Dinner with Neil Gaiman and a pig in a panda suit.
Hullo people:)!
Last night I had the pleasure of going to dinner with one of my favorites friends Neil Gaiman and a bunch of his friends.
They were all very cool folks, writers and interesting types. I spoke with Neil about his recent marriage, he is so happy which makes me very glad. We also spoke about my kids book, the story and artwork e.t.c. and the logistics of getting it out there as well as the photography book I am hoping to get done this year:)
I am so excited about all of this.!!!
I am so lucky to have such great folks in my life who support me creatively,I really am.
It has been lovely and grey today, reminds me of the cities I grew up in. I’ve been missing britain alot this week and am thinking of planning a trip there sometime soon.The land of eternal sunshine is great but i like WEATHER.!!!
I am thinking of possibly using kickstarter to raise money for the album. What do you guys think of that? At first when Neil told me about kickstarter I had a kind of weird reaction. I felt like ” No ,I could ever ask people to fund a project, that’s ridiculous” but the more I talk to people,the more sense it makes.Neil put it to me this way-
“Normally people have had to go through the record companies. They give you an advance so that you can make your album, then, as you sell albums you slowly pay them back. Only thing is, you never actually end up making anything on the other end. This way, (kickstarter) people can actually have a hand in helping you to create something they want to buy . They also know that their money is going straight to the source as opposed to going into the hands of a company who takes 90% of all monies. People get to actually BE a part of the creation of an art project and that is very exciting.”
Shannon my webmistress extraordinaire showed me a kickstarter program for a book she had contributed to and she said all in all it was a really cool experience. She loved the fact that she got to receive special things for contributing to the creation of the book and that the book turned out great.
Sooooooo… this is something I am considering doing. David J. My esteemed friend and extraordinarily gifted bass player who played Bass on my single (that’s so cool i still can’t believe I got him to do that!! hihihihii) used kickstarter to fund his upcoming album with great success I am told. Also Allison Anders, a filmmaker I worked with on “Gas Food and Lodging” recently used kickstarter to fund her newest film!!!! I’m still milling it about in my head but it seems like a good idea.
I think that doing things independently is the way of the future. As i have watched huge business after huge conglomerate collapse in this economy, all the studios either closing down or fighting to stay in business at all by making almost NO films,or by making cheap shlock films, The collapse of the music industry (in it’s older incarnation), the list goes on and on……. The more I realize that The old way of doing things is Dead. Not dying but Dead. The old business models for both filmmaking and music no longer work. These days If you want to get something done you have to strike out on your own and make it happen. With the advent of internet sites like Kickstarter you can actually get it done and I think that is amazingly cool.
May I introduce you to LoLo
On a different note,the picture to the bottom left is of a painting I did called Lolo. This sweet little piglet in a panda suit is the main character of my children’s book:) I thought I would make the brief introduction of him to you:)
Lolo, meet the world:) World, this is LoLo.This painting became the basis for a story I used to tell my nieces when they were very little. They were the ones who gave me the idea for making him into a kids book. Several folks have asked to see LoLo, so here he is!!!!:)In all his sweet furry glory!!!!! The book is going to be more of an Art style kids book than you’re normal kids book. Although it is written for very small children I think adults will get a kick out of it as well. This is a project I really want to see done and released this year. Isn’t he cute!!!!?
O.k., well I’m off. Hope that all of you reading this are well. Let me know you’re thoughts about this kickstarter idea if you will, I am curious to know what you think and also if any of you have had experience with doing this.?
XXXXOOOOO
F
9 Responses to “Dinner with Neil Gaiman and a pig in a panda suit.”
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Hey Fairuza! I think using Kickstarter is a great idea. I would love knowing that I helped you get the album made. It would make me appreciate the music even more knowing I was somehow involved in the process.
Love the painting, and can’t wait for the book!
That’s gotta be cool knowing Neil Gaiman. I’m more familiar with him by his work in comic books like Sandman, brilliant stuff. I’ve never of Kickstarter but on a quick Wikipedia search (lol) that sounds like a smart move. It seems like this site has a pretty solid fan base and of course with all of the sales for Stormwinds, it probably wouldn’t be very had to get loyal fans to donate some extra cash here and there, it would probably add up pretty well. I also like that idea, let the public donate to various projects via Kickstarter instead of a major corporation with interest only in taking someone’s art and making as much money with it as they can and if possible toss some crumbs to the artist.
I think that going with Kickstarter is a brilliant idea. :-) I think many of us would love to help out.
And thank you for the introduction to Lolo. Adorable and cool.
Maybe the trip to England can also be a book signing for your book on Lolo. :)
I think if this “Kickstart” thing worked well for your other friends, why not give it a try…I know I would contribute to helping you get your music off the ground if I could!!! Take care, God bless. oxoxox Matt
Kickstarter sounds like a grand idea. I, for one, would love to assist in any way possible! Anything to make sure this album sees the light of day- as well as maintaining artistic vision. Thats a big part of the creative process… Or it should be. lol.
Hope all is well, and thanks for the introduction!
I’ve heard of kickstarter, but have never used it myself. It seems like a good idea though. I know there have been many times when there was something trying to be made, but cost was prohibitive and no one was interested in funding it. In those instances I would have loved to have seen the fans given an opportunity to contribute. With a sufficient fan base, even if everyone only gave $1 once, it would really add up. I always thought a great thing would be to have a special something for those who donated. Just something simple that could be downloaded, a picture, an audio clip, whatever. That way, if the project never accumulated enough to be made, everyone would still have received something for their contribution, and the funds raised could be used for another project, donated to a charity, you get the idea. Personally, I would love the opportunity to contribute, and I believe you’re right, independent is the way of the future. Corporations are too greedy and controlling. After all, that tradition of seizing control from the artist is part of what kept you from sharing your music for so long, right? I say go for it, and we’ll be with you! =)
And thank you for sharing LoLo with us. The whole idea of a pig in a panda suit is such a wonderful thing, it made me smile. I look forward to the book, and to sharing it with my own children, when I actually have some. Best to you =)
The times they do be changing, and sometimes rapidly in a direction that was unforeseen. But when times change we must change with them or stagnate. I believe that you will change, and I say go for it!
I can only agree with Mick. I would absolutely contribute. I think it’s a great idea.
hi Fairuza! I just wanted to say hi, because I’m new here, and I’m your long time fan :) i’m not one of those crazy ones. :D I just wanted to say how excited I am that I stumbled upon this beautiful blog of yours. I think it’s great that you are doing what you like, and I’m glad that you don’t depend on Hollywood because I think the movie industry is ruining people. Your beauty is so amazing and natural, while all of the movie stars are pressured into undergoing plastic surgery, which is ridiculous and the result is bad. Thank you for being yourself :) Can’t wait to hear your music, too. Well sorry this is taking so long, i will stop now. sorry if my english is a bit rusty, i am from Croatia and i don’t get the chance to speak english very often. Kisses , Jasna