Quote: Matthew Stott @ March 6 2009, 3:51 PM GMTNowt wrong with a bit of slapsticky.
Agreed. But I find producers tend to worry about it. Because it's not "clever". Bollocks to being clever I say. If it's funny it's funny. I might put it back in, f**k it.
Excellent stuff Lee, very funny.
I agree with ending on the wrestle bit, stronger punch to it.
Quote: Lee Henman @ March 6 2009, 3:49 PM GMTYeah - I have actually heard Blessed say "and shit" in an interview and it really made me laugh. But perhaps for the purposes of this sketch I'll get rid.
Also the coffin collapsing was in the original idea but I took it out for ease-of-filming purposes. You'd have to have a coffin prop constructed with a false lid etc...although I suppose it could be acheived with a close-up of Brian falling and a wood splintering sound effect. Also I just wonder whether it's a tad slapsticky?
I dunno. I'll have a think.
I doubt it would cost much more than a normal 'coffin'. As for slapsticky, well perhaps - but the thought of Brian Blessed jumping atop a coffin (unless it's constructed from reinforced concrete), then having a little dance without it collapsing, is a bit far-fetched to ring true with this kind of sketch, IMO.
Quote: Lee Henman @ March 6 2009, 3:53 PM GMTAgreed. But I find producers tend to worry about it. Because it's not "clever". Bollocks to being clever I say. If it's funny it's funny. I might put it back in, f**k it.
If a producer doesn't like it, then he or she can take it out themselves. At least provide the opportunity.
lol, Love it 
Also had an idea:
BRIAN THROWS HIS ARMS AROUND THE VICAR AND HUGS HIM, LIFTING HIM OFF HIS FEET.
BRIAN:
Ha ha ha! Wonderful, wonderful huggytime!
BRIAN DROPS THE VICAR. WE SEE TO THE SIDE OF HIM AN ARRANGEMENT OF FLOWERS IN THE NAME OF THE DECEASED, 'GORDON'.
BRIAN:
Ha ha ha! (HOLDS HAND TO EAR. SUDDENLY ALL SERIOUS) Shhh, what was that?
HE APPROACHES THE COFFIN AND WOBBLES IT BUT PRETENDS IT'S WOBBLING ON ITS OWN.
HE OPENS THE COFFIN LID AND LOOKS SHOCKED HE TURNS TO EVERYONE.
BRIAN: (BELLOWS THEATRICALLY)
Gordons alive!... (EVERYONE LOOKS SHOCKED) Ha ha ha!... only joking! Ha ha ha!
A MOURNER BEGINS TO CRY. AND TURNS TO THE PEWS.
BRIAN:
Well whatever's the matter with you people? I've never seen...
Quote: random @ March 6 2009, 5:43 PM GMTlol, Love it
Also had an idea:
BRIAN THROWS HIS ARMS AROUND THE VICAR AND HUGS HIM, LIFTING HIM OFF HIS FEET.
BRIAN:
Ha ha ha! Wonderful, wonderful huggytime!BRIAN DROPS THE VICAR. WE SEE TO THE SIDE OF HIM AN ARRANGEMENT OF FLOWERS IN THE NAME OF THE DECEASED, 'GORDON'.
BRIAN:
Ha ha ha! (HOLDS HAND TO EAR. SUDDENLY ALL SERIOUS) Shhh, what was that?HE APPROACHES THE COFFIN AND WOBBLES IT BUT PRETENDS IT'S WOBBLING ON ITS OWN.
HE OPENS THE COFFIN LID AND LOOKS SHOCKED HE TURNS TO EVERYONE.BRIAN: (BELLOWS THEATRICALLY)
Gordons alive!... (EVERYONE LOOKS SHOCKED) Ha ha ha!... only joking! Ha ha ha!A MOURNER BEGINS TO CRY. AND TURNS TO THE PEWS.
BRIAN:
Well whatever's the matter with you people? I've never seen...
Very nice. I was toying with the Gordon's alive thing but decided not many people would get the Flash Gordon reference. It's very tempting to put it in though... 
Quote: Aaron @ March 6 2009, 5:40 PM GMTI doubt it would cost much more than a normal 'coffin'. As for slapsticky, well perhaps - but the thought of Brian Blessed jumping atop a coffin (unless it's constructed from reinforced concrete), then having a little dance without it collapsing, is a bit far-fetched to ring true with this kind of sketch, IMO.
If a producer doesn't like it, then he or she can take it out themselves. At least provide the opportunity.
maybe you're right
By the way lee, there is some great dialogue in this, I like the way it repeats sections of a previous line to feed into a punch on the next line. Quality writing, you can tell that you know how to write.
Lovely idea, beautifully executed. You have captured Brian's voice brilliantly.
Quote: Lee Henman @ March 6 2009, 8:18 PM GMTVery nice. I was toying with the Gordon's alive thing but decided not many people would get the Flash Gordon reference. It's very tempting to put it in though...
maybe you're right
I'm sure they would... ain't that what we almost expect Mr Blessed to try and 'get in'.
Anybody who doesn't get "Gordon's alive?!" isn't worth worrying about.
I wouldn't have got the Gordon's Alive bit, but did love this. The producer for one of our feature films is going to approach Blessed to play one of the more surreal cameos. He's wonderful, followed him since I saw the glorious, I Claudius.
Quote: SlagA @ March 7 2009, 8:15 PM GMTI wouldn't have got the Gordon's Alive bit, but did love this. The producer for one of our feature films is going to approach Blessed to play one of the more surreal cameos. He's wonderful, followed him since I saw the glorious, I Claudius.
You've never seen Flash Gordon? 
Shame on you! 
Quote: Timbo @ March 7 2009, 12:10 AM GMTLovely idea, beautifully executed. You have captured Brian's voice brilliantly.
Nobody can capture Brian's voice, it is a force of nature and will never be caged.
I'd say keep the coffin splintering (as you say, you could do it with sound effects alone and it would work very well) and add "Gordon's alive!" because those two words ARE Brian Blessed.
Everyone (not in Wales) has seen Flash Gordon, surely. Brian Blessed with wings! A Blue Peter presenter getting stabbed in the wrist by a tree frog! Ornella Muti! Ornella Muti! Ornellaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Just a thought regarding the coffin splintering, it'd be great as an 'implied' joke; he's just given his closing link, so the camera would only give a view of his chest upwards. To have that manic grin and the sound of splintering wood as he drops a few inches would be fabulous. Then cut to a long shot for the wrestler pose. Anyway.
I like the '... and shit' line. Keep it.
And like Ben's idea to put the 'wrestle' line at the end. Good finish.
Dan