Comments on: Work, Work, Work

By: Corie

Corie — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:47:32 +0000

I remember that moment in the Niccolo books. I just sat back and laughed. They’re great books anyway, but that was just amazing.

By: Jason Powell

Jason Powell — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:57:16 +0000

Condensing the world of Wild Cards into a single screenplay seems like it would be impossible. How did you do it, can I ask? Or is that file classified?

By: Melinda

Melinda — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 19:50:13 +0000

Selling the world is actually easier in a screenplay than in a book. I’ve got pictures to help me. I can have the Wild Card Day celebrations occuring in the background. Set a scene at Ace’s High, etc.

Also, I’m not adapting a book or even a story from the books. I’m using the world, and certain characters, events that have occured or been suggested in stories, and creating a new adventure.

If you look at the first 2 Harry Potter movies they suffered because they were such slavish adaptations of the books. You’ve got to be a little (or a lot) brutal when you are adapting prose for the screen.

By: Gabriele Campbell

Gabriele Campbell — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:52:50 +0000

I understand that movies are a different genres, but I still don’t see why Aragorn had to fall down the Cliff of Uncanonicity.

But overall, I’m a bit more forgiving than some people posting on that LOTR discussion list I’m on. I can see why the character of Faramir is darker in the beginning; and the Elves in Helm’s Deep make for some cool visuals.

Good luck with your projects.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 21:48:54 +0000

Yes, I completely agree. I turned to my friends when Aragorn fell off a cliff and got kissed by horse, and said, “well, that was a waste of four minutes of screen time.” That just screamed studio note. “Aragorn is our hero, we have to up the tension.” Ugh.

I liked the changes in the Faramir character. He is so perfectly noble in the book, and you’ve got to give some depth to these characters. Don’t everybody scream at me. The Lord of The Rings are my favorite books of all time. Whenever I’m sad or depressed I always reach for those books.

Actually the Helm’s Deep fight was just _endless_ in the film. I actually dozed off once. Tolkien wasn’t all that much in love with hacking and slashing, but again the studios think the audience won’t accept something unless there is non-stop action.

By: Gabriele Campbell

Gabriele Campbell — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 21:59:09 +0000

Well, I like battle scenes, so for me Helm’s Deep worked ok.

But I see what you say about Tolkien. He actually _tells_ half of the battle at the Pelennor fields instead of _showing_ the action. I don’t think many writers would get away with that today.

I just reread that one and some other battle scenes in books for an online workshop on my blog.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 01:02:21 +0000

Don’t get me wrong. I love a good action sequence or battle scene, but I thought Helm’s Deep just went on and on forever and ever, amen. I also hate the modern technique of how they film an action sequence or fight scene. It’s all extreme close up, fast cuts and you can’t see a damn thing.

Take the THREE AND THE FOUR MUSKETEERS with Chris Lee and Michael York, et al. The fight scenes were all medium or wide shots, and they were _wonderful_. That was a time when they took the time to actually choreograph a fight. Or Jackie Chan. You get to actually watch him work. DRUNKEN MASTER is one of my favorites.

By: Gabriele Campbell

Gabriele Campbell — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 03:21:05 +0000

Lol, I have a vague memory that I switched that Musketeer film off after some 30 minutes because it was even farther off the book than some others. I love the book, but I haven’t found a film version that doesn’t suck yet. Good fighting scenes nonewithstanding.