More from the website...this is not a public event:
WHAT IS THE MEDIOPOLIS EXPO?
Mediopolis EXPO is a trade event that draws amateurs and professionals alike to experience the future of multimedia entertainment. The most influential people and industry leaders attend, present and lecture at the Mediopolis EXPO. The Mediopolis EXPO is NOT open to the general public. Only professionals from the industry and invited guests are allowed to attend. Individuals who do not have a direct or current professional affiliation to the entertainment industry are not qualified to attend Mediopolis EXPO.
Other "Guests of Honor" from the world of gaming include Larry Elmore, Gary Mattingly, and Todd Fischer. Links to their Bios are included, along with Whitman, at http://expo.mediopolis.us/guests.htm
Well, they aren't in the same events, so their paths won't necessarily cross. Still, if there is animosity there, it could become visible in other ways.
Even the description is utterly unprofessional with its bad grammar and odd capitalizations of words that are not proper nouns. One can only hope this guy ends up in the hoosegow where he belongs. What a career: I wonder how many of those jobs he mentions actually came to fruition, given that he includes Knights of the Dinner Table and Spinward Traveller along with Groo and some others. Anybody know if any of those are legitimate and unassailable credits or just more B.S.?
I have no money involved in any of his schemes and never heard of Ken Whitman until Mr. Tenkar began posting about this stuff, so I'm impartial but the evidence against Mr. Whitman is overwhelming. One wonders if he will get a fee for this and then not show up!
In the early nineties he produced the Ralph Bakshi's Wizards RPG (developed by Edward S. Bolme) under WHIT Publications, which also produced the Mutazoids RPG (his own design). He also co-designed Groo: The Game for Archangel Entertainment in the late nineties.
He produced WHAT?!? Wizards is a personal fave. Have all the supplements right here. I'm a bit chagrinned that such a personal bit of gaming enjoyment is connected to this guy.
If he had never been involved with something good he never would've gotten as far as he has taking people's money today. Frankly, I'd rather see him finally fulfill his kickstarters, but I doubt it happens before the FTC finally steps in. We're talking what, $150k-$200k? Plus he's been using money from investors in a new kickstarter to try to pay off investors in a prior kickstarter...that sounds an awful lot like a Ponzi Scheme.
It's telling that they refer to the "tricks" of making money. Trick is defined as (1) a cunning or skillful act or scheme intended to deceive or outwit someone.
Sounds about right except Whitman's tricks aren't especially cunning or skillful.
It's also kind of funny that the other "Guest of Honor" appearing in the same forum as Whitman - some guy named Michael Lowe - has no biography posted yet. That is encouraging..LOL, Not. Wonder what he's like. There are 5 total (as of this posting) out of 70 "Industry Pro Guests of Honor" that don't have bio's yet.
Here is another update, from Jolly on the KOTDT:LAS KS page comments: ----------------------------- "No(w) that the convention is over and folks are settling, we're trying to raise some money to help offset those costs. Rather than simply doing a GoFundMe and asking backers to dig even deeper, I thought there might be another way.
After talking with my wife, we have decided to give up some of the KODTLAS movie props/items and put them on eBay.
Items include... A complete shooting script of KODTLAS Episodes 1 to 3 used on the set by Barbara when cueing the actors on their lines. Includes full story-boarding sketches and is signed by the entire cast, actors, directer and Barb and I. It's a one of a kind item. No other complete shooting script with all there episodes exists to my knowledge.
Sister Blister — The die used by Bob in KODTLAS and stolen by Prowler the cat. This die had a close up in the opening scenes of Episode 1 and was the subject of conversation in he opening scene. This named die's backstory was recently presented in KODT. The die itself was donated to the movie for this specific role. After the shoot, it went into my poisons and Iv'e been using it at my gaming table ever since. I can do a certificate of authenticity to go with it. But this die is on the block for the cause as well.
I also have perhaps a dozen Hacker Jack boxes from the set can put up. I can sign them of course and all appeared on screen in the series.
I am considering putting up some KODT art/sketchdes as well.
We are still searching for other items to put up to help our anonymous hero. May take a few days to put them online so look for an update.
Someone should send this event the image of Ken Whitman discussing Gen Con cancelling his event because of death threats. That might give them an idea of the sort of person that they are dealing with.
I was busy helping run the game room at a convention, but as I read through this, I'll note that he is no longer listed as a guest. Did somebody contact the con and give them some information about *his* con?
I hope his symposium on "surviving prison" in 5 years is equally as informative.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMore from the website...this is not a public event:
ReplyDeleteWHAT IS THE MEDIOPOLIS EXPO?
Mediopolis EXPO is a trade event that draws amateurs and professionals alike to experience the future of multimedia entertainment. The most influential people and industry leaders attend, present and lecture at the Mediopolis EXPO. The Mediopolis EXPO is NOT open to the general public. Only professionals from the industry and invited guests are allowed to attend. Individuals who do not have a direct or current professional affiliation to the entertainment industry are not qualified to attend Mediopolis EXPO.
Other "Guests of Honor" from the world of gaming include Larry Elmore, Gary Mattingly, and Todd Fischer. Links to their Bios are included, along with Whitman, at http://expo.mediopolis.us/guests.htm
DeleteLarry Elmore? Didn't Whitman alienate him, too?
DeleteWell, they aren't in the same events, so their paths won't necessarily cross. Still, if there is animosity there, it could become visible in other ways.
DeleteI wonder if the expo is aware that he is a scam artist....
ReplyDeleteEven the description is utterly unprofessional with its bad grammar and odd capitalizations of words that are not proper nouns. One can only hope this guy ends up in the hoosegow where he belongs. What a career: I wonder how many of those jobs he mentions actually came to fruition, given that he includes Knights of the Dinner Table and Spinward Traveller along with Groo and some others. Anybody know if any of those are legitimate and unassailable credits or just more B.S.?
ReplyDeleteI have no money involved in any of his schemes and never heard of Ken Whitman until Mr. Tenkar began posting about this stuff, so I'm impartial but the evidence against Mr. Whitman is overwhelming. One wonders if he will get a fee for this and then not show up!
In the early nineties he produced the Ralph Bakshi's Wizards RPG (developed by Edward S. Bolme) under WHIT Publications, which also produced the Mutazoids RPG (his own design). He also co-designed Groo: The Game for Archangel Entertainment in the late nineties.
DeleteHe produced WHAT?!? Wizards is a personal fave. Have all the supplements right here. I'm a bit chagrinned that such a personal bit of gaming enjoyment is connected to this guy.
DeleteI feel the same way, Tim. :-(
DeleteIf he had never been involved with something good he never would've gotten as far as he has taking people's money today. Frankly, I'd rather see him finally fulfill his kickstarters, but I doubt it happens before the FTC finally steps in. We're talking what, $150k-$200k? Plus he's been using money from investors in a new kickstarter to try to pay off investors in a prior kickstarter...that sounds an awful lot like a Ponzi Scheme.
DeleteIt's telling that they refer to the "tricks" of making money. Trick is defined as (1) a cunning or skillful act or scheme intended to deceive or outwit someone.
ReplyDeleteSounds about right except Whitman's tricks aren't especially cunning or skillful.
It's also kind of funny that the other "Guest of Honor" appearing in the same forum as Whitman - some guy named Michael Lowe - has no biography posted yet. That is encouraging..LOL, Not. Wonder what he's like. There are 5 total (as of this posting) out of 70 "Industry Pro Guests of Honor" that don't have bio's yet.
DeleteHeh... It also looks like they are looking for "Volunteers" for, among other things, "VIP Security." Heh heh heh... (evil grin)
DeleteHere is another update, from Jolly on the KOTDT:LAS KS page comments:
ReplyDelete-----------------------------
"No(w) that the convention is over and folks are settling, we're trying to raise some money to help offset those costs. Rather than simply doing a GoFundMe and asking backers to dig even deeper, I thought there might be another way.
After talking with my wife, we have decided to give up some of the KODTLAS movie props/items and put them on eBay.
Items include...
A complete shooting script of KODTLAS Episodes 1 to 3 used on the set by Barbara when cueing the actors on their lines. Includes full story-boarding sketches and is signed by the entire cast, actors, directer and Barb and I. It's a one of a kind item. No other complete shooting script with all there episodes exists to my knowledge.
Sister Blister — The die used by Bob in KODTLAS and stolen by Prowler the cat. This die had a close up in the opening scenes of Episode 1 and was the subject of conversation in he opening scene. This named die's backstory was recently presented in KODT. The die itself was donated to the movie for this specific role. After the shoot, it went into my poisons and Iv'e been using it at my gaming table ever since. I can do a certificate of authenticity to go with it. But this die is on the block for the cause as well.
I also have perhaps a dozen Hacker Jack boxes from the set can put up. I can sign them of course and all appeared on screen in the series.
I am considering putting up some KODT art/sketchdes as well.
We are still searching for other items to put up to help our anonymous hero. May take a few days to put them online so look for an update.
eBay auctions: http://www.ebay.com/sch/jollybgood35tz/m.html
Someone should send this event the image of Ken Whitman discussing Gen Con cancelling his event because of death threats. That might give them an idea of the sort of person that they are dealing with.
ReplyDeleteI was busy helping run the game room at a convention, but as I read through this, I'll note that he is no longer listed as a guest. Did somebody contact the con and give them some information about *his* con?
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that a number of people did.
DeleteSeveral people notified the event. It was being discussed on Facebook on James Mathe's page. He was pulled as a result of their investigation.
Deletehttps://www.facebook.com/James.MDC/posts/10206625097447365 ... if you want to see the discussion.
ReplyDelete