The Library of Burned Books - 23 hours left!

[Ali]

Hello everyone,

I'm studying an MA in filmmaking at the London Film School, and I'm raising funds for my graduation film through IndieGoGo.

It's called The Library of Burned Books. Please have a look at the pitch video, it has jokes and me looking like an idiot on Hampstead Heath.

Here is a propagandist poster from the film:

If you like the pitch, please support this project by sharing the link with any wealthy uncles you may have. And, if you feel compelled to do so, by donating money.

Other films/drawings I've made are here: www.abeckettking.com

Thank you,

Ali

[Igor Hardy]

Wow, some impressive stuff you've got there on your website! And I just viewed the stills so far. But why haven't you told us anything about the new Nelly Cootalot II chars, you bastard!?

Best of luck with getting the project funded. Unfortunately, I can share it only with my whimsical uncle Twitter.

[Anian]

By the short intro into the story, it seems it has a lot in common with Farenheit, does it go into a more unique waters later on in the story?

btw if your going for an Alan Moore look, you're pretty much there. 

[Ali]

I have considered calling it Fahrenheit 451 ½, but that would be an obscure reference to Brazil (1984 ½) which only Dualnames might get.

I wrote the first draft before I read 451, and while it certainly shares a key theme, the characters and the story, the Blakean and religious themes are quite different. I think it's only because there are so few films/books about book burning that the comparison is so obvious. Also, it won't have Julie Christie in it.

Hmm... the Alan Moore look is exactly what the producer was aiming for. I also haven't read any of his graphic novels - no plagiarist, I!

Thanks for sharing Ascovel. As for Nelly II characters, I'm been waiting until I have something substantial to show. However I did start work on the final Nelly II backdrop yesterday... but don't tell anyone.

[Ali]

To mark a fortnight left for the campaign, I have made:

The Library of Burned Books:
The Official Video-Game Tie-In!

It's a Samorost-inspired HTML5 mini-game. I made it in the free edition of Construct 2. I wanted to post it here to catch any bugs/weirdness before I spammed everyone I've ever met. I know the music doesn't loop, but that doesn't seem to be possible in this early build of Construct 2

Please let me know your impressions!

- Ali

[veryweirdguy]

Haha, cute! For what it's worth, I encountered no bugs or weirdness.

I meant to promote this project on my webcomic blog thing but I forgetted, so good work on reminding me!

[Tabata]

That's a nice little game and those who like samorost-style will like it, too.

I had fun playing it and found no bugs. Well done! 

The only "critics" I can tell about this game is, that it is a real short one ...
and I would have loved to play it for a longer while 
But since you told it a mini-game, even this can't be criticised.

[Chicky]

I am so very jelous! The London Film School  :o How i wish i could be there, working with fellow enthusiastic filmmakers, pushing one another to reach hidden potential! Don't you guys get given a few £k to make a final major project? A lecturer of mine used to work there, way back, it sounded amazing.

I did some shitty BA course at a local college, failed business in the last year. Go me.

Also Ali, you look great! I got a real Tim Minchin vibe from that video.

[Ali]

Thanks for the notes guys! I tried it out on some cool film students, and they had no idea what to do. I think I'm going to take a leaf out of Dave Gilbert's ECC book and add some on-screen goals for the uninitiated.

@ VWG: Thanks in advance for the plug!

@ Tabata: I know it's a bit of a tease. Maybe I'll make more when the film's finished.

@ Chicky: Yes I am the un-sexy tone-deaf version of Tim Minchin. And I look rubbish in eye-liner. I did a film BA before doing the LFS MA. The LFS is great if you can get a bursary, but astronomically expensive otherwise. It's both more expensive and less well funded than the NFTS. But it's more of a weird workshop where everyone learns everything instead of specialising.

[Chicky]

Thanks Ali, i've never really looked into it but it would seem the LFS or NFTS may accept an application from me. I presumed applicants HAD to have a BA, but they mention that a strong portfolio is considered. I'm actually thinking about applying, thanks!

[Nikolas]

Quick questions and sorry for asking...

1. What happens if you don't get the 4000$ you're asking? In kickstarter the money are returned to those who donated... what about here?
2. What do you need the 4000$ for, if I may ask?

I loved the pitch video and the music (from Kevin...), and I loved the little game as well. You are very creative, even with eyeliner...

EDIT: Just noticed... Those who donate 100$ or more will get the DVD in a special case made from a rescued book?!?!? You mean you'll rescue the book to create a DVD case? (sorry couldn't help it...)

[Ali]

I just uploaded a new version. Because it's HTML 5, I had to keep refreshing my browser until it updated the graphics - that could be annoying!

@Chicky
Cool! If you want any information about the LFS, just send me a PM.

@Nikolas
We'll keep whatever we raise. IndieGoGo gives you the option (unlike Kickstarter). The Kickstarter system makes sense for product development or business start-up, but we could make a film with less than $4,000, but to make the right film we need to raise $4,000 or more.

In answer to your second question, the money will mostly be spent on silk dressing gowns for me (and lights, lenses, building a huge furnace...).

I use Mr MacLeod's music all the time, I love him. He's on my "to donate" list for when I start earning. He probably shouldn't hold his breath...

And about the DVD case made from books... well... we'll only butcher the ones that wouldn't have survived anyway.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

That's and awesome little game, Ali.  What's the development curve for Construct 2 compared to their earlier Game Maker (if you've used it), and is Construct 2 as powerful?  I really liked Game Maker but certain tricks were just so buggy to pull off (like alpha blending sprites together to simulate fire). 

I'd like to give Construct 2 a try but not if it's a feature-stripped streamlined version of Game Maker.

[Ali]

Construct 2 is very much a work in progress, but the early-bird licenses are correspondingly cheap. (I'm using the free version and was up to the limit of 100 events with this game.)

It's extremely easy to use, nostalgically like the Games Factory for me. However at the moment it is missing loads of functions. It has physics, but it has no IF, ELSE logic or boolean operators. That seems crazy to me, but maybe not if you want to make Angry Birds. And you can only write expressions in certain functions, so it's impossible to put these things in yourself (at least with only 100 events!).

I'm sure the extra stuff is planned, but it's not there yet. It does have additive blending though, which I used to create the glow around the fire!

[Buckethead]

Cool stuff. I think the video alone is worth a donation.

[Ali]

Glad you liked it!

I just added a Tweet/Like button to the game's page. Now to begin spamming...

[Ali]

Sorry for the spam-esque posts, but there's one week remaining for this campaign and I've uploaded a short fund-raising message to try to shake loose a few pennies:

[Nikolas]

I sent you money, but don't feed the bastard girl! She deserves to be fed ONLY if she does a good job in the film! Otherwise don't!

[Ali]

Thanks Nikolas! That's thank you for the money, and the excellent advice.

[qptain Nemo]

Oh man, I'm so so so in love with your video. It charmed the hell outta me. :') I'd totally support you if I wasn't so broke.

And I mean, I'd support your project even though I do agree with Hitler.