Well, dear readers, I may as well spill the beans. There, I’ve now spilled the beans and there are beans all over my floor and do you know what it’s like to walk barefoot on beans? Barefoot On Beans – that’s the title of my next novel. In any case, it is time to spill the beans about an upcoming Kritzerland project – not a CD because I never spill the beans about our CD releases. No, this is going to be Kritzerland’s first ever Blu and Ray disc and I’m so excited about it because the project is such a feel-good, wonderful thing. We’ve been talking about this for quite some time now, but over the last couple of months all the transfer work was done, and last evening the creators of the project assembled to do an audio commentary – I moderated, basically there to make sure there were no lulls and that all topics were covered. It was so much fun to hear these people wax nostalgic about their film – it was such an audacious project to undertake when they did it and the result was so wonderful, and you can just hear the pride in their voices as they talk about it – as well as some pretty hilarious stories. It’s a short film, forty minutes, and it’s a musical. The makers of the film were barely twenty-one when they made it. Within a year of making it they’d been signed to a development deal at Disney. The film is called Junior High School. The writer/directors are David Wechter and Michael Nankin, and the producers are David, Michael, Briana London, and Steve Jacobson. Yes, thirty-three years before High School Musical and Glee, this talented group of youngsters made a completely delightful, full-out musical comedy film. It was shot in 16mm, had choreography, a large cast (including a very young and then unknown Paula Abdul), and tuneful songs by David (arranged by his father, Julius Wechter, and played by some of the best studio musicians working back then, including most of The Wrecking Crew). The film had a pretty incredible success, winning lots of awards, playing festivals (at a time when it was not that common and certainly not like now when every short film by anyone with a Flip Video camera can get into festivals). It played at Filmex to 1400 people. And it got them the deal that would lead to their Disney film, Midnight Madness. There is a sweetness and innocence to the film the likes of which we’ll never see again. Because of the short running time, we’re trying to get as many extras on the Blu and Ray as possible. In addition to the audio commentary, we’re going to shoot a cast reunion, David and Michael’s earlier short film, Gravity, will be included, there’ll be a gallery of photos, storyboards, and reviews, and whatever else we can get on there. I think when all is said and done, there’ll be an hour of extras, so, with both films, close to two hours of material. While we won’t make a Christmas release (we were trying, but it’s really hard to coordinate everyone’s schedules, and since this is our first time out with Blu-Ray, I didn’t want to rush any aspect of it. Right now (and this isn’t written in stone), we’re thinking of doing a Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack, so that people who haven’t gone over to Blu-Ray can still buy it. We’ll try to keep the price attractive and we have some really fun marketing plans for it. We’re hoping to have it out in early February or early March. Stay tuned for more details.
Other than that, it was a very nice day. I was up at six announcing the new Kritzerland title, then printed out orders as they came in. At nine, the helper arrived, got some stuff packaged up, and then put postage on a lot of boxes for Thursday’s shipment of CDs. Then I got my car serviced, after which I had a sandwich and onion rings at Jerry’s Deli. I picked up two small packages and no important envelope, which hopefully will arrive today, as it’s already about four days overdue. I then made a few telephonic calls, then sat on my couch like so much fish. I turned on a motion picture I’d DVRd – The Muppets Take Manhattan – and started watching it. I was asleep in about ten seconds and stayed out for an hour. Then David Wechter came over and off we went to record the commentary track. After we finished, we all had a slice o’ pizza and a little salad that had been brought in.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I have spilled the beans and now have beans all over the place.
Today, I think I can relax – not too many plans. Some errands and whatnot to do, a jog to do, and then our very own Mr. Grant Geissman is coming by to hang some artwork for me. Then we’ll go grab a bite to eat.
Tomorrow, I have a meeting and meal at some point and some organizing to do. Thursday, I’m doing a Q&A at LACC, and Friday it’s the opening night and partay for Happy Days, The Musical. Not sure what the weekend holds yet – we shall see.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do errands and whatnot, jog, hang artwork, and eat. Today’s topic of discussion: I have always loved short films. So, what are your all-time favorite short films – whether documentaries or travelogues or cartoons or live-action? My all-time favorite short film is Chris Marker’s La Jetee – a masterpiece. I also loved The Dove, the spoof of Ingmar Bergman films – don’t know how well it holds up these days, but back when it came out it was a riot. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I clean up all these spilt beans.