* Spirits of the western wild *
* David Schaub & Roger Vizard *
* Adventure/Mystery/Comedy *
Title: Spirits of the Western Wild
Authors: David Schaub & Roger Vizard
Publisher: Independent
Genre: Adventure / Mystery / Comedy
Authors: David Schaub & Roger Vizard
Publisher: Independent
Genre: Adventure / Mystery / Comedy
This mystical adventure follows a young adventure-seeker named Luther McCleron on a westward journey to learn more about his Grandfather. A series of fateful missteps take Luther far
from his destination to a disheveled little town under the tyranny of a crooked sheriff named Big Willie. It’s here that Luther comes face-to-face with the legendary ghost of Monty: a curmudgeonly ghost who refuses to believe he’s dead. Luther just wants to get back to his quest, but Monty thwarts his plans by using Luther to take out his vengeance on Big Willie.
from his destination to a disheveled little town under the tyranny of a crooked sheriff named Big Willie. It’s here that Luther comes face-to-face with the legendary ghost of Monty: a curmudgeonly ghost who refuses to believe he’s dead. Luther just wants to get back to his quest, but Monty thwarts his plans by using Luther to take out his vengeance on Big Willie.
are they able to uncover the profound connections that weave their fates together.
A mysterious book of premonitions, an ominous crow, and ancient Indian drive the mystical tone of this world; conjuring spiritual forces to help steer Luther on his journey through this western “twilight zone.”
All the loose ends resolve in a satisfying story of redemption, loyalty and ascension while exploring the mysterious nature of fate and destiny. Was all of this a coincidence? Or are we guided by ancient
“spirits on the wind” that nudge and steer us along our path to assure that we arrive safely at our intended destination in the end?
5 out of 5 stars
A fantastic and Immersive adventure for everyone.
What a wonderful audio book and what a pleasure it was to be on this journey. Not only the adventure was captivating but also everything around it. The sounds effect and voices really bring it all together, you almost feel like you are right there witnessing all this first hand. The production quality is something I have never heard before. Very well done and I highly recommend it.
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TEASER
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EXCERPT
It's eerily quiet here, aside from the monotonous sound of a squeaking windmill, long detached from the rusted pump that feeds the wooden water
Jasper leads the way, mumbling nonsensical gibberish to himself.
Luther tags along cautiously -- unaware of a stoic old Indian watching from the shadows of the abandoned post office.
This is Kickapoo -- eyes barely discernible inside the ancient crevices of his face. From under his poncho, Kickapoo radiates the calm tranquility of an ancient spirit. All-knowing -- silent and still -- moving only as much as required to breathe.
A small flourish twists overhead -- a remnant of the storm -- and a page from Luther's lost book swirls in and settles at Kickapoo's feet.
PUSH IN on the header: “CHAPTER 2: THE DELIVERANCE.”
Kickapoo gives an appreciative nod skyward. The plan is unfolding...
tower.
Dilapidated wooden structures are mixed with colonial Spanish architecture. Ominous religious relics are awash in the orange glow of twilight -- home of the classic Spaghetti Western.
Dilapidated wooden structures are mixed with colonial Spanish architecture. Ominous religious relics are awash in the orange glow of twilight -- home of the classic Spaghetti Western.
Luther tags along cautiously -- unaware of a stoic old Indian watching from the shadows of the abandoned post office.
This is Kickapoo -- eyes barely discernible inside the ancient crevices of his face. From under his poncho, Kickapoo radiates the calm tranquility of an ancient spirit. All-knowing -- silent and still -- moving only as much as required to breathe.
A small flourish twists overhead -- a remnant of the storm -- and a page from Luther's lost book swirls in and settles at Kickapoo's feet.
PUSH IN on the header: “CHAPTER 2: THE DELIVERANCE.”
Kickapoo gives an appreciative nod skyward. The plan is unfolding...
CHARACTER INTERVIEW
With Monty (the Ghost)
Now for something new and exciting...an interview with someone who knows Luther very well. Enjoy!
Can you tell us your name and a bit about your background?
What… you too? You know… there was a time when everybody knew exactly who I was around here. The name’s Montague Montgomery - listed in the books if you go back and look it up. But around here, everyone just called me Monty – strong arm of the law that every man, woman and child counted on for their preservation and good safekeepings. Hard to believe there was a time when I was cherished and adorned by all of ‘em.
So what happened?
Well, I got this gap in my recollection, so I can’t really say. Last thing I remember is Big Willie waltzing into town… struttin’ his stuff like he owned the place. Next thing you know, he’s calling himself “sheriff,” and that was it. After that, nobody talked at me no more.
Can you believe it? Top of the hog-pile one day, and next thing you know, I’m just taken for granite around here.
For Granted…?
Right… GRANITE. And for some reason, no one sees through that crooked old weasel for what he really is… just a high-falutin’, fast-talkin’ carpetbagger pulling the wool over their eyes. He’s just a wolf in cheap clothing, is what I say. But it don’t matter what I say. ’Whole town acts like I’m not even there when I talk at ‘em. Anyhow, I figure it’s better to be an old “has-been” than a “never-was.” So I rest my pieces.
So Willie must be the villain… and how are you related to the main character?
Luther…? Oh, well that’s a whole ’nother story.
So I was propped up in the corner of the saloon here – not in the happiest frame of moods… just ruminating on the backwash at the bottom of this empty glass. Then in comes this funny looking kid calling himself Luther. He comes right over and commences talking at me like no one’s talked at me in a long time… Finally! Somebody’s paying me attention!
I took a liking to him for a minute there… ‘till he started getting up into my business. ’Said he thinks no one is talking at me ‘cause no one can SEE ME. He thinks I’m some kind of mis-embodied spirit, or some lopsided hogwash like that…
A GHOST?! REALLY?
Right! Can you believe it?! I swear… kids these days got nothing but misrespect – interfering in people’s privates all the time…
So… I’m confused. Why does he think you’re a ghost if he can SEE you?
Well now, that’s the crutch of the matter, right there. You’re gonna be surprised as I was, see… WHA--?
Hold on a sec –
.
.
.
.
The authors say I can’t be giving away the spoils. They want you to read about all that. I’m not much for reading myself, though… I like pictures the best. And the book is full of pictures.
Better still – they set it up so you can LISTEN without reading a stitch! They’re calling it a movie for your ear-holes – featuring yours truly and a full cast of characters.
So how did you finally connect with Luther?
Well… he has a way of inviting trouble. So before you know it, he gets in a tangle with Willie. They tore the whole place apart, the two of ’em. And when it was all over, I’m the one that had to bust him out of jail.
Don’t ask me why… I just got this strange feeling I gotta keep him around. Besides, he’s the only one talking back at me, so I figure he can help me get to the bottom of this ghost-nonsense.
So the two of you are on this adventure TOGETHER? Is that it?
Yup, we’re on the run from Willie now. They’re calling it a BUDDY picture. BUDDIES, ugh. This kid would have expired by now if I wasn’t looking after him. I had to show him there’s a whole lot more to riding a horse than just sittin’ in the saddle and lettin’ your feet hang down.
But I figure I can use this kid to do my dirty deeds back at Willie… if only these writers would stop gumming up the works.
What riders?
WRIT-ERS… Come on! The guys that concocted this whole mess. They keep talking about how “funny” it would be to make my prevailing situation even more troublesome. Can you believe that? They want to make my life a living hell for their own laughing matter!
Every time I get one step ahead, they throw me another hot mess.
So with all due regrets, I gotta go now. I gotta stay ten paces ahead of these troublemakers, or I may not get out of this one alive.
- Monty
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TEASER
ABOUT THE AUTHORs
David Schaub is a writer and Academy Award ® nominated Animation Supervisor working in the film industry for more than 25 years. In 2019 he produced and directed the audio adaptation of
SPIRITS OF THE WESTERN WILD. He also developed STORY COMPASS® smartphone app for screenwriters (www.moviemethods.com) in 2017.
Schaub received Oscar nomination for animation in Tim Burton’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Disney), along with nominations for BAFTA Award, Saturn Award and Critic’s Choice Award, and won the Golden Satellite Award for Best Visual Effects for his team’s work on the film.
HEAD ANIMATION on Sony Picture’s SURFS UP – recognized with two Annie Awards among its ten nominations including Academy Award nomination and four Visual Effects Society (VES) award nominations.
ANIMATION DIRECTOR on AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2 (2014), CHRONICLES OF NARNIA (Disney), I AM LEGEND (Warner Bros.) and LEAD ANIMATOR on STUART LITTLE 1 & 2, EVOLUTION, CAST AWAY, GODZILLA, PATCH ADAMS and more.
ANIMATION DIRECTOR – Universal’s award-winning JURASSIC WORLD EXPEDITION (2019) VR EXPERIENCE. Exploring cinematic potential of virtual reality.
After several years working in Europe at studios like Gerhard Hahn in Germany and A-films in Denmark, he moved to Los Angeles in 1993 to work as a story board artist on the first season of Sonic the Hedgehog, then rolled back into animation again after that. He successfully made the
transition to from 2D to CGI on “STUART LITTLE 2” in 2001, and since that time have worked non-stop at animation/VFX studios in Los Angeles.
website
SPIRITS OF THE WESTERN WILD. He also developed STORY COMPASS® smartphone app for screenwriters (www.moviemethods.com) in 2017.
Schaub received Oscar nomination for animation in Tim Burton’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Disney), along with nominations for BAFTA Award, Saturn Award and Critic’s Choice Award, and won the Golden Satellite Award for Best Visual Effects for his team’s work on the film.
HEAD ANIMATION on Sony Picture’s SURFS UP – recognized with two Annie Awards among its ten nominations including Academy Award nomination and four Visual Effects Society (VES) award nominations.
ANIMATION DIRECTOR on AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2 (2014), CHRONICLES OF NARNIA (Disney), I AM LEGEND (Warner Bros.) and LEAD ANIMATOR on STUART LITTLE 1 & 2, EVOLUTION, CAST AWAY, GODZILLA, PATCH ADAMS and more.
ANIMATION DIRECTOR – Universal’s award-winning JURASSIC WORLD EXPEDITION (2019) VR EXPERIENCE. Exploring cinematic potential of virtual reality.
website & Social links
Website → https://www.dschaub2.com/
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dschaub2writer
Goodreads → https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19662596.David_Schaub
Roger Vizard is a writer and self-taught artist. He was accepted into the animation program at Sheridan College in1987, then worked at Sullivan Bluth Studios in Ireland, then as an animation apprentice on “WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT” at Richard Williams’ studio in London. He later became Williams’ assistant animator on “THIEF AND THE COBBLER.”After several years working in Europe at studios like Gerhard Hahn in Germany and A-films in Denmark, he moved to Los Angeles in 1993 to work as a story board artist on the first season of Sonic the Hedgehog, then rolled back into animation again after that. He successfully made the
transition to from 2D to CGI on “STUART LITTLE 2” in 2001, and since that time have worked non-stop at animation/VFX studios in Los Angeles.
website
Website → https://www.rvizard.com/
