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Short description: The show follows the process
of designing and creating swords while following the lives
(and drama) of the individuals who make them. The forge is
involved in many different
arenas such as movies, martial arts, racing, firearms, and custom commissions.
Its
production also involves the side projects of the characters: a metal sculptor, a
graphic designer,
sword apprentices, a baker, a movie prop maker, and an
adventure/thrill seeking boss.
Full Treatment: The concept of The Forge is similar to American Chopper.
Each episode follows the
process of making specific swords and delves into their purpose and function; they
also
focus on the people and places that make swords and knives an important part
of everyday life.
Angel
Sword (www.angelswordstore.com) is a forge in Driftwood, Texas, owned by
Daniel Watson. As a sword smith, Dan gets involved
in a wide variety of events
including making knives and swords for serious collectors, martial artists, and
movie
and television producers.
Most collectors find Angel Sword at Renaissance festivals and the New York
custom knife shows we attend regularly
throughout the year. Knife shows tend
to center around a high society class of individuals who will pay several thousand
dollars for a single knife of exceptional quality. Some Angel Swords sell
for $22,000.
The
Texas Renaissance Fair has run for over 30 years with tens of thousands of
visitors every weekend, and the Angel
Sword booth is one of the big highlights
in Texas and other parts of the country. Inside the fairgrounds, lawyers
prance
around in chain mail bikinis, SCA fighters strut in full plate armor, and
beautiful women wander about
playing the roles of serving wenches, fairies
and royalty. The fairs spotlight the different crafts and roll playing
associated
with the world of swords: armories, duelists, comedians and belly dancers, etc.
A day in the life
of a fair worker could be an episode in itself.
Angel
Sword has created a unique niche for itself within the martial arts community.
The swords we produce
at the forge are some of the toughest in the world that can
withstand serious abuse during training and cutting
competitions. One of our blades
currently holds the world record for cutting the highest number
of mats with one
swing. Daniel and several employees of Angel Sword are trained in various forms
of
combat; this is important since the individuals creating the weapons know how to use
them and can make
recommendations to customers in different stages of training.
Several shows could focus on the many
aspects of martial arts and the incorporation
of combat weapons.
Prop
building for movies spans a variety of genres like science fiction, action,
foreign or historical films. The knife
in the movie Crocodile Dundee is an Angel
Sword Bowie. In the 2 movie myth episodes of Mythbusters,
the “super” katana used
in the sword versus sword and the sword versus gun myths was an Angel Sword.
Bones
has approached Angel Sword for props, a producer in LA is designing a sword for a
science
fiction TV pilot, and Angel Sword is also forging steel for a sword in an
upcoming movie. Props are something the
forge will continually be producing for
the film industry.
Dan’s heat-treating and tempering processes involves him in many different
situations.
From improving blades to conductivity in power lines, treating
racing car engines or high powered guns,
this show can have a wide variety of
educational topics. (Dan is also trying to start a rum business using some
of
the technology he developed for heat-treating steel.)
Dan has stirred up a lot of controversy in the blade smith community. His
history and mannerisms will serve him well as a main character on the show.
Several associations and individuals
dislike his opinions. He does make one
of the toughest blades in the business and is the largest custom maker of
sword and knives in the United States.
In
March 2008, Dan and a friend plan to go bear hunting in Alaska with
swords. The only current hold up is finding a guide
crazy enough to lead
them. If this event takes place before The Forge is picked up, we will
shoot
footage of and around this event.
Dan is married to a beautiful, eccentric Russian woman who helps with the
business. She is quite a character
and is fun to watch wherever she goes.
She is really into high-end fashion, exercise and ballroom
dancing.
When asked about the high price of the blades, employees joke,
“We’re supporting
Oksana's diamond addiction!”
As interesting as Daniel is, the
show does not need to focus on him.
Each of the employees has a unique talent, hobby or passion as well as an
outgoing
perspective on the shop and their lifestyle. Most are underpaid,
but they still choose to come to work everyday
because they enjoy what
they do. Based fifteen minutes south of Austin, Texas, the culture and
wide
variety of events and locations will bring a lot of interesting
scenarios for episodes to revolve around.
The
Forge will utilize several aspects of everyday
business to show many interesting and exciting views of Angel
Sword.
In conclusion, the success of The Forge
is based on the current appeal
of swords to a large audience interested in learning more about
how
they are made, who is buying them and why the employees at Angel
Sword
got into sword-making.
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