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Showing posts with label Tomb Raider Divinations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tomb Raider Divinations. Show all posts
Just before the release of Tomb Raider Divinations, I had the opportunity to talk to Graham Jones, the Writer and Director for the fan film. Right from the start, the fan film felt like an ambitious project with a public financial backing through Kickstarter, a larger budget, and bigger goals. It was also clear from the initial ideas that the team behind the project has an enormous passion for the series and the work they do.
Read our interview below!
Tell us a little about yourself!
I work for a visual effects company in Norwich called Rockstar. I've been a huge film production fan for years, when I left school in 2004 me and a bunch of my mates got together and in true cheese style, we made Hairy Mary; our first attempt at a feature length film, about two guys trying to return the hairy zombies to the crypt they came from. It was classic cheese in every sense of the word! Since then, we haven't ever put down the camera, as I progressed through College and Uni we started to push our ideas a little further, having learned new tech and purchased new equipment. We are still hard at work having made around 10 films and probably around 40 shorts.
Tomb Raider: Divinations was funded on Kickstarter. How was the decision made to crowd fund the project and how did you go about planning it?
We produced our first 'Lost Valley' film with nothing but a few pounds from my pocket to put together a costume and dye each piece. We filmed in one day. When we came up with our fresh trilogy story, we knew that Divinations would need more than just a few pounds. As we wanted to start to bring other locations into the film, that would mean travelling between locations, feeding people, dressing our characters and updating some of our equipment. It just seemed that Kickstarter was for us; a great community of people for fan film producers. We gathered together all of our research, looked into locations and actors then started to set up our campaign page.
Did you have an backup plans in case the Kickstarter goal wasn't met?
If Kickstarter hadn't made the funding we were looking for, the chances are, knowing our push to make films, we would have tried our hardest to make what we could. Really reaching out to a new audience is important to us, the bigger the fan base we build now, the better chance we have of showing some of our unique projects we have in the pipeline.
The project received full backing in the final few hours, how did you feel when you realised the goal was reached?
When we made our goal in the final few hours, we were all pretty shocked [on] this end. We had been throwing out the campaign for that month, and [it] started to generate some interest; but as the donations started to flow in right at the end, almost feels like our hard work was working. Just had to wait that little bit longer and not give up on our project.
As this is your second Tomb Raider fan film, did you approach the project differently based on previous experience?
We went into this film knowing that we didn't want to make a Tomb Raider based directly on a level previously playable on console. We wanted to cross our ideas into a small series, but at the same time I didn't want to push for a larger budget. A few people kept telling me how modest my budget was for the film, but I was determined to make a decent first film without blowing it by asking of people to invest in our ideas having not made anything too seriously before; but deep down we all knew that we could.
Tomb Raider was a perfect opportunity to show the web the potential our small filming group has. With the project drawing to a close, how have you found the past few months?
The final few months saw my electricity bills rocketing through the roof as my PC was endlessly rendering out visual effects elements for the film. Each night saw me getting home from work cleaning animations, setting up scenes and setting it off over night to render through my ever growing queue of graphics. Towards the end we really wanted to add scenes that were in the script that we couldn't pull off because of the budget. We had a mad rush around to tie up any loose ends, going back to locations to capture any extra shots we wanted.
What challenges have you faced during filming and were they things that you were prepared for at the start?
The main challenges we faced were on set. Every time we went to a location to scout it out: beautiful sets with everything we needed. Classic in my Jones nature of luck, we turned up to film at the Quarry... Norwich council were chopping down our forest because of an over running amount of Ivy eating away at the trees. So we really had to work around the sounds of men yelling, and chainsaws ripping into trees; on the one day we had a huge schedule, we had that to battle with! We also had a few issues with our swimming pool scene, having all the underwater equipment ready, we wasn't quite ready for how much lens distorting chlorine there would be. It was nuts, you could almost walk on the surface it was so thick.
What has been your favourite or most memorable moment of the project so far?
My favorite moment would have to be meeting up each morning, grabbing food from a superstore and driving in our mini convoy to the set. I love starting early with all my best mates, setting up the costumes and equipment, there's never a dull moment on our sets, doesn't matter if we are making a comedy or a horror, we are always having cracking banter.
As you're nearing the end of the project, what is there left to do?
Now we are nearing the end, the film has been rendered out. We have had private viewings between the crew and are happy with the end product. All we are doing now is clearing licences and prepping the Funder perks. When the licences are cleared, away it goes, Black Dragon Productions will launch the movie on our Youtube Channel.
To celebrate the release of Tomb Raider Divinations, I spoke to Anna Tyrie, the fan film's leading lady about her experiences on set. Sections of the interview were used in our main article about about the project, which focused on events taking place behind the camera. You can read the full report, here. Naturally I couldn't resist posting the full interview in its own separate post.
Anna Tyrie is a familiar name to Tomb Raider fans; she's no stranger to fan films with experience portraying Lara in Tomb Raider Ascension and Tomb Raider The Lost Valley. As an actor with a passion for the series, she is the perfect in the role. Read our full interview below and follow her on Twitter, Facebook, or her official site for more adventures.
Throughout filming for Tomb Raider Divinations, she also recorded her own video diaries on her YouTube channel, check it out!
From following your social media pages, it's very clear that you have a genuine passion for your work, especially for your upcoming project, Tomb Raider Divinations. What drives your passion for acting?
My passion for acting - I have a great appetite for variety, so I act as a way to indulge that appetite. It is so much fun becoming many different characters and inhabiting different worlds.
What is it about Tomb Raider or Lara Croft that attracts you to the role?
Lara is very simply strong and stunning. I love strong women. And Lara does it with such style.
You’ve done several Tomb Raider productions over the years, do you approach Lara’s character differently now, compared to your first fan film?
I have approached all three films the same I think. I try as much as possible to bring a slightly vulnerable human side to Lara.
How do you get into character?
Costume plays a huge part in finding that character. Once you put on the boots and the holster you really start to feel kick ass. I will spend quite a lot of time in training in the run up to filming, focusing on fitness and technique. Then on the day it's simply a case of focusing.
In one of your behind the scenes diaries, you mentioned that you have some new TR gear for this film. How do you prepare your Lara look and what things do you keep in mind when choosing new items?
To be honest the costume selection has always be led by my directors. They have the creative vision and they guide me to select the costume. Most important things I bare in mind though is 'Can I move in it?'. The last thing you need during a film shoot is a wardrobe malfunction. lol.
With the project drawing to a close, how have you found the experience?
Shooting Tomb Raider Divinations was as thrilling as all of my Tomb Raider shoots. I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to portray my heroine. There is nothing more fun than throwing yourself around in a forest or on a beach.
What challenges have you faced during filming and were they things that you were prepared for at the start?
Cold. I am always shooting in the cold weather, it seems to be my curse. I was aware that it may be a little chilly and so I packed thermal underwear and try to make sure i was well rested and that I ate well in order to stay healthy.
What has been your favourite or most memorable moment of the project so far?
I think my favourite day was when I got to play with a sword, it was rather heavy but so much fun.
What can we look forward to seeing you in next?
Well I am working with Secret Cinema at the moment in a live event in London (Star Wars but shhhh it's a secret) that runs until September 27th. Then I will be working with the Tomb Raider Divinations crew to create something original but equally ass kickin'.
From its initial plans, Tomb Raider Divinations was always going to be an ambitious project, both as a fan film and a creation funded by public support. The announcement was made February of this year by the Director and Writer, Graham Jones. The announcement also accompanied a pledge campaign set up on Kickstarter to finance the film. Divinations would be Black Dragon's second Tomb Raider fan film, following Tomb Raider: Lost Valley last year. This time the team returned with expanded exceptions and a bigger budget.
In anticipation for their project, I had the opportunity to talk to Graham as well as Anna Tyrie who plays Lara Croft.
Promotional Shot from Tomb Raider Divinations' Facebook Page.
The original goal for the campaign was £1,000 but by the end the team had collected £1,228 with the help of the project's 26 backers. However using a service like Kickstarter also adds a further element of risk; its no longer personal project but one with financial backing by numerous partners in which money was put forward for a project in its infancy. Many projects with funding campaigns can have problems persuading or finding their audience, whereas others receive the full backing but due to complications struggles with the budget given. To avoid these issues, planning and preparation is absolutely vital.
In our interview, Graham explains the reason for choosing Kickstarter and where the money raised throughout the month went to: "We produced our first 'Lost Valley' film with nothing but a few pounds from my pocket to put together a costume and dye each piece. We filmed in one day. When we came up with our fresh trilogy story we knew that Divinations would need more than just a few pounds, as we wanted to start to bring other locations into the film; that would mean travelling between locations, feeding people, dressing our characters and updating some of our equipment. It just seemed that Kickstarter was for us, a great community of people for fan film producers. We gathered together all of our research, looked into locations and actors then started to set up our campaign page."
Like many publicly funded projects, while the campaign collected donations throughout the month, it was the final few hours which secured financial support for the project. Graham comments about those last few hours "we were all pretty shocked in the end, we had been throwing out the campaign for that month, and it started to generate some interest; but as the donations started to flow in right at the end, it almost feels like our hard work was working. Just had to wait that little bit longer and not give up on our project." While the team had a plan in mind encase the Kickstarter goal wasn't met, a successful pledge campaign allowed them to expand on their original plans and bring the film to its fullest potential. "Tomb Raider was a perfect opportunity to show the web the potential our small filming group has."
Production Photo from Tomb Raider Divinations' Facebook Page.
With their project funded and underway, the team's new goal was to meet the expectations both of the audience and themselves. Graham explains that he didn't want to recreate a scene from a level of Tomb Raider, "we wanted to cross our ideas into a small series, but at the same time I didn't want to push for a larger budget".
The film's leading lady, Anna Tyrie, is perhaps a familiar name to Tomb Raider fans with similar previous experiencing portraying Lara in Tomb Raider Ascension and Tomb Raider The Lost Valley. As an actor with a passion for the series, she is the perfect in the role. Returning to that role she explains her trick for getting into character "Costume plays a huge part in finding that character. Once you put on the boots and the holster you really start to feel kick ass. I will spend quite a lot of time in training in the run up to filming, focusing on fitness and technique. Then on the day it's simply a case of focusing." Anna's approach to the role brings a very clear passion for the series and character, "Lara is very simply strong and stunning. I love strong women. And Lara does it with such style. "
"Shooting Tomb Raider Divinations was as thrilling as all of my Tomb Raider shoots. I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to portray my heroine. There is nothing more fun than throwing yourself around in a forest or on a beach." And with a new adventure comes new scenes and opportunities for Anna. Describing her favourite memory on set, "I think my favourite day was when I got to play with a sword, it was rather heavy but so much fun."
Production Photo from Tomb Raider Divinations' Facebook Page.
As the Director and Writer for the fan film, Graham's favourite moment was about the atmosphere on set and the day ahead. "My favorite moment would have to be meeting up each morning, grabbing food from a superstore and driving in our mini convoy to the set. I love starting early with all my best mates, setting up the costumes and equipment. There's never a dull moment on our sets, doesn't matter if we are making a comedy or a horror, we are always have cracking banter." Throughout the filming, behind the scenes videos were recorded of the cast and crew heading to the set and reflecting on each day, and with each recording you can feel their enthusiasm.
Of course, with every project, there's always challenges to completing it. Filming began in early Spring, and in England that can be one of two things; unseasonably hot days or Winter's struggling grip. Unfortunately for the cast and crew it was the latter. Similar situations were faced by the team behind Hunted and Tomb Raider: Reboot, with Lara adventures so often set around curses, perhaps they've uncovered a real one. Anna begins, describing about the challenges she faced on set. "I am always shooting in the cold weather, it seems to be my curse. I was aware that it may be a little chilly and so I packed thermal underwear and try to make sure I was well rested and that I ate well in order to stay healthy. "
Production Photo from Tomb Raider Divinations' Facebook Page.
Graham's challenges were a little different, especially as his role involved capturing the perfects shots to schedule "every time we went to a location to scout it out, beautiful sets with everything we needed. Classic in my Jones nature of luck, we turned up to film at the Quarry.... Norwich council were chopping down our forest because of an over running amount of Ivy eating away at the trees. So we really had to work around the sounds of men yelling, and Chainsaws ripping into trees, on the one day we had a huge schedule, we had that to battle with!" While Lara is in contact with Zip throughout her adventure, the film also features quieter moments in which she must survey and master her surroundings in order to progress. These scenes were filmed with a combination of good focus for the actors and precise timing, as they were shot between the groan of chainsaws.
Tomb Raider Divinations celebrated its launch just a little while ago! It's a polished and impressive film which has taken months of dedication and care to get it to completion. In our interview, Graham talked about the final stage getting to the final product. "The final few months saw my electricity bills rocketing through the roof as my PC was endlessly rendering out visual effects elements for the film, each night saw me getting home from work cleaning animations, setting up scenes and setting it off over night to render through my ever growing queue of graphics." In addition to the animations, various last minute additions were made, "towards the end we really wanted to add scenes that were in the script that we couldn't pull off because of the budget. We had a mad rush around to tie up any loose ends, going back to locations to capture any extra shots we wanted."
Now with Tomb Raider Divinations completed, the team at Black Dragon will be finishing their work on the Kickstarter campaign. While future plans for them weren't discussed in detail, we were promised to see unique projects coming from them in the future. For Anna, she's continuing her work on stage in London, but also teased a possible return to Lara's boots. "Well I am working with Secret Cinema at the moment in a live event in London (Star Wars but shhhh it's a secret) that runs until September 27th. Then I will be working with the Tomb Raider Divinations crew to create something original but equally ass kickin'. "
Thank you to Graham Jones and Anna Tyrie for talking about their experience on Tomb Raider Divinations. Make sure to watch the film on their YouTube channel, and subscribe to both Black Dragon and Anna for more goodness in the future! Check out the Tomb Raider Divinations Facebook page for more production photos.
