Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2003 7:29 pm
Posts: 10234
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calvin2hikers wrote: ...Frank talked about holographic possibilities in The Real Frank Zappa Book, but I don't think he mentioned in the book about actually replacing himself in a tour with a holographic image... fz, in chapter 18 of trfzb wrote: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .i.c.a. goes public ¿
here are some facts regarding i.c.a. (inter-continental absurdities), and the possibility of taking it public
i have an idea for a new device, potentially worth several billion dollars (patent search enclosed); by using a modified version of the computer logic currently employed in the generation of 3-d visuals for flight training simulators, in conjunction with an optical delivery system (yet to be designed), this device would make it possible to:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [1]
generate free-standing 3-d images, in any size (on your coffee table at home, or on a larger scale for theatrical use), 'folded out' from any two-dimensional source by predicting and synthesizing the missing third dimension
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[2]
create a service company which 'unfolds' existing 'flat' movies and tv shows so that they might be rereleased, viewable as free-standing 3-d objects
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [3]
create a cable network which would broadcast material in this medium
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [4]
sell hardware on a large scale to home and industrial consumers . . . . . . . . . . .  this is not a 'holographic' process, and, as far as we have been able to determine, does not infringe on any existing patent
the device is in 3 sections; the first one converts the picture data to a digital signal which can then be worked on by the math in section two (where the depth information is synthesized), finally arriving at section three which projects it to any desired size
i have two partners in this venture: john law, former vp, nato weapons division, general electric corp (his card and copies of correspondence enclosed), and jerry roth (card not available at this mailing) ... john informs me that 70% of the materials (hardware and software) to do this project is available now, off-the-shelf, from within the aero-space industry; none of it is secret, and, through his industrial contacts, can be obtained without much trouble; it will also be his responsibility to locate r&d talent [jerry's field of expertise is software and marketing] by john's estimate, plans for a working prototype could be viewed within two years, at a development cost of 1.5 million dollars; there is no current estimate as to the cost of building the prototype
the first person contacted for funding was robert armao (an attorney/pr man/investment adviser to nelson bunker hunt, the pahlevi family, etc.), who told me that the project was 'very speculative', and, therefore, i must be willing to give up a 75% interest, plus pay his fee, plus pay his expenses; in the most respectful way possible i informed him that these terms were located somewhere between science fiction and usury
the next day i met with tom phillips and archie mcgill at rothschild venture capital; they wanted a 'business plan' and other assurances (almost to the point of showing them a working model) before getting involved, and then stated that their limit would be no more than 2 million (which would create big problems when the device was ready to manufacture)
by coincidence, i had to make another stop at armao's office to meet a friend after the rothschild meeting (the offices are across the street from each other in rockefeller center); when i arrived, armao asked me to come into his office, introduced me to a guy from some 'investment fund' and stated that he (armao) would no longer require a fee or expenses, and that i would only have to give away 40% for this first 1.5 million ... i told him i would think about it; since that time he has tried to contact me in los angeles, but i was in new york
realistically, the deal is worth giving up no more than 25% (including the brokerage), which would then leave something further to bargain with when it's time to raise the heavy capital for manufacturing
this brings us to the matter of 'going public' (which might or might not be the right move at this time, but is a possibility being given serious consideration); if we agree that the earning potential of the d.s.s. (depth-synthesis system) is tremendous -- although highly speculative by some standards -- and that any film or stage venture is equally speculative (but not as potentially lucrative), we might consider:
[1] the plight of those unfortunate persons who, especially at the end of the year, need to 'dispose of money'; surely these suffering wretches can be approached with a creative suggestion or two
[2] we should also consider that the research facility which must be stocked and staffed to build the d.s.s. has a continuing value and potential for the construction of other inventions once the primary objective is achieved
i mentioned a figure of $100 million to do all of this; that might be high ... but, if it can be raised, why not ¿ other companies have raised more to do less _________________ 
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