Patents and movies in the same sentence is asking for trouble. My head hurts.
Following today's meeting between .M., Laetitia (LA) and Ken, a review of the production status and next steps.
Status Summary
*We have shortlisted several potential Line Producers, but have been holding off on making a decision pending Phillip Noyce's contribution.
*Misrepresented the role of Line Producer as Producer in initial search
*We are unable to get a firm commitment one way or the other from Phillip Noyce, and it is hindering our progress.
*We shall be signing up a Line Producer of our own choosing, and should Phillip Noyce commit after that point then there may be scope to bring on someone of his recommendation in a suitable capacity, albeit maybe not as Line Producer.
*In order to budget the project, we need a full set of storyboards and estimates from a VFX supervisor.
*Some elements of concept art are not necessary for the storyboards or budgeting, some are.
*Identified crucial HoD's needed for project as a whole, being:
-DoP
-Sound Designer
-Production Designer
-VFX Supe.
-Editor
Next Steps
*Search for Sydney-based potential Line Producers with a view to .M. going out for a week of meetings in Nov/Dec.
*Develop the storyboards
*Develop critical concept elements
*Produce VFX shot breakdowns from storyboards for potential VFX supervisors.
*Search for potential graphic interface designers from within games concept artists.
*Compile contact details for potential HoD's
Key tasks from project plane which have fallen behind.
As per 20041020
*Accounting system set up - need an accountant or someone with sound knowledge of Sage/Line 50 to maintain accounts
*Contracts drawn up - Archie needs to get on the case of this one
*Film producer appointed - waiting for Noyce
*Develop Storyboards 1st Draft - Steve working on them
*Tools developer hired - .M. interviewing people
Working in a remote team has its own benefits and weaknesses. Here is an article with some case studies.
Gamasutra - Resource Guide - "Managing An International Remote Development Team"
The MOD Films Content license (based on the creative commons license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/legalcode)
and the MOD Films Contributor license (derived from the contributors outline spec http://thequality.com/flics/10weeks/blog/archives/docs/20040915_for_contributors.pdf)
need to be finalised, ideally in time for the contracting of key HoD's.
The contributor license would need to be either:
a non-exclusive license to explore the artwork commercially
OR
a complete assignment of all rights to the artwork (might not be feasible)
Wondering if there be a problem with viruses embedded in mods.
Would we need to screen each mod individually for viruses before putting them on the community? How does this relate to the 'virus definitions update' that virus-scanning programs have to do intermittently? Might we actually miss a virus until it had made it onto the community and into the PC's of users?
I don't know much about these tech issues, but thought I should mention it in case.
An issue to consider once the Interactive Design Documentation is submitted on Monday.
Massive: Software's game of mutually assured damage
We have had a low hit rate with potential producers; of some 20 letters mailed out, fewer than 5 have expressed any interest.
When Phillip Noyce signs up for blog access, we should ask his opinion of why the letter has proven so unsuccessful.