Before there was outlander.solsector.net there was... This thread

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Plot: A man from another galaxy crash-lands on Earth during the time of the Vikings. By accident, he brings with him an alien predator that he must destroy with the help of a Viking tribe. [Sounds wierd enough it could be a lot of fun]

***Audio INTERVIEW, Locations Assistant. 4min,32sec***

***Video: News clip, 1 min. 55 sec.*** Quicktime ; Real Player
NOTE: The real video version is higher quality. The quicktime is rather pathetic.

Pictures of the set under construction: http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k47/tommyg_71/




Cast:

James Caviezel .... Kainin (“The Passion of the Christ”, “Highwaymen”, “The Thin Red Line”, “GI Jane”, “The Rock”, “My Private Idaho”)

Sophia Myles .... Freya (“Underworld”, “Tristan + Isolde”)

Jack Huston (“Neighborhood Watch”, TV: “Spartacus”)

John Hurt ("Midnight Express," "Elephant Man," “V for Vendetta”, “Manderlay,” "Privateer 2: The Darkening")

Patrick Stevenson .... Unferth (TV: “Sentinel” and “PSI Factor)
Cliff Saunders .... Boromir (“Chicago”, “Open Range”)
John Nelles .... Donal
Matt Cooke .... Captain
Katie Bergin .... Sonja
John Beale .... Edmund
Ted Ludzik .... Olaf
Bailey Maughan .... Viking Boy

It's also rumored that Ron Perlman (Hellboy) is in the cast playing a grumpy viking fellow called 'Gunnar'.

Production Companies:

Ascendant Pictures
Film & Entertainment VIP Medienfonds 4 GmbH & Co. KG (I)
Distributors
Weinstein Company, The (2006) (USA) (theatrical)
Special Effects
Patrick Tatopoulos Design Inc. (creature design and production concept design)
Tatopoulos Studios

Shooting locations: Nine Mile River, in Nova Scotia (viking village)
Little Port in Lark Harbour, Humber Arm South, Newfoundland. (opening and closing sequences/funeral pire scene)

Links:
http://www.weinsteinco.com/
www.ascendantpictures.com/
VIP-medienfonds
http://www.tatopoulosstudios.net/
http://www.sophiamyles.org/
IMDB page for Outlander Incomplete so far... Not all cast credits listed

there are some IMDB COMMENTS from some extras about their experiences during the Newfoundland portion of the shoot, Some positive, some negative. However, the negative comments seem to stem more from the participants being ill prepared as opposed to actually a problem.


From: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundlan...nder-film.html

Film production brings Vikings back to Newfoundland
Last Updated: Friday, October 20, 2006 | 3:51 PM NT
CBC News
A millennium or so after Vikings reached Newfoundland shores, dozens of imitators have been walking the beaches of a Newfoundland harbour.

The film Outlander — a science-fiction thriller about a group of ninth-century Vikings who encounter an alien monster — has been shooting several sequences around Lark Harbour, in the Bay of Islands on Newfoundland's west coast.

"It really has that feel [with] the rocky cliffs and kind of mythic mountains and spectacular scenery that we want," said Don Carmody, an executive producer of the film.

"Maybe it doesn't look exactly like Norway, but we didn't want Norway, or we would have gone there," said Carmody, a veteran of Canadian-based film production whose recent credits include Chicago, Silent Hill and Lucky Number Slevin.

The Bay of Islands, with moss-draped hills and fjord-like waterways, is providing the backdrop for several scenes, including a Viking funeral, complete with a corpse-laden ship that is set on fire.

Don Carmody, an executive producer of Outlander, said the filmmakers were drawn to the scenery of Newfoundland's west coast.

Outlander, which has Passion of the Christ star Jim Cavaziel in a lead role, will feature about 150 local residents as extras. They were outfitted with beards, wigs and Viking costumes.

Production assistant Sarah Jene described the costumes as the most elaborate she has seen on a background cast.

"They brought a bunch of costumes over from Iceland, and everything else was custom-made," she said.

"You can see everything, from the real furs that are draped all about them and lining their boots. Each and every one of them is totally unique."

Filming in the Bay of Islands was scheduled to conclude Friday. The crew then moves to Halifax for about 10 weeks of shooting.

Outlander, which will be distributed by the Weinstein Co., is expected to be released in late 2007.

The set was built about 500 kilometres south of L'Anse aux Meadows, which was proven in the 1960s to be an actual Norse settlement, dating from about AD 1,000. It was designated as a United Nations world heritage site in 1978.

Archeological work in the L'Anse aux Meadows site has fostered speculation that Newfoundland was the legendary Vinland described in Viking sagas.

[Ace Rimmer]

Any relation to the Nintendo game?

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Originally Posted by Ace Rimmer

Any relation to the Nintendo game?

Absolutely not.

You are humanity’s last hope. Battle your way across the wasteland in combat driving and hand-to-hand sequences. When you are behind the wheel, you have four different views: front, rear, right, and left. Whether you’re driving or on foot, keep an eye out for vital supplies like water, food, and gas. Any time you encounter a bad guy use shot guns, machine guns, explosives, and rocket launchers to eliminate him. Thanks to an on-screen map, your progress will be tracked and you will never be lost. Make your way across the wasteland to save humanity in OUTLANDER.

Why would a driving and hand-to-hand combat game have anything do to with Vikings and aliens?

...

[Ace Rimmer]

To be honest, when I first saw the thread, I was hoping it was related to the sci-fi/romance novel series by Diana Gabaldon. Yes, that’s right, I said Sci-Fi/Romance!

The “Outlander” Sci-Fi/Romance Series:

#1 “Outlander”

#2 “Dragonfly in Amber”

#3 “Voyager”

#4 “Drums of Autumn”

#5 “The Fiery Cross”

#6 “A Breath of Snow and Ashes”

[LeHah]

Originally Posted by AD

I believe that was the Mad Max game that couldn't afford to buy the namesake and had to name it something else.

[Shaggy]

What no spacestations or Sean Connery!

[Delance]

So has Roberts gave up directing? Anyway, this sounds like an interesting project. It could be fun, really, if it's done well. Let's hope.

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Originally Posted by Shaggy

What no spacestations or Sean Connery!

That would be "Outland."

Originally Posted by Delance

So has Roberts gave up directing?

I don't think we can really say one way or another. For whatever reasons, things didn't pan out for his last project and it never got off the ground. But Gaining experience behind the scenes in the movie buisness is certainly a beneficial endeavor if he does finally manage to make it to the helm again.

[Delance]

Originally Posted by AD

That would be "Outland."

This movie is actually interesting. Sci-fi movies from around the 70's can be pretty crazy, but this one makes sense. The structure is from a classic western, after all.

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Another interesting bit I found on the net. Check out the blog entries for very detailed, technical comments on these pieces!:

Of the large number of cookware and tool replicas ordered by the team at Outlander, only the cauldron hanger is not a close approximation of an existing artifact. The hanger is based on elements directly taken from that found at Sutton Hoo (Saxon - c. 600). Strictly speaking, even this piece should be considered a modification and interpretation of the historic artifact, rather than an original design.

If you look over the content of past contributions to 'Hammered Out Bits', you will find that the majority of the postings relate to technical aspects of blacksmithing or metalworking, plus discussion of historic materials - both with a strong leaning to the Viking Age.

Those commentaries that relate to the ongoing Outlander project primarily confine themselves to technical aspects of the metalwork, and discussions of the source objects as they apply to the material culture of the Norse.

I actually have no knowledge of how any of the pieces will be utilized by Outlander Productions. I have not been given any information about the film, its production, or any aspects of its visual designs by anyone at Outlander Productions.

http://warehamforgeblog.blogspot.com...m-objects.html

I was contacted about a week after I got home from the Goderich Celtic College and Festival by Ian Greg - a well known Halifax area set designer.

'Outlander' is a feature film being shot in Nova Scotia, with principle photography scheduled to start October 1. The story is set in Sweden circa the early Viking Age. Ian is in the process of building a small Norse village with about a dozen structures. Along with the chieftains hall and various other dwellings, there will be a blacksmith's shop. Ian has a reputation for attempting to get historical details as accurate as possible (given this IS the world of film!).

The plot of Outlander is best described as 'Beowulf meets Alien'. Add a science fiction twist to the ancient Saxon story of hero's and monsters. Make both the hero and the monster from a crash landed space ship. No technology other than what is local. Depending on how the story is treated, this could actually work quite well (but once again - this IS the world of film!)...

I have been asked to provide a wide range of historically accurate cookware and tools. All the pieces are being created to 'replica' standards - the forms are based in most cases on known artifacts. Most pieces are heavily forged mild steel, with things like arc welds used and then surface dressed to hide them. There are a wide range of cook pots of various sizes and materials. I will be taking a bit of effort on the decorative cauldron hanger, as I can see it may end up in a number of film shots.

http://warehamforgeblog.blogspot.com...g_archive.html




http://warehamforgeblog.blogspot.com...-cookware.html


http://warehamforgeblog.blogspot.com...-shackles.html
http://warehamforgeblog.blogspot.com...d-replica.html

[criticalmass]

Great.

A Space Viking film, with a character called Boromir, cast in Newfoundland "because they didn't want Norway", backed by a production company that faces fraud and bankruptcy trials (VIP Medienfonds 4).

Chris: Smoke in cockpit. Eject.

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Originally Posted by criticalmass

Space Viking film, with a character called Boromir, cast in Newfoundland "because they didn't want Norway", backed by a production company that faces fraud and bankruptcy trials (VIP Medienfonds 4).

Thurs., Sep. 29, 2005:

Munich prosecutors raided the homes and offices of Schmid and other top VIP execs as part of their tax accounting inquiry. The investigation involves only the tax accounting structure of funds VIP 3 and 4, but VIP said it was still pulling VIP 5 and 6 off the market.

"Out of a sense of responsibility toward our investors, we do not wish to incur any risk in this regard," company said in a statement. "We will unwind these funds and reimburse all investors the full amount of their investment, including commissions."

German tax authorities say funds VIP 3 and 4 were not set up properly, putting investors at risk. VIP funds' returns have fallen fall short of projections: VIP 3, for example, showed a return of only $645,000 rather than the forecasted $37 million.

VIP insists it vetted the tax structure with internationally renowned tax accountants and that the allegations are without merit.

Many are speculating that the inquiry is the latest tactic being employed to crack down on the film funds considering that legislation aimed at closing tax loopholes has stalled.
Germany's finance ministry, along with the socialist SPD government, has wanted to close this loophole for years. The pressure has taken its toll.

The film fund Mediastream IV, from the Dusseldorf-based IdeanKapital, was turned down by the ministry when it applied for its write-offs. IdeanKapital decided not to fight and moved out of film funding.

This is over a year old. Maybe it helped delay this movie a bit but considering they've been filming for a week or two now I'm pretty sure they took all that into account. What kind of responsible producers would Chris Roberts and Co. be if they didn't take this into account, Especially when you've known about it for an *entire* year.

Regarding location: Have you been there? Do you know what kind of effort is involved in shooting in Norway? Do you understand the actual reasons for the picture being shot where it is? (they originaly were talking about shooting in New Zealand). Have you ever been to Newfoundland?

Taking one phrase (by an *executive* producer no less) without context isn't constructive. Most Hollywood movies are not shot on location and even so, It's impossible to shoot in actual 700 A.D. Norway or Sweden anyway. In which cases the land doesn't necessarily resemble that era any more anyway. It's also possible that there are other political issues involved that make filming in norway either to challenging or too expensive.

Regarding the name, I have no Idea and these names might not match the finished movie. Still, he isn't one of the leads.

[Ace Rimmer]

Space Viking? Is his voice dubbed over by Michael Dorn?

[Bandit LOAF]

Regarding location: Have you been there? Do you know what kind of effort is involved in shooting in Norway? Do you understand the actual reasons for the picture being shot where it is? (they originaly were talking about shooting in New Zealand). Have you ever been to Newfoundland?

That's nothing, did you know that the new Battlestar Galactica isn't actually filmed in space? Shocking, but true.

[LeHah]

Originally Posted by Bandit LOAF

That's nothing, did you know that the new Battlestar Galactica isn't actually filmed in space? Shocking, but true.

What next? You going to tell me that theres no real robots employed on the show?

(Warning: People who deny existence of robots may be robots themselves)

[Dyret]

Originally Posted by AD

Have you been there? Do you know what kind of effort is involved in shooting in Norway?

I don't know if this has anything to do with anything, but it's constantly raining this time of year. I'm pretty sure we even had a wet christmas last year.

[Don]

Is that bad?

[Dyret]

A little snow to set the mood wouldn't hurt.

[Delance]

I thought this movie took place on newfoundland, since the vikings are supposed to have been there for a while, not that it matters at all.

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Here's an interesting tale worth sharing from one of the extras (a rower actually) who goes by the handle mcjanes:

I was also an extra on the NL set, so let me share my experience (a POSITIVE experience).

I was hired as one of the rowers of the Viking boat. There were 20 of us, and we were called in a day before the rest of the extras (Monday). We were bussed out at 7am from Corner Brook. It was a great time for us to introduce ourselves and make friends. Most of the rowers were from the local rowing club and knew each other already, so as a "townie" who has only been living in Corner Brook for a few weeks, I started off feeling like a bit of an "outsider".

The rest of the rowers were just great people. We were sent to wardrobe as soon as we arrived, but weren't given any wigs or make-up that day. We got bussed to the shooting location (about 5 minutes away), and spend a lot of time waiting for us to be called. Pretty much that entire first day was dedicated to us rowers...we spent about an hour or more in the boat, testing it out to see how "sea worthyy" it was. Luckily, we had a great "captain" who barked orders at us, as well as a Dutchman to help us (he designed the rigging). Once the director, crew, and rowers were satisfied at how the boat handled, we were sent home at around 5:00.

Then came "Black Tuesday". I have to admit, the extras had it rough that day...the weather was absolutely putrid (huge winds, coooooold temperatures, even a halestorm at 6:30 in the morning). Fortunately, I didnt' take part in their misery....we rowers spent the entire day in the tent waiting to for the wind to die down, which it never did. We did get called around lunchtime to practice raising/lowering the sail while still docked at the wharf. Honestly, I would rathered I was a "regular" extra that day....sitting around for 14 hours doing nothing was pretty irritating. In retrospect, it's kind of a good thing they didn't film any "boat scenes"...us rowers were given the left-over wigs. My black hair and beard didn't exactly blend in with the red wig they gave me.

It's a shame we lost so many extras that day...but I chalk it up to them just not being prepared for that weather. If they had known they were going to be standing for 14 hours in a wet bog with little protection for their feet, they probably would have dressed more appropriately. But since Monday was just a beautiful day, it's understandable that they didn't.

The rest of the shoot was absolutely fantastic (weather-wise). On Wednesday, the sun was shining, and us rowers spent most of the day in the boat (we were given first-dibs on wigs that day, owing to our close-ups). Inside the harbour, the water was beautifully calm....then came the scene where we had to sail about 100 feet past the narrows into the open ocean, hoist the sail, and row back in. Those swells out there were pretty massive, I must say....well, they were only about 5 or 6 feet, but when you're out there in a ply-wood-framed boat, in seas like that for the first time, raising the somewhat-crude sail for the first time, it sure was an experience! We cracked two oars just from the waves alone...

On Thursday, we were finished with the boat, unfortunately, so we joined the rest of the extras on shore for the village scenes. Yes, there was a lot of standing around, but what do you expect on a movie set? Luckily, all the extras were all-around fanastic people.....some unbelievably hilarious ("Props...I need a smoke!"). The filming crew took great care of us, and were also very friendly (some more than others)

So yes, the weather was *beep* for one day, but the overall experience far outweighs that. I had blast, and I'm sure everyone else involved did too.

So for you NS extras, dress warmly (especially your feet...don't expect any soles on the "boots" they give you!), and have a blast....I sure did.

[Dran]

I don't get this, is this a new TV show, movie, or game? I have a hard time reading this post because of all the pic's.

[Mav23]

Movie.

[criticalmass]

AD, I guess you're really looking forward to that movie. So let me apologize if I've spoiled part of your fun.

Therefore let me explain - my statements might have sounded polemic, but there was some thought behind them:
I definitely understand that shooting far from the represented location for economical or mere practical reasons is common in the movie business - and the exec producer's statement might just be a glitch in the movie's marketing strategy. I'm sure weather, infrastructure and travel cost is much cheaper in Newfoundland.
I also know that VIP Medienfonds' demise has been over a year ago - and I guess putting them on the credits is also a communications glitch. I actually checked - my own employer did work for Enron and Barclay's Bank, but we don't list them as credits anymore.
And Boromir is just a name. Anybody can be called Boromir.

[Bandit LOAF]

Therefore let me explain - my statements might have sounded polemic, but there was some thought behind them:

That's a pretty word for the fact that you're just being a jerk. You clearly have some entirely unrelated issue with a company that may or may not have had anything to do with financing the film and so have decided to attack it in an absolutely groundless way.

I also know that VIP Medienfonds' demise has been over a year ago - and I guess putting them on the credits is also a communications glitch. I actually checked - my own employer did work for Enron and Barclay's Bank, but we don't list them as credits anymore.

Movie credits are highly structured. If VIP whatever helped to pay for the film, they have to be credited -- you can't just hide the involvement of unpopular persons like some other sort of business might.

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Originally Posted by criticalmass

I also know that VIP Medienfonds' demise has been over a year ago - and I guess putting them on the credits is also a communications glitch. I actually checked - my own employer did work for Enron and Barclay's Bank, but we don't list them as credits anymore.

I hope this clears some things up. VIP didn't go bankrupt, but 2 of the at least 6 separate funds were disbanded to pay any party with grievances. THe president or CEO or what ever he was went to jail, and the company was restructured. You can find the explanation in german here: http://www.vip-medienfonds.de/vip_gr...4b7e1772e6f8b9

Here's the rough google translation:

The founder of the different enterprises of the VIP group, Andreas Schmid, was to autumn a 2005 managing director for the commercial range. *Im September 2005 raised the public prosecutor's office the reproach that not all funds folder in accordance with into films had flowed, but directly for the security of the investors on bank accounts. Although these reproaches could be proven also after one year not yet and directly several independent consultants this became to deny, Andreas Schmid taken in remand. In order to turn any possible damage away from investors, the 2005 presented funds 5 and 6 were backcompleted. In the framework the VIP consultation for banks AG was transferred of the reorganization of the VIP group to 01 August 2006 into the legal form of the GmbH (with an unchanged adhesion capital of 750.000 euro). Managing director is Wolfgang Süssenberger, while Mr. Wallner is active further as advisors for the VIP group. In view of the reduced production volume Andy Grosch separated as managing directors the film & Entertainment VIP medium fund management GmbH. This is solely responsible led now by Dirk woodpecker. It was active and had long years as chartered accoutants and tax counsels deep knowledge in the film financing. These companies continue working freely from the raised reproaches and successfully produce films.

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Regarding the Newfoundland Shoot which comprises the opening and closing scenes of the movie as well as some aerial shots (the Major portion of the shoot is in Nova Scotia):

It is taking place at Little Port and there will also be some scenic aerial shots of the Gros Morne area.

Some pictures of possible shooting locations in Newfoundland

Little Port:




Gros Morne National Park:

[jag_nf]

I was an extra in NL as well, it was shot in Little Port. It was a blast, despite what is now referred to in the "extra" circle as Black Tuesday. Longest day of the shoot combined with about 2 degree C weather, 60 Mph winds and standing in a bog. Most of us true vikings made it back for the rest of the shoot. I have to say it was the most fun I've had in a long time. I was even excepted into the exclusive "Non-Wiggers" group.. consisting of the lads who actually had enough hair to not necessitate the need to wear a wig. Mine of course was not one of the good wigs.. in fact, I think it made me look like one of the disciples, but at least it matched my beard really well so it looked like my own hair. I made it into a few close shots in the funeral scene being shot here. Just look for a 'wig'ger holding a blue flag. hahaha.

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Here's an odd tidbit that showed up a month or so ago here: http://www.charlieloveshalifax.ca/

Do you have, or know anyone who owns any Irish Wolfhounds? The movie, "The Outlander" is going to camera October 9th and is looking for two Irish Wolfhounds. These dogs would belong to a Viking King and would be sitting or laying next to the king. If you know of anyone who has this type of dog, would you please have them contact Heather...

I assume they found their dogs but it's an interesting glimpse into the look and process of the film.

[Tigerhawk]

Originally Posted by Bandit LOAF

That's nothing, did you know that the new Battlestar Galactica isn't actually filmed in space? Shocking, but true.

*Sobs*

Next you're going to tell me that Barney isn't a real dinosaur...

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Ninth Ray Studios is also doing some of the movie's visual effects: http://www.ninthray.com/

Comprising some of the most highly respected artists and concept designers in the movie business today, Ninth Ray Studios is dedicated to developing and producing outstanding stories across all genres and media.

Iconic characters and compelling storylines are the Studio's core superpower. Previously the principals have created such icons as the Tripods for Steven Spielberg's 'War of the Worlds' and Darth Maul for 'Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace'.

Their website describes them as "visual consultants for Barrie M. Osborne and Ascendant pictures on their upcoming science fiction thriller, 'Outlander'." Yet IMDB seems to list what could be their entire staff in the Outlander credits under the art department, mostly in Concept art and storyboarding.

I also figured I should provide some shots of some of the actors I didn't the first time around (who are most likely secondary characters)

Aidan Devine .... Einar


Ted Ludzik .... Olaf


Todd Sandomirsky ... Here in an episode of Babylon 5:


John Beale .... Edmund
A somewhat shakespearean Actor: http://www.johnbeale.net/

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Slight addition: Here's the page of Stephanie Lostimolo: http://www.lostimolo.com/. Over a year ago she - as a concept Artist and Graphic Designer with Ninth Ray Studios - Designed logos and props for the film.



Don't know why but the Ted Ludzik picture is being stubborn so heres a different link:

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Theres some minor updating done to the IMDB page for Outlander highlighting some of the casting we were already aware of. It also has a new plot description:

During the reign of the Vikings, Kainan (Caviezel), a man from a far-off world, crash-lands on Earths, bringing with him an alien predator known as the Moorwen. Though both man and monster are seeking seek revenge for violence committed against them, Kainan leads the alliance to kill the Moorwen by fusing his advanced technology with the Viking's Iron Age weaponry.

According to the IMDB the cast now stands as follows:

James Caviezel .... Kainan
Sophia Myles
Jack Huston
Ron Perlman
John Hurt .... Rothgar
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Beale .... Edmund
Katie Bergin .... Sonja
Matt Cooke .... Captain
Aidan Devine .... Einar
Ted Ludzik .... Olaf
Bailey Maughan .... Viking Boy
John Nelles .... Donal
Simon Northwood .... Warrior 1
Todd Sandomirsky
Cliff Saunders .... Boromir
Patrick Stevenson .... Unferth

Notably they still leave out the name for the exquisite Sophia Myles character even though for some time a website dedicated to her has been reporting for some time that the character's name is Freya.

Notable additions this time around include Ron Perlman, and also Simon Northwood as Warrior 1. Ron Perlman himself mentions his involvement in an interview from a few weeks back found here.

Ron Perlman as Hellboy:


Simon Northwood, pretty much a stunt performer:

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It seems a new news release is floating arount the net too: http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=17337

I have to say that the IMDBs plot description sounds like a hacked up version of this one. It sounds way better here than the way the IMDB one was written.

Outlander began principal photography on October 16, 2006. The sci-fi action/adventure film stars Jim Caviezel (The Passion of The Christ, The Count of Monte Crisco), Sophia Myles (Underworld: Evolution, Tristan + Isolde), Jack Huston (Factory Girl), Ron Perlman (Hellboy) and John Hurt (V For Vendetta, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone).

The film is helmed by Howard McCain from a screenplay he wrote with Dirk Blackman, and produced by Ascendant Pictures/VIP Medienfronds 4 in association with Rising Star.

Producers are Chris Roberts and Barrie Osbourne. The Weinstein Company will handle distribution in the United States and Wild Bunch is handling international sales.

Outlander begins when a space craft crashes into the majestic fjords of ancient Norway and into the time of the Vikings. From the wreckage emerge two bitter enemies: a soldier from another world – Kainan – and a bloodthirsty creature known as the Moorwen. Man and monster both seeking revenge for violence committed against them. As the Moorwen ravages the Viking world, killing everything in its path, Kainan forms an unlikely alliance with the primitive but fierce warriors. Combining his advanced technology with ancient Iron Age weapons, the hero leads a desperate attempt to kill the monster - before it destroys them all.

The Moorwen has been designed by famed monster/creature creator Patrick Tatopoulos (Silent Hill, I, Robot, Godzilla, Independence Day). In addition, the film's conceptual art and design was done by the team of conceptual artists (Iain McCaig and Ninth Ray) behind the "Star Wars" trilogy.

Rounding out the creative team are Cinematographer Pierre Gill (The Covenant) and Production Designer David Hackl (Skinwalkers, "Saw" II & III) and Costume Designer Debra Hanson (Beowulf & Grendel). Post-production will be handled by Toronto-based firm, Spin.

Executive Producers are John Schimmel, Don Carmody Christopher Eberts, Kia Jam, Don Carmody, Karen Loop, Dirk Blackman and Andy Grosch.

Filming continues through January 5, 2007 in Halifax and Newfoundland, Canada.

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URL="http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?id=38788"]http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?id=38788[/url]

Caviezel Talks Outlander

Jim Caviezel, who stars in the upcoming SF action-adventure movie Outlander, dropped his usual reserve and told SCI FI Wire that he's excited to be part of the epic tale. "It's going to be big," Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ) said in an interview. "Outlander is going to be big."

Caviezel is now in Canada shooting the film, which is directed by Howard McCain and tells the story of a being from another galaxy who crash-lands on Earth during the time of the Vikings. "It's kind of like Braveheart and Highlander combined," Caviezel said. "Somewhat, and really not, and much bigger."

Outlander, which was written by McCain and Dirk Blackman, follows the story of a human-like alien on Earth in 509 A.D. and the monstrous alien creature called a Moorwen that has followed him, threatening to destroy all human life. Caviezel said that he has not yet seen the creature, which will be created by designer Patrick Tatopoulos (I, Robot), but added that it will scary. (Outlander is not related to the Diana Gabaldon book series of the same name.)

Funny since some concept art has been floating around the net... THough I guess its also true they haven't seen the physical creation yet.

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The Website for the Halifax Regional Municipality http://halifax.ca/ Mentions that most of the filming in Nova Scotia is outside of the municipality ( a good thing considering the films setting) but it adds that they will be shooting in Kidston Lake Park.

Click on the image for a quicktime VR:





Nothing really new in this next bit but here's another account from one of the extras on the Newfoundland shoot that was posted to a Jim Caviezel fan site:

Originally Posted by WickedLittleMonk

Hey guys, just finished up friday doing the background work on Outlander. It was an awesome experiance! Jim was there, though he's a pretty private guy and didn't really talk to anyone. John Hurt, who's playing Rathgar (no idea how to spell that ) was a real nice guy, quite funny, and had a few laughs with us. We filmed the opening and closing of the movie here, though I can't divulge any of the details. However it did include burning a 60 foot viking ship. Can't wait to see the film, its going to be great.

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http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundlan...king-ship.html

A town on Newfoundland's west coast is hoping a leftover movie prop will help boost tourist traffic.

An 18-metre replica of a Viking ship was built for the film production Outlander. In October, several scenes were shot near Lark Harbour, in the Bay of Islands.

A ship built specially for the film Outlander was used for a Viking burial sequence shot in October.
(CBC) Filmmakers gave the vessel to the town after the shoot.

However, the ship will need work: the mast and sail were burned as part of a scene depicting a Viking funeral.

A large monster's head and tail that belong on the vessel's front and back are currently in storage.

The town is considering fixing up the ship and installing it at nearby Blow Me Down provincial park.

"We're thinking that would be a logical place to put it — it would benefit both the park and the town if it were placed there," said Mayor Paul Keetch.

Resident Pauline Shepherd had never seen anything like the Viking ship.

"I think it should be left here," she said. "It's a great tourist attraction for the summertime, because we do get a lot of tourists … I'm sure that will definitely be an attraction."

The replica is currently tied down and sitting on massive blocks. The town is looking at ways to protect it from snow and rain during the winter.

Outlander, a science-fiction thriller film now being shot in Nova Scotia, is about a Viking community's encounter with an alien.

The filmmakers chose the Lark Harbour area for its mountainous backdrop. The community is about 500 kilometres south of L'Anse aux Meadows, where Norse explorers briefly settled around 1000 AD.

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http://www.davidkrentz.com/

2005- ASCENDENT PICTURES
NINTH RAY STUDIOS
Story Board/Concept Design; OUTLANDER
Live Action Feature
Director Howard McCain

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Another news clip to start with from http://thechronicleherald.ca/Entertainment/536781.html

After a week of shooting in Newfoundland, the cast and crew are back in the province. Filming continues until Jan. 5 in and around Halifax and in Nine Mile River where a Viking settlement is being built... Some of the local actors include Dal Theatre grad Matthew Amyotte, 10-year-old Dartmouth actor Bailey Maughan, Martha Irving, Glen Wadman and Scott Owen...

So this adds a few more names to the list.

Ok, Here's an odd one: I came across this image by chance by a photographer named Rob vanNostrand. The caption reads that it is the "Viking Settlement, Outlander movie set, in Spryfield, NS" but I guess theres a better quality version somewhere. It says that he recently covered the "event" (as in he's a photo journalist) and that "These images are available for use in commercial and editorial print/web publishing, and are readily available for fast electronic delivery. " There doesn't seem to be any more Outlander pictures on the site yet but I assume that means he has more somewhere, though not necessarily on-line:

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http://thechronicleherald.ca/Entertainment/539775.html

The Vikings have landed
The big-budget, sci-fi creature thriller Outlander is filming in Nova Scotia until early January
By STEPHEN COOKE Entertainment Reporter

AFTER 1,000 years, the Vikings have returned to Atlantic Canada.

OK, they’re not real Vikings, but all it takes is a slog down a muddy back road in Nine Mile River and you’ll feel like you’ve tumbled through a time warp to a millennium ago.

An acre of land in southeast Hants County has been transformed into a Norse village for the action epic Outlander starring Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ), Sophia Myles (Art School Confidential) and John Hurt (The Elephant Man), with an impressive array of thatched huts and barns, a high stockade wall and a large royal banquet hall with a huge wooden façade.

Add the magical snowfall that blanketed the set on Monday night, and you could imagine yourself being among the Scandinavian warriors in a year with only three digits if you just ignored the bright electric lights, racks of camera and sound equipment and crew members in their all-weather gear.

"At the end of a show like this I usually burn my clothes," laughs Outlander executive producer Don Carmody while trudging through the slippery mud that lies everywhere in and around the set. He’s supervising the first evening of three weeks of night shooting on the film, which tells the tale of a Viking village that encounters a visitor from outer space (Caviezel’s character Kainan) and the alien monster which has followed him across the galaxy.

"This is the Vikings meet Predator, that’s what attracted me to it," says Carmody, whose resume includes comedies like Porky’s and Weekend at Bernie’s II as well as supernatural thrillers like Gothika and Silent Hill. "It’s a great action-adventure yarn, the same way Predator was. You thought it was some kind of war movie, and then it turns into this fight against a deadly creature from space. This is the kind of movie I’d want to see, so that’s my first criterion.

"It gets pretty scary; it gets Alien-like, at certain points. Much like Alien, you don’t see a lot of the creature at first; you’re not quite sure what’s going on. And when the characters do see the creature in all of its glory, it’s too late."

Carmody was last in Nova Scotia producing the Disney historical adventure Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale, filmed largely around Louisbourg. Initially he planned to shoot picturesque exteriors in Cape Breton, but eventually went even further to Newfoundland, to shoot in the fjords of Gros Morne and the harbour of Little Port. But besides Nine Mile River, Nova Scotia filming is taking place in Oakfield Park and Kinsac Lake, with later soundstage work being lensed in Electropolis and the Via Rail building in downtown Halifax.

But on this snowy night, director Howard McCain — who co-wrote the film with Dirk Blackman — and his camera crew are huddled in the tight confines of a blacksmith shop set. They’re filming a scene where Caviezel, in his spaceman role, has been tied up by his Viking captors. While the cameras roll, the intensely focused actor — who has played parts ranging from a U.S. soldier in The Thin Red Line to Jesus Christ — uses every muscle to strain against his bonds.

Using his foot, he manages to extract a hot iron from the blacksmith’s fire while McCain, sporting a red beard that makes him look like one of his Viking extras, tells him when to wince in pain. But Caviezel is unable to free himself before being discovered by bearded muscleman Bjorn, played by hulking Canadian actor James Rogers. Rogers roughs him up with relish, before being admonished by the fair Freya, played by Myles.

"It’s every boy’s dream, y’know?" says Rogers in his trailer, adjusting his leather armour. "You get to dress up and play make-believe and have a lot of fun, meet a lot of great people. It’s a great time. Bjorn is as Viking as it gets. He’s the most Viking in the village, he just wants to eat and kill and do everything evil that there is to do.

"It’s really fun playing him, because you get to touch on something inside yourself when you step outside the boundaries, and really run with it. . . . I had to take a little bump the other day to make Jim Caviezel look strong, that was a little tough to do," he chuckles. "Oh, I’m joking, Jim’s great. Everyone here is a professional, the stunt guys are great, so it’s been a breeze to do the physical stuff."

Rogers considers his role in Outlander a dress rehearsal for his next big assignment: a three-year contract with World Wrestling Entertainment, which will have him do pretty much the same thing, only as a deep voiced grappler named Big Deal. "Well you may be Stone Cold Steve Austin, but you’re no . . . Big . . . Deal!" he says, practising his tag line with gravelly gusto.

"It’s kind of the same thing, I’ve always been big, and it’s just easy for me to be scary," grins Rogers. "For this film you just put a beard on me and give me some braids and tattoos.

"It’s a little crazier than normal, but it’s a lot of fun."

But not all the Vikings are rampaging maniacs. Hurt plays the diplomatic king Rothgar, while his ambitious nephew prince Wulfric is portrayed by dashing British actor Jack Huston, 24-year-old grandson of famed director John Huston, sporting elaborate brass platemail armour and a striking temporary neck tattoo.

Huston’s hot-blooded prince forms one corner of the love triangle that develops between himself, Freya and Kainan, while learning what it takes to be a leader.

"The thing we love about the movie is, it’s got all these different elements," says Huston, who recently performed a stint as Andy Warhol’s photographic cohort Gerard Malanga in the story of model/icon Edie Sedgewick, Factory Girl. "It’s got sci-fi, the epic Viking setting, the romantic triangle, as well as just great characters. That’s why everyone took it on, including John Hurt, who’s the coolest guy in the world; an incredible actor, and one of the three actors you’d want to work with in your career."

Coincidentally, Hurt also starred in the late Huston’s 1969 comedy adventure Sinful Davey, but working with him isn’t the only perk for the younger Huston, whose film career is just starting to take off.

"On the whole, you only read a handful of scripts per year that you actually like," he explains. "Not to say they’re not well-written, but which personally attract you to a role. And Wulfric is a great role, there are so many layers to him, and he goes through one of the biggest journeys in the movie.

"It’s very hard to have someone who seems like a villain at the start wind up as someone the audience likes by the end of it. But Howard and Dirk have been working on this for years, they have everything mapped out in their heads, everything is storyboarded to a tee, so that’s it right there; there’s definitely a vision at work."

[kennethmoore]

So, does anyone know if they're looking for extras at their new place? The Classics Society at Acadia University (pretty close to where they're shooting) want in. :-)

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Originally Posted by kennethmoore

So, does anyone know if they're looking for extras at their new place? The Classics Society at Acadia University (pretty close to where they're shooting) want in. :-)

As far as I know, all the casting was done a month or so ago. But I suppose things could come up and they might be able to use another extra. Filmworks was taking care of the casting in Halifax so I suppose it wouldn't hurt to contact them:

FILMWORKS PRODUCTION SERVICES
1060 Barrington Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 2R1

FILMWORKS ONLINE Hotline (902) 431 6388

Either way, if you happen to see or hear anything interesting, don't hesitate to let us know here.

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Ascendant Pictures did a minor update to their coming soon page here.

Nothing really new as far as info but they did put up a new pic which looks like a concept painting of the funeral pyre scene:

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http://www.boyrobot.com/ .... Ryan Meinerding - Concept artist: Ninth Ray Studios

Though they may or may not have been made for or actually used for the final movie here are a few interesting character concepts found on Ryan Meinerding’s site. It’s hard to tell for sure whether these predate the movie on not but I imagine anything he drew while at Ninth Ray would be similar. It very well could be that multiple sets of concepts in various styles were made so they could pick an appropriate one while ones like these were actually not picked. But right now there’s no way to tell. These were originally labeled “Vikings” and “Kids” for example. (Click on Images for larger versions):

- - -

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Some more extras reports:

http://newfiejesus.blogspot.com/

Saturday, October 21, 2006
Lark Hr. Sexy Vikings
A most excellent distraction flew into my view early this week as Manda decided to go to Corner Brook. Blindly I flew into a new arena: an unsullied city and days of intrigue and suspense.

An exchange was made. I would provide companionship in exchange for her patronage. I'm not sure who got the best of that deal. It was just pure brilliance to take one of those great ideas and just pounce upon it. Perhaps because it didn't need much time and effort to germinate. Plus, the timing was immpeccable. I in the midst of another downward spiral, she dealing with getting the business end of things lately... A reason to get away from it all for awhile turned out to be damn nourishing.

Having hemp tunics and wooden shields draped over my person and standing in a muddy bog for three days during the Newfoundland shoot for "OUTLANDER" was just a blast. Bouts of monotony, poor weather and no finances aside, it was just great to be elsewhere for just long enough to get the buzz going, the honesty of new experiences shared among many.

A new record of 40 hours of consciousness was achieved. Fun stories exchanged. Experiences had. It made me reflect on how well travelled I am, and how I just love the changing scenery. I mean, it's all the same... the faces, the architecture, and preferred brand of beer may change, but it's all the same. Things always seem to spiral upward when surrounded by new people is what I'm getting at. Just got to remember it's worth the effort is all.

If I can grab that momentum and keep it going, I can slingshot my sad ass around the sun and into deep space, and out of this mudhole (hee, irony) I'm in.

I think I'll rename my hockey pool team the Lark Hr. Sexy Vikings.

http://beccainhalifax.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Viking Women Don't Wash.
Though, apparently, they do wear really cool clothes!

Last week, I got called to do a night shoot for Outlander. So, at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, I headed out to the second unit set which, fortunately enough, was just this side of Spryfield, only 10 minutes from home, where I sat in a big tent with 20 other extras and waited. First, I waited to get costumed. Then I waited for hair and makeup. Then I waited while the crew had their dinner break. Then, while most of the other background performers slept on chairs and tables, I waited for us to be called to the set. And waited. Finally, around 5 a.m., they told us that they were having trouble with the wind machine, and to please wait a little while longer. Shortly before 7, they told us that they wouldn't be able to fix the wind machine before sunrise, and that they would have to shoot the scene on Friday night, instead. So I went home, showered, slept for just over an hour, then went to school to lead a tutorial on Othello. I came home, got a little more sleep, then headed off to Balcony rehearsal, and, from there, straight back to the set to wait some more. Around 3, while everyone else was sleeping, I tried to read, but discovered that I was so tired that I could actually no longer read. At all. It was weird--like I was looking at Latin or engineering symbols or something. So I put away the book and waited some more. Finally, finally, finally, around 5 a.m., they loaded us up in vans and drove us to the lake--a tiny, calm little lake that stands in for the ocean. They handed me 3 logs (apparently, as far as Viking women go, I'm not all that tough) and told me to carry them into one of the two lodges when they called action. We rehearsed a few times before they took away our coats, cranked on the wind and rain machines--we were villagers fleeing from the storm--and we did it for real a few times. As long as they don't cut the scene, you might just be able to see me walking from a fire into a lodge. Look for the white sleeves and grey tunic-thingy. They built two lodges, but apparently, they're going to CGI more into the background. Actually, the set looked pretty cool, even from close up. Two other extras, Colleen and Joanne, had to carry dried fish in out of the rain. Real dried fish. Fake rain. They smelled great afterwards.
Here are some pics from Joanne's camera in the holding tent. You'll notice that hair and makeup consisted of making us look... unwashed. And that the costumes were meant to make us look busty and sexy (the costumer's words, not mine).
Now cross your fingers that Trent gets called soon!
(Okay, I'm trying to upload the pics... stay tuned.)

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Viking: 29 years in the making
Yay! Bear got called to the Outlander set for a night shoot tonight! Of course, it's miserable, cold and and raining in Halifax today, so he might regret his Viking tendencies before sunrise, but with a little luck, he'll get close enough to the camera for us to be able to recognize him.

Send your warm, dry thoughts to Trent-Bear tonight, guys.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Finally--Viking Pics!... Sadly, Trent's shoot last night got cancelled due to heavy rain (they were [calling] the set Atlantis!"). Here's hoping they call him back out there soon...

(Click on the pictures for larger versions)

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Found a few more pics on another extras blog. There's a good one of the village here:

[SpaceMarine]

Yep I was cancelled last Thursday night too. But I am going out again tonight and again Thursday through Saturday. Can't miss me - I am the 6'6" Viking, one of Gunnar's men and I will definitely be a wigger (I'm bald - half choice, half genetics).

Should be a blast!

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Originally Posted by SpaceMarine

Yep I was cancelled last Thursday night too. But I am going out again tonight and again Thursday through Saturday. Can't miss me - I am the 6'6" Viking, one of Gunnar's men and I will definitely be a wigger (I'm bald - half choice, half genetics).

Should be a blast!

That's really neat. If I were on the east coast instead of on the west, I would have definitely tried out too. If you have any pictures or any details that you are legally allowed to share feel free to post them here.

On that note I now have a few more pictures of some of the male extras (maybe you're even in one of them!) I'd apologize for the crappy resolution but I didn't have anything to do with taking them. They're ok for cell phone pictures I suppose.

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Here's another blog entry from an extra on the Newfoundland shoot: http://mydogshotjfk.blogspot.com/2006/10/wow.html
They have TONS of great pictures up here: http://picasaweb.google.com/AmandaEve/VikingAdventure Apparently this is the person "newfiejesus" I reported on earlier was going to the shoot with.

WOW. Just ... wow ... what a great week. It was unreal. So I decided to do that movie extra thing in Corner Brook, after hyming and ha-ing over it all week. And I'm soooooo glad I did. I had an amazing time. I started at 6am - i was up all night ... could even close my eyes. Not sure if i was just too exited to sleep or not, but I couldn't even close my eyes ... they would shake ... so I lay on the couch and watched Space all night. Anyway ... 6am i load up the Yaris, and call Bubs ... he is up for it ... so I go to Tim's up up some coffee's and dodge over to get bubs ... we drive to CB in good spirits, get there in good time around 5. We sleep in the car until 2am (our call time is 2:15 am Tuesday morning).
So 2:15 we hop on a bus with a bunch of apehensive folks, and end up at a church in Lark Harbour (little over an hours drive from CB). Get registered and all, get into some viking garb ... and wait. That was almost the whole time - waiting ... but that's too be expecting on a movie set.
We got to know so many awesome people; it was great.
Tuesday was insane! INSANE - it was blowing a gale, and raining and i think it was hail for a few minutes. We had to stare off at sea for hours and be like pillars in the wind. COLD?!?!?!? holy be-jesus?!?!?!? COLD?!?!?!?! man ... it was cold. We had to stand in a bog .. and that bog was cold.
The production team wasn't prepared for the weather we got, it came out of nowhere. But it was cool, they were really good about it. The driector thanked us over the speakers and such, at least it was acknowledged. There was some men that were fitted out in nothing but loin cloth-type costumes ... it was too much ... i don't think they came back the second day; but the second day was massivily better than the first day, we got coffee and everything. hee hee. We were well taken are of, everyone was really great to us, the actors weren't all snobbing and 'don't look at me', and the directors and crew wasn't all 'get these people out of my sight', everyone was awesome. Esspecially the [Assistant Directors] they were great too.
But I've got to say the best thing was the people. Imagine stading around for 15+ hours with the same 100+ folks; I haven't cursed so much in my life. HAHA ... what a ball. I'd do it all over again in a second - but I'd bring rubber boots.

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Another blogger to report on... with a semi-humourous post. Also, he has some pictures and this time we scored one of Caviezel. You can see his costume under his parka.

http://shellyhasablog.blogspot.com/2...d-hits-la.html

Friday, October 20, 2006 Hollywood hits LA

First of all I should let you all know that those of us from the area refer to Lark Harbour as L.A. (for Lark 'Arbour). And righteously so it seems. After all these years Hollywood has finally discovered LA. There is a movie being filmed in my hometown.. Lark Harbour, NFLD. One of the main actors is the guy that played Jesus in The Passion of the Christ. He even used the bathroom in my cousin's house! Can you believe it! Jesus peed in Joanne's flush! AWESOME!

From the local newspaper there was an interview with a member of the film crew who said they scouted places in New Zealand, and B.C. but they chose Lark Harbour because of its beauty and accessibility. Apparently, the director said his only regret on filming this movie was that he did not fim the entire thing there! He went on to say that not only was the location ideal that the people he found there were simply amazing. He could not have asked for a better community.

A few of my uncles were helping out the camera crew with their fishing boats. I have a cousin who was hired as an extra. You will see him next to one of the pallbearers in a funeral scene.

So, the movie is called Outlander, and the first and ending scenes were filmed in LA (Lark 'Arbour that is... )

Here are a few pics. I'll be posting more as more become available to me. ENJOY!

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http://beccainhalifax.blogspot.com/

Saturday, November 18, 2006
Viking Update
It's 1 p.m. and Trent, for the first time all week, is upstairs sleeping for longer than 2 hours at a stretch. He's been on the Outlander set every night this week (minimum 10 hours a night--usually closer to 14!), plus, every day except Friday, put in nearly a full day at the Day-Job. Ech! The good news is he's as in the movie as an extra gets! He is one of Gunnar's Raiders, apparently (insert Phil's trademark "I don't know" sound here). And the alien monster looks like... a big black board with a white X on it. CGI monster. Let's guess what it will look like when the movie comes out! Here are my picks:
• Flying Spaghetti Monster
• Nancy's walking, gulping monster
• Ozzy the Cat
• A Big, Scary Black Board with a White X on It.