Riff Raff Theater

Something a bit out of the ordinary for us - while we typically release audio versions of riffs intended for mainstream films, we haven’t yet ventured into the public domain B-Movie crud that Mystery Science Theater became so famous for. We also haven’t done anything with the full video+riff available for download because hey… if I want 500 lawyers stampeding to my front door, I’ll entice them over with free beer instead of a lawsuit.

However, today marks the first time we’ve broken that trend. A collection of 12 different riffing groups have teamed up to take on the 1930’s sci-fi serial “The Lost City”, each group with a different chapter. We drew chapter 9, and today, it goes online for your rapid consumption! It’s available for 99 cents on Rifftrax, so head over and check it out!

A free sample for your curiosity:

I’ve been alerted by my buddy Matt to MSNBC.com, which has a nice “We’ll get you to look at ten pages with ads instead of one with our slideshow” article, and they succeed in his case due to the application of physics in two of our selections, namely Speed and our recent live show, The Day After Tomorrow.

Here’s what they have to say about buses, specifically those that attempt to fly:

Even given a set of impossibly ideal conditions — an optimistic two-degree incline in the road and disregarding air resistance altogether, the bus’s rise and fall as a projectile will still only last around 0.22 second after leaving the ramp. How much ground could the bus cover in 0.22 second? About 22 feet, or less than half the length of the gap. Boom!

Now, their comment on TDAT is actually more interesting to me, considering they actually came up with a result for what would happen in just such an occurrence:

…the atmospheric pressure in the upper troposphere is roughly one-tenth of what it is on the surface. As air falls to the surface and its pressure increases, its volume will decrease, as decreed by Boyle’s law. Air masses are excellent insulators and relatively little energy, will leave the system during this volume change. Because of the first law of thermodynamics, the work done to compress the air will be converted into energy, thus raising the temperature. How much? Under ideal conditions, the –100C air would be warmed to a scorching 57C (135F) by the time it reached the surface.

Head to the full article for more on both films, and some selections covering the gamut, from sound in space (been there, done that) to a section that praises Enemy of the State for getting the concept of a Faraday Cage correct.

Proper physics in cinema: Who knew?

We’re looking for some help with transcribing the original Harry Potter performance into script format. We improv’d so much during the multiple recording sessions that the original script is useless and a new one needs to be made up.

If you’re willing to volunteer some time, let me know. I’ll supply the script template and instructions. If we get a few people to do it, we can split up the work and make it go really quick. Email me at info at riffrafftheater dot com if you’re interested, we’ll try and figure out some compensation as well.

-Chris

So, this is one of those things where you have an idea forever, and never really think you have the time to do it. And finally, you have that freak evening where you get home at a decent hour, feel like tinkering around on your laptop, and then this comes pouring out. I hope you enjoy, and I hope you have a very strong understanding of internet memes.

Minority Report is now available for download at iRiffs.com! Buy now!

A full ten minutes of free riffing!

We’ve been announced as one of the ten finalists of the contest on Rifftrax.com to compete for a spot producing a riff along with Mike, Kevin, and Bill - They help us with writing, editing, performance, the whole nine yards if we win, plus throw in a thousand dollars for our troubles.

So, this leaves a lot of questions for how we do things, and our intentions for this if we win. So, let’s set the record straight now–

1. Writing - If we win, this will still be a Riff Raff Theater project. Meaning, we will still take submissions, and use that script to produce the Riff along with Mike and the guys.
2. Prizes - Since our writers are half of what makes us what we are, then you deserve half the riches. 500 dollars of the 1000 dollars will go towards prizes for writers, including best jokes and most prolific contributors. We also pledge that our half of the money will go towards studio upgrades - anything that makes Riff Raff Theater better.

   So now, we’ve done our part to get this far, it’s IN YOUR HANDS!

   VOTE for Riff Raff Theater at http://www.rifftrax.com/iriffs-contest - and tell your friends!

If you follow the Rifftrax blog, Mike Nelson has pledged to eat nothing but bacon for the entire month. If there’s anything that’s been missing since he’s started, it’s that info on his health condition and how he’s feeling overall has been sorely lacking. Well, we found a news vid featuring Mike that aired last week, and we’re bringing it to you before Rifftrax! That’s right, we’re actually scooping the guy that’s featured in the very story we’re posting. Enjoy!

I thought I would let everyone know something exciting, because if there’s anything that I’m good at, it’s announcing something and then letting everyone twist in the wind in awhile…

After figuring out the logistics, we’re planning on rerecording our original riff of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Fig and Brian (from the original version) will be recording in LA, and I’ll be recording in Iowa and mixing the two performances. The riff has proven popular and my ego couldn’t take the fact that such a horrible sound mix was out there representing our work.

I promise no delivery date as of right now, but the wheels are in motion.

-Chris

We’re now offering All three of our existing riffs at iriffs.com for one bundled price!

Head to iRiffs.com for details!