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.
I often mention Zak in my posts, and you'll already get the impression that I am rather impressed by his creative and artistic skills as a filmmaker (trust me I've worked in the entertainment industry for 20 years and as a film studies teacher for nearly 15, I am qualified to know when something extra special is happening). Cinematography and directing a successful film shoot are true arts and Zak is, without any doubt, an extra-ordinary, upcoming artist in his field.
Sometimes I post photos because, let's face it, he is a good looking young man, isn't he!
I can only imagine that, over the next few years, Zak will have his own fan club of followers and enthusiasts for his work.
Zak is made all the more charming by the fact that he is not in any way vain, he's strong, fit and intelligent but at the same time incredibly gentle and down-to-earth. That's not to say he isn't a fireball of energy, he loves adventure, challenges and new experiences just as much as he loves his crackling home hearth and purring cats.
I shall be spending time on location with Zak Wylde Productions over this coming weekend and am planning to get some video interviews so that you-all can get to know Zak, and other cast and crew members, better. But in the meantime, I'll leave you with a short video to admire Zak exhibiting just a few of his phenomenal gymnastic skills in 2017 . . .
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.
Those of you who've visited this blog before will be pretty familiar with our character, Heartsfelled. You'll know about him being a storyteller as old as time. And, you maybe know that in the upcoming film, Heartsfelled is telling a story called The Identity Stealer.
However, some folk are not so sure about the story of the Identity Stealer, so settle back and I'll explain:
The story actually began as a lengthy poem that I created when I was a performance poet.
Patrisha, the Poet
The poem is called The Fyrdwhaet Saga and because I was feeling adventurous, it a few lines in Anglo-Saxon English. Based on someone I knew, it's a set of verses about a charismatic warrior who absorbs people's time and attention so much that I call him Fyrdhwaet,The Identity Stealer. Being an academic myself, but not being at all an expert or knowledgeable about Anglo-Saxon English, I took the poem to some learned experts to verify that I had written them well enough. To be honest, I expected them to laugh and pat me on the head and that would be the end of that little project ... so you can imagine how happy I was to be told to think of it as the beginning of a full-length saga and to keep on writing it. And so it developed!
Patrisha, the scholar
In that first set of verses, “Fyrdhwæt, The Identity Stealer” (his name meaning brave or warlike), we are told that his mother who bore him and all of his friends, his family, even his wife, find that in his presence their sense of self and identity become thwarted and sucked away. So people turn away from him.
I spend happy hours researching Anglo-Saxon words and syntax to the best of my capability.
It's tricky, not least because our knowledge of this long-ago language is restricted to the few sagas and documents we have in the original (such as the wonderful Beowulf), but there's Bosworth and Toller's Dictionary and by the time I was writing this there was becoming some pretty good help on the internet too. Coming back to the story itself, what we find in the tale of Fyrdhwaet is that he is brave and good at heart. So, when I extended his story to build the Saga it seemed right and proper that he become the slayer of his people's demons.
The Green Man is gone!
I thought hard about olde Englyshe customs and mythology and about how peoples seemed to 'worship' many gods and goddesses, each of which had a role to play in daily life such as bringing forth good crops, clean water or good weather or rain as and when needed. Similarly, the people's demons were creatures of nature, or rather of disturbed nature. So I designed my demons to be the bringers of bad times such as crop failure, drought, or scary darkness (eclipse).
Naturally, the people begin to starve and would have died out (apathy seems prevalent) if it weren't for one small, lone voice who manages to call upon Fyrdhwæt. The sun won't shine so Fyrdhwæt slays the monster in the dark, alone and unrecognized.
In the second set of verses: “Bealltain” and “The Silken Tretraw” we are introduced to the first of three demons, the Tretraw. It is a beast which arrives at the beginning of spring, during the spring festival procession, and it commences to eat up all the trees and green growth, positing stones and rock in the place of sacred woods and vital agriculture.
In the third set of verses: “Alban Heruin” and “The Thirsty Higghorþ” (a demon drank up the oxygen)
This Thirsty Higghorþ [pronounced High-hoarth . . . with a silent 'p' before the 'th' if you can manage it] makes its living by drinking all the oxygen and goodness from the air. Once again a small, lone voice manages to call our hero Fyrdhwæt. The sun won't shine on the battle so our hero struggles until he has slain the monster and saved the people.
In the final set of verses: “Samhain” and “The Miserable Maghmaugh” [pron:maw-maw] we witness our hero as he slays his third and final demon. This one is a dwimor or ghost which dries out all the water supplies and sacred wells by turning the waters to rosin.
Having written all this, and performed it a couple of times, I set the poem aside to gather dust on a shelf somewhere and almost forgot all about it while tide and times shaped and reshaped my days.
. . . Then, during the Christmas break of 2017 while I was idle and supposed to be resting,
Patricia watches Zak of Zak Wylde Productions
Julia Gant, Costumier and actress
Nigel Gant - Heartsfelled
I suddenly had the idea of taking the Saga to some new friends who just happened to be first class historians, re-enactors, experimental archaeologists and filmmakers . . ! I even discovered that Nigel Gant, who will play Heartsfelled, has actually studied Anglo-Saxon English. There's not so much of it in the film as we wanted the tale to be accessible to everybody, and lovely Nigel has made it perfect!
Director and special action actor Pete Holland of Zak Wylde Productions
As a production team, we've talked and we've worked and we've had a great time bringing this project together.
At time of writing, we've got the opening sequence under our belts and are looking forward to a long summer of filming the three battle sequences as well as Heartsfelled himself in his Museum of Stories.
For the purposes of telling the story well, we have designed and represented the demons in animal
Amy - the beautiful side of the cunning
Miserable Maghmaugh!
form. I felt this would be close to Anglo-Saxon thinking. The Silken Tretraw is a wolf, the Higghorþ is a wild boar and the Miserable Maghmaugh is a deer.
. . . Oh, and Tretraw, Higghorþ and Maghmaugh are names I made up! I hope that answers for you. Thanks again for your interest.
If you would like to pre-order your copy of the film, film and book or if you would like to have a special Heartsfelled T-shirt or sweatshirt or even a mug, or perhaps you'd like to come visit us on-set in Lincolnshire . . . then why not show your support and visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/heartsfelled
