N.s Screenplay Questions

[Guest Kierancoop]

Okay, so I'm writing a screenplay about a young lad who discovers the northern soul scene. How is this different to the film soul Boy or the new northern soul film? Well, this takes place in the present day. It tells the story of a lad who is sick of the current generic dance scene that his friends are into. And by accident discovers a world full of young and older passionate dancers with a fantastic music scene. (In a nutshell)

I've just got a few questions to ask to the experience northern soul.

1) what do you think has changed from the northern soul scene in the 60's/70's to the northern soul scene in the present day?

2) what do you think the music industry can learn from the northern soul industry?

3) do you think their are enough young people interested in the scene and if not what could we do to get young people involved?

Many thanks. Kieran

[Quinvy]

This could get interesting. Where's Paul Sadot? 

[Peter99]

Kierancoop, on 01 Dec 2014 - 2:09 PM, said:

Okay, so I'm writing a screenplay about a young lad who discovers the northern soul scene. How is this different to the film soul Boy or the new northern soul film? Well, this takes place in the present day. It tells the story of a lad who is sick of the current generic dance scene that his friends are into. And by accident discovers a world full of young and older passionate dancers with a fantastic music scene. (In a nutshell)

I've just got a few questions to ask to the experience northern soul.

1) what do you think has changed from the northern soul scene in the 60's/70's to the northern soul scene in the present day?

2) what do you think the music industry can learn from the northern soul industry?

3) do you think their are enough young people interested in the scene and if not what could we do to get young people involved?

Many thanks. Kieran

1. Everything

2. I don't know

3. No

 

Thanks

 

Peter

 

[SteveM]

On point 1 you could reprise Monty Pythons "Four Yorkshiremen" sketch as "Four Northern Soul dj's" and set it at a venue where they discuss how famous they used to be/still are and what records they broke, oblivious to those around them shaking their heads.! Plenty to choose from. There will be no shortage of fat, balding or fat and balding extras should you get it to production stage.

 

On a serious note, good luck with it but I fear there wont be much support on here 

[Little-stevie]

You ask at a time when the media spotlight his in overkill,with regards to Northern Soul, to avoid pages of posts that may not help and be les than polite, maybe just ask folk to reply to an email address or phone number....

 

 

[Modernsoulsucks]

Steve makes a good point.

Maybe something constructive or move on to next topic.

ROD

[Guest Matt Male]

Good luck, screenplay writing is unrewarding and hard work. Personally I'd like a present day rare soul film, since the 70s has been done to death now. Trouble is even the recent documentaries about the current scene still dwelt on the nostalgia side of things and the retro clothing and ignored pretty much everything progressive going on.

[Guest Polyvelts]

How about this...

 

A group of people approaching their mid / late fifties, early sixties that are still bound together by their passion for, revived interest in, their partners involvement but not necessarily their own interest in a northern soul scene that still manages to struggle on well into the second decade of the twenty first century. 

 

Some dip in and dip out over the years, some are die hards that have never given up the all weekend way of life and others are returning after a thirty odd year absence to rediscover the passion of their youth. 

 

Each individual  has a unique story to tell, surviving the pressure of bringing up a family, work life, redundancies, ill health, the loss of friends and family along the way but still this music from North America  has stayed with them through all the years to provide the soundtrack for all of their lives. 

 

The drama of lifelong friendships, jealousies, cynicism, resentments and the love and laughter That come with trying to somehow hold onto a way of life that could have faded away decades ago but still manages to linger on. The aching knees and hip joints that still don't stop you from heading to the dancefloor when you hear your song - ignoring the pain.

 

the camaraderie found  from hour after hour spent driving all across the country, the jokes and the mischief making. Some people giving it all up but thenreturning six months later never  able to quite let it go. Pleasure and joy as well as Loss and funerals.

 

not nostalgia not youth relived but real life today in 2014, alive and just about kicking, refusing to go quietly into the dark night. Fat, bald whatever but soul for life.

 

mike Leigh ?

[Mark S]

So in reality you know sod all about the scene or you would,nt be asking the questions you,re asking .

Nevermind there will be another bandwagon along in a bit

[Guest Dave Ward]

Ever been 16, working your ass off for 40 hours in a shit factory, Can you bunk a train or a bus and get anywhere in the country, and back. Do you know every Stax record ever made ? Can you dance for 8 hours solid ? Fight like a tomcat, know more about amphetamines than a chemist ? Welcome aboard Kieran. Now write a screenplay.

[Peter99]

Ever been 16, working your ass off for 40 hours in a shit factory, Can you bunk a train or a bus and get anywhere in the country, and back. Do you know every Stax record ever made ? Can you dance for 8 hours solid ? Fight like a tomcat, know more about amphetamines than a chemist ? Welcome aboard Kieran. Now write a screenplay.

Way to go Dave.

 

[Guest Kierancoop]

I'm very much into the scene. I'm still knew to northern soul, don't get me wrong. But I'm also a writer and I just feel it's a remarkable subject to write and discuss about.

I just wanna write about what is current and what I am passionate about.

I would like to the chance to bring more young people like me to the scene.

[Russ Vickers]

The film should be about a record.  Starting with the group/artist...how they grew up & background to how they cut the one - off 45.  How they pinned thier hopes on chart success & sank without trace. 

 

A UK digger finds the record years later, brings it back to the UK & it becomes a Northern Soul classic.  The film should track the records history through different owners in the UK, DJ's, collectors etc, etc. 

 

The film should end in the present day with the record being re activated & becoming  massive again, resulting in a search for the band members/artist, bringing them back to the UK to perform live at an Allnighter, which brings all the key players who have owned the record  together.  It could be called 'Stick By Me Baby' or some such thing !. 

 

Apart from being a brilliant way to weave a story, it would also put the emphasis on the music & the artists.

 

I want a percentage please....

 

Best Russ

[Steve S 60]

The film should be about a record.  Starting with the group/artist...how they grew up & background to how they cut the one - off 45.  How they pinned thier hopes on chart success & sank without trace. 

 

A UK digger finds the record years later, brings it back to the UK & it becomes a Northern Soul classic.  The film should track the records history through different owners in the UK, DJ's, collectors etc, etc. 

 

The film should end in the present day with the record being re activated & becoming  massive again, resulting in a search for the band members/artist, bringing them back to the UK to perform live at an Allnighter, which brings all the key players who have owned the record  together.  It could be called 'Stick By Me Baby' or some such thing !. 

 

Apart from being a brilliant way to weave a story, it would also put the emphasis on the music & the artists.

 

I want a percentage please....

 

Best Russ

 

Throw into the mix some evil bootleggers, and one of the original artist's young grandson and his cute puppy.

[Guest Byrney]

The film should be about a record. Starting with the group/artist...how they grew up & background to how they cut the one - off 45. How they pinned thier hopes on chart success & sank without trace.

A UK digger finds the record years later, brings it back to the UK & it becomes a Northern Soul classic. The film should track the records history through different owners in the UK, DJ's, collectors etc, etc.

The film should end in the present day with the record being re activated & becoming massive again, resulting in a search for the band members/artist, bringing them back to the UK to perform live at an Allnighter, which brings all the key players who have owned the record together. It could be called 'Stick By Me Baby' or some such thing !.

Apart from being a brilliant way to weave a story, it would also put the emphasis on the music & the artists.

I want a percentage please....

Best Russ

Now that is a story and the single most magic thing about this thing of ours. There's so many elements there that would hit every drama button. I'd imagine would need a whopping budget mind.

[Tattoodave]

1. everyone that has survived has become more cynical, mean and often hasn't really grown up, so most resent younger kids coming along and spoiling their game (read the next two before dismissing me as a crackpot  )
2. Not a lot, they didn't get it in the 70's, and progression hasn't shown any significant promise that they will now.
3. Kids are kids, some will see sense and realise that mind numbing crap is just that, mind numbing crap and will see the light, some will be put off by the prospects of the mountain of knowledge that is put in front of them, but the true disciple will carry on in their personal search for development of character and maybe reach the total bliss of living for the weekend, fuelled by illegal chemicals and give up any hope of ever being considered normal again.

 

That's just my cynical and mean view.  But if you are serious about writing a screen play you really need to be asking someone young who has just discovered the scene.

[Guest manusf3a]

1. everyone that has survived has become more cynical, mean and often hasn't really grown up, so most resent younger kids coming along and spoiling their game (read the next two before dismissing me as a crackpot  )

2. Not a lot, they didn't get it in the 70's, and progression hasn't shown any significant promise that they will now.

3. Kids are kids, some will see sense and realise that mind numbing crap is just that, mind numbing crap and will see the light, some will be put off by the prospects of the mountain of knowledge that is put in front of them, but the true disciple will carry on in their personal search for development of character and maybe reach the total bliss of living for the weekend, fuelled by illegal chemicals and give up any hope of ever being considered normal again.

 

That's just my cynical and mean view.  But if you are serious about writing a screen play you really need to be asking someone young who has just discovered the scene.

Yes Dave the man really does need to do just that ask one or more young uns only been on the scene a short while say about a year max,theres lots of questions he should be able to work out for himself that he could ask them .

[Winnie :-)]

Okay, so I'm writing a screenplay about a young lad who discovers the northern soul scene. How is this different to the film soul Boy or the new northern soul film? Well, this takes place in the present day. It tells the story of a lad who is sick of the current generic dance scene that his friends are into. And by accident discovers a world full of young and older passionate dancers with a fantastic music scene. (In a nutshell)

I've just got a few questions to ask to the experience northern soul.

1) what do you think has changed from the northern soul scene in the 60's/70's to the northern soul scene in the present day?

2) what do you think the music industry can learn from the northern soul industry?

3) do you think their are enough young people interested in the scene and if not what could we do to get young people involved?

Many thanks. Kieran

1) Talk to some of the older generation who've done the early days and are still doing it now, but bear in mind you're getting individual perspectives. If the aim of the film is to portray a current scene, might be a good idea to talk to the youngsters, they can tell you what they're getting from it now, and all in all they've probably got a fresher less prejudiced approach than 'the ancients'. 

2) Not really aware of the music industry ever learning anything from anything, they're a huge money making machine in my view who have no real interest in music other than seeing as a commodity they can sell and make profit from.

3) No there's not enough young people involved, realistically to bring it to them and I mean at a rate of knots similar to 75 it would have to be commercialised even more so than it is now, this would sit very uncomfortably with the elder statesmen because the rose tinted glasses mean we try to wash over those bits that actually created the initial interest. This is all just my opinion.

 

Good luck with the project, you're going to need it 

[Mark S]

Why does the story need telling in the first place no one but us cares . Just get on with enjoying it . I dont understand the desire to get young people interested .

The scene evolved from a youth culture and matured into what it is now for better or worse its been an organic progression and any attempt to engineer via films or publicity an influx of youth isnt going to work .

There are a handfull of young people on the scene the others dont give a toss and never will get it .

[Kev Cane]

The film should be about a record.  Starting with the group/artist...how they grew up & background to how they cut the one - off 45.  How they pinned thier hopes on chart success & sank without trace. 

 

A UK digger finds the record years later, brings it back to the UK & it becomes a Northern Soul classic.  The film should track the records history through different owners in the UK, DJ's, collectors etc, etc. 

 

The film should end in the present day with the record being re activated & becoming  massive again, resulting in a search for the band members/artist, bringing them back to the UK to perform live at an Allnighter, which brings all the key players who have owned the record  together.  It could be called 'Stick By Me Baby' or some such thing !. 

 

Apart from being a brilliant way to weave a story, it would also put the emphasis on the music & the artists.

 

I want a percentage please....

 

Best Russ

Brilliant  

[Pete S]

The film should be about a record.  Starting with the group/artist...how they grew up & background to how they cut the one - off 45.  How they pinned thier hopes on chart success & sank without trace. 

 

A UK digger finds the record years later, brings it back to the UK & it becomes a Northern Soul classic.  The film should track the records history through different owners in the UK, DJ's, collectors etc, etc. 

 

The film should end in the present day with the record being re activated & becoming  massive again, resulting in a search for the band members/artist, bringing them back to the UK to perform live at an Allnighter, which brings all the key players who have owned the record  together.  It could be called 'Stick By Me Baby' or some such thing !. 

 

Apart from being a brilliant way to weave a story, it would also put the emphasis on the music & the artists.

 

I want a percentage please....

 

Best Russ

 

Could base it on the Carstairs being found and them then playing live at The Mecca reunion.  And then passing away knowing the true history of their record.

[spot]

Seems we've been down this road numerous times before, why not try an original idea and use your imagination, isn't that what fiction writers do? If however you want to write a factual based story then I'm sure there's plenty of the Old Guard would be willing to help with research but not real names and I doubt it would get past the Censor or anyone would actually believe it, because I'm sure I wouldn't and I/we were there and it now seems somewhat dream like!!!!!!!!!!!        

Spot.  

[Geeselad]

3) do you think their are enough young people interested in the scene and if not what could we do to get young people involved?
Many thanks. Kieran

• -
•                    

 

 

 nowhere near enough! - Northern soul needs to get away from the 6ts obsession that will inevetably kill the scene, move the scene onto to be more progressive and inclusive. Its not and never has been a 'retro' movement, the ideology is far more attractive and important than baggy trs and F wilson!   

[spot]

3) do you think their are enough young people interested in the scene and if not what could we do to get young people involved?

Many thanks. Kieran

• -
•                    

 

 

 nowhere near enough! - Northern soul needs to get away from the 6ts obsession that will inevetably kill the scene, move the scene onto to be more progressive and inclusive. Its not and never has been a 'retro' movement, the ideology is far more attractive and important than baggy trs and F wilson!   

Geese we've (Gail & I) have always been of the same opinion but in reality there aren't enough who think the same, Lifeline etc are lucky if they attract 250, back in the early Cleethorpes era when, God forbid, new releases were played it was sacrilege and we were called Disco Bunny's or Queens. There definitely aren't enough younger people on the scene and those who are, tend to be following their parents etc and are into Oldies (Which of course they aren't to them) and want to dress as if it was 1973 and for some it's just a passing faze. I'm afraid this debate will run on and on and on. Gail and i recently read a Blues & Soul from 73/74 in which she was interviewed and said, "We need to stop playing all these Oldies and move the music forward", she also mention the Older Soulies, who at that time would have been no more than 5 or 6 years older than us, as was the music they were playing, unlike today when the age gap is 30 yrs + and the music 40 yrs old, so it's a never ending circle.  

Spot.  

[Zed1]

Ever been 16, working your ass off for 40 hours in a shit factory, Can you bunk a train or a bus and get anywhere in the country, and back. Do you know every Stax record ever made ? Can you dance for 8 hours solid ? Fight like a tomcat, know more about amphetamines than a chemist ? Welcome aboard Kieran. Now write a screenplay.

 

 

Interesting Dave that your above post just shows how far removed todays scene is from the one most of us grew up with.......

 

Northern Soul - A Way of Life Where did it all go wrong?.

[Grayman45]

Why do people get so irritable when someone asks a simple question. The guy is a writer, and wants to write. He's asked three questions in a forum where he thinks there'll be people willing to help, and half his replies are totally negative. What's wrong with people? It's times like this I really hate this site.

[Modernsoulsucks]

Why do people get so irritable when someone asks a simple question. The guy is a writer, and wants to write. He's asked three questions in a forum where he thinks there'll be people willing to help, and half his replies are totally negative. What's wrong with people? It's times like this I really hate this site.

 

 

Well at least Russ came up with what I think is a cracker.

 

ROD

[Jnixon]

if you need to ask people is there any point in you actually doing it?

[Guest son of stan]

The film should be about a record. Starting with the group/artist...how they grew up & background to how they cut the one - off 45. How they pinned thier hopes on chart success & sank without trace.

A UK digger finds the record years later, brings it back to the UK & it becomes a Northern Soul classic. The film should track the records history through different owners in the UK, DJ's, collectors etc, etc.

The film should end in the present day with the record being re activated & becoming massive again, resulting in a search for the band members/artist, bringing them back to the UK to perform live at an Allnighter, which brings all the key players who have owned the record together. It could be called 'Stick By Me Baby' or some such thing !.

Apart from being a brilliant way to weave a story, it would also put the emphasis on the music & the artists.

I want a percentage please....

Best Russ

That's really good. But to make it work as a film you'd probably have to create an original song rather than use an old record, which might be a weakness. It would have to be a flipping amazing sound to effectively underpin a whole film.Would work better as a novel where the reader could imagine how it sounded.

[Guest son of stan]

Sorry..in answer to the OP, there was an episode of 'Inspector George Gently' a few years ago that was set on the Northern Soul Scene. That was obviously meticulously researched and there's unanimous agreement on this site that it represents the most accurate fictional portrayal of The Scene ever committed to film. Use that as your benchmark mate, and you won't go far wrong.

Right on now, keep the faith!

Edited December 3, 2014 by son of stan

[Guest lofthope]

It may seem cynical, but I'd actually step back and ask the fundamental question 'why would anyone want to see this?'. I say this because I meet so many creatives who want to indulge in their interests but never get funding because they don't identify the target audience and the potential size of that audience. This latter point also affects the potential budget, which you also need to be mindful of whilst writing.  My guess is that you should weave your listed themes around some universal dramatic storyline that film distributors and financiers (non soulies) can identify with.

Soul Boy is not, fundamentally, a film about Northern Soul, it's a light hearted teenage romance story with a Northern Soul setting, maybe even a romcom. Northern Soul is, effectively, a drama/documentary, the drugs/police thread is (I suspect) enhanced to keep filmgoers entertained because I can't imagine outsiders wanting to sit through 90 minutes of footage of people dancing. The George Gently thing was a detective story with a Northern Soul setting.

Incidentally Once Upon A Time in Wigan tried to raise finance for a film version a few years back but didn't get funded. Film Distributers, Agents and Financiers need to be convinced/recognise that there is something they can sell. Is a story of someone discovering a scene (today's or otherwise) enough on its own?

I wish you luck, I hope it gets made and I certainly hope I'm not sounding negative, but this is a harsh (but fun) business!

[Guest Garry Huxley]

I'm very much into the scene. I'm still knew to northern soul, don't get me wrong. But I'm also a writer and I just feel it's a remarkable subject to write and discuss about.

I just wanna write about what is current and what I am passionate about.

I would like to the chance to bring more young people like me to the scene.

 

Good luck mate but there are a lot of cynical people that don't like anything new intruding on to the scene

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Kieran, good luck with the project. There will always be writers and producers and those that enjoy the pickings when available whether music, film, TV etc. Berry Gordy wanted to write and produce back in the 1950's. He must have had encouragement and negativity at the time too. Look what he did. Slightly different, but he was a visionary with a passion. Your mission is a respectable notion. I see you are attending events here and there. If you have the bug for writing a screen play - do it. I was never at the all nighters back in the day so cannot talk from experience. Heard about them from friends who attended etc. I did hear some of the songs in Hull from 1973, where I too fell in love with the music. I went a different route to you - writing songs in a similar construction to those from the 1960/70's. 

 

What I can remember as a 17 year old was finding import records and playing them for the first time at home.....my God, it was music on another level. It never left me, it created a passion so strong and great respect for those who created it. And I have, like many, been in a position to meet the writers, producers and musicians of some of the most influential music of my generation. So this is my latest 'screenplay'...love it or loathe it, it will be released and for sale soon bla bla bla: https://soundcloud.com/55motown/loving-you-always-came-easy-instrumental-demo

[Spacehopper]

trying not to be negative but I reckon....a film about modern day teenagers discovering northern on its own wont be any different than both soulboy and northern soul despite being set in different times with different fashins etc..as above posts have said both of these had weak stories really..ofcourse we love the music and dancing so we are biased

 

any new film needs a better story first..mr Vickers has come up with something a bit different  I cant see yet another film without a good story causing the stir weve had recently..even in our circles

 

despite its mistakes etc and the slating it sometimes gets I think these show how good the actual story for quadrophenia was!..but then the basis of that was by townsend a good storyteller even if it was in song

 

I read a book many years ago called cracking up which I must read again but im sure at the time I thought it would make a good film..nice twist at the end...

 

good luck if you do it..in answer to your questions...

 

1 lots...the internet and money making mainly! although for some the ideology of finding new tunes has changed into a wanting soundtrack that HASNT changed

 

2 nothing..and why would they want to! they are making millions out of brainwashing kids into thinking the shit they dish out is good..selling merchandise and downloads of tv show recordings etc before the latest x factor band has stepped foot in a recording studio..i saw one of the heats and the 8000 strong audience were screaming their heads off as a band walked on stage that hadn't even made to finals!

 

3 id love to see more kids get into it..we are lucky we have a good amount who come to our night and some havnt even got parents into it!..but they also like other stuff and although some will almost all wont get swallowed up into an obsession like we have..the choice for them is too wide..i don't think we should try and get more younguns involved but we should accept them if they do

 

 

dean

[Quinvy]

Sorry..in answer to the OP, there was an episode of 'Inspector George Gently' a few years ago that was set on the Northern Soul Scene. That was obviously meticulously researched and there's unanimous agreement on this site that it represents the most accurate fictional portrayal of The Scene ever committed to film. Use that as your benchmark mate, and you won't go far wrong.

Right on now, keep the faith!

I really hope that post is "tongue in cheek"? 

[Guest son of stan]

I really hope that post is "tongue in cheek"?

Do i have to put winking emojis around it?

[Hooker1951]

There were more holes in the George Gently N Soul episode than a 1970's string vest

 

Sorry..in answer to the OP, there was an episode of 'Inspector George Gently' a few years ago that was set on the Northern Soul Scene. That was obviously meticulously researched and there's unanimous agreement on this site that it represents the most accurate fictional portrayal of The Scene ever committed to film. Use that as your benchmark mate, and you won't go far wrong.

Right on now, keep the faith!

Keep on Trucking Mick L.