3Days 2 Nights

A few revisions...

2007-10-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

As Salaamu alaykum,
As this script builds it will change form based on your advice & editing.

3days2nights: The Summons (Pilot script)

2007-10-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

As Salaamu alaykum. Please advise. Keep in mind I am writing & directing considering $0 budget initially so do not make elaborate adjustments that will put this idea out of my reach.
Here his the cast we are seeking.
Character profiles:
1: Docile, meek (over humble)
2: Sister (voice of reason)
3: Nervous, spooked, suspicious (conspiracy theorist)
4: Blunt, direct, coarse (on a nerve-wrecking minhaj)
5: Antagonist (weakest link)
6: Anchor (disseminator of concepts)
We are seeking varying nationalities viz. White, Black, Pakistani/indian, Arab, Iranian. We also want to reflect different madhahab including shia.

3days2nights
pilot script
(The Summons)

Opening scenes:
Anchor: Reading morning newspaper
Anchor: Watching TV (world news, conflict, war… possible “news” voice-over)
Anchor: Turns TV off…
Anchor: Lies in bed (on back) at night contemplating…
DN: Dim light to dark
Anchor: Rolls over right into camera shot close up. Closes eyes to sleep.
DN: Hold for several seconds
Alarm sounds
Anchor: Eyes open
DN: Alarm shot from bed
Anchor: Hand slams snooze button
Anchor: Arriving at Masjid for Fajr
Anchor: Makes complete wud’u (slow motioned & intense)
EN: Stagger cuts
DN: Show arkan of salah (tasleem)
Anchor: Arrives at sunrise hotizon
Anchor: Sits to type letter
Anchor: Type from home keys (Jab J as hand double)
Voice-over begins…

As Salaamu alaykum yaa Mu’minoon.
This message I send with a heavy heart & clarity of obligation.
Our Ummah remains in constant peril in the absence of true implementation of revealed justice.
The burden of revival belongs to none other than those who testify
‘Laa ilaha illallah wa Muhammadan Rasoolullah’.
Unity & peace are the fruits of ideological roots sprouting from seeds fertilized with this kalimah (“).
Who will rise to the occasion if not we?
Who will invite to this Rahmah (“) if not Al-yuqinoon (“)?
Who will answer the call of Al-Jami’ (“) if not His faithful ones.
I beckon those desiring more than a mere existence fee hayatud dunyah (“).
One representative from every corner of the Muslim world…
To attend, to listen, to agree, to work...
Al Furqan (“) is our trust.
Was Salaamu alaykum

DN: Show words as typed
Anchor: Sitting on horizon at sunrise (time lapse) hands raised in dua’h
EN: sweep around from right to left side. Rear shot as main
DN: show footage of war & hunger & death
EN: Cut away to show attendees receiving letters & messages.
DN: All partial face shots for obscurity
1: In Masjid rocking & reading Qur’aan. Youth runs in & hands him the letter.
DN: Camera runs in as youth
2: Arrives in office to find letter on desk.
DN: Camera as letter being approached
3: Uses long string to open mailbox as if suspicious of bomb. Carefully extracts letter with tongs.
DN: Open back mailbox to film tongs reaching in
4: Finds letter in front pocket of thawb.
DN: Sweep from back to pocket
5: Finds note on windshield wipers. Looks around.
DN: shoot approach through windshield
DN: Camera shot low to capture face & sky.
6: Prints letter, retrieves from printer, holds letter out to proof, hold for a moment
Anchor: Folds letter, places in envelope. (Self-stick strip) Turns & hands 5 letters to young boy.

To be continued…
Episode 2 The Departure

Initial interest... inspiring

2007-10-22T14:38:00.000-07:00

As Salaamu alaykum,
As of this morning I had the "episode 1" (The Gathering) pilot script ready for public presentation. However, after speaking with DW contributor Rasheed, I decided to bump what I originally had as episode 1 to episode 2 & change episode 1 to THE SUMMONS. Rasheed has provided an excellent idea of showing the possible attendees receiving invitations & messages about this gathering. Of course this will be done in dramatic fashion in order to keep interest.
Episode 2 will of course be more intense than the introduction of 1. So we must make sure episode 1 peeks anticipation of episode 2, bi-idh-Nillah.
DW contributor & adviser Aminah (Mujahidah 786) of U.K. suggested we focus on producing a trailer now. Of course there is no actual footage to produce a more meaningful trailer therefore we will be reduced to text & musical score until or cast is finalized & a photo shoot scheduled.
J-Ansari, the pop-locker in DeenFather 1 & designer of DawahWorks.com , is working on a banner for this blog. He may also assume the role of producing the score, effects & intro for 3days2nights.
I spoke with quite a few brothers yesterday at a belated Eid picnic about this project & I am pleased to say that the response has been wonderful. Alhamdulillah!
It also decided to add a shia character, as they are part of the Ummah & are concerned with it's well-fair as well. I would very much like to have a sister to assume one of the main cast roles. The main cast is now 6 people, as they would represent the various areas of the Muslim world. I would love to cast a Persian, White, Arab, African, Indian/Pakistani/Bengali, & me (make dua'h I get the part).
As this project progresses i will update you all. I have no intention of a dragged-out process to show progress.
Lastly, here is some advice I found to be very helpful.
Seven tips for new film-makers

DW to produce Drama Series (3Days 2Nights)

2007-10-21T05:57:00.000-07:00

As Salaamu alaykum,
I have observed sundry individuals strive to produce Tomorrow Never Comes & I recently took part in Mahdi Ahmad's film Going Up North in LA.
I talk a big game in that I feel the simplest projects are made difficult by factors such as too many technical minds to individuals with desire & no skill.
I admit I'm dumber than a "box of smooth rocks" but let me announce to you a project that I have had in mind for less than a week now that I will take from start to finish without a lot of technical delay or lack of realistic vision.
I announce to you a DawahWorks production series; 3Days 2Nights. This series will be total drama-education dealing with the unity of our Ummah under a single leader which emanates from our Islamic Aqeedah (creed). We will present all the evidences for how & why this is our most vital issue. The method & rules of electing leadership will be openly displayed for Muslims & non-Muslims alike.
No comedy here. Drama is the word.
As of now I am...
Sub-finalizing a pilot script to present publicly for advice
Seeking someone to design the blog for this movie
Casting 4 main characters (1 Arab, Pakistani/Indian, Caucasian, & Black) & many extras
(After casting main characters) organizing a photo shoot for blog design purposes
Insha Allah from start to finish I will request advice & help from the Ummah (& even non-Muslims) to get this project pilot complete.
I will assume command & direct the finalized pilot script.
Soon, Insha Allah, I will present the pilot "3Days 2Nights (Most Vital Issue) Episode 1