PowerPoint

Here is a link to one of the PowerPoint Presentations.

An Introduction to 

The Gnomes of New Hope;

 Zach & Zebby's 

Grand Adventure 

This link will take you to 

a READ ONLY copy.

UPDATE

As it stands now, this upload

 does not work properly

unless you use

PowerPoint v.15.3.3

I tested it from someone else's Windows 10 computer. 

The file, when downloaded,

 was devoid of transition effects and had erratic narration.

 After some other testing

it is clearly due to

 the difference in 

PowerPoint versions.

 I will attempt to resolve this problem. If you would like a copy

 on flash drive, let me know.

I guess I need to convert this 

to a .mov file... 

More delays. 

Oh well.

You can try it, but rest assured

My original version

(not uploaded)

works beautifully 

on a Mac Pro with 10.13

with PowerPoint 15.3.3

ARCHIVE

The presentation has samples of the music, the final e-Storybook,
and hard-copy books.

I intended for this presentation to put here on the blog, 

but apparently
 it is too large to post

 or view directly.

It is 131 MB.

If you want to view it,

 you will need to have PowerPoint
and download the file.

In the future I hope to post it here

 as a a video.

Here's a link to PowerPoint:
PowerPoint Download

BIO

I posted an older version of my Career History on IMS Producing Partners. 

You will find a link in the header of

Image of The Mind Studios Virtual Studio
(for a newer version I can send it to you via e-mail)

Posts

I have taken to reorganizing the format of my posts. You will note that on some posts I have headings such as UPDATE, the date, and ARCHIVE. I think this works better than simply creating many posts on a particular subject that get lost in the timeline. So, gradually, I will be consolidating the posts under subject matter and purging outdated redundancies. My goal here is to create a blog that will be more useful as a management tool. Up until now, it has been mostly for progress reports, but since the whole project has moved to the level where entrance into serious production activity can now occur, this blog will need to serve a different purpose.

I was using IMS Producing Partners for the significant business management information, and that will continue, but that site is a closed site only for Vested Business Partners. I need to do more refinement on that site, as well as the e-Storybook Subscription Service, so restructuring this site will be slow. I do believe that more direct pertinent Business Information needs to be posted here (since it's not restricted) and I will be trying to do that. But the real meaty Business Contract and Management information will still be reserved for IMS Producing Partners.

If anyone specializes in ISP Servers, as in subscription services for Gnomes in a Gnutshell, let me know and we can discuss it.

AG

Industry Review

An older version of the page layout, but representative of the new look.

The entire collection is now finished enough for review and will be available on DVD (presuming the file sizes fit) for Industry Professionals, with a signed Restrictive Covenant Agreement. Contact me for information.

I may post the collection, or portions thereof, on IMS Producing Partners. But access will be restricted, in that instance, so a password will be required and must be requested if that is the case.

Arthur Greisiger
image.of.the.mind.studios@gmail.com

3/24/20

I've addressed a number of relative subjects herein, so a search through the posts may prove fruitful. I want to avoid being redundant, but some of the discussions may be somewhat outdated. Overall, however, the basics are pertinent and the components are absolutely valid, even if the actual working documents have been updated from what is presented here. My modus operandi does not change from what I present here, engaging with Business Partners in this project will depend on the discussions of both parties, but what I present here (and elsewhere; IMS Producing Partners) is in effect my position, from which I do not intend on diverging, unless of course, someone wants to make me a better offer. I can say however, anyone making an effort to undercut what I have presented as my position, will be shown the door. So please don't attempt to do that. My terms are extremely reasonable. AG

ARCHIVE:

3/20/20

Today, I finished the full three volumes in the collection and have made it all ready for transfer to PowerPoint as JPG files. I have to say it is quite satisfactory, if not fantastic. I'm very pleased to have refined it, not only to be consistent  throughout, but was able to make a collection of subtle adjustments that really make it dynamic. So this look will now extend through all published items, hard copy and electronic.

There may still be file size issues, in terms of digital delivery, but we'll solve that issue if it becomes a  problem.

I made an earlier version of the e-Storybook with narration, which worked very well, but the file sizes became very large when adding the narration and music. Switching over to JPG will help, but I still believe that the narrated version will have to be converted to a .mov file. In which event, the audio e-Storybook will be created in segments and then assembled in Final Cut Pro. I believe that if it is converted to a film, then I can add the music in where it takes place in the show. I did that on earlier PowerPoint presentations and it was very nice. But the earlier presentations had some unacceptable flaws. Those flaws were the reason I had to go over it again before building a new PowerPoint. I'm glad I did, even though it took the better part of a year to do so, because I can confidently say that there are only very few adjustments that will still need to be made and they can be made in the next edition, when the new artwork is installed. The next edition will be prepared with animation in mind.

The Industry Review Edition will be segmented, which will not be the case for the Release Editions.

Well, the whole point is to move this to the next level. I am now working to obtain agency representation, given that my terms are met. Those terms are posted elsewhere. When I find that post, I'll include a link.

AG

HDTV layout

I've finally locked in the design of the HDTV layout. I know it seems like I said this before, but as I was finishing up the last revision, I realized that there were some layout elements that needed to be different. My intention has been to switch out the static artwork for animations. They may be GIFs or MOV files, but the layout structure needed to change to make the replacement as easy as possible. Well, I came up with a most excellent variation in my layout, that allows me to swap out the art as I progress without disturbing any of the other layout elements. Alignment was an issue and I developed a method that totally eliminates problems in that regard. It sounds crazy, but the layout is composed of (literally) countless layers that along the way posed many problems with alignment.

The funny thing about it is that; numerous layout revisions felt like the final product, but the latest adjustments really did take it to a new dimension.

So I'm finishing up the last few pages, which will allow me to move forward to build the PowerPoint presentation. I mean the final Industry Review presentation. I built what I thought was the e-Storybook in PowerPoint, until I got most done and found errors. I'm realtor Ely convinced that I not only eliminated those errors, but made other critical adjustments. I do know there are a few pages that need to be redone, because of spacing issues, but since it is only the Industry Review Edition, those (minor) corrections can be made when the additional artwork is installed.

There is one caveat to the proclamation that the publishing layout is done, is that more artwork is needed to complete the whole collection. But... The beauty of it is that all other work for all the publishing will be DONE! Yahoo! Installing the missing artwork, when it is completed will be a walk in the park.

The beauty of it is that the HDTV layout services all other publishing needs. That was part of the struggle, to get the layout to work for so many different uses.

Now I have to decide how to serve the e-Storybook over the internet.

If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

Also check the Facebook page for The Gnomes of New Hope.

AG

Parade Float

Well, I now have a 1963 Corvair Greenbrier donor truck in place and ready for disassembly.

UPDATE: 4/23/20

Well, as you all know, we are dealing with this national health crisis. Working alone in the studios isn't any different for me than at any other time, but being at home more too, has given me a chance to draw up the plans for the mobile stage. I'll post then here at some point, along with photos as I strip this truck down to the chassis. I'm hoping to be able to power-wash the basic components down, sand blast as necessary, and get it running without needing to do a rebuild. It's pretty rough, but the engine turns over and has clean oil in it. I have a collection of photos showing just how rough it is, but there's no point in showing them right now. I have a plan for cutting the truck up, but I do not anticipate beginning anything until I get the e-Storybook into distribution, or cut a financial deal that will address the studio overhead. I'm already deeply engaged in studio set-up and issues with other work vehicles, so starting on building the stage will have to wait. I may proceed slowly with some of the more minor dis-assembly, such as interior and the primary controls. Since I will be loosing everything down to the floor of the truck, all the wiring harness and other controls that are mounted in the dash. The steering column, shifter, fuel pedal, brake pedal, and ignition, need to be removed and, of course the other reusable components that I won't need. So, that will take place before it gets cut up. Some of the floor panel are already gone and have been replaced with 3/4" Plywood but that's OK. The floor panels that are over the front suspension are rusted enough that I;m just going to remove them and replace them with removable wooden panels. I will be keeping the wheel wells, but by removing the metal floor panels and replacing them with removable panels, the front suspension will be much more easily accessible, making it possible for me to restore and service the front suspension without removing it. The shock towers need to have some rust issues addressed, but, if we are lucky, the suspension is sufficient for use in a parade, without a total rebuild. Eventually I expect to rebuild a second suspension. I had a spare suspension in storage, but it got scrapped on me behind my back. I wasn't happy about that. Oh well, I'll have to get another one.


ARCHIVE

Here is is before delivery to the back lot. I will be stripping the body off of the chassis, some of which is unibody. The suspension, controls and powertrain will be used to power the mobile stage/parade float.

Anyone needing FC body parts contact me. I will try to preserve what I can for body repairs. With that said, I may try to remove the undercarriage without disassembling the body first. I'm not sure what will be most difficult.

More later. AG

Well, after doing some more analysis of the design, I've concluded that yes, my initial thoughts will carry through. The stage platforms will equate to four 4x8 platforms. Not only does that size stage work for the size of the chassis, but it also matches the size of the central stage section of The Meadow Amphitheatre stage. 

When I disassembled the Meadow Amphitheatre, I recovered the Dutchman with the stone finish. So that means the surface of the stage platform might be stone. I'll have to think that through. My thinking is to design the core stage section to be used with or without the power chassis, essentially reproducing the Meadow Amphitheatre to be sectional and portable. Materials have to be considered for weatherability. 

In this situation, the stage will also be serving puppetry.

More later. AG