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!
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!
Screenwriter Dan Goforth joins The Chronic Argonauts team
I am pleased to announce that Dan Goforth has joined with New Baby Productions to adapt the graphic novel, THE CHRONIC ARGONAUTS, into a screenplay for film or television. Dan is an accomplished screenwriter who has won some nice awards, including:
Dan has a great love for the writings of H.G. Wells and really likes the story and characters that we have created in the graphic novel. I am very excited to see how he handles the screenplay.
THE CHRONIC ARGNAUTS is a graphic novel adapted from H.G. Wells’ short story of the same name. Originally written by a 22-year old Wells, and published in 1888, “The Chronic Argonauts” is considered to be the first well-developed use of a ‘time machine’ in science fiction. It predates Wells’ more famous time traveling novel, The Time Machine, by seven years. While Wells’ version ends with a cliff-hanger, we have taken the story and expanded it with new characters and a deeper adventure that is influenced by the legend’s many other famous works. For more information about THE CHRONIC ARGONAUTS graphic novel, please visit www.ChronicArgonauts.com.
More news to come as we have updates to report!
Eric Mullarky
New Baby Productions
www.NewBabyProductions.com
