[edspengler]

So I have gone down the rabbit hole of collecting books that are featured in the movie, but there is a glaring hole in my collection: Magical Paths to Fortune and Power. Of course this wasn’t a real book, so the hopes of filling this void are pretty slim. I do not recall exactly where, but I read that the book featured in the film was bound copy of the movie script.

A few nights ago I was suddenly inspired to start working on some cover art and I have worked through a few iterations since then. My current draft is shown below and based on shots from the film. I still have to work on the spine.



I was able to obtain a file of the script and have began formatting it . It seems fairly simple to have a custom hardcover book printed and this is likely what I plan to do. All in all the project will likely cost less than $200 (excluding my time).

I am also considering annotating the script with footnotes on locations and/or prop details, basically things that interest me. Also the notes would help bulk up the page count.

If anyone has any other suggestions I would appreciate them!

[edspengler]

I added to the rear cover and created the spine:

I may have reached a point where I am happy with the cover.

[edspengler]

I have completed a lot of the heavy lifting on the text. I had to do some minor editing and major formatting. This script is a word for word transcription of the film that was completed by MrMichaelT and the RTF file can be found online. Here are some preview shots of how things look right now:




The final word for word transcription could not have been used in the film prop, but for the purposes of this book prop I figured it would be fun to match the movie since we all know and love the lines.

As it stands now, the book will likely be the size of the Red/Green Tobin’s Spirit Guide that is widely available. I may be able to bulk it up with the notes section, but I do not want to turn this into a book on the movie or reference guide since far better books on the subject already exist. I may perhaps add some key pictures to scenes I feel are iconic.

I am also considering adding a foreword by Milton Angland.

[Ebobhazard84]

I'm here for this!

[edspengler]

I got a good draft of the foreword written, I might just fly with it unless there are any good comments or I get any new ideas. I also revised the title sheet to show Spates as the author. I want the title page and the foreword to give the prop some sense of being when the book is opened.



I will let this sit for a while now to mentally marinate and perhaps make some changes here and there. The next step will likely be to upload all the files to the printing service to produce the hardcover book.

[mrmichaelt]

I have completed a lot of the heavy lifting on the text. I had to do some minor editing and major formatting. This script is a word for word transcription of the film that was completed by MrMichaelT and the RTF file can be found online. Here are some preview shots of how things look right now:

Whoa, that looks awesome! What an honor. Hope there's no grammar errors I missed.

[edspengler]

Whoa, that looks awesome! What an honor. Hope there's no grammar errors I missed.

I read through the entire file word for word and only made some minor edits to the text. I added in a scene description between lines where the scenes change in the final battle in the restoration room. I will of course read through it several more times word for word before printing. Thank you for doing this! I have added a page at the very end crediting you for the original transcription.

[edspengler]

Here is a preview of what the print will look like! 6x9 140 page hardcover. It will also feature a red book mark ribbon and black and yellow head and tail band.

[mrmichaelt]

I tend to buy books with the screenplay i.e. the 1st Captain America movie, The Batman, and it suddenly occurred to me what a lost opportunity then in 1989 to sell the GB2 screenplay and they could've done it in a fun way and used a book from the movie like Magical Paths like ed here as the faux cover.

[edspengler]

I tend to buy books with the screenplay i.e. the 1st Captain America movie, The Batman, and it suddenly occurred to me what a lost opportunity then in 1989 to sell the GB2 screenplay and they could've done it in a fun way and used a book from the movie like Magical Paths like ed here as the faux cover.

I think you deserve a copy of this given your effort. Send me a DM here or on Facebook and I’ll send you a copy when I have the first set. I may sell these if there is interest, if that is ok with you.

[mrmichaelt]

I think you deserve a copy of this given your effort. Send me a DM here or on Facebook and I’ll send you a copy when I have the first set. I may sell these if there is interest, if that is ok with you.

That's very kind of you. I'll be in touch.

[edspengler]

All the files were submitted to the printing service on Saturday, I had a bit of back and forth with them on Sunday to make sure the bleed settings were correct for the cover artwork. Everything was finalized and the order is in production. I look forward to having some books in a few weeks!

[edspengler]

I am still waiting on the shipping notice from the printing service but I am sure it will be any day now. In the meantime I did receive another item that was inspired by this project and it will be used for a final touch. I will mark this book (and select others in my collection) with a custom foil seal to show the bookstore they came from. I worked with a vendor to create the embosser which I am very happy with. A sample is shown below on a different book.


Stay tuned for more news, hopefully soon.

[Rafaed]

This is awesome. Put me down for one.

[edspengler]

And here it is. I am so freakin happy with the results!

[edspengler]

The teaser for this project

[edspengler]

In what seems like a fitting closing post for the build diary, this project has come full circle. My buddy had the opportunity to meet Ernie Hudson and decided to give him his copy of the book and Ernie kept it! The surrounding staff were so sweet about it, he genuinely seemed thrilled, he thumbed through it and was smiling the whole time! It is a fitting tribute from everyone that helped with this project to the fandom we love.