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#001 - The First Battle School Engineer (Stephen Sywak)

Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 6:42 am
by Taalcon
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3. Move down and click “Subscribe to Podcast”
4. Copy this link into the box (without quotation marks): “http://endersansible.com/category/podcast/feed/
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THE PHILOTIC ANSIBLE: Episode #001 - The First Battle School Engineer
Other listening options here at Ender's Ansible

We are very pleased to present the first of (we hope) many podcast features resulting from the partnership of The Philotic Web Ender Fan Community, and Ender’s Ansible.

This, our first, features an interview by Alea (GravityDefier) with Steve Sywak (Boothby), one of the original Five Founders of The Philotic Web over a decade ago, and the first ‘official’ Battle School Engineer. His designs, science, and practical explanations of Battle School technology were featured at Orson Scott Card’s EnderCon 2002, an in depth chapter on Battle School technology and design for The Authorized Ender Companion, and are the basis for the designs of the Battle School as seen in the Marvel Comics adaptation of Ender’s Game (see below).

Listening options here at Ender's Ansible

In this insightful podcast, recorded a few months ago, Steve explains his history, background, and experience, such as being lead mechanical engineer for the Cirque Du Soleil show Ka, which, according to Steve, featured the best, and closest approximation to live Zero G Battle sequences he could have imagined. (After listening to his description of the “battle belts” Steve engineered for Ka, you might re-visit OSC’s set visit, and description of the Zero G fight system being used in the film!)

Steve's Work, as realized by Darian Robbins, Marvel Comics, and himself!

NOTE: While Steve has worked with OSC on developing this material for the Ender fan community for over a decade, as far as we are aware, his visual designs have not been utilized by Summit Entertainment for their film version of the Battle School (Much to Steve’s great disappointment). Thus, what you see below most likely has no connection with the film’s version of the Battle School.

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Re: The PHILOTIC ANSIBLE PODCAST Thread

Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 11:27 am
by Boothby
It looks great, Dave! Thank you.

A few points: I didn't just engineer material for Ka. I was the lead mechanical engineer for the show. I also did the engineering on the "battle belts" that OSC recently mentioned, regarding his trip to the set. Those were originally developed by Cirque, for Ka.

Also, since we don't actually know if my designs are or are not being used by the production, I'd love to see a more vague reference to that, if you could...
:stamp:

Re: The PHILOTIC ANSIBLE PODCAST Thread

Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 12:04 pm
by Cassandra
Great job Dave, Alea and Steve! You guys are awesomeeeee :D

Re: The PHILOTIC ANSIBLE PODCAST Thread

Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 12:15 pm
by Taalcon
Steve, I slightly edited the copy above and on the main page based on your notes. Hope that's better.

Re: The PHILOTIC ANSIBLE PODCAST Thread

Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 5:16 pm
by Mich
Finally had a chance to sit down and listen to this and it was awesome and interesting, of course. It was cool finally hearing your history, Steve, since I don't think I've ever seen it all in one place. Something is up with your mic, though! For reals. You should have that checked out.

Man. Completely forgot about that Bugger drawing, though.

Re: The PHILOTIC ANSIBLE PODCAST Thread

Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 7:51 am
by Boothby
yeah, I noticed that the microphone adds a lot of "umms" to my speech.

Re: The PHILOTIC ANSIBLE PODCAST Thread

Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 11:23 pm
by Cassandra
Mich I posted that bugger drawing in my fan art section!

Also here's how to subscribe manually:

How to subscribe:
1. Open iTunes (
2. At the very top click “Advanced”
3. Move down and click “Subscribe to Podcast”
4. Copy this link into the box (without quotation marks): “http://endersansible.com/category/podcast/feed/
5. Hit “Submit”

Re: #001 - The First Battle School Engineer (Stephen Sywak)

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 12:01 pm
by elfprince13
So I'm finally listening to this, and it's weird hearing people's voices for the first time.

Boothby sounds pretty similar to what I would have expected, but Alea sounds much girlier!

Also Jane's intro is great.

Re: #001 - The First Battle School Engineer (Stephen Sywak)

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 12:12 pm
by Gravity Defier
As long as "girlier" is not synonymous with "ditzy" or similar, I am okay with this. :)

Hope you like what Steve had to say; he was interesting to talk to.

Re: #001 - The First Battle School Engineer (Stephen Sywak)

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 12:18 pm
by elfprince13
As long as "girlier" is not synonymous with "ditzy" or similar, I am okay with this. :)
Haha, of course not :)
Hope you like what Steve had to say; he was interesting to talk to.
It was very interesting to listen to! I have a couple minutes left, and I've definitely enjoyed it so far :) Though I was hoping he'd use "Sunshine" as an example of good-story-and-awful-science.

Re: #001 - The First Battle School Engineer (Stephen Sywak)

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 3:59 pm
by Boothby
Some 20 years ago, Polish scientists sent a mission to the sun to collect data.

To avoid having their ship burn up under the intense light and heat of the sun, they launched it at night...

Re: #001 - The First Battle School Engineer (Stephen Sywak)

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 4:48 pm
by Cassandra
Alea sounds much girlier!

Also Jane's intro is great.
Ha! Wait until the next one... I sound 10.

& I agree, I love Jane's intro.
Some 20 years ago, Polish scientists sent a mission to the sun to collect data.

To avoid having their ship burn up under the intense light and heat of the sun, they launched it at night...
DANG IT. I thought I was going to be the first one...

Re: #001 - The First Battle School Engineer (Stephen Sywak)

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 9:20 pm
by EAGLE
thank you for posting up the podcast I'm late but I subscribed to it