Review of Beyond the Mask: Official Movie Guide

Beyond the Mask: The Official Illustrated Movie Guide

By Sara and Shannon Burns

Published 2015; Paperback, 168 pages 

In this book, authors Sara and Shannon Burns detail the stories behind the Christian historical-fiction movie Beyond the Mask.  The book is divided into 6 main sections: Secrets of the Past, The Production, The World of Beyond the Mask, A Colonial Cast, Masquerade, and The Studio.

 

Because of its 1776 setting, history played an important part in Beyond the Mask, and “Secrets of the Past” details some of the true stories incorporated into the movie.  It discusses the East India Company, the assassination plot on Washington, Mr. Franklin’s experiments with electricity and even an island off Philadelphia known as Windmill Island.  This section has an excellent blend of movie stills and original paintings to illustrate it.  It ends with a piece by screenwriter Paul McCusker about his work in helping write the story.  This section has graciously been shared by Burns Family Studios and is available at: http://beyondthemaskmovie.com/downloads.  

 

With the movie’s plotlines written, the next section “The Production” contains interviews with some of the key crew members like the director, producer, and composer.  Each heads a different department responsible for a different piece of the movie.  This section is lavishly illustrated with “behind-the-scenes” photographs, showing how a movie set actually looks.  One entertaining picture shows a jump between two non-existent “rooftops” with a neon green panel as the background.

 

               Since Beyond the Mask is a historical-fiction movie, recreating the world of the 1770s is an important part of making the movie.  In the section titled “The World of Beyond the Mask”, the authors describe and illustrate the process to create many sets.  This section describes the creation of the Philadelphia street, the windmill, the ship and several other sets, whether physical or computer-generation.  The pictures show the progress from concept sketches to finished movie scenes, and illustrate this section well.  This is the most fascinating section to me, as I had the opportunity to help construct many of the sets shown, including the windmill, Philadelphia’s street, and the ship.  In addition, I am in one of the photographs!  This was an exciting find when I first paged through the book.  If you would like to find me, I am on page 62, wearing an olive-drab coat and a gold-laced tricorne hat, while standing next to a man in white.

 

               Of course every movie needs actors, and the book’s next section describes some of them.  Entitled “A Colonial Cast”, it begins with interviews with the casting director as well as the acting coach.  William Reynolds is the hero of the movie, so his section comes first.  It is an interview with Andrew Cheney on how he relates to the character and the journey of William Reynolds.  This section is illustrated mainly by groups of photos showing the various “masks” (identities) that this character wears throughout the movie.

 

               Beyond the Mask’s leading lady, Charlotte Holloway, is played by Kara Killmer (spelled with two L’s) and her section is next.  It is mainly a narrative of her time on set with quotations from Miss Killmer.  This section also contains an interview with the wardrobe designer and concept sketches for costumes.

 

               This book would be incomplete without a section on the movie’s villain Charles Kemp, played by John Rhys-Davies.  This section describes his time on set as well as Mr. Rhys-Davies’ views on Western Civilization and the character of Charles Kemp.  “I have no brother, I am like no brother…I am myself alone,” he quotes from Shakespeare’s King Henry the Sixth to describe his character.   This section is illustrated by photographs and a description of Mr. Kemp’s elephant-headed cane.  With the three main characters covered, the next several pages describe supporting characters such as Basil and Jeremiah Flack.

 

               The section “Masquerade” provides a good look at the many different pieces required to make a movie.  Various departments such as Location, Wardrobe, Art, and Camera are all covered sequentially, that is, in the order they would be required to create the scene.  Behind-the-scenes interviews with different people in each department, from set-dressing to catering, allow the reader to see just how much work goes into making a movie.

 

Wrapping up the book are two short sections: “The Studio” and “Conclusion.”  These two sections go hand-in-hand; the first shows how Burns Family Studios came into being and the second highlights the main message of Beyond the Mask: “It’s not what you do that defines you”.

 

In conclusion: this book is an engaging, full-color look into movie-making and the world of Beyond the Mask.  I would highly recommend it. 5/5 stars.

 

Would you like to read this book after making it through my review?  It can be purchased at http://burnsfamilystudios.com/store.html.

Beyond the Mask in 30 Seconds with LEGO--Credits

The video featured in the previous blog post (see at http://www.defendingthelegacy.blogspot.com/2015/12/beyond-mask-30-seconds-with-lego.html) is one that my siblings and I created for a contest run by Beyond the Mask.  Because the winner is the video with the most views, please watch and, if you liked it, tell your friends about it.

My part in this video was co-writing the script, constructing most of the sets, character design, and all the editing.  Many of the Lego bricks seen in this movie are from my collection.  My voice was used for Charles Kemp (the villain).

My sister co-wrote the script with me, set up scenes and lighting, and was assistant camerawoman.  She also worked on character design.  Her voice was used for Charlotte Holloway (the heroine).

My brother set up the scenes and lighting, was chief cameraman and director of photography. He helped with character design (Will's appearance was entirely his work) as well as some set construction and supervising all stunts and stuntmen.  His voice was used for William Reynolds (the hero).



Will Reynolds (center with hair) is framed by Mr. Harrison (far left).
George Washington is at the far right.



My dad's voice was used for Mr. Harrison ("He did it") as well as Benjamin Franklin ("Follow the wires").

My mom took over our normal chores so that we could have more time to film.  She also allowed us to use her closet as a studio and her phone as a movie camera.


This movie was filmed on an iPhone 4s and edited with Windows Live Movie Maker.  Lines were recorded with Audacity.


Note: this movie makes the most sense if one has seen the real Beyond the Mask first.  It can be ordered at http://beyondthemaskmovie.com/

Beyond the Mask--54mm Plastic Soldiers

 The American Revolution-era movie Beyond the Mask was released earlier this year.  I recreated four of its characters with 54mm plastic soldiers.  I hand painted all of them, and a few were converted with a knife and some sculpting.  Clicking on a picture will enlarge it.

Will Reynolds

At one point in the movie, Reynolds becomes a masked highwayman, battling Loyalists and keeping Philadelphia firmly in the grasp of the Americans.  The original figure is by BMC.  I cut off the original figure’s knapsack to create Reynolds.

Mr. Harrison

Harrison is a Loyalist ringleader in Philadelphia.  He recruits his friends to thwart the city’s rebels by intimidation and sabotage.  While the picture shows Mr. Harrison in brown, there is one scene in the movie where he wears a gray overcoat.  The original figure is by Accurate.  The figure was originally standing firing a musket, but I cut the musket off, bent his arms, and added a pistol.

Benjamin Franklin

In the movie, Franklin runs a printing business and manages to avoid any Loyalist attacks on his print shop.  He employs Edmund Bentley and William Reynolds.  The original figure is by Accurate and was sculpted to look like Franklin.  I just cut his musket off and added a cane.

Edmund Bentley

A minor character, Bentley is fired from Franklin’s print shop.  He then joins Mr. Harrison’s Loyalist band, and appears to be Harrison’s trusted assistant.  While the picture shows him in a brown coat, he more often appears in his cream-colored waistcoat.  The original figure is by Marx and was intended to represent Johnny Tremaine.  No conversion was required on him.

Beyond the Mask--East India Company's Guards

This is a drawing I recently completed of a private soldier of the East India Company's guards from the movie Beyond the Mask. There are at least two types of the Company's soldiers in this movie: one in red coats with blue cuffs and lapels with white lace, and one with black and grey.

These men in black coats with grey cuffs and lapels are Charles Kemp's elite guards, unlike the men in red coats and blue cuffs.  The men with grey cuffs were probably chosen based on their excellent service in India.  These men were trusted with keeping Charles Kemp safe and guarding his property and living quarters. In the movie, they can be seen driving the Company's carriage, accompanying Mr. Kemp to church, and working at Kemp's property in the New World.  Charles Kemp was their colonel, and their cuffs were grey, so if they had a nickname, it would probably be "Kemp's Greys."

This uniform was not worn by the historic East India Company's troops.  For the real uniform, visit http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Bengal_European_Regiment

Drawing by Jordan Jachim

Review of Beyond the Mask part 1--The Story

I have been chronicling the progress of the Christian movie Beyond the Mask for several years on my blog.  Now that it has been released to theaters and is coming to DVD on September 8, I can review it.  This section of the review gives a synopsis of the story.

The movie follows an employee of the East India Company (abbreviated as EIC) named William Reynolds (played by Andrew Cheney).  Reynolds has been used as an assassin against the Company’s many enemies.  Most recently, he sidelined Parliament’s inquiry into the East India Company’s spending.  In the process, he acquired a copy of the Parliament’s report detailing the Company’s misdeeds.

But he has wearied of this life and desires a fresh start with his promised land, wealth—and most importantly, a new name.  But Charles Kemp (John Rhys-Davies), the Director of the EIC, will hear nothing of the sort and insists on Reynolds resettling in America. 

Will leaves the East India Company, and disguises himself as the vicar of the quiet parish of Ailesbury.  Here he finds the quiet he has longed for—and falls in love with a local girl, Charlotte Holloway (Kara Kilmer).  Despite memories of India, he is building a new life for himself.  But he soon finds he can’t hide his past.  Two run-ins with people he would rather forget cause him to flee Ailesbury. 

But as he flees, he does not forget Charlotte.  He vows to himself that he will atone for his past (and become worthy of her) by his good deeds.  With Kemp on his way to America, this seems like the perfect opportunity for Will Reynolds to redeem his name by thwarting Kemp’s plans.  Both travel to Philadelphia where Kemp enlists the help of local Loyalists and Will is employed by Benjamin Franklin as a printer.  The Loyalists begin a coordinated campaign to intimidate rebel sympathizers.   Reynolds must thwart Kemp, so he becomes a gallant highwayman and fights the Loyalists.   Each episode is faithfully recorded in Franklin’s Gazette.

But Will soon suspects designs on the rebels’ military commander George Washington.  To save Washington from an assassination plot would certainly redeem his name.  With the Parliamentary report in his possession, Kemp’s downfall is just a matter of time and Reynolds decides to expose him.   But Charles Kemp is the master schemer, and he turns the tables on Will, who is conveyed to a prison ship.

 

Charlotte Holloway is also in America, and she discovers designs to destroy Philadelphia by gunpowder barrels planted strategically under key locations, including the State House where the Continental Congress is voting to adopt the Declaration of Independence.  The only person she knows who can thwart this is Will Reynolds, but he is aboard the prison ship under threat of hanging.

I thought that the story was paced very well.  The action moved the story ahead, rather than just being there for its own sake.  If you like movies with a good storyline, this one is highly recommended. 

All pictures from Beyond the Mask's Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/beyondthemaskmovie

Beyond the Mask: My Thoughts

The Christian movie Beyond the Mask is releasing to 100 theaters in the United States tomorrow.  I saw this movie in May, and would highly recommend that everyone see it.  This is not my full review of this movie, nor does it contain any spoilers.

1. Story

The story is well-crafted, following Will Reynolds, a former assassin trying to hide his past.  Unfortunately for him, his past keeps cropping up and he is unable to escape it.

2. Visuals

The imagery of this movie is wonderful!  From carriages to Philadelphia, the movie is full of visually lavish scenes.  The costumes as well are recreated in all their 1776 glory.  For an analysis of one--controversial--costume, go here: http://defendingthelegacy.blogspot.com/2015/04/beyond-mask-charles-kemps-india-jacket.html

3. History

The movie is set in 1775-76 during the American Revolution.  Benjamin Franklin, Independence Hall, smugglers, the East India Company, highwaymen, and George Washington all appear in the movie.  While the story itself is fictitious, many of the details of 18th Century life are correct.

4. Personal

This movie is well-done and I would like it anyways, but I love it even more because I appear in it!  If you are curious where I am, I am a rich man on the streets of Philadelphia in company with three other rich men.  My coat is olive-green with gold waistcoat and breeches.  I also worked on construction for this movie, contributing to a street of Philadelphia, a ship, a windmill, and other things.

To find out if this movie is in your area, visit: http://beyondthemaskmovie.com/cities, and if you have any questions, please drop me a comment!  

Will Reynolds of Beyond the Mask

This fellow is my first painted soldier who is not strictly historical.  His name is Will Reynolds, the hero of the movie Beyond the Mask.  His dress is closely copied from the picture at right.  With his purple coat and decorative brass buckles, he was a very interesting and enjoyable figure to paint.  The figure was produced by BMC as an artillery commander.  I cut off his backpack and canteen, but left the cartridge box, so that his pistol has more than one shot.
Figure by BMC, paints by Testors, painted by myself.

Beyond the Mask--Charles Kemp's India Jacket

Mir Jafar (center) and attendants

John Rhys-Davies in his Indian Jacket

Captain John Foote of the East India Company

The Christian movie Beyond the Mask has been recently released.  I have chronicled some of its progress on my blog previously (see http://defendingthelegacy.blogspot.com/
search/label/Beyond%20the%20Mask).  One of the characters in the movie, Sir Charles Kemp, wears this ornate jeweled jacket in one scene of the movie.  This is shown in picture one (Kemp is played by the actor John Rhys-Davies). There is a solid historical basis for his jacket, as I hope to show.

The second picture is detail of a larger painting by Francis Hayman circa 1760.  The painting itself is of Robert Clive and Mir Jafar meeting after the Battle of Plassey.  In this detail, Mir Jafar can be seen wearing very similar jeweled embellishments to Charles Kemp.

Indians wore these, but did Europeans, even those who had contact with India?  The answer is yes, thanks to a remarkable painting by Joshua Reynolds.  It depicts Captain John Foote of the East India Company in full native regalia.  His jacket, again, bears marked similarities to Charles Kemp's.

In conclusion, these jeweled jackets were definitively used in the 18th Century, long before any singers had popularized them.

Beyond the Mask Official Trailer!

My friend William Moore of For Christ's Glory beat me to posting this, but here it is again anyway.  This exciting American Revolution movie is coming in April!  Find out more on how you can bring it to a theater near you at: http://beyondthemaskmovie.com/#/screenings

<iframe width="873" height="500" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6pX6Ih7YhQ8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Beyond the Mask Update

The Christian movie Beyond the Mask is coming close to its theatrical release!  The producers have released two videos with movie clips and information on how to bring it to a theatre near you.  I had the privilege to work on construction for this movie.  They will be releasing it in Spring 2015.
You can see their videos at http://beyondthemaskmovie.com/#/videos