The Scoop
Some positive feedback on the screenplay
(March 26, 2009)Erick here with some encouraging news.
As a part of our efforts to raise money for the film and ensure that we’re developing a screenplay that works for the multitude of constituencies that are required to make a film successful (e.g. fans of Blue Like Jazz and Don Miller, investors, grassroots organizations, studios, the prospective audience, etc.), we’ve asked a number of folks if they would read the screenplay and provide feedback. We know many of you care deeply about how this project is managed and want to see the best movie possible made. Many of the early comments on Don’s blog and our site were more akin to “don’t screw this up!” than “I can’t wait to see the movie.”
Outside feedback on the screenplay has kept us on track and allowed us to quickly recognize where we’ve missed the mark and what we’ve needed to do to shepherd the story to box office greatness. Below is some feedback from one such reviewer, Gabe Lyons, one of the authors of UnChristian and founder of the Fermi Project that hosts the popular Q conference. It’s incredibly encouraging to hear this kind of feedback.
From Gabe:
Blue Like Jazz portrays a vivid tension between Christianity and the world that is. I thought it was fantastic. It was hard to swallow some the direct obligations towards Christianity – they are so true though. The times of hope and resolve allowed me to emotionally connect to the character of Don.
I laughed out loud and swallowed hard at times when reading through the script. The story touched on every single issue that outsiders have with Christianity (Judgmental, Hypocritical, Antihomosexual, Sheltered, Too Political, and Proselytizing based on the research of unChristian). It’s an emotional ride that brought me to an ending that gave me much hope and confidence in (1) Being Christian (2) The story I am developing with God on a personal level and (3) Jesus.
The Evangelical viewer is going to come face to face with some tough criticisms. However, the honest Christian is going to come away feeling refreshed. The cultural elite are going to laugh at the cynicism and debate that takes place during the Reed College scenes and they will appreciate the genuine tension that Don has with God. Your Juno fans are going to love the the witty dialogue, emotional connection to each character and who they represent. They will also love the scenes dealing with rabbits, the Pope, condoms, college parties, and the journey Don is on. The dialogue comes off as very genuine, even when reading it. Homosexuals who believe in God will love the relationship between Don and Laura. Conservative Christians are going to have the hardest time with it – but it is a necessary affliction they need to feel. The postmodern crowd of Christianity is going to rave about it. Since the story is about a guy who is in college your college students will love it on so many different levels, especially, the character development of Don. I think majority of criticisms will come from your extreme conservative and your extreme liberal – However, majority of the world rides the fence.
I can’t wait to see the motion picture.”
P.S. You can find some initial fan reaction over at Don’s blog as well!
Thanks for keeping us updated! My husband has already read the book, and I’m reading it now. So far I have LOVED it. Not only is it reaffirming my faith, but it’s giving me some incredible insight to a friend of mine who grew up in the church but can’t yet accept the fact that Christian faith is more than a bunch of “Sunday School answers.” I plan to order this book on Amazon and have it shipped directly to his house.
Keep up the good work on the movie, though, in case I can’t get him to read. lol
i read the screenplay as i auditioned for the role of Laura and she is wonderful. and Don is wonderful. and their friendship is wonderful. thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this, if only to audition. i look forward to seeing the film- many blessings throughout the process!!
Blue like Jazz is my favorite book, period. I wont go into detials. cause this book is just so amazing to me in so many ways.
I was really excited to hear about the AP spot. I would love to help in anyway i can with this and the AP thing is a great opprotunity. Im excited for the tee shirt too =]
[...] from bluelikejazzthemovie.com [...]
Is the screenplay still available for download and are you still looking for feedback? I am a Christian (a little outside the box), haven’t read the book, but have written screenplays. So I know the format. I’ll be glad to give feedback, if you want more.
-Freeman
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