Opinions, Please

[CPP]

Hi group. Been posting for awhile, now time to get to brass tacks.

I am producing a documentary on HG Wells, specifically as his life relates to (no surprise) WOTW. We will look at all the major productions of the story (yes, even the TV series- eeek!). But want to delve as deeply as possible into his life as a 2-hour slot will allow. This will be a broadcast 2-hour special (US market).

So I would like to hear any opinions you folks might have (be civil and constructive, pu-leez!) about what you would hope to see in such a show. Any revelations are welcome too.

Also, if there are specific people you think should be interviewed for such a show, please let me know who.

I am seeking some input to try to make this a better show. None of us get rich doing this type of programming, but we really do try to get things right. I learned long ago to listen to the fan base (worked on Star Trek, where we tried to listen but were constantly overridden by executives who didn't seem to care). I think this board is a better source of info than the ubiquitous (and often errant) focus group.

Thanks for any thoughts-

Rod

[EvilNerfherder]

You might want to PM or e-mail our member Charles.
He's a big cheese in the HG Wells Society (Americas)and the novel of WotW is his speciality.
What form will it be in? Straight documentary? Will there be reenactments of parts of his life?
A reenactment of his brother's suggestion of the story would be good.

[twistedrabbit]

If you can get Jeff Wayne to talk about his album, that might be a good short segment...Maybe even go into the other offsprings from the novel...The Tripods perhaps?

Definetly look into Wells' ideas and thoughts at the time. Wells did some good introductions with speculations in some of his books that were quite interesting and made a lot of sense.

[Topaz]

CPP said:

...I think this board is a better source of info than the ubiquitous (and often errant) focus group.

Oh my, there IS a God!!! I'd thought everyone in the entertainment biz had been possessed by 'focus group' demons! ;D

Thanks for the compliment. As mentioned by others, Charles would be a good source for information, as would Quaderni and Killraven, IMHO. They had a facinating discussion (in which I played a non-important part) of some of the literary aspects of TWOTW and other Wells novels, as they relate to Wells' development as a writer. This was down in the 'Original Novel' topic, under "Martian Society/Social Order." I'm not sure how suitable that exact discussion would be for a mass audience, but these three members really have the material down and I believe they would make excellent resources.

Personally, I'd really like to see some coverage of Wells' amazing prognostications of science and technology. Some comparison to his work to the 'actual' versions might make for some spectacular footage of modern equipment - tactical battlefield lasers (check with Northrop/Grumman for file footage of projects such as THEL/M-THEL), chemical warfare (archival from WWI), and General Motors for walking machines such as they developed in the '60's for the US Army, and concepts for manned Mars landers from the NASA or JPL. Some of the earlier concepts for the latter were remarkably cylinder-like, albeit they landed differently!

(I'm only giving US agencies/firms because you've indicated that you're located here in SoCal like me, although I'm sure you could get good footage from any of the major powers - they're all working on pretty much the same projects.)

Good luck with your project and be sure to let us know where/when it will air!

[Gerkinman]

I hear there is being an independant animated series being produced in Australia too, maybe the guy incharge of that is worth tracking down *cough* thats me *cough*

[Carioca]

Hey Rod,

Please let me know if you would want to include the HG Wells - Alvim Corrêa story in your project(s). Alvim Corrêa's grandson, Sergio, is still alive and I've been informed that he'd be happy to answer questions about his grandfather's life and work.

I can also put you in touch with the senior curator at the Science Fiction Museum, who may have other Wells resources at his disposal.

Scans from the original Corrêa illustrations could also be made available to you under license (the terms of which should be discussed privately).

Carioca

[Bayne]

[glow=red,2,300]I think that Wells views of the posible evolution of Man should be a reasonably important part from the biology of the martians through to his ideas of the Morlocks and Eloi in Time Machine and the selunites of First Men in the Moon and his ideas of social evolution in When the Sleeper Wakes.

And while we are doing shameless plugs don't forget my own site with its webcomic and short stories from back when wotw net content was a rare and endangered species
[/glow]

[CPP]

Hi Guys-

Thanks a million for theinput. I'll write each of you eventually. I have spoken to Charles who has been very helpful.

I have been asked to source out some "cover art" for the video box for this project. I thought perhaps someone on the list might have something they would like to license. I could always hire a grpahic artist, but the passion would not be there.

If anyone would like to submit a drawing or two (digital or otherwise), let me know and I'll pass it along for approval.

Also, some of you have pointed me to your websites. Although there is an element of toungue-and-cheek in your notes, don't forget that I will be covering pop culture as well, so in many cases what you mention would be appropriate! So make sure you don't mind me contacting you about content (of course, I will proceed only with direct permission from the authors).

Thanks again- keep those cards and letters coming!

Rod

[Gnorn]

Wow! This sounds exciting! Are you able to disclose which network (I assume it will be a tv-documantary) this program will be on? Also, does Europe get to see this program as well?

-Gnorn

[jeffwaynefan]

Rod

I can put you intouch with Jeff Wayne (as I know him), clearing it with him first as you can understand with all the projects he's doing and with the re-launch of the album this year he is going to be very busy, but I will certainly pass on any details you can give me.

Drop me a PM or email me through my profile section.

H_C

[Topaz]

CPP said:

... I have been asked to source out some "cover art" for the video box for this project. I thought perhaps someone on the list might have something they would like to license. I could always hire a grpahic artist, but the passion would not be there.

If anyone would like to submit a drawing or two (digital or otherwise), let me know and I'll pass it along for approval.

Hi Rod,

/////////////// - Shameless Self-Promotion Mode ON - ///////////////

Are you looking for a layout for the cover, or an original illustration to be used in an existing layout? As it happens, I'm not only a member of the forum, but a graphic artist as well, with fifteen years' experience. I'm in Orange County, not far from your location.

However, my design experience and talents are geared towards overall layouts, not original illustration. I usually outsource the latter myself. If you'd like to talk about working together on the overall cover design, I'll be happy to discuss it with you.

/////////////// - Shameless Self-Promotion Mode OFF - ///////////////

[Carioca]

CPP said:

I have been asked to source out some "cover art" for the video box for this project. I thought perhaps someone on the list might have something they would like to license. I could always hire a grpahic artist, but the passion would not be there.

If anyone would like to submit a drawing or two (digital or otherwise), let me know and I'll pass it along for approval.

Rod,

Why reinvent the wheel?

A number of printed editions after the 1906 L'Vandamme have featured a Corrêa illustration on the cover. These (and a number of interior illustrations) may be viewed on the Dr. Zeus website:

drzeus.best.vwh.net/wotw/wotw.html

Because Corrêa was Wells' favorite illustrator (for The War of the Worlds), it would be highly appropriate for you to feature this artist's work on the cover of your project.

Let me know if you are interested, so that we may discuss a license agreement to use a reproduction from the original 'hors texte' drawings used in the 1906 L'Vandamme Edition. These are currently on display at the Science Fiction Museum in Seattle.

Thanks!
Carioca