The inspiration behind the Taiwanese movie, “Marching Boys,” was to emphasize the passionate, artistic nature of marching band performers and shine a spotlight on the intricacies involved in creating each performance. The ability to carry heavy instruments so gracefully, make music, and produce an aesthetic display for the audience, all in unison with fellow performers, is such a skillful art form. Equally impressive is the planning for these complex productions by the visual designers, drill writers, choreographers, and band directors.

The movie is set in 1992, shortly after martial law was lifted in Taiwan. A high school student bound for a top medical college decides to pursue his passion instead by joining the school’s marching band.

Marching Boys Trailer: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=wwXIfr&v=628313843368685&rdid=geZGJcfXkni5Pu0W

 

Our team at Pyware were thrilled when contacted by the movie’s production team to be highlighted in this international film. The designer for the marching band featured in the movie utilized Pyware 3D for all the performances within the production.

Damien Fan, drill designer and Associate Professor in the Graduate Program in Translation and Interpretation at the National Taiwan University, has used Pyware for roughly 20 years throughout the course of his career and was responsible for the drill design in the movie. He chose to use the program for this film largely in part of the software’s efficiency in making instant edits, also to better convey his ideas to members of the project – specifically those not well-versed in the marching band space.

 

 

“Using Pyware for this film project was an easy decision. In a movie-production setting, changes often need to be made quickly to enhance the visual impact of a scene. Pyware offers the flexibility to make those adjustments efficiently. It not only helps me implement changes on the fly, but it also enables the crew, including the director and cinematography – who may not be familiar with the marching arts – to visualize the drill and better understand the creative possibilities,” Damien explained.

 

 

“I’ve been using Pyware since around 2004, and it has consistently impressed me with its intuitive design and adaptability to ensembles of all levels. I especially appreciate the regular updates, and most of all, the consistently prompt and friendly support from Dustin Merrell (Pyware’s Application Systems Director) and the team,” he continued.

 

 

In the final credits of “Marching Boys,” a series of design formations created in Pyware are displayed, giving the audience an inside look into the forethought from the drill writer and band members that contributed to the overall design of the performances.

 

 

“We believed that including Pyware in this context not only adds authenticity to the film but also shows the valuable role the software plays in the marching arts community. The software has been an invaluable tool for marching band professionals worldwide, and we are honored to highlight its contribution in Marching Boys” Production Team Member, Denise Lin, stated.

 

 

Pyware will continue striving to expand the reach of the software; making a positive, global impact on the marching arts and all those that participate in the craft is our primary goal.

Thank you to all those that were involved in creating “Marching Boys!” The Pyware Team was truly honored to have been highlighted in this international production. The film will be released in Taiwan this summer with global release dates to be determined.