Classic Book 'Pilgrim’s Progress' Brought Back To Life In Multimedia Reinterpretation
CLASSIC BOOK BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE
Pilgrim’s Progress is one of the most influential literary works in history, but many people are unfamiliar with it. The allegorical story written in the 17th Century by John Bunyan has never been out of print and has been translated into more than two-hundred languages.
In a bid to help a new generation of people to connect with the story, a mother -and- daughter duo from Cornwall have created a multimedia reinterpretation of the tale. Combining narration, dialog performed by voice actors and fifteen original songs, composer Brenda Taylor and vocalist Juliet Dawn have created something truly unique. To accompany the audio elements, the pair collaborated with visual artists and filmmakers to bring the project to life in a feature-length video that has already been picked up by TV networks.
Whilst the concept didn’t have Hollywood backing or the financial resources to aim for the Westend, the duo invited their friends and church family to help them turn their ambitious digital story-book idea into a reality. After raising £18,000 through crowdfunding site Rocket Fuel, they started work on the project, and eighteen-months later it’s finally complete.
Alongside music and video content, the pair have also produced a study book that individuals and church groups can journey through. Behind the songs and lyric videos, viewers can sample high-definition footage of Cornwall, that the tourist board would be proud of.
PROJECT REVIEW
It’s not like anything else out there. With a shoe-string budget in film-making terms, Pilgrim’s Progress has fused together elements including an illustrated map, slow-motion video footage and interactive audio dialog. In the absence of live action, the voice actors have been brought to life through pencil drawing as tasteful sound effects accentuate the scene played out.
Leading the cast is singer and poet, Juliet Dawn. She plays the part of ‘Christian’, the protagonist on his way from the City Of Destruction to The Celestial City.
Facing merciless giants, the angry townspeople of Vanity Fair and more hills and valleys that I managed to keep count of, the pilgrim’s journey is treacherous. For those unfamiliar with the original story, you can clearly see how John Bunyan's allegory has inspired the works of Tolkien, C.S Lewis and even J.K Rowling.
The project is being launched online on Saturday 1st July with an interacting watching party via Zoom and YouTube. Transforming an epic literary adventure into a feature-length video is not a project for the faint-hearted. With many ‘modern’ remakes of Pilgrim’s Progress already on the market, this adaptation put together by Dovetail Shalom Ministries carries an artistic flair and creative charm. Describing the project is, in many ways, also a challenge as it weaves together a number of different threads. Beneath the 16 original songs, the narrative and lyrics are supported by high-definition footage captured around the Cornish coast and countryside. If anywhere in England evokes the spirit of this 17th Century allegory, it must surely be this Cornwall.
