You can change Serleran to 1.

Make mine a double.

Thanks

benjoshua wrote:Let's review and finalize what we want: The members of the Acaeum web-site are seeking to commission from the artist Erol Otus, thirty, color, Limited Edition, signed and numbered 18x24 horizontal prints of a party of four characters (dwarf fighter, human cleric, elven thief and human magic-user) fighting a red dragon in a cave with the word "Acaeum" visible somewhere in the print.  The content could be something like what is found on the covers of Dungeon Crawl Classics #6, #11 or #30.  If there is an original involved, it will be auctioned off on the Acaeum web-site to the highest bidder.  All business dealings with the artist will be handled by Acaeum member grodog including the collecting of funds to pay for the artist's services.  The cost for each print will be $50.00 (US).  This may not include shipping.

There are pieces missing from this equation, but what does grodog get paid for his services?  I say he gets a free print, but let's see if he'll still agree to this now that he has a better idea of the parameters.  The mechanics of when we pay, the length of time we allow for completion and such have been intentionally left out to give grodog freedom to negotiate a workable deal with the artist.  Grodog will not approach the artist until the parameters of our request, and the number of likely participants are finalized.  The EO Print Committee of Badmike, Paul (KM), grodog and myself will determine the final draft of our proposal and the print order total which will be posted on this thread following any feedback.  We want our first offer to be our best offer.

Do not pay any money yet!

Let the final feedback begin!

I'm happy with this arrangement. I don't have much to add to it. I don't think anyone could argue with Grodog's credentials or trustworthiness; he's a fine choice for coordinator.

Perhaps one way to pitch it to Erol would be to offer a set amount for his services (30 x $50), plus allow him to auction the painting on the acaeum for another payout. Obviously we couldn't guarantee how much that would be, but if Grodog pitches it right he'd have to think he could make another grand at the very least from the sale. He could stipulate that the sale of the painting did not include any rights to reproduce etc. The arrangement would then be $1500 up front, 30 members get a limited edition print, we hold an auction for the original on the acaeum (open only to print holders?) and one lucky SOB gets it, paying Erol directly.

Looking over it again I imagine some of that $1500 would need to be reserved for printing costs; or we could increase the buyin slightly to cover those.

Regarding the numbers, I would say random assignment would be best. Perhaps reserving #1 for Gro.

Regards

Mike

I am in as well... 2 copies if we can get them

Yeah, first I've seen this.
I'm in for one.

That's a good sign! Me too, as opposed to question marking me.









Hopefully I don't get a deja vu feeling over the coming weeks.

Great work BenJoshua and the EO committee!!!    

Thanks for taking on the responsibility of making this project happen.  I really appreciate all of your efforts and am looking forward to seeing the finished product.

I would definitely like a copy at the ($50) level. Feels kinda like PBS. Can we get tote bags?

Count me in for 1 as well, as long as the price stays under $75.

Speaking as an artist, the usual arrangement with a publisher is that they get a hi-res scan/photo of the work to use for varied rights, while the artist retains the original piece. There may be some contractual stipulations depending on the agreed-upon publishing rights (maybe the artist can't re-license the piece for 12 months, or maybe he can never license it again), but he usually retains the actual product. As long as he doesn't break the contract regarding selling it to other publishers, he can do whatever he wants with the original: auction it, hang it in his study, use it roll doobies, whatever. From what I've heard, we have Frank Frazetta to thank for that.

Now, if someone asks for the physical art in addition to publishing rights, it behooves the artist to ask for more money up-front. In basic terms, he's losing an opportunity for future financial gain (and the buyer stands to make more in the event of an eventual sale), so he deserves to be compensated for that on the front end.

I'm just offering this for informational purposes. Obviously, this arrangement is a bit different in that the only "publishing" will be 30-50 prints with a legal agreement not to make another series of prints. Another thing to think about is the possibility other future goods. If you want to protect the integrity of the project, the contract needs to limit *all* reproduction. I doubt many investors here would be keen on the print being sold on t-shirts or coffee mugs because that wasn't covered in the contract.

Finally, there are many methods of printing, and each varies in quality, longevity and cost. That number that was quoted earlier for 24x18 4-color, was that for a lithograph (the most expensive by far, but the highest quality). A glicee (a fancy arteest word for inkjet) would be much cheaper. Some printers could even manage a laser print that huge, which is another cost-effective option. None of these are bad options at all, not even the Glicee. I'd be happy to investigate the differences if you would like me to.

To recap:
• By default, the artist retains the original works.
• Perpetual exclusive rights and/or purchase of the original should and will cost markedly more at the outset.
• Which printing process is the best compromise between cost and quality?

Has anybody actually asked Erol Otis about this yet?