After reading the "stinging comment" on the earlier post I guess I need to weigh in on this. When it comes to the Essential Encounters project I'm an "insider"; the DVD jacket and disk art are mine as well as the print and Web promotion. Here's what I know: This film is very close to the Wensel and Mitten brothers hearts. It represents years of videography, music selection, narration, and editing work and is nothing short of a labor of love . . . this thing is full of blood, sweat, and tears, not to mention a substantial financial committment.
For the record, there's probably no one reading this that wants to see the finished product any more than I do, however, sometimes a project runs into totally unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the producers. The guys fully expected to have the first delivery of DVDs from the replicator by Kalamazoo, however, upon seeing the product about to be delivered decided to bite the bullet and redirect. The decision was made to delay release in order to insure that their DVD was presented in the best possible way. Each time a decision to delay production was made it was to insure technical quality and to maintain their artistic vision.
From the beginning there has been a committment to excellence and this is certainly not the time to compromise for the sake of deadlines drawn in the sand. As we all know those "lines" often shift whenever the winds blows and the direction can be fickle at that. As many have already posted, it's sure to be completed soon and will definitely be worth the wait.