How would you handle Galt's speech?

Posted by straightlinelogic 11 years, 10 months ago to Movies
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One of the things that everyone is told in a beginning writing class is not to make your novel a soapbox. I would think this would be even more pertinent for a movie. Obviously Galt's speech is a soapbox for Rand to present her philosophy. If you were the director of ASIII, how would you handle the speech?


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  • Posted by Robbie53024 11 years, 10 months ago
    Clearly, since this is a visual medium, there will need to be visual scenes to exemplify the words of the speech. A voice over would be most effective with scenes of examples of that JG describes. Some of these will need to be flashbacks - or mini independent scenes of some action exemplifying the theme. Think "It's a Wonderful Life" with Clarence and George going back to a non-George world.
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  • Posted by khalling 11 years, 10 months ago
    Unfortunately, the careful laying out of the philosophy will not play well on screen. If I were writing the screenplay, I would focus on three main premises. Then I would immediately back them up by leveling a charge (accusation) then response (action). I would make my examples contemporary. There are enough examples in the speech already. Much in the speech is restated several different ways. No need for that in a movie. I think it's essential the actions come off strong and in stark contrast with the government's cowardly actions. But the people need to be accused. I would not include any sections discussing God or religion. If you consider the other two movies, it's best to focus on other major themes. You do not want to turn-off a significant part of the viewing audience before they read the book.
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    • Posted by khalling 11 years, 10 months ago
      I forgot to say which three. I'm just thinking this out now but 1.I own myself-slavery 2.the people of ability got rich off the effort of the masses 3.Reason. ultimately actions have consequences.
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      • Posted by Hiraghm 11 years, 10 months ago
        For me, I think the speech should focus on:
        1) I own myself
        2) prosperity comes from the unfettered mind of people pursuing their own self-interest.
        3) This is what the collectivist philosophies get you (examples of the post 10-286 world).
        4) Producers don't need you and don't owe you.
        5) A = A. No amount of wishful thinking will escape reality as it is.
        5b) (alternate) A = A. "I want it, so it is" vs "it is, so I want it".

        6) Morality is the province of reason.
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    • Posted by 11 years, 10 months ago
      Would you have the speech with some sort of montage or action on the screen?
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      • Posted by iroseland 11 years, 10 months ago
        there would probably not be a choice. For a movie, i would be tempted to make most of part 3 into a a series of flashbacks that take place during the speech. That way you could have the speech essentially start right at the beginning and then ues it to tie the events up to the "get the hell out of my way" part of the dinner. Then the movie would catch up to the present moment and the last 10 or 15 minutes could be devoted to the rescue. This way you could get more of it on screen. Granted its pretty tricky.
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        • Posted by Hiraghm 11 years, 10 months ago
          I kind of had the same idea. I'd like to see examples of people practicing each part of what Galt is talking about, in montage, during the speech.
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        • Posted by rlewellen 11 years, 10 months ago
          If the scenes from earlier in the movie don't work, they can go to historical film footage, such as people saluting Hitler, starving farmers in Russia, labor camps.
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          • Posted by iroseland 11 years, 10 months ago
            totally, I would be very tempted to run part three as a 102 minute version of Richard Gleaves Galt Speaking that is also handling the missing narrative from the tail end of the book. Granted, my idea would be really treading into a art house film version of things that would likely annoy the critics.. Especially since it could be viewed as being too different from the first two installments. At the same time, it might be a good thing to go in a new direction with this part anyways.. The problem with the book and movie format is that you really have to shoe horn the book onto the big screen.
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      • Posted by khalling 11 years, 10 months ago
        yes. I always liked the idea of voice over scenes that illustrate what he's saying-but I also like the idea of showing people listening the broadcast. not all that clever. Probably they have come up with a really great way of doing it I would never think of. what do you think?
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  • Posted by $ Mimi 11 years, 9 months ago
    Rand repeats herself over and over again throughout the speech. Cut the unnecessary repetition. Show flashbacks of how things fell apart as Galt goes through his spiel. Rely on this type of visual stimuli with a well-read voice over.

    One of the best reasons to incorporate scenes from the previous movies into the climatic Galt speech (beyond tying it all together) would be to promote interest in seeing the first two movies. Ca-ching.
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    • Posted by rlewellen 11 years, 9 months ago
      I never read the whole speech because it is repetitious. That would encourage people to see the first two.
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      • Posted by $ Mimi 11 years, 9 months ago
        Exactly. I started fidgeting after the first couple pages of the speech and tried to skip ahead, but I kept running into the same rehash. It sounded angry and not at all what I was expecting of him. He was a man of action not words, right? The text should have shown the character coming straight to the the point. I read that it took Rand three years to write the speech. I don’t know what the editor was thinking.
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  • Posted by SolitudeIsBliss 11 years, 10 months ago
    I would begin the speech just like in the book. In the room with Mr. Thompson, Dagny and everyone else. I'd then fade to people all over the country listening to the speech. Where Galt tells his story there should be flashbacks and finally in the essential, most important points we should SEE John Galt delivering the key strokes ! Just my opinion.
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  • Posted by mminnick 11 years, 10 months ago
    Very similar to the way Howard Roark’s speech was play in the movie version of The Fountainhead. cut it down to the essentials and show the speaker giving it. I know Galt's speech is over the radio in the book, but a shift to on TV and and a little editing would make it work well in the movie. It is too important not to have it in the movie. But then, The movie is already shot so this is a moot point, right?.
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  • Posted by LionelHutz 11 years, 10 months ago
    I would make ONE point: I am not your milk cow. I will not be robbed by those who view me as a serf that must obediently produce so they can reap my production and distribute it as they see fit.

    It explains JG's actions at 20th century. It explains the strike. It explains Francisco's speech. It will hopefully explain Ragnar's actions in part 3.

    Seriously - one point. Make any more than that, and I think the typical audience won't absorb it.
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