Well, thanks to the incredible David Meckel, I got an appointment with an architectural model firm tomorrow. We’re going to talk budget and schedule. And we may yet have an architectural model for this show.

In other news, I just got back from Chicago where I met with Stel. He and I discussed the projection and audio system for the theater. I checked out the system he has installed in his house. We’re borrowing that projector. It is beautiful. Though we discovered that I had completely misunderstood him when he described its capacity to me earlier. So, a few weeks back the theater went from 16′ wide by 20′ deep to 16′ wide by 10′ deep (I mistakenly thought that was the maximum throw of the projector). However in meeting with Stel I discovered the throw is indeed fine at 20′, and so the theater magically grew back to 20′. I think this news may have given Carol, Keturah and Carson a heart attack.

As well, it looks like Stel may invest some money in the project, which is huge news.

I also met with Phil and Libby in Chicago. We went over the soundtrack and recording studio, which was assuring.

Last night I met with my sister and her partner. I meet with them again tomorrow evening to discuss their contributions to the show. I think Ali is going to make crew hoodies. I am so excited to be able to give something like that to all the amazing people who are making this art work.

Her partner Terry is a fabulous artist, working in wood and metal. I think he may make the concession price lists that are installed on the wall behind the counter folk in the lobby.

Finally, my friend Tiffiny took a few investor pamphlets to hand out to her clients. She is a high-end Chi Nei Tsang healer. She works with a lot of people who are supporters of the arts, and might be interested in this project.

Yeah, well, I hope so anyway.

Many apologies folks. The move out of our SOMA offices to the new Richmond District facilities was hectic. That married to the holiday season, a recent spate of stormy weather, and limited internet connectivity in our new studio (the telco should be here today to install the dsl) drew us away from the web and our faithful blogging.

Hmm, truth be told, my distaste for all things computer while my thesis writing hangs over my neck was a bigger issue.

The pix are the old 23E Studios, btw.

Anyway, a catch up note now:

Susan and I spoke via email a few times over the break and I should have the dates for the show soon.
I am meeting Chris, the architect, tomorrow to look at his renderings and fly-through. Below is a few seconds of the fly-through, which looks very good. I think we will have a very strong package for marketing and raising funds in the coming months.

As well, Stel Valavanis is on board (to my great honor, he really liked the idea) to design and install the audio and video elements. He has much of the gear we’ll need. And though it’s probably not worth shipping from Chicago, he does know what we’ll need to rent, and most importantly, knows how to get it all up and running smoothly and beautifully.

As well, I spoke with David G today, and the one thing I will just keep coming back to about Disembody is the incredible quality of the crew we have assembled. This film is going to be superb.

So, though we are behind schedule on fundraising, everything is looking up otherwise. The coming months will be all about marketing and investments.
In early Feb or late January I will be holding the first full crew meeting to go over everything.
Oh, and there should be a new, better website by then, as well. Erin and Johnny visited over the holiday and they are fucking geniuses. Hiring them was a real coup.

So, as ‘08 slips into our hands, 23E is looking forward to a stunning new project come Summer/Fall.

Ciao

As promised, here’s the photo of me and Christin Nelson at the CCA scholarship dinner. We spoke at length. She’s a really nice person and very intelligent artist. We had a lot of interests in common. What I was afraid would be an uncomfortable mixing, turned out to be a very fascinating dinner thanks to her charm and wit.
The photo was taken by Douglas Sandberg, who was also very nice. All in all a really nice evening.

In other news, the revised proposal went out yesterday.

Also of note,
one of my oldest and best friends is a musician/artist and computer genius in Chicago. Stel runs his own business, has a family, and finds time to make amazing multi-channel sound and video installations. He also sits on the boards of a variety of political and art non-profits in Chicago.
All this to say, he’s an amazing person, a great artist, and a brilliant A/V nerd.
This weekend I asked him to join the crew of Disembody.
He will be designing and installing the sound and video system for the theater if he can get away during the period we need him.
That will be amazing. He and I have a long history of collaborating on music and video work. I’m very excited at the prospect of working with him again.