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Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
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Posted: 4/23/2008 11:15 AM
Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
I just realized that since many that post here are not aware of who Stephan was since he hasn't been as active on the boards recently, I thought I would share this from his media company web site, gunslinger.com:  Stephan Miller - CEO and founder of Gunslinger Media, Inc. established a proven track record in the design and implementation of innovative portal networks on the internet. Beginning in 1999, as Director of Professional Football for Rival Networks, Miller was instrumental in the establishment and meteoric growth of the NFL community at Rivals.com.
Following Rivals original CEO, Miller did it again in 2001. Starting from absolute scratch they built Scout.com, the largest independent online sports network. Their success was recently affirmed when Scout was acquired by FOX Interactive Media.
Prior to Scout.com and Rivals Networks, Miller was a principal and Vice President of Superfusion Inc., a California corporation that founded and solely owned the original NFLfans Network, which was acquired in 1999.
Miller also founded CapitolPunishment.com, a Washington Redskins fan website, that generated a world-wide following endorsing Miller's innovative portal development methodology. In no small part the success his methodology realized with CapitolPunishment.com set the ground-work for the broader successes realized by other community-based networks. Now recently merged with American Sports Media's Warpath, Miller is a principal in Warpath Magazine, the premiere print magazine for Washington Redskins fans.
In his early years Miller worked with numerous celebrities, movie companies, and radio stations as Marketing Director for Original New York Seltzer. Original New York Seltzer was the fastest growing soft drink company in the eighties, and was built on grass roots marketing by telling consumers the New York Seltzer story first-hand.
Miller’s grass-roots style of management proved to be fundamental in all his endeavors and serves as a key element in all his internet ventures. Miller's internet career started while working in Hollywood as an exotic animal trainer and stuntman for film, television, and live shows. Miller says, "I loved the animals more than anything, how many people can say they raised a Grizzly Bear?, or worked on a Tiger show in Bangkok for three months, all while building an internet empire."
Last edited 4/23/2008 5:57 PM by Rat Boy
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Posted: 4/23/2008 11:29 AM
Re: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
Here is an interview I did with Pun when he started www.devilsbluff.com: Gunslinger, aka Stephan Miller, Executive Producer and Co-Director of Devil’s Bluff and creator of devilsbluff.com, recently slowed down long enough to aswer a few questions that would be of interest to the Devil’s Bluff Community:
You once trained predators and raised a grizzly cub. Ordinarily, such unusual skills like yours and trapeze artists, and the like, are passed within the generations of a family. Were you raised in this type of environment?
**Actually I wasn’t raised in a family of predator trainers, I was raised in the country by a school counselor and a nurse.Good wholesome hippy types, not sure what happened to me. I learned to work with predators when my bro talked me into moving back to Cali from Annapolis, Md. He said we were going to take over the animal film work world. I love animals and the idea sounded great so how could I refuse.
What did you dream of being when you were a child?
** I dreamed of being an actor, I think. At one point I wanted to be a snake catcher. I used to love to catch reptiles in the backwoods and down by the lake.
How did you arm yourself to meet your goals...was any of your formal education helpful or has work in the field and with the hard knocks of life more important?
** While I have some formal schooling, I am a man of hard knocks, and a strong street education, while I think school is important, and trust me I drive my kids to excel in school, I have to say that if you are dedicated, motivated, and driven, a school background can only help you to get ahead, but if school isn’t your bag, but you have the smarts, you can succeed. Doesn’t the show “The Apprentice’ teach you that?
When did you start using the World Wide Web?
** I started the “www” while working as an animal trainer with my brother, actually he is my first cousin but we are as close as brothers can get. I have the scars to prove it. We were on locations in remote lands, Thailand to be exact. I picked up a program called Corel Webmaster. I really wanted to keep up with my favorite football team, the Washington Redskins.
I got this idea that if I got people to come to my website then I would be able to keep up with all the news. Like I didn’t find out Jack Kent Cooke died until two weeks after it happened. I developed a single page, put it on the web as capitolpunishment.com, and just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I joined a Raider fan who found my site and opened me up to a world of code and community building.
We formed a corporation to run our NFL network (The first ever NFL network) and online store. We eventually sold it to a Seattle Internet company who made me a very generous offer to join them. I left the world of animal training and joined the world of nineteen to twenty three hour days of work. The Seattle offices actually had all the coffee, donuts, and sodas you could ever want for free. They never wanted anyone to ever leave the office. It was crazy!
Did it take you long to become proficient at code; when did you see it as a major business opportunity?
** I am still not proficient at code, you might call me dangerous with code though! I saw this as a major business opportunity when we were bought out back in '99.
You have a knack for "marrying ideas" that incorporate your passions to create successful businesses...internet and sports; western and horror movies and the internet...did you ever stray from your passions and have a failure as a result?
** I am a very creative and passionate guy. My dream has always been to work in the movie industry, and now I am able to do that. The Devil’s Bluff is a marriage of traditional film making and internet interaction. I really can’t wait to see how it plays out.
Did I ever fail? Yes .There was a time in my life when I lived on the streets of Hollywood, I was wild and out of control, but you learn a lot when your mind and body go into survival mode. I always follow my passion. Any failures I've experienced, and there have been many, could be attributable to lack of funding or someone not holding up their end of the bargain, or pure bad planning on my end. You live and you learn.
I am curious then, have you learned to trust the instinctual skills you developed as a predator trainer to avoid these types of people?
** Yes, absolutely, in dealings with people and especially in raising my children. It all boils down to lots of love and rewards.
It must be a big challenge to tackle a full length film. What was your approach and how have you gone about collecting the right people to pull this off?
** My approach is to work this like the Indian vision I had told me too. I would know the right people as they came into the picture, I would choose people based on their persona and their creative ability, and most of all I would be giving good talented people the break they need to succeed.
Tell us about some of the people you have pulled in, their backgrounds, and what they bring to the editing table.
** The crew is a great bunch because they are all so honest and really drive to be the best they can. No one is famous, well Randy is sort of, but I have banked everything I have on these guys.
We have Steve, a creative guy with a successful print business, he helps keep me straight, and is an excellent manager for the others. Michael T. is a creative writer who sold me on the idea of making a movie. Eric is a technical artist and has an excellent eye for detail. Armand is an incredible comic artist and storyboard guy, and Michael C. is a sick dude who actually writes children’s stories but has a dark side. And of course Jim has 30 + years filming and editing, and I am honored that he wants to work on this project as Director of Photography. And of course Randy Miller joining on as Co-Director has more film experience and direction than any of us. Randy has appeared or worked on many television shows and blockbuster films. This is the first project we are doing together.
This has been your baby for awhile. Will it be difficult to put aside some strongly held concepts and images as the internet community changes your original ideas?
** I don’t know, I guess we shall see. I really do look forward to getting feedback from people who are passionate about this.
You have no advertising on your site. Are you being paid to do this?
** Nope this is a labor of love. If someone approaches me who wants to post relevant ads I will consider it, but there is no way I will just put up ads to make money and piss off users. That’s not my bag ...Get it?
Do you have any sense of how the film industry is viewing your efforts?
** I know that since I am breaking into some new uncharted waters they are a bit miffed, but also very curious. I know several industry people who are keeping a very keen eye on us.
Are you concerned that your openness and transparency will result in your ideas being stolen?
** Of course they will be stolen, but so what, that’s the nature of the internet. It will be interesting to see if this takes off and becomes “common.”
What if no one buys this concept?
** Mashed potatoes and gravy, I will be deeply saddened. No seriously, if it doesn’t fly then it doesn’t fly but it sure is fun to be working on a project like this. It’s a dream of mine and I will see it through as long as I can.
Are you open to more than comment, for instance, would you entertain graphic artists’ work or actual script language?
**Yes, yes, and yes. We want to see what the interactive audience brings to the table.
The site is one of the most detailed I have ever seen. Is there a mailing list to be spoon-fed regular updates?
**To sign up for the Bluff mailing list just look at the left column on the front page and find the newsletter sign up option.
In closing, where do you stand on Ted Williams' frozen head?
** We are actively negotiating with his son to cast Ted's head in a cameo role.
How about your alter-ego wanna be porn star, Gunschlonger, will he make an appearance at the Bluff?
**Hmmm, Only time will tell.
THANKS!
"For nothing can be sole or whole that has not been rent." C.A. Jurgensen quoting W.B. Yeats on the coming renewal of the Washington Redskins.
Last edited 4/26/2008 4:12 PM by Monkster
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Posted: 4/23/2008 2:09 PM
Re: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
Nominate | Report Posted: 11/28/2007 11:32 AM It really just hit me today, this really happened
I don't think it really hit me until this morning, that Sean actually passed away.
I got home really late last night and my young son was asking me all these questions about what happened, and why it happened, and what people were saying on this board.
Monskter introduced my son to Sean at HogFest 2 years ago, and my son thought Sean was just a great guy, signed his football, and everything. After Portis who wasn't very nice to him, he quickly adopted Sean and Chris as his new favorite players.
But it still didn't hit me until this morning when he was rummaging through my closet and pulled out my #36 ST jersey. It was one of the first jerseys made before changing to #21. I never bothered getting a #21 jersey but held on to the #36 one, and my kid remembered.
He then asked me if it would be ok if he wore it to school to feel close to Sean and to the Redskins. Of course I let him, and that is when it hit me. Sean really did die, and a little girl is now without a father.
A senseless crime was committed and it is very sad.
My son also told me to go and check the board, that people from everywhere were talking about it and that he wanted to post too. I told him to wait until after school but that he could.
It also reminded me about why I started CPND. It wasn't just about football it was about sharing in happiness, sorrow, anger, laughter, and being a community.
It puts a lot into perspective about the power of these types of communities online and off, and how much of an important part it plays in some of our lives.
Just to put things into perspective, there was a poster back around 8 years ago whose name was Will. Will was a soft spoken older man who always seemed to be the voice of reason. One day his grandson or son (can't remember exactly) posted on the boards that Will had been sick and he had been by his side for years reading and talking on our boards. He told us it had brought Will real Joy.
Will had died, and his grandson let us know how much Will appreciated CPND and the posters. He left us with a message of love life and live it every day. We had no idea Will was even sick but it made me realize that building CPND was more important than I ever imagined it would be.
We honored Will and I am sure some people here who remember him still do.
This week the board has come together to honor and grieve Sean Taylor, a young man who was taken too early from this world.
Today I grieve. Today my young son grieves and honors his memory. He asked me if he could post his thoughts on the board, and I told him he could after school. He was fine with that.
RIP Sean. [Thanks for the great find, FrankenMonkey.]
"For nothing can be sole or whole that has not been rent." C.A. Jurgensen quoting W.B. Yeats on the coming renewal of the Washington Redskins.
Last edited 4/23/2008 2:10 PM by Rat Boy
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Posted: 4/23/2008 4:13 PM
Re: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
Above all he was a wonderful father. This is so profoundly sad.
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Posted: 4/23/2008 4:44 PM
Re: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
The photo below is more recent. (I prefer this one myself.)
"A people that values its privileges above its principles will soon lose both." - Dwight D. Eisenhower - Inaugural Address - 1953
Last edited 4/23/2008 4:49 PM by Carnack
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Posted: 4/23/2008 4:55 PM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
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Posted: 4/23/2008 5:17 PM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
I tell you, if someone would have told me ten years ago that you could become so intimately involved with a group of people in most cases that you will never meet I wouldn't have believed it. I didn't know Punishment other than the connections to the message board, but I hurt with you guys just reading the posts here and on the other threads.
From all reports, the guy lived a spectacular and event filled 39 years and is going to be missed deeply by everyone here. And it sure sounds like he has a great young man that will no doubt follow in his father's footsteps and be a man that makes his presence felt.
I am just one Cowboys fan, but I hope I can speak for all Cowboy nation in giving a big thanks to Punishment for putting together this site so many of us call home, and in wishing his family our most sincere wishes.
God bless Punishment. RIP.
Things I think for 2009. (1)Hurd or Stanback make the team, but not both. (2) Buehler is a factor in special teams, and not just as a kicker. (3) Romo has the best year of his career. TWO DOWN, ONE TO GO, AND AS SOON AS BUEHLER LAYS SOMEONE OUT THE TRIFECTA WILL BE COMPLETE!
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Posted: 4/23/2008 6:11 PM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
I posted this pic in the other thread, but thought it belonged here as well.  
Last edited 4/23/2008 6:45 PM by Rdsknsfan
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Posted: 4/23/2008 8:14 PM
Re: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
Im sure somebody else has pics from hogfest west '04, as that's the game that featured the notorious americans most wanted pic, and i remember seeing other pics from that parking lot get together including one of I think Carnack, my brother and a friend and I. I had no idea what you all were talking about yesterday, didnt think it was a joke, just had no clue he did that kind of work, and no clue why everyone was so certain was him. Kept praying it wasnt. Prayers go out to him, and his family. Still can't believe it. Class act all the way.
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- kleese
- Grounds Hog
- 94 posts this site
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Posted: 4/23/2008 10:41 PM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
Good Lord. Horrible. I go way back with this board even though I don't post much here anymore. Condolences to his family. A real punch to the gut :(
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Posted: 4/24/2008 7:55 AM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
Here is a great article by Glenn Nelson, former Editor in Chief of Scout.com: was.scout.com/a.z?s=71&p=2&c=749178 |
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Posted: 4/24/2008 8:17 AM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
Wow what a great article. His humble nature speaks to the fact that even if you knew the guy pretty well, ya didn't really know how much of an impact he had until now. And the point about him calling you his brother was spot on....he made all his friends feel like they were the most important in his life. That's truly remarkable.
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Posted: 4/24/2008 9:20 AM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
Man, he lived a great life that was cut FAR too short. Very, very tragic....
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Posted: 4/24/2008 9:51 AM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
The one thing many don't know is the fact that he did not have the education (see Monk's post) he did it all on pure enthusiasm, grit, determination, and daredevil.
I greatly regret the fact I allowed things on my part, to drift so far apart.
Last night I looked at picture we did in Las Vegas, I think it was taken at the House of Blues. We had put down quite a few pints and there was this Marilyn Monroe model wandering around.. it was a cheap photo taken on one of those spit out a picture and you wave it in the air waiting for it to develop deals.... it's hung on Fridge since.. about 10 years now.
I looked at it last night and I was numb with somberness.
There is a post here from Miller about a guy named Will that was reposted. I remember Stephan calling when he found out the news...
To me, he was the opposite of myself.. something I totally appreciate. I was caculating before I leap while he would leap and already know the outcome. He was LA cool, I'm pure Southern gent.
I totally regret the fact that in all my travels, I didn't go to LA a few more times simply for the fact I really hate cities like that.. (I do suffer from a disorder that has come on the past few years but that should not be an excuse)
Hey, another memory, the Arizona Hogfest, there was a special Harley they had there and he loved that bike and actually sent me a pic from there. I no longer have the digital version, just a faded printed version I have taped in an old photo album.
I hate the fact that there is regret on my part. Fate has no mercy and combined with with the forces of time, memories are all that's left before you know it.
If there's anything I can salvage good out of this, it's that I appreciate life just that much more thanks to him.
This weekend I am firing up the old Harley, donning my old Capital Punishment T-shirt (yes it still fits after about ~13 years) and cruising a particular ride we once talked about but never did.
I'll miss you old buddy. I am truly, truly sorry.
__________________________________
Get a Real QB
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Posted: 4/24/2008 10:31 AM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
I hate the fact that there is regret on my part. Fate has no mercy and combined with with the forces of time, memories are all that's left before you know it.
If there's anything I can salvage good out of this, it's that I appreciate life just that much more thanks to him. I can tell you this, Karl: Someday you will take solace, and perhaps much, in the fact that we didn't lose Stephan to death, but to his love of life. And memories of your time shared with him will erase all of the regrets.
"If I had only two minutes to live, I'd want Sonny to manage them."
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Posted: 4/24/2008 12:54 PM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
http://vids.myspace.com/index....nnelID=80707843Here my 2006 hogfest videos of everyone and Puns speech turning over CPND to Monkster...man what a great man, humble, but yet a guys guy. You will be missed my friend. Warning**** you might get pretty choked up....I sure did... BUT it sure shows what kind of human he was... I am honored that I was able to be a small part of his life. 
_________________________________________________________________________
Old School
Last edited 4/24/2008 12:56 PM by wilbert1
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Posted: 4/24/2008 2:24 PM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
Funny story.
Back around 2000, he called my phone by mistake one night afte rI had gone to bed. I didn't hear it ring, but it left a 10 minute voicemail. He was talking, inaudibly with his wife in the background, then he went and i heard a bunch of strange noise and a toilet flush... lol.
I called him the next day to let him know his toilet seemed to be working perfectly. He got a big kick out of that, as well as apologizing for it (no need). I guess I was the last person he had called, and the phone dial button was hit in his pocket.
That incident caused my wife to get a new phone - a flip phone with no accidental dialing. :) I think he made the change, too.
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Posted: 4/25/2008 9:04 AM
Re: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
This ******* sucks. Stephen was about the coolest person associated with this entire web site, it's expansion and growth and the first person on this site I ended up becoming friends with who also seemed to understand the provacative methods I used to get debates going and keep things...if for lack of a better word...interesting at times. Along with Terry, Rat, Jan, CT and one or two others, Stephen was one of the first online personalities I've met in person after all these years on the www and no doubts about it, the reputation that preceeded Stephen when you would meet him...was exceeded by the man himself.
Of all the people I've met online from B.Gates to many others, Stephen was the one person I bragged the most about and promoted the most in my contacts in life, his animal training, time spent developing this entire network we talk about sports on and so much more.
R.I.P. Stephen, you will be missed in ways that are beyond description and I'm going to continue to the bragging rights about you when I talk to people about what one can accomplish when they pursue their dreams.
I don't think I'm going to bother to watch any more Seattle games searching for the lone Burgandy and Gold outfit in the sea of yucky blue green seahawks fans.
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Posted: 4/25/2008 10:35 AM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
jurgy:I can tell you this, Karl: Someday you will take solace, and perhaps much, in the fact that we didn't lose Stephan to death, but to his love of life.
And memories of your time shared with him will erase all of the regrets
_____________________________________________________________________
Well put Jurgy. while we naturally have to grieve, we also have to celebrate the man's life and smile when reminiscing. I don't have any memories of Stephan personally as I never met him, but I found his CapitalPunishment site 10 years ago, it was my first internet experience (I was a late bloomer) and its why I'm still around here today.
Don't cry at his his funeral, instead dance and sing with joy for having the privilege of meeting and knowing someone like him who could improve the lives of those around him in all his journeys.
Thanks to all for posting these heartwarming stories, the legend of pun is only beginning to grow.
Last edited 4/25/2008 10:37 AM by miguelskins
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Posted: 4/26/2008 1:55 PM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
Wanted to express my deepest condolences to the entire extended Miller family and everyone touched by Stephan's tragic loss. Knowing a little bit about how deep relationships even between cyberbrothers can grow, I think I have an idea just how tough a time this really is.
Keeping a warm thought and place in my heart for all concerned,
Mark "Om" Steven
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Posted: 4/26/2008 7:33 PM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
The greatest honor that we could hope for is that we that we live on in our Families Hearts and fond Memories.
The hardest thing for the Family left behind is to try and figure out how to carry on without the absence of a loved one that has been such a huge part of our lives.
Although it is something that we all have to face, it’s still the part that hurts us the most.
-P, Thank You for all the Good Times and Memories you have allowed us to share in your life.
May the Good Lord Comfort your Family in their time of need, and give us the strength to carry on as you would want us to.
In Loving memory, you will always be in my heart, now and forever.
Cindy aka -SimplyRed
Ps; Say Hi to Will for us
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Posted: 4/27/2008 2:58 PM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
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Posted: 4/30/2008 9:26 AM
RE: Getting to know Stephan Miller (Punishment)
I haven't seen this linked anywhere here, but I just came across it this morning when checking to see if the Predators in Action website was back online. The first video is Randy Miller talking about Stevie in general and then specifically what happened that day. http://www.sharenow.com/relati...datorsinaction/ 01001000011000010110100101101100001000000111010001101111001000000111010001101000
01100101001000000101001001100101011001000111001101101011011010010110111001110011
sub specie aeternitatis
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