Welcome to my portfolio. I am Jeff Knowunzy, a writer, story-teller, and self-taught mixed-media artist. My biggest ouvre is #DinosUnite, a satirical musical fantasy universe. Dinosaurs of all species live day-to-day trapped in a world defined by their hierarchy. They discover an asteroid will soon destroy their habitat. While an evil king T-Rex uses the chaos to expand their dominance, the dinosaurs discover their subservient roles were fabricated all along, and their only chance is to #DinosUnite for #Equality and #Planet! Act Too is the much anticipated sequel to the Act I cult classic, my first album [2022]. The third act, RAWRVOLUTION, is on it's way! Meanwhile, explore more of my mixed-media stories by clicking on different items in the drop down menu. Enjoy!
#DinosUnite - Act Too - A RockperAI of Prehistoric Consequence
More about Act Too
After publishing the Act 1 album (2022), I opened up the Act 2 script for public participation. Act 1 was one voice, but Act 2 was about collaboration, so I needed other heroes to step into the new roles.
The Script
The Characters
ONESIE, the protagonist, and an unexpected ally.
POST-NATIONAL YOUNGSTERS and RYM-MANUAL McRAPTA, a celebrity composer.
BOBCAT D'LYON, BOAN SPINAEZ, and ALLO GUTHRIE, celebrity activists.
D-REX THE T-REX, arch-nemesis, and the illustrious E-LOAN TUSK.
Version 1: A Street Act
I hosted open script reading social gatherings, and pulled interpretations from dozens of participants. An opportunity emerged, and a core of 5 decided to perform our interpretation on the busking-friendly streets of Lagos, Portugal. The final show was rained out, but our draft performance featured 3 performers sharing a dozen roles, a tech support volunteer, and a friendly canine stage manager.
Version 2: A Puppet Show
I continued running multi-lingual script reading meetups in Braga, Portugal. Another opportunity arose, at a local charity festival Mercatu Vadio. 7 meetup participants and a friendly photographer agreed to prepare our show as entertainment for the festival. We using hand-crafted scenery and a variety of hand puppets to bring the show to life. We heavily adapted the script for this audience, simplifying the narrative adding portuguese translations.
Version 3: An Audio Book
I advanced the show with 10 volunteer voice actors (from three continents), so that finally each character would have its own voice. Some melodic ideas made into this production, and other texts were simply read. With the exception of the unicorn voice, which was a merging of 3 actors, characters were recorded remotely. Parts of the audio book recording advanced into the Rock OperAI edition featured at the top of this page.
Act Too, scene i, While Onesie Sleeps:
Act Too, scene ii, Onesie Wakes Up:
And beyond...?
There's no wrong way to #DinosUnite! Collaborate with us!
We are unicorns, and this is a dream,
Learn our technology and go build a team,
Your only chance is to #DinosUnite,
This is WAR so get ready to fight.
Your only shot is to face the emergency!
Focus and train for a die-no Insurgency...
Speak your truth, embracing the urgency!
Keep doubling down on changing the currency:
Making it cool, to swallow our greed!
Making it hot, to do what we need!
Ready to wake up? It's time to be brave...
Noovambh
Act I Scene i
"Dinosaur Valley"