IMAX in a Basement

This, or some variation like “so when will it be done” is the most common question I get about “Outside In“. And it’s understandable – that’s what I wonder about as well with other film projects. But having just completed Greensboro 48 Hour Film Project, it does seem reasonable for people to ask “how long?“.

The answer, it’s a long time. “Outside In” was originally supposed to be a little short until the fall of 2005  when I started in earnest to turn into a HD then finally an IMAX film. So, this June mark 3 and half years work trying to get “Outside In” fully funded. Sounds like a long time for animated feature film…but it’s not, not even close. Here’s a great story about an animated film that took 9 years. There are others out there and it tends to be a similar story – 8, 9 or 10 years or more to get a full length indie animated film done. So you’d better pick a film you really like

Fortunately, I’m very passionate about “Outside In” and love when I have the time and money to work on it. And you can help. Set up your “Team Eleven” so that by the end of this year, I will be working full-time on “Outside In”. Just 1$ a month, fully tax-deductible, from every person I know – will make it happen.

And it won’t even take 9 years…

A big part of “Outside In” deals with the spiritual, physical and environmental impact of the lost dark night sky, full of stars, above us each night. It impacts everything from our beliefs about ourselves to animal behavior. This is a great, must-read article about how much of the whole planet see near nothing at night.

Read more.

Wordpress is a great blogging tool that I’ve used on several sites for a number of years. And upgraded dozens of times. However, the 2.8 upgrade blew up, totally devouring this blog as well damaging others of mine (and many others around the web).

However, I had backups and managed to rebuild from them – although it looks different – same content, post and comments. Eventually, I will get a custom look back but for now, this template will have to do.

But at least blogging can resume after the extended interruption.

For the last few weeks, a firestorm of bad publicity has been online about the fact the IMAX’s Digital system is nothing like their film-based systems. Of course, it’s old news to me since I was at the official unveiling of the system at Giant Screen Cinema Association Expo last September and frankly, my home blu-ray looks better and sounds almost as good. Unfortunately, IMAX starting rolling out these inferior digital systems and called them “IMAX” and expected people to pay $5 more a ticket without complaining. But the cat’s out of the bag now.

A note -  “Outside In” is being created digitally,  but for now, will only be shown on IMAX 15/70mm film and some select digital 4K systems. IMAX’s “LieMax” digital systems are 2k+, although I did not see the “+” of “2k+” – this is less than half the resolution of “Outside In”.

But it does seem that IMAX is beggining to get the message. For more info on all of this plus a great tour of the “real IMAX”, check this Gizmodo’s special IMAX coverage.

Also, The Big Movie Zone has tracked all the coverage of this plus all IMAX news.

Yeah, I’ve been posting 11’s online for a few weeks and can finally explain what it’s all about. 11.11.11 is suitably two things – first, the planned release date for “Outside In” – November 11, 2011. There are only a few of these “cool dates” left in our lifetimes, so I’d been wanting to use one of them.

Second, it’s about fundraising. Last year was a good year for getting money for the film – about $18,000 in cash donations (tax-deductible of course) and about the same in goods (software, computer racks etc.). However, as we are all painfully aware, the economic collapse has forced everyone to change plans. My planned sources of funds this year were private donations and a couple of rare grants that target “Science & Spirituality). However, the private donors have lost huge amounts of money and ironically, all the grants I was going to apply for have been put on hold indefinitely due to the economic collapse that decimated their funds.

But, if you know me, I don’t give up. So, I spent some time thinking about all the possible ways to fund “Outside In” over the next couple of years and decided on something called “crowd-sourcing” in hip internet terms. But it’s really just relying on friends and friends of friends. I wondered what was the largest amount of money people would be comfortable in saying yes to in tough economic times. Thus the $1 a month.

The new plan is to get a bunch of people donating $1 a month in teams of 11 by November this year. I know roughly two hundred or so people very well. And those people know at least 11 people very well. You get the idea. I will cut off the donations on 11.1.11 meaning if you sign up today, it’s all of about $25 over two and half years. The secret is getting enough people signed up.

So you will be hearing from me about getting your team setup. I will do whatever it takes to help people feel comfortable and excited about signing up. Plus, the perks are huge – worth way more than $25.

• Private screenings
• Inside Info
• Free IMAX tickets (two per donor)
• Free Blu-Ray of film
• and more

There will be much more info coming out about this over the next months, so stayed tuned. Sign-up now!

PS. A big thanks to the films fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas, who changed their montly donation setup online just to make this happen!

Here’s a great interview with Dmitry Sitkovetsky of the Greensboro Symphony by the excellent Harvey’s Kitchen interviews done by the good folks at Monkeywhale.com.

He talks about the power and passion of music, sounds, silence – all of which are big part of “Outside In”.

The Greensboro Symphony is conducting a performance of Musical Planets with music by Mozart and Holst complete with slides – sounds very cool.