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Okay, now how do I explain this!? As I noted in the introduction to my page on classic vampyre stories, I have always been a fan of Joseph Sheridan LeFanu’s Carmilla (1872). The story, in my opinion, is very well done, has a wonderful gothic atmosphere, & a bit of social controversy in that the vampyre is a female which feeds on female victims with a "breast bite". An interesting concept.
I also noted in my classic vampy introduction that I'd seen the films which have been made based (somewhat loosely) on Carmilla or have used some of elements of the Carmilla theme. None of these films come close to exhibiting the true mood & atmosphere of the original story, much less contain somewhat of "at least" a similar storyline! At least with the more prominent Dracula films, cinematographers, producers, & directors followed a storyline that was somewhat recognizable to & identifiable with the original Bram Stoker concept!
So, to appease my incensed mind at the lackluster treatment of Carmilla, I endeavored to do justice to LeFanu’s story by writing my own adaptation, following LeFanu’s original storyline as closely as was possible. I entered the script in a national screen writing competition, won 5th place, then tried to sell it. The result - rejection letter upon rejection letter upon rejection letter - ad infinitum!
Now that I’ve ranted a bit…I never intended or thought of my Carmilla adaptation as being block buster theatrical material, but I did think it would have made a nice "Made for TV Movie" airing sometime around Halloween! Seems appropriate!
Since it is apparent that you will not see it on television or in any other visual format, I am presenting my screenplay adaptation of Joseph Sheridan LeFanu’s CARMILLA here for you to read. Evidently you are not going to see it anywhere else unless, of course, you read the original story by LeFanu himself. So, enjoy, let me know what you think, & to Hell with all those producers & agents who think they know what the public wants!
One final note, for those of you who have never read the original LeFanu story & may be wondering why I refer to Laura's "father" as FATHER...it is because I followed LeFanu's lead. LeFanu never gave Laura's father a name!
So, on with the story...!
Well, granted that my adaptation of Carmilla is not loaded down with multi-zillion dollar special effects which seem to sell films these days, but there is a story there…here! Remember?? A story??!! I’ve always been under the impression that film scripts are a series of events that relate a story, not a series of studio produced flashing lights, explosions, strange looking spaceships that can fly rings around Saturn…what have you!!! KEY WORD HERE IS - "STORY!" Granted, special effects help tell the story, but it is a sad day in Hollywood when the story is LOST amidst all the special effects!
as she attacks Bertha.
Being a writer, I am very very critical of my material. Writes and rewrites are always a baseline of my manuscript production, & as is the case with most writers, I am never satisfied with what I produce. In light of that, I will say that I am very proud of my Carmilla script. As far as my screenplay production goes, I think it is one of my better screenplays (though some people may think otherwise).
peasant girl's funeral procession.