Curse of the Axe

Production Designer, Historical Consultant

Original Air Date: 9-July-2012, Genre: Documentary
Production Company: Yap Films Inc., Producer: Elliott Halpern, Director: Robin Bicknell
Broadcaster: History TV

Website: Curse of the Axe

A two-hour special tracing the discovery of a piece of Spanish iron in a post-hole of a long-house in Oshawa, just outside of Toronto, carbon-dated to nearly a hundred years prior to the arrival of European explorers in the region.

Responsibilities included

  • Period Accurate Costumes
  • Props Master
  • Set Dec
  • Casting
  • Locations
  • Period Weaponry
  • Working with animation house to ensure that shot sequences could be integrated into digital in the lab

We were lucky enough to find a real long-house similar in style to the ones thought to have existed at the time of this show.

We were lucky enough to find a real long-house similar in style to the ones thought to have existed at the time of this show. 

The long-house after dressing.

The long-house after dressing. 

Another shot of the dressing showing some detail.

Another shot of the dressing showing some detail. 

Exterior shot of the long-house.

Exterior shot of the long-house. 

Crew readying for an "attack" shot on the palisade.

Crew readying for an "attack" shot on the palisade. 

We insisted on using only native peoples to represent the natives of the time.

We insisted on using only native peoples to represent the natives of the time. 

This meant that all the clothes had to be hand-made.

This meant that all the clothes had to be hand-made. 

Children getting ready for their scene.

Children getting ready for their scene. 

Some of the stunning work the make-up department did.

Some of the stunning work the make-up department did. 

Another warrior.

Another warrior. 

In this scene, we're showing the "axe" traversing great distances. The birchbark canoe is authentic.

In this scene, we're showing the "axe" traversing great distances. The birchbark canoe is authentic. 

The first meeting of the Europeans and the North American Natives.

The first meeting of the Europeans and the North American Natives. 

The matchlock that the actor is carrying was provided by me and is an authentic replica.

The matchlock that the actor is carrying was provided by me and is an authentic replica. 

Myself (left), Production Co-ordinator, Anya Sabkowska (centre) ready ourselves to become "bodies" by the disease the the Europeans unknowingly brought through the Jesuits, depicted here by the Line Producer, Seaghan Hancocks (right).

Myself (left), Production Co-ordinator, Anya Sabkowska (centre) ready ourselves to become "bodies" by the disease the the Europeans unknowingly brought through the Jesuits, depicted here by the Line Producer, Seaghan Hancocks (right).