Fortunes Mine Update

By James Fox on June 10, 2009 5:12 PM
When we set out with the onset of this project last year with Singularity, we aimed high and "shot for the moon!"  This year, with Fortunes Mine we're "kicking it up a notch!"  The script is nearing it's final approval stages and I must say, it's going to be awesome to shoot!  Geoff, Rich, "Hollywood" and myself have been working tirelessly on the cave set design, traps, treasure, etc.  We will begin the process of gathering materials next week when Rich get's back from his hiatus, and full fledged construction should begin middle of the week.  We are hoping to have pictures and video to upload as a preview of the set itself!

Fortunes Mine is going to be a challenging project in it's own right.  Compared to the film we did last year, which was set/prop driven - Fortunes Mine is one level higher.  A large portion of the script takes place inside the mine itself and for that reason an incredible amount of detail is required.  We at Dawnrunner like to make sure things "Could work...."  It's our goal to make sure that what happens in the script is at least within the realm of possibility while still being entertaining and fantastic.  This has meant, as the writer on the project several fun things:  Exploring abandoned 1850's gold mines in the Coarsegold (Gold Rush Town) area.  Which is very scary I must admit.  Reading several accounts from early gold rush miners about their experiences in the caves, and all the amazing things that happened to them.  Going over and over the Legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine and trying to rationalize how it would fit into our story (no spoilers here!).  The research I enjoyed the most however, was of traps, puzzles, and other hinderances that might exist in a cave holding the greatest treasure thought to be on American soil.  The chore as I've been writing it, is to make sure to turn the ordinary - extraordinary!  The really rewarding part I think, personally, is being able to write a script for a film that I would have really enjoyed watching when I was younger.  If I would not have gotten a kick out of watching it, then why would I make it - after all?

As we close in to the 1 month deadline we be moving into the scheduling process and the nuts and bolts of the production.  We are hoping to be able to update with lots of pictures and videos throughout the process.

Definitely check back for more updates and information!