THE STORY WE MAKE TOGETHER

As I mentioned on Twitter the other day, I recently finished reading Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I really enjoyed it. But beyond the good story, I found these great excerpts from Card's introduction (condensed by myself):

"This is the essence of the transaction between storyteller and audience. The "true" story is not the one that exists in my mind; it is certainly not the written words on the bound paper that you hold in your hands. [It] is the one that the audience members create in their minds, guided and shaped by my text, but then transformed, expanded, edited, and clarified by their own experience, their own desires, their own hopes and fears. Think of it, not as something I created, but rather as something that we made together."

Card's introduction touches on a new dynamic which has begun to take place in the relationship between the creator and the audience. For decades we have elevated directors, writers, actors, and musicians. Should we enjoy their work we give ourselves a common label, fan. We have no ability to effect or take part in the creation of their work other than to consume it. Thankfully that hierarchy has begun to dissolve.

The internet has not only revealed endless amounts of insanely gifted and talented people, it has pulled back the curtain and given us a true view of the people that tell the stories we enjoy, and in many cases provided us the opportunity to contribute.

- Do you enjoy Felicia Day's The Guild? If so, you can do more than just watch. You can see the process or you can go one step further and actually help out. Better yet, take Felicia's advice and make your own series.

- The first Iron Man movie was great. See how director Jon Favreau's holding up on the sequel.

I bring this up because this is how I hope The Mercury Men to be. I'm not George Lucas locked away in some glamorous ranch. I'm sitting in the spare bedroom of a duplex. I'm sure you know the crew and actors didn't have personalized chairs or trailers. In fact they slept on my living room floor throughout the entire month long shoot. And just like you, we have day jobs and incredibly understanding wives. We want to share the whole story of Mercury Men, not only the ray guns and glowing men, but the difficulties it takes to make the series possible and our dream to someday soon make an actual living doing it. On top of that, we want YOU to contribute to that story. We hope to provide many opportunities for you to share your ideas, talents, and more to the growing Mercury Men story.

Think of this, not as something I created, but rather as something that we make together.