The Dutch Raid
Brief: Produce a documentary drama
Location: Chatham Dockyards
Audience: Over 7,000 people watching the video on large screens on the banks of the River MedwayProduce a documentary drama
In a unique commission, Ground:zero have been working with Medway Council to produce a film to retell the story of the 17th century raid on the Medway by the Dutch navy. The film will be the central feature of a series of local events designed to coincide with the 350th anniversary of the naval engagement of June 1667 and will be projected on to screens floating on barges in the middle of the River Medway.
The shoot was just part of the project led by the Ground:zero video department and included script development, story boarding, location sourcing and casting – all undertaken in partnership with our client at Medway Council. The result is a dramatic re-enactment of the story with superb costumes and wigs coming from renowned suppliers to the film industry based in Shepperton Studios. As well as being a major part of the main celebrations the film will also be used to support PR on websites and local news bulletins.
Our thanks go to everyone who took part in or supported this project including the wonderful makeup artist Kate Griffiths, all of the cast of extras, and the flexibility of all of the locations we used. Included here are some of the behind the scenes shots taken on set. The project is now in post-production prior to being shown in June and we will share teaser clips as soon as they become available! You may have seen some of the media coverage already but keep an eye out closer to the time if you can’t make the live event as the BBC’s Inside Out will be covering the events in June.
Malcolm Wright, the client at Medway Council, said of the shoot, “It was a busy, demanding – but extremely rewarding process. I was very impressed with Ground:zero’s organisation and how they brought all the different elements together, finishing shooting on time and on budget. From what I’ve seen, the finished film will be fantastic and really help to put Medway on the map.”