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It’s a ‘wrap’ for
Denver filmmaker
Cavalry charge may be incorporated into final
edit
By Lee Raynor
Editor
Posted: 10:30 PM EST Friday December 30,
2005
Filming on “Secession Path” wrapped
up Friday and director John Hartman’s verdict was: “Mission
accomplished!”
The Colorado filmmaker will return home and await
a Civil War reenactment scheduled to be here in March.
“A lot of
locals have offered me the chance to incorporate scenes from the
reenactment,” Hartman said. “We can incorporate cavalry charges. We’d
have more federal troops and make the First Battle of Kinston more
realistic. We’d get to see an actual battle.”
“Secession Path”
tells the story of a Confederate army captain suffering from
posttraumatic stress syndrome. His commanding officer sends him on a
trip to track Yankee spies who are attempting to verify rumors that an
ironclad gunboat is being built in Seven Springs. Scenes in the
30-minute movie were shot near a pond at Neuseway Nature Center and at
the Neuse II. Most cast members were area reenactors.
“I had so
much help from Ted Sampley and Worth Mason and local reenactors and
family that I really couldn’t help but succeed,” Hartman said. “And, of
course, God was on our side as well, it seems. God allowed us to have a
playing field for this film. Everything happened that needed to happen.”
Hartman praised reenactors for their help and cooperation. The
volunteers came from throughout the area. Among those working on the
film Friday was Kimberlee Raper, a reenactor at Tryon Palace in New
Bern. She and her daughter Dana, also in the film, are from Grimesland.
Laura Poppe came from Greenville and Katie Nichols came from Snow Hill.
Mason is from Beaufort and Mike Parker is from New Bern. Tyler Tyndall
and Layne Sampley, both graduates of the Ironclad School of the Sailor
held this summer, are from Lenoir County, and had roles as extras on the
ship.
“The boat is very realistic to look at,” Hartman said. “On
film it looks as authentic as the real thing probably did.”
The
crew spent most of Friday morning shooting outside the Neuse II. The
boat’s interior will not appear in the story. Hartman said the absence
of lighting made filming inside impossible without special equipment,
which he did not have here.
His successful experience in Kinston
means Hartman may return for future filming ventures, he said.
Hartman has promised to send copies of the film to each person
who worked with him this week. He believes the work may prove valuable
for high school and college use and hopes he can interest The History
Channel, Discovery channel or National Geographic in the film.
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