A film begins with a script. A statement well established on a site like this. One can make a bad movie on a good script, but never a good movie on a bad script. Thus, a lot of time and effort are used to make the script perfect. Script work is cheap compared to what it will be later when it comes to equipment and people to be organized, transported and fed.
I have the privilege of getting one of my short scripts filmed right now, this February. As a writer, working alone is common, but regarding screenplays, you have to be prepared to have your story mulled, and it is not certain that the author is the one who knows best.
When cinematographer Sigge Fabiansson got in touch with me because he wanted to make a short film with gorgeous visuals, I showed him a few scripts I had, and he liked one of them. But, there were some desired changes. I shudder when I hear that word. I mean, I think that the story is perfect as it is, otherwise I would not have shown him the script. This is however something a script writer has to survive, like it or not. But, Sigge and I were on the same wavelength, and together we found a focus in history and sharpness and depth not been there before. To discuss with others are uplifting and inspiring. "The Third Wish" is a tale of magical wishes and enchanted apple trees, but the foundation is what makes life meaningful. It is a story of a man who cheats Death but finds out that he has ruined his life.
A film is moving images, and a script must reflect this. Some things work well in a written fairy tale but become difficult to manage once it is about to become a reality.
The scene in which Death climbs a tree simply had to be rewritten. As wonderful as it was, Death had to remain on the ground. It was the first thing director Pär Ödlund said when he read the script. And he was right. I had to rewrite that scene. In these cases, I do my best not to make it “work anyway,” but make it better than it was before.
Later the director called me with a new request:
“Can you remove the butter?” (The characters make an apple pie.) “Could you change it to something less sticky?”
“What?” Had the guy ever baked a pie? You have to make an association with dough. You cannot just have flour. Pär explained that keeping butter looking fresh on a set a whole day was not worth the trouble. Oh, of course. I did not think of that.
“Water then?”, I asked.
“Water is fine.”
Then comes the time then the author releases the script and the rest of the team take over and makes the film. I have the privilege to follow the process, and when I see the work everyone puts into it fills me with confidence. "The third wish" will be a brilliant short film. The thrill I feel when I see the pictures and hear music that is entirely in tune with the movie, I would like to see this as a successful start of the new year.
Do you wish to know more about the project? Visit FB: https://www.facebook.com/thethirdwishdrama