By Jane Mosgrove
After much research, both overseas and in Ottawa, the first draft of the script for The Water Man – a film depicting the life of Colonel John By is done.
The Water Man story is based on the instrumental work of Colonel John By in the construction of the Rideau Canal and the challenges he faced.
Josephine MacFadden has been working on the project for more than 20 years and recently returned from visiting England and Ireland where she received input on the script from investors and producers. The script was created by a team of Ottawa writers.
MacFadden says there was a tremendous amount of interest for The Water Man script in the U.K. She even received a written appraisal from Ardmore Studio, the Ireland production company responsible for the film, Angela’s Ashes.
The local community has also expressed a tremendous amount of interest in this film, rich in history and drama, that recognizes By’s contributions to Ottawa. However, gaining monetary support for this project, like the work of By, has required meticulous effort and patience.
MacFadden says one of the obstacles By encountered, was the time it took to get British government approval for various stages of the canal’s construction. By pushed ahead with the work and ultimately was recalled to England in disgrace for overspending. Without real recognition for his contributions, By died within two years of returning to England.
“It’s a wonderful story that has been lost in history,” MacFadden says.
The challenge now is to turn the script into a film that can bring history to life. Funding for development of the script has reached about $60,000, which is more than half way to the goal of $100,000. Not all expenses for developing the script have yet been paid, including the writers’ salaries in full.
A fund-raising gala dinner will be held at the Casino de Hull in early March. Commons Speaker Gilbert Parent, will be the guest speaker at the event. MacFadden says she hopes this event will bring the project much closer to the $100,000 goal.
She says she is also approaching high-tech industries to contribute.
In addition to money, The Water Man project still needs actors and a producer. Although major Canadian production companies including Alliance Atlantis have expressed interest, none are confirmed.
Doug Hotston, executive director of Ottawa 2000, says once stars and a big-name producer are committed to the film, contributors will be enticed to get involved.
Ottawa 2000, the planning group for the capital’s millennium celebrations, has taken The Water Man on as a heritage project.
Hotston says he hopes the film comes together sooner than later, but he says the film does not have to be completed by a fixed date.
“Technically the millennium doesn’t start until next year anyway, so there’s a lot of time within the realm of possibility,” Hotston says laughing.
MacFadden says there is a lot involved in making a movie but she is confident it will get done.
“It’s not a matter of if, but when,” she says.
There has been a great deal of interest and support for the film, MacFadden stresses, but many contributors are waiting for others to get on board first.
“It’s like a domino effect,” she says.
According to MacFadden one businessman is willing to guarantee 30 per cent of filming costs once another contributor comes forward.
Local artist Ruth Hall-McMillan says a challenge in getting funding for the film is that Ottawa is not known for film production.
“It’s very difficult to raise money for a film when there’s no (production) studio here,” McMillan says. “It’s hard for people to realize this is such a good thing.”
As a token of her support to film, McMillan has donated her painting that depicts the Rideau locks and the Bytown museum. The limited edition print, Commissariat and Rideau Locks, 1893, is given to those who contribute $1,000 to the project.
McMillan, who is also a member of the Historical Society of Ottawa, has read the script and says the film has a lot of important history to share.
“I think it will raise awareness of someone who was really special to Ottawa and to the country as a whole,” McMillan says. “If it wasn’t for Colonel By and the Rideau Canal there wouldn’t be an
Ottawa.”