"The Strike"
FUN FACTS
1. Atlas Shrugged took 12 years to write.
2. The working title of Atlas Shrugged was, "The Strike." It was actually Frank O'Conner, Ayn Rand's husband, who recommended "Atlas Shrugged" after the book was finished.
3. We're making another movie.
WHAT!? :)
Working on the Atlas Shrugged films presented us with some of the most challenging moments of our lives. It was rewarding too of course, but Challenging - with a capital C. Why? Those of us on the crew with any knowledge of the material were vastly outnumbered by those with none... by 1 to 100. I could count us on one hand. And at times, one finger.
The result? The movies do not adequately convey the message of Atlas. Period.
And, THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT OF MAKING THE MOVIES - to accurately convey and propagate the message.
But, what if we had another shot? What if we could do it all over again from the beginning? What if we could put together the ideal team of artisans whose sole purpose it was to finally bring Atlas to life as it was meant to be?
I spoke at length yesterday with John Aglialoro, one of the Producers of the films and sole owner of the movie rights to the book.
If you're at FreedomFest today in Vegas, John's going to be on a panel. You may want to attend.
We're making another movie.
Scott DeSapio
Associate Producer, Atlas Shrugged 3
1. Atlas Shrugged took 12 years to write.
2. The working title of Atlas Shrugged was, "The Strike." It was actually Frank O'Conner, Ayn Rand's husband, who recommended "Atlas Shrugged" after the book was finished.
3. We're making another movie.
WHAT!? :)
Working on the Atlas Shrugged films presented us with some of the most challenging moments of our lives. It was rewarding too of course, but Challenging - with a capital C. Why? Those of us on the crew with any knowledge of the material were vastly outnumbered by those with none... by 1 to 100. I could count us on one hand. And at times, one finger.
The result? The movies do not adequately convey the message of Atlas. Period.
And, THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT OF MAKING THE MOVIES - to accurately convey and propagate the message.
But, what if we had another shot? What if we could do it all over again from the beginning? What if we could put together the ideal team of artisans whose sole purpose it was to finally bring Atlas to life as it was meant to be?
I spoke at length yesterday with John Aglialoro, one of the Producers of the films and sole owner of the movie rights to the book.
If you're at FreedomFest today in Vegas, John's going to be on a panel. You may want to attend.
We're making another movie.
Scott DeSapio
Associate Producer, Atlas Shrugged 3
Previous comments... You are currently on page 4.
In the case of Rand's ideas, the screenwriter and film team must sneak past the audience's prejudices, probably via the back door and appeal to their emotions. Even the hint of a lecture or moral message will cause the audience to slam the front door.
It's definitely a challenge. The world is much more ready to hear "It's not your fault. Nothing's your fault. You shouldn't have to carry your own load." than is it ready to hear "It's your life, they're your choices and, the consequences are yours to bear."
Still, the challenge must be taken up because, if we don't get the message out, we're doomed to be Venezuela on a huge scale.
That part of Atlas Shrugged was heavy reading, but I'm sure a dedicated Rand fan screenwriter will find excellent material in that 'century' of philosophy.
This is the sole reason I became a Gulch producer, to try to improve attempts to portray Rand's philosophy dramatically.
Polemics don't work. Audiences self-select and, those who don't already agree with your polemic won't listen. Drama works. It engages our mirror neurons and bypasses our analytical minds and makes us feel. Drama convinces where polemics fail to convince.
Rand's dialogue was too polemic, too on target. The novel suffered for it and, so did the films. You can only throw your ideas in someone's face so many times and, they turn away. You've got to show them in a way they find intriguing.
If you've got a different story in mind, count me in. If you're refilming Atlas Shrugged, count me in. If you've got the Atlas Shrugged scripts in Final Draft format, send them, please.
However, it would be an amazing experience to see that story told in a cohesive, first class
manner.
At any rate, look forward to the new movie!
That said I do love all 3 of the original movies and I believe they can also be vastly improved for a new trilogy box set with some minor edits (which I'm happy to provide more details on).
There are some "theater people" (like me) in the Gulch. 😉
I just hate seeing it play out in real life with so few people in the world not knowing what it means.
Best of luck with the new movie!