Documentary Production Blog

Done! (Well, almost)

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:05:00 -0700

I’m pleased to report the doc is 99% done. I’m putting the finishing touches on it now.

After finishing the rough cut in December, I asked several people to take a look at it and give feedback. Thankfully, all of my kind and generous test subjects liked it (whew) and also offered some great suggestions. I’ve been incorporating those ideas while finishing the editing process, and the doc is working better than ever. I expect it to be locked (as they say in the biz) sometime within the next few weeks.

I began this project in April 2008, so that means it will be finished exactly five years from the start date (thus, the poster can legitimately declare “five years in the making!”). I’m very pleased with it and looking forward to submitting it to film festivals. Check back as I chronicle that process in the coming months.

Thanks again for following this journey. Baby Banana and I appreciate your support!

"When's it going to be done?"

Sat, 20 Oct 2012 16:57:44 -0700

That’s the question I’m asked most often these days.

And the answer is…

Early 2013!

I’ve been editing steadily for the past several months, and I’m pleased to report the rough cut has just been finished. The doc is coming together great, but there’s still plenty of work to do. (Turns out single-handedly editing down a hundred hours of footage in one’s spare time is, uh, not a fast process:)

Many thanks to all who participated in the project and to my loyal blog followers. I’ll do my best to keep you updated on the progress.

Okay, now back to editing….

"Cheery and Fun!"

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 17:43:00 -0700

Check out the billing given Debi by the Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum at her recent concert at the beautiful outdoor venue in Topanga, California:

Documentary cameras were on hand to record this concert, which has special significance (we’re not blabbing….it will be revealed in the doc:). During one number, Debi was joined onstage by a group of enthusiastic kid helpers from the audience.

For those of us old enough to remember: Will Geer (founder of the Theatricum Botanicum) played Grandpa Walton on the classic 1970s TV series, “The Waltons.” His daughter, Ellen, has continued the tradition of live entertainment at his namesake theater.

Many thanks to the awesome staff for their help and support with this shoot.

From the "you didn't hear it here" department

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 10:30:06 -0700

Documentary cameras were on hand this week as Jim and Debi emerged from a secret pitch in a top secret location. Cameras were banned from the pitch meeting, and the name of the company is classified info at this time.

In fact, disregard the above photo and look at this one instead:

Whew, that’s better. Prior to the secret pitch meeting, Debi and Jim made last-minute preparations at Debi’s house. Which is not secret.

Now log out quickly, as this post will self-destruct in ten…nine….eight….seven…

Check out Debi’s new commercial for Stanley Steemer.

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:36:57 -0700

Check out Debi’s new commercial for Stanley Steemer.

Talkin' Toons

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:01:14 -0700

Check out “Talkin’ Toons”….it’s the awesome podcast series hosted by cartoon voice artist extraordinaire Rob Paulsen.

Debi joined Rob on the latest edition for a mini “Jimmy Neutron” reunion. Documentary cameras were on hand during the recording session. Listen in when Carl Wheezer discovers the shocking truth about his longtime co-star (“Jimmy…you’re a chick!”)

Check it out at robpaulsenlive.com

What's up, Doc?

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:35:00 -0700

Debi was interviewed at her home today for the upcoming documentary “I Know That Voice.” Executive Producer John Di Maggio and his crew are in the process of assembling voice actors and others to spotlight the “mysterious world of voiceover.”

Our documentary cameras were there to document their documentary cameras:

And (alongside cartoon icon Jimmy Neutron) tropical fruit sensation Baby Banana generously consented to make a cameo appearance:

Check out the current (i.e., Debi-less) trailer for “I Know That Voice”….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xivQ6_gu3W8

Busted.

Fri, 11 May 2012 14:57:12 -0700

Busted.

Back to school

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:38:42 -0700

On Monday, the documentary crew was in Indio, California where Debi had been invited to speak to the freshman class of her alma mater, Indio High School.

Debi was greeted with several signs welcoming her home. The school principal’s parking space was even re-assigned for the day for the visiting “superstar.”

To cover the event, the documentary crew strategically placed a cameraman in the stands of the auditorium, inconspicuously disguised as a high school freshman with a video camera:

We’re pretty certain no one noticed a thing.

I have no explanation for this…

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:56:33 -0700

I have no explanation for this…

MyBabyBanana.com

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 11:13:21 -0700

MyBabyBanana.com:

Check out the newly revamped Baby Banana website. Now featuring Mimi the Pig!

Here’s a photograph I took at the Oz Comic-Con.

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:59:26 -0700

Here’s a photograph I took at the Oz Comic-Con.

Dueling Draculauras

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:45:00 -0700

Although Baby Banana CDs and other merchandise accompanied Debi to the OZ Comic-Con, the primary purpose of her appearance was to promote her role as the voice of Draculaura in the cartoon series “Monster High.”

Debi was featured at a Q&A session with her Monster High fans, who got to meet her and ask questions about both the show and the world of cartoon voiceover.

While signing autographs at her booth, Debi was surprised and delighted when two young MH fans arrived dressed as their favorite character….

…Draculaura, naturally.

In whimsical moment from the pre-convention meet and greet...

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:00:00 -0700

In whimsical moment from the pre-convention meet and greet party, Sean Astin notes Debi’s diminutive stature and gets down to “Hobbit size” to chat with her.

Adventures in Adelaide

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:41:00 -0700

Documentary cameras were on hand last weekend as Debi greeted her fans at the Oz Comic-Con in the picturesque city of Adelaide, Australia.

While in Adelaide, Debi met fellow conventioneers Jonathan Frakes (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”) and Sean Astin (“The Lord of the Rings”).

Debi worked with Sean’s father John Astin on the 1990s animated series “The Addams Family.”

Which was long before the advent of exchanging contact info via the iPhone…

It’s been a while since the trailer for the documentary...

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:40:00 -0700

It’s been a while since the trailer for the documentary was posted on the blog, so here’s an encore appearance….

Debi Down Under

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:27:57 -0700

For those of you who will be in Adelaide the weekend of March 30-April 1, stop by the Oz ComicCon. Debi is being flown to Australia to appear at the convention and take part in a number of panels. The documentary crew (me) will be following along for a luxurious and relaxing vacation. Uh, I mean, the grueling hard work of documenting the trip.

Check back, details to follow. G’day!

See Debi (and a quote from me!) in the trailer for her husband...

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:09:00 -0800

See Debi (and a quote from me!) in the trailer for her husband Harvey Jordan’s brilliant new documentary “Bible Storyland.”

From 2011: a short promotional video created to introduce Baby...

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:15:40 -0800

From 2011: a short promotional video created to introduce Baby Banana and pitch the idea of ”The Debi Derryberry & Baby Banana Variety Show.”

Yes we have no bananas

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:12:04 -0800

As a new year begins, a new series of pitches begins…including a new pitch idea that (gasp) doesn’t feature Baby Banana…

Documentary cameras were outside Technicolor headquarters in Hollywood California as Debi and writer extraordinaire Jim Staahl arrived to pitch their new series idea, one designed to appeal to “tweens” rather than Baby Banana’s pre-school audience.

Prior to the pitch meeting, the documentary crew (uh, me) was on hand as Jim and Debi met at Debi’s house for a pre-pitch rehearsal.

Debi and Jim report that the pitch for their new series idea went well. “Fingers crossed,” said Jim. Baby Banana could not be reached for comment.