Pioneers in historical TV & film
Firebrand (feature)
REVOLUTIONIZING HISTORICAL DRAMA
HOW?
There’s a great story about a group of American car manufacturing executives who went to Japan to see how the Japanese assembly lines worked. The process seemed familiar, with one exception. Back home, an American worker would take a rubber mallet and tap the edges of the car door to make sure it fits the frame. In Japan, this mallet-man was conspicuously absent. Confused, the Americans asked at what point they make sure the door fits perfectly. The response, with a wry smile: “We make sure it fits when we design it.”
We don’t sell you the mallet. We help you design the door.
SceneSpan is the only company in the world that does this, and only this.
– Peter, Managing Director
“Peter and SceneSpan instinctively understand the balance between what is historically accurate and what dramatically works. Their research and advice always helped open up the world and its possibilities; they were there to collaborate, not police the production. They were invaluable all the way from the script to production.”
Anya Reiss
Creator / Writer / Executive Producer, Becoming Elizabeth
“Here you will find real learning communicated with style.
Here is insight and energy.”
Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster
“Whoa – we have a production historian on set?! That’s so useful! I have a thousand questions for you…”
Basically everyone we’ve ever worked with
Recent Posts
WARNING! The danger of reading historic art
Tonsured monks in Henry VIII’s bedroom? Historic art is a great resource for productions, but interpretation is key.
Read more “WARNING! The danger of reading historic art”
The myth of the monochrome Tudors
Do we understand the role of black men and women in our history and on our TV screens? We have a lot to learn about the black Tudors.
Read more “The myth of the monochrome Tudors”
Can we lie about history?
Are the makers of period drama allowed to fib about history? To what extent? And under what circumstances?
Read more “Can we lie about history?”
Our services
Consulting
More important than having the answers is asking the right questions. SceneSpan is unique because it works proactively – not reactively – with writers, script editors, producers and directors to identify early on what the historical questions will be, and fix them before time and money are wasted.
Advice and support for costume and art departments makes for a happy team and a visually stunning show.
On-set
As shooting begins, your consultant is on set and location to support directors, ADs, cast and crew. Experts are on hand to help the production stay the historical course, and answer those last-minute questions (and trust us – there are always plenty of those).
Schedule a free consultation
