Very nice comments Maria. I'd like to think that we alone here on the AP would be capable of getting such a project off the ground but unless we managed to help inspire a successful filmmaker or someone with a lot of dough this probably will remain just a fantasy. I expect to see some things come out about the IF and revolution in a few years as we commemorate the hundreth anniversary of events, by my guess is that this will be more along the lines of documentary specials then films or full blown miniseries'.
Regardless I really like your CSI angel. It makes me think a lot about the film "JFK" that was very successful (albeit based on a lot of fiction) that explored the investigation and supposed government cover up of the Kennedy assassination in the years that followed rather than focusing on Kennedy's life/death/Presidency.
Very interesting!
I, too, have been following with interest, the pros/cons of this subject's discussion. I respect the stance/passions that each individual has contributed, but I get the impression in all the flurry of projections of who would be good to portray whom, that a key element is not emphaised enough, and you,"edubs31," (as well as Robert, and possibly a few others) have clearly hit the proverbial nail on the head. May I quote you verbatim? "I'd like to think that we alone here on the AP would be capable of getting such a project off the ground but unless we managed to help inspire a successful filmmaker or someone with a lot of dough this probably will remain just a fantasy." WELL SAID!
You (globally) may have what you think is a winner, but if you cannot acquire backing (read "MONEY"), forget it. The idea is to not satiate what is admittedly a small niche group of "fans", but to appeal to the wider money-spending audience and to gain greater profit over expenses. Altruism just left by the rear door. Reality has taken its place. Three pertinent examples come to mind to illustrate the attitude/need of substantial acceptance/backing with the very real expectations of profit:
A. I have used this example before: Several years ago, a member of the Forum seemed personally piqued (she had an agenda) that not enought attention was been directed toward making a movie about the Grand Duchess Anastasia N. This was AFTER the dreadful Fox musical/cartoon, and she wanted more realism, historically depicted. When no one seemed to give much encouragement on this, she wryly commented with naive braggadocio, words to the effect: "Then I'll do it myself." Several weeks later, I had the opportunity to be at a social occasion, wherein representatives (who COULD move things) from a certain motion picture studio attended. ostensibly to "scout" for new ideas, etc. At a private moment, I spoke with one (who interestingly DID have a working knowledge of the Romanovs and Anastasia), and repeated the feelings of the Forum member about the need for such a film. He listened politely, smiled over his drink glass and asked," And on what planet does she live?" I smiled in return.
B. Then there is the case of the popular book, "The Kitchen Boy." Great enthuasium seemed to swell for the push to become a movie. Was not untimately a screenwriter hired? One Forum member here announced with great glee that he had wonderful news: he had heard from the author, Robert Alexander, by mail, that the filming was to begin and that the movie would be in the cinemas in 2011 ! Well, here we are in 2012 and has anyone else further information on its progress or lack thereof? It would seem that the finding of the last two bodies "killed" (no pun intended) any forward motion.
C. Passionate "pushes" often cause people to loose focus on sequential steps to be overcome on the torturous process to a finished production. This Forum has an experience of a member (from whom nothing has been heard for several years (2008, I believe). It would be an interesting exercise to read his emotionally-caught-up involvment in trying to get a screen-play of his brought to fruition. Please refer to the following, most are quite short: "Films and TV Shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia/APA FORUM EXCLUSIVE: The Testament Summary." Then: "Discussion about the Imperial Family and European Royalty/Tsarevich Alexei N.: Re the Influence of Pierre Gilliard on Alexei " In addition there are the topics "The Testament/Weekly Summary" and "The Testament/ (Crown of Blood)." If you get lost, you can follow his name in detailing his hoping that an "Oscar" could be won by his cinematographer, the continued planning, revising, writing, re-fining,etc. It seems that he ultimately disappears and we have no real update as to the situation, though a bit later a friend states that he is going through some difficult times. Unrealistic? Wasted time? Poor sequence planning? Poor selling of the idea, leading to no backing? Only he knows, but one must be prepared "to endure the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune."
It is all right to "build castles in the air, but NOT to live in them." If you do, then everything after that is indeed a "fantasy." These are my observations, rightly or wrongly. I truly have no further/real interest in the topic. Regards, AP.
