The Book Project - Discuss, Anticipate, Collaborate here

[cyoung]

Cara is the only person on layout right now, but there may need to be at least one other person doing that so that Cara can concentrate on the copy editing as well.   Layout and graphics look deceptively easy, but these are possibly the hardest parts of the project.

If we could find a graphic artist to create a template, that would help a lot. I could probably give it a try, but I'm not a bona fide graphic artist.

Cara

[KittyHawk]

Hi KittyHawk --

The only category missing now is "Grapic design/art."   There's nobody to work on it right now, and it could use at least two people.

I suggest keeping a little fluidity in the roles.  When we get into this, inevitably it's going to come clear that too many people are working on one thing and not enough on some other project.   

The "grunt work" will come at the very beginning, during the very first round of the winnowing process.  But at that point there will be so much to do that all postions will have to help out.  "Grunt work" doesn't seem to be a full description  -- "Project Assistants" is really more accurate.

The project coordinator would be the contact person, but can't be here 24/7.  It might be a good idea to designate a couple of other contact people in the coordinator's absence.  After the first round of selection takes place, some of the project assistants can act as contact persons in the coordinator's absence.

Cara is the only person on layout right now, but there may need to be at least one other person doing that so that Cara can concentrate on the copy editing as well.   Layout and graphics look deceptively easy, but these are possibly the hardest parts of the project.

Good points, TexRob. I'd much rather be an Assistant than a Grunt! 

If they can get that second ad finished, I'll bet we can pick up a couple of graphics folks from that group.

Is the weather beautiful where you all are? In central Kentucky it's about 50 degrees, blue cloudless sky (you could drown if you look up), trees and shrubs budding and blooming. Gorgeous.

[pvjohn]

Hey guys/gals,
I just stumbled into this thread...there are so many, I don't think a triptic from AAA would help me

I really love what you are starting here. A book, if done right, would surely be a lasting testament to this movie/short story. It would also benefit those like me who are computer challenged.
The thought of some very confused young person being able to go to a library or bookstore and have this kind of resource to help them is stupendous. Even if that person has not seen the movie, they would be able to see the support that is out there. They do not have to be alone. So mant stories here and elsewhere are too heartbreaking. As I said on another thread, The movie opened the closet door and in the scheme of things, it is just a small ripple on the waters. We have been passed the torch, so to speak, to ensure that ripple becomes a wave.
I am not a writer- I sometimes wonder if I have a creative gene in my body- but may I suggest a format for the book?


                                       1. Intro- by Annie Proulx if possible
                                       2. Synopsis of storie/movie)benefit to those who have neither seenmovie nor read short story
                                       3. Comments by those involved in short story/movie
                                       4. Reaction to same via comments/stories listed here and elsewhere
                                           This would be the heart of the book
                                       5. Index of resources available for guidence
                                       6. "epilogue" by Dave as he is responsible for all of this

As I think about it perhaps Dave should do the Intro and Maybe Annie could write a summary or epilogue tying it all together. I am not creative as I said, but if I can help in any way I would be glad to try. Maybe I could send e-mails to people to get permission to use their story or encourage them to expand a little on one liners. I really believe in what you are trying to do here and congratulat all of you for coming up with this great idea. It would be a beautiful and LASTING testament to this movie. I have even thought of a title as dumb as it may sound.--
          BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN-OUT FROM THE SHADOWS OF THE MOUNTAIN
                                                    STORIES OF HOPE   
Thanks for taking the time to read this and allowing me to make a suggestion.I sure wish you guys all the success possible.         

[peteinportland]

I've taken a quick look over this thread. You folks are getting a nice handle on this project. GOOD!

Our next two big site projects will be the DVD campaign (getting the DVD in libraries) and this book campaign. I will be the Team Cullen person in charge of coordinating these (and all) projects on the site.

In the next couple of days, I will be moving this thread to the new Projects forum we are creating.

I love the breakdown of responsibilities. Looks like this project has a great group. I'm hopeful much of my time can be spent on the DVD camapign and developing some projects addressing rural homophobia while all of you lead the book project to a stunning success!

  to all of you!

Pete

[DanRWentzelJr]

I just found out about this project when Pete cleaned up the forum.

Count me in. 

I

[madameshawshank]

have been away from computerland for days and days...

how smile-producing is this idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sending my bestest wishes to all who will be involved...

'n by the way I do hope a making of the film book will be produced...perhaps photos of the dear Jake learning how to ride a horse ~ photos photos photos of the making of..

oh oh..on topic please..

yep a thousand yeps to the book....especially those remarkable stories of HOW the film has changed/impacted on lives...

with d's and his mom and dad's permission...THAT story!...crumbs..that story alone is worth it's weight in gold....if I was Annie I'd be weeping with joy at that story...

perhaps we could ask her to write something...you never know...something at the beginning of the book....from the acorn as it were

hugs to you all...

so yummy to be back....you continue to enrich my days...merci

[Boris]

I have no idea how I could contribute to the book since English is not my first language. But whatever I can do, I am at your disposal.

I would like to see that the book would include some stories and ideas utside US to enhance how international and crosscultural the movie and the story really are.

 

[NWWaguy]

Love the book concept.  Not sure if and how I can contribute, but I'll work on that.

Boris, you have given me an idea for possible inclusion:

How about having some items in the original language of the poster, i.e., Finnish, with an English translation.  Chinese, Russian, French, Turkish ... you get the idea.  I agree it needs to be international in scope, so this might be a way to emphasize its universality.

When the project gets along a bit, I'll do my best to offer my help.

[desertstarlover]

Not sure how I could contribute, but I would like to be involved, too!

[Brokaholic]

OK Good thing for the new organized threads cos i couldn't find this thread again and I was SO frustrated.

Anyway good to see you guys put me on the list.
I have been reading all the posts with various suggestions and I think those are wonderful.

I would like for us to spell out what this initial phase is going to be and the specifications or criteria for selecting posts(broadly defined). here are my Ideas

1)We can start reading through the posts and deciding which ones are touching. We can break down the various threads so we don't have 3 people reading through the same threads. We gather the posts that are Intresting and meet prerequisite criteria.

2) We have to come up with a system of what information to gather about the post so we are all working on the same slate ex Member ID, Thread, Cathegory.

3) Have another set of grunt work people reading the collected material and grouping them based on the original sources. Here we could use someone with editorial skills. there will be some though calls because despite something having content it also has to be well written, I don't know how we often we will find the 2 requirements.

4) Once the second triage is done, we go back to ground work contacting the members who made the post, letting them know we are intrested in using their post. Send them a consent form to sign and return to us. If there are good posts with grammatical errors typos etc we can re-write those. Send a copy to original writer to sign off on or perhaps if any member objects to certain information they rather have out of the posts.

5) After we have this material then we will see what structure we can build our book into. It would be difficult to include critical reviews without their consent and this will be more difficult to obtain because unlike members of this forum they would not have the benefit of anonymity. however we could compile quotes of the most famous critical reviews. for that I believe we do not need permission.

6) This will be a continuous process because there will still be virgins making their first powerful post when we are at various stages and we need to capture that.

7) We should start a thread were members can post their favorite posts or were we explicitly let members know hey write the story of how BBM affected you so we can share it with the world.

[boy from oz]

G'day Dave, how about turning this forum with all its topics and threads into a book as our tribute to the film I'm sure there is enough inspiration from everyone all over the world who has made a contribution to the topics discussed here to make a great book. "Brokeback Mountain the ultimate worldwide impact movie, from screen to audience, how did this universal love story effect you?
regards
boy from oz

[Brokaholic]

 Have we taken into account how this project could induce autocensorship in this forum?

I truly care about this book because I believe in it but I also am very protective of this forum because for some perhaps for most people it is thier only avenue of un-inhibited self expression

I know this is a though question to ask but one we have to address.

Some people have poured out thier hearts here in a way they never would anywhere else.  We have to be very careful not to induce an athmosphere that would make members less likely to share thier expirences and private secrets. Over 3000 people have posted at least one message and I daresay in some way share so much of themselves here on this board. We have the priviledge of being held in confidence.

The question is; If they had know we wanted to make this book would they have made those posts? Would they have been so open? If you are truly honest with yourself the answer is; No, they would never have.

Is there a solution? perhaps....

We could start a thread that says, tell your story of BBM for the book. Anyone that posts there will do so knowing that will potentially be in our book. We could ask people who have beautiful posts to post there too rewritten if they would like that. we could say hey we think your post is beautiful would you consider posting it for our use in the book (modified if you want to)
Let us read through the threads and contact those who we like their posts and say hey would you write an essay with your story for the book. This would be in essence the same thing but more ethically correct than saying well we have selected your post for the book would you give us your consent to use it.

This is just a thought... or perhaps the rantings of someone who works in a profession where betraying confidence has dire repercussions on further dialog and maybe I am being overly concerned/paranoid/crazy.

[Vicky0uk]

just to confirm...I still want to be in.

I'm happy to do anything....looking through threads, offering suggestions, making virtual cups of tea for everyone......

I'd hope that people would still feel comfortable posting, since any material that we would be using would be with the express permission of the writer. And if we don't get a response at all from someone, then we won't use what they wrote either.

[secretme]

Hello ! I'm still there and even more motivated (if that is possible)
I love that new section of the site : 'Future Projects'

Have we taken into account how this project could induce autocensorship in this forum?

Actually, this site being under the banner of Dave Cullen, which states he writes book about cultural phenomenons, has been one reason why I haven't written anything really personal on this forum.
The other reason being I've never written anything personal in my life, not even in a diary : two months after my first viewing of BBM, I'm still struggling with words to explain my feelings.

My point is I agree we should make it really clear right now that nothing posted on this site will be used without permission.

Maybe a phrase just under the banner :
Rants from the hinterland. A Denver writer and pretend anthropologist rips into artistic treason and random acts of ethical violence.
May also contain gushes of enthusiasm.
WE'RE MAKING A BOOK BUT NOTHING POSTED ON THESE FORUMS WILL BE USED WITHOUT YOUR EXPLICIT PERMISSION

or something like that...

[Vicky0uk]

Yes I think if we do do something like that, it needs to be put somewhere really obvious - it'll get lost in the threads otherwise