Film Project

November 14th, 2005 Update

The script for episode one of Circle of Stone is now available for view!

June 1st, 2005 Update

Updates will now be available through the livejournal community Lordsofthehoof. Please check there for continued progress reports and information on the production of Circle of Stone.

http://www.livejournal.com/community/lordsofthehoof/

March 30, 2005 Update

Well, it’s begun! We have embarked on our low-no-micro budget DV Film project, aimed at producing a costumed drama featuring anthropomorphic characters. The project has been formulated to be the first two episodes of a story arc that will ultimately play out across nine 22-minute (half hour US TV drama) installments.

Our story is a dramatic anthropomorphic fantasy set in the early medieval period. It will feature a Doe, a Horse, and a Fox as the principle characters as well several other races such as cats, wolves, and various forest folk in secondary roles.

As we said in our January announcement, this is an earnest effort at serious anthropomorphic fiction. We fully realize that this undertaking is both an experiment and a gamble- but we have a high degree of confidence in our approach and in our costuming, writing, and production skills. A thing not tried is a thing never accomplished.

At an ancient circle of stone, the summoned grotesque appears. The event is witnessed by the Ranger Sylvia. The Grotesque attacks and Sylvia barely escapes with her life and rushes to Falkenhaven to warn the local Margrave. Collapsing at the gate, she is brought before the Lord of the Town by the Third Captain of the Guard, Warwick, a discontented rebellious son of former noble family. The Margrave is skeptical but tells them to return to the stone circle and investigate further.

We are currently in pre-production for a Teaser to be shown at Anthrocon 2005. Preliminary fabrication and costume work is underway and shooting will begin in May in the New Jersey Region.

After they leave, the Margrave summons the First Captain, the Wolf Kharibus, telling him to go to the Chapter House of the Order and confront the Order Master. The Order Master, who secretly has aided the Seer’s quest for the final meaning of the glyphs, tries to cover up the deed. The Margrave’s suspicions makes the Order Master uncomfortable.

As with any independent, low-no-micro (why do all those words rhyme?) budget project, we will be seeking volunteers for both on-screen and off-screen positions. We are not in a position to pay anyone including ourselves and thus, we are seeking serious volunteers. As with any independent film project in which all are volunteers, we will provide food for those participating and will provide some gas money to help defray the cost.

Making matters worse, a lowly oblate of the Order, the former street rogue, the fox Renoux, witnessed the summoning and is trying to warn the Order Master unaware of the Master’s complicity. Between the First Captain's visit and Renoux's persistent inquisitiveness, the Order Master is unnerved and is manipulated into “removing” the fox by the Seer. The Seer however, does not simply plan to remove the fox; he secretly plans to use a grotesque to kill him.

What we seek in actors are those desiring an ensemble experience. Actors who can play and feed off each other- who can bring vitality to roles under a mask. We look forward to sharing the creative efforts with those talented individuals who join us.

As these plans unfold, Renoux, determined to prove that something sinister is underfoot, breaks into the Seer's chambers and discovers the burning glyphs. Meanwhile, arriving at the stone circle, Warwick and Sylvia discover a glyph glowing in the stones. Since, only the order knows the secrets of the glyphs, they hurry back to the Order’s Chapter House just as the grotesque silently closes in on the unaware Renoux.

Those interested in becoming involved in what we are doing can read the sections below outlining our anticipated needs. Those interested in the general progress of this project will find news and information posted here. Those with specific queries about this effort or a desire to explore volunteering for the project in some capacity may write to:

blackdestrier@hooves.com

CURRENT NEEDS

The story takes place in an alternate world based upon 14th century France and Germany. In addition to dialog and acting, combat and physical action will be key aspects. Swords and bows will be featured in the film and a willingness to learn fight co-ordination and safety is a must. We anticipate seeking a number of actors to play various roles in the film. Some of the principle and secondary roles are listed below.

Episode II - Warwick and Sylvia arrive at the Chapter House just in time to foil the grotesques attempt to kill Renoux. Renoux, having learned that the Seer has invoked the last glyph, takes the Seer’s secret records of the Glyphs and, together with Warwick and Sylvia, escape the Chapter House. The whole incident has Order Master aghast but the Seer tells him not to worry for they have new friends now.

ON-SCREEN POSITIONS

Principle Characters

WARWICK: A horse, male - The Captain of the Guard of the fortified town of Falkenhaven. The son of minor noble family, he is a soldier who believes in fairness and justice and while his loyalty is supreme he is often tested by the corrupt Margrave he serves. When Warwick discovers that the Margrave is taking advantage of a dire situation to further his own wealth, he casts aside his loyalties, and sets out to oppose the Margrave.

Meanwhile, Warwick, along with Renoux and Sylvia tells the Margrave what happened. They press him to intervene, but the cat is adamantly against formally investigating the powerful Order for that would bring down unwanted Imperial attention to the province- something the Margrave fears for he has been shorting the Tax toll for years. The confrontation sets Warwick against the Margrave- the meeting ending with the Margrave angrily dismissing the three.

SYLVIA: A deer, female – A Ranger of the West March. An extraordinary tracker– she is highly skilled in bow and blade and possesses a magical sense of the land. When the appearance of the ancient evil threatens the land, she seeks to alert the Margrave only to discover a terrible secret that sets a bounty upon her head.

After they leave, the Margrave sends the First Captain back to threaten the Order Master into revealing what’s really going on. The Order Master’s denials bring dire threats from the First Captain who leaves furious. Pushed beyond his limit, the Order Master tells the Seer that things must stop; they must reveal what they’ve done to the Order’s Grand Master in the Imperial Capital. The Seer, fearing that others will claim the glory for his discovery, argues with the Order Master, but when the Order Master tells him his mind is made up, the Seer has a grotesque murder him.

RENOUX: A Fox, male – A Keeper of the Order. Renoux has risen from street urchin to a quick witted, Oblate of he Order, an empire-wide sect that covets knowledge and prides themselves on being invisible hand behind the Empire. When he discovers that his masters are covering up a terrible secret, he sets out to save the order from those who would destroy it.

Acting quickly, the Order Seer implicates Renoux, Warwick and Sylvia in the killing, suggesting that they were under orders from the Margrave. The Margrave, vigorously denies it, but knows that the Seer has the upper hand, fearing that the accusations will reach the Emperor and trigger a dreaded Imperial inquiry. Trapped by the Seer’s plot, The Margrave orders the arrest of Warwick, Sylvia, and Renoux. Alerted to the Margrave’s betrayal, they flee the city, battling the First Captain, and escape into the countryside.

THE MARGRAVE: A Cat who is ruthless but practical, a grand manipulator who has carefully skimmed the imperial tax while levying heavy burdens upon the town. He fears probing imperial eyes and seeks to control everything in his grasp. Surprised by the Order’s daring, he hesitates not in trying to capitalize on what has been unleashed.

Once safe in the woods, Sylvia tells them that she is out-- this is not her fight- it is a matter between the Order and Margrave. She begins to walk away, intending to return to the Ranger Hold, but she knows she can’t leave the two in the wilderness for they have no place to go.

Secondary Characters

A number of additional roles will be required, including the Captain of the First Guard, Warwick’s rival, the wicked Seer of the Order, the old Ranger Chieftain, and a host of extras, some with speaking roles, but most without.

Reluctantly, she tells them that they can come along and together they travel to the Ranger’s hidden sanctuary. But, as the reach the Hold, they come under attack by two grotesques. They battle and drive off the attackers only to discover that the old chieftain has been fatally wounded. He is dying and as he does, Sylvia reveals to Warwick and Renoux that he was her father. Suddenly, this is now her fight too.

PRODUCTION POSITIONS

A project such as this benefits most from a single vision shared by many people. Although currently, we hold the roles of producer, director, stage and prop master, casting director, writer, cameraman, soundman, gaffer, costume designer, production designer, art director, and lunch wagon attendant, we know that there are both student, interested amateurs, and crazy professionals who can fill many of these roles better than we and are always willing to jump in to a challenging project.

To that end, we welcome any persons with production experience and/or desires, to volunteer. As with acting, the pay is the same, but the rewards just as worthy.

THE FINAL CUT

In summary- this is an ambitious independent low-no-micro film project aimed at an anthropomorphic costumed drama written with the notion that the result is but one episode of a larger story arc, a serious fantasy– in animal form, exploring serious dramatic themes.

Like any truly great journey- we do not know just how it will end- but we do know where we want to go. If you have an interest in this, and you would like to know more- we encourage you to contact us.

Thank you for spending some time with us.

Hope to see you at the movies.

Destrier and Cordite

The Film will feature costumes with full articulated masks and/or prosthetics for the actors.

“Circle of Stone”

Episode 1 – Something Wicked