Another 15 minutes of fame for the Cardiff Giant

By: Erin Crissman, Curator

Last week, the Cardiff Giant received yet another opportunity for fame and stardom. A production crew from Optomem Productions came to film the Giant and to stage a reenactment of his burial and unearthing. They are producing a show for the Travel Channel called Mysteries of the Museum.  Ok, so the Giant isn't really a mystery any more, but he still makes a great story!

It was quite a full day. The crew arrived at about 9am. We undressed the Giant (well, not really since he is already undressed) by removing all of his exhibition props, labels, fencing bunting, banner and exhibition labels.  Then, we wheeled him out into the center of the entry area for some overhead shots.   

The crew spent the morning filming the Giant from a variety of angles and in a variety of dramatic lighting environments.

During the entire morning, it was quite pleasant outside.  Thankfully, it started raining for the afternoon's planned outside filming. (Don't things always work out that way?)

The guys made a mock-up of the Giant and some of our interpretive staff pretended to bury him. 

Ted Shuart, Patrick McGreggor and Rick Aborn were valiant and brave as they prepared to perpetrate one of the greatest hoaxes in American history.

Well, they stood in the rain for a few hours awaiting direction, but they did risk colds.

We're all excited to see the final show. The series will begin airing on the Travel Channel either late this year, or early in 2011. We will keep you posted.

Curious to find out who else will be featured?  Here's a great story about the crew filming at the Lizzy Borden House in Fall River, MA.