A Question Of Intent

[Huinesoron]

Okay, here goes. We've been working on this for a while now, but we still don't have a clear idea of where we're going. Yes, we know there are four films, yes, we know what they're about, yes, we know we're animating it... but what sort of film are we making?

Allow me to explain. What we could do is make a film that, except for the fact that we don't have permission, could be shown in cinemas. That is to say, a commercial-type film. We'd try to simplify everything, and assume that the target audience would consist of people who haven't read the Silmarillion. We'd basically try and make it in the style of a real film, in a way that would make it sellable.

That's option one. What we could do instead is make a film for fans, one that is assumed to be on the internet. In this, we'd ignore the fact that people would hate to watch it in the cinema, and instead try to retell the entire Silmarillion in film form without major changes. This would allow things like long prologues, films that are over two hours long, and character development that serves no other purpose.

I, personally, would prefer the second. However, I'm throwing it up here for a vote of sorts. Do we want to try to make a film for the public, a film for the fans... or something else that I haven't thought of?

Anyone?

[Chronicler]

Good question. ^^;

I think it could viably go either way. I'm more inclined to make a fan-movie, just because we could include more of the little details and character development. Some of that could be in a cinematic version as well. Just to keep in mind, there is no mandatory 2 hour time limit for theatrically released movies. *points at RotK*

I had an idea the other day that could well be brought up here. I thought that, should FotN be finished and done well (good animation, acting, etc), I could try to get it submitted to the Sundance Film Festival at some future date (2007?). Then we could have it be a fan movie, but still have it in theaters, at least for a short time.

Any thoughts?

~ Chronicler ~

[Maeglin]

A happy medium. A moving film, not a moving illustrated Silmarillion; but with the proper amount of character development etc, and I would hope certainly over two hours long.

Changing a book to a film is an art, and we should respect it as such. We should enjoy implementing SUITABLE changes and cuts. It's just like Luthien weaving her cloak and rope, you could say.

Our audience? Whoever wishes to watch. Fans, primarily; but even fans won't be impressed by diehard purism, long, gormless expositions. We need these films to be beautiful, dramatic, enjoyable and faithful. Moreover, in that order. That's what I think.

[Chronicler]

Well said, Maeglin.

~ Chronicler ~

[Ka]

^{I could try to get it submitted to the Sundance Film Festival at some future date (2007?). Then we could have it be a fan movie, but still have it in theaters, at least for a short time.}


Ah!! Awsome! That would be the coolest! I love Sundance with a passion, as much as I love Indie films.

[Maeglin]

I agree-the Sundance would be a massive achievement. But to get near that, it would have to be a well-structured film, somewhat...adapted...from the book, which means we cannot ignore the considerations of hS's "Option 1" entirely.

PS Would the Tolkien Estate object to a non-profit film of part of the Silmarillion appearing in a cinema?

[Chronicler]

Maeglin said:

I agree-the Sundance would be a massive achievement. But to get near that, it would have to be a well-structured film, somewhat...adapted...from the book, which means we cannot ignore the considerations of hS's "Option 1" entirely.

PS Would the Tolkien Estate object to a non-profit film of part of the Silmarillion appearing in a cinema?

On your first point, I do agree with you; the film would have to be adapted somewhat from the book. But that would have to be done anyway. You can't include every little tiny detail from Silm, even with it split into four movies. That's why there are prologues and whatnot. Some things need to be cut, shortened, and altered in order to make this psuedo-Biblical text into a viewable movie, whether it will be viewed by fans or general audiences.

On your second point, I have no idea. The fact that it's non-profit could work to our advantage in getting permission/not having to pay to make these movies. Do we know if there's any way to find out about this?

~ Chronicler ~

[Maeglin]

I am entirely of your mind regarding the adaptation.

I have a bad feeling about the permission side of things, though. I know that if I were the Tolkien Estate, determined to keep an absolute stranglehold on the Silmarillion, I probably would have grave reservations about allowing a film, however clearly non-profit, faithful and fan-aimed; because people might see it rather than reading the book. (Though in fact this would be balanced by the number of viewers introduced to the book by the film.)

I think before even thinking about submitting this at the Sundance we should certainly proceed with a large measure of caution; even write to Christopher Tolkien emphasising the amateur (in the sense of intent, not quality) nature of our film.

If he doesn't let us, then it can be enjoyed just as well on the net.

Will we have links on this site to places where the films can be watched? When they're finished?

[tamitha]

It seems it has been a very long time since anyone posted on this thread, but I'm in agreement that there has to be some type of contact made and permission obtained before this thing is made cinematic. It's one thing to do it amongst ourselves because we are die hard fans with vivid imaginations that long to see this piece of perfect litature brought to life and quite another to infringe on copyrights. As a writer my-self I well aware of the sacredness of copyrights. Even if Christopher is being stubborn in our opinion.