As I may have mentioned, my concentration has been on gathering all the appropriate files into a collection of four DVDs. The last part of gathering those files is the Storybook. This has been a long and difficult job, primarily because I made so many back-up files and spread them out over numerous discs. While we were working on numerous aspects of this project, the music, the art and the storybooks, I have more than one hard disc fail, which set me back more than once. So I started saving different revisions of all the files and spread out duplicate across the many discs I use for file storage. Well, even though this seemed like a good idea to protect the material, it is challenging to make sure that the files are actually the latest. So for the past month or so (more like a few months) I have been cross referencing the files and saving all the latest revision under a new heading. One of the things that has been frustrating has been correcting the page numbers. I've had to do that at least four times over. I won't explain. But now that the Storybook disc is almost finished, I've discovered that I my print files are many different versions of the first book. This was a result of numerous set-up files to accommodate the variations of the printing presses. Unfortunately I did not address the first book before the remaining books, because I assumed that was correctly finished. Well it is, but the remaining collection of six books are different, since they have not been set-up for hard copy printing yet. The interesting, although somewhat distressing fact is that I included the Preface as part of the numbering of the pages. I discovered too late that it would have been advisable to number the preface and the appendix with separate page numbers than the body of the book. Well I have done that for the remaining books, but the preface in the first book takes up numbers I'd rather they didn't. I may change that, but that is not as easy as it sounds with the way I produce the mechanicals for the layout.
So with all this attention on the Storybooks, I think that my focus will shift to locating a large publishing house or distributor to pick up the project. I will however continue to publish all the books that are ready and finish the print layout on the full collection, including the ones that still need artwork. My objective here is to raise the 50-100K that will be required for completion of all the illustrations. I know I've discussed this elsewhere, so I won't reiterate. I will say that I expect to be making more effort to locate the right literary agent. I guess it's about time for that.
In terms of production activity, I remain concentrated on refining the studio space and making sure we are prepared to initiate set construction in the shop, but also experimental film-making with a green-screen and motion control. I still need to set up the array and Final Cut Studio, so I'll be working on that too. In terms of set-design, I'm beginning to redesign the show to fit into the Bucks County Playhouse and other smaller theaters in the anticipated touring circuit.
I've had a number of people expressing their desire to work on this project, but I need to develop both the methodology and budget for HR. So Producing Partners will need to understand the magnitude of the resources which need to be gathered for that purpose.
All these things are progressing slowly, but that may change, depending on who ends up joining the effort. Some discussions are taking place, but nothing definitive... not yet.
I'm releasing the first book to people who visit the studio and proved to be on board with the project. If you are one of those folks I'm there 9-5 M-F.
That's all for now. AG
