The Black List Review
Last month, we received a review on the professionally-recognized script hosting web site, The Black List, for our screenplay H.G. Wells’ The Chronic Argonauts. Since the hosting will expire at the end of the month, I thought that I could post the results here for all to see. The screenplay didn’t get a perfect score (nor were we expecting one), but I would say that the average 7.0 score is VERY respectful and something to be proud of. Feedback from this as well as the feedback received from other readers will allow us to improve the story as we continue to pitch.
Black List reviewer (Completed) Feb 12, 2013
| PREMISE |
PLOT |
CHARACTERS |
DIALOG |
OVERALL |
| 6/10 |
7/10 |
7/10 |
8/10 |
7/10 |
Era: 1862, 1887, 1969, distant future
Locations: United Kingdom
Budget: High
Genre: Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Pages: 110
Logline:
Based on H.G Wells short story, a good hearted Reverend journeys with a mysterious inventor in what is revealed to be a time machine.
Strengths:
The plotting is quite strong as the author takes some liberties in converting the short story into a more mainstream version. The writing is quite impressive with strong character development; linear storytelling; and clever dialogue. Dr. Nebogipfel jumps off the page with his erratic but charming behavior and sharp wit. Reverend Cook is sympathetic and likable helping form an unlikely duo. Overall story build and stakes are good not great.
Weaknesses:
While cinematic, the third act does not feel consistent with the rest of the story in terms of size of scope. Although not necessarily the wrong choice; it does feel like a much larger film than the rest of the story. The plotting also feels a bit disconnected from the rest of the story as it takes a rather drastic turn. In fact, despite setting up for a sequel, the very end of the story ends rather abruptly in an unsatisfying way. The time travel element could also be shaped more in terms of connecting the time jumps to give the story even more direction. Cook’s character could use more of an arc especially since he is already so sympathetic in the beginning. Also, story misses out fully capitalizing on the wishfulfillment of having a time machine.
Prospects
While in the shadow of Wells’s much more famous TIME MACHINE; this story is nevertheless an interesting take on wanting to create a cinematic time travel movie. Although the story does not feel hugely expensive; this will still require a very interesting filmmaker and actors to make it feel relevant and marketable to modern day audiences.
Invest in a Steampunk Sci-Fi Film!
We recently completed our screenplay adapted from a short story by H.G. Wells and our subsequent graphic novel, and are now looking to hire a professional concept artist to improve our pitch package to studios, producers, directors, actors. and investors, with high-quality visual elements.
The minimum amount of funding needed is $10,000. Funds will be used to hire a professional concept artist for a 2-month contract to develop the visual designs for the locations, scenes, characters, and props for our screenplay, H.G. WELLS’ THE CHRONIC ARGONAUTS. More funds will allow us to hire more professionals to help us improve our pitch. Investors will receive a good return on their investment upon sale of the screenplay to a studio. Higher levels of returns can be discussed with those that are more involved in our development or pitching process. Finders fees can also be discussed for those persons that put us in contact with the person(s) who ultimately invest.
Find more information on our project web site, http://www.ChronicArgonauts.com, and please contact me at eric@newbabyproductions.com for further details.
Eric Mullarky
New Baby Productions
Interview with Jason Quinn
There is no mention of the fabulous graphic novel that he wrote for New Baby Productions, but it’s still a great interview.
http://www.downthetubes.net
Huge congrats to Jason for landing the role at Campfire Graphic Novels, a company of which I have the highest regards. And best of luck to him at the Comic Con India Awards, where his Steve Jobs biography is nominated for Best Graphic Novel of the Year!
Thoughts are with Peter David & Family
As many of you know, prolific sci-fi and comic book writer, Peter David suffered a stroke last week while on a holiday vacation with his family. Let’s hope for a speedy and successful recovery.
Here is a post from Peter’s web site about how you can help:
http://www.peterdavid.net/2013/01/04/here-is-how-you-can-help-peter
I am sure that the industry is full of stories about Mr. David but I would like to share one of my own…
Back in 2008, when New Baby Productions was just barely in existence, I was exhibiting at Fan Expo Canada in Toronto with the first couple of issues of Elemental Fources. As was our custom at the time, I was joined by my wife and our 4-month old daughter, Alaena (now 4 years old). Alaena never cried and slept all the time, so it never became an issue to have her join us on these conventions. We have always been very cognizant of others around us (more than most parents that we have encountered), and my wife was ready to leave with Alaena at any point if she should start causing too much noise. Despite that, most other creators kind of always gave us the evil-eye when they would finally notice the baby behind the table.
On one trip back from the bathroom to change Alaena’s diaper, my wife passed by Peter David’s table. He and his wife noticed the baby and immediately called my wife over. Mr. David put down his pen, stopping in the middle of autographing comics for another fan, and asked if he could hold Alaena. My wife obliged… even though she had no clue who he was! Normally I would read her the riot act for letting a stranger hold our child, but I was very cool with this.
For the rest of the convention, Mr. and Mrs. David always said ‘hi’ when we would pass by. He’s a class act!
Tags:
Peter David
Interview with Russ Leach
I am very late in reporting this, so my apologies. Russ Leach, artist on New Baby Productions’ graphic novel The Chronic Argonauts, was recently interviewed at Comic Booked.
http://www.comicbooked.com/british-showcase-interview-russ-leach/
Check it out and find out about some of the other great projests that Russ is working on!
