Oddball, Crapgame, & a Few Other Things…

Soldiers of the GroBdeutschland hitch a ride on an Assault Gun

We’re all about helping out fellow filmmakers here, especially of the historical sort. There’s a great group of guys putting together what looks to be a very interesting series, called The Vanquished, about an elite unit (the Großdeutschland or “Greater Germany” Division which fought exclusively on the Eastern Front during the Second World War. Begun as “Wacht Regiment Berlin” then was later given the designation “Großdeutschland” and was the closest thing to a “Guards” unit (in the British meaning of the term) that existed in the German Army. Later it was upgraded to a motorized infantry division and later – in 1943 – to a premier Panzer-Grenadier Division...

Clint Eastwood & Telly Savalas in “Kelly’s Heroes” (MGM 1970)

“TIGERS?!!! Where the Hell did the Tigers Come From?!!!”

Just yesterday our CFO – Ruby Emerald Diamond (yes – that’s her real name – a true gem of a lady!) – created five corporations for all QuarterDeck projects on the production slate: THE MARSCHER LORDS: Brotherhood or Death, SCORCHED EARTH: The Other Side of World War II, THE FORTY DAYS, ALL THE IRON MEN, & ORDER OF THE VALIANT. This is important for one principal reason: investors now know they’re dealing with professionals and that their investments will be protected & utilized per their desires. Unfortunately there’s so much flim-flammery in the film biz...

Success!!! It’s All IN the Can!!!

Sir Gordon Hearne

Yesterday, we met with the quite wonderful Sir Gordon Hearne & his lovely wife Jenny. Sir Gordon is a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the ETO during the Second World War. His unit – an anti-aircraft battery – was attached to the 28th Infantry Division in its push out of Normandy and subsequent campaign across France. It also got caught up in the Battle of the Bulge, and Sir Gordon had several close shaves during his service with the unit. In his own words, he “had about eight or nine near death experiences” and is immensely – and rightfully – proud of his service during the war. He’s been back to Europe about a half dozen times since then for D-Day  & Battle of the Bulge Commemoration Events...

Out with the Old. In with the New…

These are truly revolutionary times we’re livin’. When has the power of technology been so available to those who seek it? It’s has never been as easy to produce & shoot your own film/tv project than now. No big clunky film cameras that make noise in action. Got a handheld? – That’ll do! Besides – it’s quiet! Whether funded out of our own pockets (like we haven’t all done this?) or from crowdfunding sources (the latter is a special skill still developing, as yours truly has found out). Even distribution is different now. Can’t secure a distribution deal thru the big studios or one of the smaller companies? Okay – create your own website for it and put it out there. Is it easy? Well, Yes & No...

On Location: USS Enterprise CV-6 Hangar at Planes of Fame Air Museum

1/2 IN the Can…

Thanks to Jerry Wilkins & all the staff out at Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, CA!!! A wondrous shoot that actually didn’t take all that long (Getting IT in the Can PDQ!)  Colonel Reynolds was first up on slate (or is that the chopping block?), relating his experiences in Iraq where he spent a good amount of time in the “Green Zone” under rocket & mortar attack. Particularly harrowing were his tales of being stalled in a supply column outside of Fallujah and the time two of his charges become disoriented while driving outside the “Green Zone” and were – thankfully – able to be coached back to safe haven before any trouble started...

Getting IT in the Can!!!

Masters of War: Soldiers of Distinction One Sheet

No, it’s not what you might think, it’s the “Masters of War: Soldiers of Distinction” teaser shoot is tomorrow!!! Thanks to the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, CA  for their graciousness in allowing us to utilize their facilities. The venerable David Hansen-Sturm is lensing it, with  Colonel F. Lee Reynolds USAR  onboard doing (what they call) Host Narrative.  His experiences from his multiple tours of Iraq will prove invaluable. Gordon Hearne, who is president of the Southern California Chapter of the Battle of the Bulge Veterans will appear in it also, but we’ll be shooting him in a different locale.  Been going back and forth with Mo Fitzgibbon (of Walker-Fitzgibbon.com) re: wardrobe...

Wow! – I’m stunned (or maybe that should be “pleasantly surprised”) at the impact our facebook page has had: THE MARSCHER LORDS: Brotherhood or Death  has: 804 Likes. 411 Talking About. A lot of interest continues to pour in from both Great Britain & Germany (and people thought chivalry was dead – hah!); quite the contrary actually, it seems there is more of a hunger for it than ever before. Maybe it’s these crazy times we inhabit. Maybe it’s people looking for something (or someone) who truly looked out for others and not only for themselves. Sad to say, the latter does sound a bit old-fashioned, n’est pas?  Well, we can always aspire to greatness. Even if we fall short, at least we’re still trying to be better than we were five minutes ago...

THE MARSCHER LORDS: Brotherhood or Death Grows in Popularity on Social Media!!!

Thank you One & All!!!! THE MARSCHER LORDS:Brotherhood or Death facebook page  has just passed 615 likes with 381 “talking about”. HOO-RAH!!! That figure will probably be obsolete shortly (like we’re complaining? – NOT!!!) How’s that for a no-budget PR campaign? And to think we were ecstatic when we reached 500 likes!!! Proof positive that not only is there an audience for this film but that audiences are obviously hungry for something different. Standard Hollywood fare has become rather stale of late (with – of course –  the aformentioned exception of Fox’s new Sleepy Hollow). As our dear friend & Exec Prod (but shortly to move into Executive Production Design) Sir Brick Price has mentioned, so many dramat...

Time for New Blood & Fresh Concepts

Masters of War: Soldiers of Distinction One She

Touched on “me too-ism” a bit in the last post, an affliction that – unfortunately – afflicts the masses. Unsurprising this, for when an idea shows itself to be a success it invariably invites imitation. However, old parables can be turned on their heads in such a way that they reinvent themselves. It’s been noted in the media that television writing has surpassed that of films, a point that certainly has merit , however by turning old parables on their heads you wind up with a result like Fox’s new Monday night series Sleepy Hollow.  Well written, well acted, enormously entertaining to watch and completely unpredictable, it melds an old parable with that of the Apocalypse and the Coming of the End Times...

Knight Leads Charge to Fund Local Film!!!

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Well, the momentum continues to build!!! The unique situation surrounding this project – and all involved with it – has piqued press interest. Below is a screenshot of the actual article. Can’t post the link here but it can be viewed over @ www.valleynewsgroup.com on page 7. In reality this project has taken on a life of its own (Serendipity, n’est pas?) Uhh…maybe more Providence from where I’m sittin’. But either way it’s a major shot in the arm. Make sure you check out our Facebook page and give us a “like” [icon icon=icon-smile size=14px color=#000 ] but – most importantly – don’t forget to support us on kickstarter.com!!! Remember, this is the movie you are making!!! Here’s your chance – no matter where you are – to make a diff...