Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 6, 2006 11:24:42 GMT -5
As a member of the Ranger Association I get very bizarre and interesting postings from time to time. This one struck me as particularly interesting. I wish I were younger as this sounds like a cool project.
Job Number: 159
Date Posted: 2006-02-23
Subject: Call for Volunteers for World War Two Documentary
I am acting as technical consultant to Frantic Films, an award-winning
Winnipeg-based documentary production company which is currently producing a
documentary television series dealing with the First Special Service Force
(FSSF), currently entitled, “Devil’s Brigade”. This series is a unique take
on the subject matter of the Devil’s Brigade – it seeks to examine history by
having modern people live this important historical experience in the same way
the actual trainees would have.
I am a retired Canadian military officer with 35 years of service in all three
combat arms of the army and substantial experience as a fighter and tactical
helicopter pilot, with a lifetime of military history studies. My job, among
other things, is to find suitable candidates to fill the parts of both
participants and instructors in this undertaking.
We are not looking for actors - we are looking for soldiers who will throw
themselves whole-heartedly into the tasks with which they will be presented.
We are seeking candidates from all available US, Canadian and British units
for this exercise.
The FSSF, as you will know, was a combined American/Canadian “special forces”
infantry unit composed of volunteers from both countries who trained at Fort
William Henry Harrison in Helena, Montana, initially, for a projected commando
mission in Norway. When this mission was canceled, the unit served with
distinction in Italy and France. A movie starring William Holden and
titled “The Devil’s Brigade” was popular in the late 1960s and is available on
video/DVD currently.
The training will emphasize the “special soldier skills” taught to the FSSF
but time constraints demand a compression of the training period. We consider
this possible because all candidates will be trained and experienced special
forces professionals prior to beginning “the course”. I will be creating the
training syllabus and ensuring that it is technically sound and carried out in
a safe and efficient manner. Emphasis will naturally be placed upon period
weapons and techniques, and all uniforms worn will be authentic to the period
as well. Endurance activities will play a major role in the production.
The “trainees” will be fed, housed, trained and clothed, as they would have
been in 1942-43. The filming location will be Fort William Henry Harrison near
Helena, Montana. Fort Harrison is now an installation of the Montana Army
National Guard –which is cooperating in this venture and has made the base
available.
It is intended that this filming would probably take place in the month of
April in Montana followed by a trip to Europe where the candidates would
undertake a recreation of a secret mission in a location where the FSSF fought
with such distinction.
We are especially seeking candidates with experience and ability in small
arms, climbing and rappelling, cross country skiing, hand-to-hand combat,
demolitions and small unit tactics. Preference will be given to any
candidates with “special forces” type training, and parachute training will be
a definite asset.
As always in this business, time is of the essence. Your help in passing
information about this undertaking to any potentially interested personnel
would be greatly appreciated. I need to put together, as quickly as possible,
a list of 40-50 candidates with a brief summary of their military
qualifications and a recent small photograph.
I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for any one of your troops who is
motivated to experience this unique training and be paid for so doing, to both
represent your unit and pay tribute to the FSSF soldiers who led the way in
unconventional warfare techniques.
Anyone interested is invited to send me IMMEDIATELY a military resume stating
experience and qualifications and contact data. We are working with a tight
deadline and will need to have response from candidates no later than February
7, 2006.
Please have any potential candidates contact Susie Freedman, Production
Manager, at sfreedman@franticfilms.com
Or by mail:
Susie Freedman
Production Manager
Frantic Films
300-70 Arthur Street
Winnipeg, MB R3B 1G7
Your help in passing this call for volunteers along to any interested members
of your unit is sincerely appreciated.
Specific recognition will be given in the “credits” to any unit contributing
personnel to this international undertaking.
I will be more than happy to answer any questions.
Sincerely,
Jock Williams
Job Number: 159
Date Posted: 2006-02-23
Subject: Call for Volunteers for World War Two Documentary
I am acting as technical consultant to Frantic Films, an award-winning
Winnipeg-based documentary production company which is currently producing a
documentary television series dealing with the First Special Service Force
(FSSF), currently entitled, “Devil’s Brigade”. This series is a unique take
on the subject matter of the Devil’s Brigade – it seeks to examine history by
having modern people live this important historical experience in the same way
the actual trainees would have.
I am a retired Canadian military officer with 35 years of service in all three
combat arms of the army and substantial experience as a fighter and tactical
helicopter pilot, with a lifetime of military history studies. My job, among
other things, is to find suitable candidates to fill the parts of both
participants and instructors in this undertaking.
We are not looking for actors - we are looking for soldiers who will throw
themselves whole-heartedly into the tasks with which they will be presented.
We are seeking candidates from all available US, Canadian and British units
for this exercise.
The FSSF, as you will know, was a combined American/Canadian “special forces”
infantry unit composed of volunteers from both countries who trained at Fort
William Henry Harrison in Helena, Montana, initially, for a projected commando
mission in Norway. When this mission was canceled, the unit served with
distinction in Italy and France. A movie starring William Holden and
titled “The Devil’s Brigade” was popular in the late 1960s and is available on
video/DVD currently.
The training will emphasize the “special soldier skills” taught to the FSSF
but time constraints demand a compression of the training period. We consider
this possible because all candidates will be trained and experienced special
forces professionals prior to beginning “the course”. I will be creating the
training syllabus and ensuring that it is technically sound and carried out in
a safe and efficient manner. Emphasis will naturally be placed upon period
weapons and techniques, and all uniforms worn will be authentic to the period
as well. Endurance activities will play a major role in the production.
The “trainees” will be fed, housed, trained and clothed, as they would have
been in 1942-43. The filming location will be Fort William Henry Harrison near
Helena, Montana. Fort Harrison is now an installation of the Montana Army
National Guard –which is cooperating in this venture and has made the base
available.
It is intended that this filming would probably take place in the month of
April in Montana followed by a trip to Europe where the candidates would
undertake a recreation of a secret mission in a location where the FSSF fought
with such distinction.
We are especially seeking candidates with experience and ability in small
arms, climbing and rappelling, cross country skiing, hand-to-hand combat,
demolitions and small unit tactics. Preference will be given to any
candidates with “special forces” type training, and parachute training will be
a definite asset.
As always in this business, time is of the essence. Your help in passing
information about this undertaking to any potentially interested personnel
would be greatly appreciated. I need to put together, as quickly as possible,
a list of 40-50 candidates with a brief summary of their military
qualifications and a recent small photograph.
I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for any one of your troops who is
motivated to experience this unique training and be paid for so doing, to both
represent your unit and pay tribute to the FSSF soldiers who led the way in
unconventional warfare techniques.
Anyone interested is invited to send me IMMEDIATELY a military resume stating
experience and qualifications and contact data. We are working with a tight
deadline and will need to have response from candidates no later than February
7, 2006.
Please have any potential candidates contact Susie Freedman, Production
Manager, at sfreedman@franticfilms.com
Or by mail:
Susie Freedman
Production Manager
Frantic Films
300-70 Arthur Street
Winnipeg, MB R3B 1G7
Your help in passing this call for volunteers along to any interested members
of your unit is sincerely appreciated.
Specific recognition will be given in the “credits” to any unit contributing
personnel to this international undertaking.
I will be more than happy to answer any questions.
Sincerely,
Jock Williams