ORBIS ROMANUS

"Orbis Romanus", click here to watch the full 22 minute film ...free.

2009-05-18T17:12:00.005-05:00

2009-05-03T07:15:00.000-05:00

Next stop Tupelo!

2009-04-05T11:59:00.000-05:00

Crossroads Film Festival 2009

2009-03-10T21:12:00.003-05:00

Orbis will screen Sunday afternoon at Crossroads. Hope to see you there Sunday, April 5th.

Edward

2008-11-17T16:28:00.024-06:00

ORBIS ROMANUS is an Official Selection into the 10th Crossroads Film Festival, April 2-5th 2009

Praise for Orbis Romanus:

"This is one of the best shorts I have ever seen. It is so great to see something this heroic and monumental and pithy in a short. Perhaps there is a morphic resonance finally emerging that will bring the public into a deep dialogue on war through this film. I have just finished making a film about the present effects of the Holocaust and needless to say it was ironic and wonderful to connect with the same theme from a time in the distant past."

Micheley Angelina
Film Producer, NYC

"The importance of one soul must never be underestimated."
Dr. Darryl Wheat, PH.D.

"Orbis Romanus" is a strong solid example of Independent film making in it's purest form. Saint Pe' stood out in the lead role, both physically and emotionally believable as a Roman soldier. The supporting cast deserves a nod as well. Everyone on the screen were completely dedicated to their roles. If you have a chance to see it, don't miss the opportunity. I look forward to seeing what Saint Pe' has to offer in the future."

He Said
Hesaidshesaidmoviereviews.com

"Though new to film making, Saint Pe' has worked in television his whole life....and it shows. He is at ease in front of the camera and behind it. The film is beautiful to watch."

She Said
hesaidshesaidmoviereviews.com

"Takes realism to the next level."

David Creel
Beautiful Magazine

"Can the change of one detail alter the course of history ? The movie packs in quite a bit of incident and characterization. Saint Pe' and Cruz thoroughly look the part of Legionaries. Heather Thurgood is eerie as the ambiguously motivated "see-ress" who offers saint Pe's character "Saturius" an unwelcome glimpse of things to come."

Dr. Michael Gleason
Classics & History Department
Millsaps College

Orbis is:

Edward Saint Pe's first film, it's an alternate take on the Roman ambush at Teutenburg forest in 9 AD, where German tribesmen surprised the Romans and within three days slaughtered the 15th, 16th and 17th Roman Legions. About 15,000 troops died at Teutenburg. Historians agree that this massive defeat stopped Rome from it's planned conquest of Germania. This allowed, they also agree, for Germany's development apart from the rest of "Romanized" western Europe...a more nationalistic state...a state which trans-morphed in time into the Third Reich.

Saint Pe's screenplay asks: "What If"....one soldier learned of the German ambush and attempted to alert his General, preventing him from marching into the trap....If he succeeds, could history be altered ? Could millions who later died in the wars and holocausts to come have been spared?

The DVD also contains 15 minutes of behind the scenes video of the actual shoot and the rehearsals prior to the shoot. It's a unique perspective on the making of a film.

As a BONUS feature to round out the experience... we have also included one of the public domain films from our library, "Gladiators Seven". This film was one of the original Italian "Sword and Sandals" movies. I choose this one because it has been reviewed well...The NY Times said: "It moves"...and is considered to be one of the better films in it's genre. A genre we boys who were tweens in the 60's just loved, of course many of us still do.

Here is what the NY Times said about "Gladiators 7"

"It MOVES, a straight storyline with no dalliances, some burly humor, crisp dialog and performances that fit. The color backgrounds are clean and sweeping and spectacle is used only to spur the plot ahead. For the year A.D. 1 it travels by jet, with no detours.

Orbis Romanus...trailer video below...

2008-10-20T20:58:00.005-05:00

Millsaps and Pi(e) Lounge both provide full houses for screening of "Orbis Romanus"

2008-10-09T10:57:00.003-05:00

Millsaps provided a full house for the screening of Orbis on Oct 8th '09...thanks to Dr Gleason and the entire Classics Dept for having us...and thanks to all the folks who came out...

Rhonda Richmond (L)...slated to portray "Mogundo" in "Gate To Valhalla" speaks with Writer / Director of "Valhalla", Edward Saint Pe' at the Pi(e) Lounge screening...."Gate To Valhalla" is set to shoot in late December '08....

The Pi(e) Lounge screening was SRO ...thanks to Jeff Good and Dan Blumenthal for hosting us....we had David Cruz...Heather Thurgood and Tim Leblanc from the cast on hand...thanks to everyone who came out to support my film.

"Orbis Romanus" to be screened at Millsaps College, Oct 8th at 7pm.....

2008-09-18T11:59:00.047-05:00

The first Jackson public screening of "Orbis" will be presented by Milsaps College, 1701 N State St ... Academic Complex 215....in Jackson on October 8th at 7pm...limited seating is available so get there early ...ph 601-974-1000

After the film there will be an audience Q and A interchange with the actors and the screenwriter...Then...AFTER the Millsaps screening...the public is invited to a cast after-party and second live screening of "Orbis Romanus" at 9pm at Pi(e) Lounge...inside Sal and Mookies in Fondren....

Both events are free to the public.

A successful first screening on August 7th

2008-08-11T16:59:00.003-05:00

The first screening on August 7th was a success...we were part of the Indie Fest at State Theatre in Starkville...not a competition...but rather a showcase of Mississippi film-makers...16 films were shown...

Heather Thurgood / The See-ress...... David Allen Cruz / Vespa ...Edward Saint Pe' / Saturius and Lois Lovelady, Associate Producer were among the many in attendance...

We had a full house ...and at the end of the showcase when Orbis hit the screen ...and again after the showing...we had enthusiastic applause...it was a special moment for me...

Orbis Romanus ...August 7th first Screening at State Theatre in Starkville, MS as part of the Mississipi Indie Fest

2008-07-29T11:58:00.005-05:00

Orbis Romanus...December '07 dress rehersal in the Germainian forest of Brandon

2008-06-30T09:33:00.004-05:00

we have "Picture Lock"...no more changes...and the sound is at Sam Watson's....he will EQ it and Mix...also add more foley..and special sound effex...Sam did the Sound Design for "Ballast"...which WON at Sundance this year....

We should have the new sound mixed into the film by the end of this week.

New Trailer (06/24/2008)

2008-06-24T14:12:00.005-05:00

NEW TRAILER ABOVE..

David Orr in on the edit

2008-06-20T14:15:00.003-05:00

David Orr...an award winning film maker ....from Mississippi..who worked for years in the business in Los Angeles...is in for the second week on the final edit,,,,paring down the scenes with Zachary Howell...quicker cuts....editing dialog...

The film moves much faster now...and I am really happy with the input from David...
And am greatly indebted to him...for taking the time to lend his expertise....and Zach Howell ...thank you so much...for your effort on Orbis... their efforts have made it a much better film than it otherwise would have been...

We will post another trailer he is working on over the next few days...
While working on the edit...it's been apparent to the editors..and myself....that we had some totally in the zone acting on Orbis...David Cruz as Vespa was on his game...and Heather Thurgood...was really tip top ... I am so proud of them ...

One more week of adding Foley...and music...then Sam Watson will do the final sound mix....THEN we should be finished ...and we can start the film fest submission process...Should have the final film in house by....July 4th ...sort of poetic...

Orbis Romanus Trailer - 30sec. Edit is done...

2008-06-11T15:46:00.003-05:00

Well...this is the day I have been looking forward to...we have a "Picture Lock"....no more changes to the edited film...tomorrow we tweak the over-all sound... and we should be able to render it out to DVD format to start sending to the various Film Fests....

What a collaborative effort making a movie is...as I've worked on assembling the cast and crew for the credits....I've realized just how many folks put their heart and soul into this film short....and what a learning experience....incredible....One thing I know now..as a father of three...with the kids all gone ...and in college...this empty nester will make movies for whatever time God the Father grants me on this earth...however ...whenever...wherever...I will Write...Act...and Direct....just find a way to make movies...it's something I've found....that needed to come out...a way to find expression...and after a long time ...seemingly bottled up...in various areas of the media...who knew ?

I will keep updating this Blog....with info on the Festivals we enter and how we do in them...and to update the next project...I'm writing it now..."working title "Gate to Valhalla"... your usual Dark Ages saga......and hope to be shooting later this Fall...maybe October or November...in the forests of Germania...I mean Brandon.

Orbis Romanus Trailer - 45sec.

2008-06-11T15:27:00.003-05:00

Orbis film trailer posted this week...

2008-06-09T14:12:00.003-05:00

Now that we are at the end of the edit...we will cut a short trailer and post it to the site ...should be up by Wednesday 6-11-08....

The edit looks good...we all like it...and good comments from those that have dropped by to see it...Zachary...who has been by my side on the edit for the duration... and I both now have films to enter into the film fests out there...he wrote and Directed "The Devil and Tom Walker" ...we shot it in March...he cast me in that film...I was just finished with Orbis...and rearing to go....so we plan to enter the fests together as the Mississippi contingency....wish us luck...I will post everything we enter...and how we do here on this blog...

I am in the 3rd draft of the new screenplay I have been working on...presently titled..."Gate to Valhalla"....it will be shot..I hope this Fall...and so RIGHT NOW I AM THINKING ABOUT CASTING...I plan on using my main players from Orbis in the lead roles...but we will need a "Black Warrior Elf"....so I am looking for that....and a man to play the "King of Mortal-Dom"...and 3 "Knights of Mortal-Dom"....This time I do hope to find some dwarves...since we need them for one specific scene...also an older... wise ..."Wizard of Fallingwater"...

Valhalla will be another costume drama...this one set ...in the Dark Ages...when Druids and the Elvish Warriors of the forest still lived...

Only a few tweaks left....it's done....I will keep you updated on the first film festival we enter...

2008-06-05T20:37:00.001-05:00

Edit is done..we are tweaking it now

2008-06-05T20:26:00.000-05:00

Zach Howell and Edward in the Edit Bay with Final Cut and Avid at NWN Studios.

2008-05-29T09:38:00.004-05:00

Zach Directed and Shot "The Devil and Tom Walker" back in March....'08...I was coming off the Orbis shoot and roaring to get back in front of the camera...

Zach cast me as "The devil"...in his film...Holy Toledo ! I did not realize I was capable of such diabolical action...well...it's really in all of us...but if you're acting in a film...you can express it...without any repercussions !

Thanks Zach ...
Zach and I will be entering our films together in multiple film fests ...together as a sort of United Front of Mississippi writers/directors...more on Zach's film at this Blog ... www.thedevilandtomwalker.blogspot.com

This week we're getting in three days of editing...Wed ...Thurs and Fri....
we've been tweaking and changing a lot of things...should have a real idea of what the film looks like by the end of this week...

I got a chance to write this past weekend...in New Orleans...I sequester in CC's Coffee Shop Royal at St Phillip and write...I got in about 16 hrs toward the new script between Sat and Sunday... the 2nd draft is done...I am starting the pre-production right now...I have some of the main roles filled....using actors from Orbis...and will get the scripts out next week...

Saturius calls for reinforcements from the front....

2008-05-23T13:31:00.007-05:00

The first rough edit is done ...it's been about a year that I've been working on the project...and what a great journey...thanks to everyone who has worked on it...first Lois...who believes in me...that is what makes all the difference...also...Heather...and David Allen...Austin and Matt...all the actors..and the set design folks...Jerel...and Mary...and here at the end...thanks the Zach Howell...for coming in to help me edit...the one thing I think I had not planned enough for as Producer....but ...I have learned a few lessons which I will remember going forward ...you've just gotta love this stuff in the end...making a movie...the love of it is what makes the difference...the passion for it is what gets you through it...anything for that matter I guess...Zach and I met back in March '08 ...he was doing his own film..."The Devil and Tom Walker"...and he cast me as "Old Scratch"...in that one..so we worked together...and he's about as crazy for this stuff as I have become...so it's to me sort of poetic that we are doing the final edit on my project together....

As a "producer" ...which I guess I have always been as the guy behind our daily TV Weather project....whether I realized it or not....it's in the end up to you...to get the product produced..and to market...despite the obstacles...and finally the last road block...the edit..is conquered....

The whole film making process is such a wonderful creative joy...writing...producing...and for me the greatest thing was being able to act...to find out that I could pull it out of myself....and really revel in it....it's like finding a piece of myself that I knew was missing ...from a creative standpoint...as a singer....i found a creative outlet...but was out of my element...as an actor...and film-maker I find a creative outlet within the context of the camera...which I have been working with from a different angle...ie the weather / news biz...for 20 years....

I think this first rough edit will take another month or so to finalize...and so we shall be ready to enter the film fest submission time frame in June or July...which means we will actually be in a fest in the Fall of '08 at the earliest...so that is the plan...

Meanwhile I am working on the next screenplay....this one set in medieval times...when the civilized kingdom discovers that a tribe of warrior elves are living deep in the forest...of course the mortals must act to destroy these "forest people'....the problem is that the tribe is comprised of immortal magicians...
Likely another short narrative film for the film fest circuit...I want to shoot this in the Fall of '08...possibly October...when it's cooler and we have fall foliage...
I plan to Direct this one ...and am thinking about Casting right now...I have about 25 pages done...so the first draft is complete...I will go thru a few re-writes till I am happy with it then start to pre-produce....I will be writing this weekend...

Orbis edit underway....

2008-05-12T15:25:00.004-05:00

Great Caesar's Ghost ! After many delays...and a ton of frustration ...we are editing....low and behold the young man who asked me to act in his film short in March...Zachary Howell ..."The Devil and Tom Walker"...came in as the editor I needed... a film-maker and friend...who is passionate about making movies...

We are working on the edit using Final Cut Studio software ...on a Mac laptop...which is so amazing to me...cause we can move the edit anywhere...this past weekend it was an all day and all night edit in New Orleans...this week all Wednesday thru Thursday...

Zach already has his film edited...and we shot it in March...and it is a gas...He will do well in the festivals with 'The Devil and Tom Walker"

"Orbis" ...Opening part 1...with Ward Emling and Edward...rough edit

2008-04-09T11:42:00.007-05:00

Here is the rough cut edit of the open..all the way thru to where Saturius departs on his mission...which we carry on in the next clip below Part 2....

This scene is where one of the allied German chiefs, "Segestes"...played by Ward Emling... comes to Saturius...who is retiring from the XVII Legion...and is to return to Rome to his family the following day....Segestes warns that he is hearing rumors that an ambush is being set up...a trap...set by Segestes own over zealous son-in-law "Arminius" (Hermann in German history...a German national hero)....
Segestes asks Saturius...who is an advance re-con soldier..a spy...or as the Romans called them an "Exploratore"....to delay his departure for home one more day...and
try to find out if this rumor of ambush is in fact true....and thus stop their General ...Quinctillius Varus...from marching thru the Tutenburg forest into the trap with the three Legions under his command...

"Orbis" ...Opening ...Part 2 ...rough edit

2008-04-01T17:57:00.005-05:00

Here is the second part of the opening...I think the feeling of the film is coming thru...it's what I hoped we'd capture...a dark feeling...I used Wagner's
Siegfried's Funeral as the musical bed here...I found a rendition/ performance I could purchase the rights to ....Austin and I worked on the edit Thursday night till almost midnight.... Here we meet "Vespa"...played by David Cruz...i was so impressed with David from the outset ...when we did the auditions....he and I talked about the character...and I thought instantly I wanted him to play Vespa...he got it...and I think he brought Vespa to life in the film....

Editing again ...Thursday, March 27th

2008-03-26T20:16:00.008-05:00

Austin and I will edit Thursday....in Tupelo....we are making progress now on the actual film as we have all the sound synced in and the different angles of each shot assembled....now we will have fun...I hope we'll be finished by end of April....

I posted the Opening Scene yesterday...could not control myself,
I have promised Austin that I will not post the whole film on the blog before it's out, but I wanted all of you to see what the feel of the film is like,it's very atmospheric and has the dark feel that I wanted, I've had a good response from everyone....thx.

Editing will continue this weekend 3-23-08

2008-03-19T17:15:00.004-05:00

The editing goes on this weekend...and it is slowly coming together...
I have been keeping this blog since November '07...and as I look at it...I notice ..as has Lois...wow...what a change took place in me for the 6 months leading up to ..while writing the script...and trying to build up....and continuing thu the shoot....now I have a better understanding of the concept of getting into the role.....After it was all over...I sort of struggled with coming out of character...Saturius...my character...was hard to quit...I liked him...and I wanted
to stay there....but it's hard to walk around with a sword these days...and wear a red cape....but boy...what a great experience being him for that time....I look at these pictures and almost do not see myself....

I have a new role to play...that of "Old Scratch"...in "The Devil and Tom Walker"...which is shooting this week 3-17-08...it will be the first thing I have done since Orbis...and I did not write it...and Produce it....purely in it as an actor...which will be fun....it's another Mississippi film...for the film fest market in '08-'09......more on that...with pics next week after the shoot ....

2008-03-19T16:58:00.000-05:00

2008-03-18T21:20:00.000-05:00

Smoke in the distance...

2008-03-18T20:41:00.001-05:00

Marz help us....

2008-03-18T20:24:00.000-05:00

Ward Emling and Edward Saint Pe' on the set, Jan 8th 2008

2008-03-18T20:16:00.001-05:00

2008-03-18T20:13:00.000-05:00

2008-03-13T17:38:00.001-05:00

Click "older posts" at the bottom of each page to see earlier posts and video clips....

Find the Barbarians before they strike....

2008-03-11T10:47:00.002-05:00

The German's are.... that-a-way....

2008-03-10T13:57:00.002-05:00

I was waiting on the Director ...Austin Haley...to yell ACTION ! as we took and re-took a scene ...almost at dusk where "Vespa" and I..."Saturius"... that is....ride in...arriving at the Witch's camp....so while waiting...I couldn't help posing for this pic...I asked the photog to get ready....struck the pose and she fired...it's my favorite of me so far....

Riding into Germainia....

2008-03-10T13:50:00.002-05:00

A great day to shoot saturday...we got the transition shots we needed ...and had a blast....it is truly addictive....the whole thing...writing...acting...producing....nothing I've found compares.

Very sincere thanks to Rachael and Emily Altman ...for bringing in the horses ..again...Bear and Fancy...

Snow is on the way...we will be doing the pick up shots afterall

2008-03-07T17:37:00.002-06:00

I prayed for snow on Dec 7th...for the actual shoot...a long shot...BUT...with snow expected tonight ....we decided to get out in it for the re-shoot we needed to do anyway...

It is what I envisioned for the open ...the German Winter...we will post pics by Monday...

Editing this weekend...shoot is off ...for now....

2008-03-04T20:35:00.008-06:00

The shoot for this weekend is off...we are editing instead...Thursday ...Friday...Saturday and if we have enough energy...and if I can convince Austin.....Sunday....I felt that we needed to get further into the edit before pick up shots...we can do it later when we really know what we need....meanwhile this ...most frustrating part of the process continues...we will have a film before March is over though !

I have started the next script / story...but have mixed feelings about writing this ...when we are not finished with Orbis.....

This new story is set at the end of Rome ...as the Roman Church has gained power...and is "filtering out" competing ideologies that they perceive as a threat.......they now encounter an entity they can't simply obliterate...a race of Elvic warriors ...steeped in magic...living deep in the forest....

Orbis Clips...from the shoot...

2008-02-29T14:14:00.003-06:00

Back in the field for new shots on March 8th and 9th

2008-02-27T16:33:00.003-06:00

We have "pick-up" shots to do on the 8th and 9th...before the winter turns into spring...still editing too...hope to have something by April....

I thought I had taken the Roman gear off and put the sword up...so..it's splendid to think I can come out and play again...! Only problem...the hair is now growing back blondish / brown...the natural color ..and is longer too ...so here goes...another step into the realm of the transformer....blackened hair...and a Roman attitude... I had gained about 20 lbs...getting ready to play Saturius...my image of him was strong...so I added weight to the regular workout regimen...and went from 165 to 185 lbs over about a 6 month period.... About 2 weeks before we shot...I looked at myself...holy mackerel...I looked too big...for me anyway....did not recognize myself...so I eased up...and was probably at around 180 or so when we shot....Lately since we finished the shoot on Jan 14th...I have eased up on the heavy weights ...so I will try to get with it over the next 2 weeks to bulk up a bit before we shoot on March 8th.

Austin Haley...on the set Directing...

2008-02-25T15:47:00.002-06:00

The editing got underway in earnest on Friday 2-22-08 and Saturday.....2-23-08....it will be month long process...at least...
Edward, Matt Kimbrough and Austin at the edit controls. Justin Maynard was there also..working on special EFX...

We did discover we will need some pick up shots...so that means the camera will roll again in the forests of Germainia...likely for
two days ...with shots of Edward / Saturius ...and David Allen Cruz / Vespa needed.

Saint Pe' Interview... on Orbis Romanus set...

2008-02-14T17:13:00.002-06:00

Orbis Romanus...interview with Director, Austin Haley

2008-02-14T16:04:00.001-06:00

Four key people on the production ..

2008-02-14T13:50:00.005-06:00

Matt... on camera... at left ...

Beth Spatafora ...(over Matt's shoulder) ....Script Supervisor....

Bronwyn Teague...Key Production Assistant ...at center ...and... Sound Engineer....Ken Calloway ... at right...

Jackson Free Press Article on Orbis Romanus Production

2008-02-13T16:36:00.004-06:00

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Video : The Barbarians make an example of the Witch...Saturius finds her....

2008-02-11T17:25:00.002-06:00

CLICK "OLDER POSTS" AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH PAGE ON RIGHT... TO SEE PRIOR WEEK'S POSTS OF PICTURES AND VIDEO CLIPS FROM THE SHOOT...

Video : Raw footage....Meeting the Witch

2008-02-11T17:13:00.000-06:00

Click "older posts"...at the bottom of each page to see prior weeks pics and video posts

2008-02-09T16:55:00.001-06:00

Austin...Edward...Matt and Justin

were in the edit room this weekend...

The real sound...from the boom mike

is amazing and is being synced with

the pictures on Monday by Ken.......................................................

We will begin the actual cutting

0f the film this week....I will post new

pics and new video clips thru the week....

VIDEO : Backstory to "Orbis Romanus" ...

2008-01-28T11:45:00.000-06:00

Here is video shot of us making the film...........

Orbis Romanus...is a film which depicts the backstory to the Battle...or really the Ambush of the Romans at Tutenburg Forest..It's not really talked about much in the US...but that was likely the decisive point in Roman history...at least in their attempts to conquer the Germanic tribes....

Three Legions...and the support people...about 20,000 men were lured into a movement which took them thru an unknown ...little used passage thru Tutenburg Forest...Arminius..the premiere German tribal leader ...and an ally of Rome...convinced the General in charge of the three Legions...that there was an uprising near Osnabruck ....and ...before returning to Rome with the Legions...that if the General would swing over thru that area...the uprising in the area could be put down....Meanwhile Arminius...who knew the Roman ways as he had been raised as a child "hostage" in Rome...then returned to his position as the new Prince of the Tribe...as was the Roman P.R. practice at the time....was in fact planning an elaborate plot..in league with numerous other German tribes...an Ambush was at hand....And the Roman General in charge of the 3 Legions...General Quinctillius Varus...took the bait...and marched right into it...it was the single greatest defeat...and loss of life ever seen by Rome...before ...or ..after...and changed forever the mind of Augustus...then Caesar...in his further pursuits regarding the conquest of Germania...Germans stayed German...their language was not Latinized like the other conquered peoples in Europe...and Arminius..known as Hermann...to the German people became the national hero...and the focal point for nationalism in Germany....The Romans did not Romanize the Germans...they stayed fiercely German.....

Over 20,000 Roman soldiers and their support troops died over a three day period as the Roman lines...extended to 11 miles...and not able to move into battle formations in the narrow forest passageway...were caught completely by surprize ...

It had been raining for days and the mud did not help matters....no prisoners were taken...all were killed on the spot...except for any Roman officers ...which were captured...they had the glory of being offered to the German Gods in sacrifice...Arminius wanted to make an example of the Romans at Tutenburg Forest...one they would never forget...and he did...dead Romans were nailed to trees...thru the battle areas of the forest....not to be removed for a decade ...till a later expeditionary Roman force came there ...to remove the bones...and bury the whole spectre....

Arminus got into the collective Roman psyche....and it was remembered in Rome as the blackest of days...one never forgotten...

Three legions were slaughtered at Tutenburg Forest....the XVII the XVIII and the XIX their "Eagles"...their standards...were after this disaster retired....and their Legion numbers were retired....and never used again....the Legions jumped from the XVI th to the XX th....The Ambush was hence known as "The Varian Disaster"...named after the Roman General who led his troops that day, and was fooled by the German ...Arminius... General Quinctillius Varus.... The Varian Disaster was debated by Roman historians from that point till the end of the Empire.

Orbis Romanus...is an original story of two Roman advance re-con soldiers...Vespa the young idealistic soldier (David Cruz).....and Saturius....the older exploratore...(re-con scout)...about to retire from the leigon...and return to his family in Rome....they are from the XVIIth Leigon....

The story revolves around their attempt to sneak behind enemy lines on an un-sanctioned mission via a tip....to find out if the rumors of an ambush are true...in order to stop their General...who admires the German, Arminius...and trusts him blindly....from marching into disaster....along the way they meet a forest soothsayer...a witch in the pre-christian period that is the setting for the film...around 9 AD... the witch adds a new component to the gravity of the mission...she shows Saturius...one of the two Romans...and ...my character...the future of the Germanic tribes...should their General continue with his plans to March in 48 hours....Edward

CLICK "Older Posts" at the bottom of each page to see earlier pics and video back thru the rehersals to November

2008-01-25T12:15:00.001-06:00

Romans ambush and capture Vangio.....a German tribal leader...planning an attack on the Romans at Tutenburg Forest...

2008-01-25T12:01:00.000-06:00

Vespa ..David Cruz... and Saturius...Edward Saint Pe' ambush the two Germans...Tim LeBlanc (left) as Thorman and coming up the hill on the right... Vangio...Stephen Donnelly...

How many tribes has Arminius gathered ?

2008-01-25T11:57:00.000-06:00

Here is a take of the Vangio capture scene.... Stephen Donnelly as Vangio

Orbis Romanus...raw un-edited clips...

2008-01-23T17:47:00.000-06:00

You will see our Director...Austin Haley...in one of these clips...he plays the part of the madman who bolts out of the witch's abode and makes a move on the two Romans...who were not aware that this surprise "springman" event was coming....

The Witch is high strung....

2008-01-23T17:15:00.000-06:00

On this take...Heather was hanging from the tree...and in pain...I sprained my ankle as I ran over to her....I stepped in a hole...you can see it...then hobbled on in....groaning...but we all liked the ambiance of the scene...nice set decor by Jerel Levenway and Mary Goodson....

Back into the void....un-edited footage... in the lair of the witch...

2008-01-23T17:00:00.000-06:00

Here is one take of the scene where "Saturius"

played by ...Edward Saint Pe'....descovers the Witch ...

played by Heather Thurgood....has been ravaged by

the German tribesman...

Orbis Romanus...meeting the Witch

2008-01-23T13:23:00.000-06:00

Orbis video trailer on the way...stay tuned.

2008-01-22T16:51:00.000-06:00

Orbis Romanus...behind the scenes HD video

2008-01-17T14:14:00.000-06:00

Behind the scenes HD video from the first day of shooting...

"Orbis Romanus" ....... Matt Kimbrough, D.P.

2008-01-16T14:56:00.000-06:00

Matt Kimbrough.......Director of Photography and a member

of Director Austin Haley's Skeleton Krew...

Matt worked with Austin to get the right shots on Orbis Romanus.

Orbis Romanus...setting up a scene.. 1-12-08

2008-01-15T15:06:00.000-06:00

left to right...John Wee...Assistant Director of Photography... Beth Spatafora, Script Supervisor.....Edward Saint Pe' as Saturius....David Cruz as Vespa...and Director, Austin Haley...

2008-01-14T13:40:00.000-06:00

"Orbis Romanus"....Sunday 1-13-08...Final day of shoot....Scene 8..."Race to the River...

2008-01-14T12:38:00.000-06:00

Sunday marked our last day of the shoot...6 days....everybody was in a time warp for the whole past week...we were in Germainia...I did not see TV ...or leave the grounds for a solid week...it just did not cross my mind...everyone was totally engrossed...we survived the tornado warnings...under the tents...and ended up shooting the scene that got delayed in the evening...all the way till midnight...but the night shot worked better for the scene anyway....Jupitur even threw in a little natural Thunder sound effects for us...I think he liked being remembered..and he gave us a little of his old magic to prove he was watching.....

Clay Hardwick shot HD behind the scenes video of the shoot of...Austin Haley, Directing...Matt on Camera, Justin on Lighting, the Actors acting and interviews with the Actors....Ken on Sound, John as assistant DP...Mary Goodson doing her Prop and Wardrobe magic...and Jerel Levenway creating the great Sets...as Set Designer....

My wife, Lois Lovelady Saint Pe' was a great Associate Producer...she had my back...as allways...
and allowed me to take off the other hats and concentrate on Acting.... if not for Lois' understanding and support of me emersing myself in this project...we surely would not have a film.... she knows this first project did mean the world to me...and she was there 200 % ...I love my wife.

We will start uploading Clay Hardwick's behind the scenes video of the making of Orbis Romanus starting Tuesday 1-15-08....

Click "older posts" at the bottom of each page to see previous pages of Pics and Rehearsal Video clips all the way back to the start of the blog in November...We will start posting actual clips from the edited movie likely in Feb.....meanwhile I am looking at which Film Festivals will be taking submissions when we are ready to submit ...possibly in March...I will keep this blog going
during that process.....and keep you updated as to which Festivals we do get accepted into..and how we fare...

In this scene ...Saturius is racing to the river to stop his General ....Quinctillius Varus, from crossing...into the forest with the three Leigons...he has uncoverd the ambush being planned by the Germanians...

Friday and Saturday...Jan 11 and 12....

2008-01-12T21:21:00.000-06:00

The Barbarian camp where "Arminius" plans his ambush of the 3 Roman Leigons was being watched by Saturius and Vespa...the two Roman scouts....our primary shoot for Saturday...

The Sunday shoot will be the final day of shooting...Video clips of the film coming next week...for older clips keep clicking "older posts" at the bottom of each page...to follow the films development since November of 2007....pics and rehearsal video clips....

2008-01-11T08:56:00.000-06:00

Day two Shoot 1-9-08

2008-01-09T21:43:00.000-06:00

Running...falling...and exhaustion...7am till 8pm...orbis Romanus begins...

Orbis Romanus ..day 1 set up...and magic hour shoot

2008-01-08T20:04:00.000-06:00

Day one....crew is set up....we did shoot running scenes...for scene 7 at dusk....call time 6am for

Wednesday 1-9-08...three scenes scheduled to shoot then....

"Orbis Romanus"... The Sphere of Rome... shoots 1-9-08

2008-01-06T11:16:00.000-06:00

Actors...Camera persons...Sound...Lighting...Make-up..Special FX...and assorted tech people along with Catering from Annie D's and McAllisters....will decend into the icy forests of Germania....in Brandon, MS for the shooting of "Orbis Romanus" for the week...of 1-7-08

Orbis Romanus ...an Orbis Romanus,LLC and Little Bo Production

Directed by Austin Haley and Edward Saint Pe'

Produced by Edward Saint Pe' and Austin Haley

Original Story by Lois Lovelady-Saint Pe' and Edward Saint Pe'

Screenplay by Edward Saint Pe'

Starring.....

Heather Thurgood as The Witch....David Allen Cruz as Vespa....
Edward Saint Pe' as Saturius..... Ward Emling as Segestes...
James Knotts as Arminius ....and introducing Stephen Donnelly as Vangio...

At the bottom of each page click... "older posts"...to see previous pics
and video clips of the making of this film dating back to November of '07....

Rehearsal Pics from Saturday 1-5-8

2008-01-06T10:45:00.000-06:00

Last rehearsal before we shoot 1-9-8 thru 1-13-8....all went well ...finally rehearsed the "Vangio" ambush scene...and also the new scene I wrote in receently...a new open whre the German tribal leader "Segestes" comes to Saturius and tell of the news he is hearing from the field...that and ambush is awaiting the Romans as they march thru unknown forest trails on their way to quell an uprising near Osnabruk, in Germaina...Ward Emling plays the role of Segestes....this new open sets the prospective for the film....

"Vangio"...the German Warrior....played by Stephen Donnelly.....

2008-01-06T10:27:00.000-06:00

Vangio meets the Romans ...

Lois Lovelady-Saint Pe'

2008-01-06T10:24:00.000-06:00

Lois and Edward wrote the original story...Orbis Romanus.

Segestes meets Saturius...

2008-01-06T09:48:00.000-06:00

Ward Emling in rehearsals on 1-5-08 as Segestes...the Germanic Cheiftan that comes to Saturius... Edward Saint Pe'... in private to alert him that his General...Quinctillius Varus ...may be about to March with all three Leigons, the XVI, XVII and XVIII ....into an ambush ...led by Arminius and a group of united Germanic Tribes....

Crew will be in on 1-7-08

2008-01-03T15:45:00.000-06:00

We have Ben coming in from RI for make-up and special FX...and Beth in from Branson as script supervisor for the film...about 10 actors are working on the film ....

Austin Haley will be in with his crew from Little Bo Productions with about 9 people....camera...sound...etc.... We have decided to use the JVC HD cameras for the shoot...we really liked the quality of the HD video...and using filters we will get a dreat film feel we believe...

Austin Haley and Edward Saint Pe' will Co-Direct as well as Co-Produce the film...it has been a team effort....We will post some video during the week of the shoot 1-7-08 thru 1-14-08...how much I dont know...but at least we will get photos up nightly from the daily shoot...and other info...thanks for your interest in the project...

Final Rehearsal / HD Video Test Shoot Jan 5th '08...

2008-01-02T12:46:00.001-06:00

We will Post new pics and new HD Test video after the rehearsal on the the 5th....Then ...as we finish pre-production on the 8th...I will attempt to put up some pics from the actual shoot on the 9th thru the 14th.... to see what we were up to in early December rehearsals click "Older Posts" at the bottom of each page....

Orbis Romanus...shoots Jan 7-13th....2008

2007-12-31T14:31:00.000-06:00

To see earlier video posts from the first rehearsals we shot click "Older Posts" at the bottom of each screen......

2007-12-31T12:09:00.000-06:00

"Orbis Romanus"...the backstory to the battle....

2007-12-27T19:07:00.000-06:00

We will shoot Jan 7-14th...and I am very excited.....This story is the backstory to the Battle...or ...Ambush ...as it were ...of the Romans at Tutenburg Forest....where 20,000 Romans were slaughtered...as they made their way thru the forest to quell an uprising near Osnabruck, Germany.....ambushed by the united tribes of Germania...

Writing the screenplay...I wanted to show what one man ...any man ...can do...if he only tries...
to make a difference...it can make all the difference in the world....and can change the world ...if he can somehow ...push thru to achieve what he must do.....of course sometimes he fails...

We should be editing in Feb '08 ...and be ready to enter the various Film Festivals in Spring of "08.....

Edward

Orbis Romanus....

2007-12-26T12:16:00.000-06:00

Shooting 1-7-08

Pics from the 12-16-07 HD test shoot and rehearsal ....VIDEO CLIPS BELOW...

2007-12-24T16:40:00.000-06:00

More Video Clips from Test shoot below...scroll down................................

"Bear" makes his film debut as Saturius' horse...

2007-12-24T13:57:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Rachael Aultman for allowing Bear to play with us...

Austin Haley, the Director of "Orbis Romanus" on right....

2007-12-24T12:32:00.000-06:00

Austin on the set of the rehearsal shoot ...working with Edward ...David and Heather.

Sunday, December 16th Rehearsal...HD test shoot with the Panasonic

2007-12-24T12:18:00.000-06:00

We had a great rehearsal on Sunday 12-16-07...we did a test scene shoot with the Panasonic HD camera ...shot by Clay Hardwick...later in the day Austin Haly...who will be shooting the actual film on Jan 7-14th '08 did arrive to test the JVC - HD camera with his crew ...both tests are posted on the blog now...

"Orbis Romanus"...Film Festival entrant in '08.....Saturday ..December 15th...Rehearsal is set...Horses will be on the set for rehearsal shoots

2007-12-13T10:26:00.000-06:00

We are set....Austin Haley the Director of Photography will be with us ...he will shoot practice video...we will have some new scenes posted hopefully Monday Dec 17th....

It will be shot in HD...so it will far surpass the video posted now from my Handy Cam....we will save the new RED digital camera for the actual shoot...

I have spoken with Austin...and although I had planned on directing the film...as I thought...well, I wrote it ...and I can direct it....I have decided that ...I need a director to direct me...I have quickly found that you can't see yourself...at least I can't at this point in my foray into this art.......so I have asked Austin to Direct the film...he has been an actor of merit...on the Soaps..in NY and other varied projects...as well as a Producer...and DP....It will make for a better film.. He thinks I am not "Grave enough" in the rehearsals...I agree with him....so we will see what he will make of me after he gets finished with me...

Costume test shoot December 8th, 2007

2007-12-10T11:37:00.000-06:00

We spent the day ...without scripts at this point...and blocked the scenes at the determined locations in the woods.

Vespa....

2007-12-10T11:34:00.000-06:00

Vespa encounters the woman of the woods.....

Testing the Witch's costume....

2007-12-10T11:13:00.000-06:00

Heather Thurgood as the woman of the woods...

"Orbis Romanus"....Sony Handy Cam... "Red Cape" rehearsal

2007-12-10T10:59:00.000-06:00

Rehearsals...Saturday the 8th went great... The new red capes worked well....I will post short Handy-Cam video clips of the rehearsal today.....

Next Saturday...December 15th... the DP of the film, Austin Haley will shoot the rehearsal with the Panasonic HD cameras.......

Theacrtual film wiil be shot on the new digital RED camera...released this month...which shoots in HD 4000 lines of resolution ...and looks and feels like 35 mm.

"Orbis Romanus" Saturday 12 - 8 - 07 Rehearsal

2007-12-10T10:39:00.000-06:00

The rehearsal went great and we blocked the scenes ...this time with the new red capes...they worked better than the black capes last weekend...they popped ....

We had a Sony HandyCam on the set so we did shoot a few of the scenes to see how they blocked ...I will post a few very short scenes later today ... Edward

"Orbis Romanus"

2007-12-07T15:12:00.000-06:00

Red Capes in Rehearsal on December 8th ..

updated pics Monday Dec 10th

Romans recon in Germainia

2007-12-07T13:58:00.000-06:00

Before the Battle of Tutenburg Forest the two Roman exploratores, Saturius and Vespa attempt to learn what the Germans are really up to . They learn more than they wanted to know.

The Witch shows the Romans what will be....

2007-12-07T12:30:00.000-06:00

Orbis Romanus

2007-12-07T10:33:00.000-06:00

Orbis Romanus begins pre-production on Jan 7th'08 thru Jan 9th...with shooting starting on January 10th running thru the 14th.....

The 15-18 minuite film is being produced for the Film Festival market in "08....

Director of Photography is Austin Haley...with two features under his belt

Original Story by Edward Saint Pe' and Lois Lovelady...

Screenplay by Edward Saint Pe'...Saint Pe' will also Direct.