Video — @TheRingOfDOOM — League of super producers

TheRingOfDOOM 00022 is my first completed and published attempt at stop motion video. Even though TheRingOfDOOM project started as a failed stop motion project, I’ve still only finished a handful of videos. I am in the process of creating an underwater scene for a stop motion animation music video in a cardboard box for a friend and have already made it over some of the technology hurdles in my way. I know this is a great skill to cultivate but my progress keeps getting delayed by overthinking what stories to tell… thinking about just making them dance for practice. I’m visibly enthusiastic about the infinite potential of this medium and hope to do it enough that I’m seriously fucking good at it. As you can see, this first one is mostly just a camera test and a way to show off this collage from my #MFDALÍ collection. It was made on the iMovie app before I realized utilizing the free Stop Motion app also would save me hours of work.

The full playlist of all TheRingOfDOOM videos I’ve created so far can be found HERE.

I sat down with the @TheRingOfDOOM recently to talk about the impetus of his Sun Ra tribute, what's up with the string on his hoverboard, and what he's got on deck. Thanks to the mask's built in universal translator, we had no issues communicating despite the fact that he's from another galaxy.

LizMarquis: What's up, thanks for agreeing to meet with me!

@TheRingOfDOOM: Psssshhh. They know I'm always in your pocket, we don't need to front.

LizMarquis: I know but I'm trying to share your story in a new way so play along will ya.

@TheRingOfDOOM: Aight cool. In the name of progress, let's do this.

LizMarquis: Thanks so much for agreeing to premiere your new video on my website. Is there anything you'd like to say about your new short film before we watch it?

@TheRingOfDOOM: I'm so glad you asked because it's a pretty cool story actually. Last summer I went on a 6 week road trip in a Spacecruise Ship with someone who was trying to sell random stuff she bought at Goodwill on eBay. Included in this pile of weirdness was an eight headed mink scarf, a bunch of costume jewelry, and a sequin dress. A few miles down a dirt road near Goblin Valley, Utah and all these items magically became a Sun Ra Tribute to the tune of "All You Zombies" by The Hooters on repeat. Since no one stepped up to give the song a Hip Hop Remix and the lyrics are sus, we ended up using Sun Ra's song "Quest" and "Explanations" by Sir Withers with much respect due to the unknowing artists. I think you'll like it as much as I do...

LizMarquis: Holy shit! That was amazing. That outfit kills me in the best way.

@TheRingOfDOOM: I know right, the moon clip for the win. There's actually a prequel in the works about the origins of my jeweled staff so be on the lookout for that.

LizMarquis: Rad, I can't wait to see it! I've been noticing a string attached to your board for awhile now. What's the story behind that?

@TheRingOfDOOM: When I was in London and first got my hoverboard, I decided I wanted to make skate videos all over the world to the soundtrack of my favorite Underground Hip Hop and R&B in cities with beautiful Street Art all over the world. Since I haven't been able to update the hoverboard app so it can actually fly due to your planet's primitive internet situation, I tried going manual. I had two failed skate video attempts; one at the site of the Banksy & Robbo feud off Regent's Canal in Camden and the other under the art of Invader and Shepard Fairey in Shoreditch. Since the hoverboard doesn't actually fly right now (I plan on faking it til I make it), my creator tied an unraveled string from inside her jacket and tied it to my trucks so she could pull me in front of the "hovercam." I quickly learned that I was going to need to become supersquad with superglue because I kept falling at every imperfection in the ground due to the cosmetic nature of my hoverboard's wheels. After a few more attempts, I cut most of the string off but kept a little to remind me of all the places my hoverboard has taken me so far.

LizMarquis: Why have wheels on a hoverboard anyway?

@TheRingOfDOOM: Because it's hard enough for humans to contemplate a 3" masked alien skateboarder; throw in flying and they'd lock me in a bin to do tests on me like they do in the movies. They do work on some surfaces; like paper and anything else flat and smooth to the touch. I should try skating exclusively marble or something just to be bougie. For real though, I do have some unedited footage of my failed attempts at the skate videos with me. Ultimately, I think my creator is afraid to let the ring fly too high because it is precious to her (Blatant L.O.T.R. reference).

LizMarquis: Awesome, so much history in that video. I love that shit! I can't wait to see the prequel for the Sun Ra video. What else is coming up for you?

@TheRingOfDOOM: I've just begun another 100 Day Project so I'm pretty excited about that. It's super ambitious but as you may already know, that's how I roll. #100DaysOfBridgesWithTheRingOfDOOM was so fun but this time around I wanted to start showing some of my art and also start producing finished products more quickly than I have been. I started #100DaysOfTheRingOfDOOMcollages to show you some of the places my mask has taken me that humans aren't able to perceive. I think at the end of the 100 days I'll have an art auction to raise funds for my Intergalactic Travel Fund so I can go back to Europe. I'm feeling the draw of so many European cities right now and hope to make it to Paris, Rotterdam, Copenhagen, Giant's Causeway, Bristol, Florence, and everywhere else really. When I manifest my lofty goal to get paid to document my adventures as a journalist, I'll be able to unite the whole planet via art through the lens of an iPhone.

LizMarquis: Im right there with you every step of the way my friend. Thanks again for premiering your latest travel documentary on my website. Can't wait to see what you do next!

@TheRingOfDOOM: (projects the Star Trek hand gesture emoji from his mask and transports away)