WOMAN WALKS AHEAD June 30th, 2018 by Set Decorator Wilhelm Pfau SDSA
Lakota Village Standing Rock...
Set Decorator Wilhelm Pfau SDSAI describes,
“We spent five days in 90+-degree heat building this village. It was so exhilarating to see it completed. We became experts at building tipis. My crew was amazing.
On the day we shot the large village, the Cinematographer said to me, ‘I know this is a lot to ask, but can we move those three tipis to the front?’ We had discussed in prep how difficult it would be to move them to camera. I said I would see what we could do. The Dressers moved the three in 20 minutes!
On the day I shot this photo we were near the completion and the crew had left for the day. I took a walk and turned around to see how it was coming along. What more can I say? The New Mexico light says it all.”
Photo by William Pfau ©2017 A24.
Catherine Weldon [Jessica Chastain], a Brooklyn debutante/now young widow who, against all odds, leaves New York to travel to the Dakotas in 1890 to paint the portrait of Lakota Chief Sitting Bull [Michael Greyeyes]. Unknowingly, she has arrived right as the US government is attempting to restrict the movement of the tribes by enacting the Allotment Treaty. Catherine is appalled at the living conditions on the reservation and is moved to assist the tribe in opposing the new treaty. –WPSet Decorator Wilhelm Pfau SDSA takes us through a photo tour of key sets for this beautiful, heartrending film, full of strength and spirit.Making WOMAN WALKS AHEAD was a wonderful experience. Every production has its hard days, but we all could feel we were creating something special. We had the full support of everyone. The Director, Susanna White, the cinematographer and the production crew understood how important the art department was in making this period piece. They were gracious, respectful and completely behind us.
The film WOMAN WALKS AHEAD will also be available on DirectTV...
Train to the Dakotas...
Newly widowed artist Catherine Weldon [Jessica Chastain] has decided to travel to the Standing Rock Reservation to paint a portrait of the great Lakota chief Sitting Bull.
Photo by Richard Foreman ©2017 A24.
Dining Car...
Pfau points out,
“We were so lucky to find this great period train car right here in Santa Fe. Carol Napier’s amazing drapery made this set shine.”
Sam Rockwell, Jessica Chastain. Photo by Richard Foreman ©2017 A24.
Catherine’s Train Compartment...
“The art department constructed this cabin on the period train we rented. The beginning of the film shows the opulence of the upper class settlers.
Catherine is so enthralled with the landscape and the freedom of the wide open plain.”
Jessica Chastain. Image courtesy A24 ©2017.
Catherine’s Train Compartment...
“I hardly ever like to make a bed in a film.
It feels more correct to me.”
Image courtesy A24 ©2017.
Dining Car...
Set Decorator Wilhelm Pfau SDSAI, opening the set...
Image courtesy A24 ©2017.
Fort Yates, North Dakota...
Image courtesy A24 ©2017.
On the outer range of Fort Yates…
“Catherine is unwelcome when she arrives in North Dakota and is left to fend for herself...”
Jessica Chastain. Photo by Richard Foreman ©2017 A24.
Marshall’s Dry Goods...
“Catherine’s courage in defying the settlers in her support of the Lakota was impressive and inspiring. Here, she is purchasing foodstuffs to feed the tribe.
Many Westerns have been filmed in New Mexico over the years, resulting in an extensive collection of period dressing. The first film to be produced in New Mexico, a Western, was shot in 1898.”
Rachel Singer, Jessica Chastain. Image courtesy A24 ©2017.
Indian Agent James McLaughlin’s office...
“In contemporary settings like this, I would dress many layers of personal objects, files and office dressing.
We kept his office sparse. We created period correct paperwork and maps. The etching above his desk is a re-creation of Napoleon’s army marching across wide plains.”
Ciarán Hinds. Photo by Richard Foreman ©2017 A24.
Indian Agent James McLaughlin’s office...
When Colonel Silas Grove [Sam Rockwell] informs McLaughlin [Ciarán Hinds] that the allotments of flour and sugar would be cut in half, “because starvation will help change Sioux minds towards signing the treaty,” the agent introduces him to his wife, Susan [Rulan Tangen], a Lakota Sioux...
Photo by Richard Foreman ©2017 A24.
Indian Agent James McLaughlin’s office...
Reverse shot of the office...
Sam Rockwell, Ciarán Hinds. Photo by Richard Foreman ©2017 A24.
Indian Agent James McLaughlin’s Dining Room...
“This scene involves a dinner for General Crook who has come to force the Lakota to relinquish a large portion of their lands.
Crook was involved in the Indian Wars and holds a grudge against Sitting Bull,”
Pfau notes...
“Gold was discovered in the Dakota Black Hills in the late 1880s. The US government then wished to give lands to white settlers for mining.
We wanted to show the comparison of the living conditions of the white settlers to the Lakota. The elite of the new settlers were able to ship crystal, china, oil paintings and other valuables on military wagons which very few had access to. Even with this advantage, they still lived a very sparse existence.”
Rulan Tangen, Bill Camp. Image courtesy A24 ©2017.
SHOW MORE PHOTOS
Sitting Bull’s Village at Standing Rock...
“After Sitting Bull was released from prison, the military forced him and his people to live in log cabins, on dry, desolate land, which they were to farm.
We erected a dead branch in the yard for a spirit tree.
This is where Sitting Bull offered his prayers to the Great Spirit.”
Photo by William Pfau ©2017 A24.
Sitting Bull’s Cabin, interior...
“We discovered vintage photos of the actual interior of Sitting Bull’s cabin and the Scenics matched the whitewash used in his cabin. We set out to re-create the very spare environment, again, showing the simple lifestyle on the reservation.”
Michael Greyeyes, Jessica Chastain. Image courtesy A24 ©2017.
Sitting Bull’s Cabin...
“The Special Effects crew did an exquisite job creating the snow scenes at the end of the film. Their expert technique added to the very poignant climax.”
Michael Greyeyes. Photo by Richard Foreman ©2017 A24.
Woman walking ahead...
“This scene was shot on the upper Pecos River. Many have a picture of New Mexico as a very dry desolate desert. What they do not realize is we are above 7000 feet in Northern New Mexico. The mountain rivers give us these beautiful forested locations.”
Michael Greyeyes, Jessica Chastain. Photo by Richard Foreman ©2017 A24.
Sitting Bull’s Tipi...
“This location is also high up on the Pecos River. We discovered a pristine meadow and constructed this 24-foot tipi just a short walk from the river. The difficulty was getting all of the crew to agree to stay on the path and not destroy the natural beauty.”
Jessica Chastain. Image courtesy A24 ©2017.
Sitting Bull’s Tipi, interior...
“In order to create an authentic environment, we discussed this interior in great detail and did extensive research into Native American spirituality. The design on the interior skirt was taken from ancient Lakota drawings. We wanted the simplicity to reflect the noble spirit of Sitting Bull.
Here, Catherine [Jessica Chastain], getting dry after a sudden storm, quietly takes it in.”
Photo by Richard Foreman ©2017 A24.
Sitting Bull’s Tipi, interior...
“Sitting Bull [Michael Greyeyes] explains how the military had forced them to burn their Native belongings in order to strip them of their natural way of life. However, he didn’t destroy everything. This was his hidden sanctuary.”
Image courtesy A24 ©2017.
Sitting Bull’s Tipi...
Sitting Bull [Michael Greyeyes] emerges from the tipi...
Catherine has asked him to pose for the portrait in his full chieftain regalia.
Note the stones and bones placed at the bottom of the tipi, ringing the entire tent...
Photo by Richard Foreman ©2017 A24.
Sitting Bull’s Tipi...
Sitting Bull [Michael Greyeyes] pauses for a moment, caught up in his responsibility to represent the spirit of his people...
Symbolism surrounds.
Photo by Richard Foreman ©2017 A24.
Council Tipi Interior...
Pfau reveals,
“We pulled back the smoke flaps of the tipi to get this great shot over the council meeting.”
Photo by Richard Foreman ©2017 A24.
Allotment Treaty Vote, Fort Yates, North Dakota...
“We set the treaty vote on the Parade Grounds of the fort. We had the largest group of actors here...this photo is early on.”
Image courtesy A24 ©2017.
Allotment Treaty Vote, Fort Yates, North Dakota...
“The large table felt so grand next to the humble Lakota.”
Rulan Tangen, Ciarán Hinds, Bill Camp, Sam Rockwell, Manny Greenfield. Image courtesy A24 ©2017.
Allotment Treaty Vote, Fort Yates, North Dakota...
“This scene demonstrates the reinvigoration of Sitting Bull, due to Catherine Weldon’s influence...
...and the futility of trying to change the outcome of the government's ambition.”
Michael Greyeyes. Photo by Richard Foreman ©2017 A24.
Lakota Village Standing Rock...
According to Director Susanna White, after getting advice from actual tribal elders about whether it would be right to stage The Ghost Dance, actors/dancers Michael Greyeyes and Rulan Tangen, choreographed it. The deeply significant spiritual dance was performed for the first time in over 100 years, on this set...
Image courtesy A24 ©2017.
Standing Rock...
Actor/choreographer/dancer Rulan Tangen, who plays McLaughlin’s Lakota wife and interpreter, had this to say about the two key players:
“The way Michael carried himself as a representation of the chief, it made everyone stop and listen and think, ‘Okay, if he’s going to make sure he gets the language right, everybody must.’ It took everybody really taking the time and the focus.
I think it probably began with Jessica Chastain,
because she said that she would not accept the role unless a First Nations person was cast as Sitting Bull.”
Michael Greyeyes, Jessica Chastain. Photo by Richard Foreman ©2017 A24.
