THE DAWN-BREAKERS Movie

Interested in making a great movie? We can do this.

Music

The late Nancy Jordan, wife of the late Dr. Daniel Jordan, gave written permission to the author to base “The Dawn-Breakers” music on “Metamorphosis of the Owls” by Dr. Jordan, originally written for the sound track of a ballet of the same title.

Listening to Dan’s music while writing the film script, it turned out that the first scenes of the movie over which major credits are shown match with the beginning of Dan’s music. And when the music surges at about 2:20, “The Dawn-Breakers” title appears over the film action and audio.

• At the beginning with relatively lower volume, the music evokes a feeling of tension and suspense at the dawn of a new day.
• This theme slowly develops to suggest something big and exciting is about to happen. It might be good or bad. We don’t know yet. But the audience might sense that something horrific is lurking about and its time to buckle up. And the good guys might best watch there backs.
• When the music surges at 2:20, the hero of the ballet appears, the Nightingale of Paradise, while the music develops into its beautiful signature theme with an enchanting oboe solo. This musical theme evokes a happy and peaceful feeling of fulfilment, victory and whatever other positive emotion you want to throw in.
• Considering the entire ballet composition beyond the beginning above, almost every segment or clip provides appropriate music audio which could be used throughout the film. I have Dan’s original score of the music.

As a bit of history in the 1960s while a student at the University of Chicago, I used to assist Dr. Jordan in collecting data for his PhD thesis project focused on the psychological effects of viewing a film of his “Metamorphosis of the Owls” ballet. I also was the “official baby sitter” for the two daughters (baby and toddler) of Dan and Nancy. If “The Dawn-Breakers” film is made, it will be very profitable and the Jordan daughters should receive a generous payment for their mother Nancy’s permission to use the music. Note that Nancy gave me permission and did not ask for any money.

Concept

Film Synopsis

The producer of a movie project typically starts with a concept, a briefly expressed idea, a quick answer to the question, “What is it about?” So a film project may start with a one paragraph description of the motion picture property:

One-Line Descriptions

People may be too busy to read a whole paragraph. So one-line descriptions may stimulate interest.

Marketing

Audiences: Talent and Investors, then the Public

Hooks

Best Film

Is there any limit here? Even before a film is made, one can help people see the potential of the project by writing what reviewers might say:

Review Article for Media

Visualizations

Cast, Costume, Hair, Make-up

Locations

Dozens of location images are on file and in “The Dawn-Breakers novel”

Baha’i Administration

• While writing the screenplay in early 1986, I wrote to the Universal House of Justice (UHJ) at the Baha’i World Centre in Haifa, Israel describing the project and posing several questions about their view of the project.
• The UHJ replied with a letter to the author (yes, in those days, paper documents were still used):
  • 1) They answered the questions.
  • 2) They said that filming of a short sequence at the Baha’i World Centre could be arranged at the appropriate time.
  • 3) The UHJ wanted me to keep control of the project.
  • 4) The UHJ wrote they “were praying for the success” of the project.
• Shortly after the screenplay was written in 1986, a copy in a package of related documents was sent to the UHJ.
• In about 1988, a potential investor in the project invited me to his home in Austria. At my expense, I travelled to Austria. After several days of talks, I found I had apparently been mislead. Instead of investing in production of the project, this investor had suddenly changed his tune and insisted on buying this motion picture property. He offered a substantial 6-figure price. Since such a sale would violate the desire of the UHJ that I maintain creative control of the project, I politely excused myself and returned home — somewhat frustrated.
• In sum, the project is a commercial feature motion picture of the author and his Keene Productions. The UHJ is the top administrative body of a world-wide religion — the Baha’i Faith.
• Keene Productions sees the cordial relation with, and cooperation of, the UHJ as an important asset of the project.