Hello All,

I wanted to start a production thread for “Wicked Oz – Part 1 The Rainbow”

Since last year this is probably been my most adventurous project to date as it combines my love of animation and music.  I am writing specific songs for this musical themed project and hopefully will be adding lots of eye candy to this amazing story.

Based on the many writing of L. Frank Baum, Gregory Maguire and Winnie Holzman.  “Wicked Oz – The Chronicles” follows the life of two of the main characters from the works of the above authors.  We follow the lives of both Dorothy Gale and Elphaba; better know as “The Wicked Witch of the West”.

However while reading and studying the above author’s work I have added my own twist to the story and in typical epic style will try and portray this across to you.

I have started a break down of my production diary on my website - http://www.capemediauk.com/Wicked_Oz.htm

This way you can follow the slow progress and see how I bring so many factors together leading up to the final release.  I even plan to have not only screen shots of the film but also production shots taken from the studio.

I released the first teaser back in October 2009 and it has been a massive up hill struggle moving this monster along.  Any way here we are and with a little luck I could have this ready in the next few months.

You can watch it on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrXPIifSDS4

Thanks for visiting.

Cape!

Thanks for the comments Paumanok West.

I have to agree with your statement regarding 1939 Wizard of Oz.  As a child they use to broadcast it every Christmas in the UK and it became apart of our culture as much as that of the States.  It's a story which is part of a whole range of books about Oz and reading through them Frank Baum takes us on an amazing journey all over Oz.

Regarding the Ravenscroft font, it's a readily available and a free font in Word but I can see where you're coming from.  To be honest I choose that font on purpose as a kind of tribute to my favorite musical of all time "Wicked".

Cape! 

Thanks Paumanok West for the constructive feedback

Also I have a new poster.

Cape Out!

However one teeny point (Johm Martin II)? I hope you kept this image layers version. Sorry

Alley (2/6/2010)

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The poster looks very professional.   And I am looking forward to this movie.  The voice over in the trailer was fantastic.

Thank you for the nice comment.  I must say that my wife has been amazing in her support of my work and now she's better we hope to get this complete

Paumanok West (2/6/2010)

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OK, I'm your fanboy now.

Great typography--great 3D effect!

Yes, you got me thinking and you were right, thanks

Thank you for pointing that out , I had ran it through a spell checker and it picked up nothing.  So all updated and fixed.

Hope I can do this project credit and make it entertaining for you guys

Raven2angel (2/10/2010)

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Looks like a great project, can't wait to see the end result

Thanks guys for the nice comments.

UPDATE 14.02.2010

I wanted to update everyone regarding this project which I'm tirelessly working on.

Currently I'm working heavily on the music for this project and we have written all songs that I wanted to add.  The problem is the more you write, the more you get, as the creative juices just keep flowing and one thing I've learned when you're on a roll keep with it.

I've spent a lot of time getting these songs produced, working to get a style that suits both the performer (My daughter Catherine) and the project "Wicked Oz".  I'm happy to say the recording sessions are coming along well and I've very pleased with the results.

The biggest challenge with this project is I'm working in two crucial areas, music and animation and while I'm working on one the other has no progress.  So I've no new screen shots or anything from the visual side.

However I've decided to show you a couple of still pictures from the sessions we have had over the last couple of weeks, me on the piano and Catherine singing.

Thanks for visiting

All the best

Cape!

I'm afraid my music producing skills only go as far as Acid music studio.

Best of luck with the production.

Thanks for the support christy0.

Oh and there's nothing wrong with Acid music studio my friend each to there own

Yes I'm putting more effort into this then anything I have done before

The trailer was released in October 2009 and a couple of weeks earlier my wife (Paula) had a serious accident and damaged her back.  Again I had to care for her as she was off work for 18 weeks.

However she's a lot better now and is fully supporting this project.

I wish I could produce films at the rate you do Gabe, I will try and get this out as soon as possible.  Hopefully everyone will enjoy it

Cape!

Hello All,

We are making quite a bit of progress in the music department.  All original songs have been written which are "Hope", "One of These Days" and the "Wicked Oz Theme".  These songs are currently being evaluated by many of my trusted sources and friends to make sure that they sound right.

I still have 2 covers to recorded and finish and they should be done over the next few weeks as well as some of the Voice Over parts.

Any way I have been working on the asset building and I've attached some images for you to look at.

Thanks for visiting.

Cape!

P.S. Remember to follow the progress at my website (In the signature)

awoniproject lets not get carried away, but thanks for the comment.

MINOR UPDATE 24/02/2010

Still in the studio working on the music.  I might have something for you all to see in about a week if things go as planned   These will be part of the production diary but I will share them here.

Cape!

Cherrout (2/25/2010)

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I look forward to seeing this when it it starts to appear. One of my favs

Thanks for the comment. It is a mammoth task I'm trying to do so it's not going to be quick

Thanks for the comment.  I saw your thread, really hope it works out

Bringing together two of my biggest loves music and animation is a massive task.  I have done a number of albums, worked with many talented musicians and produced a string of recordings since the late 80's.  I have been animating now since around 2003 so in comparison I'm still a novice.

Trying to bring both together is something I've only ever dreamed about.  Making this story as an animated iClone film would be task on it's own.  The fact I'm writing and recording songs especially written for it....well it's nearly impossible

Be we are defined by these challenges and become stronger regardless of the outcome.

Cape!

Now Tera that would be telling, but a clue is "No" .  If you have seen "Wicked" you will know the line from the end of Act 1 said by the character of 'Madame Morrible'.

In my interpretation of Frank Baum's and more so in Gregory Maguire's work the "Evil" person is.......now that would be telling.

However if you know these pieces of work and see it as I do, it's not difficult to work out who causes the events that unfold.

Cape!

Hello All,

I have released the first part of my "Making of" series, for this project.

First part - Composing the Music

You can watch it here:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAJT66arSfE

http://www.tmunderground.com/watch/250a4523ba67a65a7d03/The-Making-of-Wicked-Oz-–-Part-1-–-Composing-the-Music

Hope you enjoy it

Cape!

Thanks for the comment.

I suppose if I was doing this for commercial reason then I would have something to worry about.  I have made changes to avoid any relevence to "Wicked" but this is a non-profit project and really will be shown as such.  In this case I have written the songs used in the video.

Regarding the songs I totally agree regarding lyrics being understood.  If you are referring to the "Making Of" video, obviously there is little clarity.  That will not be the case on the final version

Cape

Raven2angel (3/3/2010)

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Interesting   Nice to see how things evolve.
Good work

Thanks for the comment

Again, thanks for sharing your production progress.

Alley (3/3/2010)

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This was very intersting Colin - thank you for sharing this.  I am really looking forward to this as Wizard of Oz was one of those movies I watched a gazillion times as a kid (despite the fact that it terrified me) and I never did see the play Wicked.  I think it will be great to see an Iclone movie with such an interesting story produced by someone who is creating the music and taking a great deal of time and care into the production.

Again, thanks for sharing your production progress.

Thanks for the comments and words of encouragement.  These videos will form a "Behind the Scenes" look at the making of this project.

The next part will center on script, story and character development.

Cape! 

Cool,...

Hey Colin ( I assume this is your name...), I never realized this before but we have many things in common .. The recording session reminded me of previous projects I did with my Band and a musical school... It never occurred to me to make a makeof of an iClone soundtrack but this is really really Cool... And a lot of work I am sure

I share the same passion, Music and iCLone... 

BRAVO! Keep it on ! I will be eagerly awaiting for the next part ...  

BigBoss40 (3/4/2010)

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Wow! I almost missed this one... Is that you in the Video

Cool,...

Hey Colin ( I assume this is your name...), I never realized this before but we have many things in common .. The recording session reminded me of previous projects I did with my Band and a musical school... It never occurred to me to make a makeof of an iClone soundtrack but this is really really Cool... And a lot of work I am sure

I share the same passion, Music and iCLone... 

BRAVO! Keep it on ! I will be eagerly awaiting for the next part ...  

Thanks for the comment Big Boss, yes it's me and my name is Colin

Regarding the project I have wanted to do something like this for many years but have been unable to until this point.  Yes it will take time, especially as I'm documenting the process and filming the "Making Of" videos.

However in the end I can then compile or the videos as well as the finished film and look back at not only a finished project, but a journey

Colin!

Good Luck with it Cape. Very interesting.

By the way . . . you don't look or sound how I had envisaged. Funny how images make their way into our heads.

Thanks for watching Gizmo.

Regarding the way I look, well I could never have looked like my Avatar, a coloured box

UPDATE 07/03/2010

Website has been updated and the first "Making Of" video has had a good response from everyone, which is pleasing.

Currently working on the script and getting that out to VO artist to get a feel for the project.  Will continue with the recording of the music once this has been done.

I'll also be getting the next "Making Of" video done and releasing that in the next few weeks.

Really enjoying making this.  My children are also very keen on this project, which is exactly the audience I'm aiming it at

Cape!

I have been asked to go on the "Ken and Roger" show tomorrow 14/03/2010.  I'll be discussing iClone, animation, music and obviously this project "Wicked Oz".

I should be one of the first guests so hopefully some of you can tune it.

It all starts at 2 pm Eastern, 7 pm in the UK, 8 pm in Europe. To listen, go to the TMOA website and open one of the conveniently located stream links on the right.  There's also a chat room TMOA chatroom.

So hopefully see you then.

Cape!

Had a blast on the Ken and Roger show yesterday as usual .  Discussed the "Wicked Oz" project in some length and some of my future aspirations.

Hope some of you got the chance to listen, if not when the download is available I'll post it on here for those interested.

Thanks

Cape

Website updated with the latest news.  Currently been tied up a little, in a local show I've been asked to be the lighting technician for.  But the show ends on Saturday 10th April so I'll be free again.

Wicked Oz continues to build but at a slower rate, currently I'm about a month behind schedule.

You can also listen to all my appearances on the TMOA podcast show on my website.

Thanks

Cape!

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have just released the first song from my next project "Hope".

The official music video is available to watch on YouTube and features my daughter Catherine singing and my son Anthony on drums.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7vNMZuO2uw

Please enjoy and comment.

Many thanks

Capemedia

Alley (6/9/2010)

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That was wonderful, a very talented musical family. 

Thanks everyone for the kind words, I am blessed to have such wonderful kids.  My daughters dream is to be on the West End so these projects build her confidence up and showcases her talent.

The project is becoming epic, the score has been taking me months to write but every little step like this is step towards the finish line.

Keep with me guys this will definitely be worth the wait

Cape!

Paumanok West (6/10/2010)

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Alley (3/3/2010)

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I never did see the play Wicked.

We saw "Wicked" for the second time in San Francisco (at great cost) because my camerado wanted to. Now, I have been repeatedly asked by the owners of the gay franchise to turn in my ID card because I don't like Broadway musicals. I usually find the singing style brassy, fakey, and cloying, and the same can be said of this one. However, the story is exceedingly clever and it delivers some profound messages about popularity, bullying, believing in oneself, political scape-goating, and fascism. All of these themes are of immense importance to daily life. I have previously advocated that story is the most important thing, and that's why the original Oz movie remains (in my humble) the only perfect movie ever made, and why this highly revisionist musical is also so brilliant.

If I were Capemedia, I wouldn't bother taking refuge in the nonprofit nature of his production as protection from the Wicked producers--I would simply take all pains to steer clear. After all, isn't the glory of being of an artist found in creating something fresh, anyway? In addition, it's going to be hard to bring the storytelling up to the level established by the movie and the new musical.

So see the musical if you can--its popularity is richly deserved. And sincere best wishes to Capemedia. iClone is an animator's dream come true, and it needs a showcase project like this!

Even though I agree with most of what you say Paumanok, I'm sticking with this project.  I'm writing a hell of a lot of new music, using some of the famous songs from both musicals and trying to come up with a story that is new but based in the well known land of Oz.

Also I have never made a penny to date on any of my projects so why would that be an issue now.  I'm a serious hobbyiest that's it.  My "real world" job is a million miles from this kind of thing and that's why I love doing this....not for the money.

My "real world" job pays the bills, allows me to invest in my hobby, but my hobby is where I'm creative, where I love to be and where regardless of what anybody thinks, will be where I will do the projects that brings me enjoyment first.

Thanks for your views

Cape!

Me too! I couldn't agree more. And this project of yours looks awesome, Cape. I look forward to seeing it!

Cathy

Hello Cathy, thanks for the support.  This is an epic project but one I do not want to rush.  If it takes me 2 years to complete then so be it

Yeah I have checked those out thanks.  However Elphaba has more then a few flying monkeys at her disposal in "Wicked Oz"

Thanks Gabe!

It's so nice to know people are behind you.  This project is possibly the biggest thing I have ever attempted and it will take time