Hot off the presses!
almost 6 years ago
– Wed, Apr 08, 2020 at 07:35:35 PM
Hi Backers!
I just wanted to share this photo with you that the printers in China sent me this morning - we actually have a book! Since my last update there were, inevitably, more delays and it’s been a very frustrating process having to approve or reject each step along the way when I only get sent pretty crappy camera phone images to review and communication has suffered as there still seems to be a lot of hold-ups over there due to the Coronavirus.
Anyway! Look! It exists!
I hope you’re all doing well and staying safe.
Jon
UPDATE
about 6 years ago
– Mon, Feb 24, 2020 at 12:43:09 AM
This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.
The Bad News and The Good News
over 6 years ago
– Tue, Dec 17, 2019 at 12:04:10 AM
Hello Backers!
As the title suggests, I have good and bad news for this update. I'm going to start with the bad...
No, you won't be receiving your books by Xmas. I'm so sorry. Let me explain the hold-ups past and present. So, the initial hold-up, which I think I told you would be worth the wait had it transpired, was that I was in contact with Martin Scorsese's office about the possibility of him writing a foreword for the book. It was looking promising - he requested the manuscript, but was very busy. Eventually they didn't respond to my last couple of emails so I've had to assume that it's not happening and move on.
The current delay is a boring one and is to do with a company who are going to distribute the book. I'm literally just waiting for them to let me know how many copies they need and then I can put the order in. It's cheaper to do as many books are going to need to be printed for a first run in one go and shipping from China is SO expensive, that I really couldn't stagger the orders. I'm sorry and I hope you understand.
The GOOD news is that I've had the sample back from the manufacturers of the wooden chest for the box set and it's PERFECT!
I'm so happy with how this turned out.
Also, the film cells arrived and they are ace too!
So... we're getting there!
I'll put in the order for the boxes at the same time as the books - and all of the other materials will be produced in the UK from local printing companies, which will be very quick.
Again, I'm so sorry for the delay but things really are moving forward and we really are almost there!
Happy Holidays to you all!
Jon
Podcast.
over 6 years ago
– Fri, Nov 01, 2019 at 02:59:47 AM
Hello Backers,
No real news to update right now although, and I know I keep saying it, I think we’re very close to finalising the order. I had no idea how complicated this side of things was going to be and I’m painfully aware that one small mistake or oversight will end up being costly and impossible to rectify. We’re getting there. The proof for the box set box is currently being produced and should be here shortly and I’m very excited to see that (anticipating far less problems than the production of the book itself)
Anyway, I’m just updating to let you know that I’ve done my first podcast about Méliès. I was a guest on Mike Muncer’s Evolution of Horror podcast to discuss, primarily the Méliès film The Haunted Castle - arguably the world’s first horror film - but also Méliès and early cinema in general. We had a lot of fun, and at the end you’ll even learn what my favourite horror film is.
You can hear it here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-evolution-of-horror/id1276042346#episodeGuid=ad729d3d7dba4953ba491a9e0c031424
I hope you’re all well!
Jon
Further Proof!
over 6 years ago
– Tue, Oct 01, 2019 at 03:13:03 AM
Hello Backers,
OK, so the next proof arrived from China today.
I had to go with a different company to the last as we had an argument over what was acceptable terms of business; they thought it was acceptable to send a proof which bore little relation to the finished product. I didn't. It turns out they hadn't misunderstood my requirements as to the printing quality, they had included a ripped-off scrap of glossy paper in the envelope with a post-it note attached which said "This is what the actual paper will feel like" written on it. When I pointed out that nobody would order a full consignment of books without having a proof which fully reflected what they were actually going to get, I was told that that's not true. It seems crazy to me, and I'm not going to gamble with such an expensive part of the campaign. So I went with a different company.
This time, the problems started BEFORE the proof arrived (oh yes, buckle up...). The new manufacturer matched the price of the previous one and even, at first was offering me added bonuses - such as a slipcase, which would have been great. But then we quickly realised he was just trying to upsell and persuade me to spend more. When I told him that the price was fixed, he told me it was no problem and he'd do a great job. To be sure, I told him all of the very specifics - the exact type of paper, hardback cover, linen covered, the exact size, silver detail on the cover and spine - I told him these were things that couldn't be compromised. A few days later, he sent some images of the proof which... looked off. I immediately complained but he asked me to trust him and that when I had the proof in my hand, he was confident I'd change my mind.
In fairness to him, he produced the best he could for the budget I'd set but, well, I didn't change my mind. Here's what he produced...
So, as you can see, it's still hardback but it's a weird glossy cover and the front image and spine are not foil-stamped but a kind of heavy white printing.
So, the quality of the cover printing is actually very good, but it's not silver. And that's a deal-breaker.
Here's a close-up of the cover texture. I hate it. It's like there was an interesting paper texture on the cover and they've wrapped it in cheap plastic. Look at all of those weird little air pockets. It feels really cheap to the touch.
Internally, the print quality is wonderful. The paper is heavy and glossy and the design really pops. It's perfect and actually is exactly what I had hoped for. The quality of the binding itself is also really high quality.
My hope is to stay with this company and just work on the problems with the cover.
We're getting there!
Jon
