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Who’s worthy?

We’re putting together our grand wish-list of those who we think have been influenced by reading MAD Magazine. We have no proof of MAD’s effect on them, we’re just playing a hunch. From there, we’d like to pursue and interview with them.
So let’s throw it out there – tell us who you think may claim to be tainted by MAD-ness, and why you think they would be a good interview. Those not associated with MAD – entertainers, politicians, convicts… No book reports, just a few lines supporting your theory.

T-minus 7

And the official countdown is on. In seven days, we unleash upon the world our official Kickstarter campaign to continue production of When We Went Mad! Today we sent out a press release to several local Detroit news outlets (I am based in Pleasant Ridge, a small city just outside of Detroit) and out of the immediate responses to our press release, most reporters inquiring about the movie start off by saying something to the effect of, “I read MAD when I was a kid – didn’t quite get the jokes at first…” or “I still have a stack of my uncle’s old MAD’s in my basement.” You see, it’s there. It may be a sliver of a memory or a thought that hasn’t surfaced for quite a while, but it’s there – MAD was a part of many a childhood, however big or small – so many have a personal story tied to it. When We Went MAD! is the story of all the artists, writers, and production staff of MAD – the story of those that gave you those fond memories.

Seven days. And then it’s up you to help keep this going.

Is MAD still relevant?

I certainly think so. But don’t look to me.

CBS news thinks so:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50134032n&tag=showDoorFlexGridRight%3BflexGridModule

So does NBC:

http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/50323787

Getting the word out – TV style

I’m quite excited about this – my local FOX network, FOX 2 Detroit, has invited me to appear on their morning news to talk about/promote WWWM! I’m scheduled to appear on January 16th during the 10am hour. So if you live in the area – be sure to tune in and find out how much fatter TV makes me look. For those of you not in the area, this is the reason you’ve been searching for to move to Detroit!
My career in film and television is completely behind the camera, save for a few cameos/photobombings here and there… so this will be interesting. Extra anti-perspirant will be called for.

Signs of next year being a good one are off to a good start!

Happy New Year to all!

Alan

A Major Announcement!

On January 10, 2013 – Potrzebie Pictures LLC will launch a Kickstarter campaign to raise the necessary funds to complete the documentary “When We Went MAD!”

From the press release:

Alan Bernstein and Potrzebie Pictures LLC, a Detroit area production company, are currently filming When We Went MAD!, a documentary film that will explore the history and influence of MAD Magazine. With 20 key interviews already captured on film, the team is launching a Kickstarter campaign on January 10, 2013 to raise the funds necessary to complete this historic American project.

The story of MAD Magazine is as irreverent as those who created it – from the landmark court case that pitted Irving Berlin against MAD (the case that assured the legality of satire in general) to MAD’s maverick publisher, William M. Gaines, who once took his entire staff to Haiti to convince the sole Haitian subscriber to renew. MAD was mad, and we loved it.

Where were you when you first read MAD?

With co-producer Doug Gilford, twenty current and former artists, writers, and editors of MAD have been filmed including:
Al Jaffee – the inventor of the Fold-In and the feature “Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions”
Dick DeBartolo – The writer for the TV show Match Game whose work has been in every issue of MAD since 1966
Sergio Aragones – his miniature cartoons have filled the margins of MAD for fifty years.

Once Bernstein and Gilford have wrapped up interviewing MAD contributors, the next phase of the production is to capture and catalog those that were influenced by MAD. “Entertainers, politicians, teachers, convicts… if you claim MAD had a profound effect on your life, we want to hear your guilty confession.” Bernstein announces.

To continue production on the project, When We Went MAD! is raising capital with a crowdfunding campaign via Kickstarter on January 10, 2013. “Kickstarter is a funding platform for creative projects. Everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology.” It is a groundbreaking means of raising money for projects that in the past would have been extremely difficult. – www.kickstarter.com

When We Went MAD! is seeking to raise funds to cover the cost of travel, equipment rental, and post production. With as little as $10, anyone can contribute to the success of the film. Everyone who pledges will receive a thank you letter and will be kept in the loop regarding the film’s release. Contributors to the highest pledge category, $10,000, will be named an Executive Producer on the project.

Imagine being part of a project that preserves the voices of the great MAD Magazine. Talk it up at parties. Ask your friends where they were when they first read MAD. The conversation (and the intangible benefit of participation in this project) can go on and on. And you can proudly claim, “What, Me Worry?”

A mini update

Eggs are being lined up, I’s are getting dotted, T’s are being crossed, all the ins, outs, and what-have-yous are being checked off. The future of When We Went MAD! looms…

*sigh*

The phrase of the day is “Pending Confirmation”.

Working out the kinks

Getting a better feel for wordpress and where things go.

Sooooo close…

We are awaiting word from Amazon Payments on when we are approved to accept payments. Once that it secure, we will submit our project to Kickstarter for final approval. And then…

30 days to make or break this baby.

Welcome to the home of When We Went MAD!

We’ve interviewed some of the great writers/artists/editors of Mad Magazine. Here are but a few…