Update: SOLD! 12-9-07

Sure, there are lots of used dual 1.8GB G5 Towers with 2GB RAM and internal 80GB hard drives for sale at $800 (negotiable). But how many were used to make Sita Sings the Blues? Only this one. Also, it works good. I’m only upgrading because I have to re-render the entire film at higher resolution (1920 x 1080; it was 1280 x 720) and patience isn’t one of my virtues. I can also throw in a complete Final Cut Pro HD Production Suite, which is great except it won’t open fcp files made on newer Final Cut systems. No problem if you’re working alone. And I’m still hawking my excellent printer.

An ongoing feature in which I recommend the work and websites of people who buy me dinner. Today’s entry: Amandeep Jawa!

Amandeep Jawa says he’s “gregarious,” which I learned, in the few hours I got to know him, is an understatement. As we walked through Deepistan - a neighborhood comprising both Dosa, where he bought me dinner, and Bi-Rite Creamery, where I could only sample tastes lest I explode - random passersby paid their respects to their unofficial mayor. Or is that Supreme Dictator? Rumor has it part of the region may split off and re-name itself Amandesh. You can keep abreast of Deep’s political activities here, and his gregariating (new word! no google results! I win!) at his blog DeepTrouble.com. Deep is also the official Bay Area Director of Fundraising for Sita Sings the Blues, so if you want to give me a pile of money but need to preview the movie first, contact him.

Would YOU like to be featured in Eats for Endorsement? Then buy me dinner. My email address is at the bottom of the middle column, the one with the pictures linking to my movies and cartoons and stuff.

to Resist Christmas! “No Shopping, No Presents, NO GUILT.” Also visit the Christmas Resistance Blog.

Donations supporting Sita Sings the Blues are now tax-deductible when made through the project’s fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas.

UPDATE 2: So many people have RSVP’ed we’re adding a second show at 9pm. 7pm is full. If you show up at 7 and your name’s not on the list, you can still see the preview at 9. Or there may be some no-shows you can replace.

UPDATE: if you want to attend the New York screening, please RSVP with “Sita NY” in the subject, to:
Space is limited, and priority will be given to those with names on the list. This is just a sneak preview; the bigger and better genuine premiere will happen in 2008.

New York:

Saturday, November 17, 7:00 pm and 9:00pm
NYU Tisch School of the Arts, room 006 (lower level)
721 Broadway, between Waverly Place and Washington Place
New York City
Free!

We’ll screen the whole 82-minute feature on DVD, then the 3-minute 35mm film test of “Battle of Lanka,” so you can see just how gorgeous it looks on film.

San Francisco:

Saturday, December 1, 8:00 pm
Oddball Film
275 Capp Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
$10 donation
RSVP 415.558.8117 or email info at oddballfilm.com

See the whole 82-minute feature on DVD. We’ll have samosas, T-shirts, and GOOD TIMES.

Both screenings are excellent opportunities for those of you who wish to contribute to the making of the 35mm film print to see what you may be supporting. And hopefully I’ll have fiscal sponsorship by then, meaning any donations (as opposed to loans) will be tax-deductible! Of course I’ll be there, answering questions, hawking art prints and begging for money. FUN!

I’m selling my lightly-used Epson printer to get a new one that’s exactly like it except it uses archival inks. ‘Cause I’m gonna make a bunch of art prints and if the ink fades in 100 years, I’ll feel bad. Actually I’ll be dead by then, and probably civilization as we know it will have collapsed even sooner, but someday when alien archeologists pick through the remains of our decadent and self-destructive society, I’d like them to see crisp, clear, brilliant colors on those “Sita” prints. So, to make room for the new printer, the old one (which I bought a year ago) must GO!

Prints up to 13×19!
Color prints are beautiful, but supposedly lightfastness is only guaranteed 25 years
Mac and PC
Comes with paper roll feeder and other crap I don’t use
Shiny silver!
4 extra “genuine Epson” (overpriced retail) ink cartridges included: 2 color, 2 black

All this for just $200! The inks retail for $100 alone, which sucks but they do last a while. The printer also does plain ol’ letter size and is a fine home or office printer. Buyer must pick up from mid-town Manhattan (Hell’s Kitchen, convenient to all Times Square trains). You can use the box from my new printer to carry it, since my apartment is too small to store boxes. Act now while supplies last!

Ms. Laaw-yuhr asks a good question: why go through the trouble and expense of putting Sita Sings the Blues on 35mm film?

1. The most prestigious and important film festivals still show only film, not video. The next deadline for the first of these is Berlin, November 1st. If Sita is accepted, she’ll have to be on film by the end of January.

There’s been a huge proliferation of film festivals in recent years, and many do screen video and DVD. But the “big five” (Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Toronto and Sundance) retain a strong preference - if not outright requirement - for film.

2. Professional distributors prefer film, and I hope to attract a distributor.

3. The digital projectors in mainstream theaters use a proprietary codec, as deigned by the Motion Picture Association. Obtaining the license for that codec is expensive.

4. Art houses, the likeliest theatrical destination for “Sita,” seldom have the fancy new digital systems anyway, relying instead on inferior tape and DVD projectors, or good ol’ gorgeous film.

5. Film looks great. And I have designed the entire production with film in mind as the final destination. Everything is 24 frames per second, at a film-worthy resolution.

6. Film is a universal platform that works around the world. Video standards differ from region to region, and digital projection technologies are ephemeral. Since “Sita” is likely to be seen overseas in a variety of countries, including many places that can’t afford the latest digital systems, film is the best vehicle for her.

7. Add your own reason in the comments.

Today I did a google blogsearch on my name (no, I’m not ashamed) and look what came up:

Not just a monster, a bargain monster. This may be my only five-star review.

Get me with no regrets. Beware of invalid information about me, there’s plenty out there.

Quality the me, conveniently located.

(I had a link to the squatter-site that generated this crap, but it’s since been replaced by sex ads.)

My current plan involves persuading 15 people to lend me $2,000 each. A mere $2K buys a credit of your choice, and I’ll pay you back as soon as the movie gets money (before I pay back myself). How does that sound? I’m also trying to arrange a screening (on DVD) in New York so all you moneybags can see what you’re supporting. Any venues out there want to help? Actually if anyone out there wants to organize a fundraising screening in another city, that’d be great too. I’m shooting for November or December. Talk to me, baby!

Speaking of raising $30,000, anyone who invests can have a credit of their choice in the film! Director, Writer and Animator are all taken, but there are so many more:

Best Boy
Key Grip
Caterer
Location Scout
Makeup
Sita’s Gowns by
Hairdresser
Set Dresser
Animal Trainer
Third Unit Supervisor
Grand Poobah
Executive Poobah
Associate Poobah
Pyrotechnician
Stunt Double

…and so many more. Buy your credit today!

Anyone have $30,000 lying around I can borrow? That’s about how much it will cost to get the digital film-out, soundtrack and processing for a 35mm print of Sita Sings the Blues. I promise I’ll pay you right back once the big bucks start rolling in. There’s big bucks in quirky little self-animated art films, right? And the dollar’s weak right now, so if you loan me $30,000 in euros or rupees it’s like a good deal or something.