Soldiers
Brownstown Michigan pickup shoot for the my loyal Midwest soldier’s
I would like to invite you to this great location and have you be part of action. Brownstown is located midway between Detroit and Monroe just off interstate I/75. Here are the dates of the shoots. Of course you would be more then welcome to attend the Virginia shoot’s also.
- weekend of September 16-19: Brownstown, MI
- weekend of September 23-25: Fredericksburg, VA area
- October 7-16: Fort Pickett, VA. Site prep and pontoon boat bridge
construction at Fort Pickett will begin on Wednesday, September 28

The subjects are the Battle of the Wilderness and the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse. Among the very unusual features of the shoot will be the use of our full scale pontoon bridge to start off the 1864 campaign, and the creation of the Muleshoe at Spotsylvania. We'll also be staging Emory Upton's attack of May 10.

- Subject: The Wilderness and Spotsylvania Courthouse (2 shows).

- Arrangements: I want to be up front that this project does not, at present, have a budget, and we may be asking people to work with us on speculation on this one. We would, of course, provide food and housing at the base, project hats and shirts and a copy of the completed program -- but pay may be either small or deferred, but with all participants being paid before we are.

One of our main motivations for this is to again use the extensive earthworks we built there (at Pickett, Va.) before we lose them. This is likely to be our only chance to stage combat scenes in the works -- and we would add to them for this shoot.

Please let me know how this possibility strikes you. I would love to get back into the field with you and others. We are bringing the "Soldiers All" feature to a close (the label is attached -- the earthworks I am talking about are featured on the label -- and that's only 1/3 of the overall set), and we're wrapping up the civilian film in June as well. We're in the process of editing Antietam, the mini-series, but it would be great if we got back into the saddle for a week or so. Fort Pickett is urging us to come back and shoot again -- and working there was a real pleasure.

WHAT TO BRING:
- as many impressions as you have and can bring, including a variety of weapons.
- tentage -- even though we will have barrack-style accommodations for troops,
we will need to depict soldiers in camp - please bring a tent if at all
possible.
- 50 rounds, ready to go, 80-100 caps. We will replace the powder and caps expended. Bring more than these if possible -- but please come with at least this much to get us started.

WHAT NOT TO BRING:
- any modern firearm or edged weapon
- any live ammunition
- anyone we're not expecting. Please don't bring family members or friends or others who are not part of the filming or who haven't been cleared ahead of time with me.
- Illicit drugs of any kind

Alcohol: you may have small amounts of alcohol for personal use, provided it is done discretely.

If you have food allergies (I sure as heck do), please let me know and I will compile a list for our caterer, Carey, and she will work around it. Carey will also have vegetarian options each day -- we'll get a handle on how many vegetarians we have at the beginning of the shoot and every few days.

Special things we're needing:
- a variety of flags: CS battle flags, US national and regimentals. We have examples of all of these, but we are depicting so many units, that it would be helpful if you could obtain or bring some others so we have variety.
- US Corps, Division and Brigade flags - with the appropriate corps badges for the 2nd and 5th Corps especially - but also for Getty's Division of the 6th Corps (2nd Division -- white Greek cross).
- 146th NY Zouave’s: I have contacted a unit that depicts this outfit and they are working on raising a platoon for us -- but if you have access to this unusual, medium blue Zouave impression; it would be great for you to bring it.
- US regulars - frock coat
- Iron Brigade - frock coat and Hardee hat.
- New York shell jackets for those cool New York impressions.
- officer's impressions -- if you have one, or can assemble one, I can assure you we will use you in that capacity on some occasion.
- cavalry impressions, carbines, etc. -- we will have several cavalry scenes, including a lot of dismounted cavalry fighting on foot - both sides. If you have something in that line, please bring it and we will add you to the cavalry force at the appropriate times.
- artillery impressions -- same deal. We will drop in artillery scenarios at different times during the shoot - and concentrate on cavalry and artillery late in the shoot. But if you have an artillery impression, and artillery experience, we will take advantage of it.
- medical impression, supplies, experience, etc. - same as above - we'll have several field hospital scenarios throughout the shoot.
- Tents! - I mentioned this before, but it is very important.

Unusual things we're doing: we like to have special and unique experiences in our films, and this one is unusually packed with such things:
- a full-scale pontoon bridge for you to cross on.
- a war dance, conducted in the camp of the 7th Wisconsin Volunteers, by Chippewa’s in the ranks of the 7th, prior to the campaign.
- a huge earthwork to depict the mule shoe action on May 12, 1864 at
Spotsylvania
- the Battle at Rappahannock Station, November, 1863 -- staged as a precursor to the mule shoe action; that site also included a pontoon bridge
- Upton's Assault at Spotsylvania on May 10
- John Gordon's attack in opposite directions in the Wilderness on May 5th
- Lee to the Rear episode - two of them (!) - one in the Wilderness with the Texans, and the other at Spotsylvania with Gordon's Georgians.
- The surrender of the 7th Pennsylvania Reserves to two companies of the 60th Georgia
- 5th New York Cavalry delaying action against Heth's Infantry division on May 5th
- Sorrel's flank attack on Hancock from the railroad trace.
- Gordon's flank attack on Sedgwick at dusk on May 6
- Grant, Meade, Warren, Hancock, Griffin, Theodore Lyman, Cavalryman John Hammond, Getty all brought to life on the Union side.
- Lee, Ewell, Longstreet, Charles Marshall, Wilcox, John Gordon and others on screen for the Confederates.

We will have many scripted scenarios for these characters and for the rank and file of both sides - so there will be many opportunities for you to work on a speaking part, if you're interested.

We are still recruiting - so, if you have anyone who is interested in joining us at any point in the schedule, please let me know. All I ask is that they have a good look, a complete impression, and that we know when they are coming so we can accommodate them.

If you have someone who is interested in working on my crew (either on set with the technical crew, or in wardrobe, props, etc.), please let me know that as well.

I will have one more update, hopefully around the end of next week (but maybe at around Monday the 23rd) which will have specific info and directions for the barracks, dining hall and wardrobe, as well as crew quarters. My main goal with this update was to get you general directions to the location and address the usual housekeeping issues, and let you know some of what we're planning to film.

Over the years we have been refining our style and experimenting with ways to depict the action of the Civil War in the most intense and exciting (and safe) ways possible. Last year we had some major advancement in our work on Soldiers All (which you'll see at the shoot - our first feature film). Whatever we've learned thus far is for you to now come and experience and enjoy. It is just as important to us to give you a quality experience on set, as it is to make a quality film. Together, and with your help, expertise and dedication, I know we
will all have a great time, and produce a unique film on the Overland campaign that you will be proud of.

Billeting at Brownstown Michigan, Historical home on site limited space. Or tent encampment.
Billeting in Virginia will be in the barracks at Pickett. Food is provided and we are working on project hats and shirts for all participants. The project, at the moment, is on speculation - pay is $125 per day on spec (to be paid to soldiers and crew prior to any revenues reverting to us our company), $100 per day if we receive some support up front.

Please feel free to recruit good people, with quality impressions, for any or all of the dates - but let me know who they are so I can get them on the roster.

The battalion is limited to 100 men for any given shooting day.

We will be on site the week prior to the shoot (Sept. 20, or thereabouts), in order to get the earthworks back into shape and add more - and to prep for the shoot. If you would like to join us to help for that phase, please let me know.

Your help and expertise is very welcome.

The response to my initial inquiry was stunning - extremely positive. I thank everyone for that. If I haven't heard from you as to your availability, please let me know -- and also let me know any other recruits that you bring on board so I can keep the roster up to date.

Looking forward to seeing you in the field -- Brad