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Hamlet Film Proposal

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Submitted By spiderafi
Words 958
Pages 4
Rafi Ferrer
Godburn
English IV
23 March 2014
Action
Many actors and directors have said that there is no right or wrong way to create Hamlet, the play written by William Shakespeare, due to the intriguing and complex displays of human nature found in the text. This allows for limitless interpretation of this timeless play, and gentlemen, today I would like to share with you my very own. I believe with all my heart that the themes of revenge, unspeakable anger, wicked disloyalty, and many more found in Hamlet are timeless, and I wish to prove this to the audience by setting this production in the 22nd century. With scenes utilizing dark, ominous sets, exaggerated focus on body language to amplify the inner emotion of each character, and regular usage of silhouettes to portray our protagonist’s inner emptiness, this visual style will hold true to the essence of Hamlet, regardless of the 500-year leap into a dreary, futuristic Denmark. The costumes will be realistically modern, while reflecting the inner motives of each character, and will by no means be excessively futuristic and silly. Subtlety is key to film making, and this is Hamlet—not Tron. With Joaquin Phoenix as Hamlet, Sigourney Weaver as Gertrude, and Anthony Hopkins as Claudius, this film will be globally praised as innovative, twisted, and expertly performed. Gentlemen, have I gotten your attention? Not only will this production hold true to the original text, but it will also explore an entirely different world for these characters that will both move and inspire all who see it. Setting the film 500 years into the future will, for example, permit the usage of highly technological spying devices, arousing suspicion and eliminating trust towards nearly everyone on the screen. Additionally, this futuristic perspective creates a world where science and reason reign supreme, forcing religious fortitude to become obsolete and discouraged. This aspect will be crucial when the supernatural framework of the story comes into play. Mainly, this adaptation of Hamlet will focus heavily on the conflicts of logic versus faith, in addition to religious secrecy versus scientific “truth” as accepted by society, making this version unlike any that has come before it. Since the dark, twisted themes portrayed in Shakespeare’s Hamlet must be upheld on screen, the visual style of this film will tell the audience more about the characters than any version before it has been able to. Through excessive usage of low-key lighting, silhouettes will add suspense and intensity to each and every scene, similar to the way they were used in Citizen Kane. Also, in the absence of excessive scene slicing and overcutting, the actors will be able to incorporate improvisation and behavioral imperfections revealing the essence of disturbed, at times discombobulated human nature. Setting the film in the 22nd century will also add meaning and intensity to the script, creating a world where science has “disproven” all spiritual/religious claims, making the possibility of a ghostly encounter unthinkable for the past several generations. The costumes, although appearing insignificant at first glance, will actually also tell much about each character. Gertrude will seldom wear anything other than nightgowns and minimal makeup, expressing her laziness/unwillingness to make herself presentable. Hamlet will appear as professional as possible, wearing a tucked in dress shirt at all times, and a hidden cross necklace representing his unshakable curiosity about the supernatural, making the encounter with his father all the more meaningful. Claudius will wear fine suits and accessories, including his blue tooth-like earpiece, as he is monitoring things at all times. These visual choices, in combination with dark, twisted scores, such as Mad World, by Michael Andrews, will give this film a spooky, unforgettable tone. Such complex characters must only be played by complex, expressive actors if this film is to maintain the tone of darkness which I am pursuing. Joaquin Phoenix will play the role of Hamlet, delivering an irritable, disturbed, lost in thought, frustrated student, acting similarly to his character in The Master. Sigourney Weaver will play Gertrude, the absent minded, chain smoking mother who does everything in her power to forget the past and learn to live with her present. Finally, Anthony Hopkins will play Claudius, as the tough, loveless stepfather who is incapable of showing true affection for Hamlet. This mutual disgust will be no secret, as Hopkins is the king of passive intimidation. Only with this cast will this adaptation of Hamlet come out as intended. Many of you may be skeptical of this futuristic setting, of that I am sure, but I implore you all to consider how such technological advances, in combination with Joaquin’s superb acting, will shape a scene such as scene ii in Act III. After the play concludes prematurely, Hamlet, wary of nearly everyone in the castle, suspects that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are bugged with covert microphones. Joaquin will hold firm, aggressive eye contact throughout this conversation with his two “friends” until finally, he releases his pent up anger when demanding if Guildenstern thinks he is “easier to be played on than a pipe?” (Shakespeare 3.2.400), ripping the concealed microphone from his shirt. As Joaquin is an unbelievable expresser of uncontrolled human emotion while on screen, scenes of this intensity will be constant throughout the entire spectacle. Gentlemen, while I know that my proposition may seem ludicrous at times, far fetched, and perhaps over-ambitious, I urge you to consider the possibilities. Never before has such a take on this timeless story been attempted, and I know that with the right cast, set design, dark twisted soundtrack, and your financial backing, I can deliver to you an academy award winning film. Give me your faith. I will repay you with an Oscar.

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