SPARKEFILMS HISTORY DESIGN
Copyright 2011 SPARKEFILMS
Postal Address: 8 Londy st,
Eagleby, QLD 4207
Postal Address: 8 Londy st,
Eagleby, QLD 4207
I a n S p a r k e
P r o d u c t i o n D e s i g n e r, C o s t u m e D e s i g n e r & M i l i t a r y A d v i s o r
P r o d u c t i o n D e s i g n e r, C o s t u m e D e s i g n e r & M i l i t a r y A d v i s o r
One Man's Dedication to History: A Brief Overview
Following almost 20 years service with the Australian Army Reserve, Ian began supplying uniforms, equipment and expert
knowledge to screen and live productions over fifteen years ago. He is now one of the busiest men in this field, with credits on
major feature films, television series and stage productions.
Ian started collecting military items at a young age and at nineteen he joined the Army Reserve as an Infantryman. Over the years of training he experienced, just some of what the men in history's wars before him would have went through: Living in fox holes, ambushes, withdrawal's, hurry up and waits and major combat exercises.
Ian started collecting military items at a young age and at nineteen he joined the Army Reserve as an Infantryman. Over the years of training he experienced, just some of what the men in history's wars before him would have went through: Living in fox holes, ambushes, withdrawal's, hurry up and waits and major combat exercises.
While in the Army in the early 80's, Ian's collection of militaria had grown. He started to be called upon for live displays and
History lectures for schools. The latter proving very popular and had Ian travelling around parts of Australia. Ian's unique
approach to military history, put down the war but bring up the people, made it easy for adults as well as children to understand
the friendships and hardships of life "back then".
Around this time he also started a number of re-creation groups and even a local cadet unit that is still running to this day, with Ian handing it over to others as work grew. With the re-creation groups Ian was called on for even more live events, ANZAC day marches and services. You could call Ian one of the 'Grandfathers' of the modern re-enacting groups in Australia.
Around this time he also started a number of re-creation groups and even a local cadet unit that is still running to this day, with Ian handing it over to others as work grew. With the re-creation groups Ian was called on for even more live events, ANZAC day marches and services. You could call Ian one of the 'Grandfathers' of the modern re-enacting groups in Australia.
The defining moment of his new business was in 1993. Australia was bringing back an UNKNOWN SOLDIER from the battlefields
in France of World War One and a large ceremony was going to be held in Canberra. The Australian Army history department
contacted Ian about supplying their honour guard with authentic uniforms. Ian took on the job with great passion, however army
rules would not allow him to serve in the reserve's AND work for the history department. He had to choose between the two. Ian
took the step and went with his business plan of supplying the entertainment Industry with the best historic military uniforms in
Australia. The Unknown Soldier ceremony was a success and became his first 'professional' job.
Over the next 3 years the business grew with leaps and bounds. Ian and crew went around Australia for the 1995 "Australia Remembers", the 50th anniversary of the end of World War 2, including Paraliment house in Canberra and help design huge ceremonies in Sydney. He also worked on history documentaries, even directing one himself: "Women In Khaki"
Over the next 3 years the business grew with leaps and bounds. Ian and crew went around Australia for the 1995 "Australia Remembers", the 50th anniversary of the end of World War 2, including Paraliment house in Canberra and help design huge ceremonies in Sydney. He also worked on history documentaries, even directing one himself: "Women In Khaki"
In 1996 Ian was employed by the history theme park 'Timbertown'. Ian not only used his now huge wardrobe/webbing and
props for the park but was also the co-ordinator for the parks actors and became's the theme park's number one main actor,
playing almost 10 different characters and featuring in all the parks T.V promo's and brochures.
As 1998 drew to a close Ian decided to make the move to Australia's Gold Coast, near Warner Roadshow's Studio. It payed off with many productions calling upon him. Ian then bought out 90% of Warner Roadshow's wardrobe department, doubling his collection to around 50,000 items!
He then went on to provided military wardrobe and webbing for televisions series including My Brother Jack, Changi, Jeopardy and Jessica. Another next big step was being placed as main unit Researcher/Webber for the Miramax feature film The Great Raid. This was followed by servicing
As 1998 drew to a close Ian decided to make the move to Australia's Gold Coast, near Warner Roadshow's Studio. It payed off with many productions calling upon him. Ian then bought out 90% of Warner Roadshow's wardrobe department, doubling his collection to around 50,000 items!
He then went on to provided military wardrobe and webbing for televisions series including My Brother Jack, Changi, Jeopardy and Jessica. Another next big step was being placed as main unit Researcher/Webber for the Miramax feature film The Great Raid. This was followed by servicing
At the begining of 2007 the upcoming mini series "The Pacific", from the creators of 'Band of Brothers', hired two containers full
of wardrobe, webbing, props and set decorating for the epic series. Ian, along with his own team, then went on to be employed
by the production in the webbing dept.
When the series wrapped in mid 2008 Ian left the show as Webbing Supervisor and went on to work for the Feature 'Wolverine' staring Hugh Jackman in a prequal to the X Men movies. Ian was once again webbing supervisor for a short but exciting sequence having to ensure as accurate equipment as possible while having to meet the needs of an action film.
When the series wrapped in mid 2008 Ian left the show as Webbing Supervisor and went on to work for the Feature 'Wolverine' staring Hugh Jackman in a prequal to the X Men movies. Ian was once again webbing supervisor for a short but exciting sequence having to ensure as accurate equipment as possible while having to meet the needs of an action film.
2009 brought the WW1 feature film 'BENEATH HILL 60' and Ian has the costume designer. All the costumes and many props
came from Sparkefilms. Ian went on to be nominated for an AFI award for his work on the production.
The year also bought the TV special "Kokoda" and the feature film 'The 25th Riech' to Sparkefilms, with Ian and costume crew being employed by both.
2010 was another full year for SparkeFilms with more & more productions turning to us to achieve our now famous look on screen
Ian has many Feature films booked ahead as Costume Designer but still never stops researching, training or expanding his mind-blowing wardrobe house. So next time you're making a history picture turn to IAN SPARKE. Check out the credits page for a full list.
The year also bought the TV special "Kokoda" and the feature film 'The 25th Riech' to Sparkefilms, with Ian and costume crew being employed by both.
2010 was another full year for SparkeFilms with more & more productions turning to us to achieve our now famous look on screen
Ian has many Feature films booked ahead as Costume Designer but still never stops researching, training or expanding his mind-blowing wardrobe house. So next time you're making a history picture turn to IAN SPARKE. Check out the credits page for a full list.