Would There Ever Be a Possibility...?

[Rikae]

Originally Posted by MatthewM

I am not much of a composer, although I do play bass/guitar...I would think classical riffs are where it's at for this though, and I'm not too good at scales and such...I suppose we can see what the scene calls for?

I think classical (or similar) is probably the way to go as well - and wouldn't it be fabulous if someone/a few someones could contribute original compositions to the project... if that's possible?

Also, I was thinking this - if we go with the green light on a chapter/scene, should we take Tolkien's words, word for word, and not change any dialogue? I am for this, as we all as die hard's know the Book shouldn't be changed. It wouldn't be hard to not change it, if we only did a section at a time, if that is what we did.

One more question, for now - How are we going to incorporate the "Frodo said.", etc. into the dialogue? Do you know what I mean? For example Frodo speaks, and then in the book it says "Frodo said" to let the audience know who just spoke to avoid confusion. I suppose with actual voices it may not be hard to tell but to some it may.

Certainly I would prefer to stay as close to the original as possible, changing only those things (like "Frodo said") which would be awkward or redundant in this format. I would much rather see each character given a recognisable enough voice, than to hear "Frodo said"'s all over the place. The only other instance I can think of where deviation from the text would be the most sensible route is where sounds are described, as it would be far more intuitive and make the best use of the medium if we provided the sound itself. Other than this, why not stick to the text?

[Macalaure]

Originally Posted by Rikae

We can just get started, though - record one scene (Shadow of the Past again comes to mind) for which we already have enough actors and hope more come on board after seeing what is possible.

I'm all for that (the starting point being out for debate). If we already start out being perfectionist, I fear we won't ever arrive somewhere. I don't see a problem with re-recording some scenes if we come to the conclusion that a change made elsewhere requires a change in recorded material.

Originally Posted by Rikae

Seeing that you're the oldest person to show interest in the project, are we to assume you volunteer?

I'll take everything that Gwath leaves for me.

Originally Posted by Rikae

How about music? Are there any composers lurking around who are interested in lending their skills to this project? *nudge, nudge*

Hmmm, but composing is one thing, recording another. I'm not sure I like the idea of computer-generated background music. [/wetblanket]
Do we really actually need so much background music? I mean, won't it distract from the dialogue too much?

Originally Posted by Nerwen

Re: Skype– good for cheap long distance calls, but not for recording. You get weird delays and distortion.

Hmm, that's what I was concerned about. We should just try it, and if it doesn't work, we'll have to figure out something else.

Originally Posted by Matthew

Also, I was thinking this - if we go with the green light on a chapter/scene, should we take Tolkien's words, word for word, and not change any dialogue? I am for this, as we all as die hard's know the Book shouldn't be changed. It wouldn't be hard to not change it, if we only did a section at a time, if that is what we did.

Originally Posted by Rikae

Certainly I would prefer to stay as close to the original as possible, changing only those things (like "Frodo said") which would be awkward or redundant in this format. I would much rather see each character given a recognisable enough voice, than to hear "Frodo said"'s all over the place. The only other instance I can think of where deviation from the text would be the most sensible route is where sounds are described, as it would be far more intuitive and make the best use of the medium if we provided the sound itself. Other than this, why not stick to the text?

I, too, think we should only change something when it's necessary. Where there is dialogue provided, I see no general reason to change a thing. But what about the narrative sections? I don't think it's a good idea to leave them as they are - we'd have the narrator talking half of the time! I think we should use the narrator sparingly, and instead try to work the narrative sections into dialogue. If we do this, however, the writing will become a serious and probably exhausting task.

[Rikae]

Originally Posted by Macalaure

Hmmm, but composing is one thing, recording another. I'm not sure I like the idea of computer-generated background music. [/wetblanket]
Do we really actually need so much background music? I mean, won't it distract from the dialogue too much?

I don't think it will detract if we use it wisely, but enhance. You're right - computer generated music sucks - but we could possibly get together a small band of musicians among us to lay down tracks on top of one another, which could work out nicely.

If we do this, however, the writing will become a serious and probably exhausting task.

You have my keyboard!
However, I favor primarily focusing on keeping the narrative scenes largely intact, or shortening them, rather than working them into the dialogue. The latter technique tends to sound cheesy if it's overused, at least to my ear...

[MatthewM]

Originally Posted by Rikae

However, I think primarily focusing on keeping the narrative scenes largely intact, or shortening them, rather than working them into the dialogue. The latter technique tends to sound cheesy if it's overused, at least to my ear...

I agree, I would like to keep most of the narration where it is and only cut it down when necessary.

About the background music, I meant mainly for in between scenes, not over dialogue, really...if we use it wisely (and sparingly), like Rikae said, it could be nice...for example, a transition into another scene could be cued up with some bg music for a couple of seconds, maybe with the narrator speaking over it.

The only words we would have to change, as mentioned, would be words that signify sounds, in which we have to try and produce that sound - saying it would be quite bad for this medium, and I'm sure all would agree on that!

[MatthewM]

Would it perhaps be easier to do a single chapter at first? I'm for recruiting and casting and all, like I said, but if numbers were an issue we could not get past there are some chapters we could do in which not every member of The Fellowship speaks (in Book II).

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

We could start with the opening of FotR and work from there... We could figure out the kinks (We wanted to do a radio program, right?) and even if it doesn't get aired, then we could still have a good script, besides it would be fun!

[Macalaure]

Originally Posted by Rikae

However, I favor primarily focusing on keeping the narrative scenes largely intact, or shortening them, rather than working them into the dialogue. The latter technique tends to sound cheesy if it's overused, at least to my ear...

Originally Posted by Matthew

I agree, I would like to keep most of the narration where it is and only cut it down when necessary.

But wouldn't this move us farther away from a radio adaptation and closer towards an audio book?