Sayoonara, Project 760…

Note: This post is locked to a select few on my friends list, since I have listeners who’re on my friends list.

On Sunday night, I ended my association with Project 760 Productions. You can read the press release right here at ANN, to get the public relations slant on what went down as far as the public is concerned. I also wrote a small piece in the , if you subscribe to it at all, you probably read it yesterday.

Under normal circumstances, I think I can put up with a lot of bullshit. In fact, in my position here at work, I know I can, because I do it every damn day. But there’s a certain level at which one just realizes he’s neck-deep in it and is about to go under. Jesse and I have been working on Unwound for about ten months, now. We write it, we put it together, and we time it and edit it ourselves. There’s no production staff or team; it’s us. Ray agreed to take on the show, because he wanted to get back in the game. After World of Anime went south, he only had JTAF. After JTAF2, I think it’s safe to say that there might not be a JTAF3, and I won’t feel an ounce of guilty about that.

Sunday night, I spoke with Jesse about Friday’s record session at the AnimeFX meeting, and I chatted Ray up about it. After confirming with him the details about Friday, he tells me in AIM:

Ray: btw, Unwound’s tab is about $1400 right now.
Me: We have a tab?
Ray: yes.
Me: For?
Ray: if you don’t remember what i had said about me working with you guys, i said that i wanted $350/episode.
Ray: … as part of my approval for the 2nd season press release.
Me: Okay, well.. on shows, the money doesn’t flow that way.
Me: The talent doesn’t pay the producer.
Ray: ok. i quit.
Ray: i’ve got enough on my mind as it is and even though the show is successful, it doesn’t turn out anything other than good press for you guys.

I sat there for a little while, wondering if, at this point, it was worth it to fight him on it. There was no way I was going to pay him for producing the show, especially when he’s supposed to be responsible for all costs incurred. As the hosts and writers of the show, Jesse and I should be getting paid for doing all of this work under his production company’s name. So, I basically replied accepting his resignation outright (this time). I figure it would be best to be done with P760 altogether and just try and produce the show ourselves. Jesse said he wanted to start his own production company, I figured this would be the best opportunity he could have to do just that.

Ray went on about other things, too. JTAF became a very prominent topic, because he related some quotes about people telling him that he made a mistake in driving me off:

Ray: i couldn’t be like you! and everyone who’s had the chance to work with you has told me so.
Me: Meh?
Me: Why do people want you to be like me?
Ray: “things were better when mike was around.” “i think you’re making a big mistake.” “JTAF’s not a family without mike here.” “what mike said about what you’re planning doesn’t really give me any confidence doing my job.” “i don’t want to babysit you.”

Whatever. I left JTAF staff because he made it absolutely clear that he was pissed that I was on staff in the first place. Every minute we worked together never went without him letting me know he regretted my presence on the project. I should have quit when he went off on me two weeks after I started before JTAF1. Ray is a paranoia personality, who holds grudges until the end of time, regardless of how many times someone apologizes. Trust is grudgingly given, and only under the threat of failure. Hubris reigns supreme at Project 760 and I’m sorry to say it, but Ray shoots himself in the foot more often than not, then laments about it forever.

I called Shon at Japan-A-Radio afterward, to let him know what happened (since we’re contracted with him for the season), and he offered to bring us in-house immediately:

Shon: what land does HE live in?
Shon: Okay, well, is he releasing the copyrights? Can MiS Productions pick it up and continue to run it?

Ray told me that I own the show outright, now, and since he’s technically in breach of contract with Japan-A-Radio, it literally defaults to me to figure out what to do. Since Shon doesn’t want to lose Unwound to asshattery, we decided to go with him. Besides, since I’m his COO, it makes sense to just bring it in-house instead of creating a production company specifically to deal with Unwound. With JAR’s backing, we might also be able to do much more and get better exposure soon.

Anyway, I’ve really had it with Ray in any sort of leadership position, and now that Unwound is no longer his concern, maybe I can actually be his friend and not his partner. To everyone who worked with me during this period, I apologize for the bullshit. It’s done now. I’m looking forward to a better future with MiS and Japan-A-Radio.

Thanks for letting me vent.

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11 comments

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    • richlikesmaids on March 8, 2005 at 19:08

    This is what I believe to be the final nail in the coffin for Project 760. Ray has burned too many bridges this time.

    Oh well, I’m still willing to work with Unwound and Japan-A-Radio, whether or not Ray is there.

    • jetblack on March 8, 2005 at 19:09

    Cool, well.. I’m still waiting for a preliminary website 🙂

    — ZC

    • staplerx on March 8, 2005 at 19:37

    Sky’s the limit now, man. Ray has noone to blame but himself.

    • lyricaldanichan on March 8, 2005 at 20:24

    Wow Rey is the king of all burning bridges! Does he have stock in matches?

    what a douchebag!

    • jetblack on March 8, 2005 at 21:21

    He’s the most passive-aggressive person I’ve ever met. He’s so concerned about his image that the minute anyone doubts him, he’ll sacrifice a friendship for hubris.

    — ZC

    • jetblack on March 8, 2005 at 21:23

    Yeah, no kidding. Shon’s already got some very awesome ideas, and we may actually start recording in a professional studio instead of Ray’s living room.

    — ZC

    • sweetmegumi on March 8, 2005 at 22:51

    He’s worried about his self image? It’s been getting worse and worse and he has no one to blame but himself.

    I’ve tried to be patient and helpful and in the end he throws his own mistakes in my face and blames me.

    I personally no longer care.

    Kudos on cutting the cord though Mike. Best wishes with Unwound!

    • frumpysf on March 9, 2005 at 04:59

    You are now eligible to join the “I-hate-Ray” Club. Founding members are former World of Anime personnel. Would you like a member’s only jacket?…..lol….I’m not in the club, but I know 85% of friends who are full fledged members….haha.

    • jetblack on March 9, 2005 at 05:00

    LOL.

    What makes you think I was not already a member? 😉

    — ZC

    • deathbytamarind on March 9, 2005 at 08:31

    Jeez…

    That’s crap, man.

    • frumpysf on March 10, 2005 at 03:08

    Prove it. Show me your membership card. LOL

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