Revisiting the e-Storybook

This is a sample of the e-Storybook. It's an older experiment,

but, toward the end there is a song we did, which is pretty nice.

It's a duet and it's kind of fun.

Publishing

   Well, our work on publishing is nearing the end of completing the illustrations. We still have quite a bit to do, but compared to what we have already done, it's a drop in the bucket ! The difference is that we started breaking down the illustrations into more parts. Although the paintings get reduced down to fit on the page (an sometimes they end up pretty small) we started painting the characters individually from the backgrounds and doing so on  watercolor paper sized to 8.5" x 11". The reason for this is twofold. Firstly, there needs to be enough detail in the paintings to make them higher quality, so when they get reduced the detail remains.  Secondly, I intend to produce a gallery exhibition of the Artwork. It really is good quality watercolors. Some are better than others, but it is an amazing feat to have gathered thousands of watercolor paintings for this publishing project. The watercolors are absolutely worthy of being shown in a museum or gallery. The interesting thing is that; I can print the artwork and you would be hard-pressed to distinguish the original from the print. That makes it possible for us to sell signed copies of the artwork at an exhibition.

Computers

    Another part of what is happening is that ;I need to upgrade my computers again. The systems I am using are quite fine for the work I am doing, but they are outdated when it comes to the internet.  In fact, I have numerous computers, all of which work fine for what they can do, but (as usual) the technology is changing more rapidly than I am. So I am somewhat forced to upgrade my computers. I am looking at the new Mac Studio M4. So far I found out what I need to do to upgrade my programs, because that also is required. You know how that goes.

Music

     That has led me to explore what needs to be done to set up up to get busy working on the music again. The work on music has been put off until the Storybooks are complete. Little did I know just how many years publishing the books would take.  But in regard to the music, one thing I have in mind is to build a recording studio large enough to accommodate a pit orchestra. Since I am setting up a stage in my studio, I will design it to be used as a sound-stage, green-screen and rehearsal space. I also intend on applying video to that stage, in particular producing "Nunc Licet' for the cameras.

   But in regard to the music workstations, the one I am using for Publishing will be repurposed for music composition ,once the Illustrated Storybooks are finished. The main reason for the delay is that I do not want to interfere with the publishing functions until these books are completed. I can and will set-up more than one workstation for music. I still have the G4 & G5 that we used, I just don't have the time to address setting them up while I am engaged in publishing. In addition to these things, I am working toward setting up an in-house network that will also serve as a test case for the touring needs of the stage musical.

MORE LATER

Puppetry Stages

Mobile Stage

 Below are two photographs of the trucks I have available

 to service mobile stage concepts under development.

1962 International CO1600

 I am now considering this vehicle to carry a

Complete Proscenium Puppetry Stage 

I will be an interesting project, to design and construct the stage 

that will fit the size of this bed, with removable legs, whereby  

the stage can lift up, so the truck can drive out from under the stage.  

This is becoming a very real project, which I am now considering as a tool 

for the puppetry version of the show; The Gnomes of New Hope.

Of course, this cannot happen until after the publishing is completed and 

also in the context of other aspects of the project that are underway.  

This truck is being renovated, in that it will be receiving 

a larger rebuilt engine  and rebuilt hydraulics for; 

 the dumping stake-bed, crane arm, brakes and clutch.

1963 Corvair Greenbrier

The above truck was purchased for the frame and powertrain. 

The intention was to remove the body for the purpose of constructing 

a self-powered 

Parade Float with Animatronic Puppetry 

for use in promoting the musical stage show of 

The Gnomes of New Hope: Zach & Zebby's Grand Adventure.

Clearly, this will be a smaller, different stage than that described above.

Here is what the chassis looks like without the body. Imagine a flat stage stop this chassis, with a cockpit constructed in the center-front under that stage.

As it stands now, this truck may be preserved for restoration, 

as I have more than one of these trucks and I am looking at third parts truck,

which would better serve the purpose of a Parade Float

and allow this Greenbrier to be preserved.

I thought this might be interesting to you.

AG