The Project

Taking aim is the story of one woman's journey across the globe as she explores a legacy wrought in wood, sinew, and bone. Travelling through six countries over nine weeks, professional archer Patricia Gonsalves is seeking out the varied and fascinating history of traditional archery and its contemporary revival.

Starting in England, home of the long bow we’ll visit the land that inspired the legend of Robin Hood, a story that sparked Gonsalves’ love for archery as a child. From England we head North to Helsinki, Finland looking at the traditional Two Wood bow before flying south to Budapest, Hungary. There we will look at the Magyar Bow and meet a world renowned Bowyer. From Hungary we board a train South through the Carpathian Mountains into Romania, then on to Istanbul, Turkey where we look into mounted and foot Ottoman archery. Finally we head East to Ulaanbataar Mongolia and the Naadam Festival that celebrates the three arts of Mongolia: Wrestling, Horsemanship, and Archery.

With our journey at an end we continue east, circumnavigating the globe, homeward bound to Vancouver, Canada, like an arrow shot around the world. Once back in Vancouver we will begin crafting a feature length film documenting this trip of epic proportions, capturing the stories and passion of the people who are keeping the historical art of archery alive.

Who are we?

Patricia A. Gonsalves

Born in Barbados Patricia has called various places home before finally settling in British Columbia, Canada. She has been involved in archery for over 30 years, becoming an instructor 21 years ago. In that time, she has completed extensive research into the history of archery and has substantial knowledge of the recurve bow, longbow, Asiatic composite bow, and flatbow. When competing Patricia enjoys outdoor competitions such as field archery and roving over target shooting. She is also an avid bow hunter and fisher, regularly taking part in the small-game hunting season and looking to hunt around the world.

She is the founder and head instructor of Lykopis Archery, teaching historical and traditional archery in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Patricia is also part of a Roman re-enactment group, regularly doing talks, demonstrations and educational discussions about archery in Late Roman Antiquity and Byzantine civilization.

Most recently she is the archery tech and consultant for the popular television series the CW’s "Arrow" as well as other archery related shows listed on her IMDB profile.

Darren Devlin

Born in Ontario, Canada, Darren has spent most of his life in his hometown of Guelph before moving to Vancouver on the West coast for work and school. Now a senior student at Emily Carr University of Art + Design and majoring in Film, Video and Integrated Media, he is working towards a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree with a minor in Social Practice and Community Engagement. He has worked on various student and independent film projects over the past five years, the most recent being The Super Alliance produced by Awkward Alien Productions. Possessing an eccentric love for wolves, travel, and history he has been practicing western martial arts since 2009 focusing on Bartitsu and Italian Renaissance Rapier. As the one man film crew documenting this project Darren will be dogging Patricia wherever this journey may take her.

What We Require & What You will Receive

Films are a costly endeavour to produce. We have already invested a decent amount of personal funds into this project to cover the cost of equipment and travel expenses and now we need your help to finish what we've started to make this into a proper film. Your contributions to Taking Aim will help us cover post production expenses, recover some of what we’ve invested, and allow us to give back to the people and organizations who are helping us make this project a reality.

We are meeting with some of the most interesting archers, scholars, and archeologists around who are the best at what they do and we want to share their stories and passion for this art with you and the world.

As a contributor to the project you will not only have our personal thanks for supporting what we are doing you'll also get some really awesome perks that we've pulled together for you. These perks have been broken down into "Rounds" and "Ends" which are terms used in archery competitions. Each “Round” in our campaign refers to a different category of contribution.

And it gets even better! For all contributions with a charitable portion of $20 or greater, Emily Carr University of Art + Design will issue a charitable tax receipt (Agent of the Crown BN 10730 2382) in addition to all the awesome perks you're receiving. So the more you contribute the more you get back!

Round One: Digital fun times

With a minimum contribution to the project you will get a digital copy of the film and other media when produced, along with updates on the project as we travel and move into final production. In addition you will also receive a personal invitation to our welcome back party when we return to Canada and an advanced private screening of the film that we are planning just for our backers.

Round Two: Posters and Badges

Contribute a little bit more to the project and you'll get a poster or a badge or both! Designed exclusively for this campaign and available only to our backers to show off your support and love for archery these will be one of a kind. You'll also receive all the perks from Round One. 

Round Three: Postcards and T-shirts

Take it to the next level and you can get a personal postcard from us sent from the country of your choice or from every country we visit! This is your opportunity to get a little piece of the trip sent home while we are filming. Be sure to get them quick because we can only offer a limited amount! Or perhaps you'd like one or two of Lykopis' humorous archery t-shirts? Every t-shirt will be printed with a limited backers only Taking Aim logo. You’ll also receive all the perks from Round One and Two.

Round Four: Custom arrows, Handmade bows, and Private Lessons

For those who really love archery we have some truly awesome perks for you. Custom arrows made by hand to your specifications out of wood or carbon and painted and fletched in the colours of your choice. Handmade bows produced by some of the very people we will be meeting with on this journey. Every bow perk offered also comes with a two-hour private lesson with Patricia to hone your archery skills. You’ll also receive all the perks from Round One and Two and a post card from the country of your choice.

The Final Round: A Handmade True Asiatic Composite bow

Our top end perk is truly one of a kind. You will receive a handmade Grozer True Asiatic Composite bow made in your choice of Hungarian, Mongolian, or Turkish style. Only four of these bows are made a year with a great deal of craftsmanship and care. You’ll also receive a two-hour private lesson with Patricia and everything from Round One and Two, plus a post card from every country we are visiting. Contribute an additional $600 and receive matching arrow and bow quivers!

The Executive Round: Join the Project as a Producer!

If you are just as passionate about this project as we are and want to help us out in a big way why not join the team? For anyone who invests $5000 or more into the project you’ll receive the film credit of Executive Producer. In addition we will also send you a special thank you package that includes all the Round One and Two perks and postcards from all the countries we visit.

Check out our current design selection of Humorous Lykopis Archery T-shirts!

The final design may not appear exactly as shown and we have more designs in development so keep an eye out for updates.

The Poster, Badge, and backers only logo are all still being designed so no images of that yet, sorry. We will update the campaign with the designs as soon as we have them ready!

*Important! Please be aware that the private lessons can unfortunately only be offered to backers hailing from the West Coast of North America from British Columbia down to Washington, Oregon and Northern California. Backers outside of this area are invited to visit us in Vancouver, or we can possibly travel further if you are willing to help cover travel expenses.*

*Please indicate which country you want your postcard from when you finalize your contribution payment (England, Finland, Hungary, Turkey, or Mongolia).*

*If you reside outside of Canada please contribute an additional $15 to cover international shipping for Round Two, Three, Four and Final perks.*

The Impact

This is not just about making a really cool documentary, by contributing to the Taking Aim Project your joining a world wide community of passionate people. Your contributions will also allow us to give back to the many generous people and organizations that are contributing to the project. All of their time and resources are being volunteered and provided to us for free! Help us give back to organizations like the Mary Rose Trust and the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve so they can continue the incredible work they do.

Where does your money go?

Funds that you contribute will go to the following:

• Donations to the amazing individuals and organizations who are contributing to this project

• Recovering costs already invested in the project

• Post production including editing, colour correction, and sound design

• Music licensing

What happens if we don't make our goal?

We've set up a flex fund campaign which means we get all the funds you contribute to the project whether we meet our target goal or not. The film will be made one way or another so we can use all the help you are willing to offer! It just might take us a little longer to finish the film if we fall short of our funding goal.

And you will still get your perks! The cost of producing them is built into the perk price and is not dependent on volume.

Other Ways You Can Help

Can't contribute financially to the project? You can still help! Share our campaign with your friends and family via email, Facebook, or Twitter. Like our pages, watch our videos and share them far and wide. Every little bit helps!