i am currently working on the 'red lantern' publication (dvd+book) by vdfc/cinematek of the nazimova/capellani movie (1919) which deals (amongst lots other things) with the boxer rebellion in 1900 China...
among the extras on the dvd will figure a miniature recreation of a naval battle dating from 1901 or 1902 - you can see a version of it at
http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675040577_Taku-Forts_allied fleets_battleships_explosion_water-thrown-up
as you can see in the footage the action develops in front of a painted set with alp-like mountains, a port (do i recognize the tower bridge?) that was probably developed to be some sort of universal-fits-all decor
among the extras on the dvd will figure a miniature recreation of a naval battle dating from 1901 or 1902 - you can see a version of it at
http://www.criticalpast.com/
as you can see in the footage the action develops in front of a painted set with alp-like mountains, a port (do i recognize the tower bridge?) that was probably developed to be some sort of universal-fits-all decor
was it just a universal backdrop for some film company specialized in miniature reconstructions of naval battles in general?
i found the set photo in attachment in fielding's 'the american newsreel' of a similar recreation but here the backdrop is much more neutral, which makes much more sense in terms of film production
i wondered whether this kind of spectacle may also have featured as a fairground attraction or some sort of reconstruction of naval battles in theaters? in that case it would make more sense of having a hybrid landscape as a backdrop
is someone familiar with this kind of attraction (live or in movies)?
any kind of information or pictorial documentation would be most welcome !
thanks
stefF
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1 comment:
Incredibly late, I know, but I've just found your fascinating post - the link to the Bombardment of the Taku Forts reconstruction is fantastic! It's the earliest example of miniature VFX of a maritime subject I've seen and is surprisingly good considering the date of production.
As for the image you reproduce at the top of your post, it also appears in the ASC Treasury of Visual Effects and is labelled as being a reconstruction by E H Amet in 1898 of The Sinking of Cervera's Fleet (Spanish-American War), filmed in his backyard at Waukegan, Illinois.
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