18 years in the making and it’s about to be over. Well, not over exactly, because it’s going to tour the world, come out in print, be available as an audio drama, roll out on comiXology, and become serialized through a KLRU/PBS Digital Studios YouTube series. But the heavy lifting is over. Tomorrow night, the Live-Action Graphic Novel version of Twin Infinity receives its world premiere at the Long Center. And the Intergalactic Nemesis trilogy will be complete. (And yes, there are still tickets left and they start at only $15.) I have been so incredibly lucky to work with some of the most talented and friendliest people on this project over the years. In particular, in the past five years, since launching the Live-Action Graphic Novel format, the folks I’ve worked with have been tireless collaborators and uplifting spirits, even at times when things were feeling like they were going nowhere. For starters, thanks a ton to Julia Edwards, Lisa DAmour, and Jessica Wynne Reisman for taking a chance back in 1996 by writing those quick-and-dirty episodes for our Little City recordings. This project wouldn’t exist without you. Thanks, Cliff Redd, for inviting me to bring the project to the Long Center. That day, when we decided to create a whole new form of theater together, changed my life. And, of course, thanks to the entire current team at the Long Center, in particular Jamie Grant and Heath Riddles for continuing to believe in and promote this project. And to David Wyatt and the team at Wyatt Brand for coming up with the words Live-Action Graphic Novel in the first place! I need to shout out to the artists who made the comic-books come to life: Timothy Paul Doyle, Paul Hanley, David Hutchison, and Lee Duhig. Without you guys, the “Live-Action Graphic Novel” format would all still just be a concept in my head. None of this would be happening if it werent for the courageous investments of my business partners in this venture: Marc Seriff, Scott Reichardt, and Cord Shiflet. Then there’s the past and present cast and crew of the touring productions of this comic-book-meets-audio-drama: voice actors Danu Uribe, David Higgins, Jason Phelps, Shannon McCormick, Shana Merlin, Mical Trejo, Hildreth England, Brock England, Julie Linnard, Jose Villarreal, Jeff Mills, Rachel Landon, and, in particular Chris Gibson who has stuck with this project since 2007; Foley artists Cami Alys and Kelly Matthews who took Buzzs work and made it their own (and are a joy to work with, too); pianists Kenny Redding Jr. and Harlan Hodges, who take Grahams work and interpret it with cinematic awesomeness; and, our past and present technical team members: Agustin Frederic, George Stumberg, and Oliver E. Freeman, tireless guys who give everything theyve got to make great work. The recent digital expansion of the project would simply not have been possible without the back-office support of Mission Control at the Robot Planet in the form of Rachel Kelmenson. Im lucky to have found her. Our continued touring wouldn’t be happening either, if it weren’t for the incredible team at David Lieberman/Artists’ Representatives. Huge thanks to all of them, and particularly Allen Moon and Mr. Lieberman himself. We probably never would have continued this project for so long without the continual support from KUT-FM, which broadcast every version of the radio play since 1997. In particular, thanks to Mike Lee, Hawk Mendenhall, and Rebecca S McInroy. The future of the project would be extremely uncertain if it weren’t for the vision of the folks at KLRU, in particular Eve Tarlo and Sara Robertson. And now we’re down to the big guns. I get to work with my very best friends. These guys have made me a better artist and a better person. Buzz Moran, sound-effects genius, thank God Tony flaked out all those years ago! Graham Reynolds, it goes beyond music to having a peer who is just so damn smart and sensible. Chad Nichols, my co-author on all three of these shows, you make me a better writer by calling me on my bullshit. Finally, the two people without whom this project wouldn’t exist and even if it did, it would have gone nowhere. Ray Patrick Colgan, thanks for suggesting we create a sci-fi radio play to be performed and recorded at Little City all those years ago. And thanks for being an essential part of the team in so many ways today. And Jessie Douglas, I don’t know what I’d do without you. So lucky that our paths crossed. You completely rock. Okay. Break legs, everyone! Can’t friggin wait for the show!
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 14:49:16 +0000
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