Yes, I know Halloween was yesterday, but I didn’t get this post ready in time (big surprise there). I seem to over-complicate things more often than not, so I decided to just write a quick note and add a cool new image to let you know I am still alive, still working away on this little film, and still extremely grateful for the chance to be doing so.
A few weeks ago, I had the unique (if last-minute) opportunity to fill-in for an absent ‘break-out session’ presenter during a Digital Media department conference held at a local university (UVU). With about 45 minutes warning, I grabbed my laptop and made my way through truly horrendous campus traffic to the large auditorium with only moments to spare. The keynote speaker was cinematographer/DP Munn Powell of Napoleon Dynamite fame (who was thoroughly entertaining and informative); after a brief interlude I was privileged to share with about a hundred students the process of getting started with The Price, including my initial emails with Mr. Gaiman, the Kickstarter campaign, Comic Con, and everything else to this point. I had a wonderful time, and enjoyed talking with several audience members afterward. It seemed to be well-received, as the department chair, Arlen Card (brother to author Orson Scott Card), asked me to come back and do it again for a larger, more diversified group tomorrow morning. (I’ll let you know how it goes — hopefully they’ll record it, and if they do I will post some of it here.)
My thanks again for all of the kind messages and positive encouragements; they continue to provide a powerful curative for those dark and discouraging thoughts that try to squirm their way into my heart from time to time, and stand as a reminder that there are many others besides myself who haven’t lost the faith.
Thanks for the little update!
Good to hear you had fun at the uni. If you can share the presentation I’ll definitely be interested in seeing it.
Thanks Jordi — I appreciate your consistently positive comments more than you know my friend!
Hi! (Camilla T. ) C.T. Adams here. I was a supporter from way back, but have since lost track of you because of changing email address, phone and address. Can I please be “looped in” again and get updates. Please send them to the address given with this to verify my identity: catadamsfans@gmail.com
You bet Camilla — and thanks for hanging in there with me!
The new visualization of the cat threw me off for a moment… specifically, the eyes. But then the idea of said feline taking on a demonic presence gave it proper context, and I think it looks BA! Cats have quite a range of expression and language with their eyes, and your rendition carries that language into the unspoken supernatural. This is the “cat” that I’d like to have in my corner, WTSHTF!
And once again, I’m inspired by your dogged perseverance, in the face of told and untold adversities, to create the vision you have in your mind for this particular story. And I’m sure that your impromptu presentation is inspirational as well. Godspeed to you, sir!
Hey Tad — a heart-felt thank you for your kind words and thoughts! Yeah, I know he (The Black Cat) looks intense, but I figured he’d have to fight fire with fire in a way. I chose to make the eyes glow in the animatic version, and was happy with the way it felt overall; glad you like it now too!
Thanks for the update. It’s cool that you got to talk about your work at a conference and will again soon!
Definitely still keeping the faith and looking forward to seeing this awesome-looking film! ❤
Much appreciated Michela — faith is all about believing in things that may not yet be seen, but are true none the less.
wonderful!!!
thank you for this update with the black cat!
You are more than welcome (and my thanks for the ever-so-gentle nudging that you do so well)! 😉
Very glad you are hanging in there…. when your work is done, we will all be very proud of you . Thanks for the update!
You are most welcome, Sandra. And it will be done, and that will be a glorious day indeed!
Christopher, It’s in the genes… you have an uncle who over-complicates things, regularly!
Mon oncle! Great to hear from you (all the way from Hong Kong, no less)!!! Well, if it is indeed a ‘genetic deficiency,” then I am proud to be in such distinguished company! Love you both!!!
Thank you my super-talented cousin. Enjoyed the update
Thanks for the flattery Brenda — especially because you know me! (I was gonna say “Your check is in the mail,” but I guess we Venmo our bribe money now, right?) 😉 Love you!
X24!
Great update! I am keen to see your speech delivered to the university crowd, and hope you can get a recording of it for later presentation to us, your ardent fans!
The cat image is excellent! The color of the glow in the eyes is spot on – a very supernatural hue. It’s that attention to detail, in concert with your amazing artistic talent that is going to make The Price a spectacular short film when it is completed.
I will end this note by quoting the words of our favorite (if not only) Applied Design teacher, Mr. Wiebe…”Keep up the good work. You’re doing a fine job.”
Dude!!! The Mr. Wiebe quote quite literally made me laugh out loud!
And thanks for the many kind (and variegated) words of encouragement, dear friend! I shall endeavor to elevate my elocution in tomorrow’s lecture in hopes of engendering a favorable response … and hopefully keep the lot entertained! 😉 (Glad you dig the hellacious-hue on TBC’s peepers too, btw.)
I have to admit, the suspense is killing me! Is there video to be had of the occasion?
No pressure, but I would love to see it, and I am betting I am not alone in that regard! I do enjoy it when you…elocute.
This project is taking a long, long time, but then you’ve had a lot to deal with during it, and I’m glad to hear you’re still focused not just on doing it, but on doing it right. It’s a wonderful story, and I loved your earlier cinematic. I do look forward to the eventual result, and I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors. Please don’t give up!
Thank you Jeffery; no, I won’t give up, and will continue to strive for balance between all of the everyday needs (including providing for my family) and more concentrated time on this project.
Love the picture!
The love is much appreciated!
So happy every time we get an update! I know it’s been a long process, but I haven’t lost faith, and I’m still very excited to see the final result! Good luck with your university talks, and keep up the great work
Thank you John! All of those positive ‘vibes’ keep me going!
The lecture went well & the film students in the audience got a real kick out of the fact I worked on the infamous Troll 2.
Thank you so much for the update. Of all the stories Neil has written, this is a sentimental favorite. The first video is amazing; I post it every year around Halloween. The second one is sure to exceed expectations. I cannot wait to see it.
Please count on me for continued support.
Indeed I shall Victoria — thank you so much!
Awesome!
You can do it Chris! Keep going – I’m boosted by another kickstarter I backed coming to completion (Jill Thompson’s Scary Godmother project), so I have faith you’ll be next. I can’t wait!! Meeeooowwww!!!
Very cool — and I will do my best to be next on that list! Thanks for staying so positive, Sioux!
It’s a delight that one can share their work and passion with future generation. I’m glad to hear your talk was well received and you have another chance to talk to a wider audience. I hope it will inpire them to do great works like yours. If the talk is recorded, I’m looking forward to hear it later.
Kitty!!!
I love that you’re still working on this doggedly (though not without frustration, sounds like — hang in there!).
Selfishly speaking, the fact that you still have your head and hands in this project that has seemed to take on a life and timeline of its own is … inspiring. I used to be more dogged, but recently gave myself permission to abandon some things that seemed to be too out-of-control, too removed from my original ideas, too mired in ambivalence, or just … too difficult. Some ventures *should* be cast aside for the right reasons, but I haven’t had those, only excuses. It’s kicking my butt to watch you persevere. Painful in a good way. I mentioned this was all about me, right? 😉
Anyway, I love that you had this opportunity to step outside the process and talk about it to people who are almost certainly going to have — or have had — to figure out how to slay (or tame) their own creative dragons. I also would love to see a video of the talk if they recorded it.
I remember donating in the last 24 hours to the project as a long time lover of all things Neil Gaiman. I remember the anxious excitement and nervousness of us all of waiting anxiously to see if the project would reach it’s goal! Then feeling
I love hearing about and getting to see all the updates on the project (both the challenges and rewards). I have learned patience and the peace within that feeling of waiting for something worthwhile. All your posts have ben more than encouraging. Personally, I have no thoughts to rush or push you to finish. It is in the challenges that we often learn the most about ourselves and through that experience we expand our horizons and capabilities.
As we enter this new year I hope to see more of your lovely renderings. Each post makes me feel rewarded and cherished to be a small part of this amazing project. Good luck and keep up the amazing work!!
P.S.;
I tried to reach out on your contact page and it does not seem to be working.It loads and says “one moment please for 30 minutes and counting. I missed the survey post asking for more info to send my reward. Is there a link or email that you can send out again with an active link to those of us who donated so that we can complete the survey?? Is that possible? Because I now feel worried that I will not receive my final award . Regardless, I am loving your updates and am so happy to be a part of this and look forward to each new update.
P.P.S
Update
Completing the sentence: Then feeling..
My feeling were expressed in emojis. Which included the following: cat face with heart eyes, fireworks, champagne glasses clinking, and a movie marker. As in let’s do this as I could not be more excited when we reached the final goal! Just completing that thought because it did not show the thoughts in my very expressive emojis. Oh well, guess we have to go old school for those 😉
Thank you for all your hard work and posts. I have never once lost faith or hope in the final product because of how much you share with all of us your hard work.