It’s been another long stretch between updates, and I have been meaning to share the following experience with you for some time:
In April, I discovered to my great delight that Mr. Neil Gaiman would be visiting Park City on the book tour for his latest short story collection, Trigger Warning. After a call to my producer Cat Mihos to see if she might be able to help procure tickets (and who, as always, delivered in spades), my wife Glynis and I headed up the canyon on a very pleasant Saturday afternoon, albeit with some nervous trepidation. While hers was more general in nature (like not knowing what to wear mixed with being excited to meet him), I had a more specific focus: I have had several “stress dreams” over the past few years where I am visiting Neil again (somewhere), and he refuses to talk to me or even acknowledge my presence! I know (from Cat) that he occasionally gets asked about The Price and its progress, and I never want him to regret telling CNN about the project and the Kickstarter campaign,
“For an author, it’s fun. Instead of selling the rights to my story, to actually kick in a few hundred dollars — but I don’t think I could do that if I didn’t trust Christopher Salmon to make a great little film.”
Given how long this production has taken, you can see why I was a little concerned at what he might say, face-to-face.
Well, I needn’t have worried. Once we arrived and gave our names to a very helpful staff member of the Park City Institute venue, we were escorted backstage to join a group of about 40 other people, who were milling about and eating snacks while awaiting their turn for an audience with Mr. Gaiman. Glynis and I took our place in the queue and watched him take his time greeting fans and chatting amiably with each one (I’ve noticed with amazement at how patient and genuine he is with people in general). After listening for a moment, my wife leaned over and whispered, “Wow, that voice…” She has become well-acquainted with its tone, timber and cadence, having heard his recorded narration of The Price on countless occasions (mostly as it issues forth with regularity from my basement cave/studio), but it is exponentially more mesmerizing in person. I kept stealing glances at him and noticed he looked a little different since I visited Castle Gaiman 4 years ago, most notably with the addition of a beard. At one point, he actually called out “Hello Christopher,” while finishing-up with his current guest. Then it was our turn.
I said hello, shook his hand and hugged him, and introduced my wife. She has a natural grace with people no matter the circumstance, and stepped over to him, saying easily, “I have to give you a hug as well!” Then while still hugging him, she said very quietly, “Thank-you for believing…” As her voice started to break, the moment became something tender and heart-felt. He hugged her back with genuine affection, and the last vestiges of my anxiety melted away completely.
We had a wonderful conversation (while several of the bewildered guests backstage looked on, no doubt wondering why they didn’t get a hug); I mentioned his beard (“I do some teaching at Bard’s [a College in NY] and so I needed to actually look like a professor for the students to take me seriously.”), congratulated him and wife Amanda Palmer, who are expecting a baby in September (“I’m absolutely terrified!”), and that led us to talking about families and sibling age differences. Then, in a more somber tone, he said he knew that our family had experienced some very difficult events recently, to which Glynis replied, “Yes we have; but everyone has their own trials to go through, don’t they?” Neil paused and said thoughtfully, “It’s true, we all do.” Again, her response was perfect and seemed to acknowledge his sympathies without making things feel too heavy.
He then told me how much he has enjoyed everything I’ve posted about The Price, and surprised me by saying, “When you are finished with the film, we should get together and re-record my narration. I was very, very tired when I recorded it the last time, and once we have a copy in the studio and can play it back, I can read to match the feel of the film.” I was stunned, because that is precisely how I was feeling about the recording we made in LA at Rob King’s Green Street Studios — but I certainly wasn’t about to complain, or try and impose upon his good nature to do it all again! He said he watched the teaser trailer and remarked that the visuals were so good, he wanted to bring the audio up to the same level (I think my grin was so wide at that moment it almost cracked my head in half). I was deeply impressed that he recognized the discrepancy and then kindly suggested we do it again, sparing me the difficulty of having to ask, all the while reassuring me that my sensibilities were on track. I promised him of my resolve to never give up, and had the overwhelming sense that he was very pleased with what I was doing and confident in what The Price will become. We took some pictures, said our goodbyes, then Glynis and I took our seats and thoroughly enjoyed the next 2 hours as he enchanted and delighted the sold-out Eccles Center audience. (You can listen to a recording of the event here.)
Later there was an after-party held in a local gallery where we had a chance to meet other NG admirers and talked with two different couples who recognized me and were following the progress of my little film (one was a Kickstarter backer, the other had attended a presentation I recently gave at the Life, the Universe and Everything Symposium). It was humbling and extremely gratifying to feel their enthusiasm for the project. Despite the occasional negative comments I get, having the opportunity to interact with people standing right there in front of me who are as excited as I am to see the finished film was uplifting and hugely inspiring.
I drove home that night wondering at how — just when your reserves feel as though they are about to run dry — these incredible experiences seem to come along in the proverbial “nick-of-time.” Personally, I don’t believe them to be coincidences. Getting those gentle reassurances was exactly what I needed… and now I pass them along to you.
Thanks for the update! It’s taking a long time, but everything you’ve doen is so far assures me the waiting is worth it.
It’s good to see Neil is still enthusiastic as well and selling to help make it the best possible project, too.
Thanks Jordi — believe me when I say I’m in no way trying to draw this out on purpose! And yes, having Neil’s direct encouragement was seriously the best balm ever!
I – by the way – had the immense pleasure of meeting Patrick Rothfuss in Germany in March! He is such a gentle and wonderful person…
Lucky you! He is a terrific human being, and suffers from the same trauma I do whenever anyone asks, “So… when are you going to be finished?” 😉
Thanks for the update. I am so excited for the final film, and am waiting in patient anticipation. I also do not believe in coincidences. Be encouraged, feel supported, and make good art!
Thank you Valerie; I am trying my very best to do exactly that.
Christopher,
What a great experience! I loved to read this, not only for the event and you being reassured, but also the expressive way you write. You have many believers, and it can’t hurt that one is NG himself.
I believe in the long game of creativity. I have 100% of a plot, but only 33% of the prose for my first novel, and it’s taking years – but that’s okay, it is what is required.
Cheers,
Trevor
(First day back living in BC after 24 “short” years away)
Thanks Trevor — and congrats on both the move & the novel!!! (I can’t wait to read it, man!)
Christopher! Always good to see an update, my friend. I’ve been thinking about you and The Price over the last couple of months, and have kept meaning to drop in and say hello, or send you a message on Twitter, but I just moved back to California from Texas rather unexpectedly, and life has taken on a different timbre, as you might imagine.
So was very glad to see this update in my inbox. Have not at all lost faith in your project. I’ve had some family members ask about it here and there, and I assure them that despite setbacks and time taken, things are still moving, and Mr. Salmon is still the best man for the job. Have had no doubt of that from the start, which is why I invested as much as I did in the project. Everything you show always looks great, and I have no doubt the final product will be well worth the wait.
Nice to see that you and Neil were on the same page. It’s a joy when two people’s creative instincts run in the same direction.
So how are YOU doing these days? All is well with you and yours, I hope?
Hey Michael — always a genuine pleasure to hear from you! I hope the move was a positive thing (or more importantly, that you can mold it into one). I’m consistently amazed by the unwavering support proffered by you and many other generous backers. Life continues its twisty, bumpy and always surprising ride, but like everyone else, I just grab on tight and try to enjoy and learn from all of it!
Haha, well that’s the right attitude. You keep hanging on, and I’ll do the same. If we can keep from falling off, I imagine it’ll take us somewhere by the time we do!
Looking forward to another update soon.
Please post a timeline for completion. It’s the reassurance I have been asking for for a few years now, and it still hasn’t appeared.
I’m not trying to frustrate you, but attempting to generate a timeline given the tumultuous history of this project so far is beyond frustrating in and of itself! The best I can do is provide more regular postings and thank you for your continuing patience.
Everything I read and see about Neil just goes to confirm that he is a fantastic human being, as well as being one of the greatest writers alive today. I would so very much like to meet him, or at the very least attend one of his readings, but, alas, Scandinavia is very, very rarely on the big writers’ schedule. (Just as well, probably, as I would most likely be completely tounge-tied if I ever did get to meet him.) At least I have The Price to look forward to.
Can’t wait for the moment the Blu-Ray arrives in the mail.
But if I can ask: what are your plans after The Price? Do you intend to continue making movies? Or perhaps you haven’t thought that far ahead?
Hey Jon, never give up hope (if you take away anything from following this little film project, I hope it’s that simple but potent resolution) — one day you may very well find yourself standing in front of the patient and long-suffering Mr. Gaiman, book in one hand and all of your words stuck somewhere between your mind and your mouth… 😉 Yes, I will forever be making movies and pushing forward creatively — that’s been the goal for as long as I can remember.
The creative process isn’t an easy one, and none of us would go there if we weren’t drawn to it, compelled to explore, and believe that there is something beyond all the fog ahead. No one can see what we see on any particular vision and no one else can do the work – but we all need to know there’s support out there. The best is when someone more experienced, more advanced, turns back to reach out a hand and boost us up to the next level. That’s what you’ve got with Neil’s encouragement – let that get you through the tough moments. Gotta run the first 25 miles to get to the last one. Ciao,
That was eloquently given and gratefully received Martha — thank you very much!
excellent!! So good to read this. Excited to see your marvelous film.
Hey Kyle! Thanks for always sharing kind & encouraging words (not to mention our unspoken bond of “Arachnid-Appreciation” — I have a 14-year-old Chilean Rosehair named “Akasha”).
so happy to read this update and to have played a small part in getting you there-
soon: The Year of The Cat!
keep the faith, my dear.
Kitty
You are the best, Cat; where on earth would this entire project be without you??? From the time I first learned your name, I knew things would eventually work out — I mean, how much more obvious could it be?
We will be watching The Price with an audience one day soon, and laughing in relief over the exhausting path it took to finally get there!
It is always wonderful to see an update from you, and I again find myself just as excited about The Price as ever. Keep them coming when you can, and keep the creative faith! And thank you, thank you, thank you for doing this.
Tim
What can I say to that Tim, except: you’re welcome, and thank you for making this possible!!!
I remain patient and offer my faith and best wishes.
(It will be so awesome when everything finally comes together. I KNOW this to be TRUE!)
Thank you Pat — your patience, faith and good will are exactly what I need!
Thanks for the update! I have faith in you.
You are most welcome & my thanks in return, Hugh!
I have never doubted you would do this, and do it beautifully and creatively and well. Thanks for another wonderful update.
These wonderful expressions of encouragement do more than you can imagine; thank you Bridget!
Glad your meeting with Mr. Gaiman went so well! I always expected the film to take quite a while, given my limited experience with filmmakers, and that was without the additional challenges and derailments you have faced. Looking forward to seeing the film when it is finished.
Thanks for your understanding, Rose. This project has definitely had more than its share of freakish developments, and yet I can’t help but see all of the incredible good fortune as well (almost as if the Universe is balanced somehow…)
I so look forward to your posts, and visit along the way of your journey. I for one don’t mind the wait – part of the fun is the anticipation and getting to see all these peeks “behind the curtain”. Thank you so much for all your doing and sharing and creating!
Hey Trina!
As always, I am so grateful for your consistently positive remarks; it really does make a difference!
Very happy to see an update and good to see that Neil Gaiman is still totally invested and on board as well! Keep the updates coming – even the small ones are interesting looks into your process, and there’s really no such thing as too many updates!
I promise to keep that firmly in mind Kathi — I have to confess that when it occurs to me to post some random tidbit, I often doubt its value and think, “I’m wait until I have something better…” And then, suddenly 4 months have passed. Ugh.
Just finished reading Trigger Warning and it is lovely to know that NG is as warm and gracious in person as he seems in his writing. I am very much looking forward to meeting him…and you.
I can assure you Lynne, he doesn’t disappoint!
And I can’t wait to meet you!!! Keeping my eye on that premiere keeps me going…
I hope you are well & happy, my friend!
I backed this and received the poster that you sent as a thank you. That in itself is a thing of beauty that I admire every day. Do this right. If that takes time so be it. xx
Glad you enjoy it Donna, and thank you for your patience — it shall be done right!
This was the second project I backed on Kickstarter (I have backed 150 others since), and sometimes, I think maybe I don’t want you to ever finish, because I’d miss these occasional updates, like little gifts that arrive every few months in my inbox.
Then again, of course I want you to finish. 😀 Just… take as much time as you need.
150???!!! You are a Creative Angel of some sort, Josh — holy smokes!!! Well, I appreciate your long-suffering with The Price, and want you to know I won’t ever give up (but hopefully these updates will soon come to an end).
It’s always lovely to receive an update on the film and good as well to hear how you are. Your Glynis is obviously an extraordinary woman. I’m so glad you were able to connect with Neil when he was in Park City. I’m doing final revisions on my first middle grade novel and can appreciate the fact that the creative life is never easy. I hope you know that we believe in you. The final film will be the source of celebration, but it is the journey that is to cherished. It matters not how long it takes. I’m just grateful to be on this journey with you even in my small way.
Pat
You are more right than you know about my sweet wife; she really is my very best friend, and I thank you for the thoughtful kindness of your words, Pat. I’m also excited for your project and hope I get to read it someday soon!
Your post was great to see. The work you have shown us throughout has been wonderful and I’m sure the finished product will be well worth the wait. I had the good fortune to meet and work with Mr. Gaiman and Cat through an event based on his book “American Gods” right around the time you started on Kickstarter. I agree completely with you on the talent, grace and generosity they move through life with. The comments and work that you have posted shows me that you also have these qualities. I will wait as long as it takes for you to realize your creative vision and do justice to Mr. Gaiman’s story.
Wow Kate — that means a lot to me. I’m not where I want to be yet, but I am trying to develop the kind of grace and generosity that Neil and Cat have shown me, and will hopefully have many opportunities to pay it forward in the future. Thank you for sending such uplifting thoughts. (I really needed them today!)
Well, as always, I prefer you to take the time to do it right instead of rushing it to completion. Always lovely to get your updates.
Thank you Susan; and, as always, I appreciate your encouragement and am glad you enjoyed the update.
Glad to get the update!
Fact is, that what we all bought with that Kickstarter was the feeling of satisfaction in giving someone the opportunity to make something wonderful and new.
And the fellow you were worrying about disappointing is the fellow who wrote http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2009/05/entitlement-issues.html. He gets it 😀
Supporting interesting projects on Kickstarter has given me invaluable insights into the creative processes and struggles of others, and allowed me to see my own struggles as part of the process rather than as failures.
Thanks for all that you have shared of your own.
Dear Stephanie,
I can’t thank you enough for your link to Neil’s blog entry (posted over a year before my Kickstarter campaign was launched). As I mentioned in my own post, the things we need the most seem to present themselves at just the right time, and your comments — along with Neil’s insightful observations — most definitely qualify; thank you for taking the time to share them with me.
Do you have even a rough, ballpark estimate of when the project will be done? Like others, I would rather see it done well than quickly, but it has been almost five years.
I’m glad you had a good visit with Neil, and his offer to redo the narration is exciting. He’s a very gracious person.
Debbie, all I can really promise is that I am doing everything I can, given the many other demands on my time and the dramatically altered production plan this film has endured. I want more than anything to finish it before the end of the year, but there are so many impinging factors that I am hesitant to even speculate. I sincerely thank you (and everyone else) for your generosity and patience, and hope you know how much it means to me — especially on those occasional dark days.
Oh, okay, that’s pretty close, and if it ekes into next year, no matter. Good luck with the final stretch. It’s going to be so satisfying to reach the end.
I don’t usually comment, but this time I feel I should.
I backed your kickstarter quite a long time ago, and allthough I do want to see The Price finished I find myself waiting more for the next update than for the finish line. Thanks for inviting us all along on this journey.
Thanks for taking the time to write Anna, and I am grateful that you enjoy the updates. I have tried to give a detailed account of what’s happening and how I’m feeling as I move/crawl forward with the creation of this film, and sometimes wonder if it is worth the effort, so your comments are very much appreciated!