Check it out: The Million Year Picnic
The story one of the world’s oldest comic book stores and how it continues to be a place where generations of fans gather.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada Film
The project:Very little is known about the wonderful places we buy comics from and the assortment of characters that run them. In the mid 80s I was the manager of The Million Year Picnic, a staple destination of hardcore fans of the medium for over 40 years. Many amazing artists, writers and film makers have either been inspired by, worked for, shopped in or have been promoted by the store over its history. In 2011, Jerry Weist, the founder of the store, died of cancer and I was faced with the terrible fact that time was running out to talk to those responsible for the store’s story.
I have been working on MillionYear Picnic for over 4 years now, buying equipment with my own resources, finding contacts and setting up interviews but I am at the point I need more than my own meagre savings account to make this documentary happen in a way that will touch and inform people. I need you.
Why now?
I hate to think one day the MYP might close and even the memory of the store will be lost forever. I really want – not just to document the store’s history – but remind people how important these sort of small independent places are to our lives.
Where the project is at:
1: I’ve already done 6 of roughly 12 interviews but I need:
2: Travel to get to the rest (Michigan, Minneapolis, Boston, and more).
3: Collect photos and documents from near and far.
4: Get original music and clear rights to some materials.
5: Post production and storage disks for the film.
6: Get the film to the public!
What you can do to help me get this film done:
Give money, of course. I am about as small and independent as you can get so every cent counts and makes the film better.
If you have information, photos anything… pass them along and I’ll make sure you get credit for it in the film.
If you have talent with music, post production, publicity skills or ideas – feel free to offer them!
If you are in the comics or genre field and have an MYP connection…I need to talk to you!