Storyboarding an American Revolution Movie

Five years ago, if anyone had told me that right now I would be in the process of writing the screenplay and making a movie based on my book, my ancestor’s life and his place in american revolution history, I wouldn’t have believed them. From the moment I started working on Hercules of the Revolution, I’ve dreamed about seeing it on the big screen. 

Original sketch of Peter and Susannah by Dan Nance, historical artist

After 2 – 3 years of getting the runaround from film producers and even signing an agreement with one of them, I realized there was only one way to make it happen. I have launched a film company – Bequest Films – to support that effort. A film of this magnitude wouldn’t be possible without investors, and no words can express how grateful I am to those who believe in me as much as this project. 

A birthday to remember 

I took the team to storyboard this soon-to-be epic american revolution film in Greensboro, North Carolina (named for the famous General Nathanael Greene), close to where Peter Francisco first swung the 6-foot broadsword. The air was crisp and damp, not unlike the conditions the soldiers experienced that squally day in March. How fitting that we would write the first lines and draw the first images of this film on February 23rd, my birthday and the same day the state of Virginia passed a resolution establishing March 15 as Peter Francisco Day. 

That Friday, we met at Natty Greene’s to get acquainted and kick around ideas. The conversation landed on the topic of war/romance films and why we like them, the perfect prelude to this journey. We spent the better part of the next day outlining the direction for the film, defining and discussing the characters, and brainstorming ideas. It didn’t take us long to spread out. 

We broke for lunch and some inspiration by visiting Guilford Courthouse National Military Park to see the Peter Francisco artifacts housed there and the Cavalry Monument dedicated in his honor in 1910. It was just the thing we needed to finish out the day laying out the sequence of scenes, sketching the action and writing the screenplay. 

Meet my revolutionary war film team 

I’m thrilled to have some super talented people on my film team. Listen as we discuss the film. 

• Jess Stainbrook – Jess is an award-winning film director and producer. He has 8 Emmy Awards and 34 Telly Awards to his credit. He wrote and produced 7 Days in Utopia, which released in 2011. He received the 2012 Teddy Award from Movieguide for his work on 7 Days. He has worked with Bill Cosby, Robert Duvall, Tony Dungy, Jodi Benson and many others. His primary role will be in developing the screenplay, developing the film budget and providing investor consultation.
• Bryan Forrest – Bryan is an award-winning film producer and writer. He wrote, directed and starred in The One Lamb, which opened in 32 states in 2009 and continues to air on TBN and other networks. His DVD is distributed through Thomas Nelson. His primary role will be in writing the screenplay.
• Dan Nance – Dan is an award-winning Revolutionary War artist. He majored in film at Pratt Institute in New York. He's consulted on several films, including The Patriot. His primary role as visual consultant will be in developing the storyboard for the screenplay.  
• Heather Walls – Heather is one of the co-authors of Hercules of the Revolution. She spent over a year re-working the book to enhance the love story between Peter and Susannah, further develop the characters and adding detailed description of food, décor and setting. She is one of the few people who know Peter’s story as well as I do. She is a gifted writer with a background in publishing whose primary focus will be on adapting the love story for the screen. 

Here is the film team, minus Jess Stainbrook, taken at Guilford Courthouse, where I also filmed my documentary. We will be sending the final storyboard draft to Jess for his review. 

You have no idea how geeked up I am right now! But I definitely want to hear from you, so leave a comment here telling me what your favorite war/romance film is and, for those who have read Hercules of the Revolution, why or what scenes from my book you would like to see in the film!

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Revised Edition | Hercules of the Revolution

In September 2010, I set upon the task of preparing the Hercules of the Revolution manuscript for publishers. While the editing first began as a simple exercise of cleaning up syntax and mechanics, it quickly developed into a full-blown revision.

Due to time constraints, I was forced to sacrifice some things with the first editions, least of all a thorough proofreading. But I had also wanted to incorporate additional scenes apart from the war to illustrate Peter’s softer side as well as demonstrate more effectively God's purpose for Peter's life.

After a year of working late nights and many weekends, I am thrilled to say the new edition is now available!

Since Hercules of the Revolution is a true-life novel, in Gordon Liddy's words "a Roman à clef," it remains largely unchanged, but throughout the manuscript, you will find that we have:

• incorporated Peter's thoughts throughout to build his character and break up long sections of narrative
• painted more detailed descriptions of plantations, interiors, characters and other various settings and objects
• enhanced the conflict of George Carrington in various scenes throughout, creating a tense love triangle between him, Peter and Susannah
• added more romantic, tender moments between Peter and Susannah (which I know all you ladies will enjoy!)

The manuscript boasts over 100 additional pages, some of which include brand new scenes:

• Peter learns about spiritual freedom and his heavenly Father when he attends a gathering of the underground church with the other slaves on Hunting Tower plantation
• Christina Hench, the sad woman at Yellow Springs Hospital who nurses Peter back to health
• The slave child Eli at the Anderson plantation that Peter befriends and ultimately saves
• Christmas preparation and celebration at Anderson plantation
• A dramatic blizzard that threatens Peter’s life
• The popular colonial tradition of the Twelfth Night Ball, where Peter has the chance to make his case for freedom and establish himself as a leader in the community if he can overcome George’s attempts to humiliate and discredit him.

Much of this work would have not been possible without Heather Walls. She worked relentlessly for over a year to edit and revise this epic manuscript. Heather’s detailed descriptions of surroundings, Peter’s thoughts, and further development of the romance were invaluable additions to the story of my great-grandfather. Because of her hard work, I was able to deliver the very first copy of this revision to the First Lady of Portugal - Maria Cavaco Silva - at a luncheon in Mount Vernon in November.

I hope you enjoy the new edition! If you read it, let me know what you think!

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Fall Recap | First Lady of Portugal

A lot has happened over the autumn months as I've continued to tell Peter's story, so I thought I'd catch you all up.

October 25 - I've been traveling so much that I didn't realize that I was in The Stanly News & Press for my last impersonation of Peter Francisco until I went to my PO Box this morning. The hostess of the event cut out the article and mailed it to me. It's one of the better articles I've read and includes a couple of video clips.

November 8 - I received word that WVPT — one of PBS's largest reaching stations with a potential 6.1 million viewers — will be broadcasting my documentary in the near future into VA, WV, MD, and DC. I'll keep you posted on broadcast dates.

November 10 - I received a phone call from the Army Historical Foundation and they have decided to add one of Peter's swords to the $200 million National Museum of the US Army that is scheduled to open in 2015. They anticipate 750,000 annual visitors. What an honor and a great way to preserve Peter Francisco's legacy! There are three dress swords that Peter Francisco owned that are in museums today. Peter saved Colonel Mayo's life (story in my book) down in Camden, South Carolina, and Mayo gave him a sword after the war to thank him. That sword is at a museum in Richmond but it's not on display. So, I called the Army Historical Foundation asking them to put it on display in the "new" army museum. He told me today that they are moving forward with my suggestion. Wahoo! They are going to use a picture of Peter as well in the display. The curator of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Collection Center offered their oil painting on a permanent loan to the Peter Francisco exhibit at the museum.

November 11 - Josh and I hit the road for Richmond & Washington, DC. We attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Peter Francisco's grave in Shockoe Hill Cemetery in honor of Veterans Day which was organized by the VA Sons of the American Revolution & the Society of the Descendants of Peter Francisco. I came dressed as Peter and it seemed people were taking my picture from every direction. One lady said, "It's really strange seeing you here at your grave, Peter."

Check out all the pictures and back story on: Flickr | Facebook

November 12 - After multiple discussions with the Portuguese Embassy, I was honored to bring Peter Francisco to life for a private luncheon with the First Lady of Portugal and other dignitaries at Mount Vernon. I gave Mrs. Cavaco Silva the first revised copy of Hercules of the Revolution, which I've been working on for the past year. The new edition contains an additional 30,000 words (~100 pages)! Hopefully, this will set up the perfect PR opportunity to hand deliver my book to the President of Portugal when it's translated into Portuguese.

Check out all the pictures and back story on: Flickr | Facebook

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Daughters of the American Revolution | Charlotte

Just over 100 members of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) turned out yesterday morning to hear Peter's story. Several of them had seen me before, but most had never heard of my great-grandfather. I signed books/DVDs for an hour and a half afterwards and I sold out of my books. One lady wrote her check out to Travis Francisco! Hmmm...

Funny story: After arriving at the venue, I realized that I had all of the parts to my colonial outfit (shoes, hat, wig, sword, etc) except my shirt. Then I realized I didn't have enough time to go home before "the bright lights hit me." So ... I went without a shirt! :0) Just kidding. I talked to one of the DAR ladies who had been a curator at the Charlotte Museum of History before, and she knew where some clothes were at the museum. Turns out ... they had the exact same shirt and size that I needed hanging in their wardrobe. Go figure! Another way of saying that: go God!

Hope everyone had a great new year. I'll be posting a recap of happenings this fall along with pictures of my meeting with the First Lady of Portugal, so stay tuned!

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