December 29, 2006
A Little Evolution...
...never hurt anyone.
The script has evolved somewhat. I decided not to keep everything I had written previously, so, there is a new scene to contend with and some changes in direction too.
The whole lead up to the game and lunch I felt was a bit lame and could be done a little more elegantly so I altered my approach. I have written a present giving scene (unforgivable to miss that out in a story about Christmas really) and it all sets up something that is a bit more amusing for the lunch scene.
I have kept the lunch scene starting at the end of lunch so there are fewer complex food issues to deal with on the continuity and design front. As anyone who has worked on any kind of film will know, shooting food scenes can be a nightmare and I don’t think the actual food itself would have added a great deal to this scene anyway. 'Keep it simple' I decided and wrote the complex stuff into other places instead.
As regular readers will know there has been a policy of transparency surrounding the blog. By that I mean an honest approach to everything surrounding the process of making Hallam Foe. Now it has not been entirely possible in some circumstances, the process being so fragile and political. However, with the Xmas Story there are no pressures from anywhere and the whole thing is completely open-source and as such as transparent as you can get. To that end I have included a copy of my Final Draft version of the script which has notes that I’ve been making as I’ve gone along, some bits of discarded dialogue are in there too and basically anything that I have gone back and changed or re-written. Now if you want to see this stuff you will have to have a viewer version of Final Draft which you can download from here.
Final Draft is a fantastic program and well worth the money if you plan on writing scripts professionally. Scripts should really be presented in the correct format if you want people to read them. It’s hard enough getting people to read stuff in the first place so it’s no bad idea to remove as many of the obstacles, in the way of them getting down to your stuff, as possible.
Final Draft version of Flame Halo
PDF version of Flame Halo
Final Draft Viewer location
Posted by colin kennedy at 4:17 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 28, 2006
The story so far
Firstly, I'd like to aopologise for the lateness of this post. There are several reasons for this: 1) I was too amibitious to think I might get it done in the time alotted what with all the other stuff going on at this time of year; 2) internet access in the Scottish highlands is totally useless if you are even the slightest distance from the beaten track; 3) I wasn't very well yesterday so it's added to the delay.
With that catalogue of excuses it will come as no surprise to hear that the script isn't actually finished! However, in case there are any eager folk amongst you who feel like shooting something I have decided to post the work so far. I am happy to commit to not changing the work so far so that people can make a start if they want. I will continue working on the rest of the script over the next few days and will post the finished piece before the end of the week.
Alrighty then! Happy reading and if you can muster the energy then happy shooting too:
Click here to download Flame Halo script
PS I will also be working to include more of peoples ideas so please continue sending stuff in if you want to.
Posted by colin kennedy at 12:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 21, 2006
First look
Here's a first look at the first page of the first draft:
Posted by colin kennedy at 3:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Ideas so far...
...for Flame Halo.
It would seem like the emerging scenario is that this Family Foe Xmas will be set in time before the film - a kind of prequel I suppose.
We have a few gems in so far which I have started incorporating into the firmament that is the The Script:
action figure
Lee Thomas has suggested some inovative approaches, drawings of scenes, action figures for actors, casting your family, playing Hallam et al yourself (very Eddie Murphy!)
raw turkey
Emmafork has suggested some vile turkey action. I can really see Hallam doing something with a raw turkey actually and there could really be a neat and twisted bit of humour around something like that.
the Messiah
Sue Upton has added a little American flavour to proceedings with the big family style dinner and a little insight into Verity's character - I particularly like the idea of Handel's Messiah.
rowing boat
Anna Duffield suggested a lovely Xmas scene with Hallam, Lucy, Julius and Anne (Hallam's mum) in the rowing boat drinking mulled wine and eating from a hamper of goodies.
Simon Cull has suggested that the whole thing should be shot through a crack in a cupboard door.
Phygent - " To survive the Christmas Foe-gathering and keep things structured, Hallam maliciously suggests a group activity: Mind Field. Being the patroness of the ‘No More Landmines Trust’, and being unable to sit still, Verity reacts in an enthusiastic way.
Hallam scatters some objects - ‘mines’ - in the garden: balls, bowling pins, cones, foam noodles and miscellaneous other props. The three go outside. Then Hallam verbally guides Verity, being blindfolded, through the minefield. While talking her through the field, Hallam fakes a concentrating and caring tone to his stepmother: “Stop… forward … left … right, Verity. Look Julius, she’s doing quite well, isn’t she?” “Really a chance to work on relationships” replies the senior of the Foe household.
At first Verity experiences a sense of trust, feeling safe and secure. But since Hallam decides on the penalty when she touches an obstacle, he deliberately makes her touch Julius or hit mines after a while. Exhausted after all her push-up’s, pull-up’s and sit-up’s, the blindfolded stepmother finally ends up in a deep filthy sewer well … taking all her guilty secrets with her! "
What's the general consensus re the title, Flame Halo? I think it sounds fairly Christmassy.
Posted by colin kennedy at 12:27 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack