Some of these questions were asked in our previous debate – others were sent in separately. I have not put individual names to the questions as several were asked by different people -
Enjoy:-
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1. When did you start producing films, what made you want to be a producer? And what made you want to do THIS movie? 1066?
I made my first short movie when I was 14 on the old format Super 8. I learned how to shoot, edit, and sync up sound. I had saved up for 1 year to buy my first Cine camera. I borrowed a sound projector from my Uncle.
I started out wanting to be an actor, but waiting around to get a part and dealing with Equity was not for me. I realised that buying my own equipment and just doing it, mistakes and all was more satisfying. I like to be in control and not rely on others to produce. I have had some bad experience with Producer wanabees, who think it is all about going to bed with the leading lady!....
I was watching Lion in Winter which I thought was great. After a while I thought what about 1066, the most famous date in English history?… Well, no one had done anything major so I like a challenge and there we are several years later, many rewrites, Helen and I have a damn good script.
2.This movie, I feel, will heavily reflect an English bias rather than a Norman one to the point of portraying the Normans as cartoonish villains, just as Mel Gibson did with the English in Braveheart. I certainly hope I'm wrong?
Whoever plays William has the opportunity to make this role memorable.
Well William was a real shit head. But he had a softer side, but don’t forget in those days a moment of weakness and your crown, position is gone.
3. I have the following question for the producer of "1066":
How are you planning on portraying the accuracy of historical events when combined with what will probably have to be not so accurate a dramatic experience and main moral messages to the public?
Historical accuracy is paramount but we have a limited time on screen and have to tell a story. I hope it will be more accurate than those that have gone before us. If it gets people especially children to go and research the story for themselves, we will have achieved something more than just entertaining an audience.
4.Does the film cover Stamford Bridge and the whole Scandinavian connection?
Stamford Bridge is there and Scandinavian connections plays a part. Actor Ian Whyte is to play Hardrada
5.I heard you won an award for a documentary you made?
Battle of Manila won a Telly Award (USA) in 2005 (Best in Documentary) About the US/Japanese war in the pacific.
6. Are you using any re-enactment groups in the film?
As re-enactors, we do our best to be historically accurate with our clothes, weapons, storylines etc. though we do add occasional routines in for entertainment value - but providing they are in context we believe they are acceptable. We think films of this nature should follow a similar policy, and where possible, avoid glaring anachronisms.
(We also despise fake armour - string mail & plastic helmets!)
So – do you agree, or can we expect knitted chain mail? Without giving away any secrets, what do you have in mind for THE battle scene?
Reenactiors will be used, up to 8,000 on certain days. Only real gear, please.
7.If it wasn't for movies, I would never have known the roman empire spoke the queen's good English! LOL. So – how do you plan to tackle the language? Just use modern English? Subtitles where necessary? Awful American accents…?
Just brought on board Steve Pollington Saxon language expert. Norse and Norman French will be featured
8. Who are your movie heroes…?
Best all time actor? James Stewart
Best all time actress? Katharine Hepburn
Best all time producer? Charles Chaplain
9. According to the Myspace profile you do not yet have all the funding you need, but have every intention of getting this movie made – how confident are you with this, given the present financial crunch?
The financial crunch has no bearing on raising the funding.
The movie industry always does well in a recession. The perception of the crunch however will have to be fought through.
A lot of money has been spent and I see no reason to stop trying to make this movie. I don’t accept no as an answer.
10.I have read in the news that there are three or four movies being made about ....Hastings....? Does that matter and how will we know which one is yours!
There are pretenders to the throne, who are trying to ride on the good will we have built up… but I seriously doubt they have anything close in quality to the script Helen and I have written.
I am only interested in what I am producing, the others are irrelevant.
It will have my name on it.
11. You have some impressive people on board (Anthony de Longis I see!) who else have you got up your sleeve?
I have long arms so there will be some more attachments announced shortly
12. When do you plan to start filming? Late 2009 or 2010 subject to financing and location – weather!
Will the movie only be released in the .UK.. – or World wide?
Will it also be available on DVD?....
It is aimed at all media Theatrical, etc in all world territories. We have already had inquiries from foreign territories.
13. I'm just curious is there a webpage about the movie?
Two, 1066.Biz - click here
1066 the Movie plc - click here ..
14. Mark Lester as Harold is perhaps an inspired choice – do you think he can play Harold as we all see him – an English hero? Who are you hoping will play William – or is that still a secret?
Mark will bring a thoughtful side to Harold. Harold was a thinking man with good fighting skills.
Ah… William… I have my ideas; it all depends on who we can get to…
15. I am female – this sounds very much a “man’s” movie: battles, butch men fighting over the crown etc. All the cast so far mentioned are male. What will there be for us girls in this movie!
Did you know that there were several women who held great sway over what happened in that era? Queen Emma, Mother of Edward the Confessor, Gytha wife of Earl Godwin, Edith Harold’s sister became queen to Edward. It appears in English history that women didn’t seem to have any influenced over events. That is simply not true. History is littered with great women and women with a low public profile but who have influenced history.
16. Ok so I have checked the cast list on IMDB. You say you are hoping to be as accurate as possible with making this movie – no Braveheart twaddle for 1066 ….. So … a Saracen woman??? Explain!
Ah… The Saracen woman… Do not read too much into it the role is small but significant… that’s all I will say.
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Thanks Robin!
Next time, the questions will be answered by one of the Cast.