Post by Okwes on Oct 26, 2006 13:58:53 GMT -5
Tale of Northern Cheyenne history might become movie By Lynn Taylor
Rick, Journal Staff
www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2006/10/19/news/features/932fea\
tures.txt
<http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2006/10/19/news/features/932fe\
atures.txt> By September, Dana Kizzier hopes to see âWolves of
Heavenâ come to life. This original log cabin, known as the
McClure homestead, will be used as Little Wolfâs cabin in the
planned production of âWolves of Heaven.â (Steve
McEnroe/Journal staff) The epic story of 100 years of Lakota and
Northern Cheyenne history is currently in black and white: a screenplay
written by Kizzier and Lakota writer/producer George Amiotte.
But with production ramping up and a budget in the works, those words
are quickly becoming a reality, or at least a movie reality, Kizzier
said.
The story âWolves of Heavenâ was first conceived by
Amiotte, who told Kizzier about his idea for a movie years ago. The
thought of writing about the early history of the Northern Cheyenne and
the early years of reservation life stuck with Kizzier. âI had
always wanted to write the Northern Cheyenne story,â she said.
âI thought it was such a mythic tale.â
About a year ago, the pair decided to turn that bud of an idea into a
screenplay with hopes of turning it into a movie.
Kizzierâs own production company, Iron Creek Productions, joined
forces with Aberdeen production company Hayze Entertainment Group and
Sioux Falls attorney Rollyn Samp to co-produce âWolves of
Heaven.â And suddenly, things began to come together.
Buddie Hasty of Hayze Entertainment will not only serve as a producer
but also will portray Buffalo Bill in âWolves of Heaven.â
Hasty expects the film to have a budget of about $13 million. The entire
film will be shot in South Dakota and much of the talent, mainly
American Indian actors, will be hired locally.
Locations include the 777 Ranch, the Wild Horse Sanctuary and the
Standing Rock Indian Reservation.
Local film expert Jim Hatzell helped scout location sites and will be
âin the trenchesâ throughout the making of the film,
Kizzier said. Hatzell has worked as an actor, historical consultant, set
designer and more on various films, including âHidalgoâ
and âDances with Wolves.â
Hatzell hopes this project demonstrates once again what he has long
known â" that South Dakota is a breathtaking backdrop for film.
âWe are under-utilized,â he said.
Although Kizzier is thrilled with the progress her movie is making,
sheâs most proud that the story itself has remained true to the
reality of its Indian characters. She and Amiotte strove to tell the
tale, through the eyes of main character Adrian Oliver Walking Star,
with respect to the culture and history of the Cheyenne and Lakota.
âAuthenticity is really the thing that is driving this whole
thing,â Kizzier said. âWe donât have a big budget
star. The big star of this is the culture.â
With endorsements from such people as Gene Thin Elk, Indian cultural
adviser at the University of South Dakota, and the United Sioux Tribes
of South Dakota, Kizzier feels confident that the duo has done justice
to the topic.
While âWolves of Heavenâ producers continue their work
hiring the needed crew, they await word of a director. Kizzier has her
hopes set on Edward Zwick (âLegends of the Fallâ and
âThe Last Samuraiâ), who currently has the screenplay. If
he doesnât agree to direct, Kizzier has others in mind. Until
then, the producers and crew keep their eye on the prize and look to
begin pre-production as early as July.
âIf some director falls in love with this, weâll be
working full blast all summer long,â Hatzell said.
For information
To find out more about âWolves of Heaven,â contact:
- Buddie Hasty at Hayze Entertainment Group at 225-2833
- Dana Kizzier at dkk@rapidnet.com
- Jim Hatzell at fiddlersgreen studio@yahoo.com
Rick, Journal Staff
www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2006/10/19/news/features/932fea\
tures.txt
<http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2006/10/19/news/features/932fe\
atures.txt> By September, Dana Kizzier hopes to see âWolves of
Heavenâ come to life. This original log cabin, known as the
McClure homestead, will be used as Little Wolfâs cabin in the
planned production of âWolves of Heaven.â (Steve
McEnroe/Journal staff) The epic story of 100 years of Lakota and
Northern Cheyenne history is currently in black and white: a screenplay
written by Kizzier and Lakota writer/producer George Amiotte.
But with production ramping up and a budget in the works, those words
are quickly becoming a reality, or at least a movie reality, Kizzier
said.
The story âWolves of Heavenâ was first conceived by
Amiotte, who told Kizzier about his idea for a movie years ago. The
thought of writing about the early history of the Northern Cheyenne and
the early years of reservation life stuck with Kizzier. âI had
always wanted to write the Northern Cheyenne story,â she said.
âI thought it was such a mythic tale.â
About a year ago, the pair decided to turn that bud of an idea into a
screenplay with hopes of turning it into a movie.
Kizzierâs own production company, Iron Creek Productions, joined
forces with Aberdeen production company Hayze Entertainment Group and
Sioux Falls attorney Rollyn Samp to co-produce âWolves of
Heaven.â And suddenly, things began to come together.
Buddie Hasty of Hayze Entertainment will not only serve as a producer
but also will portray Buffalo Bill in âWolves of Heaven.â
Hasty expects the film to have a budget of about $13 million. The entire
film will be shot in South Dakota and much of the talent, mainly
American Indian actors, will be hired locally.
Locations include the 777 Ranch, the Wild Horse Sanctuary and the
Standing Rock Indian Reservation.
Local film expert Jim Hatzell helped scout location sites and will be
âin the trenchesâ throughout the making of the film,
Kizzier said. Hatzell has worked as an actor, historical consultant, set
designer and more on various films, including âHidalgoâ
and âDances with Wolves.â
Hatzell hopes this project demonstrates once again what he has long
known â" that South Dakota is a breathtaking backdrop for film.
âWe are under-utilized,â he said.
Although Kizzier is thrilled with the progress her movie is making,
sheâs most proud that the story itself has remained true to the
reality of its Indian characters. She and Amiotte strove to tell the
tale, through the eyes of main character Adrian Oliver Walking Star,
with respect to the culture and history of the Cheyenne and Lakota.
âAuthenticity is really the thing that is driving this whole
thing,â Kizzier said. âWe donât have a big budget
star. The big star of this is the culture.â
With endorsements from such people as Gene Thin Elk, Indian cultural
adviser at the University of South Dakota, and the United Sioux Tribes
of South Dakota, Kizzier feels confident that the duo has done justice
to the topic.
While âWolves of Heavenâ producers continue their work
hiring the needed crew, they await word of a director. Kizzier has her
hopes set on Edward Zwick (âLegends of the Fallâ and
âThe Last Samuraiâ), who currently has the screenplay. If
he doesnât agree to direct, Kizzier has others in mind. Until
then, the producers and crew keep their eye on the prize and look to
begin pre-production as early as July.
âIf some director falls in love with this, weâll be
working full blast all summer long,â Hatzell said.
For information
To find out more about âWolves of Heaven,â contact:
- Buddie Hasty at Hayze Entertainment Group at 225-2833
- Dana Kizzier at dkk@rapidnet.com
- Jim Hatzell at fiddlersgreen studio@yahoo.com