Now your in deep:
The script was completed to a draft we were comfortable with and we started to bring in cast and crew. Originally Revelations started off very small but with a big ambition. Little did we know just how big that ambition was. So, who do you call when starting a project like this? Well, you friends.
A big challenge for doing Revelations in terms of filming was time, as we all had 9-5 jobs, families, kids, bills, other tasks, and could only afford and schedule such large shoots 1-2 weekends a month. It took one year to film the 40min movie and for that long of a stint you need very committed people.
Calling in professional actors would not have really worked, as not many people are going to shoot 14 hours a day, not change their hair style or look for a year, and do it for FREE. So we gathered talent who could commit to such a long haul and beloved in the project. Plus our cast and crew had to pay for their own rooms, food, travel, and sometimes wardrobe. It cost our people money just to be involved in the film and some of our actor had to take time off from work and drive 4-8 hours just to shoot with us. That is asking a lot out of someone and we are very thankful for our cast and crew, they are the greatest to work with.
In the end our largest shoot was 180 people on location with jib shots, dolly shots, troopers, craft services, wardrobe, etc and we did 38 setups in roughly 6 hours!
A little on the story:
“Revelations” takes place between Episodes 3 and 4 of the Star Wars Saga. Emperor Palpatine's power has spread throughout the galaxy. Darth Vader is a feared figure. The Jedi are hunted fugitives. Anyone suspected of harboring Jedi or having any information about them is taken into Imperial custody.
Our heroine, Taryn Anwar, has broken way from Imperial control and is searching for an ancient Jedi artifact. Said to contain great power, it could be the key to destroying the Empire -- if she can locate it before Zhanna, the Emperor’s Hand, does. It’s a race between good and evil as the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance.
Revelations tells it's story around it's own unique characters and worlds around the Star Wars universe in which the only original star wars characters you will see from the films are, the Emperor, Vader, stormtroopers, and various aliens that makes Star Wars. "Revelations" is very unique in it own way of look and feel, yet still within the Star Wars galaxy. We wanted to make something that was our own and not a simple retelling of Star Wars, or ideas and looks that have been explored before. We tried to make a film with the things and ideas we always wanted to see.
In the end, the script went through roughly 12 revisions by the time you watch it, and some were on the fly as we tightened and tweaked the story we wanted to tell or strengthen characters and deliveries. We think the end result is a fast pace film that takes you for quite a ride. We give a lot of looks for "Revelations" that is very exciting. It's a film we wanted to make in which we do not dummy down the exposition or story, and you really have to pay attention or you will miss things. A lot happens in 40 mins!
The Makings:
Upon the release of the film (Spring 2005) "Revelations" will have been 3 years in the makings. There were around 200 people in total involved in some aspect of the film. cast, crew, extras, behind the scenes, etc. This project was simply made through the combined effort of so many, and we want to thank those people. We were able to keep costs down and production high by using the resources we could find and treating the film in a professional manner as well as surrounding ourselves with talented, committed people who believe in what you are doing and wanting to see it succeed. There is a small piece of a lot of people wrapped into "Revelations"
All said and done we shot in total of about 17 days to make the film which took a good deal of time and effort to pull off.
The FX and CG for "Revelations" was accomplish by pulling and creating a team of artists from all over the world and working with them in an online group to manage tasks and shots. A bid idea of "Revelations" in the beginning was to show the various talents there were, and show off those talents in an independent film.
Three years to make "Revelations" and we hope you enjoy the many efforts of so many. This being our first film to come out, it is what it is, and hope we do not disappoint. When it's all said and done we wanted to make a film people would enjoy and create good cinema in 40 minutes. It wasn't about being the next biggest thing, or aiming to having lunch with Lucas, but about film making, the people involved who make it happen as a large group effort, and setting goals high and enjoy the ride. Revelations is for ourselves and for you.
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