More on new direction

In the course of doing my research, I met this week with a former Hollywood screenwriter who now teaches screenwriting and produces his own independent films -- a real expert, in my opinion.
He had two very earthshaking, paradigm shifting, world-rocking observations. He was brutally honest.
First, he said the new book should NOT be semi-fictional, it should simply be an update of the original book with all the new information added and filling in the rest of his life beyond 1921, when he wrote his book: not a novel, but rather a "sequel". He said that would maintain the integrity of the story where "based on true events" dilutes it..then people won't know what to believe. He said it's a mistake to fill in the unknown gaps with fictional stories to make it more entertaining...like how he met his girlfriend, wife, conversations at home, etc.
That was a V-8 moment for me. I knew he was right.
Here's the bombshell, though. When I told him the story and my vision of the movie, HE said, "You must be kidding? You're really going to make a movie out of that? Who would go see it? Who wants to see a blind man with no hands give speeches for 93 minutes?"
I reminded him about the graphic nature of today's movies and the hardened nature of today's audiences (Private Ryan, Passion of the Christ, We Were Soldiers, etc., although this will NOT be an R rated movie...it will be treated with respect and gentleness) He said yeah, but the violence is usually connected with a well known bigger story. He said noone will want to see this one. It's too visually unappealing.
He suggested maybe a short documentary on a wonderful life, without the dramatization, Even as a totally true story with no fiction, it's a great family project and a great passionate endeavor...but will it sell?
So after contemplating his advice and discussing with several trusted advisors, I decided to make that little course correction and continue writing the book, adding new facts and "finishing" his life story. Then we'll see how the movie takes shape in the course of events.
As I have said before, Cory is involved in this in some way, and I want to do what he wants done. He wrote his book in 1921 and a lot happened after that, and the world should know what we know.

Comments?

John
702-898-2204