Project Mariner -- Status Update #1

Okay! This is the first entry in what will likely be an "every two weeks" sort of thing. Since we're doing this full-time now, that means I have lots of time to keep you all intimately informed on the process and what is going on.

The above image is really just a very basic, general overview of what's going on. It's not meant to be flashy, but just to give you a one-glance look at the situation. Down here, I'll get into each category with a little more specificity.

ON FUNDING: We had a $1,000 surplus left over from April, when Shuttle '84 was in its final phase. That has immediately been carried over into the next project, and we have raised nearly $400 from PayPal donations and Patreon membership increases. Thank you so much!

The current Patreon income stands at $1,100 per month, and this includes all post-Shuttle video increases. The ultimate goal is to get to $2,000 per month, and I think we will be SUPREMELY well positioned to output at full pace. My goal is 3 videos per year. I want to hammer that in -- 3 videos per year! If we can get to $2,000, I can do it.

One-time PayPal donations obviously are going to vary from month to month, so I am sharing financial information here. I am in the process of creating a savings account specifically for the channel, and I will be posting screenshots of that account and its funds on future financial updates.

ON SCRIPT: I am in the process of gathering sources and conducting interviews. Right now, I am spending most of my time tracking down interview subjects and having conversations with academics and professors. Introducing them to our operation, my mission, and trying to schmooze them into becoming a part of the project. Just yesterday, I went to the Allegheny Observatory and attended a free and open tour, where one prominent local astronomer and CMU professor gave a talk on preserving Dark Skies. Sat down with her after the 'show' -- we talked for nearly an hour. She's in!

My thought process here is to have all my interviews BEFORE I start writing the script, so that my conversations and takeaways with the professional scientists can color my approach to the writing process. The earlier I can benefit from their influence, the better our script will be in my opinion.

ON FOOTAGE: Super simple! I have my wishlist, published it on the Patreon already -- just waiting for the money level to be adequate, and we'll reach out to Colorlab and get the ball rolling. I acquired some launch angles from the San Diego Air and Space Museum, and am treating/upscaling that footage now.

ON EDITING: I suppose the upscaling can be lumped into this category as well. So far, I've just been doing some minor pre-treatment of some launch angles with Topaz, etc. Fairly soon, I need to compile a KSP build, and build some digital 1:1 recreations of the historic spacecraft being covered. Then, in-game sequences will be choreographed, flown and filmed. Also, getting sequences in SpaceEngine and Orbiter 2024.

^ Here's the Thaw memorial telescope at the Allegheny Observatory, build by John Brashear. A "3 ton monster" built over 100 years ago...it was used for professional high-level astronomical research until 2002. Now, it's a toy for undergrads! Talk about 'built to last'...

It's the most Pittsburgh of all Pittsburgh telescopes. It literally looks like a steel bridge...(or a fire hydrant). 30 inch diameter refractor. To stand in its presence....it's quite an imposing machine!