I'm jumping the gun just a little, but as we are about to restart our discussion on the Sense & Sensibility screenplay and diaries, I was thinking about the whole idea of such a thing being published.About filming diaries and "Making of" books/videos in general--destroying the mystique?
Posted by Barbara on January 11, 1998 at 16:49:03:
I'm jumping the gun just a little, but as we are about to restart our discussion on the Sense & Sensibility screenplay and diaries, I was thinking about the whole idea of such a thing being published.
I found that I was very admiring of Emma Thompson (as if I wasn't already) that she chose to publish in this format, rather than a "novelization" of S&S, based on her screenplay. On April 18 in the diary, ET writes:
We discussed the 'novelisation' question. This is where the studio pays someon to novelise my script and sell it as Sense and Sensibility I've said if this happens I will hang myself. Revolting notion. Beyond revolting.
I've always thought of the publication of this diary as her answer to that particular dilemma. Preserving the sanctity of Jane Austen aside, however, it is fun to get a behind the scenes glimpse of what goes on. I enjoy reading about how the actors acted off screen, problems associated with a particular scene, changes in the way the movie was planned and the way it turned out, etc. I don't know if filming diaries are perhaps becoming more popular? I think I read that Kenneth Branagh published one for Hamlet.
And of course, we have all enjoyed our "Making of P&P2" book, or "Making of Emma3" books, or "Making of S&S" (or Jurassic Park or whatever) television specials. My question, though, comes from something my husband said as I was poring over one of these books. His comment: "I wouldn't want to know all that." He doesn't even like to watch movie promos and trailers, or even to see very well-known actors in a role, because he insists that it detracts from the believability of it for him. I can see his point, but I haven't made up my mind on that yet. What do you all think? Does knowing everything about how a movie was made enhance the experience for you, or detract from teh mystique?
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