Adventures with Kazmir the Flying Camel Blog » bryan cranston

Bad is Good

Gina Vivona — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:19:29 +0000

Congratulations to Bryan Cranston for his 3rd Emmy! Amazing actor, amazing narrator, amazing guy.

I’m continually grateful that he lent his talents to my project. Can I pick ‘em, or what?

Bryan Cranston - And that makes 3!

Vote For Kazmir

Gina Vivona — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:08:45 +0000

Wondering who to vote for in the 52nd Grammy Awards? Kazmir and Bryan Cranston are on the ballot. If you’re a member, please consider Adventures with Kazmir. If you’re not a member, please spread the word to anyone who can vote.

Kazmir is one of 39 on the ballot in Children’s Spoken Word. Only 5 will be selected as Nominees. How great would that be? Kazmir nominated for a Grammy, maybe even winning his very own Grammy. Then maybe a star on the Walk of Fame, and his hoof prints in front of the Chinese Theatre. His name in lights on the marquee at the opening of his movie. Hey, a girl can dream can’t she?

I’m so excited about being on the ballot that I’d like to share the download with you. Please use and share the code “NARAS” at checkout to get your free download. Then share the love and tell everyone you know to vote for Kazmir. With full score, theme song, and complete voice characterizations, the production is truly spectacular.

Bryan Does It Again

Gina Vivona — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:34:31 +0000

Bryan Cranston did it again at last night’s 61st Annual Emmy Awards. This is his 2nd consecutive win for Best Drama Actor. Bryan is an extraordinary talent in any role he plays. He has starred in the TV shows Malcolm in The Middle, Seinfeld, How I Met Your Mother, and Breaking Bad. On the big screen he has starred in Saving Private Ryan, Little Miss Sunshine, Seeing Other People, That Thing You Do, and most recently in Love Ranch. He has done voiceover work for the Family Guy, American Dad and loved my story enough to add my audiobook to his credits.

I’m honored that this busy man thought it worth his time to be a part of the Adventures with Kazmir the Flying Camel. Congratulations Valley Boy!

A Long Shot

Gina Vivona — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:49:31 +0000

In my spare time, I’m the President of the Board for the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles. My Executive Director, Gail Williamson, invites me to attend a seminar for writers with disabilities at the Writer’s Guild. This intrigues me and I go with her, you know, to represent. It’s all very interesting and the people are amazing. Then the speaker acknowledges a few noteworthy people in attendance, one who is a producer on Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston‘s show. Hey! I know Bryan. So I use this as my introduction to meet her and invite her to coffee. She’s really nice and I soak up all her advice on getting a movie made.

“I don’t know,” I tell her, “I could see Kazmir directed by Rob Reiner in a Princess Bride style. I could see Kazmir done by Tim Burton in his darker style. The story has elements for both. I also don’t want to rule out Pixar.” She suggests that I write a letter and just ask if there’s interest to direct my movie. That sounds simple enough. Sure, Rob Reiner and TIm Burton are just people like us, right?

I contact all the people I know, trying to find at least 6 degrees of separation to Mr. Tim Burton. Sure, I’ll write a letter, but it always seems better to say that so-and-so suggested I contact you. I just can’t believe that no one knows the man. I mean, he works. He’s gotta eat.

Well, maybe our paths will cross, but in the meantime, I might as well try just sending a letter and audiobook to his company. It’s a long-shot, but so was writing this book, and getting Bryan Cranston to narrate it, and getting it talked about on national TV on the Bonnie Hunt Show. Let’s face it, long-shots aren’t what they once were.

Bryan & Kazmir go National

Gina Vivona — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:50:20 +0000

I get a call from Bryan Cranston and he tells me he’s going to be on the Bonnie Hunt Show and that he’d like to give away free copies to the audience. Awesome! So I print a couple hundred copies to give away and go to the taping. Bryan is an amazing guest. Always funny and interesting. Then comes the moment I’ve been waiting for; “I did a narration for a really wonderful adventure book on tape called the Adventures with Kazmir the Flying Camel and everyone in the audience is going to get one. It’s a wonderful story!” Seventeen seconds of pure national glory.

Click here to view Bryan and Kazmir on Bonnie Hunt

Making an Audiobook – part 2

Gina Vivona — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:21:19 +0000

Now for the narration.

Two years earlier, I’m at a luncheon for the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles and the emcee happens to be Bryan Cranston – you know, the dad from Malcolm in the Middle? Anyway, I was luckily seated next to him for lunch. We had great conversation and I thought we got along rather nicely.

So now I’m thinking, do I really have the guts to contact Bryan Cranston? He would be a great narrator. Fatherly voice, with just a bit of sarcasm. I decide, yeah, I’ve got the guts. The worse that could happen is he says, “no.”

I find Bryan’s assistant and get directed to his agent. I explain that I don’t have a lot of funds, but maybe this would be interesting enough that Bryan would want to do it anyway. They give me the green light to send the manuscript to Bryan’s assistant and gate keeper. This is really the person that needs to like it or it will never even get to Bryan. Luckily for me, she does like it and hands it off to Bryan.

My husband and I are in the hospital while our son is having a tonsilectomy. I know it’s not a big deal, but to me, anytime you have to go “under” is a big deal. Of course, Leo comes out of surgery just fine and I can breathe again. Then I get a text message that Bryan read the script and is excited to narrate.

Bryan & Gina @ DSALA luncheon