Logline - "Alive, Alaska"

[rednael]

Good afternoon.

I will try to answer your questions without giving away too much of the story.

Roland, our protagonist, is an honest, hard-working African-American male who, after many years of labor, finds that he is mired in a sea of bills, broke, and getting nowhere fast. Worse, he has no family, no (real) friends and no one special person in his life. As he self-evaluates, he comes to the conclusion that life is not worth living anymore and decides to committ suicide.

He plans on a date after he returns from a fishing trip to the Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York. But, on his way to the mountains, he reluctantly saves the life on an equally suicidal man named "Sly". Sly is the opposite of Roland in many respects (besides skin color). He's filthy rich, successful an should be happy. But, life has death him some hard blows also, and he too plans to take his own life.

However, Roland's intervention brings about a change in Sly. Eternally grateful, Sly rewards Roland with something he's always wanted  but could never afford: an all-expenses paid trip to Alaska.

What Roland finds, however, is no fantasy. Going the wrong way on a road far west of Nome, Roland finds himself at the gate of a community so far off the map that it's not even charted. (By the way, wait until viewers get a load of who's monitoring the gate).

It's not a dream, though. It's a real, live community. But, it's secret because the residents want it that way. They want peace and quiet, solitude and a normal life, which many of them did not have before coming to Alaska.

The issue? Roland has "discovered" these famous and infamous souls hiding out in Alaska. Behind the gates of "Alive, Alaska" are the riches and prosperity Roland has always searched for.

But, what he ultimately finds is something that he has been missing all of his life: the real answer to his problems.

Regarding the fiscal aspects of production, I readily admit that I know little if anything about the costs and operations of film-making. But, if shot on location, the streets of most small towns can substitute for Brooklyn, N.Y. It would be great to shoot on location in Alaska, but closer, less expensive venues like Colorado would suffice for the visual effects. The cast is small, perhaps ten to fifteen, with most characters briefly on screen, save Roland and Sly.

But, for better or worse, this is a brief description of "Alive, Alaska". You are quite right when you say I am passionate about my book. I think it's an interesting, entertaining read, well worth the price, and certainly due (eventually) of production.

This is family entertainment that will please everyone. And, as I've noticed over the past few years, nothing comes close to selling again like family.

I appreciate any feedback, good or bad.

Thank you.

Lee Beatty

[blackeyes]

Your log line was:
Synopsis: Life is killing Roland. Saving a life, though, makes him a hero. His efforts earn him a vacation in “Alive, Alaska”, a secret place where the past still lives, and prosperity awaits. His revelation may truly kill him though. Is it worth the risk?

The protagonist is brought to this place for a reason or inspite of some action?
I was trying to understand why he get's there and how is he exposed to the odd qualities of the place.  does he disapear into the magic place?

What I was trying to see is how the script starts and how it would sustain the story. what is the importance of the secret place? Why is it important to him and how are we supposed to bond with him? Don't assume the veiwer knows anything or has anything but a regular imagination.

Is the secret place to expose or clarify the protagonist's past life? Are there other past lives that interast with his? There were reasons TV shows like Twin Pines didn't last or why a monie would never be made/

I like that you are passionate about your story. A writer has to be at least that to get anywhere. But look at it like the audience is not cerebral and knowledgable/  Talk it out like you have to explain it to someone without information on time travel, reicarnation, soul theories, religion, philosophy or any underlining foundation for your story. Make it work for the uninitiated and then ,see if it wraps up with meaning.

I have real concerns for you finding a Producer with vision. Productions on the basic market levels are motivated by revenue. Will the movie make money not how artistic it is. How would you explain how it could be shot?
Your script will not be a shooting script, so how will you do a breakdown of the scenes and the cost windows? Doesn't it have to make sense to the production realities? How would it be dione on a Indy budget or as a Film School Student Film?
 
Maybe, publish that ebook of yours on paper so it is a real listed retail book and then market the idea with it. A literary agent may be easier to get than a pitch meeting with a Studio.

black eyes

[rednael]

I appreciate the feedback blackeyes, including the criticism.

As a "total" fantasy, this script/movie is based on events of the past. Remember when Elvis died? There had to be (at least) 1,000 sightings of him, even though common sense said the man was deceased. Well, "Alive, Alaska" takes that spin a step further.

What if he really didn't die? What if he just "disappeared"? How about the many others that have died "mysteriously (not all of them, of course, but a select few that left us far too soon)?

What ever "really" happened to Amelia Earhart?

That is the premise for this fantasy.

What if they didn't die at all?

I am trusting that the viewing public will be curious enough to find out just how these people disappeared. I personally think it's well work the investment of $7.00 to $10.00.

However, you are 100% right when you say the real concern is convining the studios that this is a script worthy of investing of time and finances.

Trust me on this one, I have an ending planned that will surprise the viewer. I am trusting (again) that the producers with vision can take a look at this novel/script and turn it into magic on the screen.

By the way, "Alive, Alaska" is a novel that has been out for a couple of years. It is available on the web as an e-book.

Yes, it is quirky (I actually like that term), it is interesting, it requires a strong imagination from the reader and/or the viewer, but I promise you that regardless of the media, it is an adventure well worth the time.

I hope that fills in a few blanks without giving away too much of the story.

Thanks again for your input. It is truly appreciated.

Lee Beatty

[blackeyes]

I only ask questions of the author because I think that a writer for actual production has to ask every question as he writes.

I like quirky story ideas. I wasn't criticizing but having difficulty in seeing it translated to film and very hard to write as a script..

The storyline has to make some sense or be so interesting in it's fantasy that the viewer doesn't care. How would you finish a script like that?  It is an interesting story, but as a script would it be able to be finished?

If it is total fantasy, both in concept and executing, than you have to consider the cost and methods of bringing it to life.

Total fantasy id the most costly form of film. how can it work?
How many characters, non-existing sets, specialized costumes, makeup. stunts, vehicles?

It is not adapted from another media, like a novel, so how would a Studio be interested in a very costly production that has aspects on many other abstract concepts?

black eyes

[rednael]

Keep in mind that although there are many that read this forum, (I suspect) many are exactly like me, which is trying our best to learn what works in the entertainment business. There are books everywhere, but nothing works like a knowledgeable voice. That's what I need most of all, be the advise positive or negative. Thanks.

[rednael]

Blackeyes,

I appreciate your slant, but my goodness, you are full of questions, aren't you?

[blackeyes]

This description is just floating in the air.

Why should part of Alaska be magic?
Why is life killing him and then why would he save someones life?

Why a goldmine in a senctuary for the dead? Why anything but the dead?

Is this pure abstract fantasy with no grounding in any reality? Even a fable have some basis for a star

black eyest.

[ScriptNurse]

I am currently reviewing the book. It's published by Focus Publishing and available here:
Focus Publishing Bookstore ... or at ... Amazon Books

[rednael]

How about this?

"Alive, Alaska" is the story of a place where the "dead" still live in peace and quiet. ROLAND DAVID HUNTER goes fishing one day, but stumbles upon this secret Shangra- La, and may have found a goldmine. But, will he live long enough to spend his wealth?

Still looking for that book you suggested. As you can see, I need help. I appreciate your time.

Thanks.

Lee Beatty

[ScriptNurse]

I think you're saying too much ... and not saying enough. Lets back up a step or two and reconstruct your logline ...

"Alive, Alaska" is a story about _______________ who _______________ because _______________.

a man
wants what?
why does he want it?

[rednael]

Logline #1:

Title: “Alive, Alaska”
Author: Leander Beatty Jr.
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy
Synopsis: Life is killing Roland. Saving a life, though, makes him a hero. His efforts earn him a vacation in “Alive, Alaska”, a secret place where the past still lives, and prosperity awaits. His revelation may truly kill him though. Is it worth the risk?