MMP: The Secret Journey

There are so many movies, TV shows, made based off of books and comics. You would think that they would all automatically be big Blockbuster hits because the hardest parts are already done for the producers: the script has already been drafted, edited, finalized and published. And, the finished publication has garnered any range of admirers and proven to be of mild to great success as a written publication. So, what's left to do? Cast the appropriate people for the major and minor roles; find as close to appropriate locations for filming that will match the era/settings for each scene; design the costumes and prosthetics; and, for the most part, garner the appropriate funding from investors. Overall, those are relatively easy compared to coming up with a story from scratch and going through the agonizing process of getting it approved from the higher ups. What's my point? Well, to put it simply, why in the world are there so many BAD movies nowadays?!😂

Being an avid book reader and movie watcher, and being a self taught storyboard artist, I thought it would be a fun challenge to try my hand at making a storyboard for a live action adaptation of a book. Now, I'm no fool. I wasn't about to choose a book written by Steven King. I value what little sanity I have too much for such an undertaking.😂 So, I decided the book, not a short story, should be a genuine pocket book. Incase you've never heard that term, unless referred to a purse/handbag, I'll give you the skinny: Pocketbooks are smaller than hardcovers, as the name suggests. This format was developed for books that are convenient to carry around and can easily fit “into the pocket. - Paul

The pocketbook I chose is a good one, especially if you like adventure books. Slave ships, deserted jungle islands, the battles between woman and nature. The Secret Journey by Peg Kehret is a true page turner and inspiring story about a determined young girl that battles against everything in order to be by her dying mothers side. This book would make a fantastic live action adaptation when compared to the special effects and locations similar to those used in The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. There's even a chimpanzee in the book, so they're kind of the same story, minus the pirates and cursed gold.😂

Unfortunately, I am not "up to date" on the who's who in the celebrity world, so I'm not exactly sure who I would personally cast for each role. That is definitely an art unto itself, albeit, minus the shadow of the producers and investors looming over the casting directors head and making sure they hire the right people.😂 That is a whole other chore and artform, surely. So, I kept the characters "cast-less" overall. Despite not having a set cast, I continue to work on the lengthy process of hand drawing each panel/scene then, when I've finally set on a look, digitizing them for a more consistent look across all the panels/scenes. This is, of course, a personal project so it has often been put to the side when other moods/projects strike.😂 Let's hope, one day, I'll finish it and dream about sending it to someone who just might make this fantastic book into a true Blockbuster hit!

I hope you enjoyed flipping through these short scenes of The Secret Journey. Please do look up and read Mrs. Kehret's book(s)! And, if you've got an interesting, short, story that just WILL NOT get out of your head and you're interested in seeing it made as a storyboard, feel free to check out my Contact Me page, or, if you'd like to enlist me in YOUR ranks of storyboard artists for a lengthier project, please head to my Commission page. I'm always game to help make truly original work break free and inspire others!

Till next time MMP Fans!