Posted on Dec 29, 2013
How to make a wonderful military story into a good film or miniseries?
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I just finished reading a wonderful story written by a Navy Seal called "Lone Survivor" author Marcus Luttrell. His story talks about becoming a Navy Seal and mission "Redwing". This story was excellent and the previews for the film look great. However, I know their are a lot of great stories out their just waiting to be turned into movies.
So my question is how to continue to tell the great stories of our military and turn them into GREAT films to share with our country and the international community. Film/TV is a medium people are drawn to still whether it is "Band of Brothers", "We Were Soldiers" or "Generation Kill". This stories connect with the kids that will be fighting the next great battle.
We have a responsibility to make sure these great stories are shared and that they represent the honor of the lost heroes and their families.
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Lone Survivor
Lone Survivor
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 3
Jerry Bruckheimer (producer of Tog Gun, The Rock, Black Hawk Down, Pearl Harbor, and may others) bought the rights to "Horse Soldiers" -- the story of US Army Special Forces in the first days of Afghanistan fighting in 2001.
I think he bought the rights like 6 years ago, and there has been talk of him producing it ever since. I hope I live to see the day that it gets created. It will be a huge recruitment boost to the Army. I've met the author of the original book and have had the honor of working with many of the real soldiers in the story. There are many deserving stories worth telling, and this one is first among equals.
Jerry Bruckheimer Shopping Afghanistan War Story HORSE SOLDIERS. Based on the book by Doug Stanton, the film will be directed by Nicolai Fuglsig.
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CWO2 B. Sean Fairburn
Having worked with West Coast Media Liaison in Westwood Ca for the USMC (same floor as all the branches) I can say that there are a LOT of scripts floating around all Amazing to some degree or another. However Hollywood being Hollywood is far more interested in Agenda than telling a good story that might in any way make Patriotic conservative military portrails look good. Yes they are that shallow. So unfortunatly rare are the "We were soldiers" but if it can make military or Conservatives look bad they LOVE it "Jarhead" "Generation Kill" and all the other POS shows they love to produce. However Jerry Gets it even with Bay, and Ridley gets it and Simon West Gets it, John Woo rocked it, there are Great directors that can pull it off but very few.
In the old days it was uncool to do a War movie while the War was going on especially whe it was Anti War. But since Vietnam that rule does not apply Anti War while we are still at war is how old hippie producers relive the golden days of their youth as they protest the war and rage against the machine of the month.
A few things to keep in mind Accuracy is a Faliacy just like the Love story or coming of age films. Real life is often not that sexy. Embellished charactors actions and stories are what we pay money to see. So Accuracy is often not the main focus even when the Truth is Completely Amazing. So a Good story with all the usual plot points and conflict are what generally get made because Writers write the action and advisers get less pull with directors in general.
As, Recon Sgt Major James Dever USMC and old buddy has been the Technical / military advisor on many Films since I worked with him on Windtalkers back in 2000, will tell ya. The scripts start as great books then become terrible screenplays so Hollywood will finance it, Directors try to make it more like the book when shooting, but Producers water it down and cut out all the great stuff to trow in a Love story or make the guy a suicidal drunk drug addict trying to add "Drama" and release something that often does not resemble the Book at All then have no problem bringing out the Actual Warriors on tour for publicity after making their portrail so watered down as to be unrecognizable by those that were there the whole time.
OK Im a bit jaded but I have been i this industry for 24 years and am an actual Vet of 2 of the last Wars. Disclaimer: Yes I have a Script, Yes Hollywood said outright it will never get made because it makes Christians and military look good and its not Anti War. So I am a lil pissed at that. Because the heroism of the Marines in the storys will just take longer to get made. Lord Willing.
But the Upcoming "Lone Survivor" I am really looking forward to because sometimes a good caring director has the pull and the balls to get it right and getting it right sometimes is pretty amazing.
The best Stories are the ones that YOU were the action adventure hero in your own personal Drama where you put your life on the line, made critical decisions, lived to tell about it and speak of those that did not as having been the reason you are alive today. That can never be taken away from you and will never be told as well as it is in your memories.
So I lift up a toast; That we be blessed enough to be the LAST generation that gets to experience this old outdated practice called "WAR" and may our children never have to face what we faced but still value their freedom enough to defend it if called.
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Contact the Armed Forces Network and see what they think. Advice. I used to do weather in Germany, calling in to AFRTS.
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I would ask Tom Hanks or Stephen Spielberg. While not always getting everything 100% correct, the two of them have definitely done some great work.
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