Kickstarter Updates: 15%, Baby!!

I am the Warden!!

It's been two days since the Kickstarter project started and already Killshot: An Assassin's Journal sits at 15% of its goal with just two backers to date. At this rate, it's possible to hit $800 within the next 10 days, though I'm not inclined to actually believe that'll happen - I'm a pessimist through and through. Still, it's off to a very good start and I'd like to thank those who have taken the leap of faith so far.

There's a lot more work to be done on my end to keep the word alive. This is the real challenge and one I'll have to repeat throughout my career: to keep plugging a product long after it's been released. For now, aside from the usual blog posts, Facebook, G+, and Twitter, I've placed the video for Killshot: Proposal on YouTube with links to the Kickstarter page in the hopes of gaining attention from the video alone. Next week, I'll be hunting the forums of sites like EN World, RPG Net, and more to get as many eyes on that page as possible.

Without a finished product to distribute or an existing reputation (something I've noticed quite a few projects have), the video is truly the selling point for Killshot. It shows a level of commitment and dedication to the idea, or at least enough to make someone say "Hmm, this looks serious." On that note, I've posted a copy of the final cut for Killshot: Proposal below... because you're all beautiful and deserve it.

Killshot: Proposal (First Cut)

I am the Warden!!

This past weekend was incredibly busy, stressful, time-consuming, repetitive, and finally, rewarding. With so many other factors, rewrites, and difficulties dealt with and factored, production finally began on Killshot: Proposal, the opening video for the upcoming Kickstarter drive for Killshot. On Saturday, we started and wrapped up principal filming. Saturday evening into Sunday night saw countless hours of editing and rendering to create this initial cut.

There are still a few tweaks to make, particularly with the first 10 seconds and whatever that crap is about, plus the sound issues in the initial dialogue, but I'm incredibly happy with how it's turned out. Oh, and I have some updated rough sketches made by Kieron O'Gorman, the artist who will take on the task of bringing Killshot to black-and-white life if the funding goes through.

Ready On The Set, People!

I am the Warden!!

Everything is as ready as can be to start filming Killshot: Proposal, the short film for Killshot's Kickstarter drive. Small revisions have been made due to the inevitable events marring any production, particularly the introduction requiring the exterior shots of a car falling on perhaps the coldest, stormiest day of the season thus far yielding nothing more than a whiteout shot of headlights pulling into a driveway and a booming wind canceling out all sound. Nevertheless, the key scene is all indoors and ready to start shooting once night falls.

While my anticipation eagerly wants to spill the beans on what Killshot: Proposal is all about, I'm going to leave all of you in the dark. Suffice it to say, at no point and time do I ever look into the camera and speak to the audience directly. It is truly a short film designed to compliment the Kickstarter drive and invoke a tone fitting with a game like Killshot. That's all I'll say.

Tomorrow will be an in-home playtest of Killshot with the Renfrew Road Crew (hmm, maybe I should tell them that's the name I've given them). A special playtest, I might add, as I'll be recording the game to post on the Broken Ruler website as a demonstration of the game for all those interested parties out there with a little extra cash in their pocket. To add a little infamy to it all, the Renfrew Road Crew consists of Fraser Ronald, designer extraordinaire from the Accidental Survivors podcast, and Kieron O'Gorman, artist extraordinaire. It's not a publicity stunt either, both of them are my two regulars for this monthly session (though I was really hoping Nick Dumais, player extraordinaire, would be here as well, but such as it is).

If everything goes according to plan - or doesn't stray too far as to screw everything up - the Killshot drive should be up and running on Monday. Those of you curiously interested in the project can find details on the Broken Ruler website, such as a 5-step guide to the Optional System and a working copy of the Killshot playtest draft.

Until then... I am the Director!!