We've gotten some questions lately about how folks can get their rewards; though we are having some hiccups in completing the videos, we're more than ready to send off some of the rewards.

If one of your rewards was mentored game play over Skype, please contact me, willem@languagehunters.org, and we'll start scheduling your session(s).

If one of your rewards was an eBook, please contact me, and I'll send you the coupon code to download the Language Hunter's Kit at http://leanpub.com/languagehunterskit.

We're still working on the stickers - we're very excited about them, I think they'll turn out really well!

Below you can see some photos from our Irish Gaeilge program at Corbett Middle School we're running for the next 9 weeks. Follow us on Facebook for more!

Murphy's Law. 

Have you heard of it? 

I have become somewhat familiar with it. Why I'm surprised that a law with an Irish surname would hold such a sway over the video production of the Irish Language Hunt, well...call me naive, I suppose.

Our first day of shooting was drowned out by a music video shoot next door for the indie rock band "the Shins". Yep. Drums are very loud, by the way.

In addition, we've now cycled through 6 people who responded to our Craig's List ad for on-camera talent, and who've had to leave for perfectly legitimate if incredibly frustrating reasons - work, school, etc. I even hopped into the production to fill in, but to no avail. We still need at the very least, a "she", and if I'm in the video, it means I can't be the Director.

So I'm putting the call out to all of you, the fans of the Irish Language Hunt! You supported us with your hard-earned dollars, now here's your chance to support us again. 

If you have the dates free for March 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, two consecutive Tuesday/Wednesday/Fridays, are in the Portland area, want immersive in-person mentoring in the Irish Language Hunt game, and are interested in appearing on camera as a player, then contact me at willem@languagehunters.org ASAP.

If we can't find talent for these scheduled days, we may have to bump production back until mid-summer or later. Which we don't want to do! Making these videos will go really quick, as long as we have folks who can commit to the dates.

Attached to this update, you can see pictures of our unsuspecting, hopeful first day of setting up for shooting. Little did we know we'd be scrambling in successive days to keep the shoot on schedule!

This is just a quick message to thank you all for your tremendous support, donating and spreading the news about the Irish Language Hunt game video project. 

Not only did we get funded, we got over-funded by $320. We'll be using every penny to make the best possible production quality. We'll start video shoots in the next couple weeks and work for a solid month to finish filming - then will come editing, post-production, and so on.

Stay tuned, and thanks again everyone! It feels fantastic to have such a strong network of supporters.

Sincerely,

Willem Larsen
President
Language Hunters

One of the things that really excites me about this project is working with a truly gifted musician such as Brían (there he is below in the photo, wearing the tie). He and the rest of the members of his traditional Irish music band, Bua, travel all over the country. Brían takes advantage of these opportunities to spread the language through running local "Tea with Grandpa"-style Irish language hunts and conventional classes. 

Very cool, and another great reason to support the Irish Language Hunt series! The more we develop this approach for Irish, the more Brían will be able to share on his travels.

Right now, with all of your great generosity, we're truly on the home stretch. With 7 days to go we have a mere $822 left to raise! Please help us finish up this last bit of fundraising by continuing to talk this project up with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Thanks again to you all!

Sincerely,
Willem