Author Topic: Help/advice with Romanov home movie  (Read 8326 times)

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GrandDuchessAndrea

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Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« on: November 26, 2010, 03:59:19 PM »
I am planning to make a Romanov home movie, and I'm currently starting the script, and I need some feedback. It is going to be about OTMA at Tobolsk, and the tentative title is "Days at Tobolsk". I've made two other home movies, so I've some experience, and I've got quite a few friends who like to act, so the casting isn't going to be too much of a problem, I'm going to be Olga.  :) I wrote the scripts for the other 2, but I'm finding that I need some help with this one! I know I'll run into a lot more things I'll want to ask you guys for help with, but my first dilemma is Olga's diary entry in the opening scene. Here it is:
We are being moved. To…we don't know where. It is horrible, just when we have harvested all of the vegetables we grew in the garden, and we have to be ripped up from our home! Even though we were under arrest, it was still home, and we were more or less free. Now we are to leave, and who knows if we'll ever see dear Alexander Palace again! I feel so wretched. How, how can Nastya be so cheerful, joking about were we might be sent to? Doesn't she even realize that we might be murdered? That's what they do, to anterior royals. Look at Marie Antoinette! I can barely even think of the future. Even Maria, too, is lighthearted. Lord, have mercy on us! While Russia is in turmoil about us, give us some strength!
I don't like it much, esp. the Marie Antoinette reference, but I can't think of an alternate version! I tried to write it keeping in mind that Olga seemed to know more about what might happen to them, but it just doesn't seem like something she would write! Help!  :-[  :-\

aleksandr pavlovich

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Re: Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2010, 04:31:37 PM »
In regards to the input you requested, and realizing that this is not a "professional" script, permit me to reply with two points:  "Anterior" royals?  IMO, somewhat quite antiquated/stilted use of that word to which a modern audience could/would not immediately relate. Also (if this is the opening scene), it seems to me that the use of the word "murdered" is far too early to be introduced into the story line. It potentially presages the ending far too rapidly and accurately. YOU have the advantage of knowing the exact ending; the Grandduchess did not. I presume that you are not quoting an authentic diary entry, but rather giving your "spin". As I do not have presently any really abiding interest with the grandduchesses, I do not have any of the diary entries with which to compare.  I agree with you, however, that the "Marie Antoinette" reference is too melodramatic. (I am aware that a Marie Antoinette tapestry was present in the Alexander Palace.) Good luck with your hobby/ project.  Regards,  AP.
« Last Edit: November 26, 2010, 04:49:18 PM by aleksandr pavlovich »

GrandDuchessAndrea

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Re: Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2010, 04:52:34 PM »
Thank you! I think you are quite right about "murdered", and I do think that the reference to MA is too 'un-Russian'. And true, friends and family would not know what 'anterior' means, even though Olga probably would!  Here is my revised version:
We are being moved. To…we don’t know where. It is horrible, just when we have harvested all of the vegetables we grew in the garden, and we have to be ripped up from our home! Even though we were under arrest, it was still home, and we were more or less free. Now we are to leave, and who knows if we’ll ever see dear Alexander Palace again! I feel so wretched. How, how can Nastya be so cheerful, joking about were we might be sent to? Doesn’t she even realize that we might be never come back here, or most likely never be imperials again? I can barley even think of the future. Even Maria, too, is lighthearted. Lord, have mercy on us! While Russia is in turmoil about us, give us some strength!
I don't know if "imperials" is a word, what should I put in it's place? 

aleksandr pavlovich

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Re: Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2010, 05:16:17 PM »
Re Reply # 2:  IMO, two alternatives come to mind:   "to retain our rank"   or   "to retain our positions."    (I agree that "imperials" smacks of elitism.  I believe that in theory, their titular "rank" was their personal birthright and could not be taken away (except by consent to/of an Imperial order); their "positions" within the aspect of the government framework, COULD certainly be terminated by a subsequent /oppositional government.)  Regards,  AP.
« Last Edit: November 26, 2010, 05:26:33 PM by aleksandr pavlovich »

Offline blessOTMA

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Re: Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« Reply #4 on: November 27, 2010, 01:29:38 AM »
I think Olga would say something about how it all impacts her parents as well ...but I wonder if being of high rank or not concerned her at this time. I would think she would say something like ....."doesn't she realize we might never be free again? " They weren't told where they were going, but were told to take warm clothes...I think that would trouble  someone hoping for the Crimea or England . Good Luck with your project!

"Give my love to all who remember me."

  Olga Nikolaevna

GrandDuchessAndrea

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Re: Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2010, 12:17:52 PM »
All right, now that I'm nearing Olga's birthday, (in the script,) I'm wondering how they celebrated their birthdays, and what sort of presents Nicholas and Alexandra were able to give Olga in Tobolsk.  I know from Olga's diary that in Imperial days, they had prayer services, but what about in captivity? And as for cakes, and other more merry and trivial celebrations, there is no mention in her diary, though I know that at least for Maria's last birthday they had a cake, but did they use candles?

Offline blessOTMA

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Re: Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2010, 10:32:24 PM »
I think Nicholas speaks about ON's  birthday in his diary... I recall he felt pity for her...I would think birthdays and such would bring the awful situation into high relief making the contrast to earlier days unavoidable . 

"Give my love to all who remember me."

  Olga Nikolaevna

GrandDuchessAndrea

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Re: Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2010, 10:56:12 AM »
Could someone post that diary entry, please?  :)

GrandDuchessAndrea

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Re: Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« Reply #8 on: December 16, 2010, 06:11:56 PM »
Just a little reminder about the diary entry!  :)
I want to do more of the script, and can't until I have this!

thelastimpofrussia

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Re: Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« Reply #9 on: December 16, 2010, 07:22:07 PM »
I'll find it! (Is it in lifelong passion?)

GrandDuchessAndrea

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Re: Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« Reply #10 on: December 24, 2010, 11:09:24 AM »
I'm not sure... I thought Lifelong Passion was just letters between Nicky & Alix...

Offline amartin71718

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Re: Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« Reply #11 on: December 24, 2010, 11:31:46 AM »
Nope, it's got letters and diary entries from NAOTMAA, assorted relatives, and excerpts from the memoirs of Gibbes, Gilliard, Olga A, Sandro, Felix Y., etc.
« Last Edit: December 24, 2010, 11:39:56 AM by Marty »
I'm back on my bull****.

GrandDuchessAndrea

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Re: Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« Reply #12 on: December 24, 2010, 11:34:56 AM »
Oh, really? I thought it was just the wartime letters of the Tsar and Tsarina. Well, I think I want this book!   :D

Offline blessOTMA

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Re: Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« Reply #13 on: December 24, 2010, 01:29:02 PM »
lol! GrandDuchessAndrea , I thought that for years too!! That it just the wartime letters of the Tsar and Tsarina. The cover sort of says that!

"Give my love to all who remember me."

  Olga Nikolaevna

Offline blessOTMA

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Re: Help/advice with Romanov home movie
« Reply #14 on: January 07, 2011, 10:39:27 PM »
I found the referance to Olga's 22nd brithday and indeed it is in a Life Long Passion, page 588
Nicolas's Diary : Noverber 3rd 1918
Dear Olga is twenty-two years old; I feel sorry for her, poor thing , having to celebrate her birthday in such circumstances "

"Give my love to all who remember me."

  Olga Nikolaevna