SYNOPSIS:

Under The Chainmail is a fifteen-minute documentary delving into the personal lives behind a medieval society. From violent battle and intimate crafting sessions to lessons in history are among the plethora of activities to bring the society to life. The documentary follows the people behind the costumes, revealing what it takes to become a powerful knight or a ‘five-star’ camp chef. It aims to spotlight the challenges and turmoil’s that go into being a part of the ‘Historia Normannis Liverpool society’. It brings together art history and economics students that immerse themselves in history to a time without the stress of academia.

Through candid interviews, training days, and the behind-the-scenes moments, this documentary will show you how a medieval society can mean so much more than organized battles. Gaining a new perspective of a niche group of people that stand for community, safety, individuality and creativity. Do you have what it takes?

LOGLINE

An Unlikely group of students travel back in time becoming knights, noblemen and peasants when joint together!

CAST SECTION

Hannah, 23 – logistics coordinator

Hannah runs the society from behind. They order fabrics, book transport, plan each show day and run the finances. Outside of the society Hannah works in clinical research now that they have finished their psychology degree and in their spare time goes to the gym, gardens and has recently started book binding. Hannah has three different identities when in character such a Dam Joan Fitz Roberts a noble woman who takes care of business whilst her husband’s away, Henry Fitz Roberts who is the youngest in his family and finally Sister Hannah who is a part of the nunnery.

Molly, 20- Seneschal

Molly runs the craft sessions each week and helps oversee the day-to-day tasks of the society including Kit standards and insuring safety. She is currently attending university to get a degree in fashion design and contemporary craft. Whilst she is not at the society, she works in a suit shop and spends her free time reading, drawing and practicing magic. Molly’s identity at shows is Adelaide of Leopool where she has been a farmer but is moving to a more creative role as an embroiderer.

Kit, 22- Regional Social Media Manager

Kit creates and runs the social media for the Liverpool Normannis Society, encouraging people to join and showing what the society gets up to each week. In her spare time, she practices her art but the majority of her time is spent volunteering at a charity that helps feed people around Liverpool, no questions asked. Kit has two identities at shows day including Milo Brewer of Liverpool who is a trades person and works with his family and Lucia of Liverpool meaning woman of light who is set to marry a nobleman in the coming weeks.

CREW ROLES

Masud Miah- Director

A documentary director is responsible for the overall creative narrative of the film, guiding the project and the crew from the conception of the idea in pre-production all the way to the release of the film. They will carry out in-depth research and engage with the society to really be able to understand the subject and develop a narrative that represents the society authentically. The director also works closely with the editor to oversee the final edit of the film, ensuring the tone and atmosphere of the film is consistent to the director’s creative vision and is authentic to the subject.

Camera operators are responsible for capturing all the footage through different filmmaking techniques under the director’s instruction. They will get all of the raw, natural footage of the society doing their normal activities, as well as filming the interviews of the society members. The editor of the film also works closely with the director to shape the narrative and build the right atmosphere for the film- they choose the best takes to use, colour grade scenes and edit the audio and sound effects. Editors construct a polished, authentic view of the subject according to the director’s vision.

Sadie Hannaway- 1st Assistant Director

A 1st Assistant Director (1st AD) is the head of the crew, and works closely with the director. They’re responsible for communicating with each different department of the crew to run a smooth shoot, and keep everyone on track with the filming schedules. They will be prepared for situations if something goes wrong and are ready to handle any small issues that may occur when the director is busy. The 1st AD is also responsible for on-set health and safety checks and risk assessments, identifying and dealing with any potential hazards when filming.

Ben Clarke- Camera Op, Editor

Isla Stafferton- Producer

Researching and creating interview questions for the society members was a separate producer responsibility, drawing inspiration from other documentaries and researching other societies in university. After getting to know the people in the society and how it works, a list of interview questions was made to evoke some insightful information and encourage the flow of the narrative. Additional to the questions was a variety of related follow-up questions if it seemed like there was a particular story there was to tell, such as the reason they wanted to join the society, to ensure we were getting the most out of the participants.

Amy Mayes- Producer

Sharing the producer role for the documentary meant each person had separate responsibilities- this particular one included getting personally involved in the society- this meant interacting with the society members on a friendly basis whilst they were doing their usual society activities. This meant members of the society felt much more at ease when the crew was around and filming their meetings and activities, as a trust was built and were always reassured they would be shown in a positive light, and anything they wanted or didn’t want included in the documentary would be of the highest importance.

Lily Bishop- Producer and 2nd Editor

Producers are also responsible for the communication between the crew and keeping up to date with the latest information from the society, scheduling filming alongside society meetings and handling any concerns and questions from the members. Additionally handling paperwork such as health and safety checks and consent forms from the participants. A second editor assists the primary editor with putting together the final film, by polishing the final edit, colour grading, helping planning and mapping out scenes as well as helping choose the best takes to use in the film. It’s also helpful to have another editor’s opinion on the natural flow of the piece and another creative perspective.