Dan Abnett on designers
Now it’s about the realisation…
So, the project advances, and it’s been very cool to see the creative crew come together. Over the next few months, on the Ultramarines movie website or places like this blog, you’ll get to meet some of those people and see what they’ve been working on. I’ve already had a glimpse or two. I’ve heard the artists speak about the processes and challenges, and I’ve had sight of some of the early work in progress. Maybe I’m a sucker for this kind of thing, but I like to see talented people talking enthusiastically about what they’re good at, and discovering the thoughts behind it.
This experience is illuminating for me, and I have to admit it’s exciting - even more exciting than the basic “oh my god there’s a Warhammer 40K movie in production, and I’m part of it!” bit, which of itself is enough to wake me up in the middle of the night. If, like me, you spend a great chunk of your life writing novels, you get used to the solitude. The long silences. The rustle of tumbleweed and the creak of the old rusty inn sign. The distant, half-heard murmurs of other people, interacting with one other in sunlit places.
I’m not saying novel writing happens in a total vacuum, but it feels like that sometimes. There is a fairly direct interface between the words I put down on paper and the ones that reach the reader’s eyes, and thus there is an unmodified communication of ideas. If I want to throw in a juicy action sequence, for example, I better make a damn good job of it, because no one’s going to come along behind me and tart it up.
In comics (which is where I spend much of the rest of my time), there is, of course, an artist between me and the reader, and I relish the collaborative process by which the artist interprets the script and delivers it to the reader.
But movies, movies are an entirely different order of magnitude. When I was drafting the script, I did so alone, or in close partnership with producer Bob Thompson. Now there’s an astonishing sense of industry. There are so MANY people at work on it, and they’re working on parts of the story I hadn’t even considered.
My focus was plot and dialogue, character. An individual line of dialogue might require serious consideration, yet I’d give very little thought at all to a story direction like ‘the space marines walk into the bunker’. How many different ways could that happen? How many different ways could that be SHOWN to happen? Which of those ways is the RIGHT way? Which is the coolest? Can it actually work technically in animation?
That’s what has be decided at the very start of the production. There are so many things to be considered: the angle, the view, the distance, the timing, the lighting, the sound bed. Naively, I simply thought it would be great to see a space marine blasting away. I didn’t really think of how much work would go into deciding HOW that would look and sound and feel. Now it’s about realisation, the painstaking consideration of an individual moment, the execution of some visual detail that I hadn’t even thought of at the script stage yet which may end up being that great ‘bit’ that fans remember forever. Removing my scriptwriter hat for a second, the 40K fanboy in me is jumping with glee.
Bear in mind that some very familiar Games Workshop names have been involved in the designs. Some of the people on the art team have a deep and abiding love of 40K. Some of them are newer to the universe, and they’ve brought dynamically fresh approaches to the interpretation. Look over at http://www.ultramarinesthemovie.com for the first tantalizing peak of the early concept work that has been released from the encrypted vaults...
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Comments
Storyline
I always thought the best story for a 40k movie would start with characters quite like modern people, on an almost modern world. That is, a world likes ours now (or maybe 50 years ago), cut off from the rest of mankind for so long it had forgotten it roots - like, pre-Imperial settlers...
Then, after (re)inventing radio, they announce themselves to the galaxy and soon the marines come calling. It looks like the apocalypse to the natives, so we start out where most Hollywood films end - the end of the world. The resistance wouldn´t last long. The standard 'one shot at victory' plot device would turn out to be a false hope - cos after all, these are the Emperor´s finest. So after the 'good guys' loose, full imperial settlement begins.
And that is just the start...as we use some macguffin to have the marines choose the heroes of the native resistance as aspirants. Then the introduction to the rest of the galaxy, and the real enemy, begins.
ONE FOR GAUNT
I joined by chance after pre ordering the lost and getting it today popped to Mr Abnett's website and found this but next i hope there will be a Gaunt's Ghosts movie it would be the best. I hope i can soon join the Libary's ranks beacuse i am writing a Guard novil ill send in a snippet soon.
I was just thinking...
It literally popped into my head yesterday, and this is the first chance I've gotten to put it down in writing. Now, this is really just a shoot-off idea, not really even to be taken seriously.
But what if in these months/years leading up to the movie, you were to create a series of webisodes (free) that detailed the exploitations of a Guard unit-for simplicity's sake, since everyone can identify with the grunts-and how they eventually get cornered by some random enemy (it all starts from deployment, and all the way until they get cornered...) that you barely catch glimpses of (a way to introduce who the badguys will be). And at the end of the web series, someone radios in and says "reinforcements have arrived" (or something to that effect) and you see a drop pod come down, and a space marine looming in the dust of the landing.
Thoughts? Shoot down my idea? Bring it up again? Enhancements? Suggestions?
I think it!
Anything that helps build-up the hype surrounding the marines would be coolness.
nice idea dude
thats a great idea, i got another idea lets give it support in all the forums and send the guys developing this mesages about it. it would be great to have anime webisodes of warhammer 40k, and as you said that the ending of the mini series is the beggining of the actual movie.
Erm
No, no anime. Keep it 3d, since the movie is 3d. We don't want to intrude on a license like that, and anyways, anime isn't too great. Poop on anime, no offense man.
Star Wars did that, more or less...
Star Wars episode 3 tried, and kind of did not make it. But then again, Dan would pull it off if he over saw it. I think your idea was excellent.
Yep
What I have envisioned is something like the spots that Microsoft put out in anticipation for Halo 3 and Halo Wars. Excellent pieces, loved the live action there. Of course, this would be all 3d.
Can't believe it'a really happening
Been a fan of the 40K universe since I was about 12, and now I'm 36! I've been waiting for this movie for a long time. I'm a bit concerned that there's no information about the production on IMDB.com - it makes me wonder if it's going to be a genuine movie that people are going to see in cinemas, or if it's going to be one of these straight to DVD atrocities that'll only be available in Games Workshop stores. Hope it's the former, not the latter!
ye
im with you there mr(s) anonymous-ness-type-person
it would be SO awsome to be able to sit in a cinema with some friends and watch space marines run about the place instead of some crap about racing, or the world being blown up for such a menial reason that existance itself becomes a dull and lifeless shell, now, if it was because world eaters or thousand sons where on it and there was no other way to one-shot the army, that would be alot mor interesting, dont you guys think?
and no i dont talk like this in real life, this is much more to the point
Hey
Dan You rock so hard!
dvd not theater
it will probably be in dvd in blockbuster and those kind of stores but i dont think its going out to cinema but anayways its to early to say for shure ill have to see how it turns out considering story and visual design but im pretty shure its going dvd
Really excited but anxious
Hi there. I am really excited about this upcoming film. I am really looking forward to seeing it, however, i am very anxious about where it is intended to be released. Are you going to release it for cinema or straight to DvD? i would hate it to go straight to DvD. A full scale cinema release would be amazing and anything Dan Abnett writes would be fantastic. Please please please dont skimp on the quality and hook up some really good voice actors. Vin Diesel would be ace for a Space Marine Sergeant and he loves fantasy stuff, proper shoe-in! Again, really excited, but please dont let us down!
Just a quick word on the subject of design
Now that we've had our first look at the Codex Chapel concept, I would like to touch on a few aspects of the overall visual theme and design of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Although we tend to think of the Imperium as an ageing and somewhat decaying institution - and obviously that concept is found in in the many images we see in the rulebooks, White Dwarf articles, etc., it should be remembered that the realm of Ultramar itself (as well as a few other systems throughout the galaxy) is a relatively vibrant and progressive culture. In many ways, Ultramar is a shining beacon to the rest of the Imperium; boasting beautiful natural environs, magnificent cities, and prosperous industries. My hope is that the movie properly captures the visual aspects of the Ultramarines and their realm that sets them apart from the rest of human society in the Imperium.
Nids.
I really don't care that the ultramarines are the "poster boys" of the space marines. Personally, I play Dark Angel. but by hell I hope the antagonists are nids. I think ultramarines, I think nids. but who ever they turn out to be, its going to be such an ace film!!! I have been waiting forever for it.
*I WOULD CALL YOU A NERD, BUT THAT WOULD BE LIKE THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK*
Kickin up dust
Talk about Bad A$$ i was killin myself for saving up for a console for the Spacemarines game and the Ultramarines hype comes out!! If the trailer for Spacemarines is way out of this world i cant even imagine how fly the movie is going to be !
Don't mind killing myself again for the movie once it comes out ;)
Go Team!
best movie ever
this movie is going to have to more sci-fi than star wars more goury than saw and any other goury movies with a good portion of dramma and not confusing for anyone who is going to watch this who is new to it. plus after this they should have a follow up on another chapter like the salamanders or blood angels or grey nights or the imperial gaurd or a civi during this time to show how everyone is effected during this dark time in history u can do it
cgi is great for this movie and able to do it but in my opion a real one's better cause it would make it look more alive to the viewer and id kill all the terinids and chaos marines to be in it some way! anyone one of us die hard fans would! even if you needed a donut boy or a hand for a molding of a desmemberied hand we all most likely would buut to spread it to people who never even heard of it try to get a big name actor just 1 should do it
for the EMPORER! FOR ULTIMAR! FOR GUILLIMAN! FOR US MAKE A 90 STAR 15 THUMBS UP MOVIE! ABOUT OUR HEROS
by gunny17just
Ultramarines
This concept is sound a dark future brutal lives the fanbase will love it the general public, not so much. Me I can't wait for it .
Developing realism
That all sounds encouraging, and obviously the movie production team are taking great pains to stress that this is being made by people who love 40k.
However, if the film is made for a pg13 audience then that is a bigger threat to the accuracy and realism of the movie. 40k is about violence and bloodshed and in your face combat in a dark and gothic setting. If the movie embraces that and pitches the story and content at a mature audience then it will work. If we get sanitized kiddy-glove 40k for a young audience then the film will not truly be about 40k. Probably done for the same reasons that Jar Jar Binx was added to the new Star Wars films, or that Transformers 2 was so terrible.
This isn't going to be a film widely seen by the general public, but there is a dedicated fan base. If its made for the general public but not the fan base it will dive.
WELL said......
I have left comments also, stating exactly the same thing. If this turns out to be a weak fluffy film and not true to its dark roots you will be killing some of the best sci fi ideas ever created.
I have read comments from people talking about wanting to take their 6 year old son to see this at the cinema...... I pray to whatever this will not be catering to that market for the sake of 40K.
PLZ B DARK!!!
agree with that also
if anything, the general public will embrace an authentic 40k movie that sticks to its roots. what has always attracted me to 40k was the unique dogmatic setting which mixed the historical past with the distant future. Such a distinct flavour will hold a certain allure to many who have previously not been exposed to 40k. I myself got into the universe through playing a video game, dawn of war and have not looked since.
The opening cutscene was the clincher for me, the moment i saw the unconditional bravery and unquestioning courage in the face of visercal combat and noble bloody death, i was hooked, there is an archetypal masculinity which is explored in 40k that is not expressed as poignantly in other mediums. I believe a movie with blood, violence, and death will only serve to amplify the notions of honour, valour, courage as embodied by the space marines. A 'hollywoodized version' centered on wise cracks, sexual relationships, attractive personell, bright flashy visuals will probably appeal less to the general public, as this would be directly competeing with movies with far larger budgets. That would not be in the best interests of anyone.
Once that has been established, further movies can probe into more grey areas of 40k, the morality or lack of in the existence of the imperium itself, the pallid lives of men etc etc
on another note, apparently codex productions are the production company behind ultramarines and 'bionicles' was a previous credit in their history. Having glimpsed the quality of animation of the 3rd and most recent movie of bioncles, considering that it is more than 5 years old, can we expect ultramarines to employing a far advanced quality of animation? What kind of a budget is estimated to being attached to the project? 5-10million USD?
Thanks and good luck with the movie, with Mr Abnett on board, i have no doubts that it is going to be an absolute corker!
Anything can become pg-13 if you want it to
It could be rated pg-13 with only slight drops in blood spilled (whats the difference between 10 gallons and 11 gallons after all?) so everyone can be happy. Or it could be rated R and just add that extra gallon or two. In the end its Dan's choice so I suppose thats all that really matters.
If it is R-rated it'll be the first that my son is allowed see
If this film is R-rated, I rather expect it will be the first one that I let Joe, my 13 year old son, see. My son and I have been hobbying for about a year now and are both getting quite heavily into it. I am sure it was one of the greatest moments in his life when this film was announced! He plays his own sub-chapter that he calls "the Knights of Ultramar."
(yay! wh40k moovie!!! yay!!!!)
(Stay true to the books - please - Your books are addictively wonderful)
Tom Bakry
*Breaks though a wall* O YEAH!
Ok, now that is over with. YEAH! 40K movie finally! I can't wait for this movie to come out with all its dark glory! Though I have to wonder, who is the enemy? or enemies of the Ultramarines in the movie. I hope its the Orks. Though a bit of the comedic relief to 40K, it would be badass to see them in it. That or Chaos, which chapter of chaos I want to see the Death Guard, as I'm a Nurgle follower(Right after the orks of course) Though whoever they get, it will be the best movie of all times, or so I hope.
EPIC!!!
this movie is going to be gnarly
i agree with the comment about the music, music is very important in a film and the guys from Dawn of war nailed it
I'm wondering if the extras have been cast yet?
I'm an unknown actor with experience and i've been a fan of 40k since primary school i would kill for a chance to be an extra in this film.
it has been my dream since i first got into acting to be in a 40k movie and just to be "Guardsman No#42" would be a dream come true!
if castings are still happening please let me know!
otherwise EPIC!!! can't wait for this film
views on the upcoming film
Very excited;
What got me into 40k was Dawn of War made by Relic. The intro scene as soon as I installed the game was mind-blowing. I am hoping that is what the film will be like. Very gritty and extremely violent, but it must also be very dark. VERY dark.
I would consider using the same guys who did the music for Dawn of War for this film. Music is important in setting the mood.
But i trust you guys will do well.
agreed
i still look back at that opening cut-scene and get the same sence of it the first time i saw it. also what got me into the w40k series got the game then was walking around a barns and nobles and saw it on a shelf now i think i own most of the books since dow came out
yeh
totally second that, music and sound will be as important as visuals in my opinion. i still listen to dawn of war music to this day, it evokes an epic thunderous war forged atmosphere that inspires the senses.
Not sure! Good idea though.
Jeremy Soule, a prominent video game composer composed the original DoW score, and Inon Zur did the rest of the expansions. Doyle W. Donehoo did DoW II, and I doubt any of those will be returning for this project, seeing as they're really all just video game composers (Zur did the Power Rangers theme I believe, but that's it as far as I know). I would expect Codex to go after a relatively well-known composer, or at least one who has his name floating around for other projects. However, as you said, I trust Codex to do this right.
made of win
This movie is made of win and i don't care what you think of it
Chomping at the bit!
What can I say?
Im a big fan of comics and have been playing WH/40k on and off from the age of 10. Having seen the characters from the marvel and dc universe portayed on the silver screen with style and pazazz and I am more than satisfied that the Ultramarines movie can and will become a favourite with new and old fans alike!
Read a few of Dans books and look forward to identifying his literary style in the dialogue and cimeatography on the big screen.
Most of all I just want to see an Ork explode into a flurry of blood and gore to reveal a blue suited warrior of the Emperor, smoking bolt gun in hand!
Sweet!!!!
Simply Amazing
The title says it all. I know so many fans over the years have been wanting a authentic experience with 40k that no one has been able to give on a visual level. Being able to say, "yes! there is a 40k movie coming out", Is probably one of the greatest things to happen to the community in a long time.
Gotta see a guy about a movie
I've often been looking forward to a movie with every fiber in my body only to walk away from the cinema feeling let down. Examples are numerous, but I won't go into that here. When it comes to this little upcoming slice of heaven, however, I get the feeling that my anticipations are justified simply because the wonderful mr. Abnett said in this very post: "the 40K fanboy in me is jumping with glee".
The people working on this movie are all 40K fans, and us 40K fans are the only group of fans who make it into an extreme-sport! From fan-fiction, to published authors to model painters, we give it all we've got!
So keep it up! I know I will be looking forward to the finished product. With glee!
CGI crew
hi gents
Im a CGI artist,and would like to know who I have to contact for application/contact
Little to say Ultramarines is a production I wait for since 20 years,lotta excitement...
For the Emperor!
Little slice of awesomeness
I'm really happy that from the word 'go' these guys have made sure that it's a 40K movie in its entirety. Instead of just making a generic sci-fi movie that'll appeal to the general public and tacking on the 40K IP because it's a popular entity, they've chosen to make sure that from the ground up it's a movie for the fans.
I've not read that much of Dan Abnett's novels, but what I have read has been awesome, and I'm excited that he's such a big part of the project. The concept design of the Codex Chapel looks brilliant (maybe the run down look is a hint at the plot? Maybe the heart of the Imperium is in tatters...) and that they're doing pre-production in Cardiff Bay is fantastic since I live only an hour away from there :D
Can't wait to see more from thee guys!
Well...
The Imperium has been in tatters ever since the Emperor was interred into the Throne. He was Humanity's last chance at reclaiming a significant part of the lost STC knowledge that would catapult the Imperium into a new age of domination. For ten-thousand years the Imperium has rotted, and it is a stinking carcass of what it would have been under His Direct Rule.
Recently the Imperium found a planet with a fully working STC Library, but that planet hid the truth from the Inquisitorial agents that made contact. They claimed that all they had were paper records. In my view it's likely that the planet in question would be the last bastion to fall, seeing as though the STC templates were the key to making absurdly kick-butt machinery with whatever materials are available. Kind of like having MacGyver electronically, so if you can imagine a massive battleship/mothership/hugethingthatkicksbutt from a piece of string, duct tape, and a few old CDs, you have the right idea.
I just hope that this movie
I just hope that this movie will be made with right feeling and atmosphere of Warhammer 40k my faith in team working on this is absolute but please mates do this film for the fans the people that LOVE Warhammer above all.Present us dark future in it`s true form bloody and gory with a wrath of he righteous last thing I need is another one week lasting mediocre movie. I hope that this one will be classic for generations to come praising it as something which showed them something they have seen as rip offs or a copy paste but now they will taste original Let them remember it forever!
The Movie in a Whole
5 year, 5 long years these ppl have thought and though and thought some more about this movie and what it should be, how it should be told, and what kind of movie it should/will be ...
like the rest of you and all others, I am drooling and biting at the bit to see anything from screen shots to a short video of this movie .
They pick a good chapter to be the main marines in this afaiac, unlike other chapters that have some 9 to 20 different main Characters in one company that if one or 4 marines get bumped off by the enemy then no big major deal as to "Damn ... why did he die so soon??"
I can just see it now , the movie is 1hr and 45 minutes to 2 hrs and 55 minutes long... and then it comes to a point where ..
" To Be Continued "
I can just taste the pop corn now ... and I have oiled my chain sword and reloaded my Boltpistol and I am ready to join the fight for the Emperor.
LFH
And so it begins.........
Well it's been a very long time coming.
It would have been nice to see a live action film but I guess CGI is probably the quickest way to get GW content onto any screen.
So, best of luck to you all. Mr abnet you make us Warhammer nutters proud.
Don't listen to the haters that'll come steaming in. Just make the best movie you can with the resouces you have. I'm sure it's gonna be a fantastic ride.
The emporer protects!
Paul Batchelor
Music
Any news on who's going to be making the music or sound effects for the movie? On a personal taste, I'd like to hear some epic music like what X-Ray Dog makes. As a student in the CG field, I gotta say CG is going to play a big part in the "coolness" but it sure is nice to have awesome sounds to back it up.
Also, I wouldn't mind seeing a more detailed version of a space marine model. Like maybe a scene showing how they actually put on their armor, how it fits together. Kind of like what Blizzard did for their Starcraft 2 trailer.
As far as a trailer goes, considering how long it takes to model, rig, texture, animate, light, add vfx, render and composite...I'd say its going to be a while before we see one. Maybe a teaser would be cool.
A sense of feeling
I've read as many as your titles as I can attain in Warhammer 40k, and of them all I have enjoyed the sense of a person I can take from the characters. Gaunt felt a certain way, moved and observed the world, even the shaping and structure of the sentences, vocabulary changes from one character to the next to truly give a look into the heart and mind of the character. You said you've enjoyed the dynamic between an artist and the writer, although I am sure you are being humble, have come to appreciate the behemoth task of coordinating something as simple as walking through a door.
Yet still, it is my belief that although a picture paints a thousand words, a writer must paint them with much less. You're own hand will drive the personality, the art, and the passion of these characters. Knowing this, I have nothing but high hopes for the months to come.
Big fan of Dan
I have been very excited to hear about this movie and could not think of a better Black Librarian to take charge of the writing than Dan Abnett. I know my sentiments are echoed throughout the collective fan horde.
After seeing so many fantastic story concepts over the years fall to bad scripts, poor idea translation, lack or superfluity of budget, bad acting and selling-out, I implore to brilliant minds involved with this project to stay true to the everything that makes WH40K good and to avoid everything that could make this remarkable project a disappointing pariah.
Like most far-reaching, galaxy spanning sci-fi the serious and compelling issues, that couple the obviously exciting warfare/ action, make the WH40k universe the way it is and are an integral part of its attraction. I hope all involved tap into this. For example, one of the most compelling aspects of the first few HH books is not just the violence and warfare and action, but the juxtaposition of the Space Marines with the remembrancers; the common man. The idea of a super race of soldiers based on man but divorced from it, how they relate to their 'forebears', their concerns, their differences, but more compelling, their similarities. I'm also compelled to read about the science aspects of the SM, and I suggest not leaving that out, but thats just me.
I could go on, but I have always taken a more cerebral approach to my evaluation and appreciation of WH40K, where a non-cerebral approach would satisfy most people. At the end of the day, its a universe based on a dice game. But in my humble opinion WH40K has fantastic potential to become a long series of (profitable) cult movies, but only if it taps into the things that make it great and not the things that have caused the demise of so many novel and comic book ideas.
Keep up the great work! And dont forget Space Marines are basses, not baritones or tenors :-)
All I have to say,
is a simple, "Don't screw up."
I'd like to see some more movies about 40k, and the chances of that happening rest on all of ya'lls shoulders.
Have fun holding the weight of the 40K universe on your shoulders, Atlas. Though through the praise I've heard of the staff, I'm sure it can be shifted to one shoulder and you can finally learn to paddle-ball with the free hand.
Good luck.
Design art and CGI
Has anyone here played Squad Command? I have to say that in my opinion the cut scenes from that game are awesome. I've thought in the past that a mixture of SC cutscenes and the art of Clint Langley would make for a beautiful film. It seems as though we are being sufficiently cared for as 40k players in regard to the 40k universe and keeping with that. I believe that the public at large could indeed appreciate the combined vision of the 40th millenium as it is written and concieved of without over dramatizing or over actioning the film.
A question for the makers, is it possible that Ultramarines will be live action? CGI has in my opinion a long way to go. Try to make it look too real and it falls short everytime. Look at the original Star Wars movies, everything looks real because it is, why not use the talent and skills that brought you at GW to this point, great models. Take into account the mixture of miniatures, models and CGI in the Lord of the Rings series. Whether or not you like the films they did look great. Animatronics, miniatures and minimal usage of CGI have taken a backseat to really good looking, believable images on screen. Good luck GW
Casting?
So there is some concept art out, and the creative team is hard at work...anyone know if GW has already cast the film, or is that process still going on?
-Steve
All you have to do...
...is make a genuinely felt 40k movie. It's a maze, but it's certainly do-able. I have 100% faith in Codec Pictures that you will be able to finalize this product.
I disagree with the person above with his Terminator comment. Terminator Salvation was GREAT. Awesome storyline, brought in a new type of terminator, and revealed a facet of Skynet we had never seen before. In my opinion the only reason it got bad reviews is because it was released just before summer, and it seems as if you want to go into summer with a happy outlook, not a desolate one. Perhaps if they had released it in winter...
From what I can gather there are quite a few twists with this script, and twists are what keeps people coming back for more. Good luck!
Thanks for the opportynity for comments!
Great that this movie is being taken serious! Great that it is not trying to make new friends by screwing with the old ones like Star wars is doing! Great that one of the best writers was taken aboard! I have my doubts about the director after checking out his previous work, but I am prepared to be proven wrong.
My only suggestion would be to regard existing WH40K animations and see what was good about them and take hints. DOW1, DOW2 and Space marine the game cinematics were all EPIC and were full of WH40K flavour and character starting from the sound track and finishing with model sizes and movement mechanics.
I am sure that most of the people here would agree with me that those 3 cinematics are the most epic visual representations of WH40K to date. I understand that making a movie is far more difficult, but it would be great if it wasn't a huge step down from the quality of cinematics if it has to be a step down at all!
totally agree!
i totally agree with him!!!
this guy has the right idea
this guy has the right idea
I agree, I look forward to
I agree, I look forward to the next few months.