Should "Necreoscope" be shot in period?

[Azazel005]

I wondered what everones thoughts would be about the timeframe this film should be shot it?

While as I recall, the book itself is set early eighties (someone can confirm or deny this for me) do we think it should be shot with that in mind or simply shot in a modern setting?

Not that many films are made in period of the 80's since it's a time not far passed and was not a period of great political upheaval or anything. The only one that comes immediatetly to mind is "The Wedding Singer" which is made as more or less parody of the period.

I wondered though, in a more gothic setting, would it be workable to keep the tale in the eighties?

I am not suggesting that, we see Harry dressed in "Miami Vice" colored suits, or change Dragosani into a Russian surfing necromancer or anything....but holding more to the technological contrainsts, motor cars that where popular then and yadayada...

Also when something get's shot in period, it is usually done with much more reserved stylings from a direction point of view, which would sincerely fit my feeling that "Necroscope" to be effective she really be shot as mundane as possible, keeping it small and gothic rather than some grandiose spectacle...

Yet I am certain most of you guys have read it more than I, was interested in your thoughts?

[Helmet Head]

I would like to see it done in period as politically it would work better that way, but ultimately I don't think it matters and you could make it in any period as long as there not going to be throwing in all sorts of new fangled Gadgets and Ghosts...

[Silver]

Wow, twice in one life time Helm, we agree!

I don't think it really matters as long as the characters and story are right, it would be nice if it was done totally as the book says it should be but I think with the 80's there's always a danger of the whole thing looking cheesey where it's supposed to be serious. Not saying it would be bad, just think it would be difficult to get it right. Granted the 80's were cheesey but it was acceptable then!

[Exsanguinator]

I'm not certain, there's a whole east V west thing going on that you can't easily contemporise... And if you pick on another country to have an opposing E-Branch then you run the risk of demonising them (something we Brits take great pride in when we get demonised which is... most of the time! lol)

I suppose if you dragged it into the 21st century you could have a Charon Gubwa type foe for E-Branch, even have Dragosani set it up and write it in such a way his minions take it over after his defeat.

The book's all about mirrors - Harry's life mirroring Boris', our E-Branch vs the Russians... The film would have to retain that, its the hook the novel's written on and some would say an allegory for nature vs nurture.

So in conclusion I haven't a bloody clue! lol

[thaerun_the_sleepless]

I don't think it really matters all the much. And again, I find myself agreeing(and rightfully so) with Helm. So uh... Yeah, I agree.

[kenny]

IF the Necroscope get the green light then it has to start where the book starts so that IF (again), there should be a second film (lets hope)then it would follow the sequence of events to the present day.

[Helmet Head]

I'm cool with that Kenny and in principal I'd agree with stipulating that this is taking place in the late 70's and 80's.

What I would say though is that I wouldn't want them to try and make it look blatantly obvious it's the 70's and 80's by giving Alec Kyle a flock of seagulls haircut and a really bad power suit to wear.

[Silver]

That's exactly the type of thing I'm talking about, it would be so easy to end up looking totally cheesy if the characters wore obviously 70's/80's clothing.

[Bawslev]

It shall take place in correct timeline along with the actual books. Why? Because it can grow, and the story and movies can be made into the future, and finish in our modern timeline, just a few years off, complete with el-nino predictions from avengers, defilers, and such. It could be the star wars of my sons and daughters generation! YES

[topol_sheap]

cheese is so good.

It should take place in the same period and the same places. Remember it's like america doesn't exist in these books, so lets hope they don't swap London fro LA, and the North East for Boston ;) This could happen :(

[Silver]

No it has to remain British, I don't think it would work if the locations were changed.

[topol_sheap]

well being that I've lived in most of the places in the book (not deliberately either), I would be very upset.

Oh and I hope I didn't inadvertantly upset any American types with my last post

[Hubris]

No offence here. I would be equally upset if that ended up being the case. I havn't lived in most of the locations or even been to them for that matter, but I have studied them when they were refered to in the books. I don't see anyone going that drastic though. Or I hope not at least.

[Adam Bigge]

I don't think the film would work if they ever tried to change the locations. It just would take to much to change all the cultural aspects that go with a European location/story. I am an American and I love it here but I don't want them messing with a good story. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[Lord Scorpio]

My opinion is that any movie should try to remain as close to the book as possible. So I think it should take place in the correct time and place, 70's early 80's in England and else where. I don't see it working if it is set in present day. The political landscape has changed a lot and as such the constrast between two nations would not be the same as England vs Russia in the 70's & 80's.

[ September 12, 2005, 08:15 AM: Message edited by: Lord Scorpio ]

[CGGorman]

No, It wouldn't work nearly as well if they tried to do it in a contemporary political setting. In my mind, the politcal atmosphere of the cold-war years is CRITICAL to the success of much of the story. I suppose one could go contemporary and switch Russia with China or the Middle East, but I don't think that would work NEARLY as well. There are LOT'S of recent/semi-recent films out there that rely on the cold-war era for setting and plot. I'm thinking movies like The Long Kiss Goodnight, Sneakers, Cloak & Dagger (showing my age, on that one), Hunt for Red October (and all the other Tom Clancy movies), Ronin, etc. Go back and look at those films again and I think you'll find they still work well.

I also think the period is far enough in the past now that it would be looked on with a certain romantic nostalgia by most viewers, anyway. Certainly, the young crowd would be OK with it since they have little to no personal experience with the era.

Styles won't matter that much to me, as I always pictured most of these guys in more traditional clothing anyway...loose, disheveled suits (cheap business suits haven't changed much over the years), basic leisure-wear...jeans, t-shirts, etc.(stay away from tapered legs and bell-bottoms and the style is nearly timeless over the last couple decades), and standard-issue military dress (which hasn't changed significantly in 2 decades).

The British origins of Harry are also important, but one might be able to pull off something emotionally similar if he was from Seattle (coastal and industrial, maybe switch his "family business" from mining to logging?) or Pittsburgh (coal mining, but not coastal except the rivers). I'd prefer to see it stay British, but I doubt Hollywood would allow it. Sad, but true. In that case, it would be an easier transition for the US readers, obviously, than the rest of the world's readers, since many of us in the US have no true concept of what the "real" GB, Romania, USSR, or Greece actually looks and feels like. I suspect most of us simply inserted mental images of US equivalents for most of the less-unique British settings (the average flat, farm, or pub, for instance).

[Apocalyptic Destroyer Of Angels]

In my mind, I just don't see the point in making the film if the first thing that's going to get done is changes of location and time setting. IF the film gets picked up by a studio who hire a director who is a fan of the books, there's a good chance he'll insist on sticking to the books for period and location... At least, I bloody well hope so! ;)

[Lord Scorpio]

I think I read some where that they are fans of the books, so I still have hope. :cool:

[Melriks]

I think the movies (or better yet TV shows) should be set in the same time frame as the books, but I wouldn't push on it too heavily when it comes to clothes, props, and environment. Push the period too much and it becomes distracting as you laugh at the hair.

I think you could suggest 70s era clothing but still be tasteful. Pick stylish cars that could be driven any time.

Technology would be tougher as you'd have to find the right balance between believable for the year, but not too goofy.

[Chris Banks]

Why not? Set it in the time-frame, era, or whatever, that it was meant to be set in. For the Brits among you who saw 'Life On Mars' recently on BBC TV, that was a prime example of not 'cheesing' it up too much. Totally authentic, fresh and, funnily enough, (apart from the time travel factor), quite believable for a seventies feel. Those of us that can remember 22" flares, and ultra wide collars etc, that is!! :D
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[John & Paul]

Remember? I still wear them :D

[Rixy]

I guess it depends how they are going to film it. Personally I'd hope it stays as true to the books as possible but they may decide to blend a few things together for the film audience which might upset the diehard fans. That said if Brian is heavily involved there shouldn't be too many problems.