Apologies
I have been a bad film producer lately. Due to excessive amounts of chaos in my personal and professional lives, I’ve been unable to begin work on the second episode. I hope to change that in the near future, however. More to come when I have time.
Announcing the first episode of The Deep City!
Breed Films is proud to announce the first episode of “The Deep City: Rediscovering D’ni”. This documentary short “People of the Book” introduces the D’ni people and their place in our world. We discuss who the D’ni people were where they came from and how.
Featuring: J.D. Barnes (D’ni historian), DocOlanA (Students of D’ni Knowledge), Justin Groesback (Subterranean Restorations) and Blade Lakem (The Great Tree).
Narration by: Julian Lapis
You can find the episode, in two parts in YouTube, below, or at the URLs following them:
Part 1 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JMDjTuEWsY
Delays
Things are going a lot slower than I expected. Unfortunately, this doesn’t pay the bills yet and my day job has been taking up a lot of time. I’m also waiting for some material from DocOlanA. I haven’t heard from him for a few weeks, for some reason. I may have to find some other resources. Eleri from the D’ni Network suggested I talk to a few other people. I’ve gotten Blade Lakem on board, and now to get a few more. I’m also still waiting to hear back from Subterranean Restorations.
However, the DRC connected me with an anthropologist named JD Barnes, who has been a pleasure to work with. He seems genuinely interested in D’ni history and have some interesting views on it. He’s suggested a few more topics for episodes, such as one on the family of Atrus, and another on D’ni technology. I hope to squeeze a bit more about the modern restoration, however.
I’m not sure who is reading this blog, but if you have suggestions, or would like to help with the documentary, please contact me at my gmail account (breedfilms AT gmail DOT com).
The first episode is in progress
Work for my first episode is in progress. I’ve been working with my expert that the DRC hooked me up with and the Students of D’ni Knowledge. Hopefully I will be able to get some support from Subterranean Restorations as well.
If I am lucky, I might even be able to get the episode out in a few weeks.
The impossible is, in fact, possible
After significant effort and even more significant prayers, I have finally accomplished the impossible. I’ve managed to corner the DRC. I’ve got their cooperation for the documentary!
Now, they seem to be avoiding the idea of interviews. So I wouldn’t call this a complete coup. They say they are too busy. With Michael Engberg gone and Nick White fired, it doesn’t surprise me that they are understaffed.
However, they did give me the name of a ‘noted D’ni historian’ that I might be able to work with. I’m not certain how ‘noted’ a D’ni historian can be, given that most of the world doesn’t know D’ni exists. But beggars cannot be choosers.
Still, I think I’m going to be contacting some of the experts among the ‘explorer’ populace. I know there is a lot of expertise out there.
Announcing “The Deep City: Rediscovering D’ni”
Breed Films is proud to announce “The Deep City: Rediscovering D’ni”, a series of short subject documentary films about the D’ni and the Restoration.
In “The Deep City”, we will examine the history of the D’ni people, the nature of the ruins and technology they left behind, and the people who are behind the attempt to breathe life into this lost civilization. We will feature interviews with key members of the restoration effort and the explorers who have found their own way to the caverns of D’ni.
The first installment of “The Deep City: Rediscovering D’ni” will be available in Summer 2007.
You can find a trailer for the series below, or on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJhi6MHvNDg
Finally, some progress
Unfortunately, I spent way too much time trying to see if I could get my recording equipment fixed on the cheap. The audio is still cutting out at random points. After banging my head against that brick wall for a while, I just decided to film incidental shots. I need to build up a library of filler and odds and ends to stick in places.
Luckily, I managed to actually put together a decent trailer for the documentary in the process. Julian has given me a few great tracks for it, and he’s agreed to do narration for the shorts themselves. I also got several people to help me get some shots over the past few weeks. Neeah, bless her soul, let me film her all over Teledahn, even falling out of the bucket.
So, if all goes well, I’ll debut the trailer this weekend. Hopefully I can get a hold of Eleri so the D’ni Network can spread the news about it. Maybe I’ll post it on YouTube or something. That would be so iGeneration 😉
I am still trying to hunt down DRC members. Since Nick White was fired for ‘fraternization’ (what is this, Hogan’s Heroes or something?) they are even harder to get a hold of than usual…if that’s even possible. I’ve heard rumors that some of them will be around this weekend. Maybe I can corner a few.
More technical issues
Unfortunately, I’ve been having significant issues with my recording equipment. The audio keeps cutting out or is filled with static. There must be a wire loose in it somewhere. Unfortunately, I really don’t have the budget to get new gear or take it to the shop. I’m running enough on a shoestring as it is. Hopefully it holds up.
I’ve begun work on a teaser trailer. I hate the sound of my voice, though. I talked to a member of the D’ni Network, however. She said she knew someone who did voice work. Anything to not have to hear my own voice too much! 😉
Other than that, I hope to get that teaser out soon.
Some good interviews…
I talked to a few people in cavern last night, recorded some interviews. I’m really happy with how they went. I got some great quotes. Good stuff.
In one conversation, however, something came up that seemed very interesting. When I asked if they felt the Cavern was safe, and they said “Oh sure, we have our Relto books.” The general feeling was that as long as you had your Relto book, D’ni was a safe place to be. And they felt that the DRC wouldn’t be as unconcerned if explorers didn’t always have their Relto book on hand. It’s like the DRC has bought into Yeesha’s gifts and is depending on them now as much as the explorers are.
Banging my head against a nara wall
I’ve gotten zilch back from the DRC. My emails to the address on their website finally bounced after days of Google’s mail server trying to deliver them. The DRC don’t seem to be particularly friendly, as an organization at least. I hear Nick White is particularly friendly if you are a woman. ::lol::
Anyway, it’s time to step up the pressure on the DRC. The ResEngs are available. Maybe if I can get some of them on my side, the DRC will be quicker to respond. But I think I just need to begin production at this point. I have some people to interview and I’ve got some initial script for a teaser trailer. I hope to begin working on that this weekend.
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