Quote from: Jolly BlackburnCries from the Attic - "$!!#@ JUST GOT REAL..."

Okay, so "what's with the cover on this issue?" you're probably asking yourself.  Those familiar looking characters?  They're the proposed cast for a very special project that's about to get underway.  As I write this editorial, the ink is still drying on a contract granting a license to D20 Entertainment for a, wait for it, Knights of the Dinner Table live-action movie.  Yeah -- this $!!#@ just got real.

And that's where you come in.  This journey involves you, the reader, as well.  But before we get to that -- let me tell you a little story.

A few months ago, just prior to GenCon, we were approached by an old friend with an interesting proposal.  Ken Whitman (D20 Entertainment) wanted to do a Knights of the Dinner Table webseries.

Now over the years, Dave, Steve, Brian and myself have been approached perhaps a dozen times about doing such a project.  From the guy with a video camera and perhaps more ambition than know-how to a few big name animation studios whose names you would immediately recognize.

As much as we've chomped at the bit to see such projects happen, they all came to nothing.  And for one very simple reason.  Our insistence on having some measure of creative input/control.

We just weren't willing to take a check and put our beloved characters into the hands of strangers (especially when one studio exec insisted on changing the Knight's background from 'losers' (her words) to teens who were "heroes" in their day to day lives outside the game).  

Giving up complete creative control is just something we've been unwilling to do.  Unfortunately, most studios aren't willing to negotiate on that point.  So, as the years have passed, and offers have come and gone, the likelihood of a KODT film project just seemed to diminish, along with our hopes.

ENTER D20 ENTERTAINMENT

Now, I've known Ken since 1993.  We hit it off right from the very start.  When Ken told me he'd like to have a 'sit down meeting' with the D-Team at GenCon to discuss a movie license? - my first thought was "Oh boy.  I love you Ken, but you're not going to like what I'm about to say..."

When I shout out an e-mail reply saying we were interested but would want creative input, I figured it would be the last we would hear from him.  I was surprised when the answer was not only an immediate yes but "actually, I'm going to insist on that.  I want you guys involved in the entire process."  

Well, played, Mr. Whitman.  Well played.

My wife and I had the opportunity to play small cameo roles in one of Ken's filming projects last fall; Brother's Barbarian: Season 2 (I played an Orc).  I knew the level of excitement he brought with him to any project and his gift for bringing talented people together.  But I was still skeptical.  Could he really pull of bringing KODT to the screen?  Could he meet fans' expectations?  When the D-Team indicated we would need some assurances, D20 Entertainment would be up to the challenge, Ken once against surprised us.  

He immediately assembled a crew, cast the roles of Weird Pete and Brian, located a gamestore willing to let them crash their premises on a Saturday night after hours (Hard Knox Games in Radcliffe, Kentucky) and filmed a 5 minute teaser/proof of concept.  Ten days before the meeting!

The script was taken directly from the pages of KODT and filmed as written -- one of the few strips in more than 200 issues with JUST Brian and Pete having a conversation (A GM Comes Calling, KODT #102/BOT vol 31)

Long story short, we were totally blown away when it was shown to us.  

It was immediately obvious to us that D20E loved KODT and understood the characters.  Things have been moving quickly since that first meeting.  

There were terms to iron out.  Script proposals to bounce around.  Casting considerations.  Determining which characters from KODT's huge cast would be appearing.  Exciting stuff to be sure.

But -- everything hinges on funding the project.

The Knights of the Dinner Table film project is to be funded via Kickstarter with a starting date of December 1st.  If it hasn't already launched by the time this issue finds your hands?  It's about to.  Here's what you need to know.  Depending on the funding levels achieved, D20 Entertainment will be either producing a webseries, a full 90 minute movie, or (if things go really nuts) both!

And that's where YOU come in.  The success or failure of this Kickstarter ultimately lies with our readers.  I would consider it a personal favor if you helped spread the word -- to every gamer haunt on the net, to your local favorite game store, to your buddies who used to game and drifted away from the table because life got busy, to anyone you know who might want to be a part of making this happen.

The more people who contribute to this fantasy-project, the more D20 Entertainment (along with KenzerCo's help) will be able to do.  Over the last 23 years and 200+ issues, Knights of the Dinner Table fans and their amazing shows of loyal support have allowed us to live our dreams.  Crowd sourcing this project seems perfectly fitting.  As I write this, Ken and his team are putting together some exciting stretch goals and award levels.  I hope you'll take time to check out //www.d20entertainment.com and come along for the journey.  

Be it a webseries or a full on movie, it promises to be a wild ride!

Until next month -- may all your hits be crits!!

Game on!

Quote from: deadDMwalking;716852There is a kickstarter to turn Knights of the Dinner Table into a live action web-series and/or a possible 90-minute movie.  Below is the Jolly Blackburn (creator of Knights of the Dinner Table) editorial from issue 204:



If you've had any dealings with Jolly or KenzerCo, you know that they're good people - and old school gamers to boot.  

The Kickstarter is live:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/d20e/kodt-live-action-series?ref=live

There are 49 days left to fund the project.  They've currently raised $17,500 of a $60,000 goal.  

If this is a project you're interested in, I hope you'll consider supporting it.  If you're not personally interested, but you know some people who might, please pass the word along.

Thanks!

Quote from: Ronin;716954I like Jolly and the Kenzer crew. I like their games and KODT. A few webisodes might be alright, but a 90 min movie? I'll take a pass. Sounds awful. Hey don't get the wrong idea. I hope they prove me wrong. I just cant see it though.