Script Discussion: S06E01 WE'RE BACK!!!!

Nicholas Palazzo

Well-Known Member
Ok, so right now we have scheduled the next script discussion for 01APR22 @ 8:00 PM Eastern. No April Fool's Joke implied there. I will have a Zoom link closer to the time of broadcast, so anyone who is interested in participating on camera or even just by audio, let me know and I will get that out to you. We do intend to be broadcasting on the Signum University Twitch channel, so if anyone just wants to watch/comment/throw peanuts, I'll drop a link for that as well as we approach the date.
 
Anyone who is free at that time and interested in Silm Film is welcome to join us! The recording will remain available on Twitch for anyone who is unable to join at that time, but would like to view the discussion afterward. It is a working session, and is typically over twice as long as a podcast session. If someone can only join for part of the time, that is welcome, too.

Here is a brief overview of the content of Episode 1:

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For those new to the script discussion process, we will be crafting an episode outline, breaking the content down into acts and scenes.

What has already been discussed in some detail is the opening scene of Season 6. At the end of the Dagor Bragollach, a dying elf is greeted by Námo and offered the opportunity to go to the Halls of Mandos. We will use this scene to set up almost everything the audience needs to know about death and mortality in Middle-earth, so they are prepared for the scene where Lúthien confronts Námo later in the Season (Episode 12). (We will have some brief opportunities later on - the ghost of Gorlim, the death of Finrod)

The bulk of the plotline of this first episode is Sauron's desire to learn necromancy and apply it to the dead elf spirits who have refused the call to Mandos. Thuringwethil, soon-to-be revealed as a former maia of Námo, aids him in this endeavor. Towards the climax of the episode, Sauron and his army of dead spirits attack Minas Tirith at Tol Sirion, causing Orodreth and the other elves there to flee.

We did, however, discuss telling the story of the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach in Beleriand from the elvish perspective as well, doing a sort of overview of important locations and checking in with the elves to know what they think about the situation...prior to the fall of Tol Sirion. This will give us the opportunity to set the stage, as well as to introduce the legend of Lúthien as seen by 'outsiders'.

Morgoth will be gifting Dorthonion to Sauron as a reward for taking the strategically important Tol Sirion and opening up East Beleriand to Angband. We may want to wait until Episode 2 to show that, though, unless it fits as a tag at the end of Episode 1.

(We will be leaving space for the Frame to be inserted later, but will not be discussing it during the first script discussion.)


If you have any suggestions for particular scenes that can help tell the stories we need to introduce in Episode 1, feel free to suggest them in this thread between now and April 1st!
 
I'm definitely interested in attending through Zoom (not sure if this is where to put that request or if I should have messaged more privately).

With regards to scenes, I know in Season 4 we made a lot of use of the diplomatic relationships between Fingolfin and Doriath - perhaps it's useful in setting up Luthien to include a scene or two with the Noldorin ambassador (That was Angrod, right? Did we kill him off at the Bragollach? If so, who would take over the role? The only remaining Finarfinian I can think of who doesn't quite have a set role is Gil-galad.) going to Doriath, or something to that effect. It might also give us a chance to show the newly crowned High King Fingon with the ambassador.
 
I'm definitely interested in attending through Zoom (not sure if this is where to put that request or if I should have messaged more privately).

With regards to scenes, I know in Season 4 we made a lot of use of the diplomatic relationships between Fingolfin and Doriath - perhaps it's useful in setting up Luthien to include a scene or two with the Noldorin ambassador (That was Angrod, right? Did we kill him off at the Bragollach? If so, who would take over the role? The only remaining Finarfinian I can think of who doesn't quite have a set role is Gil-galad.) going to Doriath, or something to that effect. It might also give us a chance to show the newly crowned High King Fingon with the ambassador.
Yes, Angrod was killed in the Bragollach.
 
It will be useful to introduce the ambassador in Episode 1, because that is the person who will likely be delivering Celegorm's letter later. Gil-galad is a good suggestion!
 
It will be useful to introduce the ambassador in Episode 1, because that is the person who will likely be delivering Celegorm's letter later. Gil-galad is a good suggestion!

That would also be a possibility for him to meet and clash a littte with Oropher - if Oropher happens to be in Doriath - just enough to establish first bad impression between them.
 
Any suggestions for a protagonist for episode 1? We could make it Sauron, or...? Thuingwethil? Has to be a point of view character throughout the episode.

A-plot is going to be Sauron learning necromancy and capturing Tol Sirion.

B-plot can be our taking-stock-of-Beleriand story, as well as the outsiders-view-of-Lúthien story.

C-plot will establish the mission, viewpoints, and relationships of the members of Barahir's outlaw band.
 
Question: how do we place the Annael betrayal and self-exile into the story? We decided to tie it in with Sauron and Thurwingwethil last season and we're running out of time.
 
Any suggestions for a protagonist for episode 1? We could make it Sauron, or...? Thuingwethil? Has to be a point of view character throughout the episode.

A-plot is going to be Sauron learning necromancy and capturing Tol Sirion.

B-plot can be our taking-stock-of-Beleriand story, as well as the outsiders-view-of-Lúthien story.

C-plot will establish the mission, viewpoints, and relationships of the members of Barahir's outlaw band.
Sauron seems the best choice, but if that's undesirable I will put forward Finrod, who has ties to all three of these situations in some way or another. Thuringwethil is another promising option.
 
I personally (unsurprisingly) am very in favor of Thuringwethil. It might be very interesting to have the whole situation develop from her pov, she also has the option to do a helicopter shot which might be very convenient (from there we can then dive into the various points where other plots will start up after tol sirion), and most importantly, i think we need to build her up a little still in prominence, and very quickly, for her antagonism with Sauron to carry enough weight.

Sadly I won't be able to attend because that is 2 in the night for me, a tad late xD But maybe another time.
 
Yes, alas, Silm Film is very much NOT at a European friendly time, and the script discussions this season are no exception. I do apologize for that!
 
Yeah I get it, it would be a nightmare to schedule. If you have any writers room stuff do remotely, I'd love to participate, but I see how it might complicate things. This is the first season where I'm up to date with podcast, forum and have a little time at the time of the script writing, sadly that never really synced up in S3, 4 or 5. I might convince myself to come to one randomly some week xD.
 
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Zoom link is posted in a private chat; you have been added to the conversation now. Let me know if you have trouble finding it!

Also, here is the script outline document we will be working from:
 
So here is what we have for the outline for the first Episode:

Silmarillion Film Project
Season 6 Episode 1
Script Outline

Protagonist - Sauron
A-Plot: Sauron learns Necromancy and captures Tol Sirion
B-Plot: West Beleriand overview + Barahir’s Band
C-Plot: Doriath + East Beleriand
Frame:


Teaser: Frame


Act I
Scene 1: Dorthonion - Aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach. A human scout of Barahir dies and we ‘lift the veil’ to see the other side. A dead elven soul (“Deadwë,” a Noldo) meets Námo. Námo’s servants have gathered a group of dead elves and invites them back to the Halls of Mandos. Some of the Noldor seem…reluctant (Doom of the Noldor). Hey, where’d the humans go?? That’s suspicious… Námo gives a pronouncement establishing the rules of the world. Some go; Deadwë stays.

Scene 2: Tol Sirion - Fingon is leaving after an important meeting to discuss the new state of affairs in West Beleriand. No contact with East Beleriand - Dragon? Fingon is High King. Gil-galad is the new ambassador to Doriath. Finrod reaffirms Orodreth as keeper of Tol Sirion. Annael is left behind to assist Gil-galad in an administrative role. Fingon departs.

Scene 3: Dorthonion - Sauron and Thuringwethil encounter wandering souls. Thuringwethil shows how to suck information out of the dead souls. Sauron…takes this a bit further.

Scene 4: Dorthonion - Barahir’s Band. Establish the goals of the group. Plan a mission. Name of settlement of fifty-odd people now enslaved by orcs. Baragund and Belegund talk about their families left behind.

Act II
Scene 5: Nargothrond - Finrod returns from Tol Sirion; guards on Guarded Plain have detained some Dwarves. Dwarves tell Finrod about troubles in East Beleriand. Finrod welcomes Dwarves to Nargothrond, speaks of his old homeland that is forever shut to him. .

Scene 6: Anfauglith - Gothmog is raising an army to take Tol Sirion. Sauron has questions - what are you up to? This is my turf. Gothmog says, well, it won’t be once we finish doing your work for you. Gothmog dismisses Sauron. (Gothmog has higher confidence in his mic-drop skills than the viewer)

Scene 7: Dorthonion - Barahir’s Band. Rescue! The outlaws do help some refugees escape from orcs from Angband. Attack settlement during the day; humans trapped in barn during daylight. Slaves farm at night. Ambush the orcs in their indoor hidey holes. Rescue people in barn - but only a dozen remain. Where is everyone else? As they leave the barn, the mass grave is visible.

Scene 8: East Beleriand - So, there’s a dragon in Keep Helevorn. Maedhros is retaking East Beleriand and re-establishing the March of Maedhros. Maedhros is worried about the security of Tol Sirion. At the Gap of Aglon, he sends Celegorm and Curufin to West Beleriand with a small force to keep Angband from breaking through the now broken leaguer.

Act III
Scene 9: Doriath - Sindar return to Doriath in the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach. Thingol commands the forest to let them through. Thingol makes a disparaging remark about the ability of the Noldor to protect their land: “Here in Doriath, we protect our own.” Melian distributes lembas. Lúthien welcomes them home and relieves their cares. Daeron discusses Lúthien with a newcomer.
POV: Daeron

Scene 10: Dorthonion - Near Fortress of Angrod/Aegnor - Barahir’s Band. Encounter a haunted place. Refugees being escorted to Pass of Anach to reach safety in Brethil. The land of Dorthonion is being turned against them.

Scene 11: Tol Sirion - Orodreth, Meril, Gil-galad, and Finduilas hang out (have a family meal). Orodreth cautions Gil-galad about the pitfalls associated with his new position as ambassador - political manipulation. The only way to win is not to play the game (aka, why Orodreth hates politics). Annael opens a window and lets in a bat….
POV: Annael

Scene 12: Nargothrond - Visiting Dwarves from Nogrod are stuck in Nargothrond. Finrod provides workspace and supplies, and while there, discusses Valinor (the Trees, Amarië, silmarils). The brilliant young Zirak constructs the Nauglamir.

Act IV
Scene 13: Tol Sirion - Attack on Minas Tirith. Annael lets the ghosts in. Residents panic in fear and flee.

Scene 14: Dorthonion - Pass of Anach Barahir’s Band. Conversation about the future. How much longer can we keep doing this? Is it still worth it? Beren - very content to keep fighting the good fight. Barahir - here is what I want for you - a future, a family, love…not an endless fight. At some point, we all need to go home. Gorlim is alarmed to hear the leader say this. Going back to Tarn Aeluin…for now.

Scene 15: Tol Sirion - Gothmog arrives..Sauron and Thuringwethil are occupying the island. Sauron comes out to meet him. Sauron references mic-drop line.

Scene 16: Frame

Tag: Super Montage
- Finrod gets Nauglamir. Lúthien dancing to Daeron’s music under Hirilorn. Barahir’s Band returns to Tarn Aeluin. Celegorm and Curufin see smoke from Tol Sirion. Orodreth leading refugees from Tol Sirion. Sauron stashes his ghost army in the “tub of evil” in the pit of Tol Sirion.

(This outline can be seen by clicking the link to the Google Doc in the post above, but I figured I would post the draft here so everyone could see it)



Any suggestions/recommendations/criticisms?

I know Nick had a concern about overdoing the 'refugees enter Doriath' storyline. It would be possible to make the group of elves entering Doriath in the middle of the episode coming for some other reason - they need to be Sindar, and there need to be a lot of them, but beyond that...any suggestions on what they would be doing coming to Doriath?
 
So here is what we have for the outline for the first Episode:

Silmarillion Film Project
Season 6 Episode 1
Script Outline

Protagonist - Sauron
A-Plot: Sauron learns Necromancy and captures Tol Sirion
B-Plot: West Beleriand overview + Barahir’s Band
C-Plot: Doriath + East Beleriand
Frame:


Teaser: Frame


Act I
Scene 1: Dorthonion - Aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach. A human scout of Barahir dies and we ‘lift the veil’ to see the other side. A dead elven soul (“Deadwë,” a Noldo) meets Námo. Námo’s servants have gathered a group of dead elves and invites them back to the Halls of Mandos. Some of the Noldor seem…reluctant (Doom of the Noldor). Hey, where’d the humans go?? That’s suspicious… Námo gives a pronouncement establishing the rules of the world. Some go; Deadwë stays.

Scene 2: Tol Sirion - Fingon is leaving after an important meeting to discuss the new state of affairs in West Beleriand. No contact with East Beleriand - Dragon? Fingon is High King. Gil-galad is the new ambassador to Doriath. Finrod reaffirms Orodreth as keeper of Tol Sirion. Annael is left behind to assist Gil-galad in an administrative role. Fingon departs.

Scene 3: Dorthonion - Sauron and Thuringwethil encounter wandering souls. Thuringwethil shows how to suck information out of the dead souls. Sauron…takes this a bit further.

Scene 4: Dorthonion - Barahir’s Band. Establish the goals of the group. Plan a mission. Name of settlement of fifty-odd people now enslaved by orcs. Baragund and Belegund talk about their families left behind.

Act II
Scene 5: Nargothrond - Finrod returns from Tol Sirion; guards on Guarded Plain have detained some Dwarves. Dwarves tell Finrod about troubles in East Beleriand. Finrod welcomes Dwarves to Nargothrond, speaks of his old homeland that is forever shut to him. .

Scene 6: Anfauglith - Gothmog is raising an army to take Tol Sirion. Sauron has questions - what are you up to? This is my turf. Gothmog says, well, it won’t be once we finish doing your work for you. Gothmog dismisses Sauron. (Gothmog has higher confidence in his mic-drop skills than the viewer)

Scene 7: Dorthonion - Barahir’s Band. Rescue! The outlaws do help some refugees escape from orcs from Angband. Attack settlement during the day; humans trapped in barn during daylight. Slaves farm at night. Ambush the orcs in their indoor hidey holes. Rescue people in barn - but only a dozen remain. Where is everyone else? As they leave the barn, the mass grave is visible.

Scene 8: East Beleriand - So, there’s a dragon in Keep Helevorn. Maedhros is retaking East Beleriand and re-establishing the March of Maedhros. Maedhros is worried about the security of Tol Sirion. At the Gap of Aglon, he sends Celegorm and Curufin to West Beleriand with a small force to keep Angband from breaking through the now broken leaguer.

Act III
Scene 9: Doriath - Sindar return to Doriath in the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach. Thingol commands the forest to let them through. Thingol makes a disparaging remark about the ability of the Noldor to protect their land: “Here in Doriath, we protect our own.” Melian distributes lembas. Lúthien welcomes them home and relieves their cares. Daeron discusses Lúthien with a newcomer.
POV: Daeron

Scene 10: Dorthonion - Near Fortress of Angrod/Aegnor - Barahir’s Band. Encounter a haunted place. Refugees being escorted to Pass of Anach to reach safety in Brethil. The land of Dorthonion is being turned against them.

Scene 11: Tol Sirion - Orodreth, Meril, Gil-galad, and Finduilas hang out (have a family meal). Orodreth cautions Gil-galad about the pitfalls associated with his new position as ambassador - political manipulation. The only way to win is not to play the game (aka, why Orodreth hates politics). Annael opens a window and lets in a bat….
POV: Annael

Scene 12: Nargothrond - Visiting Dwarves from Nogrod are stuck in Nargothrond. Finrod provides workspace and supplies, and while there, discusses Valinor (the Trees, Amarië, silmarils). The brilliant young Zirak constructs the Nauglamir.

Act IV
Scene 13: Tol Sirion - Attack on Minas Tirith. Annael lets the ghosts in. Residents panic in fear and flee.

Scene 14: Dorthonion - Pass of Anach Barahir’s Band. Conversation about the future. How much longer can we keep doing this? Is it still worth it? Beren - very content to keep fighting the good fight. Barahir - here is what I want for you - a future, a family, love…not an endless fight. At some point, we all need to go home. Gorlim is alarmed to hear the leader say this. Going back to Tarn Aeluin…for now.

Scene 15: Tol Sirion - Gothmog arrives..Sauron and Thuringwethil are occupying the island. Sauron comes out to meet him. Sauron references mic-drop line.

Scene 16: Frame

Tag: Super Montage
- Finrod gets Nauglamir. Lúthien dancing to Daeron’s music under Hirilorn. Barahir’s Band returns to Tarn Aeluin. Celegorm and Curufin see smoke from Tol Sirion. Orodreth leading refugees from Tol Sirion. Sauron stashes his ghost army in the “tub of evil” in the pit of Tol Sirion.

(This outline can be seen by clicking the link to the Google Doc in the post above, but I figured I would post the draft here so everyone could see it)



Any suggestions/recommendations/criticisms?

I know Nick had a concern about overdoing the 'refugees enter Doriath' storyline. It would be possible to make the group of elves entering Doriath in the middle of the episode coming for some other reason - they need to be Sindar, and there need to be a lot of them, but beyond that...any suggestions on what they would be doing coming to Doriath?

Human refugees taking their old space over? Their old place being gradually corrupted by encroaching evil getting too much for their liking?
 
Suggestions for titles welcome! We don't usually title the episodes during the script discussions, except for cases like the Mereth Aderthad where the title has been provided already.

The theme for the Season is 'Release from Bondage', so I am tempted to go with 'Bondage' as the title of this first episode. It sorta fits with the imprisoned elven souls and the issue the Outlaws are dealing with, as well as Annael's situation. Alternatively, we could focus on this being the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach, and call it something like 'The Broken Leaguer'. Any other suggestions?

Also, while I have included the name 'Deadwë' in the outline as our tongue-in-cheek joke name for the dead Noldo who becomes a houseless spirit imprisoned by Sauron...he is allowed to have a real name. If anyone would care to suggest one? This is not a character we met while he was alive. "Nimulë" means 'phantom' in Quenya. But of course most of our Noldor characters have been going by their Sindarin names all along, so "Gorthad" (Wraith) is also an option.
 
Ok, I've posted the screenwriting procedures in another thread where writing assignments will be posted. However, as this is the first episode, I am happy to announce here that @MithLuin has been assigned to write S06E01!

 
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