Essay Question

[rolanni]

So, today is a day off.  My plan is to wrestle the kitchen counter into a semblance of order while listening to trashy rock 'n roll music.  Beat that, Bermuda!

But, before I retire into this day-dream of sybaritic delight, I have a question for y'all.  It's a serious question, and may eventually produce real-world events.  Or not.  Which pretty much sums up the freelance lifestyle.

What I'd like to know is this:

Which short Liaden work -- by which I mean, NOT a novel -- do you think would best translate to TV/cinema?  Note that I'm not asking for your "favorite" story, here, but the story-or-stories that would best translate.

For instance, I have a sneaking fondness for "The Space at Tinsori Light" -- but!  I'm well-known as someone who has not a clue regarding the demands of/what can be conveyed by visual media.

So!  Have at it, if you will; I look forward to seeing what y'all have to say.

And now?  The countertop calls.

Comments

[pc1739.livejournal.com]

Umm it depends on what type of TV you want - action, drama, romance, horror, etc

The stories which lead up to a climax or action and/or pretty much stand alone in terms of knowing history / background:
1) A Day at the Races
2) Misfits
3) Certain Symmetry
4) Changeling

[zola.livejournal.com]

I also think Changeling would work well

[psw456.livejournal.com]

Third vote for Misfits.

[psw456.livejournal.com]

Oops, typing on my android tablet is a pain. I was so focussed on the data entry that I forgot what I wanted to suggest.
I meant Changling

[zola.livejournal.com]

Now that I have a few minutes to actually contribute some details...

One of the good things about Changeling is that it demonstrates a LOT of Liaden customs, in a very compact way. You see the Delm discussing the disposition of Ren Zel, you see the contract-marriage when Ren Zel is grown, you see the whole concept of Balance, you see the tensions between Liad and Terra, you get introduced to the dramliza, (even though Ren Zel does not yet know he is one), AND you get a happy ending in the form of Ren Zel finding new life aboard the Dutiful Passage.

A seemingly simple tale, and yet it shows so much.

[rnjtolch.livejournal.com]

Hi Sharon,
I can't say which story would best be translated to film or TV, but I suggest that you take a peek at the Cormac McCarthy piece, "Screenplay," in the June 10 & 17 issue of "The New Yorker." It is a combined 2-week issue devoted to fiction and with a dynamite noir cover. After reading the piece the word "cinematic" takes on full glorious meaning.

Or, if you disagree, there's always the cartoons.
Regards,
r

[jessie-c.livejournal.com]

To Cut an Edge is self-contained enough that it would make a lovely live action story. There's not very much in the way of background required to flesh it out beyond what the plot already does. Perhaps one short scene having the examiner giving Val Con his final briefing before drop is all that's necessary.

Another fun one for sheer visuals would be A Day at the Races but it's much less self-contained.

Veil of the dancer

[ext-1689164.livejournal.com (from livejournal.com)]

I think this story could be made very visually gripping and it is accessible to a wide audience.
I can see many up and coming female actors being excited about playing the lead. There is room for comedy with the sisters, and plenty of dramatic action.

[cailleuch.livejournal.com]

Breath's Duty -- I always wondered what a nerligig looked like. Sets would be easy to create, either practical or in 3D. A space battle eventually but that is pretty standard in terms of filming SF. Turtles mentioned without have to actually create or animate. There is a focus on characters which draws you into the world.

Changeling -- a good second choice.

[elbales]

I think "Changeling" would translate well. It's got an extremely likable protagonist, interesting culture clashes, and a compelling plot. There are a lot of great character moments that could be brought to life on the screen. (For example, Ren Zel's contract wife always hated him, and a good director can suggest that very effectively without a single word.)

[ellenru.livejournal.com]

A Day at the Races or To Cut an Edge would have been my first choices, but I can also see Intelligent Design if the producers were looking for a younger protagonist. Plus - ROBOTS of various types.

[wystii.livejournal.com]

I've been pondering this and will go out on a limb and suggest Necessary Evils. I know it has virtually no connection to Korval but it is self contained and would make a great suspense horror movie. All the elements for a good suspensefull horror is there and some special effects visuals thrown in. The twist at the end is... positively chilling.

Of course I have no media expertise, but a good screenwriter could really play with this and shape it into a good movie along the lines of The Others or Angel Heart. That kind of stuff. In general, I don't like horror movies, especially slasher and zombie stuff, but this kind, I love.

[gingerwood.livejournal.com]

Changeling was the first story that came to mind. Misfits would be good too.

[drammar.livejournal.com]

I am torn between A Day at the Races, To Cut an Edge, and Lord of the Dance. They each, in their own way, weave some of the tapestry of Liaden culture for your readers -- and the importance of pilots and scout to Korval.

A Day at the Races shows the structure (and stricture) of Liaden Society -- and how far outside that structure Korval can be. The race itself would be thrilling on screen.

To Cut an Edge has so many elements -- not least of which is Edger and his Clan. The interactions between Val Con and various members of the Knife Clan would be a treat to see -- and the battle with Edger and Val Con defeating a'jilata (please forgive any misspelling there) could be breathtaking.

I know that Lord of the Dance is considered an outside-of-canon story, but it remains my favorite of all of your short works. Part of that is because Pat Rin is my favorite of all of Korval, but the rest of it is that the writing itself if damn near poetic. Of the three I'm leaning toward I think it would be the hardest to do and "get right" from a cinematic point of view because to understand the story you have to understand the history.

I do hope that there is a reason behind the question other than author's curiosity. I have long wished to have Korval on screen -- but ONLY if you and Steve could have artistic control over the outcome.

[lornastutz.livejournal.com]

My choices are: Changeling, Veil of the Dancer and To Cut An Edge

[ebartley.livejournal.com]

I'll agree with everyone else that Changeling would work well. You can do a lot of special effects, you can do it with minimal special effects (ship piloting and the crash can be depicted visually at whatever length you wish, though the crash itself is necessary), and while it ties into complicated Liaden society it does so in ways that can be easily explained. If time allows, you could continue on to Kin Ties.

To Cut an Edge, also already mentioned, feels like it would work well -- doesn't really require all that much in the way of an explanation (maybe a voiceover of the mission at the beginning), but it *does* require a lot of special effects to do right.

A Choice of Weapons would work well visually, with fancy costumes and some pretty sets, but no real special effects at all. It doesn't have much in the way of science fiction trimmings; depending on the intended recipients this is good or bad.

Fighting Chance also requires little explanation (the poverty and desperation can be conveyed visually) and feels like it would transfer well to the screen.

Veil of the Dancer

[robotech-master.livejournal.com]

I'm going to suggest "Veil of the Dancer." It could be made very easily and on a reasonably low budget, because there are so few overtly science fictional elements in it, so there wouldn't be much need for costly special effects. And it's got a relatively straightforward storyline that wouldn't need to lose much in the adaptation.

[otterb.livejournal.com]

I'd opt for A Day at the Races or To Cut an Edge.

[ext-1743106.livejournal.com (from livejournal.com)]

A Day at the Races.

Reasons behind my choice? It's one of my favorite short stories, it's fairly self-contained, Val Con totally tells Kareen off, it has lots of action, and I can't get the image of young Val Con and Shan, where Shan tells Val Con that they can share his mother.

[robszewczyk.livejournal.com]

To Cut an Edge has all the elements of a good (short) movie -- action, fights, music, and action. (OK, now you know what kind of movies I watch ;) I think it loses the least of any of the stories if you're not already familiar with the Liaden Universe. Though it does require special effects or animation for the turtles and the dragons.

Veil of the Dancer is another action-packed story that I think would TVize well. Bonus, you get a side helping of Girls Can Too be Tough. And harem outfits.

My opinion on Changeling is that it's wonderful for us Liaden-culture aficionados, but might not be riveting for newbies.