I'm Duncan Scott, screenwriter for Atlas Shrugged Part III. Ask me anything.

Posted by $ DuncanScott 12 years ago to Entertainment
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Long ago, I worked directly with Ayn Rand to edit the movie, "We The Living." Today, I'm honored and thrilled to be writing the Atlas Shrugged Part III screenplay. I'll be returning here at around 4PM ET this afternoon, for about an hour, to answer your questions and read your comments. I look forward to hearing from everyone!

Duncan

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EDIT 1: Duncan has just logged in and will be on with us for the next hour or so. He told me to let everyone know that he's really pleased to be here and looks forward to getting into it with everyone. Have fun!

EDIT 2: "Thank you very much. I enjoyed everyone's questions. I have to sign off now, but I will check back later and try to address follow up questions as time permits." - Duncan
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GALT'S GULCH EVENT TIPS
1. Read all of the previously asked questions before submitting your own. Your question may have already been asked.
2. Write one question per comment.
3. Vote on questions submitted by others. The most popular questions and comments will rise to the top.

Keep in mind, Duncan has only limited time to spend in the Gulch today and may not get to all of your questions. That doesn't mean he won't be back however so, be nice. :)

Scott (sdesapio)

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A four time Emmy Award winner, Duncan Scott has directed over 140 projects for film, television, and theater, including adaptations of novels by Ayn Rand, the author of The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. Duncan worked with Rand to adapt and re-edit the film version of her book, We the Living, and his production company now owns and distributes the movie. He also conceived and developed The Objectivist History Project, an on-going series of video interviews with the leaders and key thinkers that Rand inspired during her lifetime.

Buy the "We the Living" DVD: http://bit.ly/WeTheLivingDVD
Buy Duncan's "The Birth of Objectivism" DVD Set: http://bit.ly/TheBirthOfObjectivism

All Comments

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  • Posted by IndianaGary 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    I can see where repetition or paraphrasing, a common technique in literature, could be detrimental to a film; boiling this speech down to its essentials will be a major task.
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  • Posted by $ DuncanScott 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Every word of it will be up on the screen...


    Just kidding...


    It's too early to tell you what the final length will be, but the speech will be the signature scene of the film. I've looked long and hard at how Rand adapted the speech in her film version of "The Fountainhead" - looking at what aspects worked and what to avoid.
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  • Posted by $ DuncanScott 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    I don't look at this as "distilling" her novel. A film is a different medium and needs to be adapted in a way that fits the medium. For instance, It's easy reading a novel to stop and ponder the issues. A movie plays out in a short, finite period of time. I look at it more as capturing the essence of the novel. That said, there are many parts of the novel that are iconic and it's tough when I realize those parts won't make it into the film.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 12 years ago
    Please share your best intriguing one liner (or two or three liner) that get others interested enough to read Atlas Shrugged.
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  • Posted by $ DuncanScott 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    As related to my answer above, does it serve the core themes and can we include this material in a way that is cinematic and compelling.
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  • Posted by $ DuncanScott 12 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Yes, I have had a number of discussions with the producers. We are all in agreement that the script should focus on core themes from the book and bring them out as forcefully as possible, rather then try to squeeze in every plot twist and turn. They haven't really given me restrictions, rather they'd rather see the solutions I come up with.
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  • Posted by Dragonscar 12 years ago
    In AS Rand makes it clear that, once a government has reached the point of making right wrong and vice versa, the only result is utter collapse. Since th US - and what appears to be much of the world - is careening headlong in the same direction politically (and this has been happening for many years, not just the last 4 1/4), what are the odds that we, not just our children, are facing the same outcome?
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  • Posted by overmanwarrior 12 years ago
    Can we have the full John Galt speech in a special DVD release as part of the bonus footage?
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  • Posted by OH45458 12 years ago
    Do you have access to Ayn Rand's rough copy for Atlas Shrugged?

    I don't know about anyone else, but I've always felt that the pace of the book accelerated dramatically after Dagny followed Gault to the hidden valley. It got the definite impression that she had perhaps received pressure from her editor and\or publisher to bring the book to an end, and that a lot of story line was discarded from the book as a result, just to bring it to an expeditious end.

    I'd be interested if my suspicion is correct, and if so, if some of this discarded content might perhaps make it into the movie.
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  • Posted by $ ajp 12 years ago
    What's been your favorite scene to write so far?
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  • Posted by LionelHutz 12 years ago
    Will the interaction between Ragnar and Hank Rearden make it into the movie?
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  • Posted by Hawron 12 years ago
    It seems these days the world is fast starting to emulate the world in Atlas Shrugged.
    In Europe first we see punitive tax rates introduced.
    Then raiding the bank accounts belonging to the "rich"
    Now the next proposal is huge levy taxes on homes & properties deemed "wealthy".

    Will you be weaving some of that into the movie to make it feel up to the moment?
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  • Posted by JEbrom 12 years ago
    Since Atlas Shrugged (first movie) originally premiered and now, has the popularity increased A LOT and how much (do you feel) is due to the truly goodness of the book and how much do you think the distrust and dissatisfaction in current administration has been the cause? For me personally I heard of the book when in talking to others that are disgusted with BO as well, and we are ALL looking for a positive... because we are all so frightened at where we've been headed and how fast the momentum is picking up - accelerated leap into destruction??
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  • Posted by riahwillow 12 years ago
    I am a film student right now and would like to know, What's the best way to get an actor to the level you want them at when they over act or under act?
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  • Posted by overmanwarrior 12 years ago
    Please tell me Ragnar Danneskjöld makes an appearance in the Gulch. I know he has only been seen in a newspaper clip from the first film but remember that Boba Fett is one of the most popular characters in Star Wars and he only had about a minute and a half of screen time. It's all about swagger. : )
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  • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 12 years ago
    Will you have input on casting? And if so, do you know if any of the previous actors will reprise their roles? Sorry, a two part question...
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  • Posted by iowaliberty 12 years ago
    Are there opportunities for product placement? I'm a producer of rugged tablets, would like to offer loaner to get onscreen. Whom shall I contact?
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  • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 12 years ago
    What make of cars will the characters drive? I liked the cars in the second movie better, but I would not mind seeing some American marques...
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