Writing movie about my Friend - He Died Yesterday

Mike-O

Mike-O

Active member


In the summer of 2009, I met this amazing fellow. I had heard stories about him for a few months before, crazy stuff, and let's just say that the Man outweighed the Legend.

He was simply... out there, the most spontaneous cat I had ever met, and he did what he pleased, something that could have been seen as dickish behaviour at times, but I saw what he was all about - fun, enjoyment and experiencing life!

What a guy!

In late 2010, after both witnessing and hearing about the absolutely crazy shit he had done, I knew he was not a completely good person, at least to many others, but he loved his peers and family, all who loved him back. He was a bit troubled, to say the least, but I started throwing around the idea of writing a script based on his life, based on 5-6 amazing things that had occured in his life.

Even while I was writing it, he kept doing more and more ridiculous shit and finally ended up in prison - but alas, he escaped just before being indicted and laid low for a while until he gave himself in and plead the judge to let him out on parole - and so he did. I put the script on hold for a long time, only picking it up a few weeks ago.

I woke up yesterday to hear that he had passed away. Hearing that he had been driving a sled drunk on an urban walkway in the middle of the night and slamming full-speed a tree, I wasn't surprised, and neither were any other of his friends. We all knew he was a candidate for going away sooner than others due to his reckless lifestyle and unlimited outlook at life.

He died at 27, joining "The 27 Club" among other greats. Now I'm wondering what to do with this script, should I just scrap it or keep working on it as a tribute... right now I'm mixed with emotions after the unofficial wake.

"The candle that burns twice as bright, burns half as long".

Rest In Peace.

 
Sounds like an awesome dude. Driving a sled/bike drunk is a sure way to check out early though. At least you are only going to hurt yourself if you do it though. Things can go wrong real fast with that much power to weight.
 
The main bad thing about it is, that he stole the sled from a house only a few hundred yards away from the accident - this didn't surprise me at all. We are talking about a guy who stole a canoe and paddled it home for six hours during the dark night, fighting the nearly open sea and crossing the path of a cruise ship and its massive waves - only to get home without paying for a cab.

He had seen the sled in the yard, drunk as fuck, and saw the keys hanging in the ignition.

That was enough for him, and it's sad to see him go.

Now, I do not condone drunk driving in any form or sort and if I had been there, I wouldn't have let him do it. But the two guys with him were much like him and also drunk, so this happened, and from what I heard it was over quickly.
 
If anyone should write anything in memory of anyone, it should be you. You have knack for squeezing the essence out of real life situations, from what I have read.

Rest in peace.
 
The thing is that most of that stuff is illegal, or very much on the edge of legality, or actions that led him to the situations of being fucked by the strong hand of the law... so I don't know. Things that might sound "awesome" on paper and possibly look good on film, but might not paint him in a good light to his family and relatives...

I gotta consult my friends about this at a later date.
 
Really sucks to hear that man, too many gone too soon. But this would be a great tribute.

if you need a DP for the movie, hit me up. I'd love to read it over and shoot it! Your writing is fantastic

 
sorry for your loss dude.

Definitely keep writing it. Just make sure you do it right and greenlight it with everyone who needs to approve it. You've got a talent so why not use it to honour your friend.
 
Seems like a good tribute. Some things are illegal, but it seems like most people were aware of his actions.

You could do it "based" off of his life, just change the names.
 
RIP. Kid sounds like the kind of person who didn't care about much other than living life. He also sounds like the kid that if he matured and got over doing illegal stuff, he would have been successful because he just does what he wants and doesn't let people tell him no.

I say write it. You've got the skills to paint him in the right light even if most of the stuff is illegal.
 
That's how it's started out, kind of a poor manuscript with some kind of dialog with names changed of course, the outrageous stuff he went through... I shit you not, some of the stuff is almost too good to put into words.

I can't believe he's fucking gone, haha. But then I can. Weird.
 
I wanted to reply to this, but clicked back because i'm just too much of a lazy fuck; however, i came back again just to say PLEASE write this movie. I can't think of anything more awesome to do for someone then to chronicle their life like that, and RIP to your buddy, he sounds like a truly rad dude.
 
sorry to hear about your loss mike. i agree with most, i think you should continue writing. perhaps it will be an inspiration to others to live life a bit more freely and enjoy themselves more
 
Sorry for your loss. Vibes.

To be honesty, I generally dislike people like this. No disrespect, but on the whole, a disregard for social limitations irks me. I don't mean to say that he wasn't a good man, though.

I would say keep writing. I'd love to hear his story, especially coming from a friend of his. Definitely try to dissect his psychology and discover why he lived like he did. Stories of psychology can be beautiful, tragic, even enlightening, but are always interesting.

If anything, that would be a good way to honor him.
 
Just one more post about my stuff in a thread meant for my friend...

The script is in Finnish, and I doubt I'll end up translating it into English, but if I do, even if it ends up being a script, a novel, a short story, or just a nicely written chronicle of his coolest moments in life - I'll try to get it here in English as well, if at some point I can do it.

He was a great inspirer for me. He inspired me to write the book I've been writing for almost two years, he helped me cement certain outlooks at life, even though he was a crude bastard at times. Still, he was loved and cared for, and most around him would not have let this happen, it's too bad that the more responsible friends weren't accompanying him.

Fuck. We are all too fragile. Some hit their heads on icy halfpipes, some steal sleds and rev them to the nearest birch. Fucking fuck.
 
"I saw what he was all about - fun, enjoyment and experiencing life!"

How could you not write it? He clearly had an impact on many, for better or worse. If you truly believe that's what he was about, he deserves to be remembered, and you seem to be in the perfect position to make that happen.

Don't worry about peoples judgement, just paint the picture.
 
Thats deep.Your posts in this thread are so well written, they should be featured on that story show on NPR. Seriously though.
 
first off, my condolences.

I am a script writer as well, when it comes to this story the information doesn't have to be exact. It can be based on a true story and have some minor alterations. Take your time, get creative, and bang this out. Even if you don't turn the script into a film, its great for your portfolio and practice if you have a passion for the writing.
 
Just wanted to correct some info...

Apparently he was alone when it happened, as the two guys he was with out drinking had just left home, possibly only minutes before he stole the sled and crashed. They're feeling that if they had gone with him... who knows.

The person who found him while walking his dog told us he didn't suffer and probably died instantly, although the paramedics had tried to revive him. He's been at the spot almost daily, so it's probably pretty rough for him, or anyone for that matter to find someone who is dead or dying, with no way to help.

His best friend is in Cambodia now without any money, so a lot of people pooled in to get him home in time for the funeral on April 13th. It's going to be a good wake, no frowns or crying allowed, only good memories.
 
^Thats really shitty somebody had to come across a dead body like that.

There was a dead body found ditched in our neighborhood once and it definitely was traumatic to the person that found it. Little different to find a body in a trashcan vs. a sled crash, but it still is very hard to witness.
 
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