Unfortunately, in real life, Kelly is too tall (5' 8" although some have her at 5' 6") to play the part but her face helped me describe Rome's face so thank you Kelly.
After that, I started picking out actors and actresses who represented each of the parts (Kevin Costner for Fridone?) and used that as a crutch to help me with physical descriptions. My selections will help when it comes time to cast the movies! ;)
Entry 1-157: May 31, 2013
Is Rome's Revolution a trilogy?
A trilogy is defined as three related novels. When I first wrote Rome's Revolution, it was three separate novels but in reality, they were more or less continuous so in the end I started referring to it as a three-part novel.
When the time came to collapse the three novels into the single book that is out today, I learned it was called an omnibus which is defined as a single volume containing several novels. But if it was a three-part novel and now it is in one volume, is it really an omnibus?
When I wrote The Ark Lords, I had a quandary. Did I publish the book as the sequel or Part 4? I ended up doing both. I referred to it as the sequel but within the book, I clearly state it is Rome's Revolution, Part 4.
So there it sat until I came up with Rome's Evolution. It was definitely the end of the story arc regarding Rei and Rome. It is called Part 5 on the inside. But when I published it, I called it Book 3. Confused yet? I am.
So I think until I get around to splitting Rome's Revolution back into three separate novels, I'll let the fact slide and just call it a trilogy for now.
Entry 1-158: June 1, 2013
How many movies?
The original long-form Rome's Revolution was specifically designed to be made into three separate movies. I even went so far as to (virtually) scout locations and came up with the idea that all three could be shot at the same time in Hawaii.
You use a volcanic background (Haleakala?) for Dara for Part 1. You use the bamboo forests on the Big Island for Part 2 and Part 3 actually takes place in Hawaii. So I had that part down.
But where does The Ark Lords fit in? It takes place on Deucado (Hawaii again), Helome (I think you do it in Hawaii, maybe O'ahu) and Illinois. Would the director use the scenes about Jack Henry in the movie? Probably not.
And finally, what about Rome's Evolution? That takes place on Deucado (Hawaii?), Helome (O'ahu?), Portugal and California.
Will all five movies get made? I'm not holding my breath. The middle book of a trilogy (is that The Ark Lords or Part 2 of Rome's Revolution?) is always the hardest to make because it is the connector between the initial movie and the finale. Remember The Empire Strikes Back? Many people think that it is the best of the Star Wars movies yet it doesn't really end. It leaves everything up in the air. You can only make that movie if you are absolutely certain you are going to make Return of the Jedi.
So, while I have a plan, I'll have to wait until I talk to the producers to decide if this is going to be one, three, four or five movies. ;)
Entry 1-159: June 2, 2013
How to embed a trailer when it is not allowed
There are many sites, including this one, which do not allow you to embed YouTube videos. So, when I wanted to display Bruce's awesome trailer for Rome's Revolution, I had to find a way around that blockage.
Well, it's very simple. All you do is embed an image that looks like a YouTube preview and when somebody clicks on the play button, all it does is take you to the proper place on YouTube, thus accomplishing the same goal.