[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Under Pressure wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I'm hesitant to send it around because it was sent to me in confidence, but a little piece of me wants to send it around because if everyone knows how shitty it is, it won't get made. Let me think about it. I may post a few pages up, but not the whole thing.
*also I realize it's copywritten, and since it's unproduced, I could get in trouble if I post a lot of it.[/QUOTE]
If this was sent to you in confidence then I wouldn't ever tell you a secret. I think that you are telling fibs.
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[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]paulsmith2001 wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Under Pressure wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I'm hesitant to send it around because it was sent to me in confidence, but a little piece of me wants to send it around because if everyone knows how shitty it is, it won't get made. Let me think about it. I may post a few pages up, but not the whole thing.
*also I realize it's copywritten, and since it's unproduced, I could get in trouble if I post a lot of it.[/QUOTE]
If this was sent to you in confidence then I wouldn't ever tell you a secret. I think that you are telling fibs.[/QUOTE]
I think you are just trying to get her to post more of the script. Haha. Very good.
Edit: Oh, no! I've ruined it now.
I don't think her feelings about the script (too much emphasis on Freddie's gay life?) would be violating any copyright, but I'm not sure. But posting actual pages and lines and the plot from the script might be a problem. And as someone said before, it is probably a work in progress. Also, it might be so off-base that nobody is interested in it.
Why wouldn't they hire a script writer that is an actual Queen fan? That would be better I think.
Oh, well. I would vote for a documentary, rather than a biopic with made up lines and scenes and an actor playing Freddie.
*also I realize it's copywritten, and since it's unproduced, I could get in trouble if I post a lot of it.[/QUOTE]
If this was sent to you in confidence then I wouldn't ever tell you a secret. I think that you are telling fibs.[/QUOTE]
I think you are just trying to get her to post more of the script. Haha. Very good.
Edit: Oh, no! I've ruined it now.
I don't think her feelings about the script (too much emphasis on Freddie's gay life?) would be violating any copyright, but I'm not sure. But posting actual pages and lines and the plot from the script might be a problem. And as someone said before, it is probably a work in progress. Also, it might be so off-base that nobody is interested in it.
Why wouldn't they hire a script writer that is an actual Queen fan? That would be better I think.
Oh, well. I would vote for a documentary, rather than a biopic with made up lines and scenes and an actor playing Freddie.
@ yara - I accept that you've obviously had more correspondence with UP than I ever had so are making your judgement based on that, it's just that I find it incredibly hard to believe that she has managed to get her hands on this script.
@ Under Pressure - Maybe I dismissed what you said too harshly there, so apologies if I sounded rude. Can I just ask how you got hold of the script - I'm not expecting you to give exact details and names or anything, but just a hint.
And if that is part of the true script then I am sick to the very bone, i tell ya! What a complete lost opportunity.
@ Under Pressure - Maybe I dismissed what you said too harshly there, so apologies if I sounded rude. Can I just ask how you got hold of the script - I'm not expecting you to give exact details and names or anything, but just a hint.
And if that is part of the true script then I am sick to the very bone, i tell ya! What a complete lost opportunity.
Still think a first or early draft of the script doesn't have much bearing on what the final product would or could be. I have to admit: putting up dialogue from an unproduced movie script is, legally speaking, not so cool. It's a violation of copyright.
Getting a fan of a subject or person to do a movie on that subject or person is not necessarily the best way to go. There's lots of examples on both sides, too many to list here.
What has me excited about this project is that it's Michael Cunningham who is involved. Like many working screenwriters, he probably did the first draft to get the development thing going, to drum up a little buzz, and to show prospective actors who might be cast.
I am sure, if this is a viable project, that there are all sorts of meetings going on about the script as we speak--and UP, who I think is "in the business," as they say, should know all this more than most of us. A first draft xeroxed from a friend's production office is hardly reflective of the final project.
Getting a fan of a subject or person to do a movie on that subject or person is not necessarily the best way to go. There's lots of examples on both sides, too many to list here.
What has me excited about this project is that it's Michael Cunningham who is involved. Like many working screenwriters, he probably did the first draft to get the development thing going, to drum up a little buzz, and to show prospective actors who might be cast.
I am sure, if this is a viable project, that there are all sorts of meetings going on about the script as we speak--and UP, who I think is "in the business," as they say, should know all this more than most of us. A first draft xeroxed from a friend's production office is hardly reflective of the final project.
@jackunion: I don't know UP and UP doesn't know me and is very likely not interested at all in doing so. ;-))
Actually, I find of no importance to what I'm trying to discuss whether the script is the real one or not. I'm talking about something different: what a movie about Freddie could possibly be in the days we're living in.
I find it hard that it'll be a witness to his genius, as many other movies about artists.
I find it hard because I do think he's still largely underestimated as a singer and musician, mainly because Queen was/is a rock band. In terms of technique, and I've gone through many of the recordings of his live concerts, he's a genius and he ranks up there with the very finest popular singers of the last century. Much above than Ella Fitzgerald in terms of technique and musical intelligence, for instance. If I start making this point NOW, people get outraged. Why? Because he's still not regarded as the genius he actually was. Whether he's going to be or not, well, I don't know: he was a great composer, musician and singer. Time will tell.
But if the movie, as it's very likely when it comes to a biopic about a controversial personality as Freddie, doesn't feature his music and his musical genius as the main factor, I know I'll find it boring - it won't have any appeal TO ME. Hahaha.
It's just my taste, my silly insignificant opinion.
Other people may love it.
And, yes, the script, as it was described, is very unappealing. I say that as movie-goer, not as a Queen-fan: it'd be a movie that would bore me to tears.
So, that's it, that's my point: music.
By the way, a real challenge to cinema nowadays - in the past we had great musical productions, but nowadays not so much. Maybe those times are gone forever; maybe they can reinvent or recreate that kind of thing. It'd be beautiful.
And impossible.
That's the point. :-))
Take care. ;-)
Actually, I find of no importance to what I'm trying to discuss whether the script is the real one or not. I'm talking about something different: what a movie about Freddie could possibly be in the days we're living in.
I find it hard that it'll be a witness to his genius, as many other movies about artists.
I find it hard because I do think he's still largely underestimated as a singer and musician, mainly because Queen was/is a rock band. In terms of technique, and I've gone through many of the recordings of his live concerts, he's a genius and he ranks up there with the very finest popular singers of the last century. Much above than Ella Fitzgerald in terms of technique and musical intelligence, for instance. If I start making this point NOW, people get outraged. Why? Because he's still not regarded as the genius he actually was. Whether he's going to be or not, well, I don't know: he was a great composer, musician and singer. Time will tell.
But if the movie, as it's very likely when it comes to a biopic about a controversial personality as Freddie, doesn't feature his music and his musical genius as the main factor, I know I'll find it boring - it won't have any appeal TO ME. Hahaha.
It's just my taste, my silly insignificant opinion.
Other people may love it.
And, yes, the script, as it was described, is very unappealing. I say that as movie-goer, not as a Queen-fan: it'd be a movie that would bore me to tears.
So, that's it, that's my point: music.
By the way, a real challenge to cinema nowadays - in the past we had great musical productions, but nowadays not so much. Maybe those times are gone forever; maybe they can reinvent or recreate that kind of thing. It'd be beautiful.
And impossible.
That's the point. :-))
Take care. ;-)
Aw, I'm happy to get to know everyone on the board ... I used to spend too much free time here, back when I had such to spend.
As Dan pointed out, I am indeed a working screenwriter, and thus "in the business." It's fairly easy to get a hold of scripts so long as you know the right people (also I have a damn good manager).
As I mentioned earlier, this script was on last year's Black List, which is a list of the supposed best spec (not written for hire) screenplays circulating that year, as voted upon by certain industry professionals. It came in towards the very bottom of the list, but the fact that it was on there assured me that a) it's not a first draft and b) enough people had probably seen it for me to be able to get a copy.
It is iffy for me to even post that much text up, but I think one could claim fair use for half a page for illustrative purposes.
As Dan pointed out, I am indeed a working screenwriter, and thus "in the business." It's fairly easy to get a hold of scripts so long as you know the right people (also I have a damn good manager).
As I mentioned earlier, this script was on last year's Black List, which is a list of the supposed best spec (not written for hire) screenplays circulating that year, as voted upon by certain industry professionals. It came in towards the very bottom of the list, but the fact that it was on there assured me that a) it's not a first draft and b) enough people had probably seen it for me to be able to get a copy.
It is iffy for me to even post that much text up, but I think one could claim fair use for half a page for illustrative purposes.
Let me have your agent, UP!
Yeah, I think you're covered by fair use. I give Michael Cunningham benefit of the doubt, however, and have a wait-and-see approach. I will say I am happy that people outside the Queen circle are trying to tell the story of FM and Queen. The world does not need another DoRo documentary with the same montages.
Yeah, I think you're covered by fair use. I give Michael Cunningham benefit of the doubt, however, and have a wait-and-see approach. I will say I am happy that people outside the Queen circle are trying to tell the story of FM and Queen. The world does not need another DoRo documentary with the same montages.
I think you're covered by fair use as well--I do think someone in the business would know as well as anyone that a small snatch of dialogue like that would not represent a film, nor is even a screenplay going to reflect the final product. Add Johnny Depp and a great director and a great cast, and the movie would do just fine. My guess is that the producers have gotten from Cunningham just what they want--structure. And it's a Cunningham-like structure--like UP says, it's very Citizen Kane-like.
Very cool conversation on this thread -- I am excited about a Queen /Freddie Mercury film. And I think, if someone like Depp or Sascha Baron Cohen plays him to the hilt, it will only prove to the world that Freddie is on par with an Ella Fitzgerald or Sinatra, as Yara points out. Yara, I think the time is right to bring up such things, especially with a resurged interest in rock music's arena age.
It also proves to me there's some very interesting people on this board -- Yara is a musician (yes), I'm a writer, and UP a filmmaker. God knows what everybody else does. There's definitely a few criminals :)!
Very cool conversation on this thread -- I am excited about a Queen /Freddie Mercury film. And I think, if someone like Depp or Sascha Baron Cohen plays him to the hilt, it will only prove to the world that Freddie is on par with an Ella Fitzgerald or Sinatra, as Yara points out. Yara, I think the time is right to bring up such things, especially with a resurged interest in rock music's arena age.
It also proves to me there's some very interesting people on this board -- Yara is a musician (yes), I'm a writer, and UP a filmmaker. God knows what everybody else does. There's definitely a few criminals :)!
I'm interested in a Freddie film, but by the sound of this script, not this one! I hope it gets fleshed out properly as some have already said, i.e. Freddie's working within Queen and outside Queen, his relationship to those inside the band, his worries, his fun side (which we've all read about in biogs) and anything else related to ol' Fred!
And it's a shame that this script focuses on his indiscretions more than his music talents.
Adam.
And it's a shame that this script focuses on his indiscretions more than his music talents.
Adam.
Yes, I agree, and, as far as directors, I also think Paul Thomas Anderson may do a fair job at this sort of film. I can't say why, really...just a feeling.
And, I saw an interview with the director of the current project, and, it sounds as if he is pretty much sticking to his orignal plan, which is really disappointing, for me.
There are three things, in my opinion, which made Freddie interesting enough for a film: His music, and, where it may, or, may not, have come from, the contrast between his private and public persona, and, his heritage, and fascination and love for England(it gives him a sort of vulnerability). It seems that none of these characteristics is explored.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Daniel Nester wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Great points, Steven, about research. Even the most skeletal film script can be transformed by a performance--I Walk The Line comes to mind.
Johnny Depp is notorious for doing research as well as method acting his way into role. I wish someone like Tim Burton, Depp's frequent collaborator, would direct it, actually...[/QUOTE]
And, I saw an interview with the director of the current project, and, it sounds as if he is pretty much sticking to his orignal plan, which is really disappointing, for me.
There are three things, in my opinion, which made Freddie interesting enough for a film: His music, and, where it may, or, may not, have come from, the contrast between his private and public persona, and, his heritage, and fascination and love for England(it gives him a sort of vulnerability). It seems that none of these characteristics is explored.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Daniel Nester wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Great points, Steven, about research. Even the most skeletal film script can be transformed by a performance--I Walk The Line comes to mind.
Johnny Depp is notorious for doing research as well as method acting his way into role. I wish someone like Tim Burton, Depp's frequent collaborator, would direct it, actually...[/QUOTE]
Very good point Dusta. I think those things should also be explored as it's the most interesting.
Adam.
Adam.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]YourValentine wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
It was a good story, although it's probably not advisable to make up such stories about Queen considering that three members are still alive.[/QUOTE]
2*.
It was a good story, although it's probably not advisable to make up such stories about Queen considering that three members are still alive.[/QUOTE]
2*.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Under Pressure wrote: [/QUOTENAME]It's 1985 and he's still in a romantic relationship with Mary Austin (name changed for whatever reason) and she's jealous of Jim Hutton.[/QUOTE]
Sounds like the writer consulted Jim for the "history" lesson.
Either way, it's unfortunate that this film may actually go somewhere. The interest in Freddie as a homosexual (however ill-informed certain details are) is just as great as (or perhaps even greater than) the interest in him as a musician, so there's plenty of money to be made from a project like this. In the world of movies, being a brilliant writer/singer/frontman doesn't make money. Stuff like this does, and if it comes to frution, it will only add to the public idea that Freddie was little more than a raging homosexual who wrote a few good songs.
Sounds like the writer consulted Jim for the "history" lesson.
Either way, it's unfortunate that this film may actually go somewhere. The interest in Freddie as a homosexual (however ill-informed certain details are) is just as great as (or perhaps even greater than) the interest in him as a musician, so there's plenty of money to be made from a project like this. In the world of movies, being a brilliant writer/singer/frontman doesn't make money. Stuff like this does, and if it comes to frution, it will only add to the public idea that Freddie was little more than a raging homosexual who wrote a few good songs.
Un-fucking unbelievable.
Freddie was a raging homosexual.
Don't you guys get it?
He was a raging homosexual *and* a great musician.
Why is this idea that Freddie was a raging, practicing, homosexual so distracting, so undermining, so very much beneath his legacy?
It *is* his legacy. It's not a different aspect, or a distraction, or something that distracts from the music.
It *is* the fucking music.
Get over it.
Freddie loved men. Men men men.
It's what he was. He didn't need to say he was gay. He personified gayness.
The band's name is Queen. Do you all get it or not get it?
I grew up denying all this. I grew up saying to my fellow eavy metal fans in New Jersey, "they call themselves Queen because they're British. It's not because any of them are fags."
I grew up thinking this was a problem.
But you know what? I got smarter. I met gay people. I am friends with gay people. This doesn't "distract" or "undermine" my relationships with them. Nor is it something I ignore with these people. Like all of our qualities we see in each other, someone's homosexuality, the people they love, it's part of their personhood.
The idea that someone would be a Queen fan and look to other people or themselves as looking at Freddie's story as being "too gay" or focusing on his love life as undermining of his musical legacy is not only laughable. It's hypocritical and pretty fucking naive.
I know, there's gonna be someone saying "geez, if he were straight, I'd say the same thing."
Bullshit. What a bunch of fucking bullshit. I have never bought that on the Queen boards. And I believe it comes from a minority of Queen fans.
It's time to grow up and face the music. Freddie was gay. He dressed like a Chelsea boy, he had a cock-duster mustache, and he wore white leather shorts. He loved men, he loved love.
That, to me now--and I speak as a straight man with a wife and daughter--is part of his appeal. He's completely different than me, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
He's Freddie.
Freddie was a raging homosexual.
Don't you guys get it?
He was a raging homosexual *and* a great musician.
Why is this idea that Freddie was a raging, practicing, homosexual so distracting, so undermining, so very much beneath his legacy?
It *is* his legacy. It's not a different aspect, or a distraction, or something that distracts from the music.
It *is* the fucking music.
Get over it.
Freddie loved men. Men men men.
It's what he was. He didn't need to say he was gay. He personified gayness.
The band's name is Queen. Do you all get it or not get it?
I grew up denying all this. I grew up saying to my fellow eavy metal fans in New Jersey, "they call themselves Queen because they're British. It's not because any of them are fags."
I grew up thinking this was a problem.
But you know what? I got smarter. I met gay people. I am friends with gay people. This doesn't "distract" or "undermine" my relationships with them. Nor is it something I ignore with these people. Like all of our qualities we see in each other, someone's homosexuality, the people they love, it's part of their personhood.
The idea that someone would be a Queen fan and look to other people or themselves as looking at Freddie's story as being "too gay" or focusing on his love life as undermining of his musical legacy is not only laughable. It's hypocritical and pretty fucking naive.
I know, there's gonna be someone saying "geez, if he were straight, I'd say the same thing."
Bullshit. What a bunch of fucking bullshit. I have never bought that on the Queen boards. And I believe it comes from a minority of Queen fans.
It's time to grow up and face the music. Freddie was gay. He dressed like a Chelsea boy, he had a cock-duster mustache, and he wore white leather shorts. He loved men, he loved love.
That, to me now--and I speak as a straight man with a wife and daughter--is part of his appeal. He's completely different than me, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
He's Freddie.
I don't see it as any different to if this was a film about Errol Flynn and 78% of the film turned out to be him shoving his love-sausage into different girls.
Redundant sex scenes are redundant sex scenes. I don't buy Queen DVDs or listen to their music because I give a shit about where Freddie was stuffing his cock.
What next? Freddie was a regular user of the toilet, 'it was who he was!', and so the film should be him taking a crap every five minutes?
A good movie is an eloquent movie. The fact that he has a big gay moustache should spell out his sexuality well enough, and the movie can get on with the business of not being so shitty.
Either way, it actually doesn't bother me. The film will probably suck.
Redundant sex scenes are redundant sex scenes. I don't buy Queen DVDs or listen to their music because I give a shit about where Freddie was stuffing his cock.
What next? Freddie was a regular user of the toilet, 'it was who he was!', and so the film should be him taking a crap every five minutes?
A good movie is an eloquent movie. The fact that he has a big gay moustache should spell out his sexuality well enough, and the movie can get on with the business of not being so shitty.
Either way, it actually doesn't bother me. The film will probably suck.