A STARZ Original Series From Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore: Outlander

[figheadair]

"Without going completely off topic, this is not the case. Tartan per se was never banned and all the surviving examples of Culloden era tartans are dyed with imported dyestuffs. The camouflage idea is very much a Victorian myth and not borne out by evidence or tactical practicalities."

It has been my understanding that it was the wearing of the tartan that was banned by the 1746 Act of Proscription

Abolition and Proscription of the Highland Dress 19 George II, Chap. 39, Sec. 17, 1746:

That from and after the first day of August, One thousand, seven hundred and forty-six, no man or boy within that part of Britain called Scotland, other than such as shall be employed as Officers and Soldiers in His Majesty's Forces, shall, on any pretext whatever, wear or put on the clothes commonly called Highland clothes (that is to say) the Plaid, Philabeg, or little Kilt, Trowse, Shoulder-belts, or any part whatever of what peculiarly belongs to the Highland Garb; and that no tartan or party-coloured plaid of stuff shall be used for Great Coats or upper coats, and if any such person shall presume after the said first day of August, to wear or put on the aforesaid garment or any part of them, every such person so offending ... For the first offence,shall be liable to be imprisoned for 6 months, and on the second offence, to be transported to any of His Majesty's plantations beyond the seas, there to remain for the space of seven years.

So where does it say that tartan was banned? '....and that no tartan or party-coloured plaid of stuff shall be used for Great Coats or upper coats is not a ban on tartan but a particular use of tartan.

[frank_a]

To get us back on topic, I watched shows 2, 3 & 4 yesterday afternoon and very much enjoyed it. I am continually amazed at how good a job they did capturing the book, and find the characters eerily close to those developed by the author, particularly Clare and Jamie. I also get a kick out of how they use the same actors for Frank and Jack Randall and the good maid Mrs Fitz. I always try and have a wee dram during the viewing, and often find myself laughing and pointing out tidbits to the wee lass, who was the one that got me interested in the book series. It is a tough series to read when yer a workin stiff, that's fer sure!

Slainte,

Frank

[Liam]

So where does it say that tartan was banned? '....and that no tartan or party-coloured plaid of stuff shall be used for Great Coats or upper coats is not a ban on tartan but a particular use of tartan.

If you re-read my post you will see that I said wearing of the tartan was banned, not tartan itself.

But back on topic, I watched episode 2 last evening.

[Terry1948]

I watched episode 2 last night, and quite enjoyed it (although not all the commercials -- good grief, there are a lot! -- thanks goodness for the ability to record). Some of the previews of the next episode look like some minor deviation from the books, but I'm okay with that so long as the story line keeps close. The acting is good, the photography is quite special, and I did appreciate the piping.

[figheadair]

If you re-read my post you will see that I said wearing of the tartan was banned, not tartan itself.

But back on topic, I watched episode 2 last evening.

Sorry, but I have to disagree. The wearing of tartan was not banned. Highland clothes and specifically some tartan clothes but not all.

[Carlo]

If you re-read my post you will see that I said wearing of the tartan was banned, not tartan itself.
...

Sorry, but I have to disagree. The wearing of tartan was not banned. Highland clothes and specifically some tartan clothes but not all.

I think it's the time, again, we have to mention, that plaid is used differently in the UK and across the pond.
The plaid refers to the great kilt, not tartan fabric.

At least that was my understanding and it's one of the problems in intercontinental discussions that lead and have lead to arguements on this forum.

By the way, I enjoy the series very much.

[OC Richard]

Be sure to check out the second episode if you are able. There is some actual piping in it.

Could somebody post a link to that scene?

About 'actual piping' all of the piping on the soundtrack, I'm quite sure, is actual piping by Eric Rigler.

On-camera stuff is a different story, because usually the piper seen in a movie isn't the same person who is on the soundtrack. After all, the film might have been shot six months before the film was scored and in a different country, indeed a different hemisphere.

People are often not aware than in many scenes NONE of the sound they're hearing was actually recorded at the shot: the actors recorded the dialog in the studio later, and sounds such as footsteps etc were added later, and not only the score but also the 'source music' was recorded later and added to the scene.

The best way to have a musician playing onscreen (and I've done this myself a number of times) is to have the musician come into the studio and record his music BEFORE the scene is shot. Then at the shoot the same musician is there (after trips to wardrobe and makeup) and the director calls "PLAYBACK!" and a recording of the music is played, which the musician silently plays along with. If they sync up everything correctly later (they often do not) then it will look fairly convincing, because the musician's fingers or bow or pick will match the music. However an experienced musician will still able to see that it's mere play-acting (for example the guitarist isn't actually striking the strings with the pick, see the strings aren't vibrating? or the bowing isn't exactly matching the bowing on the soundtrack, or the piper's fingers aren't quite matching the music).

But usually the 'musician' onscreen is merely an extra or actor with a prop instrument.

OK I tried to find that scene, do you mean the ballroom scene where there's a piper? Could be an actor with prop pipes, could be an actual piper (though perhaps not the one heard). Where was that scene filmed? Yes the 'location' shots were in Scotland, but where are the interior shots filmed? Wiki suggests that all the principle photography is shot in Scotland, which makes it extremely unlikely that the 'piper' seen onscreen is the one heard on the soundtrack, because the music is recorded here in Hollywood.

I would guess that over there in Scotland (if all the photography is done there) they cast a local piper, probably more for his looks than his playing, because of course the pipes would never actually be played during shooting (the drones and chanter corked off). If a good piper they may have recorded him locally and used that sound on the soundtrack; quite possibly you're seeing him but hearing Eric Rigler playing in a Hollywood sound stage.

[Elizabeth]

The filming is all done in Scotland. The interior scenes are filmed in a huge old factory that has been converted into the stages. Bear McCreary is doing all the music. http://www.bearmccreary.com/#blog/bl...e-to-my-music/

I did a quick search and couldn't see where the music is recorded. Interesting topic.

Edited to add, here is a bit about the pipes half way down this post.
http://www.bearmccreary.com/#blog/bl...der-sassenach/

And I asked Herself Diana Gabaldon.
"For the most part, the themes and incidental music are done by Bear McCreary--he has an interesting blog (I don't have the link, but Google would find it). Some bits are done by specific groups, I think, but I don't have details."

[frank_a]

We saw episode 5 late this afternoon. I don't watch much TV, and was dogged tired, figured it would put me to sleep. Nope, kept me awake. I am very much enjoying the show.

Frank

[Dale Seago]

I'm totally enjoying the series, having been a fan of the books for ages. I found episodes 3 and 5 particularly powerful and evocative.