The back story: Once upon a time when I owned a mechanic shop in a small town south of Norman, Oklahoma. A parts man would come into the shop frequently and we would talk about many things. At the time I was conducting business with my film/video business as well as running the mechanic shop.
I suppose I mentioned about my film/video/writing business and probably expressed that my passion was writing screenplays. I remember him saying, "You should write a movie about Bass Reeves." I believe he said he was a distant relative of his. I had no idea who Bass Reeves was and after we had chatted a bit about this man, I decided to do some research on him. That was in the early 90's!
Fast forward to this decade and I finally dug out my notes and the beginnings of a screenplay, (yes I save all of my notes and writings forever!!!) and I started to do more research on Bass Reeves and thus began again to work on this screenplay that I started so many years ago.
Was he worth writing about? I would say yes. He was raised a slave and became one of the first black men to become a U.S. Deputy Marshal under Judge Parker's reign in the 1800's to uphold the law in an untamed, lawless land called, Indian Territory.
As you read the screenplay, you'll discover some of the true documented facts of Reeves' life and some of my perception of his personal life. I tried to present some of his personality and temperament that he may have possessed and the emotions that he may have experienced throughout different stages of his life.
Of course an actor can express so much more in their actions and the deep feelings that they bring forward in a scene. I can only write the words and leave the rest up to the imagination of the reader and/or actor.
When reading the screenplay you, the reader can cast whoever you'd like to see portraying each character. You are guided by certain camera shots and can use your imagination as a director and/or producer would. Another good point to reading a screenplay is that you might be able to read at one or two sitting's instead of days or weeks as when reading a novel.
I hope you enjoy this screenplay that is now available on amazon.com in paperback and kindle format.
I suppose I mentioned about my film/video/writing business and probably expressed that my passion was writing screenplays. I remember him saying, "You should write a movie about Bass Reeves." I believe he said he was a distant relative of his. I had no idea who Bass Reeves was and after we had chatted a bit about this man, I decided to do some research on him. That was in the early 90's!
Fast forward to this decade and I finally dug out my notes and the beginnings of a screenplay, (yes I save all of my notes and writings forever!!!) and I started to do more research on Bass Reeves and thus began again to work on this screenplay that I started so many years ago.
Was he worth writing about? I would say yes. He was raised a slave and became one of the first black men to become a U.S. Deputy Marshal under Judge Parker's reign in the 1800's to uphold the law in an untamed, lawless land called, Indian Territory.
As you read the screenplay, you'll discover some of the true documented facts of Reeves' life and some of my perception of his personal life. I tried to present some of his personality and temperament that he may have possessed and the emotions that he may have experienced throughout different stages of his life.
Of course an actor can express so much more in their actions and the deep feelings that they bring forward in a scene. I can only write the words and leave the rest up to the imagination of the reader and/or actor.
When reading the screenplay you, the reader can cast whoever you'd like to see portraying each character. You are guided by certain camera shots and can use your imagination as a director and/or producer would. Another good point to reading a screenplay is that you might be able to read at one or two sitting's instead of days or weeks as when reading a novel.
I hope you enjoy this screenplay that is now available on amazon.com in paperback and kindle format.
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