Who are you? What is The Perfect Sentence? 

My name is Jeff Van Dreason and I'm a writer, educator, podcaster, and sound designer. I'm the co-creator of Greater Boston: an indie audio fiction podcast that's also a Dickensian story of several characters trying to improve themselves as they navigate a challenging, changing alternative universe version of Boston, where the Red Line has become its own city. 

The Perfect Sentence is a really personal project for me, so much so that I wasn't sure I even wanted to have it released at all. At first it was a short story. Then I was going to release it as a standalone podcast project. But none of those formats ever felt right. As I learned more about sound, it seemed better suited to be released as an album. So that's what it's going to be. 

This is not a new concept, but it's new to me. If you're looking for more projects like this, please check out The Tower from Tim Can Audio. Amber is one of my favorite creators of all time and I highly recommend you start here. There's also Hibernal (Mark E. Healy) who has released a bunch of audio fiction albums. Then, last year, Dread Signals (creators of the amazing Archive 81 podcast) released Generations Crossing - which you can find here! It's worth checking out!

So it's far from the first fiction podcast released in an album format, I hope it's not the last, and I'm proud ot say that this is a very unique, singular piece that only could have come from me. It's personal and is the sound of me going through something and trying to figure it all out.

 I also think that while it makes sense to view projects like this in traditional TV or film formats, but there are plenty of shows that use sound in a way that reminds me more of music. Dreamboy is an example. 

But since this is a new idea, we're trying to get it right and could really need your help. You could be responsible for crowdfunding something that has rarely been told before - a story told through music and sound and dialogue. A fiction podcast that moves you through its words and music and sound. That's the goal, and that's why we need your help. 

Okay. So What do you Need? And What do Backers Get?

Even though The Perfect Sentence isn't a series, it's still costly to produce. We're asking for $2500 in order to cover our expenses. This includes the following. 

• Production costs, including mixing, mastering, and distributing to streamers.
• Studio time at the Bridge Sound and Stage
• Our sprawling cast and singers, including Ishani Kanetkar, Ty Wilson, Josh Rubino, Laura Mirsky, Tal Minear, Maddy Searle, Jordan Higgs, Tempest Wisdom, Jack Fitzpatrick, Kiara Bouyea, and dozens more. 
• Our musicians. I'm collaborating with Oliver Morris (Kane and Feels) and Jim Johanson (Greater Boston) to help make the unique sound of the Perfect Sentence feel more like an album. 
• Directing and dialogue editing, which is being handled by Bob Raymonda (Forgive Me, Windfall)

Here's a breakdown of our budget. 

But I think we have some fun rewards to give backers of the project, including the following: 

• Access to the first single, Fortune Cookies, ready to be sent in digital form as soon as you back the project.
• You can add your own Perfect Sentence to the mix. Record it and we'll use it (as long as it's not hurtful, hateful, or fascist).
• A seven inch single of Fortune Cookies - only five in existence.
• A high-res drop of the whole album once it's ready!
• A vinyl double album of the entire album (dependent on how funding goes). 

Other Ways You Can Help

Can't afford to contribute? I get it. But spreading the word is nearly just as valuable! 

• Share the campaign with anyone you might think would be interested.
• Have a newsletter? A group of friends? Someone into fiction and music? Let them know about it?
• Rich uncle? Grandfather? Friend? Neighbor? Tell them to give me money! Not really. But yes, kinda, really. It's better than buying something useless on Amazon again. Really! It is!

No matter what you contribute, or even if you don't, I really want to thank you for even looking at this and considering giving. It means a lot to me. More than you know.