Longship Company Reenactor Reserve; Upcoming Gig

[Cap'n Atli]

We have been contacted by a production company for the History Channel for filming the ship, crew and reenactors for an upcoming segment on the Norse gods. So far they are looking for a one (or possibly two) day shoot on EITHER the first weekend in October OR the first weekend in November. Preliminary discussions and negotiations are presently in progress. There will be a pass-through stipend of (preliminary negotiations being what they are) $100 - $200 for each reenactor (the LSCo will also get a fee for the ship; so we’re taking no cut here).

So, who would be available for a one or two day gig? Which weekend(s)? You may PM me if you wish, or send a direct e-mail to asylumATearthlinkDOTnet .

Do not send photos at this time. If you have already sent photos, just remind me; I still have them on file.

Once again; we are in negotiations (and I’m hoping for the November date), but with a short horizon I thought it was better to alert folks than to spring something later. This looks pretty firm, but if negotiations don’t pan out we will let you know instantly. (A proper game/candle value judgment will be applied; if he who pays the piper calls the tune, we want to make sure that the piper(s) be paid.)

More details over the next week.

(Edited to correct e-mail address.)

[ULTRAGOTHA]

We want to go but we're going to East Kingdom University in Trois Riviers, Quebec on October 6 and are committed to a local SCA event on November 3.



T and J

[Cap'n Atli]

HC Project Update

Please Note: Our President submitted a proposal to the producers last week. We are still awaiting a response. We will let you know as soon as they get back to us. We feel that if the LSCo and our crew and friends are going to jump through the usual hoops of a television production, we don't want to sell our time, talents and facilities short; so their game needs to be worth our collective candles. (i.e. We aren't gouging them, but we're not selling ourselves cheap, either.)

Thank you for your continued interest!

[Vladimir]

Where would this take place?

[Cap'n Atli]

In the town of Avenue (actually Oakley) St. Mary's County, Maryland; on the waters of Canoe Neck Creek and St. Clements Bay and the lower Potomac.

Still no word from the production company; I'll probably talk to our President on Monday since we're getting pretty near the first proposed date in October. (If they are looking at the November date, then that's a little further along; but it would be nice for them to let us know so that people can plan.)

[Halfdan]

Myself and possibly a friend or two can make it out for the November weekend. I'll be recently back from the sandbox, so I can show up early and stay late if stuff needs doing. I have a pretty decent kit- all linen and wool, real turnshoes, etc. This sounds awesome.

[Marduk]

That is just down the road from me. I'm in Accokeek, MD.

Wow, I had no clue there was a longship raiding the Potomac. I am interested.

[Cap'n Atli]

The production company got back to us; but they went lowball on us. No problem with the ship rental (~$1k for a commercial venture; we charge less if it's truly an educational enterprise) BUT they knocked down what the reenactors would get (~$200 + food + crash space) to (paraphrase) "Oh, we could use about a dozen of you, for $75 each; and we'll throw in lunch." The last time we accepted an offer like that; I never heard the end of it. For some of you folks, it probably would hardly cover the gas money and travel expenses. So there it is; they waited until the last minute for the October date (too late now) and then went low on us.

If it's any comfort, they are tied in with the whole Von Danikan "ancient astronauts and gods" thing; and we were to be the "anchor of reality" for their production. From our point of view; we can be bought, but we ain't cheap. Sorry, we're all left standing at the alter; but we decided not to be lowballed.

There is a counter offer from our President that they could come in November, we would run a regular voyage, in Viking gear, and they could come film it for ~$1k for the ship so that they jump through our hoops, rather than vice-versa. I, personally, don't expect much from them; but I will let folks know if they wish to join as part of the crew for the day on the water and 30+ seconds of History Channel exposure.

Well, that's Hollywood, baby!

[Cian of Storvik]

Seems like you did the right thing. There's a world of difference between "You can come film us as we do stuff, but we're not taking direction" and "We'll have people on hand to do whatever you want, including standing around in bay water in November temperatures up to our figure heads with our jibs freezing off while you set-up the shot."
-Cian