Hello, here is a review of the shoot we enjoyed in Quebec City this summer.
Arrived in Quebec late Monday morning June 30th and was met by our writer director, Mario Munger. I spoke with him about the scenario and shared Rob's take on it. Mario took me to TVA, the popular TV station in Quebec, where our coordinator Sophie Begin was in an editing room finishing a documentary about Quebec history. Sophie has struck up a relationship with Captain Blanchett the media liaison with the Armed Forces and our new ally in opening doors and gaining access. Mario took me on a location scout so I could assess potential interview sites and understand the distances involved around the Plains of Abraham and the Citadel fortress etc .
Next day we began in the Citadel on the parade ground with the commandant leading the 22nd in a march and porte arms exercise, then we interviewed the Commandant and his aid before they led the reservists in red tunics and Busby beaver hats in a march to the Dufferin Terrace overlooking the St Lawrence, for the raising of the Canadian flag on Canada Day in Quebec City. The silent respectful crowd listened to the anthem and applauded the flag raised in front of the Chateau Frontenac. Then back to the Plains of Abraham for encounters with the citizens who love their history and invest their time and money in it with their own costumes and equipment to match the period they are representing. We caught the period battle examples of various French and British troops from 300 years ago firing muskets and cannons.
Wednesday began with working breakfast with John Richmond. Then went to the Plains for more with the military enthusiasts. We interviewed WW 2 afficionados and were a fly on the wall to a WW1 platoon, interviewed a handsome young soldier just back from Afghanistan and a Major in the reserve who quit his desk job in the regular force so he could go to Afghanistan as a reservist. We interviewed one father and son, the elder playing Champlain in full armour and the son dressed as a cannoneer of his own period cannon. We interviewed and connected with more re-enactors and reservists on a beautiful sunny day. Enjoyed dinner with John Richmond.
Thursday July 3rd the 400th Anniversary Day, began in the Citadel at the Museum of the’ Vandoos’ with the curator describing origins and history of the 22nd. Then the rains came and we beat security to the parade marshalling area and interviewed families and friends in their own uniforms dedicated to remembering those that served and fell in war for them. The rain continued and we shot the soldiers and citizens standing, waiting, drenched in the rain. The jeeps passed by Champlain and his son in full costume and we waited. Finally when the parade began we shot the whole thing - all the periods represented from Champlain through to today, army, navy, air force, reservists, Voltigeurs and re-enactors, many of whom we had interviewed the previous days. Most TV crews would have reasonably come to me and said - Mike we’re risking our gear as hard rain and electronics don’t mix - but they didn’t and we got it, right down to the RCMP on horse. I felt some pride that we were there the only crew to shoot the whole thing feeling connected to the solier's spirit, the spirit we’re seeking and believe could be contagious in the best sense. I got signed releases for over 40 Quebecers appearing in this shoot.
Quebec 2008 - Official Government Site
Quebec City 1608 - 2008 - Quebec City Tourism |
