First Look at Bitter Lake
To accompany the release of the trailer for the furry film, Bitter Lake, we took an exclusive first look at what the audience might have to look forward to later this year.
Synopsis:
After decades of peace the Kingdom of Valanor is torn apart by civil war, after 12 years of conflict, the citizens cry out for peace. The leaders of Tier, Sinnah, Daneth and Osgard lay down their arms and prepare to negotiate.
Each province sends a envoy to the Kingdom’s only neutral ground, Bitter Lake. However as they set out to find a diplomatic solution, an ancient evil plots its return, threatening to crush any hope of a lasting peace.
I spoke to the film’s writer and director, Shay, about his project.
“I had a totally different story in mind when we decided to shoot a movie. It was a story that I had been working on for four months, when I sat down with EZ to discuss possibilities, we soon found out that what I wrote was way too big. It would require too much time and way too many actors and crew. So I was forced to kill my darling so to speak, which hurt…for about 15 minutes.
Cause when we discussed other things that day, the story unfolded right there in my mind. A mix of things from stories I have read and movies I have seen. It soon became apparent what I wanted with the story and how ‘Dark’ it would have to be. Seeing we wanted a medieval storyline with a serious note, we decided to go for realistic suits and when we took a look at who owned which suit, Clockwork Creature Studio suits just fit the bill.”
For the creator, the choice of Clockwork Creature Studios suits also meant they could create a more realistic and serious film. “We came to the conclusion that naked fursuits just would look lame. We wanted to appeal to a non furry audience too, if my parents would see it, they wouldn’t go…HUH?” In production design the medieval setting meant dressing the fursuits in armour and being kitted out with swords, as well as period props on-set. To make sure they had the right look the crew took their characters to Holland’s Elf Fantasy Fair. “The reactions there were amazing and it took us 5 hours to get around the castle.” Shay said, “Those suits used, by the actors in question, also helped build the story to what it is now. It’s the work they made, that made us envision the total character and push for perfection. I mean…you don’t dress up a suit like that in a rag or plastic sack!
I helped suit up the Prince of Tolver on the set, it took us 20 mins at first to get the actor in the suit and then dress him up…the sheer number of props. Oh and the cumbersome fluff when trying to get a tunic over fur… leaves you crying at night. In the end though, getting him in the costume took about 10 mins once you got used to it.”
The Bitter Lake crew consists of 10 man crew, with 4 actors, 1 director, 1 director of Photography, 1 2nd cameraman, 1 best-boy, 1 sound technician and 1 music composer. After about a full week of 16 hour days to shoot, the film’s production period is almost at an end. The last planned day of filming will be taking place this Saturday, and then Bitter Lake goes into post-production. “Outside of the production team are two voice actors that helped, Dylan Nagel and Lucy Red Panda.” Shay said, “I voice the Narrator and the prince of Tolver and some other stuff which I can’t say. All the voices have been recorded.”
In Post Production, one big elements that will be added is the film’s musical score. Fox Amoore was the musician asked to take on the task of scoring and I asked him a few questions.
What do you find the particular challenge in this process?
“I guess the whole thing. I find it as much an honour as well though, considering how amazing the costumes and filming looks. I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Often you write to stories in your imagination, was this harder being a set story?
“Perhaps a greater challenge where the story is already laid before me. But perhaps it is similar, just the other way around. Either way, I’m very excited and will enjoy it a great deal. It’s a very interesting story.”
Have you chosen any period instruments for the medieval setting in the score?
“Yes, in-fact a very talented musician will be featuring on some solo flute sections.”
Have you considered releasing the soundtrack after the film’s premiere?
“Yes! I plan to release the official trailer music as soon as possible and I do plan, once discussed with the rest of the crew, to release the entire soundtrack as a digital download.”
Earlier today on Fur Affinity Fox Amoore did release the trailer music for Bitter Lake which includes a translation of the lyrics heard sung by the soloist.
The big question for a lot of furs would be if they can’t make it to Eurofurence to see the film’s premiere will they be loosing out? Will Bitter Lake be available on DVD? Shay said, “We’ll announce that at a later date, we are working on a DVD release but can’t say anything definite. There is a very good chance that people across the seas will be able to watch Bitter Lake too, but you’ll hear that in due time.”
Bitter Lake’s Web Site: http://www.bitterlakethemovie.com/
(8 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Our fandom, the laughing stock.
Excuse me, I’m off to join the MLP fans now.
What do you mean? How does this make the fandom look like a laughing stock?
Yeah really, this is fucking awesome! I can’t wait to see this, especially if this a decent movie!
In honestly, it just looks very unprofessional based on the trailer alone. I wouldn’t really know what the story is about if I hadn’t read synopsis, and the random camera shots showing off… walking doesn’t really intrigue me at all. I mean, I give you guys credit for trying to make a movie for the fandom you love, but a live action anthropomorphic feature is bound to look awful without the big hollywood bucks for proper digital facial effects (similar in approach to where the wild things are).
An animated feature may have been a better way to go for something like this, but that’s a whole other monster to tackle.
I agree however I’m still want to buy and support the fandom. Just don’t compare it to Hollywood.
However I want to ask about the story, so many sites have unlimited amount of story’s (FA SF InkBunny) I hope they have the best plot
(Will the story be the only thing keeping the movie going? )
You have to keep in mind these guys don’t have a large budget to make realistic convincing furries, and if they did this wouldn’t be the film they’d make because the media and Hollywood hate furries.
well, i think it’ll be awesome i met the actors on th EFF in holland and the suits looked really good. that and they are actually close to the productions for tv shows that we made in holland for the atractionpark the efteling, wich has 2 tv shows now and i have to say, the bitter lake trailler looks as good if not better then those 2.
+ it’s their first big movie, it’s logical that the trailer isn’t the best trailer ever.
Jealous much?
Let me get this straight.
Someone made…
…a full-length film…
…about animal characters……with fursuits…
…realistic, well-constructed fursuits…
…in a medieval setting…
…with fight scenes…
…and an original soundtrack.
I am interested.
Same here ^^
This sounds awesome. I wonder how long it will take before I will have an opportunity to see it…
The dvd will be available shortly after EF17
Yeah, but I’ve got no money at the moment ^^; And not in Europe or America.
The dvd will be available shortly after EF17
Well, the suits look kind of silly, no offense. I mean, it’s not like I have a better solution. I do think they’d look better though if they weren’t so fluffy looking. But, it was an awesome idea, the kind of idea most people have and all their friends are like “yeah, we should do that” but then it never happens. I think it’s great this guy took the initiative to get this going and I can’t wait to watch it.
Okay, I watched it a few more times, and I take back the suit comment.
Must watch!
Awesome! Looking forward to this.
I’m interested. I wonder if the voice acting from the actors is just as interesting as the movie looks through this tailor. I mean, Suits and story are one thing but… if you can’t -believe- the actors are portraying this, through how they sound, it could kind of kill the movie. Anyways, waiting with antisipation!
this is great, but personally for me it’s not realistic enough,and it couldn’t get realistic enough without a lot of expensive computer generated stuff. but that’s just me.
It looks very awesome :3 I hope to see it one day :3
HAHAH FURRY FAGS
This looks like it might actually be epic.
This looks like it might actually be epic. O.o
Ditto on the voiceacting will have to be good in order for this to work. Suspending disbelief will be hard otherwise.
This is looking to be quite amazing, I hope it’s as well written as game of thrones or similar
Will I be able to order the DVD in America? I don’t exactly have the money to go see this at EF
this all sounds very interesting and first time hearing about a full length live furry movie sounds like a must get
u shuold use more animation if u will a computer lol in to it so u can have more of a blend in stead u can tell thr wereing furr suits but thts me lol
Dude – do you even speak english?
Quick!! Stop Him!!! He’s Summoning Cthulu!!!
Sounds interesting but looks like some one filmed their furry themed LARP *coughs*
Well it has much better production values XD
Just curious when can I pre order this movie? even though I have a slight idea on where it might debut at?
I hope the finished movie is as awesome as the trailer. It’s a very impressive project!
I hope that we get to see it at Anthrocon 2012
Id so Buy that Dvd when it comes out 
I hope This Turns out well. You have my support either way so that more stuff like this can happen in the future. You’re about to make history, so lets hope you do it well!
Truly amazing, i think this movie will appeal to any audience furry and non furry alike. Id love to see something like this in theaters.
It sort of ‘clicks’, and is fairly believable, and then unclicks in different places. The talking heads work quite well, but the walking is odd, as two examples (that said, probably just me as I don’t like plantigrade furries too much, looks a bit odd when the real animal is digi).
Ok, the movie got shown, presumably.
So, what happened? Was the movie as good as we hoped it would be?
Was it shown at all?
How can I get a DVD for the US TV system?
This is news, but after a week or more, it should have been posted somewhere already.
Love it! I cannot wait to see this. It brings me back to the love of Jim Henson and the worlds that he created.
Love it! I cannot wait to see this. It brings me back to the love of Jim Henson and the worlds that he created.