need opinions on a movie idea

[40ozfear]

I'm in college right now taking a film making class and one of our assignments is to write a screenplay which we will eventually make a short film of. I wanted to do a horror movie, but i wanted to be original. There aren't too many original horror movies out these days so i had to do some research. I am thinking about doing a movie about "liver eating johnson", a sort of cowboy cannibal person. Not too many movies about him, and i like the idea. I think there is a lot of horror potential in this guys story, with a few slight changes of course.

If you think this is a bad idea, let me know. but don't be ruse about it. if you disagree, give me some of your ideas.

[Ferox13]

Don't worry about it....if you need to come here for an opinion its not going to happen..So you're all good.

[40ozfear]

yea it'll happen, I'm not new to this. I came here for some advice, but whatever hahaha

[40ozfear]

anyone else?

[bwind22]

You're probably not getting any replies because no one knows who Liver Eating Johnson is. Maybe you can provide us with some backstory on him. Also, it'd be helpful to know how long your script is supposed to be. 5 pages, 10 pages, feature length, etc...

Without knowing any details, all I can say is that a cannibalistic hillbilly/redneck isn't all that original as far as horror villains go.

[wufongtan.]

What if i gave you my idea. And you make a movie out of it, that makes you millions n millions. I couldn't live with myself. So i would have to either kill myself...or you one or the other.
And really, a cannibal cowboy? That isn't horror.

[40ozfear]

he said at least 5 pages and when we film it, it shouldn't be more than 30 minuets. it's just a short. Liver eating Johnson is not fiction, he's a real man from the 1800's. the only movie I know of based on him is "Jeremiah Johnson". And hey, if you give me an idea and it makes millions I'll share :)

[neverending]

Well, what makes a story is the telling...

You can make a movie about nearly anything, and as long as your approach is fresh, it'll be an interesting film.

[swiss tony]

Well, what makes a story is the telling...

You can make a movie about nearly anything, and as long as your approach is fresh, it'll be an interesting film.

Well put. I also like this philosophy...'there are no new ideas so, when you inevitably steal, make sure you steal from the best'.;)

Why don't you provide a link to some info on the subject matter and maybe people can make suggestions.

[Ferox13]

I presume since this is a school project it will also be zero budget - making it a period setting - is setting yourself a lot of problems from the get go.

[swiss tony]

Bava said that 'Photography in a horror film is 70% of it's effectiveness; it creates all the atmosphere'. As you have no budget, I'd imagine that rises to the high 90s.

[40ozfear]

There's not a lot on this guy, but i found a link to some info. wikipedia also has an article.

http://www.damninteresting.com/liver-eating-johnson

[40ozfear]

http://www.badassoftheweek.com/livereating.html

another good article...let the suggestions begin

[swiss tony]

He certainly led an interesting life. If you could get Clint Eastwood to at least consult on the production, I think it could be a winner.

Your locations and how well the violence is done are going to be key. It doesn't seem like the sort of movie that will be driven by compelling dialogue.

[40ozfear]

lol yea, i'll contact clint asap!

[Doc Faustus]

He's been doing fewer student films lately, I think. But I'm sure you could get Ernest Borgnine.

[bwind22]

I presume since this is a school project it will also be zero budget - making it a period setting - is setting yourself a lot of problems from the get go.

Agreed 100%.

I'd recommend doing something along the lines of a slasher or ghost film (due to your likely budget). True, those have been done and done, that's why you will have to find a way to make a fresh one. Think outside the box.

[Doc Faustus]

Check out some of the films produced by Val Lewton for ideas on how horror can chill without loads of makeup effects. Or, if you want to move in the other direction, look to H.G Lewis for how to make cheap fun and engaging. Whatever you do, don't think Lion's Gate, don't think Brain Damage.

[Ferox13]

Put it in a comtempory setting, have Liver Eating Johnson a sort of Urban Legend/infamous character among the homeless community.

[swiss tony]

I really don't think this going to be a 'horror' but a western revenge movie. Why don't you watch Cutthroats 9 for a few ideas. Perhaps you could intentionally dub actors reading dialogue in Italian as an homage to the spaghetti westerns. It'd be a nice touch.:cool:

[Ferox13]

I really don't think this going to be a 'horror' but a western revenge movie. Why don't you watch Cutthroats 9 for a few ideas. Perhaps you could intentionally dub actors reading dialogue in Italian as an homage to the spaghetti westerns. It'd be a nice touch.:cool:

Cutthroats 9 is a great film..

[swiss tony]

Cutthroats 9 is a great film..

How do you think it stacks up against Five Man Army?

Did you know it's being remade? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1653000/

[Ferox13]

I've not seen 5 man army in about 20 years. I wasn't madly impressed with it at the time.

[BookZombie]

I do not know anything about this liver eating cowboy, but it do sound like a interesting premise for a film. However do you have anything else than a premise, like an idea for the plot, what sort of characters are you going to include, are you going for a very historically correct film in so much as clothes and how people behave or a more light hearted rump? I would like to know more about your idea.

[swiss tony]

I really like the idea of this guy's personal 20 year war against an entire tribe for the murder of his wife and unborn child. If it gets off the ground, come back and post a link.

[Ferox13]

Some one needs to make version of the Sawney Bean story.

[Wooddevil]

Base it on my short story, Bobby's Revenge. :D

Read it here ... (http://www.wattpad.com/1030010-bobby%27s-revenge)