Inside the Lab

This image recently appeared in my inbox. It came from Jamie Jean, an Elastic Lab filmmaker from Nashville, who explained that the photo (of Jamie, his dog and our t-shirt) would be appearing in the credits of a soon-to-be-released book by Guy Gilchrist called The Best of Today’s Dogg. Turns out, Jamie is Guy’s videographer. I had seen a music video they produced together so knew Guy was a musician, but a little research revealed a bigger story.

Guy Gilchrist is an internationally syndicated cartoonist and children’s book author. His work includes classic comic strips like Nancy, Sluggo and Jim Henson’s Muppets. He’s authored 48 children’s books. He’s designed characters for Tom & Jerry, Pink Panther, Looney Tunes and Disney. His work hangs in the White House and the Smithsonian. Today’s Dogg™, an online comic strip, is his latest project.

Guy is a singer-songwriter. After an early brush with Billboard’s Top 100, Guy put his music aspirations on hold for a couple of decades to pursue illustration. Now he’s in Nashville putting his poetry to music and sharing the stage with the likes of Charlie Daniels, The Marshall Tucker Band, Wet Willie and Tommy Cash.

Guy is a philanthropist. Through his artwork (including the Today’s Dogg website) and personal appearances, he has helped raise money for any number of great causes including Boys Town, The Angelus and animal rescue groups.

Guy calls Jamie “one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.” Considering the source, that’s a really nice compliment. Thanks for letting us share in this.

• Find out more about Guy.
• Read Today’s Dogg.
• Watch for the book.

Check out FastPencil. Guy just signed on with FastPencil to publish his new book. Like music, film production, photography, advertising and a lot of other industries,  publishing is facing fundamental changes in how they do business in a digital world. For all you multi-talented creatives, FastPencil offers a collaborative self-publishing solution from manuscript through distribution. Formats: Kindle, iPad, ePUB, PDF, hardcover, paperback.

The funny series “Leaving Bliss,” from director Steve Yager and actor/writer Shanna Micko, is a finalist in the comedy pilot category at the New York Television Festival. If you’re in the city this week, check out one of their FREE screenings at the New World Stages at 340 West 50th Street, New York, NY.

• Thursday, September 24, at 7:30 (stage 3)
• Friday, September 25, at 6:15 (stage 2)

Good luck!

Kevin Railsback’s short film, The River, recently won a Gold Eddy at the 2009 Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival (CRIFF). A skilled cinematographer with a deep devotion to the outdoors, Kevin has created a moving tribute to the fragile nature of our rivers. CRIFF is dedicated to showcasing films from Iowa and around the country that demonstrate a strong connection to the state.