2 February: Huxley: The Oracle and Huxley trailers
I have rewatched the Syama Pedersen trailer for HUXLEY: THE ORACLE numerous times since coming across it in his Digital Bones studio trailer on YT. And I am intrigued by the world thanks to Mr Pedersen's involvement in bringing it alive.
This in turn led me to discover and rewatch the earlier trailer HUXLEY, the official trailer produced by Sava Zivkovic and Ben Mauro (author), and directed by Sava Zivkovic. Link. The trailer lists the entire production crew who contributed to this trailer. And it has further raised my interest in this world enough to want to read about it. But everything is on Pre-Order so I will await its eventual release.
In the meantime, I will go down the Digital Bones rabbit hole and see what Mr Pedersen is up to. NOTE: There is an unrelated and unreleased MMOFPS game of the same name which I managed to locate a single episode from fifteen years ago and should not be confused with Ben Mauro's work. Link.
Yes, it's easy to claim DUNE vibes when one views both trailers of HUXLEY. But that's just a lazy connection to make for Frank Herbert's world is totally different, and the assumption made is due to the recent successes of the Dune film remakes and its subsequent huge imprint upon current memory and consciousness.
Things I've noticed or am beginning to notice - thanks in large to the more observant commenters of the HTO trailers - show aspects of Mr Pedersen's cinematographic skill that somehow makes his work quite relevant, noticeable, and which connects immediately with the audience.
(1) When the recruits are being inducted, the tingling of the bell pole device (reminiscent of the Chapeau Chinois (Chinese Hat) or Jingling Johnny (familiar to those Napoleonic Wars enthusiasts) synchronises perfectly with the solemnity and gravitas of the music being played in the background, accentuating the ceremony being played out.
(2) The frequent use of zoomed-out overhead shots to convey size and magnitude - the solo aircraft flying across the desert with the remains of something huge buried in the sands, the overview of the hole into which the Ronin scavengers are about to enter and reminds one of the hole the Space Marines are about to journey down in the Secret Level's episode - are just two of many examples. The epic scale, the empty vastness of the terrain, is shown so well. The horizontal plane is conveyed also as when the Ronins are patrolling among the ruins of desolation which speak of huge monuments (such as the opening scene depicting the parade against the huge metropolis. It's similar to when Titus, Metaurus and the other two Bladeguards are moving through what looks to be the remains of either a Titan or Knight claw in the Secret Level.
(3) His familiar use of black space to convey both mood (the unknown) and as a way of introducing new scenes (most strongly seen and felt in the original Astartes) without being abrupt or sudden. Prime example of the switch between the command vessel and the squad on the Heretic ship and then back again from the Orb back to Interrogation cell.
(4) Lack or absence of dialogue. Letting the visual tell the story. Mr Pedersen shows a complete mastery of the "picture paints a thousand words" adage. Same as the "show and not tell" axiom promoted in good writing. I watched a newcomer today absorb and quickly recognise what was going on (even if unable to fully understand why) in the five shorts of ASTARTES. That tells me that Mr Pedersen can tell a story using effective visuals.
(5) Economy of motion exhibited by Mr Pedersen's Retributors throughout (Astartes) and the Lamentor (the original Astartes II short) when he blocked the second Ork before swiftly counterattacking. No extraneous efforts. No flashy movements. No Hollywood bogus. Just brutal efficiency at its prime.
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3 February: Book Review
The book I've chosen for this month's read and review is a library discard: The Late Medieval Balkans - A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest by John V. A. Fine, Jr. (1996), The University of Michigan Press.
Bought this at the local Bookfest last year for eight dollars.
Why this title? Because it might provide information regarding the East European region that formed part of my paused solo Lion Rampant campaign, Season Seven. I have given myself the entire month of February to read and absorb the text. A book review will likely be made available at the end of the month but it is such a weighty and detailed tome so no promises. Cheers.
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3 February: Season Seven of Lion Rampant
Looking for further information regarding this period (mid to late 12th century), I am using the book I am currently reading to draft up the various retinues that will play out the renewed Season Seven of my ongoing solo Lion Rampant game. Took a long hiatus however and am now keen to get back into some medieval conflicts of the solo kind.
My main retinues will primarily be fourfold - Vlach, Cuman, Byzantine, and Bulgarians. Currently have none of the models. May try paper. For now I will proxy from my existing Lion Rampant collection. My knowledge of the retinues is spartan, noob quality to be frank. But hopefully that will expand as I get back into the swing of things, so to speak.
Time period will be around 1188, give or take a few years.
Theme for this new revitalised season of campaigning will be the constant raids conducted by the Cumans (or Kipchak) into imperial (Byzantine) territory after the establishment of the Bulgarian state under Peter and Asen. The Cumans raid at will as neither the Bulgarians nor the Byzantine are able to deal with them. For now.
The next few weeks I will draft up some maps and tabletop scenarios to game hopefully tabletop or computer-generated. Cheers.
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4 February: English Civil War: The Royalists
Started my first Royalist unit this morning. Aptly enough, I grabbed the first unit from the sorted piles and it happened to be the King's Foot. The trimming, as per usual, took some time before I applied the grey priming coat. Then I left it to dry and took a break.
I am now in the process of printing out the two flags of the King's Foot (undecided on which companies as yet) this afternoon. Had to resize the printout below as they were too large. Showing the 3rd Captains and Lieutenant Colonel's standards (top right).
One, Queen's Foot, is actually a cavalry standard (the blue one with lots of fleur-de-lis) and is a nice contrast to its companion infantry red flag with the single fleur-de-lis. Transposing a cavalry standard into an infantry one is an idea I thought would look okay.
One of Tillier's Foote flags is also speculative. I wanted to add Broughton's Foote flag but could not locate a reliable source. Both Broughton and Tillier are thought to have contributed units that made up the "Shrewsbury" Foote unit.
Adding Talbot's Foote (with the Talbot hound) to the Royalist list because they wore yellow coats and I thought it would look nice on the tabletop. Who they replace has yet to be determined. Or maybe they will join later should I choose to expand the list which seems likely once I have the finances. Cheers.
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