Now for the “Australians of Arabia ...and Lawrence” project outline
Given this background, clearly through examples like the Daily Telegraph’s piece (and even the BBC’s) popular opinion still follows the sham faithfully. Thus:
• To right the wrong – to increase the awareness of the Australian and worldwide public.
• To restore the honour of our Diggers and elevate Australia to its rightful place on the world stage.
• Australia has first rate credentials based on a solid foundation – as exemplified by the spirit of the Pioneer and the Digger / Light-horsemen – skilled and gifted individuals.
• Australia epitomizes the spirit of adventure, indeed, the spirit of the ‘Great South Land’, a stable democracy (fought for by our Diggers) – the ‘land of opportunity’ as we approach the next millennium.
(Aptly this situation alludes to those famous words:
“the Mediterranean was the sea of the past, the Atlantic of the present, and the [West] Pacific of the future”.)
Produce:
• Film / Spin-off TV Series and ‘Making of’/ Background Documentary
• Accompanying Book
• Internet Web Site
• Theme Park
• 80th Anniversary ’1918-1998 Commemorative Celebration Ooctober 1, ’1998
[Simultaneously in Damascus / Syria, Israel, El Arish Nth Qld, and other Australian cities and towns.]
• Controversial subject matter – Lawrence is a subject that ineluctably infatuates the public – there have been over 40 biographies on Lawrence, and of course an epic film.
• Eerie timing: 80th Anniversary – October 1, 1918-1998; new millennium – Sydney Olympics 2000 – the world’s eyes on Australia.
• Australia’s increasing perception as the land of opportunity (the solid, democratic, multi-cultural foundation alluded to above, cf. the upheaval in many other parts of the world...).
• Unlike other attempts, the storyline would not focus only on the WWI era / Light-horsemen theme, but would be mixed with more modern themes to give it wider appeal. And the storyline is based on a true story, including the non-WWI era elements.
~ ~ ~
• The story could be partly autobiographical, as seen through eyes of the writer / narrator / Australian descendant of pioneers and Diggers.
• The time sequence would be a mixture of flash-backs and forwards, probably starting with James Hogan’s establishment of Bally-Hogan at Byron Bay in ’1882. Then the expansion north to the Atherton Tablelands (c.’1908).
• Parallel editing would show a montage of Lawrence’s development in the early 1900s; his scholarly adventurous double-life (’1888-1935), contrasted with Jack Hogan’s no-nonsense adventurous pioneer / Digger life (’1887-1938).
[Interestingly, Jack’s brother, Jim, eerily shares T.E.L.’s birthday of August 16 (and he died July 8, the birthday of Richard Aldington, who published the first dissenting biography).
Note: TEL’s birthday is not August 15 – Napoleon’s birthday – as he led everyone to believe. He also dated his Preface to Seven Pillars – 15.8.26]
• Then we come to the outbreak of war – '1914.
• Diggers like Jack Hogan volunteering to go half-way round the world to fight tyranny.
• The ALH originally disembarking at Alexandria in '1915. Unexpectedly, they find themselves separated from their horses and detoured to the Gallipoli fiasco made by Winston Churchill and General Hamilton.
• It is only when an Australian war correspondent, Keith Murdoch (Rupert Murdoch's father), blows the whistle, that the British high command are forced to admit the truth.
• The ALH are then re-united with their horses back in Alexandria, on the eve of an epochal change to history in the Middle East.
• '1916-18: the Middle East Campaign – scenes of what Lawrence really did compared with the Australian Light-horse.
• The capture and liberation of Damascus by the Australians at dawn October 1, ’1918; Lawrence arriving late around 9:00am (after being detained by an Indian patrol); and not making his entrance majestically Arabian on a camel-back, but in a Rolls Royce.
[Perhaps shoot Lawrence’s fantasy version, followed by what really happened.]
• The Diggers comes across as liberators of the Holy Land after 400 years of Turkish tyranny, indeed grim reapers, even. (And though they would be displaced by the Impostor and forgotten, their deeds would eventually be uncovered and used to elevate not only themselves but also Australia – a kind of poetic justice)
• After the war: show how Lowell Thomas (the American journalist) created the Lawrence of Arabia myth; and Lawrence’s biographers got on the bandwagon...
• History is distorted, deeds of the Australian Light-Horsemen are forgotten.
• Jack’s founding of El Arish, Nth Qld.
[Jack’s role would be a composite character representing all of the Diggers.]
• Coming forward to the 1950s – the successful suppression and attack on Richard Aldington’s dissenting biography exposing Lawrence.
• David Lean’s ’1962 film based entirely on Lawrence’s version of history ensuring the myth is safe for decades to come.
[Possibly have a dream scene, set later, when David Lean is a sick and dying old man:
After being hounded by a critical biography researcher, questioning in particular, his use of only Lawrence’s version, we have Lean dreaming – he is back in the desert filming his beloved Lawrence of Arabia, reliving glorious times – we see him smiling blissfully in his sleep.
Then he notices a dot on the horizon, something is riding towards him, he thinks he is replaying the famous scene introducing Ali (Omar Sharif), but as it gets closer he realizes it's not a man on camel-back, but horse. Then fear begins to creep over him, he knows this is his grim reaper as he focuses on the slouched hat – it’s an Australian Light-horseman, who finally draws up close to Lean, we see he clearly comes direct from the battlefield (allusion to being conveyed by the Valkyries of Valhalla). Initially the light-horsemen stares at Lean, and then he... ]
• Forward to the late 1980s, we meet our narrator / descendent of the Pioneers - Light-horsemen (P). He initially is an executive for an importing / marketing subsidiary of a German (an ironic allusion to the adversary in the war) multinational in Sydney.
- Then P, contrary to company plans, talks his way (initially rejected, but threatens to quit, as he is the one that does the relevant work while his boss takes the credit – a la Lawrentian style) into accompanying his boss on a business trip to Japan – ends up marrying the secretary to the President of the Japanese company he is visiting. (True story – 1987-88)
[This constitutes part of the romance element of the story.]
- P gets caught up in recession and lay-offs of late 80s – goes on adventure to Japan (1989) for 5-6 years, mainly working as a speechwriter for a large Japanese multinational...
- Various interesting experiences in Japan re differences between Eastern and Western cultures etc.; the inside workings of a Japanese company...
• While in Japan P stumbles onto an idea for a new product with multi-billion dollar sales potential (which he affectionately code names ‘PB’). P is able to intuit (in the tradition of a Ray Kroc-like fragment-fusion of experiences, observation, conversations, listening – a proverbial socio-economic epiphany) because he is not a typical gaijin (foreigner). Gaijin are mostly green, mid 20s recent graduates, working in English conversation schools, who are just having a break before embarking on their careers, or, the other type of gaijin, the company transferees, who live insulated lives. In cold contrast, P-chan (the name he is affectionately called by his company OLs - office ladies) is literally on the streets, armed with a business/marketing background.
Though PB would be launched in Japan it is a natural global product. Indeed, innately it surpasses Bill Gates’ Microsoft Windows in marketability, since it could be used by every person that walks on the planet. PB represents an altruistic / philanthropic enterprise – a ‘feel good’ product.
And it would gain assistance from MITI because by nature, it is one of the few products that can help to alleviate the infamous trade friction – the problem being most importable products are already manufactured successfully by the Japanese. PB beats them at their own game. The Japanese, themselves don’t see it because they are too close to their own market (a ‘trees vs. forest view’ problem).
PB is entirely innovative, and obviously its full nature cannot be revealed until adequate patent protection, etc. has been put in place. It is only hinted at in the story and becomes more clear in the possible sequel.
[The story being partly set and filmed in Japan could open up all kinds of marketing possibilities...]
• Japanese recession bites in...
- 1995: ‘P’ returns to Australia; goes back to university (UTS – BA Social Sciences and International Studies with Japan Major);
- family history research – great grandfather’s pioneers Byron Bay; expansion to the Atherton Tablelands, Nth Qld; fascinated by the founding of El Arish and naming after Middle East campaign...;
- researching WWI Middle East campaign – Lawrence / Damascus October 1, 1918 sham; P approaching corporations for support... [i.e. to present day – story within a story technique]
The plot complications are the difficulty / frustration / rejections, P experiences in getting the story out and achieving the objective, building to the climax of the film
Finally P is able to somehow get the attention of Rupert Murdoch's Fox Studios - through the fact that it was Rupert's father, Keith Murdoch, a war correspondent at the time, who was instrumental in getting the ALH on track for their epochal contribution to historyRupert is, as usual, interested in exposing the establishment - so the movie gets made against all odds (with the potential for a spin-off TV series).
[At this point not knowing the public’s reaction, the scene is set for a possible sequel.]
Exotic settings and locations also enhance the storyline. Apart from promoting Sydney in line with the Olympics, many scenes are set in: Byron Bay;
[Byron is an increasingly famous international destination (travel agents often display signs that show major cities, and incongruously, this little town) – no doubt due to its mystical aura of rebirth / rejuvenation; and Cape Byron is the most easterly point of the continent; the location of the old family holding, Bally-Hogan (lost many years ago, directly due to key sons being casualties of war), is still easy to find, as local maps show the mystical geographic formation/ pinnacle that rises majestically in the heart of the heritage estate, called Hogan’s Bluff – a shot of which would probably be appear in the film.
Note: Paul Hogan—who apparently now owns a hotel there with John Cornell and his wife Delvene Delaney—is a ‘Johnny come lately’ and no relation to the Hogan pioneer family.]
Japan; and the Middle East (conjuring scenes captured by David Lean, but he missed being able to include mystical Petra).
A TV spin-off would expand on the pioneering adventures, Lawrence’s true life and development years, the development of the Lawrence Myth / Lowell Thomas / David Lean’s epic film sham; the Middle East campaign; P’s experiences in Japan... all with a mixture of flash-backs and flash-forwards...
(P’s experience in Japan should make for a fascinating sub-plot as few Western films have addressed the Westerner’s view of Japan culture.)
So, although the project has a foundation of ‘Australians of Arabia’ (Australians leaving our shores to fight half-way around the world), it is innately dynamic and evolving, as it alludes to wider connotations – an ever changing world.
As the story incorporates Asian elements (Australians dealing with the No. 1 country in the region – Japan, to boot.) we move towards a new phase: ‘Australians of Asia’ (the reality of Australia’s geographical juxtaposition on the globe); and then the PB global product conjures a sense of ‘Australians of the World’ (the world coming to Australia) situation, and the potential to 'buy back the farm'.
And it’s highlighting these wider global implications that gives the project viability:
- Previous approaches that focus only on the ‘1914-18 era’ leave the observer thinking: “well we did some good stuff 80 years ago, now back to my present day problems, and what about my future?”
- Our approach that respects the deeds of our ancestors, but evolves to the present, and beyond, would leave the observer with a ‘feel good now’ impression – “Wow! The people associated with this project are ‘cutting-edge’, I want to get in on the action – use their products...”
~ ~ ~
• Synchronized with the film promotion, TV Spin-off series and ‘Background / Making of’ documentary, could be an associated commercial campaign. With “We proudly sponsor...” approach.
In the eyes of the public your organization would be seen to be a trooper for promoting Australia spirit and part of the cutting-edge elite.
• A promotion campaign might also work-in with the 80th Anniversary commemorative celebrations of the Australian capture of Damascus, completing the liberation of the Holy Land – October 1: 1918-1998.
• Listing on our web site as a supporter along with your customized promotion banner.
Enhances Corporate Image
• Your organization would be getting lots of favourable exposure coinciding nicely with the attention Australia will receive with the Olympics.
• Could even put out a booklet now announcing the project and your sponsorship.
Enhances Standing in the Japan Market
• The writer’s Japan experiences, and the story being partly set in Japan could be used to enhance your standing in that market – a possible Japan TV commercial campaign with P doing commercials in Japanese.
The level of financing depends on to the degree of interest that can be aroused in prospective supporters, corporations and individuals. Floating a public company to attract equity capital would be another alternative.
All of which, directly effects our deadlines, and the importance of taking as much advantage as possible of the October 1, ’1918-1998 – 80th Anniversary and the Sydney ’2000 Olympics.
Now, ideally financing is required for all elements of the project. However, if it is difficult to obtain financing for the high cost components, like a multi-million dollar movie (even with multiple-financing from many backers), perhaps we could just start with financing the setting up of the company, an information booklet, Internet web site (a key tool/ factor), and the licensing / merchandising of promotional items.
E.g. Revenues from AOAL Booklet / Promotional Ventures
If we can garner support from the Government (who should see the benefits relating to Australian generally, and as a primer to the Sydney Olympics), RSL and general community – through inexpensive promotion (media, Internet, etc.) holding the 80th Anniversary festivities on October 1, 1998 would be a reality.
Now to accompany the celebrations — street parades through major cities, etc.— we would be selling an AOAL program/information booklet explaining the whole project.
It might retail for say $3.95. If the majority of the country gets behind the event, and there is no reason why they shouldn’t, then it would be quite reasonable to expect booklet sales of at least 500,000 units – not too mention international sales – if we are successful in getting attention overseas, particularly through similar festivities in Damascus and Israel.
That translates to local sales revenues of $2,000,000 plus – just for the booklet (very conservative, considering it’s based on only 3% of the population respecting their ancestors enough to buy the booklet).
Merchandising
Merchandising of promotional products – flags, T-shirts, caps, toys, computer games, etc. – is seen as a key revenue spinner. If we get the expected international exposure, sales through our Internet web site would take on a look of hero-type projects of a similar nature (viz. where the hero get the Joseph Campbellian ‘call to adventure’ to go to exotic lands to free a suppressed people and/or find the magic elixir), like the ‘Steven Spielberg/George Lucas Indiana Jones series’ – that could take revenues, in the first year, into the tens of millions of dollars.
AOAL Specialty Outlets
Looking down the track, we could also have AOAL specialty stores, carrying all our promotion products, and maybe even a chain of bar / restaurants.
Theme Park
Another spin-off venture might be a Light Horsemen Liberating the Holy Land theme park type operation – American Hollywood / Disney style. Specifically, located somewhere in Australia where the landscape is similar to the Middle East. Perhaps in central Queensland – ideally inland from the El Arish / Cairns coast, or even near Alice Springs. The main attractions would be viewing close up the Billjim (Light-horsemen) and their walers (their beloved horses, that were mostly bred in New South Wales), and perhaps re-enactments of the ‘Charge at Beersheba’, and the ‘Capture of Damascus’. And of course, there would be special events on the major anniversaries of the victories.
And again, there would be lots of opportunities for advertising our sponsors and supporting corporations.
Thus, the key objective of these ongoing / daily activities and promotions would be that they maintain the awareness of the public as to the epochal achievement of the Light-horsemen in the Holy Land.
And profits from the ventures would then go towards the financing of the movie and TV productions, etc. But of course they would achieve greater revenues if scheduled to take advantage of the October 1, 1998 deadline.
A proper financial analysis will be prepared, but that too requires financing.
~
For my part to date, I have already given up a lucrative career (speech-writing in Japan) in order to commit myself 100% to this project.
Eerily, I’m starting to feel like the Billjim back in the Arabian desert, fighting a war all by themselves, only to be forgotten. The toil could well go for nought again, and be quite discouraging, but for one big difference to 80 years ago (or even 10 years ago) – the Internet – it has the potential to immortalize even a little guy’s vision. So getting our web site set up is a critical first step.
It’s increasingly ironic, a lot of my experiences are also similar to Lawrence – living in an Eastern country, etc. – I guess, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em – then beat them at their own game.
If successful they didn’t die for nothing
If Australians can some how pull this off, the world wide public will be made aware (the ultimate manifestation of such awareness being a memorial march of a delegation of Australians, mounted on Walers, into Damascus on October 1, 1998, under the spotlight of the world’s media) that without the Australian Light-horsemen – the most successful cavalry in modern history, innately suited to the 'Outback-like' desert conditions of the Middle East 1916-1918:
1. The British would have remained in a defensive position (they were tenuously trying to hold-off Turkish attacks, who by 1916 had captured El Arish and marched through the Sinai and were threatening Suez / Egypt) as they were mainly preoccupied with the slaughter and stalemate on the Western Front.
2. The tide could not have been reversed, the Holy Land would not have been liberated – the Turks would still be there.
3. Infantry and orthodox British cavalry, could never have reached Jerusalem, Damascus and other milestones, in time, before the Armistice.
[For objective proof of these cold hard facts, look no further than the account put together by W.T. Massey, the on-the-spot official British correspondent attached to the Middle East campaign 1916-1918, in his ‘Allenby’s Final Triumph’, 1920, p.10. It’s supposed to centre on Allenby, but the Australians are all over the key passages.]
4. There would have been no Middle East theatre.
5. No opportunity for the ambitious Hussein/Faisal led Hejaz Arab tribe of the southern area of Arabia (constituting an insignificant percentage of the Arab population, most of whom remained neutral, naturally disliking any occupying nation, or aligned with their Islamic Turkish brothers, and was therefore never what Lawrence implied, viz., a united Arab Revolt).
6. Lawrence would have remained a clerk in the Cairo Intelligence Office (he was rejected for regular duty – being too short at 5’4” / 165cm (cf. David Lean’s casting of Peter O’Toole, standing 6’2” / 184cm).
7. There would have been no theatre for Lowell Thomas to discover the raw material from which he could create his myth, he would have just gone home early from the Western Front, no doubt very disillusioned.
8. No myth for David Lean to make his 1962 film, reviving and perpetuating the sham for an additional 36 years...
If we can do that for our ancestors (and for Australia), then, their blood, sweat and toil would not have gone for nothing after all – though it may have taken 80 years the Impostor would be finally exposed. And the Light-horsemen would, along with his country, be elevated to their elite place in modern history, as the “Liberators of the Holy Land”.
The overdue debt of the major judeo-christian powers owed to Australia
Further, the major judeo-christian players – the British, French, American and the Jews (the group who carved up the booty won and made possible by Australians; the group that holds 90% of the world’s wealth) – would also be exposed as being heavily indebted to Australia, and well overdue in conveying their tangible gratitude.
Thus, the manifestation of that gratitude should be more than a handshake and a few kind words. They have all made substantial territorial and monetary gains out of the Turks being kicked out of the Holy Land by Australians – now it’s time to backpay the facilitator. (Indeed, they should be the ones making major contributions to funding the above AOAL project elements – the film, etc.!)
~
Countdown to D(amascus) Day
Anyway, if you could some how see your way clear to actively supporting this project then its make or break time.
We need to pick up the pace, especially since October 1, ’1998, is now less than a year away. Ironically, it’s like another march on Damascus with all the obstacles and problems, and with success critically dependent on unwavering support lines.
As the old saying goes:
“The Fates draw the willing, and drag the reticent”.
Fittingly, that just leaves us with the inexorable obligation to our Pioneer-Digger ancestors.
Lest (some of) Us Forget
Email: ct12000@yahoo.com
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Copyright © '1997 Peter Hogan
ISBN: 0-646-34870-1
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