CandRsenal
patreon
State of the Show Sept 2016
🕑 Added 2016-09-28 00:29:32 +0000 UTC As you can all probably tell, we've decided to keep shoveling in more content. Well it's about 50/50 in thanks to growing efficiency and your contributions. Sincerely, thank you all.Every extra $1 means we can be more creative in HOW to get to these pieces. It lets us support our local small-business/range so we can have easy access to filming. Recently it has meant pulling in not one, but two talented animators. The first focusing on detailed Machine Guns and the latter going over the gross features of our recurring episodes.
While there are no guarantees and obviously some bugs to be worked out, it's looking like outside animation will free roughly 10-20 hours from my current average of 70+ per week. Which is a huge deal. I get a bit of personal time back that I can also flex into heavier episodes when necessary.
A big goal for us with the T-shirts we just moved and the Posters we'll be doing near Christmas is to be absolutely ready to travel quickly. We're preparing for this because we expect that once we find 1 or 2 machine guns on our wishlist, we'll likely get more offers from collectors within those circles. Being adaptable and quick means no missed opportunities.
Also, we have spent over $4,000 on reading material alone for this series to date. Many books we need are rare and command prices up to $400 when we take the time to find them cheap (no we're not fools enough to pay the crazy numbers lone Amazon sellers have listed)
Finally, we have had both our recent videos (Lewis and Rolling Block) go into copyright dispute for songs recorded pre-1923. The dispute system is a mess and we're unlikely to get paid. YT earnings per video have been so low, I'd rather keep the songs as I think they add a LOT to the show.
Patreon took in another $200 this month, which is about the largest 1 month payout from YT we've received. So we're covered there thanks to you all.
Turning to the cotent: humor is testing well so I think we'll keep it so long as we don't get away from the topic or let it become distracting. We will not be sacrificing history for views or allowing more than say ~5% of the show to be "wasted" off topic.
For those of you curious, we have sat down and planned out the major episodes for the series. I won't be announcing them all because we're very limited by what we can even find. If it doesn't make the show it will make the book though, so no worries. We're going to lay hands on every damned gun no matter what.
We have 7 episodes "greenlit" which means guns, ammo, and reference material are on hand.
We have 9 episodes "blue" which means they are lacking some element (gun, ammo, reference) that is readily available but pricey and so are awaiting their turn in the budget pool.
We have at least 41 episodes in the "yellow" or "red" range which means either an expensive component, rare book, or extremely rare firearm are needed. This can be misleading as all MGs are currently yellow to red and likely we'd find several at a time as collectors come forward.
Now, don't just count those up because there are several more episodes that are still in planning phases and we're not sure WHAT elements we need until I do cursory research. These "null" episodes require material I've yet to even find and generally take up the "mystery guns" that have heresay backstories but no hard evidence.
Many episodes combine multiple firearms, like the Mauser 1889, 1890, and 1891 will be one episode, so don't think these numbers express how many firearms will be covered. I assure you we'll be well over 100. Also, we will be breaking up the 1917 revolvers into two distinct histories! Each requiring multiple examples and cartridges.
Those of you still reading might wonder what we'll do on the off weeks if the animations are now out-of-house. Well Mae believes she's now familiar enough with the software and cameras to develop her own show. The current idea is to take some of the extras in the collection plus many loaners we've been offered that aren't WWI and put them to use. She is thinking a max 10 minute format where she shoots historical guns of all varieties. Very light "wikipedia grade" history along with an opinion on handling. This is also made possible by the outsourced animation time as Mae would photograph many of the parts and help with disassembly reassembly.
There is, also, a project going on between our new animator Bruno and
part-time subtitler Alex. They are experimenting to see if the new
models can be made interactive through a web plugin. Stay tuned.
All right, that is a LOT to dump but I think you all deserved to know that we're not only producing episodes but trying to find ways to expand without distracting from our core goal. Seriously, let me know how you all feel. I'll take extra pains to keep up with the discussion on this one.
Comments
Mitchell payce
The hard work is greatly appreciated, I love the humour you throw in. Makes it fun to watch!
Greg Stachowski
I can imagine. It's worth it though, history should be a story not just dry facts (hmm, echoes of Shelby Foote ... come to think of it, perhaps one day you could do a "special" on a Civil War rifle like the Spencer ... format and film it exactly the same as the WW1 episodes ... I know, a lot of work but I can dream ...). Anyway, I really look forward to each episode. Thanks!
C&Rsenal
Thanks for the love! We're almost ready to start on her bit but we're trying to finish some home projects before we commit to more work on her part.
C&Rsenal
We've had that in mind from the start and so have been gathering images to go along with: <a href="http://candrsenal.com/primer-wwi-album/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://candrsenal.com/primer-wwi-album/</a>
C&Rsenal
Thank you. There is so much we have to trim to keep from going off topic but some stories are worth it
C&Rsenal
That means a lot to hear. We like expanding so long as it favors knowledge over drama
C&Rsenal
I am glad it shows
James Starkey
Great job guys - I've watched for the last year or so and decided the other week to get sponsoring you guys because you're producing better quality content than on TV. Love seeing the guns we're not allowed here in the UK (pistols, semi autos and full) keep it up. I like the short format idea for Mae, quick vids like that are easily consumed.
Mark P
That's excellent news! Did I read correctly that you will be publishing a book?!? I certainly hope so!
John Kern
PS. Yeah Mae! Congrats. Before I supported here I lobbied for more Mae on full30. Both you and Othias deliver the key to public presentation, which is credibility. You go girl.
Greg Stachowski
The quality and the amount of work you guys put into this is phenomenal. I really like the combination of in-depth history, the practical gun handling and the subtle humorous commentary and the minor digressions (like the little bits about the Greek rolling-block contract).
John Kern
Your goals and aspirations for future content is truly amazing. With so much incredible work behind you, as a group you should all be commended. The subject knowledge, penchant for fun and pride in a job well done shines through in all of your work. Bravo! O, I find the photo haunting. You just had to go ear flaps down.
Michael Hyde
Of all the projects I support on Patreon, you guys work the hardest. Rawk on!
C&Rsenal
Plenty of .32 love on the way. Also, awww...
Alexander Ruddock
The new potential content sounds amazing. I'm sure whatever you guys are willing to do outside of this show will be fantastic. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLpmj059JFA" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLpmj059JFA</a> This show needs more 32 ACP though. Good luck on your extra-curricular show, Mae!
C&Rsenal
Some of the internationals have started to trickle in. It's been much slower than the posters. I wonder if it is a customs thing.
Laurence Campbell-Rogers
Fantastic news! If there was a way to order the poster now I would be right on it, as I love the WW2 rifle poster and it has pride of place in my study. Waiting eagerly for my shirts to arrive, being in Australia I know it may be a little while yet. Interactive models would be really cool, as I have taught a number of new shooters and it would be a great training and educational aid. Glad to hear you are able to turn this series into the comprehensive piece you have wanted! Thanks to all of you for the hard work
