- Joined
- Feb 13, 2005
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- 3,126
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- www.allensedge.com
I'm gonna let you guys in on a secret, not to be a secret any longer:
I want to write a "making of" book about the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
The book would be similar in scope to the book Pure Imagination about the movie Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It would give all the background of the real race car, Ian Fleming's book, the screenplay by Roald Dahl, the conversion into a musical, etc. etc. etc.
I've been a lifelong fan of the move ever since early childhood. I have fond memories of watching the movie all afternoon on a Saturday or Sunday. Google searches reveal blogs and bulletin boards where fans my age and younger still rave about the movie. I've seen mentions that say it's a "perrenial childhood favorite."
Yet there's no book about it.
So, since I'm unemployed, I thought I would start the preliminaries into seeing what I need to do to write this book. I'll have to have cooperation from MGM. I'll need access to their files, publicity photos, and anything else they may have on hand concerning the movie. I'll have to interview anyone associated with the movie who is still alive.
I started with a phone call to MGM's legal department. Someone from the office actually called me back last night. Blew me away. She said "everyone does love the film" and that a book like my proposed book would be interesting. She explained that I had to talk with the Film/Literary Rights department, which she gave me the person's name and number plus referral. I'll call that person today.
However, I need to present a strong case to this person that a book like this is needed for the movie's fans, and that it would also benefit MGM. I believe the book would boost sales of the DVD. And it would garner interest in the touring musical. The musical, btw, is currently touring in the United States. I hope to see it this May.
And there's even talk of a modern remake!
In presenting my case to the MGM person I have to convince her that modern audiences still love this movie and would be interested in the book.
So my question for you all is this: do you and your children dislike/like/love the movie and why? Do you think you would want to read a "making of" book?
I have spoken to people who say they like the film, but maybe this small poll will help make my case aside from saying that I've seen lots of talk around the web from people who like the movie.
If there's enough interest in the original film to garner a touring musical and remake, then there should be a book, I think. And I'm just the guy to write it, since no one else has.
Once I have written support from MGM saying that yes, they will grant me access to their files and cooperate with me on this book, THEN I will write a proposal to get an agent to sell the book. THEN I will write it.
I want to write a "making of" book about the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
The book would be similar in scope to the book Pure Imagination about the movie Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It would give all the background of the real race car, Ian Fleming's book, the screenplay by Roald Dahl, the conversion into a musical, etc. etc. etc.
I've been a lifelong fan of the move ever since early childhood. I have fond memories of watching the movie all afternoon on a Saturday or Sunday. Google searches reveal blogs and bulletin boards where fans my age and younger still rave about the movie. I've seen mentions that say it's a "perrenial childhood favorite."
Yet there's no book about it.
So, since I'm unemployed, I thought I would start the preliminaries into seeing what I need to do to write this book. I'll have to have cooperation from MGM. I'll need access to their files, publicity photos, and anything else they may have on hand concerning the movie. I'll have to interview anyone associated with the movie who is still alive.
I started with a phone call to MGM's legal department. Someone from the office actually called me back last night. Blew me away. She said "everyone does love the film" and that a book like my proposed book would be interesting. She explained that I had to talk with the Film/Literary Rights department, which she gave me the person's name and number plus referral. I'll call that person today.
However, I need to present a strong case to this person that a book like this is needed for the movie's fans, and that it would also benefit MGM. I believe the book would boost sales of the DVD. And it would garner interest in the touring musical. The musical, btw, is currently touring in the United States. I hope to see it this May.
And there's even talk of a modern remake!
In presenting my case to the MGM person I have to convince her that modern audiences still love this movie and would be interested in the book.
So my question for you all is this: do you and your children dislike/like/love the movie and why? Do you think you would want to read a "making of" book?
I have spoken to people who say they like the film, but maybe this small poll will help make my case aside from saying that I've seen lots of talk around the web from people who like the movie.
If there's enough interest in the original film to garner a touring musical and remake, then there should be a book, I think. And I'm just the guy to write it, since no one else has.
Once I have written support from MGM saying that yes, they will grant me access to their files and cooperate with me on this book, THEN I will write a proposal to get an agent to sell the book. THEN I will write it.