New Nicholas & Alexandra Video - Mini Series? Part I

[feodorovna]

A.P., I know little about films per se, the only title I can call to mind is "Titanic"!!!! so I can't argue the logistics of filmmaking. However, I'm fully aware that thse of us with a souldeep passion can easily become carried away and very quickly find ourselves kneedeep in the goo of Lala Land BUT----when I think of, what to my mind, are the very dubious screenings the less discerning, or perhaps I should call them film buffs, spend there time watching, it makes me believe that our embryonic ideas are as valid as those of Mr Wellknown. Indulge me for a moment. We have costume drama, a love story, a family tragedy, social change, a sinister presence, kidnap, threat and murder brutal enough to put it into the horror genre, all this and a TRUE story. In a world that may be little more than a game of chance, I suspect that films have been made, and succeeded, with far less going for them.

[Kalafrana]

Casting could be a problem. A lot of well-established actors/actresses are now a bit old to be credible, and we do need people with a reasonable physical resemblance to the characters they are playing - at least the well-known ones.

Charles Kay was extremely good as Nicholas in Fall of Eagles, but would now be much too old. I thought he was better than Michael Jayston, who was Nicholas in the film, as Jayston was a bit too substantial physically, though a very good actor.

Judi Dench would be good as the Dowager, and I would have Helen Mirren as Miechen (physical appearance less of a problem as Miechen at least is only known to aficianados).

Don't know about Brad Pitt. As a Brit I have to say that European historical figures with American accents always seem very odd to me, so can he sound like a Brit?

[feodorovna]

Could this be serendipity? Have just had coffee with someone  who is passionate about Russia and whose son is an international film maker. He said that if we could provide a script he would show it to his son.

[Alixz]

I agree with AP and i have from the beginning. Also, why in the world would we need Miechen at all? She was a minor annoyance to Alexandra at best as Alexandra just ignored her and, while the woman had pretensions of grandeur, I don't see any need for her in the story line of a mini series. There would be more importance in Princess Paley as it was because of her marriage to Grand Duke Paul that put Dmitri and Maria into the life positions that brought Dmitri to the home of Ella and Sergei and also Nicholas and Alexandra and then to Princess Irina and, of course, to Felix.

If this gets any attention at all, it would need to be paired down considerably. And don't forget that Gerard Depardieu is doing a Rasputin and look how long that has been going on.

As a fan, I would like to see this done. But as a realist, I have to stick with AP and his reaction.

And picking actors and actresses for roles that have not yet been written for the production is a bit premature. You have to do the research, decide what is important to the story line, make the story cohesive and then write the script and then look for the appropriate actors and actresses.  This could take at lot more that the 6 years before the anniversary.

[edubs31]

Indulge me for a moment. We have costume drama, a love story, a family tragedy, social change, a sinister presence, kidnap, threat and murder brutal enough to put it into the horror genre, all this and a TRUE story. In a world that may be little more than a game of chance, I suspect that films have been made, and succeeded, with far less going for them.

Said perfectly Feodorovna! Allow me to add "mystery", "myth" and "intrigue" as to describe certain events both during their lives and (Anastasia) after the fact.

Could this be serendipity? Have just had coffee with someone  who is passionate about Russia and whose son is an international film maker. He said that if we could provide a script he would show it to his son.

For real? Well lets get cracking then :-) Sounds like it's shoot the moon time...the fun part is the process/journey anyway!

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!

Well fancy me regarded for once as the hardened realist rather then merely the ardent Romanov follower! lol. Thanks for your comments AP and for giving your educated take on the proceedings here. That said...giving credit where credit is due it was Alixz & Robert Hall making most of the relevant points about production budgets & wider audience interest, etc.

[feodorovna]

Edubs, thankyou for your hugely contagious enthusiasm and Alixz you are perfectly correct in your assertion that a GOOD script is a prerequisite. My friend tells me a good actor would willingly take a supporting role if the script is good and I feel certain that there is no shortage of those here who could provide one.

[edubs31]

Edubs, thankyou for your hugely contagious enthusiasm and Alixz you are perfectly correct in your assertion that a GOOD script is a prerequisite. My friend tells me a good actor would willingly take a supporting role if the script is good and I feel certain that there is no shortage of those here who could provide one.

I'm waiting to see if this generates enough interest from the handful of AP forum members who are talented enough (not me!) to pull off the task of creating a good working script. I'm more of a big ideas kind of guy :-) Still this is extremely exciting just to think about...

And as a wise women is believed to have once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed Romanov fans can create and sell a script. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." :-)

[aleksandr pavlovich]

Edubs, thankyou for your hugely contagious enthusiasm and Alixz you are perfectly correct in your assertion that a GOOD script is a prerequisite. My friend tells me a good actor would willingly take a supporting role if the script is good and I feel certain that there is no shortage of those here who could provide one.

 

I'm waiting to see if this generates enough interest from the handful of AP forum members who are talented enough (not me!) to pull off the task of creating a good working script. I'm more of a big ideas kind of guy :-) Still this is extremely exciting just to think about...

And as a wise women is believed to have once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed Romanov fans can create and sell a script. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." :-)

RESPONSE:    April 02, 2012

    Thank you, "edubs31", for your comments and thoughtful reminder that "Alixz" has been indeed stalwart in her cautioness in this topic. I do extend apologies to her in not mentioning her by name. I do so now.
     May I break my self-imposed silence on this topic, one further time, by adding the following observation/s:  Indeed, your enthusiam is "contagious", and enthusiasm in any potentially worthy cause is admirable.  However, in all the accolades and "pats on the head" that you are getting, there is (IMO) ONE thing missing, and you have alluded to it in your first sentence ("I'm waiting to see if this generates enough interest.....") and that is a forthright actual verbal statement as to leadership in the organization of this idea. Why not "throw down the gauntlet" and let's see who picks it up?  In other words, issue an "opportunity" for someone to step forward, say within the next 60 days, and volunteer to be in charge of the first steps of organizing this thrust?  No cohesive group can work well without a "head" or "spokesperson."  
    So who wants to make the committment?  (Do I hear a shuffling noise in the background, as people move away?) There have been all types of emotional platitudes such as "Please don't let this dream die."  "I'm a cheerleader, etc."  Now here's a chance to come forward and DO something with/for the courage of your convictions.  To head up this drive, one doesn't have to physically write/create a script, etc., merely to implement/organize the efforts/talents of others and give feedback.  I Do understand that you, yourself, apparently do not wish to be the " writer," and that is your choice.  Parenthetically, I think it would be obvious that I would have NO interest, just to clarify.  
    I do wish everyone whatever measure of success that can be eked out of this proposed endeavor.                                           Regards,  AP.

[Alixz]

AP - no problem. I wasn't looking for recognition.

But I know that when my co-author and I began our journey in writing a fictional account of Windsors and Romanovs and Anna Anderson, we began by doing the research first.  We didn't put pen to paper (or ribbon to platen - as the case was in 1979) for over 6 months as we researched and clarified.

Everyone here (and again I agree with AP) has a vision of what this mini series should look like, but there is no cohesive story line - and yes, even history needs a cohesive story line. Some of the ideas are very good, but I still don't see bringing in characters who left little impact on the story even if those who post here think they did.

I did say that I was available as a "fact checker", but I don't know squat about writing a script that would be acceptable to a "backer" or "money person".

And those of us who post here are so far in distance from each other, I can't imagine trying to get anything concrete done. I would not want the job of trying to put this all together and IMHO I think that there would be a lot of squabbling if the treasured ideas of some members were cut for the mundane and practical ideas of others. I can see that already. In the case of picking (prematurely) actors and actresses, posters are already all over each other with their choices and those chosen might say (as someone else already did) "What planet are they living on?"

I may be sitting in my living room one night watching PBS or BBC and kicking myself all over because I suddenly see that a new, much clearer version of the story of Nicholas & Alexandra is coming up.

But the story of Nicholas and Alexandra is about Rasputin and Alexei and Ella and Serge and Empress Marie and the early death of Alexandre III, not OTMA and their dull and interesting lives. And it is about policy and politics and revolution and Lenin and Stalin and World War I and the damaged chromosomes of the heir to the throne. I don't see it as a life of parties and young girls growing up suffocated by their mother.

Yes, they all suffered an unimaginable fate. I personally believe (and I don't expect anyone else to agree) that we live just as long as we are supposed to. No more no less. I don't believe that any one's life is "cut short".  We die when we are meant to.This family was meant to die as they did and the fact that they were attractive and rich and (for their time period) tabloid fodder, doesn't make any difference.

I was personally surprised that Massie's book made it to the big screen. I am glad that it did, but even with the 100th anniversary of the murders coming up, I think it might be hard to find anyone interested in supporting yet another take on Nicholas & Alexandra.

[Rodney_G.]

AP - no problem. I wasn't looking for recognition.

But I know that when my co-author and I began our journey in writing a fictional account of Windsors and Romanovs and Anna Anderson, we began by doing the research first.  We didn't put pen to paper (or ribbon to platen - as the case was in 1979) for over 6 months as we researched and clarified.

Everyone here (and again I agree with AP) has a vision of what this mini series should look like, but there is no cohesive story line - and yes, even history needs a cohesive story line. Some of the ideas are very good, but I still don't see bringing in characters who left little impact on the story even if those who post here think they did.

I did say that I was available as a "fact checker", but I don't know squat about writing a script that would be acceptable to a "backer" or "money person".

And those of us who post here are so far in distance from each other, I can't imagine trying to get anything concrete done. I would not want the job of trying to put this all together and IMHO I think that there would be a lot of squabbling if the treasured ideas of some members were cut for the mundane and practical ideas of others. I can see that already. In the case of picking (prematurely) actors and actresses, posters are already all over each other with their choices and those chosen might say (as someone else already did) "What planet are they living on?"

I may be sitting in my living room one night watching PBS or BBC and kicking myself all over because I suddenly see that a new, much clearer version of the story of Nicholas & Alexandra is coming up.

But the story of Nicholas and Alexandra is about Rasputin and Alexei and Ella and Serge and Empress Marie and the early death of Alexandre III, not OTMA and their dull and interesting lives. And it is about policy and politics and revolution and Lenin and Stalin and World War I and the damaged chromosomes of the heir to the throne. I don't see it as a life of parties and young girls growing up suffocated by their mother.

Yes, they all suffered an unimaginable fate. I personally believe (and I don't expect anyone else to agree) that we live just as long as we are supposed to. No more no less. I don't believe that any one's life is "cut short".  We die when we are meant to.This family was meant to die as they did and the fact that they were attractive and rich and (for their time period) tabloid fodder, doesn't make any difference.

I was personally surprised that Massie's book made it to the big screen. I am glad that it did, but even with the 100th anniversary of the murders coming up, I think it might be hard to find anyone interested in supporting yet another take on Nicholas & Alexandra.

Alixz, if this is to be a truly 'epic' tale of Nicholas and Alexandra, OTMAA would have to play a fairly  significant role. They did to the real N and A, so why not in a presentation meant to appeal cinematically and thematically? They were , after all, probably the one constant thing in the parents' life, and generally a good thing. And, short of portraying them in some maudlin or saccharine way, they could be  a consistent ' positive' , against which to contrast the  real tribulations of Russia. and Nicholas. Dramatically, I can see reversion to the solace provided by their children to N and A  working very nicely after 'downer' scenes of greater political import. I would think that, even as a 'device', the children  would be an asset to be 'taken advantage of.'

And, I guess I simply disagree with you that anyone is meant to die at any particular time or in any particular way. I do believe their lives were cut short. They missed the average life course by about a half century, and whether thought of in statistical terms of years lived or in the unnatural and violent way in which they perished, I think OTMAA's lives can be truly thought of as cut short.
More strictly back on topic ,I'l just say that this production needn't be an OTMAA fest certainly, but ithat it ought to benefit from the appeal of OTMAA(and done right that wouldn't be restricted to teeenage girls)in proportion as their children were in real life for the historical Emperor and Empress.

[edubs31]

Everyone here (and again I agree with AP) has a vision of what this mini series should look like, but there is no cohesive story line - and yes, even history needs a cohesive story line.

There is no cohesive storyline...yet. Lets not rush to judgement too quickly here. So far this endeavor is little more than several people chatting on a topic thread that wasn't even designed for this discussion in the first place. Allow for the flower bloom first before deciding whether it looks pretty...

Some of the ideas are very good, but I still don't see bringing in characters who left little impact on the story even if those who post here think they did.

I agree with this. There is going to be a natural tendency for some to expect a definitive work that will fully encompass every aspect of the subject. But this isn't a rationale expectation and people will just need to live with their little disappointments. Perhaps that should be the very first thing they to look into. Try to form a consensus around what characters need to be invited into the script and how prominent they should be in those roles. Everyone involved needs to come up with a list, not unlike an engaged couple assembling their wedding invites. A-list, B-list, C-list, etc

I did say that I was available as a "fact checker", but I don't know squat about writing a script that would be acceptable to a "backer" or "money person".

And an important one you would be Alixz! Don't worry about the second part. Musicians, for instance, suck when they start trying to make music for other people instead of themselves and their inner circle. The "biggest" albums...a term I use loosely to incorporate high artistic value and commercial success...usually get made void of any such pretensions. Get something together that's good and pure and honest, wish for some luck, and people will take notice.

And those of us who post here are so far in distance from each other, I can't imagine trying to get anything concrete done.

This might not be such a problem...certainly not at the embryonic stage we are at now. Do we really need to sit together and share ideas that aren't easily enough conveyed through this message board and private emails? Personally I do my best creative work alone and without distraction :-) To that point though how lucky are we to be immersed in such a diverse group of intellectuals & appreciators. A dizzying array of locations, nationalities, and cultural influences here on the AP!

I would not want the job of trying to put this all together and IMHO I think that there would be a lot of squabbling if the treasured ideas of some members were cut for the mundane and practical ideas of others.

Well said and of course therein lies the hard part. Arguments a plenty. Good organization however can combat this to a degree. There shouldn't be too many script writers and, for instance, different writers with (perhaps) different sets of literary skills should be employed to do different things. Someone who is great at writing the overall story is not necessarily an ace when it comes to dialogue.

I can see that already. In the case of picking (prematurely) actors and actresses, posters are already all over each other with their choices and those chosen might say (as someone else already did) "What planet are they living on?"

Haha, no kidding right? Thing is though I'm not sweating the small stuff like that and should we get deeply involved in this I think the cream will rise to the top. In other words someone so petty fixated on actor roles that can't get over themselves to contribute something of value to the overall project probably wasn't going to be the type of person who'd be useful anyway...

I may be sitting in my living room one night watching PBS or BBC and kicking myself all over because I suddenly see that a new, much clearer version of the story of Nicholas & Alexandra is coming up.

You mean, like, somebody beating us to the punch?! :-)

But the story of Nicholas and Alexandra is about Rasputin and Alexei and Ella and Serge and Empress Marie and the early death of Alexandre III, not OTMA and their dull and uninteresting lives. And it is about policy and politics and revolution and Lenin and Stalin and World War I and the damaged chromosomes of the heir to the throne. I don't see it as a life of parties and young girls growing up suffocated by their mother.

Oh I don't think anyone seriously sees it as that either. It's an important diversion every so often to consider the color of the, as you say, "wallpaper" however. This doesn't need to be an unrelating drama. Furthermore be careful not to forget the points you've already made about selling this script to an interested party who is looking to, in turn, brand it to a wide audience. Good looking kids, well scripted, make for good viewing. It ads to the emotional bond between viewer and subject if the audience comes to learn a little bit about them. In the case of N&A their bonds to family and role as parents, while surely not worthy of being the primary topic, is no small thing.

Yes, they all suffered an unimaginable fate. I personally believe (and I don't expect anyone else to agree) that we live just as long as we are supposed to. No more no less. I don't believe that any one's life is "cut short".  We die when we are meant to.This family was meant to die as they did and the fact that they were attractive and rich and (for their time period) tabloid fodder, doesn't make any difference.

Yowzer! Where did that come from? lol. I appreciate the confessional tone there Alixz and as a pretty spiritual person myself (of atheistic roots) I'd love to explore this belief of yours further and elsewhere, as not to completely veer us off course.

I was personally surprised that Massie's book made it to the big screen. I am glad that it did, but even with the 100th anniversary of the murders coming up, I think it might be hard to find anyone interested in supporting yet another take on Nicholas & Alexandra.

Ugh, the inextricable "cold shower" there at the end. They're remaking "Total Recall", TOTAL RECALL?! Clearly all hope is not lost on the idea of bringing back to life a 40+ year old film and presumably turning it into not just another remake but a miniseries. I personally think this subject has great potential. Sure I'm a fan...but I'm also a fan of a lot of things and don't always see the potential for reaching a wider audience. Honestly, right now, who cares...it's a first step should several of us be willing to take it. A little challenge for the creative crew here on the AP. It starts with fun and it either ends that way, or becomes something greater.

[Alixz]

I think it was the suggestion of Brad Pitt that got me going.  Brad Pitt?  For what part - maybe the Duke of Clarence?   :-x

The whole part about them dying came from the idea that they are somehow more interesting because the died "young" or in the manner that they did.  I don't think that is what makes the story. (And I did say that did not expect anyone to agree with my belief system. But if more people did, then there would be fewer "wrongful death" lawsuits.) What makes their death interesting is that they didn't fight for life. They accepted their fate.

If I were picking actors, I would do as George Lucas did in Star Wars and pick unknowns.  People without luggage or baggage or media hype.

But that would come way later. Way after all the research and the decisions about story lines and way way after the script was finalized and the money people found.

But it would probably be a good idea to get writers to take on the various story lines and then intermingle them. That is actually what my co-author and I did. She took the Windsors and I took the Romanovs and we did our best to make sure that our writing styles matched so that it wouldn't be obvious that two different people wrote the book.

I wonder if Gerard Depardieu knew about the font of knowledge and ideas that he could have gotten from the AP Forum before he took on his Rasputin project? Actually, I am wondering how his movie will treat OTMA or if they will be wall paper to his story line, too.

[TimM]

I personally believe (and I don't expect anyone else to agree) that we live just as long as we are supposed to. No more no less. I don't believe that any one's life is "cut short".  We die when we are meant to.This family was meant to die as they did and the fact that they were attractive and rich and (for their time period) tabloid fodder, doesn't make any difference

I'm sorry, Alixz, but I have to majorly disagree with you here.  Their lives WERE cut short.

It's one thing to die of natural causes, a heart attack, for example.  However, to be brutally murdered by a bunch of hired thugs with guns, that is not natural.  They were not meant to die that way, no one is. 

What about Anne Frank and the millions of Jews (and other groups) that the Nazis slaughtered in World War II?  Would you say that they were meant to die that way?  I wouldn't.  These people were murdered, like the IF were.  There is nothing natural about it.

Sorry if I come off sounding harsh, but that is how I feel on this matter.

[Kalafrana]

We can steer a middle course and portray the girls' dull lives as a contrast to the dramas going on around them (and being ignored by their parents!).

I agree that we need someone to co-ordinate it all, ideally someone who has some experience of making films, and so knows what is needed and how best to put the plan together.

I would be happy to have a go at some scriptwriting, with the proviso that I have no experience.

Ann

[Maria the Beautiful]

There have been all types of emotional platitudes such as "Please don't let this dream die."  "I'm a cheerleader, etc." 

Please, accept my apologies for my "emotional platitudes".   Actually, the cheerleader comment was intended to be a self-effacing remark directed at my own lack of talent in this area, but obviously that was not recognized or appreciated  by Alexandr.   gain - my apologies for being so "trite".

Best regards  -Gloria