A Quick Note

I'm archiving the older posts in this blog because with the approaching release of the e-Storybook renders those facts irrelevant. 

If for some reason you need to examine some of the history of our process by seeing these posts, 

let me know and I can provide those archived items.

AG

IMS Publishing

I posted some thoughts on the IMS Virtual Studio that concern The Gnomes of New Hope. You might check that out.  There is also a Facebook page for Image of the Mind Studios where I discuss some of this

iPad Tests

Well, I have to report that the e-Storybook looks SO INCREDIBLY GOOD that I can't believe it!  The layout looks better on the pad than it does on my computer. I am amazed! And it works great in Kindle's App as a PDF e-book.

I am currently reconfiguring the file structure and the encryption layout, so it won't be long before the entire three-volume set will be available to the industry. There are more illustrations required before I am willing to release it to the public, because I want every page to be as rich as the first two volumes.  As it turned out I have created another volume in the form of an Appendix. The files which are part of the History of Gnomanity, basically the Gnomic Tales, have been separated out of the story which is conveyed in the Libretto to the stage musical. So the number of pages in this three volume set is pretty high.  I am up to Scene Eleven out of Nineteen and my page numbers are approaching 400. So I expect this will be an epic tale in  terms of an Illustrated Storybook.

I am also busy sculpting the puppet heads, integrating the mechanics of the eye movements with the sub-structure of the skull/chassis.  We are getting ready to construct the bodies over the chassis for the puppets, as I have concluded that the mechanical design for the manual puppets will be essentially the same as that of the animatronic chassis.  I have discovered an interesting method of creating the epidermis for the faces, so I am moving forward to finish a few prototypes in that regard.

My thinking in terms of the e-storybook is to look more for a partner who has the marketing and distribution channels already open so that we can achieve deep saturation in the market. If this is an arena you are involved in, I am open to discussing this, but in lieu of hearing from anybody in this regard, I do plan on moving forward with a marketing and distribution plan. My focus of attention, however is on other theatrical support activities, such as the parade float and a staged presentation of the puppetry for marketing in small venues (such as bookstores & libraries).

For the time being I am preserving the distribution of the e-book to work in conjunction with the distribution of the hard copy, so whoever jumps in on the hard copy will benefit from that marketing effort, at least until I move forward without the hard-copy.

The formula for Gnome Gnog is finished and I am moving forward to locate a supplier for the powdered mix. The song "Gnome Gnog" has the lead sheets and the piano adaptation finished, so we could move forward to record and create an animation to market that product if I cut a deal for the distribution of that product line.

Also, I am looking at setting up an injection molding operation to support the prototype runs of the toy lines and the marketing plan for  "Gnomes in a Gnutshell". So there's a lot going on.

That's all for now.  AG

Archive: Older thoughts on various subjects

This Week's Thoughts  (9/1/14)


The work on "Gnomeville" for the past few weeks has moved slowly forward as I have been creating a piano adaptation and lead sheet in four part harmony for one of the larger choral numbers in the show.

My recent thoughts have been toward releasing the e-Storybook as other preparations are being made to create a deliverable PDF of that e-Storybook and on that front - my thinking is that I will withdraw the Front Money Offer once the e-Storybook is released.  The way I see it - once I begin to create the expected cash flow from product sales, I intend to derive all growth from those sources and not so much from investment.  Of course these plans are apt to change depending on the needs, circumstance and actual resources available. Part of the plan is to prepare a Limited Partnership, even if (hopefully) it becomes unnecessary.

So if anyone wants in on the Front Money Investment offer, I suggest you take advantage of it while it is still  on the table. I see no need to pay high rates of return if I don't have to. If you need more details on that offer, I have posted it on this blog, the IMS Virtual Studio blog or send me an email at imagemindag@verizon.net and we can open a dialogue in that regard. Of course, you can also broach the subject with me personally.

My primary goal at this point it to replace/upgrade all my computer/cinema systems and programs which will be required for our rapid advancement of this project.  I am also looking for talented producers who want to be involved with different aspects of this, including Gnome Fest. But I want to be very clear that being a producer means bringing in production funds not simply managing production activity and the invitation is to produce under the banner of IMS.

Other than additional artwork for the e-storybook Volume III, all the creative materials are ready for advancement into production in an assorted number of arenas. My focus of attention is moving to equipment and facilities, so inviting other producers/organizations in for production is now on the table. I want to be clear that at this point, I am inviting association with the game plan I already have laid out and been progressing with, but I am not unreceptive to an outright sale to another larger and more capable organization under the right conditions.

MORE LATER, AG


Last Week's Comments

After having spent the last week or so working on the Piano Adaptations for Act II, I have concluded that this will be the focus of attention until all music for the show has been converted to Lead Sheets and Piano adaptations.

No further recording, composition or scoring will take place, no work on puppetry, illustrations or animation, and no further development of cinema, product design or packaging for ancillary markets.

Hence forth, all activities, in any arena,  will be contingent upon significant investment  with defined goals for those funds.  Any investment must also support the general operating expenses of the studio as well as the specific needs of the production arena, as we are not implementing into the marketplace  to create cash flow until all corners of the production are firmly established and we are able to meet the demand which will occur with release of the product to the public. We will not release the product in bits and pieces. We are seeking a contiguous (preferably international) marketing effort across the board.

In the past I have had investors who have wanted their investment to go for one thing and not something else. This will no longer be the case, as the investment will encompass the overall operation at my discretion which will include specifically defined goals for the production.

All my personal resources and efforts will now be going toward facilities and equipment for IMS as a whole, and not into The Gnomes, other than to improve the production capabilities.  The exception is that of the time required for me to establish and refine internal production management structure as it pertains to the overall operation (and consequently the Gnomes) and complete the refinement of the core product for The Gnomes, which at this point is only the lead sheets and piano adaptations.  Once that is done other marketing activities will take place.

When the entire package is filled in with those items, and the presentation package is completed, my attention will be turned wholly to other unrelated matters, unless I find sufficient investment partners to allow complete attention to both the Gnomes and those other matters. That means that I may shift to other (theatrical/cinematic) projects which were pushed aside  for the sake of the Gnomes.

I have been working virtually full time on The Gnomes of New Hope for more years than I can count and have diverted all my resources and time to the development of this one project. Continuing to do this will create undue burden on other areas of need, which happen to also be required for advancement with the Gnomes.  So it is now time for me to return to those other matters which are in great need of attention.  I loathe risking the decay of the momentum on the Gnomes, but attendance to those other matters requires it because they are getting in the way of advancing as rapidly as I would like.

Hence, the core materials for the Gnomes is almost as complete as it can be at this point and further forward momentum is wholly contingent upon significant further investment, to a degree that is beyond my immediate and relatively insignificant resources.

This also implies that advancement of the Gnomes of New Hope: Zach & Zebby's Grand Adventure  may be more viable in the hands of a Theatrical Agent while I am focusing on other matters.

Until that changes, this may be the last post on this blog for awhile. If you peruse the postings in this blog you will gain all the information you will need to perceive the magnitude of this project, short of the core material, story-line, and contracts, which items are only available to our investors and creative partners.

The most I expect to do on this blog in the near future is to post more artwork along the side panels.

For future updates refer to the IMS Virtual Studio, which will now be receiving my attention.   AG

Gnome Gnog

I was talking to Gnuthead the other day and he said:
I have discovered the formula for Gnome Gnog ! 

 Of course the ingredients are somewhat different than those 

shown on this proposed label, but it's pretty darn good! 

That's Gnuthead kneeling down. He invented Gnome Gnog
and that's Gnomus standing up,
he's Gnuthead's business partner at
The Gnot Hole, Gnomeville's Famous Eatery.

We've tried numerous formulas - but this, the most recent one, is quite good.  There are some variations we need  to try because of the different markets we will be wanting to approach with this beverage, but when we are 100% satisfied that it is right, I will be looking for a company to produce the product in a powder form.

We will be offering Gnome Gnog as a concession item at the shows, as well as marketing it in supermarkets and presenting it to a brewery for a brewed version. So I want to have slightly different versions of the Flavor for the packets sold in the "hot chocolate" market and that sold in the beer market.

In addition to the beverage, we have Gnog Logs for the cookie/candy market  and Gnome Gnuts for the cereal market. There are a few other items in the works too.

If you are a company engaged in these markets and you want to be part of out product line as a licensee, do let me know.

Sortagnomic Furniture

One aspect of our marketing for

 The Gnomes of New Hope is 

The Gnomeville Art & Craft Guild

We have been developing a catalogue of products, 

putting together a showroom and an exhibition area at the studio  

and building the prototypes for a number of our products. 

Here is one of them.

Some story-line elements have changed from what you see here.

The Gnomes refer to humans as Big People.

I like to think the flyer is self explanatory. 

There is an order form below. 

At some point I hope to inventory 25 -50 of these chairs, 

so they will be ready for shipment at any time.  

So far I am still in the prototype stage with this 

and I am trying to work out the shipping box 

as well as some other hardware components.

 This chair will be sold as a kit.

 If you would like to purchase any number of these kits, do let me know.  

I would like to have a distributor buy a couple of hundred

 so I can get the production up to speed. 

I will take order for any quantity. 

Delivery is not fixed as yet

but the manufacturing process is almost refined.

there  is a price listed  on this copy of the order form

but that price will need to be confirmed.

I will proceed with that if you contact me.

AG

A Love Song Duet

Here is a link to the First Love Song we recorded hopefully it works for you.

" Completely "

a love song duet

Zach & Ferny

Sung by
Nathan Odhner & Justine Buss

Here's an Illustration representing the Finale of the show.

A (not so) Quick Note on various points

Regrettably, things are slowing down for me on this project because my computing power is becoming increasingly insufficient for this project.  The e-Storybook is quite large now, even without the videos installed in the layout.  Of course I do not yet have more than the one video (which is posted here) but it is clear that I will need a great deal more computing power than I currently have. I am working around that problem as best I can, but clearly I need to drop some serious bucks into new systems and programs in order to implement this as fully as possible. I am trying to get a grip on DRM and how to best implement that, but it is clear that I will not be able to do that with the current equipment.

So my solution to that will have to be selling some ancillary rights to fund those upgrades. We are working on a number of product lines including the Garden Gnomes (of the characters), refining the formulas for Gnome Gnog (a beverage) Gnome Gnuts (a snack food), and Gnome Gnuggets (a cereal) and an assortment of toys (including figurines & a game board) as well as ephemera.  What this means is that - I will be pursuing this means of financing a bit more aggressively.  Therefore I seek to communicate with organizations I know of, to discuss this and to set up these markets to synchronize with the release of the film, television and theatre projects ( those markets are also open for discussion).

So if anyone is interested in discussing the purchase a license for these (or other) items, or other thoughts on partnership, and wants a leg up on it, please do contact me in this regard.

Understand that I am pursuing development of these markets internally as best as possible, but that I prefer to license manufacturing & distribution in exchange for production funding. We are very close to being able to release this to the public, but it will be necessary to develop that associated industries before we attempt to do that. So, that being the case our first release will be to those industries and I would hope that someone seeing this who likewise sees the potential will be inclined to contact me.

I would rather not impair the any of the markets by attempting distribution of any item in-house, until I am certain that I will need to do so, and so I am also seeking relationship with an Agency who can negotiate for me on numerous fronts. Thus far, nothing is contracted.

Therefore, distribution of the three volume e-storybook, which would be the first and most important product, is available to an organization of substance who can guarantee international distribution of both the e-storybook and the hardcopy editions. I certainly could distribute the e-storybook in-house, but I'd rather offer that advantage to the organization who will take charge of producing and distributing the hardcopy.  Of course the layout is already done, so it is mostly a matter of printing or possibly expanding upon some of the illustrations. To do that would involve further engagement of my Illustrator.

To reiterate: I prefer to focus my attention on the theatrical aspect of this from the Director's standpoint. As far as producing goes, I prefer to stay in the Little theatre environment, because producing for a first class house is more complex than I care to deal with at this point.  After all the creative work is done that may be different, but right now the level of concentration required for development of the core product (story & characters) and creation of the music and the technical design elements is about all the brain power I have.

Because of this, I seek to license out the First Class Stage production to another producer who has significant experience with running a successful Union show in NYC. But just to be clear, the Ancillary Rights do not go with that (unless that market is bought into) Producing in the Union environment is not something I care to get involved with, although if, everything else is done and  I am forced to do it, I will.

We are advancing with our work on puppetry and are developing a prototype animatronic puppet to tie into our computer MIDI systems. My focus of attention is this, as opposed to mounting the live production, as I intend to produce the animated/puppet version of this in my own studio first. This puts less burden on me for travel and logistics and will allow me to stay in the studio to produce the animations and television product. I am building a stage space with a green screen for this. I currently have 10K sq ft to work with.

That's not to say the live version cannot proceed, or that I will not work on that, but that is contingent on additional producers and financing being part of that process. The development of the live production will take place in my studio in Southampton Pennsylvania, unless other more advantageous circumstances arise.

Well that's all for now. AG

eBook

I have made the determination to shift my attention to preparing the eBook for publication and distribution through this site.   As you can see below, I have produced a sample video, which I intend to include as part of the eBook.

The film below uses the artwork we produced for the Illustrated Storybook as a backdrop for the lyrics to the instrumental song. I feel as though this format works well as a sing-a-long product and so, I intend on producing such a film for each of the lyrical songs.  Now there are a total of seventy songs in the show, although that count includes the instrumental backdrops and scene change bridges, so there wont be seventy films to make, but there will be over forty.  I'd say that will keep me busy for a long time.

Of course the intention is to move this show into production as a legit stage production as soon as that is both possible and appropriate, but the truth of the matter is -  I have determined to continue producing the products that are ancillary to the stage show and feature film which I can produce in my studio and not to concern myself with pushing forward  as a live stage show until the resources to do so are fully available.

Of course the effort to make those resources continues, but the larger operations that fall into union operations impose parameters on a production that, if entered into prematurely, can impair the forward momentum (as a whole) if sufficient resources are not available to maintain consistent operations and growth.

So in the context of producing an end product that will sustain positive forward momentum, there are many aspects that can be drawn together, while remaining within the confines of the studio operations.  Hence, introduction into the market place of the larger product will be implemented in an appropriate fashion based on my immediate resources.

Should other organizations step up to be involved by providing additional resources, then the implementation may be accelerated and under the right circumstances that is the most desired route to hope for.

I have been working on this project since 1990. Sometimes I feel like I'm all Gnomed -out. Other times I'm very excited about the progress and depth of this project.

So ... onward and upward. AG

Samples of The Illustrated Storybook

 For the sake of our partners who have had faith in the project 

by investing time, money and resources to help us prepare this material, 

and for the sake of those who have been considering being involved,

I am posting samples of the book product which is almost ready to go to press.

The Hard Cover Book will use a sleeve.

The images do not interpret as well as they actually print
as they are rather dark and not nearly as clear.

When the files were converted to a lower resolution JPG

for use here, a great deal of clarity was lost.

But they do  print wonderfully
 are quite and vibrant & readable

I will replace them when I can adjust the exposure

but these show the basic look.

Here is the Front Cover 

This is the 

Inside Front Cover Flap

I opted for a more artistic use of the text.

This flap describes the artists involved.

This is the Back Cover

I wonder if the back cover is busy,

but I do find that 

the variety

has the effect of

 being enthralling

as one studies it 

and this is something

which I think we want 

for the kids.

This is the 

Inside Back Cover Flap

While this flap give a brief history 
and defines some other 
aspects of the project.

And below are three pages from Volume One

These pages show the full bleed and trim marks
(in the form of a notch in each corner)

The background is reversed on the even pages, 
although it is not reversed here.

As you can see above,
artwork is interspersed within the text
on some pages.

While on other pages,

scenes have been composed 

within backgrounds.

There is a wide variety of 

page compositions

and the text uses 

a variety of sizes and shapes 

to emphasize the the inflections intended.

Collectable Trading Cards

Here is a glance at one of the prototype trading cards.

The design has advanced somewhat since this edition

but this is a copy I happened to have 

on hand at the moment.

The rear of the card will have pertinent information 

about the characters or whatever the image is

and I am thinking through a numbering system

to make them more collectable

As with everything else 

this is an ancillary market 

available for licensing

Gnome Gnog 

flavored 

bubble gum?

Inter-active Storybook

Initial Discussion

An interesting concept came to me as I was working on the Layout for the Illustrated Storybook.  I am planning on advancing into creating a Powerpoint version of the Storybook, which as you can understand, has numerous applications for marketing the over all project.  However that leads me to want to create an edition of the storybook that will be designed for an iPad, or other hand-held devises of that nature.  Essentially, that means creating an App that will access the storybook electronically.  Well, since the plan is to move forward into an animated film, I think the interim stage of getting there will be to create an animated storybook. Of course the animations used for that storybook will be limited versions of what will be used in the animated film.

My plan has been to narrate the story, once the illustrated volume is completed. The text for this illustrated storybook is complete, however I am finding that I am altering the text to accommodate the variations on the illustrations, which I am creating in order that each page of the storybook has an illustration.  As it turns out, in order to have that many illustrations, I am dividing them up and using close-up, middle & long shots. This really expands the usability of the illustrations. I am also finding that I can create assorted body positions of the characters with photoshop, so this is leading me into the foundations of the animation. I have a program called Poser, but have not yet learned how to use it, so at some point that may come into play as well.

  Of course the narration of the existing text will be part of a companion CD with the music. I have had numerous requests to narrate this myself, being told that my voice inflection really brings it alive. So as soon as I am satisfied that the prepress publication mechanicals are right, then I will move into doing that narration.

  As it stands now Volume One has sixty pages, of what I expect to be around ninety, that are finished.  I may have said this before , however, Volume Two now has seventy-eight pages complete, which takes us up to scene five (of nineteen) in the Libretto.  Act One of the Libretto has nine scenes, so those seventy eight pages seem to represent about one half of Act One/Volume One. However, scene seven in the Libretto is the longest scene in the play and that may take up a bit more pages in the Illustrated Storybook. I have found that in the storybook, I have expanded upon certain portions of the story which are not revealed in the Libretto, for reasons that have to do with the limitations present on stage.

The approach I've taken in layout out the storybook is to include the lyrics from the Libretto as part of the Storybook text. Since the story on the stage is told largely in song. For the storybook, I have built a larger story around the one presented on-stage, meaning that I've expanded upon aspects of the story that cannot be presented on-stage due to time and spacial limitations. So the storybook is more extensive in that regard.

Some Thoughts about Production

As you may be aware, building a show and gathering the resources necessary to succeed as a theatrical production can be a complex endeavor. Even with 40 years of experience in theatre, it is a daunting task to move forward to do this.  So with that degree of complexity in coordinating the resources and personnel in mind, I have decided to continue with the development of other materials which will offer the greatest degree of support for the core product and keep us moving forward in the studio environment without excessive  external outlay.  My feeling is that I need to continue to move forward as much as possible internally before risking external activity which might cause undue strain to the overall operation and water down the market place impact.

Obviously, I need to get a product into the market place to develop a cash flow. But I want the most advantageous product that will require the least amount of outlay on my part. That leads me to consider the electronic medium.

What this is leading up to is this - We have a good amount of artwork, which is being adapted for a larger presentation of the story, there is more to be done in that regard, but the material we already have is sufficient to develop a solid structure for storytelling in various mediums. Although the hardcopy storybook is nearing completion, I would like to move into the digital medium - before I release the hardcopy storybook, or at the least simultaneous to that release. My feeling is that full revelation of the core material without deep saturation into an assortment of markets would be a mistake. So that is what I am striving for. Now I am completely willing to partner with other organizations to achieve that saturation, so long as those organizations are on-board with the overall marketing plan. That is yet to be seen, but for those who may be reading this and might be considering involvement, there is an overall game plan for market saturation that does not necessarily involve a flood of publicity to achieve that end. Certainly that kind of publicity is welcome at the appropriate time and as evidenced by other product that gained success by that method, but from my point of view, making those expenditures is most appropriate when the adjacent markets have sufficient inventory to meet the demand which will result from such publicity and marketing. So that being said, I am striving to set up those markets to meet that demand either internally or externally. Frankly I will continue to work internally in the absence of external impetus, but I am striving for a balance between the two.

The Electronic Medium

Now this  Electronic Storybook could possibly be interactive with links and such. I have not thought this entirely out yet, because what has to happen is that: this needs to be income producing and not just a free ride on the internet. So with that in mind, I would like to discuss this with an internet savvy partner who can assist in setting up the App and the sale of this electronic book as an online purchase. I want the book to be isolated to one devise and not be able to be copied or transferred between parties. So the person who becomes involved as a programmer needs to be able to do this. I am not currently able to do this, mainly because I do not have the time to learn a new trade such as this.

The other aspect of this is that the electronic book will contain the music from the show and animated clips in each scene.  So in essence this will be a merging of a limited animation of scenes with the illustrated storybook with narration, available on any hand held devise anywhere via the internet.

Any individuals or companies savvy to this who may like to be involved are invited to write to me to discuss this.

MORE LATER -  AG