Our Story

We've returned to Indie Go-Go for your support to help us complete Ruffus The Dog's Christmas Carol.

Ruffus The Dog is an award-winning series of videos for young viewers, adapting classic fairy tales and literature with wonderfully silly puppets and absolutely brilliant songs to entertain and incite a love of reading.  All of the original shows (created for broadcast television) have been posted online under a Creative Commons license and you can find them at:  www.ruffusthedog.net

Last year we attempted to raise $8,500 to shoot our version of the classic Charles Dickens tale: "A Christmas Carol".  We were only able to raise $2,090 but we decided to go ahead with the shoot anyway.

Instead of a studio with a full crew we shot in my living room.  Everyone involved very generously donated their time and talents.  The work they have done has been extraordinary.

Instead of a fully equipped edit suite we have been working in my basement using a hackintosh and borrowed software to handle all of the post-production needs for the show.  All the sets and lighting effects are computer generated and the green screen shots of the puppet characters are then composited with these CG "locations" to build our world of Victorian London and tell the tale of Scrooge. It's really cool!

And it has been a monumental task.

This one show and all of the Ruffus Project has become a grand experiment in what is possible for the creation of online media.  We didn't have to ask a broadcaster for permission.  We reached out directly to our audience.  There is a growing tide of creators who are making series and features and everything in between for release on the interwebs.  The works of Ruffus The Dog are part of that movement that is reaching audiences directly.

You'll find screen shots and clips from the work completed thus far in our Gallery section - and we'll continue to add to them as we proceed with our work.  Check 'em out.  We think the quality of what we have achieved thus far speaks for itself.

So much attention and effort have gone into getting us so very close to reaching our goal of completing Ruffus The Dog's Christmas Carol in time for a holiday release.  We know we can make it with your help.

The Impact

If we are unable to raise the additional funds we need the show will still be released - but it won't be the best quality it could or should be - and that would be a shame.  We'd also be limited in how much we can promote the show and make sure it's available for viewing online as well in a finished DVD.  What's the point of making a great show if no one sees it, right?

We knew we could only do so much with the first round of funds raised.  We've promised that the show will be ready and released online in time for the holidays.  We're going to keep that promise.  Now we need your help to make sure it is released far and wide, so people know about it and can find it, and to ensure the show they watch is the best it can possibly be.

What We Need & What You Get

We're trying to raise $3,000 to cover the remaining costs of post-production, promotion and final release of the finished show.  For it to have maximum impact we want to be sure it's the best quality possible and we also want to be effective in reaching as many people as possible.

The remaining CG sets need to be finished and the final special FX passes need to be completed.  The final audio mix still needs to be tackled, balancing vocal performances with songs and sound effects.  DVD authoring needs to be done in time for finished packages to be ready for sale and as perks to donors.  The list of things which need to be addressed for promotion (both online and in the real world) is daunting - very daunting - but not impossible.  We're also hoping to cover additional rental of facilities and equipment, costs of shipping and also paying back some of the creditors who have been very patient with us thus far.

The whole point is to do it right.  Getting it done on time is one thing - making sure it is done well and in such a way as to validate the contributions made thus far is what matters most.

So what do you get out of this?

Check the list of perks in the sidebar.  Based on your contributions we'll give you some nifty stuff.  If you've already contributed in the first round of funding we'll bump you up a notch regardless of how much more you support us.

More importantly you get the satisfaction of knowing we can all work together to make a great show that will last for years to come and continue to entertain, and hopefully inspire, audiences of all ages.

Other Ways You Can Help

You can help us meet our goal and make sure people know about the show simply by talking about it.

Shout it, blog it, share links on Facebook, Tweet about us, tell your friends and family, stop total strangers on the street and grab them by the lapels and - well, okay, maybe not that last one but you get the idea.  Your voice is the most effective megaphone we have to draw a crowd to our show.  Do what you can.

And Finally ...

Thanks for reading this far.  We're trying to make the best show possible - for you.  Happy holidays.