Oh, when is it not? Crunch time is defined as "now until November 28." Currently, late deliveries from overseas are causing chaos over here. Aside from just trying to get the movie edited and post finished, there are people in marketing and promotions who need to build a new trailer. As it is, they'll have to make do with the 38 second teaser. That's a big deal. We had a chance to create a trailer that would be presented to a much wider audience than comic fans. The trailer was supposed to be on some of the Masters of Horror DVDs and the new anime releases from Manga. But at least the teaser will direct them to the official website which will soon be brimming with all sorts of information and glimpses of DVD extras so maybe it's not a huge deal afterall.
The upside for the DVD is that the studio is sending us lots of pencil footage so that we can continue editing, composing and spotting sound effects. That's all stuff we'll try to jam into the DVD. That's cool, even I don't usually get to see that stage except for a few tests at the start of the project. It'll be one of those "click on a scene and see the storyboard and pencil versions" type extras.
The good news at the core of the animation delay is that the work has slowed down for all the right reasons. The overseas director is faced with some of the toughest sequences in terms of effects and sheer numbers of monsters, ghosts, and other yokai. But he recognizes that it's part of the climax for the entire movie. If the animators have to rush through the scenes it could undo all the great work of previous sequences. The viewer could feel let down. The fact that they want to do it right instead of hacking it out makes me feel great. Doesn't change our deadline, but gives me a warm feeling inside.
Or is that the start of an ulcer?
-- Tad
Y'know, one of these days I'll have to figure out the right way to place these damn pictures. Never looks like my preview.
Whew...an update at last (a week, I know - not that long).
Floating Japanese heads with green glowing eyes, what more could a fan want?!
And who is this gentleman with Kate? Broom?
And why Nov 28th? Doesn't it have to be done well before that for broadcast in Oct? Or is the finalization of the DVD you speak of, Tad? Is it really three months lead time for DVDs?
Anyhow, thanks for the update.
Posted by: kirk | August 19, 2006 at 01:45 AM
You are forgetting that there are TWO movies. Footage for the second starts coming in before we've mixed the first.
For an image of Broom you need to search earlier entries.
Posted by: Tad | August 19, 2006 at 09:14 AM
sounds stressful...to bad we dont live in a world where you can simply snap your fingers and fix something.
the pic are great to...but for some reason their extremely dark...its not the contrast on my comp either...weird...maybe its because im in a shoddy little cafe in argentina...ah well. hopefully all these cool snap shots will be reposted on the official site when its finished
Posted by: hb | August 19, 2006 at 03:33 PM
Wow, it's cool to continue to see more and more shots, and more frequent updates.
Yeah, it sounds like things are hectic, but the work will last for years... so I appreciate you working hard to make it something cool for the fans.
Thanks!
Posted by: Steam | August 20, 2006 at 12:21 AM
Steam...
Great point about it lasting for years. While we are smothered in flashy, shallow product every day, it is the quality stuff we return to over and over. There is a reason certain things are considered true classics. There are movies that I have gone "wow" over but on second viewing I have found myself mostly bored (King Kong being one recent example). I am hoping that Tad's relentless efforts bring forth a movie we can all enjoy over and over. If not, it is certainly not for trying. But, judging from the sample footage he brought to the SDCC, I suspect I'll be watching it in 2012 still.
And I take it, Tad, that you have to have the second movie completed by Nov. 28th. Or is that simply the date they allow you out for a bath, a decent meal, and a chance to see your family before sequestering you back into the studio?
Posted by: kirk | August 20, 2006 at 11:31 PM
Yeah really sounds like quality stuff,there Tad really lookking forward to it.
Posted by: Jack | August 24, 2006 at 11:27 AM