Posted by Champ on January 18, 1999 at 20:52:26:
:Champ, tell us more about the J H Morgan film. We'd love to hear about it.
Elaine
O'siyo Elaine & everyone,
the project was developed by screenwriter/producer Chris Allen, as a "flagship" film for his new production company [Covenant Pictures].
It is my understanding that Covenant is for the most part going to focus on historical themed films. One project planned is about Lewis & Clark [another one I'm interested in being a part of, I've been to Fort Clatsop in Astoria, Oregon many times].
Anyhow, the John Hunt Morgan picture is to center around the wartime love affair of Morgan & his wife [Mattie Ready], with the War Between The States as the backdrop.
Because of my knowledge of Morgan's Raiders, [I started out reenacting with Co.A, Morgan's 2nd KY Cavalry & was unit historian],
their uniforms, accouterments, tack, weapons, and even which horse & its color Morgan rode at a given period, I was asked to be "Chief Historical Consultant" on the script [much like Mark Baker on LOTM].
I have a copy of the script, & will tell you this much, the love story is really well done [though how they met has been heavily fictionalized], but the battle scenes, etc, dealing with Morgan & his men I am presently rewriting to bring more in line with historical fact.
The film will be shot in Tennessee, near Murfreesboro for the exteriors, & in Nashville for the interiors. I've been told I'll be needed through-out the entire filming schedule (!)....
The leads have not been cast yet, but I've heard rumors that a few country & western stars may lend support in cameos [including Johnny Cash & Naomi Judd]. As with anything in Hollywood, dont believe it until you see it ;-)
The picture is "scheduled" to began filming late summer of this year, but my gut tells me it will be closer to Spring of 2000, we'll see...
Like I say, this is my first such project, & reading what Mark went thru, I'm storing that all away for "future reference".
I do know that I'll be an "extra" as well in it, and more'n likely among the "core extras". I'm told that when Mr. Allen saw my photo he got very excited & said that this is exactly the look he's after [I have shoulder length dark hair & a moustache/goatie, & Cherokee facial features, ... if you saw me in uniform I look alot like a bushwackin' guerrilla soldier, that is the "look" I've worked on...and being 6'3" & 220 lbs helps make me an intimidating Reb' ;-) ]...
At this point I cant tell you too much more, I'm awaiting word on casting & hiring of key crew positions, once thats done I'll have a better idea of filming start dates.
It will be grand though, charging on horseback across some of the same ground Morgan's Raiders did!
As I find out more, I'll let y'all know...
"Champ"
reenactor & member of
Southern Cherokee Nation
[NW District]