Sound/Green-Screen Stage

   

A Gnome-skull and modified joints
for puppets

   I have  made mention of this in other posts, but the Green-Screen for use with puppetry is an important aspect of this project that has, for the most part, been on hold, while publishing activities are being focused on. 

   However, I have been working on a three-camera (HDV) setup for use with the stage and the supplies for the stage are in place, only requiring completion of negotiations regarding facilities before I can begin setting that up. Once that is concluded, in accordance with our objectives,  I will begin setting up the stage and doing some video tests.  There is much that needs to be done around the studio but, should other producers come on-board, then we can advance in any number of arenas either at IMS or not, depending on whatever agreements we end up making.

An Early version of The Gnome-sized Book

   I was discussing this today, and although I have produced this up to this point, I have no objection to having a number of other producers come on board. There are many ancillary markets which can & need to be addressed and there is much that can be done from Image of the Mind Studios facilities,  but there are other things that can be done from other studios also. 

    So I just want to convey that I am open to discussing many aspects of how to fully exploit the potential of this project and I do not necessarily need to be in control of that.  I will if I have to, but my influence only goes so far. So, taking on partners poses no problem for me, so long as we make the right amicable agreement and those partners provide both the correct resources to advance the project and to compensate me for my investment thus far.

   Standard stuff; Joint Venture Agreement.

AG

Licensing, Options, the Joint Venture

I have not used this blog site as extensively as others, because it is intended for specific subjects, hence the point of this post.

To Summarize the situation;

I've concluded that we have finally reached the point of completion where we can move forward in a realistic fashion with other significant aspects of the project.

I say this because, advancement in the film and theatre environments is wholly contingent upon the Illustrated Storybooks being close enough to marketability and distribution.

The whole purpose of the Illustrated Storybooks is to build an audience, or at least support a wide ranging marketing campaign, for the project as a whole.

It is clear that the theatrical endeavor requires a specific progression of design, preparatíon and implementation. Having extensive experience in this process, I understand about the time frames and resources required for this. 

Admittedly, I have remained in the non-union arena, although I have worked union jobs in both film and theatre, but most of my work has been non-union, specifically because I have worked in all areas of theatre and predominately as an independent filmmaker. The union environment has well defined roles which disallow crossing certain lines. So, I remained non-union for that reason.

Of course the reality is that the Industry is unionized at the higher levels. Hence, I have remained in the Development Arena.

Well, "The Gnomes of New Hope; Zach and Zebby's Grand Adventure" has reached the stage of development where is can be anticipated to become uplifted into the higher levels of Industry Operations. The reason for this is; it's viability.

The Libretto has been finished for many years. Much of the Music is finished, with only (relatively speaking) minor work to be done on scoring and some arrangement. We anticipate getting back to the music after the remaining Illustrations are completed for the Storybooks. All other work on the publishing materials and Limited Edition binding is finished and ready to proceed, the exception being that the most recent printer files are now being assembled. That assembly could take a month or two, depending on other work that demands attention. Even so, those publishing files will be using sketches, where the artwork is not finished yet.

We are closing in on refining the sketches into finished line drawings, which will be followed by watercoloring and then processing for insertion into the final layout. I believe this remaining work may be finished within a year and a half.

That being the case, I feel that it is appropriate to offer an Option on the project. Most specifically, on the Film & Television Rights. There are many other rights involved, but Film & Television are probably the most valuable, and frankly, I don't anticipate being able to implement production in those arenas through  Image of the Mind Studios, unless we build The Elder Gnomes Joint Venture with a Board of Directors composed of veterans of those Union Arenas.

Of course, there are numerous Terms & Conditions that come into play when selling an Option, but one possiblity that might be offered is a Buy-in to the Joint Venture. Either way, my immediate goal is to secure a minimum of $2M for my immediate use in securing my facilities, as the current situation is preventing advancement in regard to in-house production activities. Those funds would only be applied to the in immediate needs of the facilities, not production or personnel.

So that being the case, $2M would buy a two year Option (First Right of Refusal), after the Illustrated Storybooks are ready for distribution, for the Film &Television Rights, or a Buy-in for one Board Position under the present terms of The Elder Gnomes Joint Venture business plan.

Details of all this can be provided if there is serious discussion on the subject.

AG

Arthur Greisiger

Image of the Mind Studios

1325 Industrial Boulevard

Building Three

Southampton, Pa 18966

412-502-9182 (ofc)

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