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IT'S HAPPENING: Atlas Shrugged Television Series

Posted by sdesapio 10 years ago to Entertainment
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At the start of the year, Atlas Shrugged Producer John Aglialoro hinted at the potential for an Atlas Shrugged mini-series ( http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts... ). Last week, John made a trip to Hollywood and met with... some very interested MAJOR players.

How does a full blown television series sound!?

Yep. It's really happening. We can't say too much just yet, but suffice it to say, John's meetings in Hollywood were VERY productive and the groups we're talking to are incredibly enthusiastic and ready to move mountains to make it happen. We should hopefully have something official to announce within the next few weeks so stay tuned.

As the project progresses, we're going to be reaching out to you for your opinion from time to time.

This would be one of those times.

Keep in mind, certain people who are not active in the Gulch, but very interested in your opinion, will be reading your comments on this post.

Got it? Good. Here we go...

Should the Atlas Shrugged television series be a period piece set in the 1950s or should it take place, as Ayn Rand alluded to, "the day after tomorrow?"


P.S. Because it worked so well for us with the trilogy, of course we have every intention of changing the entire cast every episode. No. No, we won't.


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  • Posted by $ allosaur 10 years ago
    I vote the day after tomorrow.
    I think that should appeal more to young people.
    That is the most important audience to target with Rand's philosophy.
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  • Posted by RonJohnson 10 years ago
    I am currently rereading Atlas Shrugged and I am acutely aware of the language and references that are specific to the 1950's. Rand's language is often dismissed today because it sounds forced and hollow in a contemporary setting. But in the 1950's, the term "inter office communicator" would still be valid, as would references to train travel.
    I think Atlas Shrugged would play very well based in the 1950's and presented as an alternate history, or a predictive history.
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  • Posted by $ nickursis 10 years ago
    Make it now, and make it relevant, use it to illustrate AR principles and objections to the current status quo. There is SO much material to work with, you probably have enough for a season just of the current crap going on. Weave it into the story, but a loose framework will allow you to wander some, like an episode on how Thompson's party sold "automatic voter registration" and another where they pass "mandatory voting", etc.. So much real things today that could be worked in and maybe get some of the sheep to think!
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  • Posted by blackswan 10 years ago
    If you look around you, many baby boomers grew up during the 50s, and transformed industrial society to what we see around us now. When I started college, we used slide rules. A calculator wasn't even a twinkle in anyone's eye, and computers were the size of rooms. Today, your smartphone has more power than those computers. We even made it to the Moon, using what today would be completely obsolete technology. The mini-series should cover the changes that have occurred from the 50s to "tomorrow." If the creativity discussed by Ayn Rand can be shown in the technology around us today, it should be easier for the average person to understand, in concrete, easily understood terms, the ideas espoused in Atlas Shrugged. So, Francisco, Dagny, Eddie, Hank, John, Ragnar, et al should all be baby boomers, starting in the 50s, continuing through today, and taking us to a possible tomorrow. You can even use the fact that technology has reduced economies of scale, to enable highly successful small companies, and breakthroughs in bioengineering and other technologies are promising a future only dreamed of in our wildest fantasies.
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  • Posted by BradA 10 years ago
    I'll add one more vote for "the day after tomorrow" (TDAT). But don't get hung up on the various anachronisms that implies. For example, while railroads are something from the past, Elon Musk's Hypertube or a related concept can make them hip in a near dystopian TDAT world.
    Also, while the plot is ideology driven carried by strong characters, Ayn's dialog and need to express the ideology leaves the characters frequently too one dimensional. To appeal to the broad audience that I'm hoping you aree trying for, you'll need to stray from a rigorous translation. There are good writers out there who can add depth to the personalities, insight into their motivations and most importantly characters with whom the audience can empathize. This will seem like heresy to the purists out there, but while Ayn did an admirable job of promoting Objectivism to the world, her vehicle can benefit from a bit of polishing.
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  • Posted by MinorLiberator 10 years ago
    Great news!

    've always felt that a TV miniseries would be the best format, as it's length could more accurately reflect the length and complexity of the novel, and more of the critical episodes could be included. And I believe it would capture the interest of a larger audience.

    But artistic control and remaining faithful to the message is critical.

    As far as setting: "the day after tomorrow", except, as someone else has suggested, perhaps flashbacks to real agencies and regulations (obvious example: railroads) and the consequences of those regulations.
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  • Posted by Dennis55 10 years ago
    I hate to sound cliché but here goes....OMG. In life-if timing is everything-it's now. The 24 hour news binge we are on will practically write each weeks program. I have read reviews from the 50's about AS. It's a love story, it's business, it's science fiction, it's philosophy.
    One of my favorite current slogans-thanks to seeing it in the GG marketplace is-Atlas Shrugged-Now Non Fiction. It's a timely mini series that writes itself. I think as BHO policy implodes and the Clintons are proven slimy-again-it could be perfect. I was going to say jazz it up to get the non AR masses watching-but the circus we are watching...... you can't make it up. I hope this gets traction.
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  • Posted by littleman 10 years ago
    It sounds exciting!! It needs to be set in modern day because it is almost impossible to NOT see it happening every day right in front of our noses. Looking forward to seeing it - especially with the same people :)
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  • Posted by $ jdg 10 years ago
    I would set it in the future with flashbacks to the '50s. Because in real history, every clause in the "Anti-Dog-Eat-Dog Law" was actually enacted in the US before the book was published.

    I would also tinker here and there to fit real world events and institutions into the prophecy. Thus, "State Science Institute" becomes the EPA.
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    • Posted by MinorLiberator 10 years ago
      I like your ideas for the most part.

      Referring to the past and showing that such agencies and regulations existed then, and their consequences would add significant credibility.

      Updating things to refer to real agencies in the present seems good, but that may make it sound too polemical, whereas keeping the agencies realistic but generic/fictitious might work better, keeping the story more allegorical.
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  • Posted by Mamaemma 10 years ago
    Absolutely I would say "the day after tomorrow". I thought it was brilliant how the producers made trains fit the storyline in the movies.
    I think you also stayed true to the book and I know you will do that here as well. I hope I will be able to help in some way.
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  • Posted by Francisco 10 years ago
    Yes, fantastic. I always thought it should be on TV.
    "The day after tomorrow"! Those who do not know her will really understand in light of what is happening in the world today. I can't think of a better time!
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  • Posted by katrinam41 10 years ago
    A series would be fantastic, but only if it stays true to the book and has the opportunity to go in-depth with philosophical points. I have all three DVD's and continue to read the book (and her other books as well--love Anthem, hate to see that world happening right before my eyes), but a great idea could turn into disaster without writers who can make Objectivism understood.
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  • Posted by sonneyt 10 years ago
    Present time. 2 reasons: 1) Make it more appealing to a younger audience also and 2) keep production costs lower to make the series more attractive to produce. The "message" and story doesn't need 50's or any other particular period to be effective. IMHO!! :)
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  • Posted by lizsue 10 years ago
    I think "The Day After Tomorrow" would be perfect. Maybe set in 2008-2010 period. Just NOT in the 50's- that's too far back for todays young people!
    Netflex would be great too!
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  • Posted by lizsue 10 years ago
    Yes-yes-yes. I would love to see a television series for Atlas Shrugged. I have all 3 parts on DVD and have read the book numerous times. A TV series would give exposure to Atlas.
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  • Posted by eckert16 10 years ago
    Nice to hear of the negotiations.
    Setting: "Day after tomorrow."
    Include current govt intervention scenarios.
    Ideally, have it done before we "see the lights of New York go out"

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