Antietam Documentary Veterans?

[Steve Acker]

While putting away Christmas stuff I came across a box of photographs from the Historical Films Group/Media Magic production of Antietam and began wondering
how many guys who attended the filmings(1997-2000..., Middlekauf, Michigan, Ohio and other places I'm sure) are still in the hobby.

Although 10 years ago for some of the stuff I still fondly remember the Potomac crossing, with over a hundred confederates crossing by the evening light;
Filming in the Miller Cornfield, Sunken Road, Piper Farm, Burnsides Bridge, etc.

So if you attended a filming and want to give a shout let's hear it.

Steve Acker

[LWhite64]

Re: Antietam Documentary Veterans?

Colonel John B. Gordon here. Wish the full version had made it out.

Lee

[Iron Scout]

Re: Antietam Documentary Veterans?

Berry Bensen reporting for duty....had a great time but wish the full project had made it together.

Neill Rose
PLHA

[Steve Acker]

Re: Antietam Documentary Veterans?

Goerge Eggleston, 6th Wisconsin. There was a rumor of a four hour program in HD finished in time for the 2007. Guess not.


Steve Acker
attendee 1997-2000

[Nor'easter]

Re: Antietam Documentary Veterans?

Yup, present and accounted for. I think I wonder where, not only the time has gone, but where our small community went as well. I have many fond memories of that undertaking and still feel that it was beneficial. One of my fonder memories was working in greatcoats at Harpers Ferry in November with those chaps who came over from Ireland for the Irish Brigade scenes. Do you remember those?
And while we're on the subject I had to laugh. I saw on a Google piece the other day that Washington's Delaware crossing this year on Christmas Day got turned back due to strong currents. Looking closer, I noted that the article featured the Washington homestead that some of us worked on for the Fredericksburg project with the pontoon bridge. Fun stuff!

Since we seemed to have worked on many of these projects together Steve, perhaps you can enlighten me as to what happened to An Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge. They seemed to drop off the grid and alas, many of us never rec'd our DVD

[Soup Bone]

Re: Antietam Documentary Veterans?

I was not a "featured " participant but did get to meet several fellows such as Al Poor, Scot Buffington and ran into an old friend, John Pagano. I spent a week at Middlekauf farm and had a great time........man, those scalloped potatoes they served one night reminded me of the ones Mom used to make;).

[LWhite64]

Re: Antietam Documentary Veterans?

I still remember from the 97 shoot the supposed cheese grits that were given out one evening...thats what led many to the Nibble Quick. Ah, the old Nibble Quick Mess.

Lee

[PieBoy96]

Re: Antietam Documentary Veterans?

Hey Alan, the Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge film ended up on a DVD entitled: "Ambrose Bierce - Civil War Stories," and is one of a few shorts on the disc.

I joined the hobby around the time of the Antietam Documentary filming, but did not participate in any shoots. I remember seeing it for the first time at Antietam NB maybe in late 1998, and it remains as one of my favorites. I had it on VHS actually, and recently saw it in the MoC store on DVD.

[crabby]

Re: Antietam Documentary Veterans?

Present! I was at the Miller Farm shoot at Dearfield Village.....back to one! I would love to see a full length DVD.

Crabby

[Steve Acker]

Re: Antietam Documentary Veterans?

My stomach warned me not to dwell on the food of that experience too long but don't forget the biscuits and gravy.Thank God for the Nibble Quick, I remember in 1997 heading to the Quick for beer and pizza with the Cecil brothers, Steve Carleton, Erik Geise and others. Last time I was in that area I found no more Nibble Quick. A tear formed.


Al, as far as the Occurance thing Pieboy filled in the blank on that one. I talk to Brad Egen fairly often and from what I gather the Occurance will be their one hit wonder as the Egen brothers have moved on to other pursuits. Too bad, that week in NC was a good time.

Did you guys recieve any VHS clips from Brad Graham of your scenes? I got a cool one of the 6th Wisconsin in the cornfield, the scene where Price blows up and I wipe the gore off Speedy's face then later bandage Speedy's wound. That was fun.

Crabby, I remember a few trips to Michigan and Greenfield Village. Were you there for the Wisconsin stuff?


Thanks for reminding me of Bensen eating corn from the dung, and Gordon saying, "Ready," just before the volley and of course the Nibble Quick.

Steve Acker
aka George Eggleston

[PvtSchultz]

Re: Antietam Documentary Veterans?

Steve, present and account for. My buddies Ross Burkoff, Tom Ciacciao and I were all there! I think I rather enjoyed the time spent shooting at Burnsides bridge (always a joy to play a wounded/dead soldier and have half the regiment run & walk over you haha)and the Sunken Lane.

[JimConley]

Re: Antietam Documentary Veterans?

I actually picked up a copy of the Antietam flick my first visit to the battlefield. I recognized fellows like Steve, Jason Reinholz, Lee, and a few others. I still enjoy watching it from time to time because the information is worthwhile and it's nice to watch one of these things that has so many noticeably good kits in it.

[Motown]

Re: Antietam Documentary Veterans?

I attended after 2000. The Michigan film site is about 20 minutes from my house, so I've been going every June for the past 3 or 4 years. They usually film bits and pieces of various documentaries including Antietam, the Wilderness, Fredericksburg and "Soldiers All".

As far as I know, they were sill working on the 4 hour version as of this summer. I know several veterans from the original filming, who's scenes ended up on the cutting room floor.

Does anyone know anything about the new Wilderness Video? Supposedly it's been in the works for several years. Last summer I was cast in two roles, Texas Soldier #2 AND John Cox, 12th South Carolina; "Go on brave man... and good luck to you". Unfortunatley I haven't heard anything about it.

Is my big break ever going to come?

[LWhite64]

Re: Antietam Documentary Veterans?

Well, I hope the full version does come out, It was a memorable experience and a fun time. I can tell you it was a thrill to be there in the Sunken Road and giving the command to fire. Although, I still think my horse was trying to kill me. As to the Nibble Quick, sorry to hear its gone, that was the best pizzia I ever had...or I was that hungry. We ended up forming the Nibble Quick Mess for the rest of that shoot.

Lee

[Nor'easter]

Re: Antietam Documentary Veterans?

The freakin' cheese grits! I laughed so hard when I read that I was blowin' snot bubbles. How many recall filming at Claymont Estate?, what a beautiful period mansion.
There are so many faces I remember from those shoots, and I worked on them all like many of you. George Weymer!, I think we first met there, and I remember spending nights with friends John Perry, Bob Connell, Scot Buffington, & Gary Lash up on the ledge until the heat of the evening passed---so many of us have come and gone, yet it remains a sort of fraternity doesn't it? How many of you still have your collodian image by Ron Gibson taken of us at the Mumma Farm?
As I mentioned before, Harper's Ferry in November was outstanding. BTW, who remembers the horse drawn cannon going down during the water crossing? I thought that guy who fell under the horses was dead. I'll always remember freezing in place as that whole scary scenario played out in front of our eyes while we sat on the side of the hill.