I'm Harmon Kaslow, Producer of the Atlas Shrugged films. Ask me anything.

Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 10 years, 7 months ago to Entertainment
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I'm Harmon Kaslow, Producer of the Atlas Shrugged movies. I've produced quite a few movies over the years but am most proud of course to be involved with Atlas Shrugged. I'll be returning here at around 2PM ET this afternoon, for about an hour, to answer your questions and read your comments. I look forward to hearing from everyone!

Harmon

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EDIT #1: Hi ... as you know, we're having a very busy week. In addition to the http://www.KickstartAtlas.com campaign, which is running well, we're working on getting the screenplay finished, locking down shooting locations, identifying department heads, and figuring out a shooting schedule ... but it's great to be here ... and I look forward to answering your questions.

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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, Harmon has only limited time to spend in the Gulch today and may not get to all of your questions.

Scott (sdesapio)

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Contribute to the Atlas Shrugged Kickstarter campaign now: http://KickstartAtlas.com

All Comments

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  • Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    John Aglialoro and I would love to have Atlas in theaters for Independence Day 2014 … that would give us a theatrical trifecta: Tax Day 2011, Election Day 2012, and Independence Day 2014 … but, what’s key for us is making a great motion picture and there’s no reason for us to rush anything to hit a specific date. Additionally, I’m hoping we have enough time between completion and our theatrical release date to have some sneak and private screenings across the country … for people like those in the Gulch.
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  • Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I really enjoyed the Cherryl story-line and character arc, as she’s a character that a lot of people can relate to, but the issue is whether that story fits in with the story we’ve chosen for Part III … and since the screenplay is not completed, it’d be premature to say anything definitive about her role in the film.
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  • Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    John and I have aspirations to film the book as a TV mini-series … less as an adaptation and more as a lift directly from the book. It’s a large undertaking and a broadcaster will be needed as a requirement … unless, of course, we figure out some direct online solution.
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  • Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    For our adaptation, and without giving away too much, Project X will be used to show that brutality becomes the easiest recourse for a failed government.
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  • Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    The DVD release is really a function of when we complete the theatrical run … from a planning point of view, we’re aiming for a 2014 Holiday release of the DVD and working backwards from there. Of course, the potential wrench in this plan is an extended theatrical run, which we are hoping to achieve (I believe that if we stay true to the book and can generate word of mouth from people who’ve read the book and have longed to see it adapted into a movie, they will - along with their family and friends - extend our theatrical release beyond our internal estimate).
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  • Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    The artistic answer is simple … whatever is needed to tell this story, make you cheer, and want to see it again and again. Our restriction is money … and we’re looking at somewhere between 25 - 30 shooting days (depending on the success of Kickstarter) so we’ve chosen a cinematic storyline from Part 3 that can be succinctly told in the amount of time we have … and my guess is that we’ll be in the 110 to 120 minute mark.
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  • Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    We knew it was coming. While on one hand it's hard to see so many misunderstand and misrepresent Ayn Rand's ideas, at the same time, they are providing a service in getting the word out, which really helps us. Additionally, it's nice to see the people who understand Atlas rally and come to our defense against these "attacks". THANKS!
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  • Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I’m sensing we have a mole because this question parallels something very important to John Aglialoro and something we’re addressing right now … that is, getting The Gulch correct and really giving the audience an accurate depiction and visualization of what is in the book … and part of this is hearing the exchange between Dagny and the Strikers and understanding both the meaning of and motivation behind those exchanges … I think if we do this right, we get two results: a good sense of The Gulch as well as the conflict facing Dagny … which will make the whole sequence dramatic (and hence, entertaining).
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  • Posted by BYJR 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Thank you Sir! Some months ago the Gulch ran a rough survey about who members thought should play the main characters, especially Dagney and John Galt. Could you tell us the results of that survey?
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  • Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    This a great question … and one I get asked frequently by people who’ve read the book. In fact, I was in DC last month and when a Congressman (who happens to be an objectivist) asked to see me … his interest was discussing how we were going to execute the speech in the film… and what he thought would work cinematically was nearly opposite of what I thought would have the greatest impact. Obviously, it’s a very important part of the book … and the question we’re wrestling with internally is how to best execute it and retain its impact. At the same time, we need to deliver a cinematic experience that matches the impact of the speech in the book and works in a theatrical setting. In short, I’m considering having varying lengths of the speech filmed to give us some flexibility in the editing room (as well as some goodies on the DVD).
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  • Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Its no secret that Hollywood and the message of Atlas Shrugged mix as well as oil and water. My experience is that there are lots of people in the motion picture industry who are familiar with Atlas Shrugged and would jump at the chance to be part of its legacy. Granted, I haven’t encountered too many…. so the challenge for me is connecting with them and making certain that their talents fit what we need to make a great movie.
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  • Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    We haven’t begun casting yet. We want to have the screenplay completed before going out to the casting community. We believe that by staying true to the message of the book, that actors who are familiar with Atlas Shrugged will respond favorably to the material … and to the extent they work for the characters and our production schedule … great … and really that’s the starting point for casting. In any event, as we make these decisions, my plan is to announce them here - in GaltsGulchOnline - first.
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  • Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 10 years, 7 months ago
    Hi ... as you know, we're having a very busy week. In addition to the www.KickstartAtlas.com campaign, which is running well, we're working on getting the screenplay finished, locking down shooting locations, identifying department heads, and figuring out a shooting schedule ... but it's great to be here ... and I look forward to answering your questions.
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  • Posted by $ puzzlelady 10 years, 7 months ago
    The most extraordinary book of the 20th Century needed to be made into a film, and we are all very grateful you took it on. Assuredly it will repay you in the long run. I understand fully the need to get it into just 3 parts. How many episodes are you planning for the extended TV mini-series to come?
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  • Posted by net5000 10 years, 7 months ago
    Have to take the opportunity. I specialize in search exposure. I can deliver massive exposure for the release. White hat but very effective. 1st page positions in the 1000's. Like the engine in the book but real. http://www.LokkeAdvertising.com have someone check it out and call me. Don Lokke 35 years in advertising.
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  • Posted by gblaze47 10 years, 7 months ago
    After Atlas Shrugged 3 is out, Do you plan on continuing sending the message of Atlas Shrugged to the masses, outside of the movie(s)?
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  • Posted by $ johnrobert2 10 years, 7 months ago
    Does Cheryl Taggart figure into the movie as she did in the book?
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  • Posted by khalling 10 years, 7 months ago
    What's your analysis of the kickstarter campaign and and all the hate in its wake so far?
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  • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 10 years, 7 months ago
    Are you running into more, or less resistance/difficulty casting and producing this movie as compared to the first two?
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