Alright, first up we have the p.o.v. of an outsider looking in upon the production. And in the second bit we have... what it is like to be... One of the combat extras in the film from the point of view of one of the elite colonial warriors. Now before you people begin screaming about Emmerich and Devlin let me tell you this.... This isn't GODZILLA. Father Geek who is a RABID American History buff has now read 4 separate drafts of the screenplay for this film including the final shooting draft. He will be reporting to us sometime soon. I can tell you that as it stands he believes that if the shoot what they have in hand this will be the most amazing kickass American Revolution film shot to date. I have just read the first draft by Robert Rodat, before the project was attached to Emmerich and Devlin. It was a fantastic script. So go on, be a cynical lil bitch if ya feel like it, but I tell ya... From what I'm hearing and know... this movie has all the hallmarks of whupping some ass.
Mel Gibson, Roland Emmerich, Dean Devlin and Robert Rodat were just four members of an eight-member Patriot panel assembled for a media-only press conference in York County, S.C. Here's some of the info that reporters dug out of them.
1.) The Patriot will feature two huge battle scenes that feature not only the 200 soldier extras but also plenty of CGI/computer replicated soldiers (no big surprise there).
2.) Devlin said he and Emmerich feel no need to prove with "The Patriot" that their films are more flash than substance. They just want to properly shoot Robert Rodat's script and do it justice.
3.) Mel's character -- Benjamin Martin -- is loosely based on South Carolinian Revolutionary War hero Frances "The Swamp Fox" Marion. Gibson admitted that both Marion and William Wallace are inspirational figures who changed the worlds around them. He said he is inspired by those kinds of stories. Marion is regarded as the creator of guerilla warfare (you know, hiding behind trees and shit instead of just firing muskets while lined up nice and neat, which makes an easy target). He used the swamps of the South to his advantage.
4.) At least two complete 1700s-era houses built for the set will burn to the ground in a key sequence.
5.) And last, but not least for some of you -- this is what Mel said about the planned Farenheit 451 movie with him as the director:
"The studios are somewhat frightened by it. It would cost a lot of money. I'm frightened by it too. I'm not sure it makes financial sense right now."
His speech then kind of trailed off, but he never said the project was dead. Time will tell.
--Zak Chase
And now we have a Dragoon to tell us what it is like training and working as a combat extra in Emmerich and Devlin's production.... This sounds like a kickass time!
I spotted your blurb on Mel Gibson's "Patriot" today and figured I'd sound off with what's really happening. I am one of the 200 core soldiers that have been training in Rock Hill, SC in the middle of a field for the past 6 days. I carried the damn 20 lb. musket (with bayonet) for 8 HOURS in the heat!! I learned how to yell, "Vertical thrust, aye sir!" with my musket poised, as two Marines who trained Arnold for "True Lies" and "T2" and DeNiro for "Cape Fear" taught us how to kill a man with a simple stick.
It was real boot camp, and it knocked the hell out of my out-of-shape ass, but I wouldn't have traded it for the world! I miss it already.
Each day we showed up at 8:00 a.m., signed in, and then fell into our platoons.
There were six; Red, Whit and Blue (the Colonials) and then Black, Gold and Green (The Brits). Then we marched. A lot. In line. "DRESS TO THE RIGHT," the reenactors screamed.
They meant business. They want this movie to look right.
People passed out. All in all, we lost 20-30 guys out of 200. Couldn't hack it.
These people want to see a real battle scene. On the last day, we were divided into two squads of Brits and Colonials. I am a Brit. I know this because next week I have to pick up my costume, a Red Coat. They basically broke us up by length of hair. Our costumes are coming in from London. Fancy deal, huh?
So, on the last day, we rehearsed for Emmerich. He's a totally nice guy who couldn't have been more enthusiastic. The guy just loves the whole process of filming a movie. You can't fault him for that! He's like a little kid, moving us here and there across the battlefield. We used live rounds, firing by battalion, then by platoon. It was still incredibly hot. I even got the back of my head burned when the guy next to me misfired his rifle. Battle scars! Can you believe it?!?!
SPOILER * SPOILER * SPOILER *
The Brits won over the colonials, so this is obviously going to be an early scene in the film. When we (the Brits) get within 20 feet of the colonial line, select soldiers run out for a killer hand-to-hand combat scene, and then the Americans turn tail and run like crazy. Horses storm the field. It is breathtaking! It was a thrill. Next week, we all have wardrobe appointments and then we start filming Sept. 11. There are several locations already built, including a steeple church (which the British will burn down) and several buildings in a small town. Mel is supposed to hold a press conference today. Yesterday he shot a round of golf at the Rock Hill Country Club, and was swarmed by fans.
Some Brits will be needed for key scenes in September, including the Church burning scene, and then we're all due back Sept. 24-25 for the big battle scene. Emmerich is bringing in 600 to match our 200 trained soldiers. It will be massive, and will look incredible.
I will keep you posted on any new "Patriot" info.
Oh, by the way, lunch on the set gets progressively worse each day you're there.
1st day: Lasagna (delicious!)
2nd day: Chicken (still good)
3rd day: Pasta Salad, with some left over chicken in it (all right, it's still free, right?)
4th day: Pasta, no chicken. What's happening?
5th day: Rice, Carrots and a hot dog. (What the hell??) $150M budget my ass.
It's so freaking exciting to see Hollywood come to our little neck of the U.S. F*&% Los Angeles. Charlotte is the new capital of the film industry.....
Sincerely,
The Green Dragoon
