Donors have been given access to a radio interview that Marc did. It's great to see some respected professionals who are not only saying what I've been saying for years, but who are in a position to do something about it. If this project is successful, it could really change the whole game. No longer will businessmen decide what we watch based on how many billions of dollars it will make them.
Yeah, Marc and his collaborators came across as very likeable and competent in that interview and I'm excited to see what they come up with. The whole Kickstarter thing seems like a great way to prove the viability of genres, styles, and ideas the big studios have deemed unprofitable. A chance for creators to give their fans what they want whithout outside interference.
I'm sort of leaning towards a new reality show where the greedy business men suits are pitted against lions in a colossium, but that's just me.
Some of the first production art for it has been posted over at the Replica Prop Forum: an Andy Probert spacesuit design (link).
I noticed they announced that Doug was becoming a "Consulting Producer". "Consulting" in Hollywood-speak usually means "Not working on it, creative differences and an honorary title." I also noticed that Steve Neil has stopped work on the Probert-designed spacesuit they were showing off back in June.
Yeah, Drexler announced at Facebook some time ago that he wouldn't be part of it any more because he had a different vision for it than the others.
Considering all the money they raised, it is troubling to hear about the production running into behind-the-scenes problems. I hope they can deal with them and finish the project.
Steve has mentioned in one of his latest Garage videos that the space suits may yet be used in Space Command and that Marc is trying to work things out. He was showing off work on the helmets in a video posted just four days ago.
That's a pity. I wonder what the nature of the differences were. The concept seemed to be pretty clear from the beginning. I hope this project doesn't self destruct. It could be quantum leap forward for the world of independent creators, or a major setback.
From everything I've seen I think its obvious that this isn't going to be the 50s style space show it was pitched as. I suspect that's part of it. This again makes me wonder about what sort of guarantees investors have in crowd-sourced projects. I mean, if they contributed on the basis of certain personnel being involved in a project, and said key personnel leave/are left, could those investors demand their investment back?
Well, this is probably a look at how studios end up feeling as they watch their investment evolve. But with Kickstarter, I really viewed that as more of a donation; after all, what can you really do to force the Red Cross to use your money exactly like you wanted them to. The only promise made by the Kickstarter offer were the "awards"; so that would be the area where one could make a fraud claim. It may turn out to be something unexpected; but if they send you that bluray your donation paid for, then they really fulfilled the only arguable contract you had with them. That said, I've known Zicree for a number of years, and I'm familiar with the things he has done behind the scenes on shows. Zicree is an incredibly talented producer; he knows how to get things done right and under budget. The greatest asset he has in accomplishing that is his attitude. Zicree gives everyone the same level of respect - it doesn't matter if they're a studio head or food services; he's going to seek out and use the best ideas and advice he can find. I've got great faith in Zicree on this; and if Doug is unhappy that it's not going just his specific way, then it's probably better he does step out.
I initially donated solely based on Doug Drexler's participation, so I'm a bit disappointed that he's not going to be as involved as expected, although until we know more about the nature of the differences from the original vision, I'm not going to get too worried about it yet. There were elements about the original concept I wasn't crazy about anyway, so I don't mind it deviating from that, all I ever wanted and expected from this is a solid indie space-based scifi movie, so if we get that, I'm happy.