RENT SCREENPLAY- Page 7
RENT SCREENPLAY
Orginal Bway script#150
Posted: 11/22/04 at 7:49pmok this is probably a stupid question, but how come they didnt just stick to the original script? I mean, if RENt got all successful with that, why change it?
Orginal Bway script#151
Posted: 11/22/04 at 7:51pmNovaya, once again, I can see where you're coming from, but I have to respectfully disagree. Roger, Mimi, and Mark are the three most developed characters in the show. While it is more of an ensemble show than most, they are the three leads. And the other five are the supporting characters. That's the way Larson wrote it, and I (personally) think that's the way it should be. While a little more balance (such as there was in the Chbosky version) might be nice, I think cutting characters would be an outright abomination. I don't think I'd go to see the movie if they cut characters. It needs to stay true to Larson's vision, however flawed that might be, and not go too far out of the way to correct that.
Orginal Bway script#152
Posted: 11/22/04 at 7:52pm
"You're an Idina fan, so I'm sure you'd disagree."
i was gonna say something about that, but i knew you'd bring it up. maureen was my favorite character before i even knew that idina played her, and my obsession for both of them has since coinsided.
"ok this is probably a stupid question, but how come they didnt just stick to the original script?"
wow, numerous reasons, which i will not get into, but basically, the screen and the stage are totally different mediums, and larson's script was written for the stage. it simply wouldn't work on the screen.
Orginal Bway script#153
Posted: 11/22/04 at 7:53pm
oo, deep NTG lol. I think Mimi's "death" is a combination of what you said, NTG. I think its an OD, which kills her. But, the angel watching over Mimi sent her back.
That being said, I'm not the biggest fan of the whole "coming back to life" thing. What's that saying? Feel free to do all the drugs you want, Roger's playing a song, so you won't die. lol
Orginal Bway script#154
Posted: 11/22/04 at 7:53pmSally-my take on that is that it wouldn't be very believable on film. While it works on stage, I can't imagine going to see a two hour made-for-the-big-screen movie where the characters sang all but a few words of dialogue. It just wouldn't work for me. And, quite frankly, as I think I've said before, the dialogue makes these characters more human and more relatable. I like that about the screenplay. I'd like to see more of it.
Orginal Bway script#155
Posted: 11/22/04 at 7:55pm
"I can't imagine going to see a two hour made-for-the-big-screen movie where the characters sang all but a few words of dialogue."
Worked for EVITA, and that won Madonna and the film a couple of Golden Globes. 
Orginal Bway script#156
Posted: 11/22/04 at 7:56pm
"I think cutting characters would be an [i]outright abomination[i]. I don't think I'd go to see the movie if they cut characters. It needs to stay true to Larson's vision, however flawed that might be, and not go too far out of the way to correct that."
AMEN TO THAT.
i've always thought of mimi's death as being literal (you know i take everything literally, though). i never connected drugs to it, because the sheer magic of angel sending mimi back has always been one of my favorite ideas in the show.
Orginal Bway script#157
Posted: 11/22/04 at 7:57pm
normally, that would bring several Evita movie bashing. I am trying to come up with a comeback, but I just can't do it. I love that movie lol
ok, back to topic...
Orginal Bway script#158
Posted: 11/22/04 at 7:59pm
Guys, come on. I wouldn't want them to cut the characters, either.
The point of that argument was that they need to IMPROVE the characters as it is to stay close to the original RENT (and, by extension, on LA BOHEME).
You still need a strong supporting cast (that sings, no less) -- not just a supporting cast in tribute/name only. So either improve them by making it closer to the source material, or cameo them and focus solely on the principals. That's my argument, from a writer's perspective.
Orginal Bway script#159
Posted: 11/22/04 at 7:59pm
timote, that's why I see it as her going through withdrawal...to me, the fact that she is willing to risk her life to change and get back on the right track is what saves her...she gets a second chance.
Although I did always think her death scene was particularly corny...the hopeless romantic in me still loves it though.
And I'm not saying your interpretation isn't equally valid...just sharing my take on it
Beka, I missed what you said about Mimi being complex and being whittled down in the Columbus version. I agree, but I think if Rosario does a good job (and from what I've seen of her, I thinks he will), I think the character can still be pulled off. After all, the Mimi in the Columbus version still has more depth than show Mimi. I've seen Rent (legally) twice. The first Mimi I saw on Broadway played it as all-out-tough-wild-chick. And I hated it. I had *no* idea why Roger fell for her, or why she got a second chance at the end. Then I saw the tour last year, and saw Jaime Lee, who played it much more like the Mimi in the Chbosky script (and my fics, for whatever that's worth). I liked that a lot more. Daphne is somewhere in between. So I think the moral of this whole long schpiel is that it depends more on the acting than on anything else how well the characters come across...and I have every confidence in the cast.
Wow, sorry that was so long. Am I talking too much? I'll shut up if I am...
Orginal Bway script#161
Posted: 11/22/04 at 8:07pm
ok...
What does everyone think of the whole engagement thing?
Orginal Bway script#162
Posted: 11/22/04 at 8:09pm
I think it's adorable.
Then again, I'm currently getting really hyper writing for a drunk Maureen...
Orginal Bway script#163
Posted: 11/22/04 at 8:11pmI personally think it plays too much on modern-day happenings, but maybe its just me...
Orginal Bway script#164
Posted: 11/22/04 at 8:12pm
ahh, I should have joined this conversation sooner, i'm probably going to repeat other peoples thoughgts, but here goes:
Chbosky's script really had me scared at first. I mean, Mark not singing the songs Rent or La Vie Boheme?? NO Light My Candle!? Plus I had a hard time with Mark working for Buzzline and Roger working in a pawnshop...it just didn't seem like RENT, you know? On the other hand, that script also had AMAZING moments and I adored EVERYTHING about Mimi and Roger and how their relationship was shown. I loved the scene where Roger takes her to the park, and there;s snow everywhere...that would have truly been a breathtaking cinematic moment. I loved the images and the overall grittiness of this script, even if it was flawed.
Now, this NEW script seems much more like the show, for better or worse. I'm only halfway through, but this script is MUCH more tame. I wish I could look at this script without comparing it to Chboskys ,but I can't do it. Ideally, i'd like a script between the two. Gritty, but more like the play. Overall I think Chboskys script looks amazing on paper but a LOT might not work on film...Columbus' script seems weak on paper but I have a feeling it will be amazing on film. If that makes any sense at all!
Whew, I think that's all I have to say for now...
Orginal Bway script#165
Posted: 11/22/04 at 8:13pmI was hoping to see the movie just like the Broadway, but I guess that's not going to happen. That really disappoints me, becuase I wanted to see everyone like Adam and Idina sing the songs that once made them famous. Maybe that's just me.
RENThead, enLIGHist, Ozalot, Grobanite, Ringer, Pickwick LW, Wicked, Lost, American Dreams, West Wing
Lea S. Hugh J. Adam P. Idina M. Matt M. Taye D.
Orginal Bway script#166
Posted: 11/22/04 at 8:14pmAgreed...hopefully that's what the new revisions will be. And hopefully someone will be so kind as to leak them to us again.
Orginal Bway script#167
Posted: 11/22/04 at 8:21pmAnyone else have a topic to discuss?
Orginal Bway script#168
Posted: 11/22/04 at 8:23pmjust because Im extremely biased I wish Anthony has more songs to sing..ARG
Orginal Bway script#169
Posted: 11/22/04 at 8:24pmI am looking for the official eligibility rules for Academy Awards. I was reading the IMDb boards earlier, and they said the "Move On" was originally written for the original Chicago. If that is true, Larson could indeed win an Oscar for a song...
Orginal Bway script#170
Posted: 11/22/04 at 8:25pm
"I wanted to see everyone like Adam and Idina sing the songs that once made them famous."
Like Glory and Over the Moon? Those will be there, won't they?
OT: GLORY! Five days! *squeak*
Orginal Bway script#172
Posted: 11/22/04 at 8:28pm::glares at Emcee::
Orginal Bway script#173
Posted: 11/22/04 at 8:32pm
From the Academy's website:
"An original song consists of words and music, both of which are original and written specifically for the film. There must be a clearly audible, intelligible, substantive rendition (not necessarily visually presented) of both lyric and melody, used in the body of the film or as the first music cue in the end credits."
Now I'm really confused...
Orginal Bway script#174
Posted: 11/22/04 at 8:36pmThat's gonna be a really tough one to judge.
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