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| The Current Work I'm shooting in digital video format . I've prepared a deeper screenplay; I've been creating my own prototypes for the props, and this is valuable in that it led me to look at the real backbone of that medieval army---the workers, the builders, the engineers. They now live within the screenplay and this production will therefore appeal to their respective counterparts in our own society. Moreover, the politics of the Fourth Crusade hinged upon the fleet prepared by the Venetian shipbuilders Thus, one of the greater props is the 23' model of a Venetian roundship/horse-transport. I have built the form for this, including keel, stem/sternposts, moulds and ribbands. This was as far as I could take it before professional help was needed. I have commissioned the services of a Croatia-born and educated boatbuilder (his island of Korcula has been known for it's boatbuilders since the beginning of the Venetian empire) who owns a workshop and marina in Kingston. His insights are as important as his work, and he is helping with other logical problems and other working props. The superstructure of this boat can be modified to resemble different types of boats and 4 little working catapults can even sit atop her castles. With a little budget, and a lot of ingenuity, I believe that it will be possible to create a strong and unique work for several reasons: 1)This effort is purely one vision; there is no creative filtering/diluting...hell, I don't even watch movies or tv. 2) Computer video-editing software can multiply objects and people to give an acceptable picture of large numbers; and 'acceptable' is sufficient because:... 3) ...The work is intended to unfold as a strong 'Demo' that can be presented to a producer who may make it "grander", if necessary. I believe that all of the filming can be done in and around Kingston. Kingston locations like Fort Henry, the Church of the Good Theif, Division street Quarry, etc. are excellent Prototypes completed Thus far: -30' tall seige tower skeleton made of spruce----she can convert into a trebuchet and also into a mobile shed for sappers/battering ram -Full scale section of a Venetian galley -Miniature 16' model of a Venetian galley -Section of a towertop built of railway ties surfaced with cement -Large working catapult -Little working catapult scaled to 23' boat -Working crossbow -Suit of Maille armour, Swords, Helms,Shields -Treadmill crane On my mind: I'd like to outfit the boat with a hidden engine, but I'm prepared to tow her to locations if necessary; I need to rig this boat;I'd like to supplement the remainder of the 'fleet' with average size rowboats---especially for a scene involving fireships that were launched against the Venetian harbour. I need to build one more model of a Venetian galley(horse transport)---about 17'Loa; 3'beam--with a very blunt stern that can house 2 doors. Once the more difficult challenges have been met, I'd like to start rounding up some people with costumes;----I'd like to get some main costume-wearing people who are actually earnest and in shape, rather than just smug and deluded--- To realistically create this film with my scant resources, I'll have to create a variety of computer models. I am looking to use some modelling software for everything from the heaven scenes to the buildings that are stricken by catapult fire. |
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