Where all the bravest people go when they leave this earth
I have recently had a mail from someone asking me where I got the idea for the Pole Star from, when the young Shepherd Lord asks Tom Lawkland where his father is.
The thought process went something like this.
Henry Clifford (The Shepherd Lord) actually studied astronomy with the Prior of Bolton Abbey when he was restored to his lands. This was part of the education process to recompense what he had missed out on whilst exiled to the wild fells. The motivation for him studying the stars was the fact that he often looked at these orbs at night when he was tending his flock on the hillside. I guess there wasn’t much else to do and he must have marvelled at what he saw and wondered about their creation. With no light pollution to obscure his view, he would have a very clear image of the constellations.
So, when I was pondering on how he would have been told of his father’s death, I thought how would you break the news to a seven year old child? The star gazing must have stuck in my mind and I thought that was probably a good way of explaining what happens to us when we leave this earth, rather than the brutal reality of John Clifford’s grisly death.
The person I tasked with explaining this was the big gruff shepherd, Tom Lawkland. I liked the idea of the contrast of this big rough fellow acting tenderly and sagely when he was posed a really difficult question by young Henry. Children are prone to ask the most awkward of questions and, in my mind’s eye, I could just picture Tom scratching his head and thinking how do I get out of this one then, before getting down on bended knee to young Henry’s level, smiling reassuringly at him and pointing to the star where all the bravest people go. I thought it would be comforting for the young boy to know that his father’s final resting place was still visible.
The Polaris or North star was the obvious choice for me as it is one of the most easily recognisable.
If you can identify the star group called The Plough, you can find Polaris by following the two right-hand stars of the group as shown on the diagram above. It is normally the brightest star in the sky and shepherds and sailors used it to get their bearings.
This device worked really well when we came to shoot the trailer and led to the iconic eyes in the sky theme when the focus turns heavenwards.
Next time you are out in the country (you don’t really get a good view in cities because of all the artificial lighting) have a look for the Pole star, the Milky Way and all the other constellations and just think how marvellous this must have seemed to a young shepherd boy.
The RSS button is on the front page of the Blog.
Hi,Yes reading you articles on your blog does make me think twice now, before i go and open my big gob
Keep working ,fantastic job!
Do you mind if I link this article from my website? I find myself coming to your website more and more often to the point where my visits are more or less every day now! Thanks again for putting this up. I unquestionably liked every part of it.
I want to thank you for this fascinating webpage I definitely loved every tiny bit of it. We have you bookmarked your website to look at the most recent stuff you post.
Hello, this is a seriouslygreat article. In principle I’d liketo create like this as well – taking time and real effort to make a great post.!!!. but what can I say.!!!. I procrastinate alot and by no means appear to have anything done. Thank You
Hello. magnificent job. I did not imagine this. This is a splendid story. Thanks!
Seriously, great post. Where is the website’s RSS feed?
Great Blog ! Regards.
thanks, interesting article
I???¨º?¨¨m impressed!! Actually informative blog post here my friend. I just wanted to comment & say maintain up the good quality work. I???¨º?¨¨ve bookmarked your blog just now and I???¨º?¨¨ll be back to read more within the future my friend! Also great colors on the layout, it???¨º?¨¨s genuinely easy on the eyes.
Man, nice blogpost. Where can I find your RSS feed?
Great articles and nice a website design too
You are a very bright individual!
This is like my third time coming by your site. Regularly I do not make comments on, but I have to mention that this article really pushed me to do so. Really awesome article!
Thank you for another fantastic posting. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of writing? I have a speech next week, and I was looking for more info
I always visit your blog and retrieve everything you post here but I never commented but today when I saw this post, I couldn’t stop myself from commenting here. Fantastic article mate!
I found your blog in the “Trackback” section of another blog. You write excellent content. I bookmarked your blog so I’ll definitely come back later. Keep up the good work!
excelent page. Good info congrats. This is one the best Reviews and info I have seen lately; one important thing I came across is the fact of the growing demand for seo companies . I am sure I will return to this website to enjoy a little more best regards, english to chinese translations
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is wonderful, let alone the content!