helplessly dangling from a rhododendron bush. Either way, grisly ends for both creatures.

"Well that sucks!" I comment. "We're gonna' have to saw cut that lattice to get it out of there - and that f*ker stinks!!"

"Relax! I got it all under control!!" Rob proceeds to grab the tail in one hand and both rear legs in the other and gives a pretty hefty tug. He's immediately rocketed ass-backward onto the ground. Looked like he was waylaid upside the head by an invisible sucker punch. He's sprawled - choking, heaving, gagging and gasping. Evidently, yanking with pinching the beast thru the twice too small constriction had apparently compressed the bloated belly and Rob subsequently received a direct in the face anal exhaust of noxious death gas.

Better him than me. Never laughed so hard in my life. He was down for longer than the allotted ten count - unofficially a TKO. We say unofficial as, to his credit, he quickly recovered and "jumped right back into the ring" and worked the carcass until free so it could be disposed of in some nearby woods.

Antarctic Nazis, Part 2 - Creatures

Got a lot of questions regarding "behind-the scenes" of that stop motion short. Concerning the most asked - yes, it was all model and miniature work. We only used the computer for compositing (chroma-key/green screen). 'Dragon Frame' stop motion software for image capture. The "laser blasts" were created using some basic graphic design software. We achieved some pretty good effects using the most basic of methods. A bit of "forced perspective". No computer animation (CGI) was involved. We have great respect for CGI. We have greater respect for craftsmanship. One should compliment the other in our opinion. A few of the techniques we stumbled across by (lots of) trial and error. We're keepin' that secret. That's all we got to say about that.

Ya' gotta' start with a script. Basic shooting script for the short. We're in the process of expanding the storyline into a full length spec script.

Original "creature" design and construction. "Ball and socket" armature (T) and a later, smaller wood and wire armature "Yeti" (B).

Hand built ball and socket joints.

A composite ball socket and hinge joint - from forge to finish

An early test. After weeks of work we finally decided we didn't like the results. Our big issue was that the "eye" needed some articulation to give this guy some personality. Back to the drawing board. 

Decided to go with an "Artificial Intelligence (AI)" mechanical look. Required some revision of the script. Here's an initial test of that concept. Camera lens focal Depth-of-Field (DoF) test as well. Don't think that we ever worked at a DoF greater than 2" throughout the entire "shoot". We wanted a 40's-50's "Sci-Fi B-movie", bit corny type of creature look

That guy for the test is a wood and wire joint armature. Subsequently built one metal ball, socket and hinge armature "production model". 

That's it "on set". Next issue was how to "finish" this thing. Every covering, such as cloth, liquid latex, combination of both, didn't achieve the "mechanical look". 

Finally realized, "Hey - he looks good just the way he is!". Trimmed some aluminum tubing to cover the joint hex nuts for added effect. Can't get much more mechanical looking than that. It was always interesting when someone would stop by and inquire of our progress. Their questions would always wind up enhancing the storyline. We would always just make up answers on the spot. "Well, this guys the head AI Bot - sort of like the head alien in the 'Alien' films - he's a scientist/physicist type - the brains of the outfit". Would then revise the script.

Built three more, wood/wire joints, and gave 'em some "laser weapons". Added a few to the background plate, to create a portion of a subordinate "army".

Laser weapon test frame

A simple "trouble light" to warn that the U-Boat has arrived

Three shot composite scene

We wanted a 40's black and white film stock "look". That was simple enough by just adding a digital filter to Herdegen's "film footage". We mistakenly filtered the opening "locker" sequence as well. That should have been color footage. Oh well. Can't complain. Not many missteps for a first go.

End of Part 2 - Part 3 to follow

A Few For The Fourth

Brilliant Johnny Western - 

(YouTube Video)

 Ballad of Paladin

... our kind of guys...

(YouTube Video)

Encore...

(YouTube Video)

Happy Birthday America!

Schoolhouse Wall (Cinema Part 11)

 Schoolhouse Wall, Ohiopyle SP, 2009 - typical fun day out with Tim and Laura Anderson:

Schoolhouse Wall (2009)

Run Time: 18min (Approx.)

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A bit of recognition for our "Li'l Buddy" - one tough gal:

                                                             Schoolhouse Wall                                                            

The Schoolhouse Wall Express

Arachnophobia

Ridge Bouldering

An angel bathed in celestial light - the evil "Prince of Darkness", cloaked in the shadows, contemplates his next nefarious act (rest easy, Doyle)

                                                                                                                                                       

Blunt Arete

Fish Rocks

Master Blaster Dihedral

Rob's Knobs

Secret Cliffs Ice

Breakneck Rocks

Yough River

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Laura w/ Tim - Sandy Flats Boulders