SimplyScripts Discussion Board
Blog Home - Produced Movie Script Library - TV Scripts - Unproduced Scripts - Contact - Site Map
ScriptSearch
Welcome, Guest.
It is March 29th, 2024, 1:47am
Please login or register.
Was Portal Recent Posts Home Help Calendar Search Register Login
Please do read the guidelines that govern behavior on the discussion board. It will make for a much more pleasant experience for everyone. A word about SimplyScripts and Censorship


Produced Script Database (Updated!)
One Week Challenge - Who Wrote What and Writers' Choice.


Scripts studios are posting for award consideration

Short Script of the Day | Featured Script of the Month | Featured Short Scripts Available for Production
Submit Your Script

How do I get my film's link and banner here?
All screenplays on the simplyscripts.com and simplyscripts.net domain are copyrighted to their respective authors. All rights reserved. This screenplaymay not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.
Forum Login
Username: Create a new Account
Password:     Forgot Password

SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    Unproduced Screenplay Discussion    Short Scripts  ›  Christmas in Leningrad - Filmed Moderators: bert
Users Browsing Forum
No Members and 15 Guests

 Pages: « 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 » : All
Recommend Print
  Author    Christmas in Leningrad - Filmed  (currently 12146 views)
DustinBowcot
Posted: April 16th, 2015, 2:30am Report to Moderator
Guest User




Quoted from DWLiu
Dustin,

Good to hear that you liked the idea.

Instead of the father feeding his son in the opening scene, how about they are doing something non-food related, like chatting about a sport (soccer?), or talking about a movie (or a book).  It shows what a "normal" life they've lived, in comparison to the cruel life they're living.


I tried to show what a normal life they'd had by the happy photograph. I actually see this film in black and white, with flashes of colour for emphasis. The photograph I would show in colour. I'd have to talk with my good friend and DoP though as he's my go to guy at the moment for filming knowledge. Black and white with flashes of colour would need to be done right to avoid groans about cliche. But, that's the way I see it... and without influence from anyone else, that is how I would film it.

In regard to the conversation... as much as I like the idea, it doesn't fit with the child's feverish state. However, it could always be a one way conversation while the father tries to soothe him. I do agree, bringing food into it doesn't quite fit either. But the one way conversation sounds like the way to go here. Thanks again.
Logged
e-mail Reply: 30 - 95
AnthonyCawood
Posted: April 16th, 2015, 2:56pm Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
UK
Posts
4319
Posts Per Day
1.14
Hey Dustin

Great short, loved it, some of the descriptions are top notch - dirty, meaty fingers - can see it in my minds eye.

Couple of suggestions/comments
1) If the poverty/hunger was so extreme would they have a picture/lithograph calendar?
2) Might be me, probably is, but I was rooting for Pyotr to kill Dimitry, I think filicide could be more tragic.

Tonally reminded me a little of City of Life and Death - great movie.

So overall - cracking!

Anthony


Anthony Cawood - Award winning screenwriter
Available Short screenplays - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/short-scripts
Available Feature screenplays - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/feature-film-scripts/
Screenwriting articles - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/articles
IMDB Link - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6495672/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Revision History (1 edits)
AnthonyCawood  -  April 19th, 2015, 3:04am
Logged Offline
Site Private Message Reply: 31 - 95
DS
Posted: April 18th, 2015, 4:18pm Report to Moderator
New


Posts
359
Posts Per Day
0.10
Well established from the first line. The bleak and emotionless feeling really worked here, especially in the dialogue. The exchanges said a lot with few lines imo. I guess it's open to interpretation whether Pyotr did it mainly as a noble deed out of love for his family or whether he was just tired of it all. The way I saw it, it was both with main emphasis on the latter.

I'm not sure how much Ekaterina waking up and looking around in panic fits in here, especially considering the lack of reaction once she finds him. It also makes it too obvious that something big's coming imo.

Dmitry's miraculous recovery, too. Is it supposed to show that the big sacrifice could have possibly been in vain? Not sure. Maybe it would work better if switched around? She wakes up, heads to the kitchen, sees the body, carves in. Then she goes to Dmitry who's suffering in his bed, offers him a plate and says that god has blessed them on Christmas day -- and fade out on that?

Just a few thoughts. This was a good read. Gl.
Logged
Private Message Reply: 32 - 95
DustinBowcot
Posted: April 19th, 2015, 4:02am Report to Moderator
Guest User




Quoted from AnthonyCawood
Hey Dustin

Great short, loved it, some of the descriptions are top notch - dirty, meaty fingers - can see it in my minds eye.

Couple of suggestions/comments
1) If the poverty/hunger was so extreme would they have a picture/lithograph calendar?
2) Might be me, probably is, but I was rooting for Pyotr to kill Dimitry, I think filicide could be more tragic.

Tonally reminded me a little of City of Life and Death - great movie.

So overall - cracking!

Anthony


Yes, I'm assuming people did have photographs. Although I will double check that. They don't hold value and are inedible, I think.

The calendar is a bit of a push... I suppose it could be state-supplied... I don't think it matters too much. So long as it's done right.

While I agree with your latter point, it would detract from the story I want to tell. The story of that period, according to the stats, were that women made most of the tough survival decisions (the cannibalism and killing for meat). It was also mostly men that died of starvation. That tells me that the men would do their duty and provide for their families, often going without themselves so that their children could eat. Women tend to be lighter anyway and don't require as much food. So, if men and women ate equally, then as a matter of course, more men would starve to death. In essence, this is men laying down their lives for their families and that is what Pyotr's death shows. The choices made in this story have been made with consideration.

Thanks for the read, mate.


Quoted from DS
Well established from the first line. The bleak and emotionless feeling really worked here, especially in the dialogue. The exchanges said a lot with few lines imo. I guess it's open to interpretation whether Pyotr did it mainly as a noble deed out of love for his family or whether he was just tired of it all. The way I saw it, it was both with main emphasis on the latter.


It is a little of both. In extreme circumstances it is often simpler just to give up. Far harder to tough it out and survive. He mainly did it though because he felt useless, like a burden... coupled with the need for extreme survival, it was better that he just give up.

Also, in one of the lines of dialogue you'll note that Ekaterina mentions the ice road opening up. The ice road was once a lake that was used to transport food and goods. As it started to freeze over it became useless and deadly to traverse... but as the ice got harder and harder it turned into a road and food got in again. All they had to do was survive a few months and things would get a lot better. Pyotr's sacrifice meant his wife and son had a really good chance of survival. I know it's simply one line of dialogue, but at least the information is in there.


Quoted Text
I'm not sure how much Ekaterina waking up and looking around in panic fits in here, especially considering the lack of reaction once she finds him. It also makes it too obvious that something big's coming imo.


She looks around for her son. She went to sleep next to him, wakes up and he's gone. She then finds him, standing by the window.


Quoted Text
Dmitry's miraculous recovery, too. Is it supposed to show that the big sacrifice could have possibly been in vain? Not sure. Maybe it would work better if switched around? She wakes up, heads to the kitchen, sees the body, carves in. Then she goes to Dmitry who's suffering in his bed, offers him a plate and says that god has blessed them on Christmas day -- and fade out on that?

Just a few thoughts. This was a good read. Gl.


I quite like that. I'll think about it. Cheers.
Logged
e-mail Reply: 33 - 95
DustinBowcot
Posted: August 11th, 2015, 9:23am Report to Moderator
Guest User



This script has been shortlisted for the Northern Film School slate of films next term. Students representing the university have won many awards at film festivals and have involvement with feature production.

24 short scripts have been shortlisted but unfortunately only 14 of those will go through (to be selected by the students themselves). I am quietly confident of selection as only one script can receive the special merit award, to which this script has already won. It also means I've won a short film course worth a few hundred pounds. Not a short film course as in short film, but more of a short course regarding a certain aspect of film production. They're like three-four day courses. Which could be fun. I'll get to meet some new people.

Anyway fingers crossed it makes final selection too, I'm already happy with the special merit award, but production is what it's all about. Hopefully I can work with them on some more shorts during the term too.
Logged
e-mail Reply: 34 - 95
eldave1
Posted: August 11th, 2015, 11:04am Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
Southern California
Posts
6874
Posts Per Day
1.95

Quoted from DustinBowcot
This script has been shortlisted for the Northern Film School slate of films next term. Students representing the university have won many awards at film festivals and have involvement with feature production.

24 short scripts have been shortlisted but unfortunately only 14 of those will go through (to be selected by the students themselves). I am quietly confident of selection as only one script can receive the special merit award, to which this script has already won. It also means I've won a short film course worth a few hundred pounds. Not a short film course as in short film, but more of a short course regarding a certain aspect of film production. They're like three-four day courses. Which could be fun. I'll get to meet some new people.

Anyway fingers crossed it makes final selection too, I'm already happy with the special merit award, but production is what it's all about. Hopefully I can work with them on some more shorts during the term too.


Very nice! Best of luck


My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 35 - 95
IamGlenn
Posted: August 11th, 2015, 11:16am Report to Moderator
January Project Group


:)

Location
Dublin, Ireland, Europe, The World.
Posts
692
Posts Per Day
0.20
Congrats, man.

Hopefully it gets produced as I enjoyed this one.

Good luck.


Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 36 - 95
Reef Dreamer
Posted: August 11th, 2015, 11:23am Report to Moderator
Old Timer


Part time writer

Location
The Island of Jersey
Posts
2612
Posts Per Day
0.57
Well done. Best of luck.

Just read it.  Just another fluffy rom com!

I was waiting a finger to come off, so go that wrong.

But, did I read it right that the kid recovered anyway? What a dark touch

Cheers


My scripts  HERE

The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville
Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final
Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards.  Third - Honolulu
Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place
IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
Logged
Private Message Reply: 37 - 95
AnthonyCawood
Posted: August 11th, 2015, 12:38pm Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
UK
Posts
4319
Posts Per Day
1.14
Way to go mate, congrats!


Anthony Cawood - Award winning screenwriter
Available Short screenplays - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/short-scripts
Available Feature screenplays - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/feature-film-scripts/
Screenwriting articles - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/articles
IMDB Link - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6495672/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Logged Offline
Site Private Message Reply: 38 - 95
DustinBowcot
Posted: August 11th, 2015, 1:49pm Report to Moderator
Guest User



Thanks for the well wishes, appreciated.
Logged
e-mail Reply: 39 - 95
DustinBowcot
Posted: January 14th, 2016, 6:05pm Report to Moderator
Guest User



Just got news that this was filmed back in December, but the final editing won't be done until May this year. I should also point out that the version made was a slightly shorter (3.5 pages) than the one here. That's because they were looking for 3 minute shorts.
Logged
e-mail Reply: 40 - 95
eldave1
Posted: January 14th, 2016, 6:11pm Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
Southern California
Posts
6874
Posts Per Day
1.95
very cool


My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 41 - 95
IamGlenn
Posted: January 14th, 2016, 6:26pm Report to Moderator
January Project Group


:)

Location
Dublin, Ireland, Europe, The World.
Posts
692
Posts Per Day
0.20
I look forward to this one. A short that has stayed with me.


Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 42 - 95
AnthonyCawood
Posted: January 14th, 2016, 7:00pm Report to Moderator
January Project Group



Location
UK
Posts
4319
Posts Per Day
1.14
Look forward to seeing this in May!


Anthony Cawood - Award winning screenwriter
Available Short screenplays - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/short-scripts
Available Feature screenplays - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/feature-film-scripts/
Screenwriting articles - http://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/articles
IMDB Link - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6495672/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Logged Offline
Site Private Message Reply: 43 - 95
Grandma Bear
Posted: January 14th, 2016, 7:12pm Report to Moderator
Administrator



Location
The Swamp...
Posts
7961
Posts Per Day
1.36
Excellent news, Dustin!  


Logged
Private Message Reply: 44 - 95
 Pages: « 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 » : All
Recommend Print

Locked Board Board Index    Short Scripts  [ previous | next ] Switch to:
Was Portal Recent Posts Home Help Calendar Search Register Login

Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post polls
You may not post attachments
HTML is on
Blah Code is on
Smilies are on


Powered by E-Blah Platinum 9.71B © 2001-2006