After seeing Falling Upward Sunday afternoon, I thought it was good enough to tell Ray himself, so Sunday night I rang him and did just that. I said "you're a magician - you've put magic on that stage!" He was so pleased to hear it, and when I said that I might come back to see it again, he replied, "I'll be there on Friday, so if you come then, I'll see you there."

I might just do.

Doug, are any of the RB plays being captured on video tape? We have read so many great comments about the many performances of Mr. Bradbury's works that are being brought to stage over the past several months, it is only logical to have them captured for more to enjoy in another medium.

Or are there too many licensing and copyright catches that would prevent this from happening? Ask Mr. B when next you see him what the chances of this happening with current and future endeavors. What a GREAT educational tool these could be! (Pass that on to him for me also!)

The stage allows for the magic to which you refer to occur. When one reads his works, the images are alive and vivid. This must be the effect on stage as performers literally bring the actions and characters to life. "Rip the pages out of the book and put them up on the stage" ...so to speak!

patrask's comments about the performance bringing tears to his eyes says it all!

(I know there have been several stage versions of his stories lately. Can you, or someone on board, identify them for us?)
fpfromNNY

quote:

Originally posted by fjp451:
Doug, are any of the RB plays being captured on video tape?

I am not aware of any, although I did see Kersh taping at Green Town, but that may have been the night of Ray Bradbury Live! which he was taping, rather than the play - I disremember.

But you put me in mind of a great idea, and I know just the crew that can do it!

quote:

patrask's comments about the performance bringing tears to his eyes says it all!

Well, it could have been the fog-producing dry ice as well, although point taken.

Disremember is a good word.

Yes, indeed, DS! Do it!
f

Any idea when his next public appearence might be? I am prepared to cross the continent to pay my respects.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Dylag:
Any idea when his next public appearence might be? I am prepared to cross the continent to pay my respects.

On the 2nd Mr. B will be at the San Bernardino Library as part of his support for the Friend's of the Library. On the 5th, it is my guess, that he'll probably be at his play. On the 6th he is the keynote speaker at the Duarte Festival of Authors. The following Saturday he'll be at the Long Beach Friend's of the Library. The man is a workhorse.

Actually, it was Saturday when I spoke with Ray via telephone, but anyway...

Got a call from a common friend who said "Ray wants you to call him immediately!" (guess he had mislaid my number), so I called him immediately, and we spoke of a screenplay we're producing to (hopefully) shoot this summer and screen at the "Ray Bradbury Theatre & Film Festival" in Ojai in November.

Perhaps I should go back: Friday, I went over to Ray's and showed him the screenplay we were working on (second draft), and he made a couple suggestions, and blessed it.

Then last night we were at the rehearsal of FH 451 at the playhouse, and ran into Ray just arriving. I gave him a copy of the script, and started to leave. Heading out the door, I ran into Donn Albright just arriving, so chatted him up for a few minutes then left.

Producing a short film is a lot of work. I hope we manage it alright.

quote:

Originally posted by Doug Spaulding:
...we spoke of a screenplay we're producing to (hopefully) shoot this summer and screen at the "Ray Bradbury Theatre & Film Festival" in Ojai in November.

Hopefully is right - we can't seem to raise the $3000 (approximately) we need to put it into action, and there's not much time left.

Anybody know any rich folks who would like to be an Executive Producer?

Instead of one rich exec prod, why not get 50 people to put up a modest 60 dollars each.

Have a yard sale. (I was going to write "jumble sale", but I think this is a quaint britishism you might not understand.)

Sell lemonade on the streets.

Start whitewashing a fence. When neighbourhood kids come along and beg to be allowed to join in, charge them $10 a head.

Sell your car.

quote:

Originally posted by philnic:
Sell your car.

If we move to Europe, I will do!

Who is the "we" that are trying to produce the movie? Surely Ray himself would not have any trouble coming up with $3000 himself. Should I take it that he is merely an "advisor" on this project?

Matthew Allen

quote:

Originally posted by PoseidonMA:
Who is the "we" that are trying to produce the movie? Surely Ray himself would not have any trouble coming up with $3000 himself. Should I take it that he is merely an "advisor" on this project?

Matthew, we are independent filmmakers, and Ray has nothing to do with the production, other than having written the story and approved our script.

quote:

Originally posted by Doug Spaulding:
Anybody know any rich folks who would like to be an Executive Producer?

Hugh Hefner?

Just got off the phone with Ray. Last Thursday night at supper, I asked Ray to submit an interview for the Fr Electrico documentary, and he said "call me Monday at noon and we'll set something up."

Well, I called, he answered, and then said that he was busy "writing a screenplay". "A screenplay, eh?" "Yes", he said "I'm writing the screenplay for Dandelion Wine for the Russians." "Wow," I said, "I'm sure glad they're soliciting your work."

He said "call me back Friday to set up the interview."

This is a gentleman who is as nice as he is busy.