Packaging the message matters.  I put a lot of time and energy into team communication.  Our primary resource is a private Story Reel Development site only available to our members.  The site uses Wordpress which is an open source blog and content management software.

We used the same system last year but had a much more open a free collaborative model.  To focus our energy and resources so that we are all pulling in the same direction at the same time, the private website was overhauled in a 2 month project that migrated the relevant material from the old site to a boiled down, efficient and streamlined site that enforces focused collaboration among our members.

In concert with that effort we have welcomed three new visual artists to our team to continue developing concept and production design art.  As part of the 2007 Story Reel Development Pipeline, our production design artists are creating 2D designs for every set, prop and wardrobe.  Much was done during 2006 and storyboards depicting the action and blocking are complete, but there are literally hundreds of production design details that still need development in order for us to move to the next phase of Story Reel Development.

We have received positive feedback from our members regarding the organization of the project.  I maintain that the vision is the same, but the way we dress the project makes a difference in how that vision is perceived by our co-collaborators.

Servants Wardrobe

By Alan Ward

The casting session you usually think of is an “Open” casting call where everybody comes in, waits in line and you weed through those who are serious and those who stopped by on a whim.

We tried something different, casting by appointment and were successful. Our casting team read parts, coordinated actors and recorded video/sound.  They were also a great support team providing me with critical direction feedback during casting session “half times.”

We started casting at 12 noon and saw 7 appointment and 1 walk in!  We scarfed down subway in between sessions and then crawled out there about 6:30PM.

The team presented a strong, confident and professional presence which has established an Imaginarium standard we will strive to live up to and improve on in the future. I personally learned a bit about what seemed to be important to the process and what wasn’t.

We have notified the actors/actresses of our interest in their participation based on the audition results.  I am currently reviewing video and corresponding with other team members to compare notes and then we will begin offering specific parts in the next couple of days.

Since we still have supporting roles to fill, we are going to try our hand at an Open Casting Call next Saturday.  The posting has already hit Craig’s list requesting interested actors and actresses to meet us on the 2nd floor of Smith Hall and check in between 12noon and 3PM.  We have directed people to our webpage or asked them to email us for additional info.

Some of the equipment used in the Sound Recording

Should we rent or we should buy the equipment we need for production?  That is a key financial question every production must face.

We are facing this question with regard to the sound equipment necessary to record voice overs for our preproduction Story Reel.

At first blush it would seem renting a studio space with all the necessary equipment makes the most sense.  However in exploring the daily and hourly rates, along with knowing we need the same equipment for the live action shoot as well as post work, it appears to be more cost effective to assemble the equipment and put together our own temporary studio.

One factor in our favor is that many of our members have equipment available to use.  So we probably only need to purchase one additional good mic and a mixer.

On a seperate note, we received over 20 applicants from actors and actresses for our first casting session.  We have scheduled casting for Saturday February 17th.

Set design by Christy Sotta