Hey guess what, I'll soon be in the Alps, so...

[Alpkäserei]

There's been some discussion about a cheese forum book.

I'd like to say, I'm actually working on putting a book together.
During my upcoming trip to Switzerland I will be visiting farmers, cheesemakers, and factories (even if I don't get other people to go with me)
I'll be interviewing, observing, recording, amassing information to make a good piece of work.

I want to make a practical guide to help people make Alpine style cheeses, and understand the methods and how to customize and adapt these things. Basically a more in-depth and detailed version of what I have largely shared here on these forums.

But I am also thinking, along with this, that there might be some more I can do that will be of interest.

I'm thinking to bring with me a camera, a digital recorder, and a good quality video camera so I can record people at work, cheesemakers making cheese and talking about what they do, how they do it, what it means to them (the 'Alpläbe') and then, maybe if I can find some support for this, put together a documentary film. Not just about cheesemaking, but about the whole alpine tradition and its connected aspects. So this would be like, herding the cows, milking, taking care of the pasture, etc. and making cheese, aging it, eating it, selling it. Traditions like Raclette, etc. and also the industrialised cheesemaking born out of all of this, like Gruyere, Emmentaler, and Appenzeller.

The question is, whether I'd have enough interest behind this to actually make a go of it?

It's been a long time dream of mine to share our traditions and culture with the world.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/alplabe-life-and-tradition-in-the-swiss-alps/x/8221101

[qdog1955]

No doubt the interest is there-----I'll be the first in line to buy a book like that.
Qdog

[Stinky]

Not if I was in the queue.

[Alpkäserei]

I was thinking to make a book, at least not at this time.
Rather, a documentary film.

[Stinky]

Would you put it up as available to the public, or sell it?

[Al Lewis]

That sounds like something I'd want to see.

[Alpkäserei]

That depends on what I can get upfront as far as funding, sponsorship, etc.

If I can get things fully funded to where the costs of production are covered, then I'll be able to release the documentary for free, which would be great. To cover that, I'll be looking for sponsors as well as launching a crowdfunding campaign.

If I can't get enough money to cover the costs to make it, then I'll need to charge for it to cover myself.
This obviously will require a great deal of personal investment in terms of time, effort, and also money.

[Stinky]

Well either way I really want to see this.

[Alpkäserei]

Going through some old video right now in the hopes of finding something good enough to use to put together a short trailer or advert of some sort.

[awakephd]

Alp, I'd certainly chip in some money to help make it happen.

[HomeCheese Adam]

I think that is a wonderful idea - I am incredibly supportive of you doing that and would happily buy into the products.

I've interviewed a few artisan cheese makers and found it personally incredibly rewarding so have no doubt many forum members would love it!!

Best of luck - and please shout if you need any help.

Adam.

[John@PC]

Keep us advised Alp if you get start up a fund, website, whatever.  Heck, a lot of us here would pay real cash money for a compilation of your posts, pictures and sage advice .

[tnbquilt]

I'd buy it in a heart beat. I have learned so much from your posts, I know I would thoroughly enjoy a book from you. I wish I could go to Switzerland with you! It would be like having a tour guide.

[Alpkäserei]

Thanks for all the support, you guys are all great!

Making a film of any sorts is pretty expensive, although obviously lacking things like actors, special effects, sets, etc. a documentary is far cheaper to make and produce.
But we (because I'm not going to do something like this by myself. That would be silly) will still need a good deal of equipment to make this all work. Things like good quality cameras, audio recorders, etc.

I'll be setting up an Indiegogo campaign, if this all works out.

But hey, you're always welcome to contact me privately too.

I want to put together a good picture of life in the tradition of the 'Alpler' or the alpine farmer, who herds the cows to the Alp and makes cheese in the summer, then goes back down. An in-depth look at the lifestyle, the traditions, and what it means to the people involved and also to those not directly involved.
Beyond that, I'd like to show some broader aspects of the whole culture, tying in things like musical traditions, folk customs, etc. because they are all connected. I think it would be appropriate to tie in these other ancient customs as a part of the life and culture of the älpler

Of course, a big part of this is the cheese that they make. So the documentary would at least partially focus on cheesemaking

Also, I would like to have a look at the tradition in a few different regions.

[tnbquilt]

I can't wait. I saw your post about the cheese makers tour in June last night. I would love to go but can't this year. We are supposed to go to Spain in September.

I am very interested in reading about all of those things that you discuss. I would rather read than watch a movie. I love a book. I feel like I can carry it around with me and show it to people. A movie is not so sharable.

I would be interested in selling your book at my store too. We don't well a lot of cheese books, maybe 6 a month, but I'd still like to carry it and show it during cheese class.