Customer Reviews

Dakota Epic: Experiences of a Reenactor During the Filming of Dances With Wolves

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Bill Markley sheds light on many behind the scenes action that takes place in the filming of a major movie. His highly descriptive account of his days as a reenactor makes one feel as if one were actually on set. He also explains some of the tricks that were used to film the scenes, making them look highly authentic. The author tells of the boredom from long hours on the set and what cast and crew do to entertain themselves while waiting for their call. There are fantastic sketches by another reenactor, Jim Hatzell, which illustrate the book. The sketches were also done while on set.
Markley shares what it was like to meet and work with a famous actor, something most everyone dreams of but never gets the opportunity. The odds of a "Dakota" boy being cast in a Hollywood epic were one in a million, so dream your dream with "Dakota Epic!"

Enhanced with black and white illustrations by Jim Hatzell, Dakota Epic: Experiences Of A Reenactor During The Filming Of Dances With Wolves is Bill Markley's fascinating, first-hand, personal account of what went on behind the scenes of the award-winning 1990 movie Dances With Wolves. This is the revealing viewpoint of a hard-working extra who kept a journal during the filming of what was to become an acclaimed and successful major Hollywood movie. Sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, always fascinating, Dakota Epic is a superb, up-close scrutiny of the trials, tribulations, and successes of a great move and highly recommended reading for film buffs, aspiring actors, and anyone who sat in a darkened theatre and got completely caught up in the Kevin Costner's award-winning epic film.

This is one of the best books I have read on filmmaking in quite a while. It's doesn't dive into technicalities, which is good on some occasions, but "Dakota Epic" is more of a hands-on experience book. It's a good read from the point of view of an extra, and it's not too personalized, that it gets boring. And the illustrations in the book capture the feel of what is being read to tee. This is a great book about the making of a great film, and why the heart of that film didn't come from its big star and director, but from the native Dakota blood involved in its making. Great job!
-G. M. Collias

I liked this book so much that I ordered another one for my son, Mark Tapio Kines, who makes indie movies. It's a riotous look at a re-enactor who had to dress the part of a southern soldier at the start of this movie, then change his uniform and represent the North toward the end of the movie. The attitudes of the soldiers on the "other side" created a riot, as seen through Bill Markley's eyes. The set designers in the movie wanted the scene to look autumnal so they painted the leaves on the trees orange and gold. However, the soldiers had to be absolutely authentic. It's a nice comment on Hollywood at its best.