Construction of a New Website

Posted on February 16, 2012 by admin

We are currently working on a new website that is strictly about our documentary film, “SCOUTS HONOR: Inside a Marching Brotherhood”. It will help with the promotion and marketing of the film. While, we think “Gigantic Cranium” is cool (it is, and will remain our company name), there has been a bit of brand confusion when it comes to the company and the film. The new site should clear that up. One of the main features of the new website will be a way that people can contribute to the film. We received quite a few message from those who missed the cutoff on the IndieGoGo campaign. Soon you’ll be able to contribute to the film directly through our new site and PayPal.

Meanwhile we are mapping out the shooting schedule for the rest of the Spring and Summer. We have a lot that we want to capture, but the money we collect for the film will dictate how much we can actually shoot. Right now we have a long ways to go on the film financing side and it’s certainly an uphill battle. We’ve got some ideas and are formulating those now. We welcome any suggestions or thoughts about creative ways for us to find the needed funds.

Thanks for your support!

IndieGoGo Campaign Completion

Posted on January 24, 2012 by admin

Hey everybody,

As I’m sure you are aware, our initial fundraising campaign for “Scouts Honor: Inside a Marching Brotherhood” concluded last night at midnight. We were absolutely overwhelmed by the outpouring of support during our final push. Thanks to your hard work, contributions, and spreading of the word, we are extremely pleased to announced that we have raised over $13,000.00 during the campaign! This is going to be crucial as we enter the next phase of the project, which includes continued filming at winter camps and the build-up to the 2012 summer tour. As I’m sure anyone who has been at camp can tell you, the show this year is going to be amazing and we could not be more excited about being given the opportunity to capture it for you all!

We have been contacted a few times about the fact that the IndieGoGo campaign did not reach our listed contribution goal. Please be assured that all of the funds raised during this campaign will be used for “Scouts Honor” and we are in the process of formulating our next fundraising phase. We will be in contact shortly with details, including ways in which additional contributions can be made directly on-line.

Again, we cannot thank you all enough for your donations, words of encouragement, and support during the IndieGoGo campaign for “Scouts Honor!” Stay tuned for more updates from the field and news on the progress of the film!

Thanks so much,
Mac, Tom, and the “Scouts Honor” Crew

The LAST Hours of the IndieGoGo Campaign

Posted on January 23, 2012 by admin

Hey all,

Just wanted to remind everyone that there is still time to donate to our IndieGoGo fundraising campaign for “Scouts Honor: Inside a Marching Brotherhood”, which ENDS TONIGHT at midnight PST. To check out the page for the campaign please click here: IndieGoGo Campaign Page. The response this weekend has been amazing and we are truly honored by each and every donation that we have received. This is the end of just one aspect of our fundraising efforts for the documentary and we will be updating everyone soon with other ways in which they can further support the production of the film. As we previously reported, all of the funds donated to the IndieGoGo campaign will be used for the making of the film, regardless of the final tally. And don’t forget about our great contribution perks like the DVD/BluRay version of the finished product and DCI Finals tickets in the Madison Scouts seating block! There is still plenty of time to make your contribution and pass along the word about “Scouts Honor” to all of your friends and family!

Thanks so much,
Mac, Tom, and the “Scouts Honor” crew

Win a FREE DVD!

Posted on January 22, 2012 by admin

During these last 24 hours of the IndieGoGo campaign…If you don’t have $$ to contribute, but are willing to help then here’s what you can WIN! Use the “sharing tools” directly below our video on the IndieGoGo page (login to IndieGoGo so we know who you are) to share with your friends. If your referrals total up to $100 (the people you invite visit our campaign, donate & it adds up to $100 or more) then we will give you a FREE DVD of “SCOUTS HONOR: Inside a Marching Brotherhood” (once it’s released), the documentary film about the Madison Scouts drum and bugle corps. Pretty easy if you ask me!

Fleur-De-Lis Perk Level

Posted on January 22, 2012 by admin

Hey everybody,

Due to the amazing response that we have been getting lately, and as an extra incentive for potential supporters in this last day of the campaign, we are very excited to announce a new contribution level with some very cool perks! For a $1,000.00 donation to the Scouts Honor project, you will become a “Fleur-De-Lis” level sponsor, which entitles you to the “Brotherhood” level perks (including an associate producer credit, personalized business cards, and a “thank you” performance by a member of the Scouts) PLUS two (2) tickets to DCI Finals in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 11, 2012 and a brunch with the filmmakers on August 12, 2012 (travel expenses not included). The Finals tickets will be in the Scouts block, so if you were already planning on attending Finals this would be a great way to support SCOUTS HONOR, as well. As always, your donations are cumulative, so if you have already donated at a level lower than $1,000.00, your prior donation will be added to your new contribution when calculating your perks.

We hope that you are excited as us about the new “Fleur-De-Lis” donation level and perks. Remember that there are only 30 hours left in our campaign for Scouts Honor, so any support is greatly appreciated and we would love it if you could help spread the word about this great project tonight and tomorrow.

Thanks! Mac and Tom

Campaign Confusion

Posted on January 20, 2012 by admin

Just so there is no confusion out there among our followers, please note that no matter what the final tally of contributions from our IndieGoGo campaign (which ends in just TWO DAYS!), please note that the production of SCOUTS HONOR will carry on as scheduled. The IndieGoGo campaign is only one facet of our fundraising efforts, which will continue on after the weekend.

The higher the total ends up from this IndieGoGo campaign the easier it will be for us to secure other funding.

We’ll give you all more details on ways that you, your friends, and your families can help out soon. In the meantime, PLEASE help us in the final push on our IndieGoGo campaign by reposting to your Facebook wall, tweet, text, pick up the phone and continue spreading the word about SCOUTS HONOR!

Mac & Tom

Full Show Performance from 2011

Posted on January 19, 2012 by admin

When we went out last summer on our “test” shoot for this documentary, one of the challenges that laid ahead of us was to capture a complete show properly. We intended to record both video and sound at three shows that week. Due to various circumstances we ended up with only one opportunity to get a full performance from the Madison Scouts. It was on our last day in Summerville, SC in a very small stadium.

The 2011 show was called “New York Morning” and was a very classy tribute to what happened in New York City on September 11th, 2001. From the normal hustle and bustle of a typical workday, to the catastrophic attack, the confusion and eventually coming out on the other side with hope and conviction, the Madison Scouts did an amazing job with this show.

Our secret weapon in this project isn’t the cameras or the editing software, it’s my friend, John “JT” Torrijos who has been recording live drum corps in Northern California for the last few years. He has been able to capture what it’s like to be right there in the first few rows of the stands better than I’ve ever heard it done before. This is not an easy task when you think about it. The stage is 100 yards wide, and it’s some of the most dynamic, live music you’ll ever hear. With his 5.1 microphone setup his sound will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Wait until you hear it in 5.1 in a movie theater. It’ll knock your socks off!

I’ve heard the opening music of the 2012 show and it’s incredible. I can’t wait to capture performances this coming summer. It’s going to sound amazing! Please help us with our campaign so we can go on tour with the Scouts and do this again. Our IndieGoGo campaign is almost over. Donate a few dollars, tell your friends to donate, and get them to tell their friends to donate. You won’t regret it.

A Talk with the Directors of the Madison Scouts

Posted on January 18, 2012 by admin

Dann Petersen (corps director) and Chris Komnick (executive director) took a few minutes out of one of their busy days during the January camp in Dallas, Texas to talk to me about the documentary film “Scouts Honor: Inside a Marching Brotherhood”. These two gentlemen have been tremendously supportive of our efforts to get this project rolling. Tom Tollefsen (co-director) and I both marched with Dann during the mid-90′s in the Madison Scouts and Chris was a marching member of the Scouts in the 80′s.

This film has the potential of giving this organization and the drum corps activity much needed exposure. Take a look at what Chris and Dann have to say about the documentary film (currently in the early phases of production), “Scouts Honor: Inside a Marching Brotherhood”, and visit our IndieGoGo campaign.

Success at January Camp

Posted on January 17, 2012 by admin

Mac captures footage of contracted and auditioning members of the snare line in Grapevine, TX (photo by Garrick Gonzalez)

Our trip to the Madison Scouts January camp rehearsal in Grapevine, TX was a success. The drumline and hornline converged for three and half days to rehearse the first few minutes of the 2012 show, and the corps continued to audition members for this season. Not only were we able to capture some of the first moments of the hornline, and the full ensemble playing the show music, but there were some nice surprises as well. It’s terrific to see some of the footage that we captured for our documentary film “Scouts Honor: Inside a Marching Brotherhood”. We are one step closer to finding the characters who will help carry the story of our film.

This trip to Texas wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for your donations. Now we are in the last week of our IndieGoGo campaign, and need your help more than ever. Any dollar amount will get us closer to our goal. Please consider a donation, and encourage others to contribute as well. Thanks for your support!

First Glimpses of the 2012 Show

Posted on January 14, 2012 by admin

I’m currently in Grapevine, Texas at the January camp of the Madison Scouts. We are getting to hear the first bits of the 2012 show called Reframed. It’s based on the music Pictures at an Exhibition. Of course it’s not just Pictures…there are some exciting twists most if which I dont know about, but I got to hear one while shooting footage of the baritone section for our documentary, Scouts Honor: Inside a Marching Brotherhood. I can’t reveal any of these secrets quite yet, but fans of Madison will not be disappointed.

I’m very happy that we are capturing these early moments in the season. They will be a terrific contrast to rehearsal and show footage from the end of the 2012 season for our film. We wont get there if we dont raise the necessary funds to go on your this summer with the Scouts. Please help fund our film on indiegogo.com/scouts-honor. We have 8 days left and need help getting closer to our goal. Thanks!