Thursday 26 January 2012

Fan of Ray Harryhausen? Check this out...










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FXRH -- The Original Ray Harryhausen Magazine!
All Four Issues Compiled into One Big Volume

An Exciting Opportunity via Kickstarter


The FXRH Collection - All 4 issues of the now-classic Ray Harryhausen fanzine FXRH from the 1970s are going to be compiled into one complete book, supplemented by "making of" material, layout sketches, and correspondence detailing the evolution and creation of the magazine. All the trials and tribulations of small-press publishing will be combined with a detailed account of the thrill of meeting Ray Harryhausen for the first time in his London home in 1971 (long before his retirement, and before he started appearing at sci-fi conventions and other events), issue #4 being used by Columbia Pictures as a promotional tie-in to The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, and many more sidebars and visual enhancements.

We're seeking financing through the Kickstarter program, an affiliate site of Amazon.com. Kickstarter is all or nothing: You can pledge any amount of $25.00 and up, but if we cannot secure at least $20,000 by February 14th to cover production costs, the project will not go ahead and you will not be charged. (Participation not limited to the U.S.-- friends from other countries are welcome to get involved.)

Read on for a bit more info, and then check it out on the Kickstarter page!

Sincerely,

Ernest Farino
Publisher


THE BOOK
FXRHCollecCvr
FXRH (Special Visual Effects by Ray Harryhausen) was a fanzine I created with Sam Calvin in 1971. Animator Ray Harryhausen created such popular and enduring fantasy films as 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Jason and the Argonauts, and Clash of the Titans (1980). FXRH was the first to chronicle Ray's work, with support by Ray himself. Initially a "fanzine" of 26 pages, it grew to a professionally-typeset and printed magazine of 4 issues, with full color and contributions by celebrities like Mark Hamill. Growing from 300 to 6,000 copies, originals of issue #1 now go for hundreds of dollars on eBay.

In addition to compiling all 4 issues into a perfect-bound book, extensive new material will detail the creation and history of the magazine. (Cover mockup at right may change for the final book.)

I recently designed and published the acclaimed Ray Harryhausen - Master of the Majicks Vol. 2 and Vol. 3, which can be seen at:  Archive Editions  While there, you can also find out more about FXRH and this compilation edition.

The money raised from these pledges will fund the extended, full-color perfect-bound edition. By pledging via Kickstarter you will be giving invaluable support to our ability to push forward on this project.

As mentioned above, this is all or nothing. If we don't receive the minimum $20,000 in pledges by February 14th, the project doesn't happen and your pledge will not be charged.

Pledge your support via Kickstarter and reserve your copy of The FXRH Collection here: http://kck.st/ywYrqb 
The Kickstarter listing has more details about the project and the Rewards, and a video further describing the project.
Ray Signs FXRH
Above: Ray Harryhausen signs copies of FXRH  #4 in 1974 as part of a promotion by
Columbia Pictures to promote the release of The Golden Voyage of Sinbad.

YOUR PART
FXRH Cover Comp
By contributing, you take an active part in the publishing process and help define the trajectory of niche cultural projects such as ours.
Plus...
  • Your name in the book and on our website
  • Free copies of the finished book, signed and numbered by the publisher
  • 8x10 custom prints of Ray Harryhausen scenes
... are among the Rewards offered for your pledge, and these are described in detail in the Kickstarter listing.

You can also help by spreading the word to your friends via e-mail, message boards, and on Twitter and Facebook using this URL:  http://kck.st/ywYrqb

You can pass along this e-mail by using the Forward link below (don't just hit Forward on your e-mail program, as all the images and formatting will be lost.)

Thank you in advance for your support!

All best wishes,

Ernest Farino
Editor and Publisher

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