Well, dear readers, I must write these here notes in a hurry because it is very late – I got sidetracked doing a written interview for some book that some fellow is writing, said interview being about The First Nudie Musical. So, I’ll just get right to it and say that if I never hear another bum trumpet and/or trombone note it will be too soon. I will just say it loud and clear and also clear and loud, I have never had a mix like this, where we’ve had to go note by note to save this band. We’re doing it, and once it’s all done and I’m happy I know I’ll just forget about the frustration and difficulty and just enjoy the damn thing, but doing this mix is like the Chinese Water Torture, not that I know what the Chinese Water Torture is like. Thankfully, we’ve got our excellent cast’s vocals. We managed to salvage a couple of difficult tracks, so I still think we’ll be able to keep the pick-up day to one three to four hour session.
Prior to that, I’d arisen after almost eight hours of sleep. I had work to do on the computer and I did it. I decided to grab a bite to eat before the production meeting I had to attend at two – so I went and had some chicken tenders and a bagel for my meal o’ the day. Then I came home, did some more work, then moseyed on over to LACC for our second production meeting. We began with the set designer showing everyone his model for the set. He’d made the little changes we’d talked about, and it looked great and he’d even added a few other things to it, which also looked great. Everyone seemed very happy with it. We talked about costumes and wigs and I answered several questions. And that was about it – after, I went to the costume shop and saw a couple of fun sketches. Then my stage manager and I went through the script just to make sure she could read all my pencil notations. And then I pretty much finished assigning roles – we’re not telling the cast yet, because I still want to see them all next Tuesday just in case I have any last-minute thoughts or ideas. But I think that I gave everyone the right part.
Then I came back to the Valley, picked up one package, then came home and sat on my couch like so much fish and finished The Hound of Baskerville episode of Sherlock, which was lots of fun. Then I watched the first forty minute or so of a new Eyetalian Blu and Ray entitled La Dolce Vita, a film of Federico Fellini. This is from a fairly new restoration off the original camera negative and it’s a wonderful transfer, with gorgeous black-and-white scope photography rendered impeccably on this Blu-ray. It’s sharp, detailed, has perfect and luscious contrast and is so rich-looking it’s breathtaking. The film, of course, remains the masterpiece it’s always been. The import disc has English subtitles and if you have an all-region player I cannot recommend this highly enough.
After that, I typed up some lyrics and got them to Mr. Lead Sheet man so he can get to work on it. It’s a pretty easy song, and then I’ll get him a couple of the harder ones. Then it was time to do another evening of mixing and fixing. We probably can get the rest done in one evening next week. I think we only have two or three more songs, before we begin to do the instrumental stuff, most of which is not going to be usable in terms of the horns and reed. When I got home, I ate some popcorn and some low-cal ice cream and that was that.
Today, I don’t know how it happened, but I have the entire day to myself and I’m really glad I do. I can type lyrics, finish the Nudie Musical interview, the books are scheduled to arrive so we should be able to ship all the copies out before the helper leaves, I’ll eat, and I’ll relax.
Tomorrow, I’m attending an opening night of a play in which our very own Barry Pearl is appearing. I’ll be going with his ever-lovin’ Cindy and I’m sure we’ll get some dinner before the show. I’ll probably also take some books to Mystery and Imagination so they can display them beautifully in advance of our signing. Sunday, I’m having a lunch meeting, and then I’m seeing some little something or other. Next week is busy as can be with Kritzerland rehearsals, mixing, meetings and meals and another production meeting, then our stumble-through and then sound check and show.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, have the day to myself, I must complete an interview, I must hopefully pick up lots of books and then Grant will come and glue in the limitation sheets for those copies, and we should be able to get everything shipped by Monday, before the helper leaves town for a week, and then I’m sure I’ll have something to eat at some point. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/Blu and Ray player? I’ll start – CD, too many to name. Blu and Ray – La Dolce Vita and then All the King’s Men and more episodes of Sherlock. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland happy to be done with the Chinese Water Torture at least until our next mixing session.