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Mayflower's Desperate CrossingInterview with Producer Wolfinger Continues
Lisa Q. Wolfinger, Producer and Director, tells us more about the making of "Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower."
My interview with Lisa Q. Wolfinger, Producer and Director of "Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower," The History Channel's(c) upcoming television production continues. This historical three-hour special relives the adventures of the Pilgrims and their troubled journey aboard the Mayflower. Desperate Crossing SourcesKion: Besides William Bradford's first-hand account, Of Plymouth Plantation, what other sources were used in the making of "Desperate Crossing?" Wolfinger: John Robinson's sermons and letters as well as Mourt's Relations. Keeping the Production AuthenticKion: In keeping with authenticity, were any costumes, props, and/or structures used in the production that were the actual relics of Plymouth Plantation, or of that general era? If so, how and from where were they obtained? Wolfinger: We filmed the King's court at Agecroft Hall in Virginia. Much of the furniture and many of the paintings in the background are 17th century English antiques. Agecroft Hall is actually a 17th century English manor house that was taken apart and rebuilt in Richmond, Virginia in the 1920s by wealthy Americans. Kion: In constructing or reproducing costumes, props, and structures, were modern methods used or were they produced by means available only in the early 1600's? Wolfinger: Many of the props we used at Plimoth Plantation were constructed using 17th century techniques. Filming LocationsKion: I understand that, besides Plymouth, this special was also shot on location in England, Belgium, Maryland and Virginia. In any of these locations were there any of the actual structures still standing that were used? Wolfinger: No, Scrooby Manor is long gone. Only a few walls remain. We shot in Bruges, Belgium because it still has many intact 17th century houses as opposed to modern Leiden, Holland. It is tough to find a place that still looks the way it did in the 17th century. There are always street signs and traffic lights in the way! Kion: What difficulties, or surprises, were encountered in reproducing the Mayflower and the Speedwell? Wolfinger: We did show the Speedwell. The Maryland Dove passed for the Speedwell. Our toughest challenge was that the modern Mayflower II was not in sailing condition and we had to use some movie magic to create the storm and sailing scenes. Interview with Producer Lisa Q. Wolfinger: Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower continues with: Pilgrims Coming to America: An Interview with Lisa Q. Wolfinger. Previous: Interview with Producer Lisa Q. Wolfinger: Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower. "Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower" will air on Sunday, November 19 at 8 p. m. ET/PT on The History Channel (c).
The copyright of the article Mayflower's Desperate Crossing in American History is owned by Mary Trotter Kion. Permission to republish Mayflower's Desperate Crossing in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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