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Post by billchemerka on Sept 17, 2009 7:17:06 GMT -5
The History Channel plans to debut its new What Went Down series on Oct. 10. According to the producer, "The Alamo" program, along with another episode in the series, will air on that date.
The production's development was first chronicled in the June 2008 issue of The Alamo Journal. Updates followed in each subsequent issue. The original release date for the series was scheduled for "early 2009," but as recently as last month (as mentioned in the Sept. issue of The Alamo Journal ) production had been delayed until "early 2010."
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Sept 18, 2009 12:38:10 GMT -5
I have marked the date. Thanks, Bill. Can't wait ...
Paul
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Post by billchemerka on Oct 10, 2009 8:30:49 GMT -5
Here's an article from today's (Oct. 10, 2009) San Antonio Express-News about the program:
By Scott Huddleston - Express-News The History Channel will air a program tonight that Alamo buffs won't want to miss.
As part of its “What Went Down” series, the cable channel will air an hourlong program on the famed battle at 8 p.m. and midnight. Alamo enthusiasts who assisted the History Channel said the program will provide good spatial orientation of the 1836 compound, and may raise questions about the city's use of Alamo Plaza.
Bill Chemerka, founder of the Alamo Society, which has nearly 500 members worldwide, advised the History Channel. He said he wanted the program to portray aspects of the battle that have never been shown accurately on screen, including fighting that occurred on the Alamo's north wall and its southwest gun platform before Mexican forces entered the main gate.
“It does not suggest that it is the final word on all things Alamo. But hopefully it will inspire the next generation of researchers and filmmakers to continue to remember the Alamo,” said Chemerka, who lives in New Jersey.
The History Channel created a computer-generated image of the 1836 compound, based on a 13-by-15-foot model that's now at the History Shop near the Alamo at 713 E. Houston St. The shop charges $3 for adults and $1 for children ages 11-16 to see the diorama and its 13-minute “sound and light show.”
Mark Lemon, a graphic artist who built the model, said the History Channel also shot footage looking down on the state-owned Alamo grounds and the city-owned plaza where most of the 1836 compound stood. The producers were surprised at how the city's downtown urban development has encroached on the battle site, Lemon said.
He said he hopes the program will stimulate discussion on better historical interpretation in the city's Alamo Plaza.
“Ideally, that will be the outcome,” said Lemon of Atlanta.
Not everyone has supported the concept embraced by Chemerka, Lemon and others of reconstructing the Alamo compound as it appeared in 1836. But many have supported their concerns about aspects of the plaza that they say detract from the reverence of the site, including traffic, shops and amusement attractions in the plaza.
Mayor Julián Castro has said the city “should work toward a physical use of the space that does a better job of honoring the history of the Alamo.”
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Post by Wade Dillon on Oct 10, 2009 17:20:00 GMT -5
Wonderful article! Thanks for posting it Bill and I will be sure to sit down tonight to watch the new documentary. I'm excited!
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Post by Kevin Young on Oct 10, 2009 20:53:47 GMT -5
Watching it right now-Bill has done a great job!
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Post by Wade Dillon on Oct 10, 2009 22:01:44 GMT -5
Wonderful job, Bill and Mark! I loved it!
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Post by billchemerka on Oct 10, 2009 23:02:24 GMT -5
Thanks for the kind words. But I missed the program! (I never saw the final 100% completed version.) I'm with my father-in-law at a 390th Bomb Group (WWII) reunion in Nashville! And the hotel doesn't carry the station.
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Post by Wade Dillon on Oct 11, 2009 7:11:26 GMT -5
My only complaints is what Bill stated at the end of the program, I wanted to see "more". A great deal of build up for very short battle segments. And was it me, or was I the only one tired of seeing scenes from the Last Command and Duke's Alamo? Otherwise, very good points were made throughout the program, including hints towards change in Alamo Plaza. Besides my two nitpicks, I really enjoyed it.
And Mark, I loved your comment when the producer reassured himself that the Mexican cavalry jumped over the palisade in John Waynes film; acknowledging that they could not jump an 8 foot wall. Without missing a beat, you shake your head, grin, and say "That's why I'm writing the book" or something to that affect. I laughed, expecting no other such response from you. Great job, gents!
All the best,
Wade
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Post by elcolorado on Oct 11, 2009 8:34:30 GMT -5
Would liked to have seen "MORE."
Glenn
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Post by Allen Wiener on Oct 11, 2009 10:16:12 GMT -5
It's an interesting concept and Bill did a great job getting facts straight. Like Bill, I'd like to have seen more battle footage at the end. Maybe a follow-up?
Allen
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Post by glforeman on Oct 11, 2009 11:22:25 GMT -5
There is no question about the knowledge both Bill and Mark possess and it is impressive. What troubles recently me about this kind of programming is that it becomes more about production problem-solving than presenting the story. Actually, it was somewhat embarrassing to see how much production tools were brought into the show with so little to show at the end. Where did all that money go? How come everyone is asking that same question about more footage? A much bigger service for Plaza awareness could have been served if the producers would have shown (at ground level) the difference between the past and present. If the production spent two whole days at Mark's place, where was the fruit of that labor? I watched closely and really didn't see it.
Overall, it helps with the awareness and fills in some gaps.
GLF
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Post by TRK on Oct 11, 2009 13:44:46 GMT -5
The producers deserve credit for even wanting to do a program shedding new light on the Battle of the Alamo, as do Bill and Mark for helping them get the story right. However, after about the fourth time they repeated that stock movie footage of Richard Carlson as Travis and the Mexicans assaulting the north wall, I was losing interest. By the time the battle recreations finally made their debut in the last three or four minutes, it seemed like an afterthought.
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Oct 11, 2009 17:41:04 GMT -5
I might have marked the date., but was out of town and away from the TV. Anyone have any idea when it might air again? I can't find it listed on the channel's site.
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Post by Mike Harris on Oct 11, 2009 20:49:08 GMT -5
I watched it at 8pm and again at midnight. I loved the segments filming the model. It came to life for me even more than your book did, Mark. Not sure why, but it looked more real on TV than it did in the book. And I have a pretty keen eye when it comes to the modelling aspect, and the model looked even more superb than I had imagined. I will definitely be there in March to view it (and I assume for many hours).
And watching Mr. Chemerka explain his expectations of the production, and his direction of the extras was just fun to watch. This was both exciting and interesting. Loved it.
Wade, I was thinking the same thing when Mark gave his remark about the Waynamo calvary jumping the palisade. Classic look and response. Great timing there.
Mike
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Post by kymw on Oct 11, 2009 22:38:04 GMT -5
I'd have to watch the program again, however, I got the impression that they were making different dimensional shots and digital views of the compound to be used in the future.
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