“This book isn’t just for multi-image survivors. If you’re interested in photography, advertising, cultural history, New York City in particular and/or expatriate life in general, read this book. The combination of Mesney’s amazing AV career, his global travels, and (especially) his phenomenal documentation of it all is unique….At 3,000+ pages… [it] is a towering achievement. I have never read, or heard of, anything like it."

John A. Grinde, Creative Director

"I especially appreciated your sincerity and openness in a very well written exposé... and your very valuable strong takeaways."

Jan Robberechts, Managing Director, Burson-Marsteller Brussels (retired)

"Some of your great moments I get chills from reading.  ...you really had an immense impact on so many of us during those wild times."

Russ Gordon, Multi-Image Designer-Producer

"I love the insightful bits you throw in about the times."

Jim Casey, Incredible Slidemakers

"[I] couldn’t stop reading…! In addition to dealing with an interesting life and profession… I also very much like the way you write."

Bjorn Sandlund, Dataton

"Sincerely, the world will be a better place with the documentation you've provided about your illustrious career…thank you for doing it."

Ken Burke, President, AMI

January 28, 2020

Dear Reader,

I am proud to present An Incredible Epic—a five-year project—on my 75th birthday. The memoir is an autobiographical confabulation about the slide show business in the latter half of the 20th Century—a world I helped create as a pioneer of “multi-image.”

My hope is that others will follow in my footsteps and provide further documentation about the largely forgotten multi-image-slide-show business.

Nobody thinks about how buggy whips were made anymore; nor do they about a once-thriving cottage industry that produced the biggest, most important corporate meetings and events—business theater—as well as large-audience cultural and political events, like Expos; and let’s not forget the educational and artistic applications of slide-shows, e.g., Rock concerts.

After two brief successful decades, the slide-show business crashed suddenly, its participants were shattered and scattered. The stories about virtually all of the big slide-show companies are essentially the same—their demise resulted from forces beyond their control—the cyclical macro-economic swings between expansion and recession/depression—and the migration of technology to digital.

Where did all the people go? That was a persistent problem, writing this book. That said, perhaps the publication of An Incredible Epic will draw former slide-show workers out of the woodwork.

Thanks for reading An Incredible Epic.

Appreciatively,

Douglas Mesney

AN INCREDIBLE EPIC

I worked in 68 countries for 198 blue-chip clients, garnered more than 150 international awards, was the first producer inducted into the Multi-Image Hall of Fame, went bust three times and was married four. I started with nothing, and I still have some.

An Incredible Epic is a confabulation based on my life as a pioneer in the slide-show business. LIFE magazine photographer Bob Peterson called me the King of Slides; however, the moniker that stuck was “Mister Incredible,” a reference to the names of my four international incarnations: Incredible Slidemakers (New York), Incredible Imagers (Stockholm), Incredible Imagers International (Brussels), and The Incredible Freelancer.

The Epic is periodically updated as additional pictures and articles are added. Edition numbers and dates can be found on the title page (iii).

Volumes Nine and Eleven are filled with pictures relevant to and augmenting Volumes One through Six.

Pdfs of the book's twelve volumes are available free on the Web because printed copies are expensive.The pdfs can be used to print your own copies of full volumes or parts of them.

Printed books are available a la carte as single volumes printed on demand. Every order is custom made; every volume is signed and numbered. The books are sold at “market price” for the costs of printing and binding; those are not stable in today’s inflationary world. I’ll give you a price quote and you can decide. A 50% down payment is required to initiate an order. Shipping costs are added to the final 50% payment (you choose how to ship). Contact me directly to order: douglas@mesney.com

Some of the images seen in An Incredible Epic are available as photographic and/or prints; at no cost, other than shipping. Offerings include silver prints of early work (60s and 70s); the Third Bardo double-sided "eclipse" poster; the poster of the Americas Cup yacht, Intrepid [US22] and many of the fine-arts illustrations made in the mid 2000s. Contact me for details.

Donations are gratefully appreciated. “Every little bit helps.” Here’s the link to my PayPal account. If you want to send me a check, terrific; let me know and I’ll give you the mailing address. Please denote your donation as a gift. In return, you’ll receive a thank you for your generosity together with a receipt for the amount donated.

CLICK ON THE VOLUME(S) TO DOWNLOAD pdfs.

“You have to go where the story leads you.”

- Stephen King (PBS interview)

VOLUME ONE | 1945-1969

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
Love At First Sight by Todd Gipstein

BACKGROUND

PRELUDE

BEGINNING WITH THE END
--Countries Where I Have Worked
--Client List –  Partial [excluding Forox clients]

FORWARD

EARLY YEARS | Part One

1945 – Lucky Star – Born in Brooklyn
1948 – Sister Kathy Born – Family Dynamics
1949 – Earliest Memories – Influential Events
1950 – Douglaston – Twin Tudors
--1950 – Douglaston – Idyllic Chimera | Plates Nos1-4
1950 – Douglaston – Idyllic Chimera
1951 – Theatrical Parents – Music Lessons
1952 – Captain Kangaroo – Door-to-Door Selling
1953 – Captain Video – Shattered Illusions
1954 – Sister Barbara Born – Expanding Tribe
1954 – Bedroom Shuffle – A World of My Own
1954 – Broken Arms – Two-Year Setback
1955 – The Case of Black Pete – First Screenplay
1956 – Confusing Rejection – Questions of Trust
1957 – Grandpa Mesney Visit – Gift That Kept Giving
1958 – First Slide Projector – Little Neck Camera Club
1958 – New School – New Father
1958 – JHS 67 – Social Pressures
1959 – Bayside High School – Expanding Horizons
1959 – Peer Pressure – Polarized Life
--1959-61 | Bayside High School Triangle yearbook | Plates Nos1-18
--1950s | Portfolio | Luxman Residence | Plates Nos 1-4
1960 – Mesney-Nolte Photographers – Practice Makes Perfect
--1960 | Photo Essay | Barbara’s Birthday | Plates Nos 1-8
1960 – Young Love – Split Personality
1960 – First Nikon – Win One Lose One
1961 – St. Lawrence – Identity Crisis
1961 – KSLU – New Identity
1962 – Night School – Day Job
1963 – J. Charles David – Advertising Career Begins
1963 – Ted Russell – Alter Ego
--1963 | Children’s Opera | Ted Russell photos | Plates Nos 1-2
1963 – Louise Friscia – New Mentor
--1963 | Doctor Shiny Teeth Healthy Teeth Club | Plates Nos 1-16
--1963-65 | Sinclair Dinoland – New York World’s Fair | Plates Nos 1-16
1964 – World’s Fair – Metamorphosis
1964 – Goodbye Ginger – Hello Trudy
1964 – Goodbye Trudy – Hello Leslie
1964 – Life After Death – Small World
1964 – Off to The Races – A New Road
1965 – End of The Road – Parting Shots
1965 – Basford – Burt Holmes
1966 – Illusionary Facade – Marriage to Leslie Shirk
--1960s | Portfolio | Early Work | Plates Nos 1-60
1966 – Life in Flushing – New Friends
1967 – Lucky Number – New Persona
1967 – Sailing With Wiley – Catching A Breeze
--1960s Portfolio | The Sea Chest | Plates Nos1-22
1967 – Worlds Within Worlds – Change from Within
--1960s | Portfolio | Part One | Plates Nos 1-40
1968 – Office Affair – Breach of Trust
1968 – Break from Basford – Mesney Photography
1968 – Have Camera Will Travel – Uphill Battle
1968 – Transformation – Metamorphosis
1968 – Making Lemonade – Intrepid Effort
1968 – Emerging Style – New Directions
1968 – Justine Model Consultants – Expanding Network
1968 – Models Circle – Rising Star
1968 – Surfing Safari – Brush with Death
1969 – Goodbye Leslie – Hello Girls
--1968-70 | Exposure Newsletter | Plates Nos 1-10
--1960s | Portfolio | Part Two | Plates Nos 1-60
1969 – Mad Ball – Sagacious Enterprise

 

VOLUME TWO| 1970s

Backstory

1970 – Entourage – Good Karma
1970 – Geoff Nightingale – Armco Steel
1970 – Vitamin Education – Creative Consultant
1970 – New Rep – New Pictures
1970 – Trick Photography – Photo Illustration
--1970s | Portfolio | Part One | Plates Nos 1-192
1970 – Cycles of Life– Chance Encounter
--1970s | Portfolio | Part Two | Plates Nos 1-58
1971 – Everything Is Beautiful in Its Own Way – Life with Andréa
1971 – Justine Fails – Studio Expands
--1970s | 23rd Street Studio Expansion | Plates Nos 1-4
--1970s Portfolio | The Tongue of The Sea | Plates Nos 1-24
1971 – Check, Please – An Existential Lesson
1971 – Wins & Losses – Abandonment Issues
1971 – Prestige Gigs – My Ship Comes In
1971 – Metamorphosis – Print to Screen
1971 – GQ – It’s A Mad World After All
1971 – Blonde Bliss – Butterflies Are Free
1971 – Penthouse – Upward Mobility
1971 – Stop Thief! – Mockery of Justice
1972 – Tough Economy – Tough Decisions
1972 – New Name – New Image
1972 – Shooting Stars – Wishful Thinking
1972 – Fire in the Hole – Booming Business
--1970s | Portfolio | Part Three | Plates Nos 1-68
--1970s | Portfolio | Part Four | Plates Nos 1-31

VOLUME THREE | 1970s

Backstory

1972 – Dog Days – Tunnel of Love
1972 – Dynamic Duo – Triumphant Triumvirate
--1970s | Portfolio | Executive Jet Aviation | Plates Nos 1-52
1972 – Piper Redux – Sins of Excess
--1972-73 | Piper Aircraft Collage | Plates Nos 1-24
1972 – Boat Show – Splashy Graphics
1972 – Dodge Editions – Wrong Number
1972 – Transpo ’72 – E Pluribus Unum
1972 – OCF – Role Playing
1972 – Hot Stuff – Cooling Market
1972 – Escapade – Happy Hooker
--1970s | Portfolio | Part Four | Plates Nos 32-54
1972 – Complications – Change of Heart
--1972 | Mesney Brag Book | Plates Nos 1-14

METAMORPHOSIS | Part Two

1973 – Rapid Growth – AV Takes Root
--1973 | FMC Trona-Mining Recruitment Brochure | Plate No 1
--1973 | Seeburg Industries Annual Report | Plate No 1
1973 – OCF – Radial Tires Brochures
--1973 | OCF Radial Tires Brochures | Plates Nos 1-10
--1973 | OCF Radial Tires Slide Show | AV Add-On
1974 – AV Takes Hold – New Beginnings
1974 – USI – Little Chemical Giant
1974 – Capital Improvements – Audio Profit Center
1974 – OCF – Hear Yourself Think
1974 – OCF – EEMH [Energy Efficient Mobile Homes]
1974 – ALIA – Moving the Mountain to Mohammad
--1974 | ALIA-Arab Wings Collage | Plates Nos 1-6
--1974 | ALIA-Arab Wings Brochure | Plates Nos 1-14
1974 – Shooting ALIA – Arresting Assisgnment
1974 – Hoffman LaRoche – Vitamin Education
1974 – FedEx & Falcon – Spreading My Wings
--1970s | Portfolio | Falcon Jet collage | Plates Nos 1-22
1974 – Piper Sales Meeting – Jail House Rock
1974 – AV Takes Over – Print Era Ends
1974 – Merrill Lynch – Over the Top
1974 – Dona Dilemma – Sanity Prevails
1975 – Olympic Tower – Cyclopan
--1970s | Portfolio | Part Five | Cyclopan Adventures | Plates Nos 1-8
1975 – Corvette Book – No Traction
1975 – Le Car – Crash Course
1975 – Forox – Incredible
1975 – Show Burns – No Fatalities
1975 – Pat Shipps – Rising from World Book Ashes
1975 – Dawn of A New Tomorrow – Incredible Rebound
1975 – Gillette – Blowing Bubbles
1976 – New Pets – Moose on The Loose
1976 – Burger King – Banned from Minneapolis Civic Auditorium
1976 – Cincom Systems – Birth of The Mindblower
1976 – Iveco – Mini Epic
1976 – Idiot Box – Dumb Idea
1976 – Buhl Multiplexer – Nightmares
1976 – Peters Place – A Cut Above
1976 – Clairol – Big Bang
1976 – Ardell – Hennaluscent
1976 – Luminize– New Look of Blonde
1976 – Zotos – New Wave
1976 – AMR Time – Risky Business
1976 – Hard Drinkers – Soft & Fuzzy
1976 – Fight with O’Neil – Pat Leaves
1976 – Bicentennial – Cyclopan
1976 – Bicentennial – Concert for Mom
1977 – Goodbye Jan – Call the Cops
1977 – Diamonds Today – World’s Longest Program Tape
1977 – AVL ShowPro V – Silent Revolution
1977 – Bumbles – Rocking AMI 461
1977 – Dove Show – Old Philosopher
1977 – Village People– “Turn Off the Slides!”
1977 – Annual Meeting – A Family Affair
1977 – Bad Apples – Tricky Business
1977 – Magic Lasers – Disappearing Act
1978 – AT&T – Value for Money?
1978 – Purchasepoint – New POV
1979 – Rocky Mountain High – Great West Life
1979 – Washington Post – Golden Apple
1979 – Forox Satellite – Unmanageable
1979 – A Decade of Change – Eve of Destruction

VOLUME FOUR | 1980-1991

Backstory

1980 – Method in The Madness – Standards & Ethics
1980 – Bryan King – Asian Odyssey
1980 – Hawaii Assignment – Serendipity at Sunset
1980 – Cadillac Fairview – Dallas, Fort Worth
1980 – Economy Slides – No Takers
--1980 | Incredible Slidemakers Press-Clip Book | Plates Nos 1-40
1981 – Bigger Is Better – Until It Isn’t
1981 – Ego Trumps Offer – No Salvation
1981 – Goodbye New York – Hello Hawaii
1981 – Texas Redux – Urban Cowboy
1981 – Creative Leisure – Glimpse of The Future
1981 – Container Arrives – Reincarnation
1981 – Digging In – Starting Over
1981 – Looking for Love – Surprise Encounter
1981 – Easy Rider – Mini Odyssey
1982 – Lucky Star – Sonargraphics
--1982 | Sonargraphics | Plates Nos 1-15
1982 – Moonlight Masterpieces – True Confessions
1982 – Master Masks – Wipe Out
1982 – Tasmania – Top Ten
1983 – Zoo Fence – Desperation Déjà vu
1983 – Image Stream – Chris Korody
1983 – Quazite – Team Spirit
1983 – Yamaha Motorcycle Launch – Hot Slides
1983 – Disney Pitch – Rhythms of The World
1983 – Seduced and Abandoned – Cautionary Tales
1983 – King of Slides – Plane & Fancy
1984 – Sweden – Competitive Edge
1984 – Lars Einar – Smart Thinker
1984 – Saab Emblem – Perception Management
1984 – Saab 9000 Turbo 16 – Marketing Manifest
1984 – Inner World of AVC – Do or Die
1984 – Have Slides Will Travel – Show in A Truck
1984 – Secret Mission – Animation Illusions
1984 – Saab 9000 Turbo 16 World Launch – Kolmården
--1984 | Saab 9000 Show Collage | Plates Nos 1-18
1984 – Scandinavian Odyssey – Russian Intrigue
1984 – Photokina Award – First of Many
1984 – Holiday Cheer – Class Clown
1985 – Ikea Show – Building It Is Half the Fun!
1985 – The Art of Thinking – The Meaning of Cold
1985 – SAS Linjeflyg Doco – Excess & Ineptitude
--1985 | Linjeflyg Show Collage | Plates Nos 1-8
1985 – Power Politics – A House Divided
1985 – Saab Redux – US Launch Show
1985 – Saab 9000 US Launch – Nashville
--1985 | Saab 900 Show Collage | Plates Nos 1-8
1985 – Saab 900 US Launch – Nashville
1986 – Hawaiian Holiday – Slides Across the Ocean
1986 – Sandra Splits – AVC Flounders

TENACITY | Part Three

1986 – Corporate Delusions – AVC Defaults
1986 – Incredible Imagers – John Emms
1986 – Putting the Future in Motion – Saab Enginuity
1986 – Rhythms of The World – Over the Top
1986 – Hello Elisabeth – Swedish Sambo
1986 – Grand Prize: NY Film & TV Festival – Power of Publicity
1986 – See the Light! – Musical Mini Mindblower
1987 – AVC Fails – Incredible Survives
1987 – AVL Dealership – Carnival Cruise
1987 – Saab 9000 CD Launch – Devilish Details
1987 – Image Wall – The Big Picture
1987 – Saab Production – Fine-Tuned Machine
1987 – Riviera Launch – Nice
1987 – Vacation Blues – Shopping Spree
1987 – The Power of Scania – Musical Messaging
1988 – Gemeentekrediet – Image Wall Redux
1988 – DHL Brussels Hub Launch – Flight of Fancy
--1988 | DHL Brussels Hub Launch | Plates Nos 1-10
1988 – Got to Be S-AV! – Ego Trip
1988 – Swedish Meatballs – Controversial Comedy
1988 – Hubris Is as Hubris Does – Irrational Exuberance
1988 – Practical Jokes – Success Penalty
1988 – Purple Mercedes – Red Face
1988 – Empire Building – Ego Always Wins
1989 – Dad Dies – Family History Lost
1989 – Back to The Future – Defying Odds
1989 – Two’s Company – Three’s a Crowd

HUBRIS | Part Four

1989 – Brussels Studio – Ego Gone Wild
1989 – Sibling Squabbles – Territorial Prerogatives
1989 – Saab TV Commercials – New Network
1990 – Saab Image Film – Clash of Egos
1990 – DHL Debacle – Major Setback
1990 – High Times – Swan Song
1990 – Christmas Holiday – Bonding in Budapest
1991 – Targeted Marketing – Hits and Misses
1991 – Black Swan – Broken Contracts
1991 – Brussels Sinks – Abandon Ship
1991 – Mea Culpa – Farewell to Friends
1991 – Joy of Cooking – AV on Back Burner
1991 – Life After Brussels – Learning to Fly
1991 – Rescued by Saab– International Motor Shows
1991 – Scania – Making History
1991 – Estonia – Hedging Bets
1991 – Marble Game – No Winners
--1992 | Multi-Images Magazine | Plates Nos 1-40
--1992 | Multi-Images Magazine | Plates Nos 41-84

VOLUME FIVE | 1992-2007

Backstory

1992 – Seville Expo – Waste of Time and Money
1992 – Vashon Island – New Neighbors
1992 – Competitor Turns Client – Isuzu Odyssey
1992 – Unpacking A New Life – Playing House
1993 – Québec – Musée du Fort
1993 – Malaysia Airlines – Malaysia Fantasia
--1993 | Malaysia Airlines Collage | Plates Nos 1-2
1993 – Travel Incentive – Asian Adventure
1994 – Malaysia Airlines – Photo Library
1994 – Indian Odyssey – Neoteric Perspectives
1994 – Aurora Experience – Canadian Connections
1994 – Digital Gurus – Hedging Bets
1995 – Australasia – Upside Down
1995 – Café Berlin – Fork Inn the Road
1995 – Natural Selection – Less Is More
1995 – Chance Encounter – Intriguing Invitation
1995 – Wall of Worry – Cutting Losses
1996 – Scania – Jubelium
1996 – PIR Photo Library – Alarming Inedbriation
1996 – Beating Odds – Losing Hand
1996 – White Christmas – Island Blackout
1996 – Bait and Switch – Corporate Conundrums
1996 – Prospect Generator – Positively Poland
1996 – New Business – Client of the Year
1996 – Swedish Match – Political Burnout
--1996 | Portfolio | Swedish Match | Plates Nos 1-50
1996 – Life in Flux – Reality vs Fantasy
1997 – Nike Anaheim – Third Dimension
1997 – Swedish Redux – Surprise Marriage
--2000 | Portfolio | Power Point Show | Plates Nos 1-96
1997 – Jump Ship – Patience Is A Virtue
1998 – Scania Bus – Life Gets a Lift
1999 – Scania – Millennium Calendar
1999 – Dataton – Watchout Keynote
2000 – Back to Vashon – New Lease on Life
--2000 | Millennium Family Collage | Plates Nos 1-6
--2000 | Millennium Portraits | Plates Nos 1-12
2000 – Career Restored – Digital Upgrades
2000 – Sound Images – Nike Shox
2001 – Greece & Turkey – Calm Before the Storm
2001 – Sound Images – Working Out Bugs
2001 – ISSI – Simple Solutions
2001 – Avcon – Northland Services
2001 – In-laws Visit – Fraternal Fishing
2001 – Mom Dies – Anna Recoils
2001 – 9/11 – Diversions
2001 – Dataton USA – Kellner Out | Branson In
2001 – Evolution – Devolution
2002 – Skechers – Covering for Dave
2002 – Fred Brink – Kentucky Show
2002 – Watts Media – Samsung
2002 – IBM – PGI | CTSF
2002 – JD Edwards – Shit Perfectly Cooked
2002 – Pride & Prejudice – Black & White Choices
2002 – Hydrogen Advertising – Trial Balloon
2002 – Marriage Fails – Demonic Devolution
2002 – Runaway Denial – Rubber Legs
2003 – Nike Breath – Zen of Programming
2003 – Opportunity Knocks – Bad Timing
2003 – Crisis Management – Move to Vancouver
2003 – Canadian Connections – Smooth Move
2003 – Twice Burned Once Shy – Glutton for Punishment
2003 – Yucatan – Illuminado Tours
2003 – Sailing Odyssey – Belize & Guatemala
2003 – Vancouver – Texas Forever
2003 – QAV – Peppermill Casino
2003 – Burning Man – Life-Altering Experience
2004 – Microsoft Global Summit – Role Reversal
2004 – Bigger Digs – Hotter Gigs
2004 – Barbara’s 50th Birthday – LA Excursion
2004 – Burning Man Redux – High-Deaf Theater
--2004 | Burning Man | Plates Nos 1-4
2004 – QAV – Montego Bay
2005 – Peppermill – Angry Epilogue
2005 – African Birthday – Peak Experience
2005 – Oligopoly – New York Life
2005 – Sound Images – Nike Asia-Pacific Sales Meeting
2005 – CDC | CED – Louisville/Atlanta
2005 – The Bottom Line – Financial Alterations
2005 – Rejection – Dejection

PHASE TRANSITION | Part Five

2005 – Disillusionment – Tao on the Beach
2005 – Fine Arts – Oh My Godard
2005 – Epson 7600 – Phil Borges
2000s | Illustrations | Plates Nos 1-70
2006 – Art Rules – AV Pays
2006 – Blessing of Liberty – At Wits End
2007 – Existential Choice – AV Suicide
Lessons Learned (The Hard Way)

EPILOGUE

POSTSCRIPT

VOLUME SIX - APPENDIX

“Those Were the Days” by Gene Raskin
Incredible Slidemakers, Ltd. – New York Crew
1969-1972
1973-1980
Incredible Imagers, AB –  Stockholm/Brussels Crew
Incredible Images Awards List [Partial – 1988]
--Association for Multi Image (AMI)
--Association for Multi Image (AMI) New York Chapter
--Association of Visual Communicators
--Best in The West Festival (Vail International Multi-Image Festival)
--British Industrial & Scientific Film Association (BISFA) Festival
--CAVcom Festival | FOTOKlNA
--Forox Special-Effects Competition
--Images '88 (formerly BISFA)
--Information Film Producers Association (IFPA)
--International Visual Communicators Association (IVCA)
--New York International Film & TV Festival
--Nordic Film Festival
--Swedish Multi-Image Festival
--US Industrial Film Festival
--Vail International Multi-Image Festival
--Other
Audio Visual Laboratories [AVL]
--USA
--AVL Europe
--AVL Dealers
Association for Multi-Image [AMI] Staff
Image Stream Crew [Incomplete]
Friends & Associates
--High School Friends and Colleagues | 1956-1961
Professional Colleagues, Clients & Friends | 1960s and beyond
--Australia
--Austria
--Belgium
--Brazil
--Canada
--Columbia
--Denmark
--Estonia
--Finland
--France
--Germany
--Hong Kong
--Iceland
--India
--Ireland
--Italy
--Jamaica
--Japan
--Malaysia
--Mexico
--New Zealand
--Norway
--Papau New Guinea
--Philippines
--Poland
--Puerto Rico
--Singapore
--South Africa
--Spain
--Sweden
--Switzerland
--Thailand
--The Netherlands
--Turkey
--United Kingdom
--United States
--Viet Nam

SOURCE MATERIALS, FACTOIDS, COMMENTS & COMMENTARIES

AUDIO VISUAL

Audio Visual Centrum [AVC] | Sweden
Audio Visual Laboratories [AVL]
Demise of AVL
AVL Procall
AVL Resources
Caribiner, Inc.
Multi-Image
New York Experience | Rusty Russell
Navitar | Buhl Optical Company

FAMILY HISTORY

Chinese Mesney
William Ransome Mesney
From Kathryn Muriel Mesney [aka Patti Pimento]
--Letter to Kathryn Mesney [aka Patti Pimento]
Internet References to “Mesney”
Canadian Doug Mesney
Greenport | Mesney Summer Cottage

FINANCIAL WISDOM

Bear Markets
Bull Markets
Business Load as Economic Indicator
Financial Pundits
Money
--Characteristics of:
--Nicknames for:
--“Original Wealth”
--The Federal Reserve Ponzi Diagram

PHOTOGRAPHY

Film Apertures & Perforations | 35mm
Film Formats
Diffusion Confusion
Filters
--Color Filters
--Filter Number
--Description/Use
--Special Dye Color Filters
--Color Compensating Filters
--Color Conversion Filters
--Light Balancing Filters
--Infrared Filters
--Neutral Density No. 96 Filters
--Carbon Neutral Density
Wedding Shoot List

RECIPES & FOOD

Bah Kut The (Pork Bone Tea)
Banana Bread
Blackberry Sorbet
Blueberry Pancakes
Cajun Srice Blend
Cereal Mix
Chana Dhal
Chocolate Trifle
General Ching’s Chicken
Greek Stew
Kefir
Indian Masalas
--Biryani Masala
--Chhole Masala
--Coastal Fish Masala
--Garam Masala
--Kala (Goda) Masala
--Meat Masala
--Pao-Bhaji Masala
--Rajmah Masala
--Sambar Masala
--Tea Masala
Indian Gravies
--White Gravy
--Red Gravy
--Brown Gravy
--Shahi Gravy
--Green Gravy
--Onion Tomato Masala:
----Preparation:
----Usage and Storage:
--Makhni Gravy:
----Preparation:
----Usage and Storage:
--White Gravy:
----Preparation:
----Usage and Storage:
--Hariyali Gravy:
----Preparation:
----Usage and Storage:
Meat Tenderizer | Chinese
Meatloaf
Mediterranean Pasta
Nanna’s Crumb Cake
Nanna’s Sour Cream Pie
Satay Chicken
Spaghetti Alla Vongole (White Clam Sauce)
Stuffed Mushrooms
Swedish Glögg – Red (Mulled Wine)
Swedish Glögg – White (Vodka)
Swedish Saffron Buns
Velvet Shrimp
Whacky Cake
Vitamins & Supplements
Vittles that Fight Cancer

ERRATA & MISCELLANEOUS

Burning Man Pack List | 2015
Burning Man Menu Suggestions & Supplies List
Design Matters
Four Agreements, The
Fort Museum, Québec
God
Granfalloon
Josef Svoboda
Learning
--Children Learn What They Live by Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
Memorabilia
--Parquetry Table Memorabilia Collection
Memory
Origami
--Golden Venture Folding Instructions

COMMENTS FROM FAMILY, FRIENDS & COLLEAGUES

From Allan Seiden | Friend & Author
From Bjorn Sandlund | Dataton AB
From Bob Brown | Car and Driver
From Brad Hood | Image Stream
From Caline Thomas | Childhood friend of sister Barbara
From Carol Brock | Douglaston Columnist
From Caroline “CJ” Hadley | Car and Driver
From Chris Hoina | Incredible Slidemakers
From Chris Korody| Image Stream
From David Fellowes | AV Producer
From David “Dave” Oglevie | Seattle Video
From David and Sue Corley | DSC Laboratories
From Dean Rossi | Quantum Audio Visual [QAV]
From Doug Ethridge | Avcon
From Ed McTigue | AVL / Slide Transfer Service
From Ed Just | Mesney’s Third Bardo
From Filip Järnehag | AVC & Slidecom
From Frank Curatola | Audio Visual Laboratories [AVL]
From Ginger O’Grady Kauppi
From Håkan Hansson | Audio Visual Centrum [AVC]
From Hita von Mende | Fork Inn the Road
From Jan Robberechts | Burson-Marsteller Brussels
From Jim Casey | Incredible Slidemakers
From Jim Kellner | Dataton
From Jim Sinclair | Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Company
From Joey Kimball | Incredible Slidemakers
From John Brand | Brand Projection
From John Emms | Incredible Imagers
From John Grinde | AVC
From John & Anne Stapsy | Aerial Image Transfer
From John Whitcomb | Pran Audiovisual
From Kjell Gustafsson | AVC/AV Huset
From Kornelius Schorle | Panorama Industries
From Larry Spasic | San Jacinto Museum
From Lars Einar | Saab Automobile
From Lars “Lasse” Hellquist | AVC
From Linda Gifkins | Douglaston
From Marilla Smith | Cadillac Fairview
To/From Martin Dworen | Kreab
From Mike Fahl | Dataton | Pix Lab
From Mike LaRue | Audio Visual Laboratories [AVL]
From Nils “Nisse” Gunnebro | AV Labbet AB (Stockholm)
From Noreen Camissa Miller | Audio Visual Laboratories [AVL]
From Pat Bedard | Car and Driver
From Pat Billings [Shipps] | Incredible Slidemakers
From Pete Bjordahl | Watts-Silverstein | Parallel Public Works
From Peter Howland | Watts-Silverstein
From Peter Lloyd | Audio Visual Magazine
From Peter Togg | Purchasepoint
From Richard Shipps | DD&B Studios [Deaf, Dumb & Blind]
Letter to Rick Jones | Re: Chuck Kappenman
From Russ Gordon | AV Producer
From Seymour Levy | J. Charles David Advertising
From Steve Farris | Sound Images
From Steve Wilkinson | Car and Driver
From Sven Lidbäck | Audio Visual Centrum [AVC]
From Sylvia Allen | Audio Visual Laboratories [AVL]
From Ted Russell | Photographer & Mentor
From Todd Gipstein | National Geographic
From Tom Ridinger | Car and Driver | Mesney’s Third Bardo
From Trudy Woodcock | Creative House | Illuminado Tours
From Walt Wagner | Wagner Music

SEQUEL: The King Is Dead, Long Live the King

VOLUME SEVEN| 2007-2019

Introduction

Backstory

2007 – Naked Truths – Preconceived Notions
2007 – Blue Heron Arts Center – Art Auction
2007 – Island Galleries – Grasping at Straws
2007 – Seattle Galleries – No Sale
2007 – Vancouver & Whistler Galleries – False Hopes
2007 – Vancouver Island – Another False Hope
2007 – River Mill Gallery – Michael Chan
2007 – Modern Sailing – Grecian Odyssey
--2007 | Modern Sailing – Grecian Odyssey | Plates Nos 1-8
2007 – 07.07.07 – Lucky Number
2007 – Bjordahl Wedding – Catered Affair
2007 – Revelstoke & Kaslo – Sweet & Sour
2008 – Epson 9880 – Printing Improvements
2008 – Godard Gone – Eye Candy Fails
2008 – Indian Odyssey – Pandey Wedding
--2008 | India | Pandey Wedding Album | Plates Nos 1-10
2009 – Atlanta – CDC Global Odyssey Updates
2009 – Vashon Retreat – Starting Over
2009 – Strawberry Festival – Sour Grapes
2009 – All India Café – A Flash in The Pan
2009 – Another Lucky Number – 09.09.09
2010 – Giclée Prepress – Book and Blog
2010 – Pipe Dreams – Spinning Calendars
2010 | Spinning Calendars Showcase | Plates Nos 1-12
2010 – Spinning Calendars – No Turnover
2010 – Departures & Losses – Cycles of Change
2010 – Faux Friends – False Hopes
2011 – Green Card Arrives – Pam Moves to Vashon
2011 – Baby Bird – Last Hurrah
2011 – Birdland – Baby Bird Galleries
2012 – Birdland Bust – Back to BC
2012 – September Squabble – Decisive Decisions
2012 – Broker Hired – Breakdown Begins
2013 – William Swanson Dies – Fateful Trip for Pam
2013 – Lightning Strikes – Laser Repairs
2013 – New Real Estate Agents – Miss and Hit
2014 – Exodus – Adieu Vashon
2014 – Period of Adjustment – Another Move
2014 – Victoria Excursion – Celebration Trip
2014 – Western States Tour – First Real Holiday
2014 – Sweden Trip – Nostalgic Moments
2014 – Vietnam & Cambodia – Honeymoon
2014 – Cambodia – Fading Fast
2014 – Existential Depression – Indecision
2015 – New York Trip – No Way to Go Home
2015 – Saskatoon Schnapps – Berry Good Idea?
2015 – Elk Mountain Hotel – Dead Cat Bounce
--2015 | Portfolio | Elk Mountain Hotel Brochure | Plates Nos 1-4
2015 – Reality Check – Portfolio Turned Keepsake
2015 – Technobsolesence – Beginning of The End
2015 – Burning Man – Spirits Rekindled
2015 – Update Website – Captions Morph into Memoir
2015 – Last of The Mohicans – Rivermill Gallery
2015 – Intoxicating Hobby – Condo Cooking
2016 – Loss of A Friend – Shocking Reminder
2016 – Vashon Visit – July 4th Weekend
--2014-15 | Vashon Memories | Pamela Swanson Photos | Plates Nos 1-2
2016 – Burning Man – Camp Cook
2016 – Irrelevance – What’s the Use?

DÉNOUEMENT | Part Six

2016 – The End – NOT
2017 – Calm Before the Storm – Ups and Downs
2017 – Ongoing Purge – The Great Picture Giveaway
2017 – Focus on Health – Bending Rules
2017 – Curve Ball – Not So Gentle Reminder
2017 – Survival – Terminal Velocity
2018 – Life Goes On – Back to The Future
2018 – Flood! – Dampening Disruption
2018 – Acting – Fantasy vs Reality
2018 – Auld Lang Syne – Déjà Vu
2018 – Photographic Memory – Restoration & Prepress
2018 – New Teeth – Big Budget Bite
2018 – Vashon Revisited – State of The Arts
2018 – Family Life – David Swanson Visit
2018 – Old Friends Reunited – Allan Seiden Visit
2018 – Older Friends Reunited – Childhood Revisited
2018 – Texas Redux? – Hi Ho Silver!
2019 – Looking Ahead – Light at The End of The Tunnel
2019 – Salvation in Sechelt – Closer to Home

POSTSCRIPT No2

THE END?

RESUME | 2018

VOLUME EIGHT | INDEX & ADDENDA

INDEX

ADDENDUM I
--Comments & links to videos of slideshows presented at Vimeo

ADDENDUM II
--Keynote address for Dataton Watchout™ launch shows

ADDENDUM III
--The Story of WATCHOUT | by Mike Fahl

ADDENDUM IV
--AMI Visual Communications Congress | Method in The Madness script

ADDENDUM V
--Kodak Film Number to Film Type Cross Reference Table
--GE (General Electric) and Kodak Filter Recommendations for Color Films

ADDENDUM VI
--Nikon Lens Versions and Serial Numbers

ADDENDUM VII
--AVL Enhanced Procall Users Manual

ADDENDUM VIII
--Kodak – History of Slide Projectors
--Kodak – History of S-AV Slide Projectors
--Kodak – Ektagraphic & Carousel Accessories

VOLUME NINE | Pictorial Supplement to Volumes One Through Eight

Introduction

Backstory

2021 – Surprise! – Unlikely Reunion
2021 – Another Surprise – Not So Nice
2021 – Ressurection of The Dove Show – Good As New (Almost)
--1977 – You Can't Stop a Dove - Script As Recorded - Plates 1-3

Preface

Section One | Technology and Machines

1976 – Idiot Box – Dumb Idea
--Idiot Box Plates 1-2
1978 – AVL Dealer Meeting – Launch of Eagle Computer
--AVL Dealer Meeting Plates 1-8
1979 – The Inner World of AVL show
--Inner World of AVL Plates 1-70
1979 – A Gallery of AVL Products – Hero Shots from Many Shows
--Inner World of AVL t Plates 71-90
1979-80 – Incredible’s AVL Advertising Campaign
--AVL Advertisements Plates 1-8
1960s-70s - History of AVL - A Timeline - By Gary Kappenman

Section Two | Rostrum Camera Effects

Glow-Effects Production
Notes on Incredible Slidemakers Effects
1970s - Incredible Slidemakers Printwork Portfolio - Best of The Best
--Incredible Slidemakers Printwork Portfolio Plates 1-39
1988 - Rhythms of the World Transition Effects
--1988 - Rhythms of the World Transition Effects - Plates 1-26
1970s - Incredible Slidemakers Shows - Burger King Crew Rallies
--1970s - Incredible Slidemakers Shows - Burger King Crew Rallies - Plates 1-18

Section Three | Incredible Slidemakers

1970s - Incredible Slidemakers New York Crew
--1970s - Incredible Slidemakers New York Crew - Plates 1-46

Section Four | Notable AV People

Notable AV People
--Notable AV People - Images Images Images - Plates 1-19

Section Five | Early Work

1950s-60s - Early Work - A Diverse Collection
1959 - A Tribute to Glen Peterson
--1950s-60s - Early Work - Plates 1-32
1961 - Bayside High School - Yearbook Work and More
--1961 - Bayside High School - Yearbook Work and More - Plates 1-20

Section Six | Family & Friends - (1950s-60s)

1950s-60s – Family & Friends – Diverse Pictures
1950s-60s – Family & Friends – Plates Nos 1-61
1955-56 – Dorothy Mesney's Family Pictures
1955-56 – Dorothy Mesney's Family Pictures – Plates Nos 1-58
1950s-60s – Kathryn Munro Taylor Paintings – An Incomplete Portfolio
1950s-60s – Kathryn Munro Taylor Paintings – An Incomplete Portfolio – Plates Nos 1-23
1960s-70s – Greenport & East Marion – Annual Pilgrimage
1960s-70s – Greenport & East Marion – Annual Pilgrimage – Plates Nos 1-12
1963 – O'Grady Family Album
1963 – O'Grady Family Album – Plates Nos 1-46

VOLUME TEN | Supplement to Volumes One Through Nine

Backstory

2021 – Surprise! – Unlikely Reunion
2021 – Another Surprise – Not So Nice
2021 – Ressurection of The Dove Show – Good As New (Almost)
--1977 – You Can't Stop a Dove - Script As Recorded - Plates 1-3
2022 – Update

Preface

Section One | A History of Multimedia 1900-1972 | by Ken Burke

Ken Burke Biography
A Pragmatic Approach to Criticism of Multimedia
Evaluation As A Key to Analysis of Multi-Imagery
Comment regarding the judgment of multi-image shows
A History of Multimedia 1900-1972
The Story of AMI (Association for Multi-Image) | by Carl Beckman
List of AMI Presidents
An Anthology of Multi-Image | by Ken Burke
Note from Ken Burke

An Anthology of Multi-Image | by Ken Burke
A theory of Multi-Image Communication | Donald Perrin
Masquage: An Extrapolation of Einstein … to Multi-Image | Robert Siegler
Multi-Image and The Presentation of Space and Time | Ed Wachtel
Theory and Evaluation of Multi-Image | Ken Burke  
A Review of Research of Multi-Image | Kan Burke
The Perception of Multiple Images | Bruce Goldstein
Designing Multi-Image Presentations | Donald Pasquella
Multi Media Instructional Laboratory | Gerald McVey
Symposium: Adding to The Director’s Tools | Fleischer, Jewison & Nelson
Technical Aspects of Multi-Image | Don Weede
So What Else Is New? | Arthur Knight
Multi-Image Technique for The Boston Strangler| Fleischer & Klein
Communication Not Chaos in Multimedia | Leslie Buckland
Budgeting Professional Multi-Media Productions | Donald Pasquella
Appendix A | Chronology of …Multi-Media & Related Works | Ken Burke
Appendix B | Multi-Media Programmers and Dissolves | Drukker & Steigman

VOLUME ELEVEN | Confessions of A Multi-Image Maniac

Backstory

Introduction

Preface

Definition of Multi-Image
Concepting
Soundtrack Preparation
Programming and Storyboarding
          1976 | Nightmares Show Portfolio | Plates 1-20
          AVL | Pocket Procall Guide | Plates 1-3
Photography for Multi-Image
          1980 | Purchasepoint Group Portfolio | Plates 1-8
Rostrum Camera Photography
Basic Rostrum Camera Techniques
Show Assembly Procedures
          The Story of DSC Laboratories “Fuzzies” masks
          1970s-1980s | D & S Corley Laboratories Portfolio | Plates1-8
          1980S | DSC Mask Portfolio | Plates 1-15
Multiplexed Slides and Mixed Media Shows
Budgeting for Multi-Image
Production Budgeting Form
Visualization of Concepts
Multi-Image as A Business
Postscript
Addenda
          My Involvement in AVL and Multi-Image | Ed McTighe
          AVL Timeline | Gary Kappenman
          Adventures of An AV Slut | John Grinde
          1970s | Incredible Slidemakers Printwork Portfolio | Plates 1-39
          1970s | Incredible Slidemakers New York Crew | Plates 1-48
          1980s | Incredible Slidemakers Press Clip Book Selections | Plates 1-39
          Oxberry Pro Systems Manual

VOLUME TWELVE | 1978-1988

CONTENTS

PREFACE

SECTION ONE
The Story of AMI | by Carl Beckman

SECTION TWO
The Art of Multi-Image | Edited by Roger Gordon

• What is the Multi-Image Presentation? | 1
• History, Theory and Research Related to Multi-Image | 6
• Why We Use Multi-Image Presentations | 17
• The Multi-Image Program Technique | 20
• Planning and Writing the Program | 31
• Producing The Visuals | 38
• Producing The Audio | 52
• Producing The Presentation | 65
• Presenting The Multi-Image Program | 73
• Criticizing The Presentation | 85
• Addenda & References | 106

SECTION THREE
Giclee Prepress - The Art of Giclee | Douglas Mesney

Forward – The Zen of Giclée | 1
Introduction to Giclée | 11
Section One: The Study of Light | 17
Section Two: Giclée Prepress Workflow | 29

• Client Consultation | 31
• Technical Analysis of Pictures | 37
• Media Selection | 43
• Setting-Up the Job | 57
• Basic Adjustments | 61
• Cleaning and Spotting | 65
• Highlight Control | 73
• Dark-Tone Control | 80
• Sharpen and Blur | 85
• Color Matching | 105
• Printing | 117
• Coating and Retouching | 123
• Finishing and Display | 137

Appendix | 155
Glossary | 195
Epilogue – Mesney Biography | 225

SECTION FOUR
1978 | AVL Equipment Manuals

• Acuetone 12-tone tone programmer
• Mark IV 2-projector dissolve
• Mark VII 3-projector dissolve
• Accessories:
• Exhibit Master 40-channel playback programmer
• Electric Punch for ShowPro I and II punched-tape programmers
• 40A Encoder for 40-channel expansion of ShowPro I and II
• 20A Encoder for 20-channel expansion of ShowPro I and II
• Power control box – programmable switch with 110-volt, AC outlet
• ShowPro VB digital, memory programmer
• ShowPro V Memory Test
• PD-3 programmable dissolve
• QD2 & QD3 computerized playback modules (dissolvers)
• Enhanced Procall
• Pocket Procall – cue guide for Procall Version 5
• Reliance Audiovisual (New York) rental catalogue

VOLUME THIRTEEN | Appendix II | A work in progress

Note to Reader                                                        

Table of Contents                                                     

Preface                                                                    

Introduction                                                             

Essay: How To Make Captivating Content                

Next Slide, please | by Claire Evans                         

AMI Hall of Fame | Inductees | 1985-1995               

Resurrection of Incredible Slidemakers Shows         

Incredible Slidemakers Crew Update                       

Multi-Image in Canada                                            

Slide Copy Stand | How I digitize Slides                  

Picture Gallery (work in progress)                           

Pamela Swanson sketch portfolio                             

Nanuc | A screenplay | 1982                                    

Epic Productions Contacts List