Sidebar Forever

On this episode, Dwight and Adrian recount their experiences hosting respective panels at this year's Lightbox Expo 2020. We also discuss the event as a whole and as a 'wave of the future' for other virtual conventions.
And remember, you can still check out the video of both panels and art jams right now on the Sidebar Forever YouTube channel.
Finally, we take a moment to remark upon the passings of Chadwick Boseman and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, two luminaries who left indelible marks upon our culture.
— Don't forget to subscribe and follow Sidebar Forever at sidebarforever.com or online wherever you get your podcasts! —
 
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2020 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson
 
 

On this episode, from Lightbox Expo 2020, Adrian hosts a panel discussion and art jam on Creature Creation for the entertainment industry. 
Panelists include Kei Acedera (Alice In Wonderland), Christian Alzmann (The Mandolorian), Natalie Hall (The Shape of Water), Peter Han (Sony, Konami), Brynn Metheney (Men In Black: International), Karla Ortiz (Dr. Strange, Black Panther), Roberto Ribeiro Padula and Terryl Whitlatch (Star Wars: Episode 1).
It’s a lively discussion with laughs and knowledge being dropped while the panelists collaborate on one canvas at the same time for a final piece that must be seen to be believed.
 
You can check out the entire panel and art jam on video now on the Sidebar Forever YouTube channel.
 
Huge thanks to Bobby Chiu, Lightbox Expo and Wacom for allowing us to host the panel.
 
— Don't forget to subscribe and follow Sidebar Forever online wherever you get your podcasts! —
 
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2020 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson

On this episode, from Lightbox Expo 2020, Dwight hosts an all-star roster of black creatives for a discussion and a MONSTER art jam on diversity in the entertainment art industry. 
Panelists include Phil Boutte, Jr.( Star Trek, Black Panther), Chase Conley (Black Dynamite), Justin Copeland (Batman: Hush), Everett Downing (Hair Love), Chrystin Garland (Niko and The Sword of Light), Sanford Greene (Bitter Root), Brie Henderson (Guava Island), Kofi Ofosu, Ifesinachi Orjiekwe (Malika: Warrior Queen), Mike Uwandi (The Mandolorian), DJ Welch (Adventure Time) and Marlon West (Frozen 2).
Plenty of laughs and insight are shared in addition to seeing all the panelists collaborate on one canvas at the same time for a final piece that must be seen to be believed.
You can check out the entire panel and art jam on video now on the Sidebar Forever YouTube channel.
Huge thanks to Bobby Chiu, Lightbox Expo and Wacom for allowing us to host the panel.
— Don't forget to subscribe and follow Sidebar Forever online wherever you get your podcasts! —
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2020 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson

Back in 2012, on our previous incarnation, we released a two-parter reviewing HBO’s lauded crime drama 'The Wire'. Created by former Baltimore journalist David Simon, 'The Wire' is known, almost unequivocally, as the greatest show in television history.
 
Sidebar Forever shares that opinion, full stop. And since the pandemic has us all spending far more time at home, we thought: "Maybe it's time to re-up?"
 
Inspired by another Wire podcast, as well as a terrific book that chronicles the behind-the-scenes of the show, we re-watched all five seasons. That's right, we're checking in on the detail: McNulty, Lester, Kima, Cedric, Herc, Carver, Prez and Ronnie. And not to mention: Avon, Stringer, Wee Bay, D'Angelo, Bodie, Omar and even the silver-tongued Senator himself, Clay Davis ("...Sheeeeiiiiiiiiid").
 
It's been almost 20 years since "The Wire" debuted on HBO, and in that time, many of its character arcs and ruminations on inner-city life and the systems therein, continue to resonate powerfully. Join us as we cruise the streets of West Bald'more; looking for stash houses and unsuspecting corner boys. Cuz the game is the game — ya feel me?
 
As always, thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe to Sidebar Forever online wherever you get your podcasts.
 
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2020 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson

The recent HBO series 'Lovecraft Country' is a hit, and as a result, there has been renewed interest in the works of the horror writer H.P. Lovecraft from whom it takes its name. However, Lovecraft was a notorious racist and xenophobe and the show doesn't shy away from acknowledging his personal legacy of hate and ignorance, while at the same time, celebrating his contribution to the genre of horror.
In other words, they don't cancel him.
But that doesn't happen for everyone. Celebrities such as Bill Cosby, Louis CK, Kevin Spacey, Roseanne Barr and actor Chris D'Elia have all been cancelled for gross, ugly and in some cases, criminal behavior. Even the microcosms of the comic book industry and the visual arts have not been unscathed as several known figures within them have been cancelled due to sexual impropriety and harassment.
On this episode, we ask a few questions: Has 'cancel culture' put power in the hands of fans, and honestly, do we like canceling people?
Why are some celebrities persona non grata after cancelation (Michael Vick) while others never get called out in the first place (Cardi B)?
And ultimately, do we as a society stand to lose out on great art in the future because we can't separate the art from the artist?
 
As always, thanks for tuning in! 
 
 
— Don't forget to subscribe and follow Sidebar Forever online wherever you get your podcasts! —
 
 
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2020 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson

Originally broadcast in 2010, here is a classic interview from our 'Barchives' with illustrator/animator Lois van Baarle.
Known across to her immense online fanbase as ‘Loish’, our conversation with van Baarle details her international upbringing all over the world and becoming an artist as a child. Lois also describes her art education in Holland and Belgium, learning to draw digitally and gaining a following on online for her original works and animation.
This episode continues our re-presentation of classic interviews and roundtables from our previous incarnation as SiDEBAR: The Pop Culture Podcast into our podcast feed.
We hope that our listeners, both new and old, will enjoy these vintage back episodes and follow us here for new episodes of Sidebar Forever!
 
—Also available on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.—
 
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2020 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson

The 1984 science fiction/thriller 'The Terminator' is considered without question a classic by fans around the world.
However, its sequel 'Terminator 2: Judgement Day' is esteemed just as highly if not more so.
On today's episode, we ask the question: which is the better movie?
'The Terminator' is a techno-noir crackling with energy and suspense from a taut screenplay and direction by a young James Cameron. 'Terminator 2' could be considered the advanced model; adding superb character development, humor and family drama with a heart to the story of the time-traveling cyborg.
What do you think? Drop us a comment!
And don't forget to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. 

Originally broadcast in 2012, here is a classic interview from our 'Barchives' with former illustrator/fine artist/sculptor Thomas Blackshear.
Blackshear was an award-winning illustrator with clients such as Anheiser Busch, Walt Disney Studios, Lucasfilm, Universal Studios and National Geographic. Now retired from the craft, he has pursued his personal vision into fine art, religious paintings and sculpture under his company Ebony Visions. He has been highly lauded throughout his career and was most recently inducted in the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 2020. 
Our conversation with Thomas kicks off with his memories of growing up here in Atlanta, Georgia (just like us three!). He then details his path to art school in Chicago, launching his successful illustration career, creating his 'Ebony Visions' line of sculptures and finally making his deeply personal transition to fine art.
And be sure to stay until the end for Thomas' short story of how he met renowned artist Mark English and began his apprenticeship with him.
This episode continues our re-presentation of classic interviews and roundtables from our previous incarnation as SiDEBAR: The Pop Culture Podcast into our podcast feed.
We hope that our listeners, both new and old, will enjoy these vintage back episodes and follow us here for new episodes of Sidebar Forever! 

We call this episode 'Suited and Booted', the best and worst superhero costumes as judged by us. All in good fun, of course.
 
The three of us chop it up about costume designs dating back to the golden age of the 1930s and 1940s and bring it up to modern day. We cover some trends, shout out some cool shit, call out some design faux pas, as well as some plain old design missteps.
 
We also touch on how the box office success of comic book movies has affected how characters are portrayed on the comic book page. 
 
Thanks for listening and if you aren't subscribing to the show, please do so wherever you get your podcasts.
 
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2020 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson

Originally broadcast in 2010, here is a classic interview from our 'Barchives' with lauded illustrator/concept artist/storyteller Iain McCaig.
 
McCaig is an inspirational pillar of the fantasy art & illustration community with a career spanning over four decades. He was honored for his efforts with the Spectrum Grand Master award in 2014. 
 
He is perhaps best known for his design of the characters Padme Amidala and Darth Maul for the 'Star Wars' film franchise. In addition, McCaig's film credits include work on 'Terminator 2', 'Hook', 'Marvel's The Avengers', 'Interview With The Vampire', 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and 'The Jungle Book'.
 
Our chat with McCaig was a blast with him revealing his start in illustration, how he came up with the designs for Amidala and Darth Maul and a humorous encounter with famed artist Drew Struzan.
 
And be sure to stay until the end for a revelatory game of 'Either, Or, Choose One, No More' in which Iain actually turns the tables on us(!).
 
This bonus episode continues our re-presentation of classic interviews and roundtables from our previous incarnation as SiDEBAR: The Pop Culture Podcast into our podcast feed.
 
We hope that our listeners, both new and old, will enjoy these vintage back episodes and follow us here for new episodes of Sidebar Forever!