On June 27, 1996 at 8:00 PM (PST), Ronin broadcast live over the
Internet performing songs from his two CDs "Inspirations By Ronin"
and "A Comet's Tale." In
the months leading up to the broadcast, I visited with Marianne
and Ronin at Gopher Productions quite frequently. What follows
is a journal of the highlights of those visits which present an
insight into the controlled madness which runs Gopher Productions.
Wed, March 6: 2:30 PM
Ronin's giving me a lift home and we're discussing independent
bands. Ronin comments on how hard it must be to constantly tour
in small venues to try to make a name for yourself. He wonders
if, in today's age of the computer, there might not be a more
efficient way to get the attention of your potential market. I
casually suggest that in the future, bands could do virtual tours
by broadcasting live through their websites. Ronin laughs.
Thurs, March 14: 9:00 PM
Our monthly strategy meeting. For some time now, Ronin, Marianne,
Dan Peters, and I have been meeting on a regular basis to help
each other with ideas for our various careers in the arts. After
the meeting, Ronin mentions our conversation from last week about
virtual touring. Marianne's eyes light up; the wheels are turning.
She says that a live Internet broadcast would be a great way to
promote the release of "A Comet's Tale." Ronin points
out that Gopher Productions isn't even hooked up to the Net. Marianne
says that it's about time they got hooked up. Fortunately, Ronin
knows a computer consultant at LKW Technology who's an Internet
specialist. Ronin will ask him about the feasibility of Marianne's
plan.
Sat, March 23: 11:30 PM
I drop in unannounced to Gopher Productions for one of my
customary impromptu visits. Ronin and Marianne have just returned
from an all day meeting with LKW. Excitedly, they share with me
their plans for their broadcast.
First, Marianne needs a new computer. The laptop they've been
using just doesn't have the computing power needed to run the
software they'll require. LKW will choose the computer and configure
the software that Gopher will need. The consultant at LKW was
very excited about being part of a live broadcast. LKW will sponsor
Gopher for part of their cost.
Next, they'll need to find a service provider that can handle
a broadcast. LKW has given Marianne a list of potential providers.
She'll get on the phone right away. She would e-mail them but
she doesn't have Net access yet.
As well, Marianne had made plans to secure a site for the broadcast.
She thought it would be best to approach the downtown HMV store.
"Inspirations" had sold well there and the store was
used to musicians playing live. Also, it would be a good place
for Ronin to invite his grassroots supporters.
Finally, Ronin shares with me his ideas for Gopher's web page.
The front page would announce the live broadcast. Subsidiary pages
would include a description of Gopher Productions' music and film
projects. Finally, Ronin is planning to put out two semi-monthly
webzines: Music, Movies, and Mayhem; and Science Fantasy Anthology.
The webzines will serve many purposes. For one thing, they will
give people a reason to return to the Gopher website. While there,
some may be interested in the CDs and play the audio clips. As
well, the magazines will provide exposure for some exciting new
writers. Ronin asked me if I wanted to be a staff writer. I said
I would do it if I could get an official title like "Morale
Officer." Ronin agreed.
Fri, April 12: 10:00 PM
Ronin and Marianne finally complete recording "A Comet's
Tale." They invite me and Happy Lechuk over to celebrate
with them. At the same time, we start hashing out ideas for the
webzines. Marianne is by far the best artist among us so we put
her in charge of graphics and layout. Happy, Ronin, and I all
want to edit both magazines. We argue and discuss each other's
merits and failings well past midnight. Finally, we decide on
Ronin. He's the one with the most publishing and book sales behind
him; and he's the only one that can keep the peace between all
of us. There are some concessions though. Happy gets to have a
regular commentary in MMM. I will have my novel in progress, "Black
Palm," serialized in SFA.
Tues, April 16: 11:30 PM
Marianne and Ronin have just brought back their new computer from
LKW. Marianne has booked the HMV store for the June 27 broadcast.
In addition, she's achieved a real coup in getting front window
space at the store. I'm happy because they've restocked their
fridge. A struggling writer needs her sustenance.
Thurs, April 25: 2:30 PM
After an exhaustive search, Marianne has found the perfect service
provider in Lynx Internet. They currently broadcast a radio station
over the Internet. So, they have the necessary resources and knowledge
to handle the broadcast. Lynx is very keen about the project and
decide to sponsor Gopher for part of the cost. Although I don't
work for Gopher Productions, I feel that I've been hopelessly
drawn into its web. It's exciting though.
Sun, April 28: 5:30 PM
I get a call from Marianne. It's an emergency. Ronin has a
sprained ankle and torn ligaments. He was working on a Hong Kong
TV series where they took inadequate precautions. Marianne is
furious. She needed Ronin to get ready for his performance.
Ronin thinks that perhaps it's time he stopped acting in such
cheesy shows.
Tues, April 30: 3:00 PM
Marianne has just hooked Gopher up to the Internet. I show
her a few of the basics of e-mail and the Web. A writer she works
with, Linda Wong, is an Internet veteran and has shown Marianne
a lot already. I provide a few finishing touches. Together, we
investigate various HTML editors.
The studio for the TV series phones to see if Ronin is able to
work the next day. He groans from the bedroom (where he's been
for the last two days), "Tell them to go to hell." On
the phone, Marianne is a little more diplomatic than that but
not by much.
May
I visit Ronin and Marianne numerous times. Ronin's ankle is
taking a long time to heal. He has very limited mobility. Marianne
ends up fulfilling Ronin's obligations for him. Ronin writes a
little bit here and there to start building up for the release
of the webzines. The pain killers he's taking are making him drowsy.
He's cranky, too. I chip in where I can.
Wed, June 5: 12:30 PM
The first issues of Music, Movies, & Mayhem
and Science Fantasy Anthology hit the
web. Marianne and Willie at Lynx have been working hard designing
the pages. Gopher Productions is finally launched on its own domain.
Ronin can limp badly on one crutch now. At least there's progress.
Wed, June 12: 9:30 AM
It's very early for me but I'm curious. Ronin can limp poorly
now without crutches. It's time to start practicing. He's rounded
up two musicians, a violinist and a cellist, to support him for
the live show. Quietly, I sneak a peek into the rehearsal room.
It's frightening. They sound horribly out of tune. It sounds nothing
like the beautiful music on Ronin's CDs. Later, I find out from
Marianne that the strings were merely tuning up.
Fri, June 22: 2:00 PM
I sneak a peek at another rehearsal. This time, they're in fine
form. They're performing "Mars" from "A Comet's
Tale." Now, that's more like it. I stick around for awhile
hiding outside the door. The musicians sound great. Ronin can
limp well now. On the piano, he's learned to pedal with his left
foot because there's no control in his right foot.
