Over the last 10+ years Stephen King has not only proven to be one of the more prescient literary figures, but also the coolest. He’s been on social media talking smack on the shitstorm that is American politics for the last 10+ years without any fucks to give. Rock, not rot!
Where are all those literary critics turned up their nose at this badass for the last 40 years now? Anyway, the following clip from NowThis has King talking about his Trump-like character Greg Stillson from the novel Dead Zone.* It’s a quick, fun watch.
This is pretty timely because after getting close to finishing The Shining diorama (coming soon,!) I have been thinking about taking a scene from David Cronenberg’s brilliant adaptation of Dead Zone (1984). I ‘d been toying with trying to figure out how to do the scene where the hockey kids fall through the ice into the pond, but that might not only be impossible but also go over like a lead balloon here in Trento.
The other idea I floated by the recruits that will be imported from Canada to help me with this one is getting the shot of Greg Stillson on stage right before he has his political career-ending (even life ending) child shield moment.
Something like this shot of victory
Another idea I have been thinking about is a scaled-up version of the following shot that has the gun on the Newsweek cover with a cigarette burning in the ashtray.
Thinking through a scaled-up version of this shot to fill-up the window, maybe at an inclination to create a sense of depth?
Luckily I have a month or two to mull this one over before work starts on what will be the third diorama for the bavastudio. Another thing, I should probably share this post with my guest curators to get their feedback given they will be doing the heavy lifting 🙂 Fortunately, this provides the perfect excuse to re-watch one of my very favorite films yet again.
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*For those readers who know Andy Rush, can you see the resemblance between him and King? It’s not just the healthy hair, even the mannerism and the way of talking.
Oh man, that interview is so damn good. The parallels are uncanny
Fantastic choice! I was so into King’s early books, I consumed and re-consumed nearly all of them up through Cujo, maybe Christine (I lost interest with Pet Sematary), but always always The Dead Zone always stood out. The movie righteous in treating the story.
I have no idea what haves a good diorama scene. The end scene might be too give away? I always liked the scene when Smith first shakes Stillson’s hand and that look of shock
Anyhow applause on the choice!
King looks sharp but NOBODY can top the Andy hair
“Andy, you look like this 70-something year old man” – thanks Jim. But seriously, to be associated with Mr. King is not a bad thing. So, I will continue to keep my hair as healthy as possible, and continue to refine my mannerisms to more closely emulate Stephen.
…And I very much look forward to the Shining diorama!