Laughing Squid

029 Music producer and developer William Sun Petrus took a vintage 1920s Remington typewriter and turned it into a electronic drum machine. The keys trigger a MIDI controller via an Arduino. The sound is then interpreted by Ableton music mixing software. This is a Remington portable typewriter, made in the...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Turning a 1920s Typewriter Into a MIDI Drum Machine first appeared on Laughing Squid.

The great Neil Finn of both Crowded House and Split Enz and his musical sons Liam and Elroy performed the classic Croweded House songs “Better Be Home Soon” and “Distant Son” while staying home at Liam’s Los Angeles house. Neil has been going live with Elroy Finn and Liam Finn...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Neil Finn and Sons Liam and Elroy Perform Crowded House Songs Together While at Staying at Home first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Mike Clifford of Modustrial Maker built an amazing replica Gibson Les Paul out of blue, white, green and lavender LEGO. Clifford shared each step of the build thoroughly and even worked out a few issues that came up along the way. When he was finished, Clifford did a sound test...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Building an Electric Guitar Out of LEGO first appeared on Laughing Squid.

A human from The Q conducted a rather entertaining experiment that involved measuring how far his cat would reach through a hole in a cardboard box in order to retrieve a desired treat. In today’s video, I want to show a cool experiment with my cat. I always wondered how...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post An Entertaining Experiment to See How Far a Cat Will Reach Through a Hole In Order to Retrieve a Treat first appeared on Laughing Squid.

In the incredibly pensive animated short “Pippo” by Chris Keller, a despairing, aging clown in a world without humor looks to the items of his past as he reminisces about happier days. In the depths of despair and after much reflection, in the end, Pipppo learns that the humor was...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post A Despairing Clown in a Humorless World Reminisces About Happier Days in a Pensive CGI Animated Short first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Beryl Shereshewsky, the resident cheese expert at Great Big Story, traveled around the world to learn how different cheeses were made. Shereshewsky went to Sardinia, Italy for their renown Casu Marzu, to Ponsanooth, England for Cornish Kern, to Bukowina Tatrazańska, Poland for Oscypek, to Tipling, Nepal for Chhurpi, to Plain,...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post How Cheese Is Made Around the World first appeared on Laughing Squid.

“History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of man.” The legendary Blue Öyster Cult performed an incredibly badass rendition of their 1977 hit song “Godzilla” via video chat. Each member played his part from the comfort of his home while remaining in perfect synch with the...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Blue Öyster Cult Performs a Badass Rendition of Their 1977 Song ‘Godzilla’ via Video Chat While at Home first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Four-time World Beard and Mustache Championship (previously) winner MJ Johnson opened to New York Magazine about growing custom facial hair, the trend of men growing “quarantine beards” and his start in competitive growing and his newly found viral fame. Johnson also voiced concerns about his facial hair conflicting with the...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Four-Time World Beard and Moustache Championship Winner Opens Up About Growing Custom Facial Hair first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Conductor Gustavo Dudamel of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela is known for his incredible talent, his mop of curly brown hair, and his passionate handiwork while coaxing musicians to play their best. Frederik V Thelander, a fan experienced in visual effects, quite cleverly animated one such performance with...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Conductor Gustavo Dudamel’s Performance Edited With Clever Animations That Match His Fiery Movements first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Stuntmen and stuntwomen participated in an epic video that showed off their incredible fighting skills while at home. The video was coordinated by Lucas Dollfus, director of the stunt school Le Campus Univers Cascades in Le Cateau-Cambrésis, France, and was shot in a “Don’t Rush Challenge” style in which each...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Stuntmen Show Off Their Incredible Fighting Skills in an Epic Chain Reaction ‘Don’t Rush Challenge’ Video first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Online retailer The Wine Savant is featuring a beautiful decanter set that features floating skulls inside both the decanter and the accompanying shot glasses. The decanter is large enough to hold 850 milliliters of any spirit, comes with a half-moon wood display stand and two shot glasses. Handcrafted to add...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post A Beautiful Floating Skull Decanter Set first appeared on Laughing Squid.

In 1960 American Character Doll Collection released the Hedda Get Bedda doll. This doll had three faces – sick with chickenpox face, a sleeping face, and a wide-awake happy face. The doll was used to keep children company when they were down with the virus. American Character Whimsies doll from...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post ‘Hedda Get Bedda’ Three Faced Chickenpox Doll first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Wildlife photographer David Weiller (previously) captured unusual footage of the unique hawkmoth caterpillar that looks like it has a snake head. This particular Sphingidae species is able to mimic the larger, fiercer reptile when threatened and remain safe with built-in camouflage. This harmless caterpillar has evolved the amazing ability to...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Unique Caterpillar That Looks Like it Has a Snake Head first appeared on Laughing Squid.

The award-winning animated short “Hedgehog” by Ed Bulmer tells the story of Gareth and his crippling insecurity, which manifests itself as a lurking hedgehog who stops Gareth in his tracks whenever he tries to do something that scares him. This profound animation, which Bulmer made as graduate student at the...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post A Man’s Crippling Insecurity Manifests Itself as a Lurking Hedgehog in an Profound Animated Short first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Mixed media artist Blake McFarland created incredibly detailed sculptures of the Penn State University Nittany Lion and the University of Memphis Tiger over the course of 15 days. These mascots were each carved out of polyurethane foam and creatively covered in custom Goodyear tire tread and made their premiere at...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Penn State Nittany Lion and Memphis University Tiger Sculptures Beautifully Made Out of Custom Tire Tread first appeared on Laughing Squid.

In 2015 wrote about the short film “Covers” by German visual artist Henning M. Lederer who animated the geometric patterns of 55 vintage book covers. In 2017 Lederer followed up with “More Covers”, which featured animated vintage psychiatric books. In 2018 Lederer returned with a third film of the series...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Books & Sleeves, A Mesmerizing Short Film That Animates the Psychedelic Covers of Vintage Books first appeared on Laughing Squid.

While closed to visitors, The New York Public Library (previously) has challenged people to recreate the cover art from their favorite books with whatever they have at home. The library was inspired by the Getty Museum Art Challenge and the amazing response it received. We’ve admired all the creative energy...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post The New York Public Library Challenges People to Recreate the Covers of Their Favorite Books at Home first appeared on Laughing Squid.

While wandering the streets of Brooklyn, Rich Garr of Gotham Sidewalks spotted a historical plaque dedicated to “grocery workers, nurses, hospital staff, doctors, mail carriers, immigrant laborers and other true heroes of our pandemic lives”. This symbol of utmost appreciation was located across the street from Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Street Artist Creates Historical Plaque That Pays Tribute to New York City Healthcare and Essential Workers first appeared on Laughing Squid.

While performing at the Vernadsky Museum in 2015, the very talented Maria Lazareva played an astounding violin cover of the classic Boots Randolph instrumental “Yakety Sax” (previously) in formalwear. The song is best known for being used as the theme for The Benny Hill Show. “Yakety Fiddle” for violin and...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Musician Performs Astounding Violin Cover of the Classic Boots Randolph Instrumental ‘Yakety Sax’ first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Slow crafter Hiné Mizushima recently discovered the technique of punch needle embroidery. After a bit of practice, she created a wonderful line of brooches and pins colorfully decorated with miniature organs from human anatomy. Like her other work, each piece is highly detailed and well-crafted. I recently learned a new...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Colorful Punch Needle Embroidered Anatomy Brooches first appeared on Laughing Squid.

While staying at home, the multi-talented actor, director and mixologist Stanley Tucci quite graciously offered to make his wife Felicity Blunt a Negroni cocktail. While preparing said cocktail, Tucci knowledgeably explained how much ice to put in the shaker, the necessary amount of gin (or vodka with a “lacing of...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Stanley Tucci Demonstrates How to Make a Negroni first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Great Big Story spoke with Ashly Burch, a talented actress who’s known for distinctively voicing Tiny Tina in Borderlands 2, Parvati Holcomb in The Outer Worlds, and Aloy in Horizon Zero Dawn. Throughout the interview, Burch shared her excitement about doing what she’s always wanted to do for a living...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post The Distinctive Voice Behind Tiny Tina in ‘Borderlands 2’ and Other Games Shares Her Love for What She Does first appeared on Laughing Squid.

German Oberkreiner (Slovenian polka) band The Heimatdamisch performed a really bouncy, horn-laden cover of the classic Gun n’ Roses song ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ while dressed in traditional lederhosen. The band covers other rock and pop songs from the 1980s and 1990s including “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC, “Run to...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post German Polka Band Performs a Bouncy Cover of the Classic Guns n’ Roses Song ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ first appeared on Laughing Squid.

“Second to None” by Vincent Gallagher is a darkly humorous stop-motion animated short that tells the story of Frederick, a jealous younger twin brother who repeatedly attempts to steal the much-coveted recognition of being the oldest man alive from his older twin brother Herman who lives next door. Frederick spends...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Younger Twin Brother Plots to Becomes the Oldest Man Alive in a Darkly Humorous Stop-Motion Animated Short first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Chicago engineer Matt Mikka of Warped Perception (previously) built a model rocket with the intention of launching it under water. Mikka first submerged the engine only and the rocket launched successfully. Just for fun I decided to build a model rocket and launch it from underwater while filming it with...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Launching a Model Rocket Underwater in Slow Motion first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Like so many others around the world, Australian filmmaker Jason van Genderen, his wife Megan and their three children have been staying safely at home. This wouldn’t normally present too much of a problem in and of itself, however, the van Genderens also care for Jason’s mother Hendrika full-time. Hendrika...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Family Creates a Home Grocery Store So 87 Year Old Grandmother With Alzheimer’s Can Stick to Her Routine first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Web tinkerer Alexis Deveria very cleverly edited scenes from Star Trek: The Next Generation so that the crew members appear to be singing the Smash Houth hit song “All Star”. Deveria stated that he was inspired by the Star Wars version from 2017. Inspired by the Star Wars “All Star”...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Crew Members Sing the Smash Mouth Song ‘All Star’ via Clever Editing first appeared on Laughing Squid.

In honor of what would have been the 75th birthday of legendary reggae singer Bob Marley and International Weed Day (4/20), the talented artists at Seed Animation created an animated video for the iconic song “Three Little Birds”. The video, directed by Morgan Powell is made in a kid’s cartoon...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post The Big Bad Wolf Invites Little Pig to Lunch in Animated Video for Bob Marley and the Wailers’ ‘Three Little Birds’ first appeared on Laughing Squid.

New York City entrepreneur and developer Cody Brown discovered that he needed a break from the constant flow of information being documented on Twitter and decided to do something about it. Brown and a few of his friends created Surfcity, an algorithm-free, browsable network of video channels dedicated to a...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Surfcity, A Browsable Network of Video Channels Dedicated to More Interesting Things Than the News first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Frankie Mannella, who is an improv artist and choreographer, hilariously becomes a squawking, clumsy dinosaur whenever one of his daughters calls out for “Dadosaur”. Mannella instantly changes his stance, hunches over and begins destroying anything in his path. This includes enjoying the Easter cake, taking out the garbage, working out,...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Funny Father Instantly Becomes a Clumsy Dinosaur Whenever His Daughters Call Him ‘Dadosaur’ first appeared on Laughing Squid.

A rather outgoing and very furry cat named Betty found herself on television while her meteorologist human Jeff Lyon gave an on-air weather report for WFIE News in Evansville, Indiana. Lyons and anchor Jackie Monroe offer behind the scenes look at how Betty became part of the show. So, Betty...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Outgoing Cat Becomes Part of Her Meteorologist Human’s Weather Report While He’s On Air From Home first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Samsung announced that they will be using a new form of ecologically-friendly packaging for their new line of “lifestyle televisions”, namely The Serif, The Sero and The Frame. These recyclable cardboard boxes are different in that each one has a cutting pattern to transform the box into another useful household...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Eco-Friendly Samsung TV Packaging That Can Be Turned Into Cat Houses and Other Household Items first appeared on Laughing Squid.

While sitting at home, Philadelphia resident Kristin Chalela Bagnell captured hilarious footage of an unexpected groundhog sitting upright and gustily gobbling a piece of pizza. Bagnell’s dogs Maggie and Moses first caught sight of the munching marmot, who sat there in Bagnell’s Brewerytown yard for about an hour enjoying a...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Hungry Groundhog in Philadelphia Calmly Eats a Slice of Pizza Outside a Resident’s Home for Nearly an Hour first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Vlogger Microsoft Sam has compiled together a number of eerily similar commercials that major corporations have aired focusing on how they are addressing Coronavirus. He further notes that these companies have learned what the public needs through market research and are able to accomplish communication of this message through stock...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post A Compilation of Eerily Similar Corporate Commercials That Focus on How They Are Addressing Coronavirus first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Director David F. Sandberg (Lights Out, Shazam!) quite eloquently muses upon the often complicated issue determining the perfect balance of darkness over light when making a horror film. Sandberg explains the tricks filmmakers employ in order to get around using low lights or flashlights within a scene and he also...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Finding the Perfect Balance of Darkness in Horror Films first appeared on Laughing Squid.

In a departure from his incredible insect series, talented wildlife photographer David Weiller has captured absolutely heart-rending footage of a mother brown-throated, three-toed sloth in Costa Rica carrying her baby as she worked her way slowly across a branch. At one point, the little one poked a curious head out...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Mother Brown-Throated Sloth Lovingly Carries Her Baby as She Makes Her Way Across a Branch first appeared on Laughing Squid.

The VineyardBaker of Massachusetts creates beautiful natural landscape scenes and floral bouquets using fresh vegetables and herbs on her homemade focaccia bread and bread bowls. Because her grandmother taught her to bake, the VineyardBaker offers online classes so that anyone can make these beautiful artisan breads. Learn how to make...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Beautiful Landscapes and Bouquets Made With Fresh Vegetables and Herbs on Homemade Focaccia Bread first appeared on Laughing Squid.

The incredibly talented Russian musician Dmitry Rotkin performed an absolutely amazing Pizzicato (plucked string) cover of the 1931 Duke Ellington song “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”. Here’s another pizzicato performance by Rotkin. Rotkin also performed an incredible cover of “Come Together” by The Beatles...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Violinist Performs Amazing Pizzicato Cover of ‘It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)’ first appeared on Laughing Squid.

British craftsman Andy Phillip determined that since he hadn’t used his colored pencils in quite a while, he would go ahead and use them to create a giant glazed donut sculpture. Phillips painstakingly lined up the many pencils in a plastic mold and poured epoxy over the whole thing. When...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Woodturning a Giant Donut Out of Colored Pencils first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Swedish artist and craftsman Love Hulten (previously) has created the Slagwerk-101, a brilliant mechanical percussion machine that seamlessly integrates with synchronized MIDI backtracks. These MIDI-generated tones trigger the various mounted drumsticks for customized performance. Slagwerk-101 is an audiovisual sculpture and a visual element for the stage, based on percussion instruments....Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Slagwerk-101, A Modular Semi-Acoustic, Mechanical Percussion Machine for Use With MIDI Backtracks first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Inspired by the Tiny Gerbil Art Museum, performer Jill Young quite thoughtfully built a miniature art museum for her pet gecko who simply goes by “The Mayor”. The gallery provided custom gecko artwork based upon famous paintings that were hung on the walls with a red velvet rope separating viewers...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Art Appreciating Gecko Visits Museum With Gecko Art first appeared on Laughing Squid.

James Vreeland, a really creative animal lover in Oak Park, Michigan, built an absolutely adorable alfresco restaurant in his front yard for the birds, squirrels, and other small animals around the neighborhood. This tiny fenced-in restaurant features elegant picnic tables, squirrel statues, and a maitre d’ stand. Vreeland also created...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Michigan Man Builds an Adorable Front Yard Restaurant For Neighborhood Birds and Squirrels to Enjoy first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Kinetic artist Joseph Herscher (previously) of Joseph’s Machines invited fellow machine maker Lyle Broughton over for dinner. The two sat at each end of a very long table. When Herscher asked Broughton to please pass the pepper, he started an intricate Rube Goldberg machine that ran the length of the...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post An Intricate and Messy Rube Goldberg Machine That Takes Five Minutes to Pass the Pepper Across the Table first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Artist Dan Hoopert created an absolutely mesmerizing video that looks below the surface of CGI created “undiscovered” crystals. Moving with a deliberate determination, the film reveals the interior cracking and explosions that occur inside these natural deposits over hundreds and thousands of years. The soothing soundtrack, also by Hoopert, adds...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post A Mesmerizing Look Below the Surface of Crystals first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Woodturner Matt Jordan, who previously turned an apple log into a coffee mug, transformed a dried piece of mossy oak wood into a rounded, beautifully burled portable speaker. This piece of oak came from a larger piece that was used elsewhere. This weeks project, (which was supposed to be last...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Woodturner Transforms a Dried Piece of Mossy Oak Wood Into a Beautifully Burled Portable Speaker first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Filmmakers Jan Riesenbeck and Dennis Stein-Schomburg have created “Facelift”, a surreal short film about a talking head describing his philosophy for self-discipline and self-optimization. As the man describes each aspect of this thought process, his head takes on different features. A bird exits his brain, his skull comes apart in...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Man Shares a Philosophy of Self-Discipline While His Head Constantly Changes in a Surreal Short Film first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Ryan of Ryan’s Cinematics has very cleverly edited classic bloopers from Star Trek: The Next Generation and seamlessly integrated each into the original scene. Some of these edits are very subtle, but quite amusing nonetheless. via The Nerdist Related PostsA 1994 ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Pizza Hut Commercial on...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Bloopers From ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Cleverly Integrated Into the Original Scenes first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Digital printmaker Dr. Phil Shaw creates striking images of the title spines of books on shelves to tell tales with a specific theme in mind. In his “Shelf Isolation” series, Shaw uses this medium to talk about isolation in these current times, using time wisely and the need for physical...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Book Spines on Shelves Tell a Story of Isolation first appeared on Laughing Squid.

An absolutely elegant and surprisingly tolerant black cat named Rover walks gracefully through the room like he’s a fashion model on a catwalk while wearing all sorts of colorful kitty clothing. According to Rover’s humans, this fashion-forward feline is living the best of lives. Living my best nine lives. via...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Black Cat Wearing Fabulous Outfits Walks Gracefully Through the Room Like a Fashion Model on a Catwalk first appeared on Laughing Squid.

Whenever a patient who had been hospitalized for COVID-19 is discharged from the Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, New York, they are given a wonderful departing gift. The heroic healthcare workers line the hallways to give the patient a round of applause while The Beatles‘ classic song “Here Comes...Follow Laughing Squid on Facebook, Twitter, and Subscribe by Email.The post Hospitals Are Playing ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by The Beatles Each Time a COVID-19 Patient is Discharged first appeared on Laughing Squid.