Making it all happen...

To do list: Grow a giant peach. Period.
It has gotten to that time of pre-production where I should have all of the specifics nailed down. I should have some general idea of how everything (or at least the major things figured out.) For Wonka, those challenges included hiding our biggest set until the very last moment and shrinking Mike Teevee. Alice in Wonderland brought in more challenges, but none too very difficult— Alice had to fall down the rabbit hole, the door to Wonderland had to grow or shrink (Unfortunately growing and shrinking on command was not part of Beth Anne's skill set), and many, many sets had to move, and move quickly.

While reading through James for the second time, I've realized... there is lots of magic in James. I knew it was there. I wasn't completely unaware of the fact, but I am not sure I had fully realized the amount of magic that we had to show. For a filmmaker, these magical feats would be a snap. Editing is a luxury that live performance doesn't have. Things have to happen correctly every time, not once out of twenty takes.

I won't spoil any of the wonders that James will behold this summer, but I can share something that surprised even me. After appraising the full script, I've realized that we will use all five of Cotton Hall's stages as part of the peach at on time or another. And on top of that— there will be four physical peaches— not just one—used to create the magical journey of Jame's peach. All four of the peaches will be made of different mediums that best fit the individual purposes of each fruit.

The plans are made. Now to make them happen.