MacGyver creator Lee David Zlotoff and Comic book writer Tony Lee will both be in-store to meet fans and do signings on Feb 13 between 7-8pm at Meltdown comics.
So if you’re in the LA area stop by and say Hi to them both.
The finished poster for the MacGyver signing at Meltdown comics! Art by Andie Tong, colours by Ciaran Lucas!
MacGyver inspired teacher Gareth Bell
Recent recipient of the New Zealand National Excellence in Teaching Award, Gareth Bell, has received an additional surprise for his MacGyver influenced teaching style.
Earlier in the year, his regional award was presented at parliament by the Minister of Education. The regional winners, then had to write a 3000 word essay and make a nerve-racking five minute speech to a very esteemed panel. Of the 500 teachers nominated from across Early Childhood, Primary, Intermediate and Secondary schools, Mr Bell was one of 10 to receive the regional award and one of only five to receive the national award along with a Crystal Apple and $2500 grant.
The judges noted his online work, including his school Youtube channel, as well as the positive atmosphere he creates in his classroom, utilizing stickers, prize drawers and singing. He also runs a free breakfast, and various speaking, dancing and computing projects. But it is for his MacGyver club that he is most well known. A group of 20 students (and often other teachers as well) turn up to watch an episode of the 1980s TV show MacGyver, and then attempt experiments from it. Mr Bell delights in showing a hero who uses science to evade danger, and then making things like blow darts, magnifying glasses and hot air balloons. It was this innovative approach to teaching by using MacGyver as a positive role model which caught the eye of MacGyver creator Lee Zlotoff who sent Gareth a personal message of congratulations.
As part of his MacGyver re-imaging, show creator Lee David Zlotoff is currently in the process of creating a MacGyver Foundation which will aim to encourage and support individuals and organizations throughout the world who show MacGyveresque qualities to utilize self-reliance, non-violence and sustainability initiatives.
According to Zlotoff, they are still in the process of securing their non-profit status and are hoping to have this completed by early 2013, but in the mean time his new MacGyver Global web site has some of the main objectives listed as…
The exact details of how the philanthropist foundation will work are still being worked out, but we’ve already seen indications that a portion of profits from official merchandise such as the MacGyver t-shirts will go towards funding the Foundation.
The cover art for the 5th issue of the MacGyver comic book series has been released. This issue is due to hit the stands February 27.
MacGyver creator Lee David Zlotoff has launched his new MacGyver website which will host all the latest news and information on his current and upcoming projects such as the comic book, the MacGyver Foundation and an online store of Official MacGyver products.
Visit the new site: MacGyverGlobal.com
MacGyver movie director James Wan
New Line Cinema have signed Australian director James Wan to direct the MacGyver feature film. Wan is best know for directing the horror flick ‘Saw’ and has a list of other horror/thriller films to his credit.
Born in Malaysia, Wan grew up in Perth, Western Australia where he first discovered MacGyver and became a huge fan of the show. MacGyver creator Lee David Zlotoff said “his vision for the film sounds almost identical to mine so I’m excited.” This will mark Wans debut into the action/adventure genre with most of his movies being within the horror/thriller realm.
As well as directing, Wan is also an accomplished writer and producer.
See all of James Wan’s credits at IMDB
According to MacGyver creator Lee David Zlotoff, the first printing of the new MacGyver comic completely sold out of stock less than 2 weeks after going on sale. 8,000 copies where sold with even more waiting on back order. As a result Image comics have ordered a second printing to be released along with issue #2 in late November. This will be good news for fans who still don’t have a copy, in particular fans in other parts of the world where the comic hasn’t even made it in to stores yet due to lack of available stock.
MacGyver’s house boat as it is today.
The float home best known as MacGyver’s “Houseboat” in the cult 80’s TV show will be featured in an upcoming episode of the Travel Channels Extreme Houseboats show. According to the current owners, the show, which is scheduled for Sunday November 4th at 9pm -12am, will take viewers on a tour around the freshly renovated float home which is currently on the market, allowing them to see what the iconic home looks like today.
While the interior shots for the show where filmed on a sound stage the external shots and scenes where done at the float home and it was used as a changing and makeup area for those scenes and apart from a new paint job and some minor work such as installing a window in the side wall, the exterior remains basically the same as it was in the show. The interior has had the most work done on it, but still remains structurally the same.
Extreme Houseboats, Travel Channel Nov 4th 9pm-12am
The cover art for the 4th issue of the MacGyver comic book series has been released. This issue is due to hit the stands January 30.
The cover art for the 3rd issue of the MacGyver comic book series has been released. This issue is due to hit the stands December 19.
