3.01.2009

Meeting Your Characters in the Flesh

I received news just a few days ago that my producer and I will be going to Las Vegas tomorrow to meet Mark Rodney.

Last Spring I wrote a script called "Downbeat: The True Story of Red Rodney." It is a biopic piece about Red Rodney, who was The Rat Pack's trumpet player, a notorious conman, and a jazz prodigy. It is essentially a caper-flick revolving around the two greatest cons of his life. The story explores the relationships in his personal life, as well-- mostly that with his sixteen year old son, Mark.

Now Mark is 58. And I'm going to meet him.

There is something very strange, surreal, magical even in preparing for this encounter. What does one say to her character? I am desperately curious to watch his mannerisms, hear his speech patterns, observe his demeanor. Luckily, the script is done. Otherwise I would be scribbling notes the whole time.

There is a sense of responsibility I felt to Red and his family while constructing the story. I think it's probably good I hadn't met them before. I may have been crippled by an even greater responsibility to present them in a good light, and truthbetold, this swinging, '60's Vegas, drug-swindling saga doesn't lend itself to much good light at all.

Mark will be taking us to Sammy Davis, Jr.'s former home, Sonny Liston's stomping grounds, and Frank Sinatra and the gang's favorite spots on the old Strip. What a treat!

This biopic thing can be mighty rewarding for a little writer like myself.

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