Today on the blog, I wanted to point out a current Kickstarter project that I think you all might be interested in. It is a major documentary about the history of the art and game of Magic the Gathering, and if you have not already checked it out, you should do so NOW!
This time around, the amazing humans behind EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons are back, and this time they have their eyes set on Magic the Gathering with IGNITING THE SPARK, The Story of Magic: The Gathering!
"IGNITING THE SPARK, The Story of Magic: The Gathering explores Magic's origins, its rapid growth, its enduring popularity, and its massive influence on the gaming industry and people’s lives. How did a card game developed by students at the University of Pennsylvania—simply constructed but with highly sophisticated rules—turn into a multi-billion-dollar pastime and pop-culture juggernaut? Why has it been so passionately embraced by millions of players for three decades and counting? What makes Magic so… magic? Through interviews, archival footage, and deep dives into hidden vaults of long-lost treasures, IGNITING THE SPARK answers those questions, and so many more!"
"The production phase of the film is complete and we have a digital distribution agreement in place with The Nacelle Company—the team behind the hit docu-series The Toys That Made Us and The Movies That Made Us (Netflix), Behind The Attraction (Disney+), Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek (History Channel), and Icons Unearthed (Vice TV). Specific distribution deals with various streaming services are still being worked out, but IGNITING THE SPARK will appear on at least one streaming channel once the film is finished by Spring 2023. (And likely many more.)
This Kickstarter will primarily help us raise money for post-production expenses, the largest of which include editing, animation and graphics, acquiring the rights to video and photographic assets, color correction, and music. It will expand our creative options, and it's also a unique chance to include you, the Magic players and fans!
The documentary features more than 50 interviews, including the game’s creator, Richard Garfield, and Wizards of the Coast founders, as well as current and former Magic: The Gathering executives, creative leads, art directors, artists, editors, production specialists, and designers. We also sat down with art collectors, store owners, museum curators, cosplayers, casual and professional players, and fans."
I don't know about you, but that sounds amazing and that it is nearly here. They need your support so that they can get IGNITING THE SPARK, The Story of Magic: The Gathering across the finished line. I hope you can support this project at whichever level catches your eye.
That is all for another exciting week on the blog. See you back here on Monday! Until then...
