Shot with three Canon XL2s. In post production now. The total budget was under $10,000.

We rented an Arri pro light kit while in Scotland but discovered that none of our locations would support the amount of power needed so we ended up lighting the entire film with two home depot work lights, two cheaper hand held lights and a set of production gels.

Any questions are welcomed.

http://homepage.mac.com/brian_lynn/TOTT/

I did not direct this, this was directed/lit by Jonathan Lawrence. I produced and co-wrote the film. Enjoy!

Hey, looks good. Is this supposed to be a comedy, spoof? What is this for? Any details about the projects, like what you plan on doing with it?

Are there any licensing issues with using the "Indiana Jones" character?

Looks well shot, and also looks like you had a lot of fun making it. Pity you won't be able to sell copies, unless you want lucasfilm's lawyers breathing down your neck! A good achievement for the money

Hello gents,

It was fun and hell all at the same time. This is a film that was a labor of love birthed through simple discussions between the guy who played Indy and myself.

It grew into a cinematic journey when Indy (his name is Ken) found Jonathan Lawrence, an accomplished director/DoP who shared our passion for the Indiana Jones trilogy.

We were tired of hearing the rumours that Indy 4 would be released in the near future, so we decided to take matters into our own hands and thus "Indiana Jones and the Treasure of the Templars" was born.

It started out as a very dark script, as though Quentin Tarantino were hired by Lucas to write Indy 4. Eventually, in keeping with the spirit of the Spielbergian vision, we toned down the script.

The final draft was written by Daniel Riser (me) and Jonathan Lawrence.

Let me say that, if it were not for Jonathan, this film would never have reached the professionalism and technique inherant only in productions helmed by imaginative and technically perfect directors. That is Jonathan Lawrence.

You guys are right about making money. In hindsight we do have moments of frustration that we made a film that cannot legally make money, that was one of the reasons we shot SD and not HD.

and as far as Lucas is concerned, we are hoping, that when this film is complete, Lucasfilm will order us to cease showings, if that happens we will get more publicity than we ever could have received had Lucas left us alone.

and, like the original trilogy, there are many comedic moments, but it is definitely an action film in its purest form. And there is lots of production value.

For one we filmed in Paris, France and across the Highlands of Scotland.

We filmed at the Monty Python cave (white rabbit) Rosslyn Chapel (Da Vinci Code)

We had characters jumping off of 50 foot cliffs into raging rapids, explosions, bar brawls. We have dolly shots, crane shots, steadicam shots....

Ken has relentlessly recruited people to be apart of this journey, and it was his determination that kept this film alive.

Highest Regards,

Daniel Riser

P.S. We are going to distribute "how to" dvds using the film in examples. Any questions are welcome.

one other thing. It is a full length action film and we plan to use it as a device for our next film that we are working on (not based on a copyrighted character)

and we want to empower low/no/anti budget filmmakers (like us) to recognize the resources around them and use them to the best of their ability.

Jonathan is a master and taking low budgets and making it look like a million bucks. He really has a Hollywood eye and knows his stuff.


High Regards,

Dan

Great job Daniel! I look forward to seeing it completed :)

Don't know if that will be any comfort to you, but it seems that Lucasfilm tolerates fan-films based on the Star Wars series, so I don't think it would be any different with Indiana Jones. However, if you are making any money off it, then things are different.

One very bad point: the acting seems kind of weak at times.

All the good points: nice editing, and you really seem to nailed the indiana jones spielberg style in terms of camera movement, very nice. Seems a really nice movie to watch.

Dan,
Great work.

Not to rain on your parade, but it's a bit of a dice roll your taking with your financial security.

There is no defense against willfull copyright violation. Making money or not, you've intentionally infringed on a known copyright. Hoping that all you'll get is a cease and desist, (and NOT an additionall claim for damages) is pretty daring.

Then again, maybe cause I'm married to a lawyer and see people get sued everyday, I'm a bit more cautious.

Lucas IS fairly tolerant of fan-films, so you do have that going for you. But stating on a public board that you know you've infringed, and hope that any action will result in additional publicity... is pretty bold. The cost of simply answering a cease and desist, and paying THEIR costs for addressing it, (often included) can approach the cost of your film.

Not saying you will get sued mind you, just saying it's a pretty dicy action.

Good luck on the next project, you've got talent even if you don't have good legal sense.

Considering a bunch of children redid Raiders, shot by shot, without any negativity from Speilberg, I doubt he will have any problems. There are tons of fan films out there, and only Sandy Collera's Batman trailer was done better. This is also a feature length fan film, which is very uncommon.

a few min spoof or even a 10 min short i would see no problem BUT a feature is a addiction !!!

i think you should walk your own walk and talk your own talk = lucas has already walked and done this talk .. get your own picture/story/characters ( sort of like the saying get your own life) .. the makers have TALENT !! the few minutes here are proof of that and 90 min more is not going to show ME anymore talent then what you've already shown ... again put the time -effort into a orginal product and really show me what you can do ... copiers are a dime a dozen in hollywood .. orginals are very hard to find..

I apologize if I offended anyone on the board about copyright infringement. I was in no way intending to soil the reputation of this board. I love this board, and I love making films.

Obsession? -- um... yes. www.indygear.com That's where it all started for me. I have since sold the gear and rarely involve myself with "Indyfan" activities...

But this was a dream that started with two kids (Indy and myself) and anyone can call that what they see fit (and please don't take that last statement as derogatory against any of you I deeply value your criticism) but we wanted to make as a tribute to our favorite hero and we wanted to go above and beyond the call of duty, every indy fan before us was ten minutes, we wanted to do something more. We wanted the fans to have something involving fans. I am a filmmaker first and then an Indy fan and I would much rather have a feature than a short.

and regarding what the rest of the movie holds... trust me folks. You aint seen nothin' yet.

and... to let you know... we have no intention to ever repeat this action again. We are not going to make another fan film for as long as we live. Our next film, already in development, features our own original story/characters and we are planning to shoot it HD with the P+S Technik adapter.

Also... $7,000 has been wasted in much more ridiculous ways like useless film schools (not all film schools are useless but there are a "plethora" of useless film schools) $7,000 is what some families spend on vacation. I got to see the Scottish Highlands, Monty Python locations and Paris, France and I won't be twenty for another month! This was the greatest experience of my life and I will treasure this film for years to come... at the same time I am almost to the point that I never want to see/hear/talk about/think about/dream Indiana Jones again!?!

I got ten years worth of film school out of this project and I didn't sit in a classroom once!

Part of filmmaking is taking risks (like jumping off of a 50 foot cliff into raging rapids) not John Landis size risks, mind you, but saying "I'm going to sell my body for medical science to fund a feature" is now as classic as the filmmaker that said it!

Thanks guys for your imput and you're right folks... we are crazy!

Daniel Riser

Screw the nay sayers! I say at least you did something you believed in..copied or not, and you saw it through to the end. Keep your head up and keep on keeping on.

Daniel, exept for the acting, as I mentioned before, I thought it looked really exiting. If you don't mind, I posted it on the boards of the spielberfans...
But will the complete feature ever be available or put online?
I would love to see it...

Oh yes the feature will be available. We are giving it away with "how to DVD" using scenes from the film as an example. Thanks for the words (all of them) Part of the testing of a good filmmaker is to be wise enough to learn from construction critiscm. I have learned so much from that process I couldn't begin to explain it.

I'm glad you guys like it and I would love to get a link to the Spielberg fans replies if it gets any interest on there. I wasn't even aware of a Spielberg fan forum. It makes sense.

High Regards,

Daniel Riser

wow... the above has quite a few mistakes written in it. I apologize. I have been trying to fix major Panther/FCP 4.5 problems (trying to edit this film as we speak) I've been up all night talking with techies. Sorry if I am not making any sense.

Daniel, the website from Spielberg is:
www.spielbergfilms.com

The forum is just:
www.spielbergfilms.com/forum

I have put a link to your work in a thread about a possible proposition for an fan art board, but it hadn't any replies.
Which I think is pretty normal, because the thread is in the board for announcements of the website, and not that much people visit that board.

Thanks for putting us up there. The film will be full length though. I hope people do encourage Spielbergesque fan films to hae a place. That would be fantastic. He's influenced so many filmmakers over the years. Three generations at least.

Great looking trailer, but without seeing the feature, I can't tell whether or not the director can tell a story well. Trailers have the advantage of being able to show the most visually impressive footage, without the requirement of good story telling skills. Also, the acting wasn't great. If everything looks good, is lit right, edited great, and written exceptionally well... if the acting is poor, all of it crumbles. But I commend you on your hard work, and great looking trailer. I'm sure it took a lot of work, and the experience was undoubtedly worth the efforts.

I have a question. You say you are going to include it with a how to dvd. I'm assuming the how-to dvd is going to have footage? So I am assuming the how-to dvd is going to be free. Correct?

I agree with you about the importance of acting. I will remain diplomatic for its own sake.

The director knows how to tell a story... To quote Indiana Jones; he's had "years of fieldwork."

The experience was priceless and I will never forget it.

Thanks,

Daniel Riser

one other thing: The how-to DVD will not be free (only cover costs) and it will have no footage of the film contained in the dvd.

I didn't mean to say he couldn't... It's just hard to tell from trailers, because they are essentially marketing materials.

It really does look good though.


If the how-to dvd is not free, and you are "giving away" the movie with it... That might be illegal, since it could be considered an incentive to purchase the how-to dvd. Have you spoken with a lawyer?

Could you approach Lucas Arts about selling them the film. They may stick it on as a DVD extra or something..? I would definately speak to a lawyer first though.

They are probably more likely just to sue you, but if they really liked it they may be helpful. Even if you GAVE them the film, it could bring a lot of exposure. Just be careful the plan doesn't back fire though!

I appreciate the information. We will seek professional help (on many levels :-) ) regarding legalities.

Just noticed this thread, Daniel I had read about your film in the dundee newspaper long before i joined this forum (being from scotland myself).

I remember thinking that what you were trying to do was very ambitious, back then all you had were some production photos in your website but having seen your trailer i must say you have done well.

looks like it was alot of fun...good job and i look forward to seeing it some day.

Andy.

That is terrific. Had we known we would have loved to have you pay us a visit. We filmed all over Scotland.

Yes this has grown since it was in that little newspaper. I'm not sure which article you have read; but if it mentioned anything about a Universal intern working with Kenneth Gawne, well the intern is me. (Quite a skewered article actually) From what I remember those photographs were staged and the cameraman, or camera, was never used in this production. Again, it depends on which article you read.

Email me at reelvisionfilms@gmail.com and we'll make sure to get you a place at the premiere in Scotland.

There's going to be premiers in: LA, Boston, New York, Italy and of course... Scotland.

I've sent you an e-mail Daniel.

I look forward to it.

Andy

Got your email. If there are folks in LA, Boston or Scotland that would like to attend. When the film is finished I will post the dates. Just let me know in advance.

I'm so glad you folks like the trailer. More to come.

Daniel Riser

There's going to be premiers in: LA, Boston, New York, Italy and of course... Scotland.
Why are there no Florida venues? You got something against the Hurric- I mean the Sunshine State??

Because we have friends in New York, Boston, Italy and Scotland. We don't anyone close enough to handle a free theater situation in Florida... otherwise we'd love to.

I don't suppose you could swing by Boise, ID? d:-)

Anyways, looks like you learned a lot and had a ton of fun. I envy you.

So long as everything is free and no one charges anyone for anything... we'd love to be in Boise!

If you are interested, we have a theater that shows a lot of independent films called "The Egyptian". I have no idea what their policies are, so you'd have to check with them.

This is in Boise? I'll check it out. We may not be able to make every single one but we'd love to show it, for free, to as many people as are interested.

California has an Egyptian too... though I highly doubt we will get it in there. :-P

High Regards,

Daniel Riser

P.S. If you go to www.treasureofthetemplars.com and click on the film canister you can download the original first five minute opening (it has been recut with new scenes)

Well, best of luck to you either way!

Shot with three Canon XL2s. In post production now. The total budget was under $10,000.

We rented an Arri pro light kit while in Scotland but discovered that none of our locations would support the amount of power needed so we ended up lighting the entire film with two home depot work lights, two cheaper hand held lights and a set of production gels.

Any questions are welcomed.

http://homepage.mac.com/brian_lynn/TOTT/

I did not direct this, this was directed/lit by Jonathan Lawrence. I produced and co-wrote the film. Enjoy!

Looks great man!!! Finally a Indy fan film that doesn't look like a wedding video. Good Luck. BTW, if you need any VFX work on it let me know (http://www.numbrobot.com)

Keep your eye on the prize,

Alex
http://www.whatisbroken.com
http://www.enigmafactory.com
http://www.numbrobot.com (VFX for Indie Films)

Great work Daniel, and very motivating.

The trailer and the first 5 minutes had a different feel to them. The first 5 minutes didn't have the typical (oversharpened?) "video" look - do you think this was due to compression? The first 5 mintues completely suspended my disbelief - though the trailer had moments of that "video" look (I'd like to be able to describe it better) which pulled me out of the moment.

Great work regardless, but I am curious.

I've seen this before and think it looks great (Indy is dear to my heart and I'm sure Part 4 will suck)

I think what you have done is wonderful; the money spent =vs= the travel, the friends, the memories and the film school x 1000 is the ultimate benefit.

I doubt Lucas (Ruined Star Wars) or Spielberg will say anything or pursue any legal directions over this.

The only thing I would look into properly is selling DVD's using this content (even under instructional). It's be worth your time to pave that raod properly !

Anyway; great job!

Heres an idea.
(I am not a lawyer.)
Delete any evidence of admitting to copying the copywrited character and put a disclaimer that any resemblence to any charater real or ficticous is purely coincidental.. etc. at the beggining of the film.
Or call it a parody and you may be protected by fair use.

Next time think of an original name and don't waste your time and money on a film that can't go anywhere. Which is a shame, because it looks good.

Thanks guys. Again, we will never do this again, but, at the same time... we'd do it all over again if we went back in time ;-)

Our next one, a genius idea by Kenneth Gawne, is going to be... in true American words... AWESOME!

Dan

hey Daniel,
in the last few weeks Camera shy (my company) has worked with silly wee films on a pro mo for their feature "the journey" and i was thinking we should all get together for a bit of a scottish filmmakers meeting. we all seem to be on the same tracks. Scotland is ready for a film industry and with our cooperation we all could make one.Just a thought. We could do great things if we all work together, I know that you are in America so obviously you couldn't make it but Ken is in Dundee and I think it might be worth us all meeting.

we have the technology

Andy.

Holy crap, 19 years old?

Very impressive for anyone even twice your age. Great job, and you have impeccable manners and humility. Keep up the good work!

P.S. If you go to www.treasureofthetemplars.com and click on the film canister you can download the original first five minute opening (it has been recut with new scenes)

I can't seem to get it work.
Can you fix it?
I would love to see the first 5 minutes...

Matt, I saved it locally. Hit me up on AIM or email and I'll send it to you.

[QUOTE=Daniel Riser]Got your email. If there are folks in LA, Boston or Scotland that would like to attend. When the film is finished I will post the dates. Just let me know in advance.

Daniel,
I'd like to attend the L.A. screening. Presuming it hasn't occurred already.
Regards.
Hunter

Yeah I am with the others on this one, the filming looks good, but the acting is 100% B movie. This is not all that bad if you know you are about to watch a B movie.

However if someone told me yeah man come to the theater and check out this awsome film and did not warn me it is a B acting class movie, I would be disapointed. Especially if I had to pay money for my night out.

A movie can look like speilburg himself filmed it, but if the acting is B movie class, then it is still a B movie.

I would much rather watch a movie that does not have the best music or quality of filming and has great actors. Not sure how many agree, but I say good actors over film quality any day.

Daniel,

You've got lots of talent. Someday we'll all be saying, "we knew him when he was posting his trailers on DVi.

Keep the humility you have naturally, listen to the criticism and keep your focus.

It was great to hear your personal story about the filming and what you got out of it.

Good luck,

we are hoping, that when this film is complete, Lucasfilm will order us to cease showings, if that happens we will get more publicity than we ever could have received had Lucas left us alone.

Sorry to dig up such an old thread, but I found a recent blog entry that stated that this movie never got released.

(Link here (http://www.fanfilmfollies.com/index.php/2010/03/21/ten-fan-films-that-we%E2%80%99ll-never-see/))

There haven't been any updates on the main site in years- does that mean you received the cease & desist order before you finished the movie?