Independent Movie Gives Lesson in Screenwriting
If you're not doing much this Christmas, or you need some time away from the festive hysteria, check out the movie, Almost Human.
When you're suffering from too much Christmas spirit, (ie, whisky, vodka, brandy, etc.) your head will be able to cope with the intricacies of the plot: man is abducted by aliens; returns to Earth two years later; sets about killing everybody in reach of whatever sharp or blunt instrument that comes to hand; converts the bodies into alien zombies.
To avoid cliches, the director has worked with the actors to create unexpected responses to situations - the difference between an independent production and the usual Hollywood rubbish shows. In one scene, someone manages to bury the hatchet, literally, in the alien's back. Were there howls of pain? A roar of rage? No. He simply seemed a bit annoyed at not being able to reach the offending object stuck between his shoulder blades, to return the favour. My heart went out to him as he flapped his arms around in frustration.
In another scene, the main protagonist is chased by an alien zombie into the kitchen. While he was being strangled, did he miraculously find an enormous carving knife conveniently to hand? Of course not. The first thing his scrabbling hands came up with was a whisk. "Beating" the alien to death would not only be a painful pun, but rather ineffective, too. Or maybe he wanted to "whip" his butt.
Finally, the director very wisely steered clear of the Hollwood happily-ever-after ending. The good guy, after dispatching all the aliens, gets shot in the back by the police. Nobody ever believed his story that aliens were the ones doing all the killing.
Sorry to give away the ending, since I know you'll want to see it. I predict it will become a cult classic. Here's an example of why they call it the Seventh Art. Cinematic gold!
For an alternative screenplay with a Christmas flavour, check out Santa's Night Off, a comedy for all the family about what Santa will do when he is sick on his most important night of the year. Could Mother Christmas save the day? She will have to deal with a charging bull, a savage chihuahua, the Three Wise (and angry) Men, American Air force fighters, police and singing aliens.
A Merry, but mad, Christmas.
***FREE*** 6th - 10th December (Wed-Sun) on Amazon.
Santa's Night Off at Amazon
When you're suffering from too much Christmas spirit, (ie, whisky, vodka, brandy, etc.) your head will be able to cope with the intricacies of the plot: man is abducted by aliens; returns to Earth two years later; sets about killing everybody in reach of whatever sharp or blunt instrument that comes to hand; converts the bodies into alien zombies.
To avoid cliches, the director has worked with the actors to create unexpected responses to situations - the difference between an independent production and the usual Hollywood rubbish shows. In one scene, someone manages to bury the hatchet, literally, in the alien's back. Were there howls of pain? A roar of rage? No. He simply seemed a bit annoyed at not being able to reach the offending object stuck between his shoulder blades, to return the favour. My heart went out to him as he flapped his arms around in frustration.
In another scene, the main protagonist is chased by an alien zombie into the kitchen. While he was being strangled, did he miraculously find an enormous carving knife conveniently to hand? Of course not. The first thing his scrabbling hands came up with was a whisk. "Beating" the alien to death would not only be a painful pun, but rather ineffective, too. Or maybe he wanted to "whip" his butt.
Finally, the director very wisely steered clear of the Hollwood happily-ever-after ending. The good guy, after dispatching all the aliens, gets shot in the back by the police. Nobody ever believed his story that aliens were the ones doing all the killing.
Sorry to give away the ending, since I know you'll want to see it. I predict it will become a cult classic. Here's an example of why they call it the Seventh Art. Cinematic gold!
For an alternative screenplay with a Christmas flavour, check out Santa's Night Off, a comedy for all the family about what Santa will do when he is sick on his most important night of the year. Could Mother Christmas save the day? She will have to deal with a charging bull, a savage chihuahua, the Three Wise (and angry) Men, American Air force fighters, police and singing aliens.
A Merry, but mad, Christmas.
***FREE*** 6th - 10th December (Wed-Sun) on Amazon.
Santa's Night Off at Amazon
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