1.2/1.3 Newsflash #2: Be a Babel-Fish!

1.2/1.3 Newsflash #2: Be a Babel-Fish!

We would like to conduct a little experiment to make our Season 1.2/1.3 DVD sets even better:

If you are interested in having subtitles in YOUR language on our Season 1.2/1.3 DVDs and on future releases, please read this entertaining article about the life of fishes.

Then SHARE & ENJOY it with your friends!

2・21: "Day of the Mother-Tongue"

Today is the International Day of the Mother-Tongue.

I gave Mati two days off to help out our friends in Augsburg by live-translating a Sculpting Masterclass with Pedro Fernández from Spanish to German. 

2*21 is also 42. 

Coincidence? I think not! Introducing the Babel-Fish.

First: What is a Babel-Fish?

From the cult TV-Show "HHGTTG" (BBC)

From "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams: "The Babel fish is small yellow and leech-like, and probably the oddest thing in the Universe. It feeds on brainwave energy received not from its own carrier, but from those around it. It absorbs all unconscious mental frequencies from this brainwave energy to nourish itself with. It then excretes into the mind of its carrier a telepathic matrix formed by combining the unconscious thought frequencies with nerve signals picked up from the speech centers of the brain which has supplied them. 

The practical upshot of this is that if you stick a Babel fish in your ear you can instantly understand anything said to you in any form of language. The speech patterns you actually hear decode the brainwave matrix which has been fed into your mind by your Babel fish." 

In short, the Bable Fish makes you understand all languages :D

バーベル・フィッシュ？DVDの関係はなんだよ？*

There are a few universal languages: Music, Math, Laws of Physics, Love and Humor and - of course - the mother of all universal languages: Miniature Painting. 

Unfortunately, none of us speak all existing languages. In fact, we mostly struggle expressing our ideas in our own Mutter-tongue ;) 

Strangely enough, Google Translate, Bablefish & Co also have the tendency to result in hilarious jibber-jabber rather than comprehensible information, even though in most cases you can at least understand what the context is all about.

Like all specialized areas, miniature painters tend to have their own set of specialized terminology which is virtually impossible to translate for someone who does not understand how to paint miniatures in the first place.

As a result of this, in the world today there is only almost nearly one professional translation service for Miniature Painters and hobbyists in general (i.e. none). And in the interest of mutual understanding, sharing AND enjoying,

Painting Buddha pledges to change this.

We will reveal more details on our project code-named "BEEBLE・BABLE" (not to be confused with "BEEBLE・BABBLE") after the release of Season 1.2 and 1.3.

So, if this is your cup of seawater, your future might hold some opportunities for fun, fame and fortune for all you cunning linguists out there! What say you?  

*Bablefish: "Barbell-fish? What's a DVD related?" *Google Translate: "Barbell Fish? Relationship of DVD's What?" What we wanted to say was: "Bable Fish? What does that have to do with DVDs?"

Find the Fish

Where is the Fish? Find the Fish! Fishy, fishy, fishy Fish!

For our Season 1.2 and 1.3 we have pledged German, English and Spanish subtitles, with the addition of French and Italian.

Amazingly, many of you approached us saying: "Hey, I could do <insert language> subtitles for you, if you like! Would you be interested in that!?" 

Would we? Of course we would! 

Dead Fish warns:
Don't bite the bait just yet -
hooks & strings attached

It doesn't take much to be a fish, but...

...there's a catch. And some strings attached...

First, you need to be able to translate English or German into your native language. 

Secondly, you need a software called Subtitle Edit. 

Thirdly, you need to be willing to selflessly sacrifice your valuable time and to deliver on a tight schedule. 

To be The Fish, you have to first understand The Fish. And with passion and dedication you can become The Fish!

Captain, my captain!

How the community will see the Captain and his/her crew.
Dramatization. Individual results may vary.

Some of our Bruddhas and friends have already volunteered to translate our DVDs for us and will start working on this shortly. However, as we announced yesterday, with the addition of another fully loaded DVD, that puts 20% more time and effort on their scales. 

These courageous Captains have pledged to sail through the treacherous seas without really knowing where it would lead them - and we are trying to find them a crew to guide them through the lurking lakes of linguistics.

If YOU would like to be a Captain, this is what you would need to agree to: 

1. We send you all of the information and files necessary to be able to translate our Season 1.2 and 1.3 from English (or German) into your native language
2. You can opt to sail the sea alone - be aware that it will be a arduous journey. We could send you a roster of fearless and motivated volunteers if we find any tough enough for the task at hand.
3. You lead your crew and chart the course independently - after all, you are at sea! Also, you would check the results of their hard day's work.
4. You would exchange information on your journey via regular carrier pigeons or jacked-up sparrows between you and Galactic Admiral Zaphod Beeblebrox (that would be me :D) via chat, Skype and/or hangout.
5. There can only be one Captain on your ship. The crew should not be more than 3-4 Bable Fishes
6. You are willing to set sail very soon™.

Chat me up on Facebook or send us an email to this address.
(Optional: Sign your mail in style with 'XXX')

Heart of the Swarm

If you want to be a Bable Fish guiding your Captain's vessel like a Dolphin, you could swim in formation to form the Heart of the Swarm: 

1. You are able to translate 6, 7 or more chapters of a DVD, each between 4.2 and roughly 42 minutes. Average length is probably around 21 minutes.
2. You will exchange all information and files with your Captain via any means necessary.
3. No mutiny. ^^

Again, if you would like to work with us to grow our community, chat me up on Facebook or send us an email to this address. 

How much is the fish?

For us, Painting Buddha is a Treasure map. Having said that, we have not found nor dug up the loot yet - so we have to pay you off with the promise of adventure, fame and rare things. Things that even a pile of gold can't buy: 

The loot for Captains and Bable Fishes alike is the same. Equal Share & Enjoy:

• Everyone receives custom Bable-Fish T-Shirts, Stickers, Buttons and more - all designed by none other than Ben Komets and hand-made. This rare and valuable loot will not be available for sale ever.
• Everyone receives a free Season 1.2/1.3 Bundle, signed by the team
• Each chapter will show the name and/or nick of the respective translator and - if you would like - the URL to your blog, social media page or website. On our blog and our future website (planned for 2014) you will be eternally recognized as one of the immortal heroes of Painting Buddha with special titles and privileges.
• You will be the first to be involved in Project "Beeble-Bable" - and that could possibly open a chest full of free stuff and gold for you.
• We will not forget that you helped us.

This is not the treasure you are looking for! *hand motion*

More on Monday

If you have any comments, questions or queries, let us know! You know where to find us ;)

Starting Monday I will publish the list of captains and we will match them up with their Babel Fishes. And we will set sail. 

Treasure is waiting for you. YARRRRR!

If you missed last night's Chilling Wargamers with Jeremy Glen (Creature Caster) - it's on Youtube now and I think it's a MUST SEE.

Tonight at 7:42cet: BEEBE BABBLE #2 with Fernando Ruiz Ceano of Heroes & Villans!

And now for something completely different: How to NOT stick a fish in your ear. 

In the comments below, please let us know which additional languages you would like to find on our 1.2/1.3 and on future releases. If someone already posted 'I want Klingon' please reply to that particular comment (if that's what you want). 

Oh and in case you missed it, meet Matt & The Sleepmaker in yesterday's Newsflash #1 - see how we use your support to re-invest in our ideas and give back to the community!

SHARE & ENJOY