The Alien Queen has one little dream – to meet and take a selfie with a Predator. She knows well that this terrific Hunter doesn’t exist, so she will settle for a man in a perfect costume. Her adoration for a fighter from outer space has lasted from a quarter of a century. She is fascinated when watching Predator fans on Comic Con. She knows names of all Predators, who appear on the fan rallies and she is constantly looking for new faces.
Until recently she thought that her dream is impossible to come true. Fortunately faith has put a talented and full of passion young man on her path. Artur Filipowicz is that man and he decided to make a fan film about Predator. The very thought makes Alien’s Queen heart bit faster. She soon knew everything about the project. She arranged a meeting with „Predator: Valhalla” director.
Only we will provide you a full interview and a handful of information about the fan film. I highly encourage to read!
- An interview with director (Artur Filipowicz) of „Predator Valhalla”.
These are the information about the film, which were gathered from unsuspecting film director Artur Filipowicz. In process were used only: strong persuasion and personal charm of the mother of Alien’s nest, journalist Alien Queen:
Q: Where did the idea to make a Predator film come from?
A: I’ve been interested in predator for very long. When I saw the first film from 1986. I knew I’ll have to watch the next one. This started my fascination. Then the Alien vs Predator came. My passion stayed till this very moment.
Some time ago I bought a Hunter costume. I must admit that for a Halloween costume it’s not the worst quality. The question is: who could be a opponent for such a Ultimate Hunter. The answer came naturally because I used to be a member of a historical reconstructions group and since my childhood I was interested in film costumes. I thought to myslef: „why not turn to a comic site and at the same time link my fascinations together”? And this is how „Predator: Valhalla” project came alive.
Q: And is the costume, which started the idea, going to take part in the film?
A: No, that costume isn’t going to appear in the film.
Q: What will the story of the film be?
A: In Viking’s village every year there used to take place the hunter’s ritual. When the star falls, the strongest fighter is chosen. This man will have to face the god of death. The fight takes place in so called „sacred grove”. Each time after three days there was a massacred, fragmented body found. The ritual continued to take place for many generations.
This year however it will be different. This year’s warrior won’t satisfy the god’s cravings. The Vikings from the village will continue to disappear. And here starts the film’s plot. I’m not giving any details yet, let it be a surprise (laughter).
Q: I have a small objection. You said the star falls every year… don’t you think it’s a little too often? Wouldn’t it be better to make the ritual every 10 years? You have to take the laws of nature and biology into consideration. Warriors must not only give a birth to a new child but also raise it and train. After some time the village would die out…
A: We do take it into consideration but the scenario is still developing. There are couple of ways to resolve this problem.
First is to drag other villages into the ritual. Only the action will be focused on this one specific village.
The second option could show the remains of Viking’s society decimated by yearly Predator’s visit. Another option is, as you mentioned, prolongation of the gap between the rituals. For example because the Predator would have to practically orbit around the Earth or have a very fast spaceship.
Q: Exactly, he would either have to live on Earth or own Wolf’s corvette from AvP 2. The explanation of this affair is very important because sci-fi fans will break the film down in search of clarification to what’s happening.
A: I must add that we don’t fully know the technology of Predator’s spaceships however we aren’t going to delve into that topic.
Q: From what I heard so far I conclude that Predator neither’s going to be Bad Blood nor a convict trying to compensate his guilt.
Q: I have to admit that you made me curious. So since many generations ago the same fighter has visited Viking’s village? As we all remember from the films, this exquisite, ultimate hunter dies every single time. Yours must be unique if he defeats the most dangerous human opponent.
A: Yes, we want him to be quite a unique character – a mighty and undefeated warrior so that the audience won’t see the pattern from other films. We want them to see something new, someone interesting, we want our Predator to be remembered.
Q: As we know, Predator is a thermophilic creature, so can we expect Hunters visit in summer?
A: Yes, that’s why we want the star to fall on the warmest day of the summer, which is a sign for Vikings that the ritual’s time has arrived.
Q: Have you already chosen the shooting location?
A: Initially we chose early medieval stronghold Zawodzie in Kalisz, where the Kolovrat historical reconstruction group is stationed. It’s members you can see in trailer.
In this stronghold there are few huts, a fragment of a palisade, bridge and other elements. Still the movie set isn’t complete. Our idea is to record what we’ve got there and then add on the missing pieces virtually. So let’s say we have five huts on the first shoot. We take the background, cut it out and then we put there the rest of the huts. This way we can get a big, full village, which would look naturally. As we have part of palisade we can design the rest using computer. We know what lighting we should use, we know the texture of wood. This way we can make it look authentic. It’s much easier to widen than build from scratch.
Q: In what daytime are you planning to record?
A: One scene we are going to film in the morning, when the whole village will be surprised by a certain event (laughter). There will also be a night-time scene, which will give us breathing room for manipulating with lighting. Although most of the movie will be made during daytime.
Q: Who will be the impersonators for the main roles? Are you looking for actors, athletes or maybe you’ve already chosen someone?
A: When it comes down to the Viking we will rather look for an actor than an athlete or member of historical reconstructions group. The best would be a restorer with acting talent. That character must be played well, that’s the most important thing. If somebody is going to familiarize with my older outputs it will become clear for that person that I searched for actors within my friends. Unfortunately bad acting ruins films. This time I’m aware of responsibility, which comes with this project. The main human character must be carried out excellently, so that it would seem pleasant to viewers. We want audience to cheer for our Viking character, not the Predator.
While recording Vikings I could use understudies, so the person acting out main character won’t have to learn to do stunts or sword mastery. However we still don’t know how will it exactly look like. It will depend on the actor we choose and writing of the scenario. Apart from this few training weekends will be enough to show couple of good scenes with a person, who never had a sword in his hand before.
Q: However this person must be well-built and strong in order to first: hold the sword and swing it and second thing: to not look haggard when facing the Predator. What kind of person do you think of when choosing the Predator’s role?
A: Here acting talents aren’t as relevant. We will focus on correct movement. On casting we will look closely into growth, body-build and physical abilities of the person. I know that the costume will significantly limit the movement and it requires fitness. Impersonator will go through „specialized training” (laughter). We will watch all the films with him and analyze every single motion of the Predator.
There is one important thing – when the people look at the Hunter we want them to see a predator, living monster not a guy in a costume. Therefore the costume itself has to me made professionally.
Q: What are the growth criteria?
A: At least 1.9 meters (6.5 feet). You must take into consideration fact that the head and sandals themselves add growth. We can also play with the view.
Q: Will the Predator costume be custom-made or will you use some professional help?
A: The costume must look natural so it’s got to be custom-made. Otherwise it would be loose and there will be visible folds on it. The production of the costume we are planning to give to someone who did this before. Considering professional work we must take into account the high costs.
Q: So how expensive is that costume?
A: Skin without the armor but with the head and mask is 2000 €
Q: Who will make the armor?
A: We will have to make it ourselves. We have people experienced in creating armor and weapons for historical reconstructions. On the shoot we will be using weapons made of metal which could result in damaging the Predator costume. Being aware of that we know that suit must be also made of metal, not from for example latex foam. We must also care for our actors safety while shooting.
Q: So aren’t you afraid of using real swords?
A: Those people are doing this everyday. They are professionals who can fight with real swords, not plastic, filming ones. They are fighting to hit their opponent, it has to be practical. Giving actors metal swords we get the effect of heaviness and authenticity. I used to take part in historical reenactments, so I can tell how it looks like. Ones I even got hit with a hatchet to the head. The impact force knocked me out.
Q: How will be the battles shown?
A: This way, so that the Predator costume will look fantastic (laughter). If though good quality it would look fake, we will have to work on shots and zooms. Fights must look realistic and without too excessive stunts, but at the same time showy.
Q: Will there be used the slow-motion effect?
A: We’ll see if it looks good and if it fits the whole film. Possibly we could use it to enhance characters deaths.
Q: What parts of Predator suit will refer to the time and place of the plot? Some suggestions were shown on Mr. Grzęda’s and Mr. Fajtanowski’s concept arts. Will you use those?
A: On our concepts you can see that Predator is wearing elements form all over the world, which shows that he has already visited the Earth. He is decked with trophies after warriors he fought with before. On his belt he is carrying couple of Thor hammers, which are pendants Vikings used to wear on their necks.
In comparison to many well-known films, our Predator will be quite primitive. I don’t like when there are no, for example, technological bounds between nowadays Predator and the one from past. This is a race that also should evolve. You could say that this is a traditional armament worn for centuries. But for me, carrying the same weapons and armor for so long just doesn’t make sense. As I mentioned, this race also had to evolve.
Q: Apart from this the honor code is clearly saying that a Predator should use weapons adequate for the opponent. So we aren’t going to see plasma gun?
A: No, no plasma though there was a lot of intense discussions on fan page (laughter).
Q: (laughter) You must admit though that those discussions were nor only intense but also constructive.
A: (laughter) Back to the armament, Predator will have arsenal visible in the films starting with invisibility… maybe even sound recorder, a disc. Additionally a bladed weapon will appear. One that matches the age of course.
Q: Is the Predator going to continue the habit and take off the bio-helmet? If so, aren’t you dread of artificiality of his face? This mistake was made in many fan film and not only there. I personally think it isn’t even funny.
A: We’d really like to make this type of scene but I can’t promise. There will be a shoot without the mask, even only for a moment. Everything depends on what we can get, cause we don’t want it to look fake. We will do everything to make this rubber body look natural, even if we have to spray it with synthetic sweat.
Q: What will your medieval be like, real or well-known from costume movies – arboured?
A: In the film we will show the real, dirty medieval times. A good example of what we would like to show is the first scene from “Perfume”. People there aren’t young and beautiful. The real society of that time didn’t know what the soap was so the hygiene was non-existent.
Vikings dresses are the historically confirmed reconstructions of medieval clothes. There is no place here for fantasy inventions made for movie companies and comics, like helmets with horns. Also the behavior of characters will match the time age. We don’t want 21st century people. The Vikings will have their own beliefs and morality. Focusing on this kind of details will move our film away from fan films stereotype, where couple of friends decide to squad up and record a movie.
Q: That’s very important. I’m irritated by healthy, white teeth of actors. It looks like they have just left orthodontist office. As we know, in medieval times only service comparable to the dentist was plucking a tooth with pincers.
A: I’ll add as a little fact about the movie that every single one of our actors will have stained teeth and nails by makeup artists, what you can see the trailer.
Q: How long will the film be?
A: We are planning on 20 to 30 minutes. It is possible that it will be a bit longer because we need time to build tension. Many people think that this film will be only about fighting: Vikings are going through the forest, Predator attacks, everybody dies and that’s the end of the movie. We want to make a plot and this makes us unique among other fan films in this universe.
We want to show history, human characters and their personalities. For us it’s a historic film and Predator just happens to be there.
Q: Are you going to make director’s cut of this film?
A: We are not foreseeing an expanded version. We want to give our viewers a complete product. We have a certain idea but is it going to work, that’s hard to predict. We’d like to make a 18+ version with some nudity.
Q: What if after montage film turns out to be longer, like 40 or 50 minutes?
A: We aren’t limited. We don’t have a producer, who would decide what should be included and how long it has to be. We decide on our owns what we want to show.
Q: Is the scenario ready?
A: It is in the making because, for example we don’t know what will be the budget and what scenes can we make. What we are going to do is determined by campaign and gathered funds. There is only a main outline of a scenario.
Q: Will the actors get paid?
A: If so then only figuratively, as a kind of returning the costs of staying on the movie set.
Q: Will there be a narration which would explain the story like in some games for example in „The Witcher”? If yes then who could narrate?
A: The whole film is based on narration. I haven’t mentioned it yet but the whole plot is told as a tale near campfire. An old, experienced Viking warrior is telling a story about events from past, which he was part of. Narrator lets us make the plot and overcome time limitations. At the same time it helps us minimize expenses because when we say something happened we don’t have to show it. It adds a tone the story.
We are keeping an eye on a person who could narrate for us but I don’t want to spoil it.
Q: In what languages will the film come out?
A: It will be made in Polish and we’ll add English subtitles. It would be just too hard to find actors who can speak perfect English. We are also planning on a English dubbing.
Q: How do you get funds for recording?
A: Our main method is the campaign on crowdfunding website.
It has defined time and types of payments which can be made by project’s fans. The bigger the amount paid the bigger are the benefits for payer. He gets an adequate status in the clan and gadgets connected with the film. One of these is a Viking bracelet, the same reconstructors wear.
However if we won’t gather a full amount, we don’t get a penny and all the money gets right back to founders. I’m hoping we can collect the declared sum. This is the minimum threshold which we need to make the movie in the planned quality.
Q: When will the shooting of the movie start?
A: We won’t start this year as we don’t know how long it will take to create Predator costume. We also don’t want to start recording, when we know that we couldn’t finish till the end of this year. The reason to this is that the actors and the shooting area can change through the winter. Although the spring looks wonderful, it doesn’t quite bring the warmest days in the year. And we want the summer to be clearly visible.
Q: What is the budget and how exactly will it be spended?
A: The exact expenses plan can be read at our official campaign. We need 8000 euros in total, from which more than ¼ will be spent on Predator suit. The rest goes for characterization, transport and accommodation for the filming crew and other little expenses. Our main advantage is that we don’t need to borrow cameras, only lighting components. This lowers the outlay significantly.
Q: What cameras do you use?
Q: Who will be the camera operator?
A: We don’t know yet. Initially it was going to be me, but we would like to find someone more experienced. It is easier to control what’s going on at the shooting, while you play one role. I want everybody to focus on their own work.
Q: Music used in trailer was composed by Marek Kamiński from Light Dim. Are you going to commit him into choosing music for the film itself? Are you going to use Predator theme music?
A: We would like to show this characteristic theme, of course in properly remixed version. We are also planning on using music from bands who make historic music. As for the rest of the music, there is nothing sure. We will use whatever fits the movie and helps to build the tension.
Marek Kamiński will be our soundman.
Q: How are you going to resolve the copyright laws?
A: Officially we are making n opened, non-profit project, from fans for fans, so I hope we aren’t breaking copyright laws and that the Fox company won’t tell us to stop the campaign.
Q: Does the project influence your lives? What’s your friends reaction?
When it comes down to the rest of the crew, I don’t think they noticed the difference. The trailer itself was recorded in one weekend. However when we start making the whole movie it will take much more time and maximum attention from us. Besides our crew is going to expand by the time we start shooting.
So far it’s a great experience.
Q: And how the respond from fans society? What surprised you the most?
A: How much appreciation the project met is what surprised me. When I first mentioned the idea most people thought it was an absurd on a level of Ninjas vs. Pirates. However when they saw our professional approach to the project they understood that it’s an original and interesting project.
The fan base of Predator responded very well in the very first days after the announcement and they are showing engagement.
Q: How can we help you?
A: Above all – financially. Also you can share the information about the project. If there are people who like and can draw well or compose music then we would really like to see their work.
Q: There is being made a competitive film called “Predator: Dark Ages”. How do you respond?
A: I regret it’s not my idea. It’s a project that I would like to do myself because crusade ages are my favorite of all history. However I wouldn’t be able to make it properly as it’s the best to set the shooting in Jerusalem, for example in Morocco. Of course I couldn’t afford this. Besides I wonder while looking at Predator’s armor if he is going to be the same as in the first film of the franchise. I also wonder what is the historical approach to the movie of the second film crew.
I’m crossing my fingers for them and I can’t wait to see the battle. I’m a fan I guess.
Q: I hope that they change their concept for the weapons. What they’ve shown in the trailer is just too classic, too hackneyed.
A: I was hit in the eyes by the lady from the crew who reminds me of Xene. I’m afraid she’s going to be a warrior and as we know Johanna d’Arc was burned alive for wearing pants. It was some time after crusades. If a female warrior appears, it will be a hit to my historical knowledge.
Q: To my knowledge also. Do you want to add anything from yourself?
A: Track our project, tell everyone about it, share it and cross your fingers. I hope we won’t let you down cause we are aware of the pressure from you guys.
Q: Don’t worry about that too much. For me, besides professionalism, movie- making should be fun. For me forcing anyone to do something makes no sense.
A: We certainly won’t pleasure all of the fans. I guess my expectations are much higher than expectations of our fans (laughter).
I made a lot of films and after years I’m not proud of them. And that’s a good thing, because I know that each next film was better than the previous one.However after Predator: Valhalla I don’t want to get that feeling. I want that movie to be complete.
Q: Anyways in couple of years you’ll say that the film isn’t perfect. The technology will advance thus give more opportunities that you’re lacking now. Besides we ourselves are most censorious for ourselves.
A: Exactly. Besides I don’t think that looking at the past is necessarily a good thing. You got to keep setting your goals higher and higher. This movie is a kind of like setting a bar higher. I’ll do everything so that not only my work but most of all crew’s work won’t be wasted.
Q: I’m sure you’ll manage and next year I’ll see a film that’s close to my heart. You know that I’m supporting the project not only financially.
A: The bar is set real high so we can’t be sure that we will succeed. Furthermore we got the opposing film crew, which took part in Hollywood recordings. If we won’t manage the money will be returned to their owners and we… well, maybe we will get back to Valhalla. When? That’s hard to tell. German fan group offered us contribution in the movie. They got their own costumes already but accepting their offer will push us to rethink couple of things or perhaps change concept of the movie. I could also just make a movie concentrated on the Vikings, without the Predator however this would disappoint at least half of my fans.
Q: Don’t even think about it. First person you’ll have to face after that decision would be Alien Queen and I don’t think you’ll get out of this without a scratch. She dreams of seeing Predator of your concept and your fantastic, wild and undefeated Hunter collapsed in her memory pretty deep.
Thank you for your time. I glad that despite many drawbacks we managed to make this interview.
A: Thank you.
For the end I’d like to mention the filming crew:
FILM DIRECTOR
Artur Filiowicz – graduate of journalism Collegium Civitas in Warsaw. He has been directing movies since 2009. Mainly works with computer animation currently in Mediakraft company, befor in Wirtualna Polska and on Malta. His Music Videos were repeatedly highlighted (contests of music bands such as Sepultura and DeadCan Dance).
ACTORS
Kolovrat – We are a group of people for whom our roots and past are still alive. We are engaged in reconstructing societies lives which were living in Indoeurope – our primeval mother. From those our culture and traditions were shaped. We want to keep the spirit of those times alive. We believe rejecting heritage of our fathers we reject part of ourselves. That’s why we take care of cultivating the traditions and memories of days taken away from us by time. Values important for us are affection to the homeland, honor and brotherhood.
CHARACTERIZATION
Wioleta Saliwon – graduate of Higher Artistic School’s and Mask’s theater and film characterization specialization. Daily she works at „Och-Theater” and Musical Roma Theater. She has an independent film production on her account, numerous filming studies, advertisements and photo sessions.
Felicja Kula– attended the Active Study of Film and Theatre Techniques at the Higher School of Art at the Faculty of Theatre and Film Characterization. Currently works as characterization artist at the Musical Roma Theater. She work on such productions as „Deszczowa Piosenka” (Rain Song), „Aladyn Jr” (Alladin Jr) or „Ale Musciale” . Apart from working in the theatre she takes part in various artistic projects and serves as a makup-freelancer artist.
CONCEPT ARTS
Jakub Fajtanowski – Dress designer, graphic designer, born in 19th July 1985 in Bydgoszcz. Graduate ofindustrial design specialization of Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk . Assistant at the University of Technology and Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz in the Department of Visual Arts. He also has contact with creation of 3D visualization, illustrative graphics, conducting courses, workshops and training.
Michał Grzęda – I am final year student of New Media Art at PJIIT in Warsaw. I have knowledge in the field of both 2D and 3D and animation, however I’m focusing on painting. I’ve recently started working in Gamedev industry. It links my passion to video games with conceptual design, which was fascinating me since the start of my experience with video games.
SOUND AND MUSIC
Marek Kamiński – creating as LightsDim uses sound of acoustic instruments, field recordings, as well as various sampling techniques in his work. LightsDim’s music is a combination of ambient and neoclassical – often deriving from sounds without musical properties. The project is also known from well prepared, limited edition CDR recordings, produced in collaboration with talented graphic designers and photographers. So far, LightsDim collaborated with studios: Nature Bliss, Audio Gourmet, Tessellate Recordings Preserved Sound and GV Sound.
Direct links:
- Information about the project and advertisement campaign: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/predator-valhalla-vikings-vs-predator-fan-film
- Predator:Valhalla Fan-page: https://www.facebook.com/valhallapred
- Artur Filipowicz Art: https://www.facebook.com/ArturFilipArt
Pictures:
- photo. by Artur Filipowicz
Translation by CU Baby & Mom Group