Heartsfelled is a storyteller, as old as time and as wise as any story.
This blog captures our adventure whilst filming "The Identity Stealer", an Anglo-Saxon Saga style story told by Heartsfelled with brilliant live action demon slaying and more .....
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One week ago, in the spot where I now stand, was the Museum of Stories.
Here we stood inside Heartsfelled the Storyteller's magical lair. Here is where his collections of stories, portals into stories, and little clues and artefacts belonging to lost or forgotten stories were all to be found. But like many magical and special treats - the Museum of Stories will only stay in one place for a little while. When it's ready it will dissolve away and if you wanted to visit again you'd have to know the secret and how to step through the "long forgotten door".
As I stand here now I see only the grey, empty square building. I look around, here is where I built a hollow cardboard wall to dampen the sound for the film crew. Here is where the woodland corner was built, and over there Heartsfelled's table .... I kick over the traces of dust, bark and sand. I try to recall in my mind's eye the island beach and the little boy's bedroom all ready for bedtime stories to be told. And, feeling quite sad as it turned out, I start to sweep away the last dusty reminders.
The floor and walls echo now as I step around the empty room.
Zak adjusts the "white" and gets ready to do some pretty clever stuff with his camera
Testing the framing and lighting
- it takes skill to get it right.
Heartsfelled gets ready for the next "take".
Zak in his element - look at that smile.
Assistant Director, Tina, making sure the angles are correct.
Is the pen (quill) mightier than the sword?
Blue screen . . . coz Julia's not really transparent!
Getting ready, trying not to melt - it's over 30 degrees in there by now.
Hottest weekend ever!
Checking his Anglo-Saxon pronunciation perhaps.
Clapper Board Girl - the Assistant Director on such a small crew gets to do it all!
He's picked an interesting volume off the shelf there.
The crew, Zak Wylde Productions, are getting the equipment ready;
the staff (that's me and Richard aka Brother Scuttle) are setting out the catering and comfort facilities; the artiste Heartsfelled (Nigel Gant) and his amanuensis (Julia) are preparing to fill the Museum of Stories with myth and magic ...
the next round of filming starts tomorrow and it's going to be fun.
Zak and a random Dalek check out new camera equipment.
Storyboards - the director and cinematographer create these and then either totally ignore them or use them as working guides to the shoot.
It's been a little while since my last post as I have been busy set-building and writing.
Whilst I've been busy doing that, the rest of the crew have been busy filming elsewhere as well as practising their martial arts skills and winning wonderful medals. Well done to all the Aisle O'Var Backsworders, Old Gamesters, and Team TE-MA Combat folks.
Yes, that's Zak Wylde Holland, our Director of Photography in the middle with some of his trophies and medals from this season. His radiant smile even more handsome in the sunshine at the Oyster Fayre.
And despite the bruises, oh yes, they have the bruises "the Kiss of The Ash" it is all done with an admirable spirit of sportsmanship, fair play and gentlemanly conduct. So proud to know them.
But, coming back to my main item for today, as I said I have been set building here in Lincolnshire along with my partner and Ghost from Times Past, Brother Scuttle (aka Richard Buck). As we have been building we've also been writing, Scuttle and I ... you see it wasn't until we stood inside the Museum of Stories that we realised what a mystical, magical place it really is. When you find your way there - and you have to remember to go through the "long forgotten door" with your heart and your mind open to the stories and the magic that lie beyond - when you find your way there you find that you are standing among a myriad of portals. Each portal leads to more than one other place where stories have been born and, if you know how, each story can be visited . . . But that's as much as I can tell you for now. I can sense Heartsfelled the Storyteller putting down the lap dogs and coming to put me in my place (gently of course) if I give away too much.
The film and the accompanying Special Edition Book will tell all, all in good time :)
So, I am going to write an article about each of the following talented members of our film crew, and I am going to tell you why it isn't possible to make a quality film production without them. But, in the meantime, let's let them say in their own words..... you'll soon see how each brings their own unique strengths and artistry to a project.
Richard has kindly allowed me some time once again to put my ghostly memory to work and take a trip back into the past...
I must say I'm getting used to your way of life here in the future... Even though my beloved Priory is no more! Still I can wander the Streets of Spalding as a ghost and observe what I can of humanity, which I find very entertaining...
Horseless carts, boxes you speak into, boxes that copy your every movement and utterance, boxes that generate visions from other realms... This 'Web' people speak of? That is the most terrifying thing of all, and once again I observe Richard and his wife spending hours pouring over this 'Web' from yet another box... I don't believe in Magic... never have, there is a reason for all this as Richard has tried to explain... I think my time is not ready for all this jiggery pokery!
Today Richard had to go to the 'Dentist' or tooth Doctor as I discovered. He seemed to feel no pain or discomfort through the ordeal... Good for him!
I remember Brother Simeon at the Priory... He pulled out bad teeth and enjoyed every moment of the suffering of others. Mercifully I only ever had to have him pull one of my teeth, but it is said my cries could be heard all over Spalding and beyond into the very fens! I was told that his predecessor, Brother Maurice actually kept the teeth he removed! Even in God's good name could he be that foul? But it appears that you have drugs and medicines to reduce pain in your time, which can only be good. Richard says he's a martyr to his teeth... I never quite understand what that man is on about half the time!
Anyway it's raining today and quite miserable... I think I'll nip back to the netherworld or go and see Heartsfelled to swap a yarn or two... Pity I can't drink ale anymore, you should have seen me and him back in the day! Ha ha ha...
Oh, due to 'human error' in the last blog I just wish to confirm that I was born in 1068 the son of a Norman and a high ranking Saxon and went into the Priory at 15 to study and prepare for my vows.
The opening sequence of our film is designed to introduce you to the setting within which storyteller Heartsfelled exists. You'll see the ghosts of times past going about their business because every life is a potential story and each one has, in some way, influence the storyteller in his trade.
Our ghosts span some 1300 years. The building of Ayscoughfee Hall was completed around the year 1451. It sits, grandly, in the town of Spalding, alongside the River Welland which runs through town. Of course, the site was occupied before this hall was started, although it is hard to say exactly who or what was there. The important Spalding Priory was across the river opposite Ayscoughfee and was there at the time the hall was built.
Heartsfelled the storyteller occupies his “Museum of Stories” in a magical, slightly secret place which can, if you know how to look for it, be accessed through Ayscoughfee Hall and Gardens … but only if you know how to look!
So, when we created “The Ghosts of Times Past” to introduce our ageless, timeless storyteller Heartsfelled, the people who have lived their lives in this place readily represent a goodly, broad, cross-section of those who might have influenced stories and storytellers across time. Anywhere you go in this human world, If you step through the right gateway, at the right moment in time, and if you keep your eyes and your mind open to all of life’s rich possibilities, if you let yourself see the rich reflections of the layers of lives past, and the ghosts of different times . . . The first ghost we see in the sequence is the scampering Brother Scuttle (watch this blog for little posts from the ghost of Brother Scuttle - he’s quite a character and full of interesting information). Brother Scuttle was born in 1068 and entered the Priory of Spalding when he was 15 years old. And what about that elegant lady in her cream lace gown with parasol, strolling and reading among the ancient yews? Well, she is almost certainly a ghost from the turn of the 20th century - late Victorian to early Edwardian. Don’t you love her summer hat? The next we see is a beautiful, flaxen-haired lady that we would most likely describe as “Viking” although her heritage could actually be Anglo-Saxon … as she would have been running her errands during the time of the Danelaw sometime between the mid-ninth and the mid-tenth century.
Aaah, Sense and Sensibility! See those two Regency coquettes running and giggling through the grounds! They will have had their fun around the beginning of the 1800s at the time when people like Sir Christopher Wren, Capability Brown, Wedgewood, and Chippendale were shaping things.
And keep an eye on the background - see our Edwardian Gentleman, Mr. Seaton, stroll along a rather poignant path in front of the spot where a war memorial now stands to commemorate the bravery of those involved in WWI and WWII - perhaps even his own son or grandsons. What a handsome ghost he is.
Back in time next, to some time around 1540 where we see the ghosts of two golden haired Tudor children scampering through the maze with their handsome m’ma in the background to the left and a very elegant young tudor lady strolling along behind in the far background.
Our next ghost, from around 1910 - Just look at that sumptuous Edwardian walking suit and hat (all hand stitched). What a purposeful walk she is on. I wonder where she was going . . .
My how I love the Victorian gardeners of 1890, Tom and Dan. If ever there was a story being told, I think they really appreciated the grounds around the lovely Hall and were proud to be looking after it. I wonder what they were saying?
Next . . . a little glimpse of the Victorian cook making her way to the kitchens at the back of the Hall.
It’s 1710 at the front entrance of the Hall and we see, perhaps that’s Maurice and Elizabeth Johnson sweeping through the door in their finery. Maurice was a famous antiquarian and the founder of the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society. If you don’t know about the SGS do look it up.
And finally, from around the 1860s, we see a young Isabella Johnson seeming to approve her own portrait in the library area of the Hall. She seems a little shy - for a ghost!
There were other ghosts but if we’d filmed them all then you never would get to meet Heartsfelled!! So this is our selection - people from times past. Every time has its stories and storytellers. Maybe next time!
As the film narrator says:
Anywhere you might go in this human world, If you step through the right gateway, at the right moment in time, and if you keep your eyes and your mind open to all of life’s rich possibilities, if you let yourself see the rich reflections of the layers of lives past and the ghosts of different times - then you might just come across a little bit of magic that has been spinning around our world since the very beginnings of time.
Because when time began – the Storytellers were born!
And the Story Tellers are ancient, traversing time and space and in an intricate dance all of their own. They are the keepers of Fīfmægen (fif-meyhan), that’s magical power!
The Storytellers are the keepers of fīfmægen, and it is their place in this world, to this very day, to be weaving the secrets of men and telling the magical, mythical tales of mankind.
But will you look?
Are you prepared to see into the shadows that run deep under the trappings of our modern society?
Are you prepared to listen with your heart for the voice that goes unheard?
Richard here, focus of 'Brother Scuttle' our resident ghostly, but very friendly and jolly
Heartsfelled Monk... Scuttle is a bit confused by the 21st Century, so I better pass over to him before he gets a bit grumpy! Over to you Brother!
What? Oh yes... What ever is this Blogging? Sounds more like flogging to me! Those Normans were good at that I can tell you! I saw a few floggings in my time... The old Priory Bell would sound and a crowd would gather, no moving pictures or books then to entertain us! Then the Normans would severely flog the miscreant outside the Priory gates...
But my beloved Priory has gone! Nothing much left at all now, just noise, hustle and bustle from horseless carts and too many people rushing about... Horrible!!!
I say those Normans... I'm half Norman myself and was two years after the conquest. By the time I entered the Priory King William I was still on the throne and Ivo Tailbois was looking after the interests of Spalding. His wife took much interest in our order and as a result the Priory grew into quite a powerful concern, far outgrowing those dunderheads at Croyland! Ha, they never got over that, and never allowed us to gain status as an Abbey...
As a cleric I was here, there and everywhere, so I was given the nickname 'Scuttle' which has stuck like fresh cow dung to thatch... Oh well, I have certain advantages and am treated very well, so I can't complain.
Then I suddenly find that I'm not only dead, but alive and well as a ghost channelled by this Richard fellow...
And I'm starring in a 'moving picture' called Heartsfelled! Actually I'm pleased. I knew old Heartsfelled back in the day and he can spin a good yarn or two I can tell you. You never know I might be brought back to star in a few more of these things... Who would have thought it?
Here's my role, scuttling into Ayscoughfee Hall with an urgent message...
Anyway I'm off back to the Netherworld to get a bit of sleep... I'll flog, er sorry, blog you again later!
Erm... yes, Thank you Brother Scuttle. More from him soon...
Today I have such exciting news ... alongside all the developments for the film, Heartsfelled himself is really coming to life before my very eyes!
Today I have an extra special treat for history buffs, food fans, fantasy fiction enthusiasts and, indeed, anyone who loves good fun - our historic fabrics and authentic historic recipes expert, Julia Gant, has decided to produce a special book of recipes for you. The recipes will be Heartsfellled's favourite foods from across the centuries (as you know he is as old as time and as wise as every story). I'm told that the first recipe will be for "Chocolate Port" as Heartsfelled says that a sensible little nip of this always helps the stories to flow. Apparently, this week, he is claiming to be responsible for the invention of every good recipe ever written ... ! To give you an idea of just how seriously good Julia is, only four years ago she catered "The Grand Ball at Villa de Molina" that was in the ground floor of Napoleon's villa on Elba. The recipes were Careme, Glasse, and Raffald, taken from the originals. The structure was based on one that grande cuisine, French Chef Marie-Antoine Careme himself did for Napoleon. The recipes will be drawn from all eras and will be embellished with stories and pictures of Heartsfelled to explain how or why each became his one of his memorable favourites. Not only will this book be fun but it will also give you authentic recipes and fascinating historic insights.
A peek at one of the special 4and20 tables ....
Heartsfelled can be seen here (and yes, that's Julia) appreciating L'art de la Cuisine Francais - this photo taken at Elba!
Wowza! Today I got a sneak preview of one of the bespoke masks for one of our demons. This is the second demon costume to come together (you've seen the preview of the first one modelled by beautiful Amy, in an earlier post).
It's so exciting to see such craftsmanship and to know that your characters are going to come to life and look so good. The demon battles are going to be amazing, I cannot wait until filming starts this summer.
Don't forget you can pre-order dvd or book or both, or get yourself an exclusive T shirt or sweatshirt and at the same time be supporting this project just go to - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/heartsfelled
The Great Thirsty Higghorþ under design
in the workshops of Barefoot Leather.
