The Dream Theater Thank You's Project

Super Dude · April 27, 2009, 08:20:40 PM

You can read about the general idea in this thread: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=102.msg1611#msg1611

Before the original DTF imploded, Blob, myself, and a few others had an idea to send Mike Portnoy a fan video for his next birthday in appreciation for all that he's given to the Dream Theater fan community for his birthday. As one can probably guess, I would like to be able to send it before April 20th of next year.

If you want to participate in this project, make a post in this thread explicitly indicating your interest in participating. I haven't really figured out how we're gonna make this work yet, but the project will collect video clips from all participants. You can say or do whatever you want in the video clip you send (send a clip of yourself air drumming/guitaring to a DT solo for all I care, whatever you want

), as long as it doesn't flame or discredit Mike Portnoy or Dream Theater; only positive messages to the band will be accepted.

I don't know who will be stringing all these videos together; I could do it but I'm not terribly confident in my video editing skills, as I have zero experience in doing so. When the video is finished (as a forum we can decide what qualifies as "finished"), someone with connections to the band will send it to Mike Portnoy by whatever means available.

I don't really know what else to say here. I just finished recording my clip (after several takes

), which will serve as an introduction to the video compilation (in my clip I introduced myself and the purpose of the videos).

Prospective Participants:
emindead
Super Dude (me)
sonatafanica
antigoon
Nick
zepp-head
ZBomber
Yeshua
Lateralus
Splent
Global Laziness
Metropolis Pt. II
ariich
tri.ad
dech2410
icysk8r
OsMosis2259
acidrainlte
Sixtease
Spacebar.
chrisbDTM
staveoffzombies
ZeppelinDT
JonesyAZ
skydivingninja
BFRedrocks
Dimitrius
hefdaddy42
DarkLord_Lalinc
Bombardana
Buckethead
icanplaydrums
Plasmastrike
petrucci07
Ultimetalhead
Team Cool 4
XianL
setrataeso
3MinuteWarning

Edit: If we could get people to volunteer for video compiling/editing and sending to MP, that would be cool.

sonatafanica · April 27, 2009, 08:23:43 PM

It's based on this being their 10th album release, right?

Super Dude · April 27, 2009, 08:24:34 PM

Actually no, I never even thought of it that way. I just figured that since most years MP gives us something for his birthday, we oughta return the favor.

emindead · April 27, 2009, 08:27:14 PM

I'm interested.

sonatafanica · April 27, 2009, 08:27:33 PM

Ah, I see. I'll whip up something tomorrow. I need to rehearse.

antigoon · April 27, 2009, 08:36:11 PM

it's a shame this has to be for next year. Anyway, I suppose I'm down.

Nick · April 27, 2009, 08:36:31 PM

Assuming I can find myself a decent way to record video between now and his next birthday, I'd like to participate.

sonatafanica · April 27, 2009, 08:38:21 PM

Well, LaBrie's birthday is coming up...

Super Dude · April 27, 2009, 08:39:41 PM

That might be cool, but the point of the project is giving back to Mike for being the most outgoing and contributing band member in his relations with the fan community.

zepp-head · April 27, 2009, 08:47:12 PM

I'm definitely down for it. I don't know how spiffy you plan on making this, but I can help out with any audio work if need be.

emindead · April 27, 2009, 08:59:54 PM

Wait. Didn't MP said at the last radio interview where Bill called and talked to him, that he lurks here? So, basically, we're spoiling the surprise.

ZBomber · April 27, 2009, 09:04:08 PM

I'll participate, but I think there should be a time limit per video... otherwise the video could end up being a few hours long when compiled

zepp-head · April 27, 2009, 09:07:40 PM

Quote from: ZBomber on April 27, 2009, 09:04:08 PM
I'll participate, but I think there should be a time limit per video... otherwise the video could end up being a few hours long when compiled

Yeah, a time limit should be encouraged. If they run too long we may as well just have a montage or something.

yeshaberto · April 27, 2009, 09:11:45 PM

def count me in...I love MP for all he does

Super Dude · April 27, 2009, 09:20:12 PM

Quote from: zepp-head on April 27, 2009, 09:07:40 PM
Quote from: ZBomber on April 27, 2009, 09:04:08 PM
I'll participate, but I think there should be a time limit per video... otherwise the video could end up being a few hours long when compiled

Yeah, a time limit should be encouraged. If they run too long we may as well just have a montage or something.

Well I mean my clip is about a minute long but since it's the introduction clip I'll leave it as is and just not film my "thank you." I'll add a poll.

Though honestly this is supposed to be a montage of sorts; this is a video compilation of hundreds if not thousands of Dream Theater fans doing whatever to express their thanks and appreciation for Mike Portnoy/Dream Theater.

splent · April 27, 2009, 09:26:01 PM

Count me in.

And make a version for me since we share the same birthday.

lateralus88 · April 27, 2009, 09:27:49 PM

I'm up for this. Not sure what I'll do, but I'll make it special

antigoon · April 27, 2009, 09:29:22 PM

Quote from: Splent on April 27, 2009, 09:26:01 PM
Count me in.

And make a version for me since we share the same birthday.

and Hitler. Make him one, too.

...while you're at it why don't you add those dudes who shot up Columbine.

..no? ok.

axeman90210 · April 27, 2009, 09:50:44 PM

Quote from: Nick on April 27, 2009, 08:36:31 PM
Assuming I can find myself a decent way to record video between now and his next birthday, I'd like to participate.

Global Laziness · April 27, 2009, 10:26:33 PM

I'm game. Can you think of any more specific guidelines for contributions?

Metropolis Pt. II · April 27, 2009, 10:40:42 PM

This sounds like a really fun/creative project, and you can count me in. Just keep us updated on deadlines for clips and whatnot.

tri.ad · April 28, 2009, 12:30:47 AM

I'm interested, count me in.

Spacebar. · April 28, 2009, 12:49:45 AM

count me in too

ariich · April 28, 2009, 12:52:27 AM

Quote from: Nick on April 27, 2009, 08:36:31 PM
Assuming I can find myself a decent way to record video between now and his next birthday, I'd like to participate.

This.

Sixtease · April 28, 2009, 01:11:19 AM

Do we really need to wait till Mike's next birthday? Can't we give him a gift just so? A lot of things can happen in a year's time. And getting a gift in an otherwise ordinary day, when it won't be compared to gifts from others may have some charm. Birthday is a good excuse to give a present but do we really need one?

AcidLameLTE · April 28, 2009, 03:37:52 AM

I'm in. I has a digital camera.

Edit: Wait, when IS his birthday?

OsMosis2259 · April 28, 2009, 03:50:07 AM

Hey guys I am def. down for this idea... Im just worried that MP is going to see this thread.

icysk8r · April 28, 2009, 04:55:23 AM

im in x100
i actually thought of this idea a while back, but i just let it go becausei figured there was no way to get a hold of him

dech2410 · April 28, 2009, 05:34:59 AM

Oh count me in too! Would be awesome

Super Dude · April 28, 2009, 06:01:39 AM

Quote from: Global Laziness on April 27, 2009, 10:26:33 PM
I'm game. Can you think of any more specific guidelines for contributions?

Well I want to allow everyone the freedom to decide what they want to use their film space for, but if you want suggestions, what I did was say my name and DTF username. After that you could give your thank you or whatever you want in the time you have left.

Quote from: Sixtease on April 28, 2009, 01:11:19 AM
Do we really need to wait till Mike's next birthday? Can't we give him a gift just so? A lot of things can happen in a year's time. And getting a gift in an otherwise ordinary day, when it won't be compared to gifts from others may have some charm. Birthday is a good excuse to give a present but do we really need one?

Alright well this is the reason I chose his birthday specifically: because most years MP gives us presents for his birthday, so this time I thought we could give him a birthday present. It's not about the time being convenient or proper; it's mere reciprocation.

Quote from: acidrainlte on April 28, 2009, 03:37:52 AM
I'm in. I has a digital camera.

Edit: Wait, when IS his birthday?

April 20th

Quote from: OsMosis2259 on April 28, 2009, 03:50:07 AM
Hey guys I am def. down for this idea... Im just worried that MP is going to see this thread.

Yeah I thought about that as well, but chances are he doesn't lurk here as often as you'd think; keep in mind he has his own forum and the forums of all the other band members, as well as his own real life responsibilities to the band, his family, etc. I'm sure it's a "once in a blue moon" kinda thing. But hell, even if he does find out, the real surprise is in the actual watching it.

AcidLameLTE · April 28, 2009, 06:04:44 AM

Bugger. Can't we not just make it a very late birthday present?

Super Dude · April 28, 2009, 06:07:22 AM

Dude, you're such an Iain.

Sixtease · April 28, 2009, 06:15:14 AM

No really, I mean, it just seems kinda needless to wait for a year to give him a present. We can give it to him just because we feel he deserves it and we want to show our appreciation. On his next birthday, we can come up with something different. A year is such a long time to wait and I don't see why we should.

"Strike the iron while it's hot", is an attempt to translate a proverb from Czech. :-)

AcidLameLTE · April 28, 2009, 06:16:16 AM

A thanks to the whole band for the new album or something?

sonatafanica · April 28, 2009, 06:35:42 AM

Quote from: acidrainlte on April 28, 2009, 06:16:16 AM
A thanks to the whole band for the new album or something?

Yeah, that was what I originally assumed of this.

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The Dream Theater Thank You's Project