Post 4: Adapting my book

Three scenes that are essential to keep:
1. One scene that is vital to keep is the scene with Moss and the fifteen year old girl at the motel. The girl is a hitchhiker Moss picked up on the road so he could have someone to drive him while he rested and tried to recover from his wounds. After hours of travel, they stop at a motel and purchase separate rooms. Before they split up for the night, Moss offers the girl a beer, and she eagerly takes it. This scene is important because it shows the bond between Moss and this random girl that he picked off the street. It shows the strength of human companionship, and is one of the few light, happy moments in a story filled with blood and darkness.
2. Another scene that should definitely make it into the movie is the scene where Chigurh kills Wells. Wells was confident that he cuold take Chigurh down, and was beaten soundly, with minimal effort on Chigurh's part. This scene reinforced how deadly Chigurh is, since that point had been made several times before in the book. This scene also reveals some of Chigurh's character, through his dialouge with Wells. This scene is one of the more tense parts of the book, and should make the transition to film.
3. The final scene that should make it into the film is the explanation for how the book started. It's a small scene, and appears insignificant, but it speaks loudly of Chigurh's personality and mental state, and completes the circle for part of the plot. This scene shows what exactly Chirgurh was doing right before the act, when he did the act, and ended right where the book started. And apart from all that, this scene is the most simple, brutal example of Chigurh's leathality and complete lack of remorse, enforcing how he's been portrayed throughout the book.
Two parts that should be cut:
1. The first scene that should be cut is not an entire scene, but a large part of one. Moss' opening scene, to be exact. This scene has Moss tracking some game, missing a shot, and tracking them some more. In the book, this part is how Moss found the truck that started the whole thing, but it would need to be thinned down for the movie. Most of the tracking would be cut out, and definitely the missed shot. The only thing left in this scene would be him following some deer tracks, maybe seeing a deer, and then stumbling upon the trucks to get the story rolling.
2. The next thing I would cut is actually a handful of scenes. All of the scenes with Carla Jean's grandmother in them. It is an interesting subplot that adds to the dynamic between Moss and Carla Jean, but it has no place in the movie, where the pace would need to move fairly quickly. The scenes being removed include them moving to El Paso, them moving to a hotel, and pretty much any scene that only includes Carla Jean and her grandmother. It is an unnecessary subplot for the movie.

Book 1 Fan Experience

My idea for a fan experience for The Shack is obvious when you think about it. Build the shack. Using input from the author, the book’s cover, and descriptions from the book, the shack would be recreated as accurately as possible,

including Mack’s car in the road and Missy’s coffin in Jesus’ workshop. none of the characters would be present, because that might influence how people view the characters. The whole purpose of this shack is so people can sign up online for a weekend at the shack. They would come and have a free weekend, able to go and do whatever they wanted, whether it be hiking, swimming, canoeing, or just being in community. In community with each other and with God. It would be a weekend of relaxation and worship, for anyone who wants to come and be a part of it.

This idea comes from the fact that the entire book takes place in the shack. Mack takes time away from his life to be with God; the real life shack offers the same thing. we cannot promise that God will show up in the flesh, but we know He will be there, and people can spend time with Him and each other. People will love their time there, just as Mack did. He said himself, when recalling the events, “And every facet of that glorious weekend.” Recreating certain objects and places from the book will help people feel like they are actually there and immerse them further in the experience. Missy’s coffin, with its “Details of Missy’s life carved into the wood.” The garden, “So gorgeous and in such a secluded spot.” The landscape was filled with the “Richness of roses and orchids and other exotic fragrances found in more tropical climates.” All of these things will add up to an experience all visitors will never forget. An experience where the world’s problems will melt away, and the only thing on visitor’s minds is God and his grace. In short, a perfect weekend for everyone. People who already know God will be refreshed and renewed during the relaxing weekend, and people who don’t will be introduced to Him, and hopefully come to love Him.

Simply put, this will work. Very well. People who like the book will love to have an experience like this one. And people who haven’t read it can come and get a taste of what it would be like to read it. The author could even be present for one or most of the days, talking with people about his life and writing the book.

The people who like this book are the kind of people who would enjoy spending time worshiping God and being in community. I personally would be ready and willing for a weekend in a place like that, and I would sure want to bring some friends along to be with me, which is what most people will probably do as well. Advertisements would be placed on websites and magazines that feature popular vacation spots, so people who don’t know the book or don’t know God can come and experience as well, and hopefully their eyes would be opened to The Truth.