Today I sent out the link to the HD download of My Shanghai to our Kickstarter backers. I think this is our real world premiere. In the U.S., our backers come from Oregon, Washington, Alaska, California, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Colorado, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine. And those are just the ones I know about! … More Talk about a world premiere
In My Shanghai, Virginia talks about how her mother always hid money in her mattress, just in case. Thankfully, we didn’t have to do that. Another round of thanks goes to our Kickstarter funders as My Shanghai moves from production to premiere screening. A whole bunch of folks contributed $25 to $99, with our appreciation: Lee Babb • Laurie … More Which is why they don’t call it MattressStarter
As 2013 comes to a close, I’m raising my glass to everyone associated with My Shanghai. So many people have generously supported this documentary. On behalf of the My Shanghai team, I give our most sincere thanks. If you worked on the film, gave us materials to use onscreen, consulted, researched, held an umbrella over my … More Closing credits
Q: What’s got more style, the tango or champagne? A: Why choose when you can have both? Both, as in “Tango Champán” by Jonathan Geer. If you’ve visited our Facebook page in the last couple of days, you’ll know we’ve been soliciting title ideas for for the closing credits music. On request from the producers (or was it … More A toast to the tango
Here’s where you’ll find all the latest goings-on with My Shanghai. We have a new format to disguise the fact that we’re still bloggy-based (sshhh!!!), so our posts don’t appear on the front page anymore. It may take a few days to get it all set, but you’ll still get to read all about what’s … More Like our new look?
Where better to announce the latest addition to our crew than at 39,000 feet? Meet Vashi Nedomansky, a Los Angeles–based editor who will handle My Shanghai’s color correction and grading. Born in Czechoslovakia, Vashi defected to North America with his parents when he was five years old. “My father was a professional hockey player in the NHL and … More Color takes flight
So long, summer. We like a change of season at My Shanghai. We’re bringing on people to get this little film into shape for the big show…. er, festival circuit… which we plan to begin in early 2014. Meet our new assistant editor, Heidi Zimmerman, who will be in charge of all the specs and codecs to … More Fall brings a global perspective
Geography quiz: what river runs through Shanghai? Virginia would tell you it’s the Whangpoo (or Huangpu in today’s spelling). But I’m beginning to think it’s the Willamette. At least, my Shanghai finds its home on the Willamette, the river that runs through Portland, Oregon. And tomorrow night, Portland will get a taste of My Shanghai … More Shanghai on the Willamette
My Shanghai’s talent pool just got a lot deeper. With the success of Kickstarter, we’ve now met one of our goals: bringing a top sound editor onto the project. Meet Michael Gandsey, sound designer, re-recording mixer and owner of T2 Audio in Portland. Originally from Burbank, Michael grew up with the music and film industry in … More Deep into sound
At 3pm last Friday, with 24 hours and 2 minutes left on Kickstarter, I posted the first in a series of hourly thank-yous on our Facebook page. Since many of you are not on FB (for good reason, I’m sure), I’ll share them here. Thank you, 3pm Virginia McCutcheon, for being our hero, for opening the book … More 24 and counting
$20,586 We thought we could… thanks to you! phw
The spring has brought changes to My Shanghai. Beyond everything else, we mourn the passing of Virginia’s grandson, Eric Palmer, who let us into his life on camera and helped with the production. His obituary is online in the San Luis Obispo Tribune. May has also been fundraising season. Our Kickstarter drive runs until Saturday at 3pm … More Fishermen’s four seasons
It was so much fun the first time, I’m doing it again! Today, May 29 at 3:05pm PDT, I’ll be back on internet radio W4CY.com to go behind the scenes of My Shanghai. Take your mid-day break, pour yourself a cup of something and listen in! A chance to talk about the film helps with the final … More More adventures in radio
Attention screenwriters: we added a fantastic new backer reward for the Kickstarter campaign! Now, at the $1000 donation level, Joan and I will do a full evaluation of one of your screenplays. Both of us are experienced readers for competitions, and both of us have had more than a few of our own scripts torn apart by … More Cracking the K-nut
What strikes me is how symbolic these rocks are, and how fragile. … More When is an island not an island?
Today I’ll be on the radio promoting My Shanghai and our Kickstarter campaign! Join us at 4:30pm PDT on W4CY.com with host Dean Piper on his show, “Adventures of Pipeman.” My Shanghai gets its first 15 minutes of fame on internet radio. Thanks for listening! phw
Back My Shanghai on Kickstarter as an Associate Producer or Executive Producer and be included in the IMDb credits. You’ll not only increase our chance of success but add to your own as well. … More Street cred
Too bad we can’t take Shanghai dollars. At least not like the fiver you see here, which came out of Virginia’s scrapbook. Before that, I’m sure, out of her mattress. Shanghai in the 1930s was safe enough for the Brits in the International Settlement, but you still had to keep a reserve of cash under the … More Shanghai dollar days
The countdown has begun! Our Kickstarter campaign launched today — The drive is live on this very exciting link! — which, if all goes well, will raise $20,000 for the My Shanghai budget. We’ll use the money for sound editing and mixing, color correction, and an original score by Jonathan Geer. Whatever is left over will help … More The drive is live, thank you
At last, the demo is done. The promo is ready. Trailer accompli. I’ve posted it on Facebook too, so if you haven’t come and liked our page, this would be a good time! It’s also a good time to mention the Kickstarter launch sometime in the next week. This will provide My Shanghai the level of polish … More Trailer accompli
It’s a small building across the parking lot from the only B-17 bomber in my neighborhood. … More The B-17 in my neighborhood
“I knew he was a very big shot,” Virginia said, “and if he was arrested, that would be the last we’d see of him…”. … More My stepfather, the spy
My Shanghai: the Film 