Monthly Archives: September 2011
What A Patriot Ate
A Revolutionary soldier off fighting for freedom ate very differently than he did when home. The daily rations were issued un-cooked and a set of cooking utensils was issued to a group of six to twelve men. This group or “mess” of men would probably have chosen the best cook among them to prepare the food. Here’s a list of what a typical soldier’s rations would have been. Keep in mind, just because it was on the list, didn’t mean that they actually got it. Continue Reading »
Keeping it a Surprise
A team of editors led by K. Adithya Ashok have been assembling the 2nd episode of “Courage, New Hampshire,” and I get to look at the stunning results every day. I wish I could share the performance of Greg Martin as “The Burglar” with you, (above) because I’ve seen it now, at least 20 or 30 times and it never ceases to move me. Experience has taught me that the audience should never see too much of the finished project, so you’ll have to wait, but let me tell you.. Continue Reading »
Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
We’re putting the finishing touches on a new teaser with a Wolfish theme, and I can’t get over how beautifully poetic and chilling the King James version of the warning is:
“..Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves…”
I’ve been advised to not use any scripture whatsoever in a teaser, and I think I know the reason. The only people who can use scripture in entertainment are people who have thoroughly proven themselves to be heathens or bona fide skeptics. Continue Reading »
Uh-Glee
The ‘Glee’ Phenomenon and Courage
I approach Glee knowing it’s a perilous road. The show attracts a loyal following, and I know you can get sent to the gallows for trashing peoples’ icons, but I’m trying to carve out a niche for Courage, and I suppose I’m curious to know what you all think. Among my loved ones, (my close family), I can’t find a single soul who likes Glee, but I have a few dear friends who do, so let me work this out in a roundabout fashion:
When I was fourteen or fifteen, someone gave me a copy of James Michener’s Novel Centennial and I found myself captivated by his approach to story — take a physical spot on the globe, start with the stone age inhabitants, and spend three or four hundred pages passing across a few millenia, tying the characters together with a common genealogy and delivering up the present day in the final chapter. Continue Reading »
The ‘History’ Channel
This came as no great shock to me, but our producer, Jonathan Wilson, just got off the phone with a production vice president at the History Channel, and the conversation went something like this:
Wilson: “So when are you going to make ‘Courage’ part of your lineup?”
‘History:’ “Well, we don’t really do drama. We have an hour a week, and we have to be really careful about it.”
Wilson: “Careful?”
‘History:’ “Yes, we don’t license anyone else’s stuff. Okay?’
Wilson: “Okay.”
Now, I’m a big believer that any private company should be able to produce and provide just about anything it wants. Continue Reading »
The Governor’s Shoot
On our 2nd episode we had a full time still photographer, Thais Winzen, and I just now have gotten around to showing you all a little bit (actually a lot) of the final day of shooting. We were attempting the governor’s mansion of New Hampshire’s John Wentworth — not an easy thing to do in Southern California, but I think we came pretty close. The editing is going very well, and we should be releasing a 2nd trailer this week.
Enjoy! Continue Reading »
The Sons of Liberty Trailer
So we showed Colony Bay members a bit of this the other day, but we color-corrected and added Rotem Moav’s score to the version above, and I have to say, well, what other people have been telling me — that it’s goose-bump and chill-down-the neck stuff.
It’s also been the subject of no small amount of argument. My son, Nicholas, believes
Teaser/Trailer Episode 2 “Justice”
Only for Colony Members (join here) a working version of our first teaser/trailer for episode 2. Comments welcome!
Lucy’s Longest Trailer
This post has nothing to do with Lucile Ball. It’s just a strained reference to how long it takes to make a decent trailer.
That’s what we’re working on now, a trailer that pitches the series as a whole and we have been learning a lot from an anonymous professional in the field, (not anonymous to us, but an experienced industry pro and I haven’t gotten permission to use names, so…)
Our insider tells us a good trailer 1) builds sympathy for someone or something to care about 2) puts that person or thing in jeopardy and 3) hints that there will be a triumph over the danger. Continue Reading »
Audience Building (Again)
I’ve pondered this outloud on a few occasions (here, here, here and here) for our loyal followers, and my own benefit, but the task ahead of us at Colony Bay will be to
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