def initialize_path(self, path_num=None):
        """ inits producer for next path, i.e. sets current state to initial state"""
        for p in self.producers:
            p.initialize_path(path_num)
        # self.state = copy(self.initial_state)
        # self.state.path = path_num
        self.random.seed(hash(self.seed) + hash(path_num))
inits producer for next path, i.e. sets current state to initial state