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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Aug 7, 2008 23:00:41 GMT 1
Anyone with an interest in joining a role-writing project for a film script set in 'The Risings Residential Care Home' please get in touch with me. A working knowledge of IBT (Inclined Bed Therapy) and the libido rising side-effects would be useful. ;D (And if you are on IBT for whatever reason/s please do join in and share your experiences.) We also need consultant input from care/social workers, possibly a GP/nursing staff, even if such people are not available to participate in the actual writing. Working on the storyline at the present time. In brief: ‘Bed Blockers’ - working title. (Participants in an inclined bed therapy medical trial discover that their sex drives increase several-fold.) (Based on true experiences!) Setting: The Risings Residential Care Home/Geriatric Commune. Cast to include: Staff, social worker, gardener; estate manager, administrator and residents, so all ages catered for : Residents to date:MALEMajor Endaway - Lecherous old con artiste and well used to institutional life, courtesy of HM's prison system. He is prone to gout. Colonel 'Useless' Hardy - With the given name Eustace Hardy, and a race horse with one similar (Hardy Eustace), Hardy can be forgiven his pseudo military title, even if he likes the rumours that he's hung as well as a horse. Hardy has numerous medical problems, but was once a successful businessman who has significant offshore assets that the council seek to trace and gain control of for their own ends - that if Hardy can ever recall where his assets lie. Stanley Grimbold: JackD's working on him - grumpy, recalcitrant old git prone to bouts of severe depression. Detests women; politicians; anyone in authority. Stanley is a thorn in everyone's side and knows a thing or two about blackmail. Not always in possession of his faculties, but he holds secrets that ensure his survival for as long as God remains willing, or until their location may be traced and evidence destroyed. Richie 'Rip' Maddox: Head-shot ex-rock musician from the 60s/70s and the real owner of The Risings - he is 'here but not all there' - or maybe there but not all here? And that's where he left his sex-drive, despite years of 12 stepping into recovery from substance misuse. (SIMike to role-write. ) Appointed to provide entertainment for the residents - well, as far as the council's records are concerned, but who draws his salary? Who benefits from his recording royalties? Dai Profit: (Professor or prophet? It's debatable... or is he proffering services of an altogether different sort? ) He's certainly Welsh and reputed to own a gold mine - but is he really as delusional as people believe? John 'The Ex-Man' Gizzard: Heavily tattooed ex-military; ex-biker; ex-offender; ex-husband and ex-everything else. Served time (several times) for GBH and placed in charge of security at The Risings. If anyone has the contacts, it is 'The Ex-Man'... but he is supposed to be a recovering alcoholic. Sebastian: (Gary B is working on the character! Says: Think - the only gay in the institution, darrrrlings! Into Am-dram and always the dame.) Sebastian becomes the catering manager, after a lifetime in the business. It keeps him occupied and out of trouble - in his past he has been addicted to prescribed medications for depression and has a history of suicidal tendencies. 'Jimmy 'Arch Angel' MacGravis': Aged, kilt wearing, banjo playing, Scottish biker. A long-haired, diabetic eccentric. A larger than life fellow. Rides a trike, which often tows a trailer. He is well known to the police, although considered harmless. Amongst his eccentricities, is a desire to give all of God's creatures dignified burials. To that end, Jimmy always carries a shovel and a banjo to play them over the Rainbow Bridge. Cyril: Has advanced Parkinson's Disease. He is unable to hold a conversation, suffers from bowel and bladder incontinence, and has severe swelling of his abdomen and lower limbs caused by oedema. His face is discoloured by red blotches and he carries a mask of pain. He is unable to walk without assistance and support. Frankie 'Fingers' Pattison: Extremely short-sighted old lag who still believes himself a master-forger. Predictably, Frankie is well used to life in an institution. Female:Lil & Gladys - nicknamed 'Fag Ash Lil' & 'Glad Raggs' by other residents and staff alike - cleaners all their lives and the council staff see no need for either to retire. (Why employ and waste cash when the residents can be worked to death?) Both Lil and Gladys have osteoarthritis. Gertrude Bracegirdle: An old campaigner whose heroine is the late Mary Whitehouse. Arrogant, contemptuous, patronising and believes herself a religious paragon of virtue. Loves to tell everyone else what to do. Pat Cowes: A farmer's widow, deeply resents losing her farm to compulsory purchase and development, and being incarcerated in The Risings simply because of her arthritis. Thinks her family are a bunch of barking mad nutcases - they are 'normal'. ;D Grace Gallop: Bit part actress on a mission to live in a style she'd like to become accustomed to again - but outside of the care home. Wants a toy boy and more botox. She's had seven husbands and outlived them all. (She's also a naturist and resents being housed with textiles.) She is delusional and has been known to wander in more than her mind. Annie McBride: Bird-like, and seemingly frail Scottish crone, conveniently hard of hearing but sharp as a pin - fancies herself as a budding Miss Marples. Don't be deceived, Annie is more spritely than she appears and even likes a bit of 'rough' on the quiet. Dog Patrol Woman - Dottie Packenham-Inne: A batty old woman who is neurologically devoted to saving dogs, people, flies, etc. She has some intellectual claims, is fairly bossy in an 'oh so reasonable' way, but her priorities are usually at odds with the rest of the world. Beneath the bluff exterior she needs to be needed - hence the rescuing drive. She has some dubious contacts. (Wendy is working with me on developing Dottie's role and canine assets.) ;D The Rev. Carol Lovejoy: Carol is in her sixties and has failing sight, arthritis, and circulatory problems, these especially manifesting themselves as varicose veins, oedema and a long history of painful phlebitis, which makes it almost impossible now for her to kneel in prayer without its recurrence. Much as she wishes to continue with her ministry work, Carol knows that God has other plans for her, and her health issues are His way of letting her know that it is time she found herself a place in a suitable retirement home. Perhaps one where she can continue God’s work into her retirement by bringing spiritual guidance to other residents. God does indeed have plans for Carol, and conspires with fate to place her on a zebra crossing and at the precise moment one of her aching legs gives way in front of a stretch limo, causing Carol to fall, bang her head, and as she is about to pick herslef up (whilst feeling more than a little whoosy) to wonder if she is, in fact, looking into the face of God himself. She is not, merely into that of ... ...‘Smurf’ Murphy'! Carol insists that she does not need an ambulance and is fine. She shares with Smurf that she was on her way to Age Concern and to make enquiries about residential care homes in the area. Smurf tell her that he, too, is on the way to visit an old friend at just such a place, and why not take advantage of the opportunity of a lift and have a look around? He can always arrange for 'his' chauffeur to drive her home afterwards... That will give you a good idea of what Carol might feel God has directed her to - and because if ever there was a place, and bunch of characters thrown together there, in need of spiritual guidance, it has to be The Risings! Esme: A giant sized, black, wolfhound cross lurcher with Attitude! Esme is a law unto herself - and no respector of the law. She hates uniforms and vets as much as many of the residents detest men (or women) in suits... Esme's happy to take on the suits for them, too. In fact, there's not much she won't tackle - even an ox-roast, given the chance. Were she human, she'd always be the crook that gave the law the slip - and don't expect cage bars to hold her either. She is the survival expert of the canine world. As canny between the ears as she is frequently reliant on her considerable physical strength - but only as long as it suits her own agendas, and she has plenty of those. Her only endearing quality to those who cannot bring themselves to love her unconditionally, is the ability to smile and grin - something often mistaken for one of her potentially lethal, and silent, warning snarls! Staff: Care Home Administrator/Manager: Hildegard: Jutta Coerced into the position by the corrupt council officials, and because of her German roots - if it all goes pear-shaped, blame a foreigner! (No offence, Jutta, as I am sure you realise!) But it doesn't go pear-shaped in quite the way the council committee envisage... Estate Manager, Dom - AKA Mr. Fixer: (Andrew K writes.) Dom is a widower with a brain-damaged son (Billy). Dom lost everything because of his obsession with IBT. Losing his home was the final straw for his wife, and she was leaving him and taking Billy with her when a road accident resulted in her death and Billy being rendered brain-damaged. It was in the hospital at that time that fate brought Dom back into contact with his old school pal, 'Rip'. Rip was being ripped off by his agent and he needed someone he could trust to manage his vast wealth and estate. Dom was perfect for the job - once he had recovered from his traumas. Social Worker - Fanny Tarbutt: Formidable, domineering and manipulative. She is power hungry and wishes that social workers were given uniforms like police and prison officers. She is vertically challenged but makes up for it in the sideways direction. Gardener/boy, Billy: Cal's working on this. Says - thinks with the wrong head. Billy is Dom's son and his assistant, but is mentally challenged. He has the body of a Chippendale, the brain of a chimpanzee, and the libido of a buck rabbit. Marilyn: Ari's working on this - but says dippy blond sex-goddess and useless at her job. Her catch phrase on the phone is 'I dunnooooooow.' Originally employed by Rip to keep Billy satisfied, but also to do such menial tasks as answer the telephone and keep people off Rip's back. She equals Billy's enthusiasm for the carnal pleasures and if she possesses an ambition at all, it is to conquer every position in the Karma Sutra. Caractacus 'Carrots' Entwistle: He is a male nurse with a fetish for shaving patients daily - be they male or female, he does not care. His favourite expression is " must be tidy for matron's rounds." He likes to keep his hand in and works 4/5 days a week, fusses over everything. Does not like the new fangled idea of wards likes the nightingale type [row on each side of the long room] he is around 45 yrs old and keeps his razor dangling from his belt as well as his cleaning gel. Shouts because he assumes everyone is deaf. He lives with his mother but soon the family home is being sold and she is entering The Risings as a 'guest' - one of the staff perks. Matron - Audrey Echo: She is 40-ish plump and according to crack not a natural red head! She likes to wear starched uniform i.e. apron, cap and cuffs, she is proud of her silver belt buckle. Will not tolerate sitting on beds, doctors with cold hands and she has a time frame for patients to each their meals if they take too long it is whisked away. She is obsessed with bodily functions and patients must 'go' at a set time. Each night each patient is given a laxative at 20 min intervals so that in theory they can each use the bathroom every 20 minutes. She allows 1 sheet of toilet paper per person per day. Please add below your thoughts, all welcome to brainstorm. Feel sure you get my drift, but think a cross between Carry-On films; Cocoon; a bit of Up Pompeii - to keep Aunty Gary happy - and much Blott on the Landscape.
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Aug 8, 2008 2:21:54 GMT 1
A bit of background stuff.... The Risings Residential Care Home – unofficial relatives guide.
At The Risings we pride ourselves in treating all our residents as inmates.
We listen to their comments and wishes about the running of the care home, then dismiss them out of hand - they are stuck with it, as we are with them – Tough!
Our care home has a reputation for housing every eccentric reject, recalcitrant, difficult, subversive, anarchistic and even dangerous geriatric in the locality - and the staff are carefully selected to reflect the special merits of the work involved in controlling them.
We are committed to providing professional care and many of our care workers have previously worked in HM’s maximum security prisons and the security services.
We deter visitors to our home and encourage family members and friends to leave us alone while they carry on enjoying their own lives – it’s easier for all that way. Let’s not fool ourselves, these ‘loved-ones’ are the black sheep of their families, so why care what they do or get up to at the end of their lives? They are pains in the butt! The sooner out of the way, the sooner their relatives can inherit their estates – that if there is anything left by the time we’ve had them for a few months.
However, those looking for a care institution for such a difficult, eccentric, embarrassing relative are welcome to visit at any time - an appointment is not always necessary.
Gardens play a big part in the lives of The Risings’ residents - the therapeutic value of hard work and phyisical exercise in all weathers, ensures a regular supply of places are available and cut price discounts at Alfie Axham’s local Funeral Parlour.
As with any institution, dining at The Risings is an experience to look forward to and the fruits of our resident’s labours in the gardens are enjoyed by them all. Our catering manager and staff are experienced and prepare menus which include fresh and seasonal foods which are largely home grown or hedgerow gathered by the residents on enforced route marches – nettle and Russian Roulette wild mushroom soup being a specialty of theirs…
We recognise that everyone’s needs are different, so we adapt our care level of your relative to suit your needs - and at a price, of course.
We always aim to create the right environment which supports the physical and mental well-being of our inmate’s relatives – let’s face it, you are the ones paying for our services… and yes, through the nose, along with the coke half of you are smoking and snorting.
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Post by andrewkfletcher on Aug 8, 2008 8:41:15 GMT 1
The home should be called something other than the Risings than the film title. Perhaps the film needs to be less obvious at the beginning. Something like “Somerset Risings”
The old gits from Harry Enfields sketch springs to mind here. Maybe Harry and firiends might be interested in this film? Then there were the two old sisters who used to ambush the milkman and the gas man.
When I was a youth, I worked briefly for marsh's Pop Factory out on the roads delivering soft drinks and collecting the empty's for washing and reuse, sadly something we appear to have lost to disposable glass bottles and plastic.
We used to deliver to a home for the mentally challenged. One blazing hot sunny day, covered in grime from the sugary contents of the empty bottles and dirt and a little smelly with sweating from the heat of the cab and the very hard work pushing a sack truck with up to 10 cases of pop up hill and down steps and returning with empty's of equal number often plagued with wasps we were driving up a long beautiful lawned garden admiring as we often did this tranquil setting when we saw a youngish couple starkers making out in full view of everyone about 30 yards from the driveway with the lady on top going for gold. We were in stitches and left wondering who was really insane? Was it them or was it us? This vision has been indelibly printed on my mind forever possibly because of an impressionable age.
Could the unusual names become nicknames given to each-other by fellow inmates? And their real names used during visiting and by staff?
A possible sketch could be a visit by a 10 year younger wife who dearly loves her husband who happens to be a professor in human physiology even though he has some challenging short term memory problems, loss of erectile function and interest in sexual activity begins to see at first a return to his old self followed by the couple having sex in his room for the first time in 10 years.
Parkinson’s disease also responds very well to Inclined Bed Therapy! Remember the film called the Awakenings about Oliver Sachs Brilliant film!
Could we have at least one patient with Parkinson’s showing improvements as this would stimulate some interest in the neurological reconditioning of IBT, an area which has taken up many years of my life researching and testing.
I am very excited about the possibility of helping with this film. I have dreamed about a documentary being produced for many years. I think the comedy approach is a great way to put this under the noses of people who would ignore a serious documentary and as you said Al having a comedy undertone helps to draw the viewer in to the more serious undertones of this research.
You and your friends here have shown me a kindness I thought was in short supply in today’s world. I have met some seriously selfish people along my way. Odd how an illness can often make people more selfish. Yet here you are undergoing chemo and radio therapy and all you care about is helping others and looking after your animals. I feel honoured to have you guys as friends. Andrew K Fletcher
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Aug 8, 2008 10:31:29 GMT 1
The home should be called something other than the Risings than the film title. Perhaps the film needs to be less obvious at the beginning. Something like “Somerset Risings” The Risings is only the proposed name of the home, Andrew. We don't yet have other than a working title of IBT for the film script, but have been discussing the merits of 'The Bed Blockers' into the wee small hours, and as the title. Was working with Meirion and the night shift on the storyline 'til about 4am! Lol More later - got critters to feed.
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Post by AliBullie on Aug 8, 2008 10:48:07 GMT 1
Sounds very umm interesting How about a married couple who have been together for ever, but due to the libido rising side-effects both begin to find Gary's Catering Manager rather attractive,
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Post by petdesigns on Aug 8, 2008 10:56:10 GMT 1
ooooh, I love the title "The Bed Blockers"!!!! (Maybe IBT could somehow come in as people are trying to slide the bed blockers off the bed into oblivion??) I'm afraid I'm no good at such script writing (and as Ari has already taken my role as the office administrator... ) - but will bore you to death with any ideas I may have!
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Aug 8, 2008 12:46:10 GMT 1
Ari's not the office administer, Jutta - she's more the office junior, she says, and you are much needed as the administrator. Will you please sign up and add mike-research@trpd.freeserve.co.uk to msn so that you and I can chat live about this, please? We were discussing a great role for you last night. ;D Have changed the working title to 'Bed Blockers' after several discussions along these lines.
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Aug 8, 2008 12:57:05 GMT 1
Andrew: How about giving that role to Rip van Stinkle - our headshot old rocker? ;D Could be the younger wife is a groupie from his old days and has incarcerated him at The Risings so that she can contnue to enjoy the fruits of his recording royalties? Much more emerging now via msn chats and character interchanges, so will concentrate on the storyline and work with the editing team before I post again here.
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Aug 8, 2008 13:00:16 GMT 1
Sounds very umm interesting How about a married couple who have been together for ever, but due to the libido rising side-effects both begin to find Gary's Catering Manager rather attractive, Ali, there's a lot of potential there... will try and run it past Gary for some feedback when I get him online. Are you willing to role-write this couple and create them?
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Post by AuntAggie on Aug 8, 2008 18:20:03 GMT 1
Before we get further into this - which I am really excited about btw - can I just ask Andrew what his thoughts are on any potential remuneration/royalties for the record, please? The pro and amateur writers' group members involved have had a meeting and, for their parts, would simply like to assign anything due to them as individuals collectively to the Triune Writers' Group and to further the aims and causes supported by their group as a whole. Thus also retaining their individual anonymity, please. ;D (Great fun potential, but some of us have careers to think of, and this could prove somewhat risque to our professional reputations! ) Presumably the PCP members involved would be similarly willing to do this for personal fun and experience, and on behalf of the PCP's causes and charities? (As a PCP member as well as a TWG one, that would be my choice and JackD is in agreement too.) However, we are aware that, to date, Andrew K has invested a considerable amount of personal funding into this project - the figure quoted to me was in the region of £14k - therefore the TWG members feel that, for the purpose, he should be considered to have the greater, and personally based, stake in this, and be entitled to his share of any potential remuneration. If we get the crap stuff sorted and put to bed first, we'll all know where we stand, and get busy. Al, will we be able to have our old WG office back once the move's been completed, please? That would be a great place for the editing team to work and if out old computers can still be cranked up? Have all the reference books there too, and contacts on the old PCs. David, you are the film/IT buff - how about doing a bit of research and discovering the production companies/agents most likely into such a script? On the other hand - perhaps we can offer it for auction? Perhaps you could research those possibilities on the net, and if you have time? I have a bitch of a busy weekend and week ahead with work, but will try and squeeze in a meeting over Sunday lunch with the main WG crowd - Gary said he'll cook for us all and you know how he loves a party, so we'll record and do edited transcripts of anything of use. Jutta, you HAVE to be the administrator for The Risings! We need to chat on MSN, and I can pop in here during work next week, if you are available. No worries about speed/language concerns, so bury that gremlin. ;D We have a much better one for you to replace it with. In chats during the early hours, we thought the owner of The Risings could be a German woman and in league with various council officials and workers to, as you suggest, resolve the bed-blocking problems in the area. ;D Love the idea, plot developments to date, anarchistic potential, the twists and everything. Think the title should be 'Bed-Blockers' or some connotation of that. Final, and best twist, of course, is that instead of killing them off, IBT actually works for real and could have genuine and immense benefits to hundreds of thousands of people, as well as the financial benefits to the NHS and taxpayers. We have to make this work, if only to draw attention to Andrew's discovery and set the record straight on the science behind it.
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Post by andrewkfletcher on Aug 8, 2008 19:28:17 GMT 1
I dont expect anything, so anything is a bonus. The figure quoted is my personal choice and stake in this research and nothing to do with the films royalties. Just as long as everyone agrees and everything is fair then this is fine by me. I do not expect to ever get my money back and expect to spend more money over the years ahead.
Andrew
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Aug 9, 2008 0:22:38 GMT 1
Best NOT to expect anything, just have fun putting it all together, and try for something more if only from the publicity angle. That could help all concerned anyway, including the groups and causes involved by way of traffic to view what we put here as trailers and script samples. I agree with Ari regarding the group's input, and also that Andrew deserves just remuneration for all his real hard work and effort to date. At the same time, and knowing how the WG members have, in the past, been taken for a ride and advantage of somewhat by a couple of media people in particular, understand Jack's concerns. At the end of the day, we make a choice though. Personally, I have already benefitted from using IBT, sharing its benefits with others would mean more than anything, BUT if we are really successful and end up with a very saleable script and a purchaser, then yes, a gesture to benefit the involved groups supported causes would, I think, be very satisfactory. ;D (A bit of personal satisfaction at the chance to exercise my size nine boots in certain directions won't go amiss, either. ;D) Being possessed of severe doses of PMA, that never goes amiss. )
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Aug 9, 2008 3:07:12 GMT 1
A VERY Rough Draft Storyline for Bed Blockers Beset by financial constraints and funding mismanagement issues, corrupt members of Crackanham County Borough Council hatch a plan to play God and benefit at the expense of those they deem a vulnerable group within their locality – namely their bed-blockers and every other senior citizen they consider an eccentric reject, recalcitrant, difficult, subversive, anarchistic, and even dangerous. By fair or foul means, compulsory purchase, or brute force, they begin a programme of incarceration and subtle extermination – a ‘cleansing’ of their borough. (This often with the knowledge and blessings of the relatives concerned – and, of course, financed by them as a service required, thus freeing their inheritances.) Under plain view of the world, The Risings Residential Care Home looks much as one might expect such a place of good repute to look. Any excessive security being easily be explained as a consideration for the vulnerability of the residents. In reality, it is a work camp – run solely as a processing unit and when the residents’ funds or usefulness to the cause runs out, it’s curtains for them! However, you cannot con a conman, and those deemed vulnerable are not all as assumed to be. It is not long before they realise what is going on; how they are, in fact, running the place as well as paying for the privilege and the tables begin to turn. When council social worker Fanny Tarbutt arrives with a sack of blocks to incline resident’s beds for a medical trials study – in the mistaken belief that this will aid their ‘risings’ to the heavens and speed up the turnover – the resident’s respond with noticeable effects of rejuvenation… including some alarming risings of a whole different nature. Aided and abetted by The Risings’ resident maintenance man, Dom, AKA Mr. Fixer, those residents of the ‘survivor ilk’ plot and achieve a take-over. Having proved the science behind Inclined Bed Therapy, and its benefits to all concerned, the residents manage to switch places with the corrupt council officials and set up a factory production unit staffed by the old councillors at The Risings, and making elevated beds and bed-raising blocks for all in the Crackanham CBC ward. Ensuing media attention and publicity awakens the public to the very real benefits of IBT and bed blocking of a different kind, thus saving the NHS a fortune and putting a smile on taxpayers’ faces. Government officials and civil servants rendered jobless as a result are all offered retraining in The Risings' factory as they struggle to fulfil world-wide orders for inclined beds from every conceivable beneficiary and for whatever ailment or purpose required.
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Aug 9, 2008 12:43:37 GMT 1
Further developments following the discussions during the night-shift. ;D (Yes, I confess I AM a workaholic!)
The gist of our discussions was that perhaps 'The Risings' was originally the home of Rip van Stinkle, and acquired by the corrupt, and exceedingly shady council committee members because of its location, high security already being installed - being as van Stinkle is, after all, a multi-millionaire and so headshot they believe they can do as they wish - and they wish to control his millions.
Van Stinkle, if capable of thought at all, believes he has guests, as new residents are moved in, and the deceased are rolled out. Life goes on, don't ya know...
The Risings is a massive, isolated, estate property set on a wooded hill on the outskirts of the borough. It has everything - even a farm, and Dom, 'Mr. Fixer' has managed the whole diligently for van Stinkle for many years. It was the latter's ex-groupie wife who, for a hefty pay-off and annual remuneration, signed the whole over to the Council, using her power of attorney, just to be rid of her responsibilities and to head off to the Mediterranean with a new man.
Behind all the nefarious dealings, we have a secret 'Committee' of the corrupt council officials. So secret, that we may never even see them. They communicate via Fanny Tarbutt and through a series of written missives addressed to (now this is where we really NEED YOU, Jutta, because we have to build the administrator's character/role) 'Hildegarde' (working name for our admin).
Hildegarde has all the qualifications needed by the corrupt officials - she is the German widow of one of their council workers and a strong, practical and sensible woman, although the officials clearly assume her lack of fluent English equates to a lack of intellect - they couldn't be more wrong!
When faced with eviction from her council owned home following her husband's death, one of the officials offers her the residential position of Chief Administrator at The Risings. In one fell swoop, Hildegarde goes from a run-down council estate, to a mansion, and more responsibilities than anyone can possibly manage alone... but then, she is not alone.
Forgive the poor attempts at conveying the accent here, as Hildegarde addresses Mr Fixer...
'Zey are mad! Around ze moon! Vot do zey expect me to do? Run zis as a concentration camp?... I sink not!'
Looking around the day lounge, Hildegarde's heart drops as she sees the motley assortment of residents and asks 'If zare iz anyone here wiz half a brain and body functioning, come viv me, ve haf vork to do! If ve are to survive here, ve have to eat...'
Yes, Hildegarde is the right person for the job - even if her interpretations of the council's missives aren't quite in line with their intentions. She is the star and she IS up to the job!
She rallies the residents, organises them into work parties and liaises with Mr. Fixer to soon have The Risings running with the precision of van Stinkle's collection of aged Mercedes cars.
Jutta, even if you feel that you can't write the dialogue or character, PLEASE help us with the translations, Hildegarde's accent and language construction. ;D We need you to 'engineer' that! Also, if you can come up with a better, more suitable name for this character, please do!
Joining us on the team will be Wendy (Goingtothedogs) and as a resident dumped into The Risings along with the houseful of dogs she was refusing to get rid of after numerous complaints to the council by neighbours. Wendy will be developing the character of a 'Dog Patrol Woman' - joining The Risings security team of old lags, ex-military & conflict veterans, as 'Zee Committee' continue their work of clearing the borough of it's 'problem cases'.
'Ve need more vorkers!' cries Hildegarde, as The Risings rapidly becomes a self-sufficient community - and 'Zee Committee' pat themselves on their backs, unaware of just what a power they have created and unleashed...
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Aug 10, 2008 3:49:48 GMT 1
Further to earlier msn discussions tonight/last night, I found this link which should clarify the legal position: www.publicguardian.gov.uk/decisions/asking.htmSo, if we assume that it was Rip's EX wife and not anyone current or a groupie who was out to pull the con discussed, then any documentation held by 'Zee Committee' would have to be false or forged. It is the council themselves who'd have been stung - and the ex wife away with their cash. Rip's mental state may be highly questionable, but nothing discussed to date would make his present situation in the storyline under construction subject to sectioning under the mental health act. news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2204983.stm - Not unless it was manipulated by the corrupt council - and if they wanted their activities kept quiet, the last thing they are likely to do, would be to pick on a person of fame and huge fortune which would be sure to bring the media out in force! No, someone will have done a quiet recce and Rip's sheer eccentricity will suffice for the purpose. Keep it Simple, as Andrew says. He and I also discussed the possibility of our heroine, Hildegarde, and Dom providing a love interest. With what has been emerging of Hilde's back story, and her many strengths; along with Dom's history and engineering skills, this could be a match made in a psychology text book, if not quite in heaven! I ran the profiling on the characteristics we gave each, and, if they weren't already in their middle years, we'd have hit the 'golden anniversary'. Just don't expect it to be a light and lovey romance - Hilde's more likely to go for Dom's pipework with a passion. Loved the scene drafted between the pair when Dom asks about Hilde's late husband. Some of Hilde's lines are coming over as classic - but we do so need to get Jutta in to get the language and accent sorted. Hanne's way out of her depth, but laughing her head off at what's coming out. Say's honestly, that this has to be Jutta consulting, if not actually doing the writing. Andrew voiced his concerns over the references to the concentration camp, but once aware of the Hilde we were creating, was behind us all the way. She is NOT any kind of stereotypical German, but a warm, caring, highly intelligent and practical woman, unafraid to face the challenge she finds herself facing. With her catchphrase of 'I sink NOT!' (I think NOT!) We have another classic, IMHO. This is not a woman who sinks, but a wonderfully powerful force to be reckoned with, and read entirely the wrong way by our corrupt council committee. Yes, the parallels are there - in reverse. Yes, it does have some dark comedy elements in it, but don't read them wrongly. Wait until things emerge into the light. Mei - your 'Dustman's wife/God scene needs no more, so please don't overwork it. ;D Hanne came up with some great lines there, and all they need is Jutta's input for the accent to discover if they will work as well in the vernacular as we believe they will. Perhaps the odd word may also need to be written in German, though? 'God help me!' is one I am sure Hilde would say in German. 'Gott helfe mir!' is the best I can do to illustrate, and it is likely wrong. I've not done German since a few weeks in the first year of secondary school! 'Beer Fest' is another I am convinced would be spoken in German. 'Bierfest' - but 'We met at a beer festival,' won't work for the purpose if in German - 'Wir trafen auf ein Bierfest.' That one could be mixed though - perhaps 'Ve met at ein Bierfest.' ? I doubt many could misunderstand that or fail to grasp what was being said. I know these are not right, but to illustrate what I mean, please compare... "I vos selling ze beer, he vos drinking ze beer. Ve both drank too much of ze beer." With... "Ich war der Verkauf von Bier, er trinkt das Bier. Wir beide tranken zuviel des Bieres." And... 'I sought he said he vos a draughtsman vorking for ze government. I vos wrong. He vos a dustman vorking for ze council! A drunken dustman!' with... "Ich dachte, er sagte, er war ein Zeichner arbeitete er für die Regierung. Ich war falsch. Er war ein dustman arbeiten Im Namen des Rates. Ein betrunkener dustman!" (Apologies to Jutta for my errors and butchery of your native tongue!) However, that last bit - "Ein betrunkener dustman!" - Yes, that Hilde could easily say and it can be understood - I think! I don't see Hilde coming over as looking for a husband at all, Gary. Not sure if she would cosy up to Sebastian for girl talk. Perhaps the scenes suggested need to be played out with lesser characters? More emotionally vulnerable ones that Hilde. If I have this right, Jutta, would you say Hilde was either vulnerable or looking to a man in a hurry? "Er war runover von der Müllwagen, wenn betrunken. Jetzt bin ich der Witwe eines betrunkenen dustman, kein Geld, kein Haus und kein Mann!" We need to explore further these aspects of humour differences between the nationalities. To my mind, there's a lot of misunderstandings. Some nationalities struggle to laugh at themselves, and of those within the UK and Ireland, it's been my experience that the English find that much harder to do than any of the other nations. The way I see Hilde, is that she is a big enough personality to be able to laugh at herself, as in 'How stupid to get drunk and end up marrying a drunken dustman.' Okay, to my mind, she would think: it happened, it is over now, move on. The past cannot be changed. - But I could be wrong. Perhaps there I am projecting too much of my own attitude onto her character? Whatever, there must be a limit to how deep we go with this part of the storyline. We have to show this, and visually, we are not writing a novel here. We maybe only have around 120 scenes to play with, and a big story to portray. Film run-time constraints, too. Andrew, you asked for an example of format. There is one at this link: www.exposure.co.uk/eejit/script/index.html - I can't find the disk I was looking for to send you a copy of one of ours. It will turn up, and probably when we clear upstairs and that old WG office. Our version would be a spec script, though - unless you want to go into movie making?
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Post by petdesigns on Aug 10, 2008 10:38:33 GMT 1
I'm not able to properly read through all the new stuff - Tuesday at the earliest I can have any time at all (everybody seems to be in "lets visit Jutta" mode, so much for being on annual leave...). I've never been on MSN in my life, so I'll have to look into that. I'm not too bothered about the language - I don't think it's the language why some of the things "you lot" write about on here go way over my head!! I'm slightly naive and have totally different life experiences!
Anyway - I'll be back!!!
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Aug 10, 2008 13:28:30 GMT 1
We wil look forward eagerly to your return, Jutta. ;D In the meantime, work behind the scenes will continue, as it seems quite a number of people involved are being carried along by the storyline we are developing, and well motivated.
Remember, anything that emerges can always be altered and either modified or expanded upon. This is all 'ideas' at this stage - brainstorming, and probably won't resemble anything like the finished product.
What we all do need to watch, however, is that we don't go off at tangents and draw away from the main purpose of the project, which is to publicised the benefits of IBT and attract attention to that. The script is simply the vehicle - the means to that end. The story woven around it is to highlight it and promote the entertainment value.
Characters created all need to have a purpose. They are the movers and shakers. The people who unroll the story to the reader or audience, and those in the leading roles are the ones people in the target audience will want to identify and side with.
In our case, we are not rolling out young, passionate and attractive heroes and heroines. The target audience is mature, intelligent adults whose personal fears and agendas can be addressed through the story. It might be a comedy, and OTT in areas, but our main characters must have verisimilitude - Dom IS a scientist. He may be outside the establishment, and his association with aged rocker Rip, and his loyality to him, may appear out of character to some (as has been suggested), but this is where building his back-story comes in and we can really begin to analyse Dom's deeper agendas. Remember, people are all as sick as their secrets, but if those are brought out into the open, they can be acknowledged and understood.
I'll work with Mike and Andrew to get their characters' history and relationship established, and with those having input into Hildegarde's, too. There are our leads.
Fanny Tarbutt's role is little more than a go-between. She isn't very bright. She is somewhat twisted. She enjoys power and believes she has it. She is just a messenger.
Further discussions relating to the mysterious members of 'The Committee' - I am still of the opinion that symbolising them by use only of a doorway within the council offices through which Fanny is seen to pass back and forth will surfice and will be more powerful as an image than trying to create the characters that comprise of the committee. That they are corrupt, shadowy, evil and scheming can, to me, all be conveyed with that symbolism. Does it really need spelling out? That is a serious question.
Perhaps if all reading this can try to imagine the scene, and say what they THINK or assume might be going on in that secret council chamber, and post here, we will see if there are areas that may need working on? Don't forget, atmospheric music and sound effects are powerful, manipulative and reinforcing tools.
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Aug 10, 2008 19:58:26 GMT 1
I have been asked to post the draft for the opening scenes of the writers' storyboard, so that some of you who want may give feedback. This doesn't only have to be from people involved in the writing, members just having a read are more than welcome to give feedback, as that helps the creative process and can alert us early to any problems we may need to address. PLEASE can everyone remember that I have an auction to end tonight and another to start building the catalogue for, not to mention post to sort out, pack and get out, so may well be tied up with other things for a few days! It won't mean I'm not thinking about this project, but please be patient. Slotting everything together needs concentration, but all should have some scenes to be working on in the meantime. I've contacted or spoken with everyone I can help move forward today, but if expected emails or whatever haven't arrived, please post in this thread and I'll pick up your messages and resend. Thanks. Working Storyboard - Bed Blockers (WRITING TEAM)Scene 1 Ext. The Risings - DayRip on The Risings lawn playing his guitar for the final departure of his ex wife - a funeral dirge - although she is anything but dead. Her red sports car is piled high with personal effects. In the passenger seat, is her latest toy-boy conquest. Before leaving, she thrusts a document at Rip, demanding that he sign it. It pertains to be the transfer of a lease on a property in Malibu to her. Rip signs without reading it and, as the car speeds away his funeral dirge becomes his version of an ode to joy. Scene 2 Int. Crackanham CBC Offices - DayWe see the door to the secret meeting room of 'The Committee', and the ample rear of Fanny Tarbutt churning its way down the corridor towards it as she clutches a document - it is the same one that Rip's ex-wife tricked him into signing. Scene 3 Int. Kitchen of the Risings – DayRip is eating cold baked beans from a can in his kitchen as Dom enters. The room is in a mess and Rip asks if the cook has left - again? The cook is the last thing on Dom's mind - he has discovered that Rip has signed a document enabling the local council to use The Risings as a residential care home and he is furious. Rip hates conflicts, especially with Dom. He changes the subject, asking if Dom's son has ever had a woman? (The boy is playing with himself outside the kitchen window.) Scene 4 Int. Council House on Run down Estate – DaySympathy cards adorn the furniture. Fanny Tarbutt is enjoying supervising the eviction of the German widow of a council dustman, together with issuing threats of prosecution over property in the premises that she claims stolen off the council's dustcart by the deceased. The widow will be left penniless, homeless and with little more than she stands up in - but there is a solution… Fanny Tarbutt can arrange a job for her as the manager of a new residential care facility. Fanny makes it obvious that 'special duties' will be required, as the residents will all be the worst possible cases in the borough and that place the greatest strain on the council's resources. The widow is horrified and in shock. Scene 5 Int. Brothel – DayRip is visiting a brothel run by a madam of his acquaintance, explaining to her what he needs. (A present for Dom’s son, and to try to get himself back into Dom’s good books after his latest cock-up.) The madam knows the perfect girl - her own niece, Marilyn. They settle on a fee for the arrangements. Marilyn is unmanageable and a thorn in her family’s side - but working for Rip could prove a lucrative little earner - that if the brainless Marilyn can grasp what is required of her outside of satisfying the urges of Dom's brain-damaged son, Billy. Scene 6 Ext. The Risings - Day Fanny Tarbutt delivers Hildegard to The Risings, dumping her and her few remaining possessions outside with the instructions that she knows what to do, and watched by Dom, whom Hildegard turns to as she snaps out of her shocked state and launches into a tirade in broken English, and against the social worker and corrupt council committee.
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Mr. Mincemeat
Wolf Team Member
Wolf Pack Shaman
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.'
Posts: 48
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Post by Mr. Mincemeat on Aug 11, 2008 4:50:55 GMT 1
Some of the boys (God Squad) called around. Have done a corpse scene for you. ;D Reckon you will love it. Hanne's still wetting herself.
Hilde: 'Ich habe keine Leichen!'
Alfie Axham: 'Alright, alright - nine corpses! Excellent, but you'll have to lay 'em out and we'll be back tomorrow with nine coffins. Get yer man to nail 'em down tight, cos they'll be stinkin' by then in this heat!'
Hilde: (Frustration oozing in the heat) 'Nicht neun! Keine Leichen!'
Alfie Axham: 'Yes, yes! Nine corpses! (Aside to assistant) 'Why can't these foreigners speak English?'
(Alfie's hearse drives away. Hilde wilts. Ex-man approaches.)
Ex-Man: 'Don't worry, girl, I'll get you nine corpses, no problem... Need to use the phone.'
(Hilde looks suddenly very vulnerable and afraid.)
Next night: Sound of bikes approaching in the darkness. Lights go on in The Risings. It's the God Squad with every bike carrying a passenger - road kill, mainly sheep. Hilde cannot believe her eyes.
Ex-Man: 'You wanted corpses... Got anymore of those rotting cabbages?'
(The God Squad soon have the coffins filled and weighted well with rotten cabbages. They screw them down tight.)
Hilde: 'But I haf to have ze death certificates... Ze names...'
Ex-Man: (Pulling papers from his leather jacket pocket.) 'Everyone's certified dead by a vet, but we had to use our imaginations a bit on the names.'
(Hilde shines a torch onto the top certificate - it gives the name 'Samuel Woolley'; the next 'Barbara Lamb'...)
Regular corpse supplies can be arranged. ;D
The boys reckon this could be the funniest film they've heard of in a long time - oh, and they all want a 'vonky bed'. Reckon at least a dozen aim to pinch breeze blocks and elevate themselves to the ranks.
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Mr. Mincemeat
Wolf Team Member
Wolf Pack Shaman
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.'
Posts: 48
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Post by Mr. Mincemeat on Aug 11, 2008 5:05:37 GMT 1
Forgot - you don't yet know about the rotten cabbage scene.
What would Hilde do with acres of supermarket rejected cabbages? Pickle them? Sauerkraut?
Keep Dom and the stinky Ripper happy, but reckon The Risings would need air-conditioning in the inmate's rooms - or could it be captured and bottled as liquid gas? Could Rip's Mercs be converted to run on it?
Hilde: 'Aber diese sind schön Kohl! Zu gut zu verschwenden, weil sie zu groß für die Supermarkt-Regale. Cretins!'
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