TCTTS said:
So, at this point, I'm at least convinced that THIS is basically act one. Everything about this feels right...
- We open with Legal Custodian's idea of "starting at the front lines of the western front of them rushing the German Trenches, then swiftly move to the Oklahoma Drill being done in practice, then back to more fighting in France until a soldier is seen sitting down resting, and then settling back in College Station as practice is wrapping up with a player sitting on the bench getting some water or something to that affect." This basic conceit. Football in America, the rest of the world at war. Our innocence not yet lost (at least for these, specific characters, seeing as America had technically joined the war by this point).
- From here, we meet the team, but more specifically, Bible and likely Harrison (or a Harrison-like character), get a feel for who they are, etc, over the last couple games of the season, they win the SWC, everything is literally "perfect," etc.
- Overall, it's what MW03 was talking about... "Pre-WW1 American isolationism. The 'we couldn't be touched' mentality before the Germans sunk the Lusitania is kind of perfectly articulated by American youths 'fighting' in college football games compared to those in Europe fighting the most horrific and devastating warfare the world had ever seen. The US was 50 years or so removed from the Civil War and on the brink of becoming the world's economic power. We were interested in doing us, so to speak. It wasn't until the war touched American lives through the sinking of the Lusitania that Wilson and America changed directions. So maybe the conflict is the shattering of a collective national innocence, and the struggle to regain that innocence upon returning home.
- At the end 1917, our characters are "called to war," and we go from there.
... what comes after is still of course of up for debate, but I seriously cannot think of a more perfect or appropriate act one or a lens through which to view the opening of the film.
I think you have a good idea here. You could focus on the team in 1917...go to individual stories upon entering the service, going to training, and going to war in 1918...and then bring the group back together for the 1919 season.
This will give you an opportunity to focus on them becoming a team again and working through the diversity/experiences they each faced on the battlefield.
I think for Act 2 you are looking to focus on the war experience. You have some options to look at different experiences depending if they are a Pilot or a Soldier or a Marine. Each of those experiences probably had some pivotal moments that helped shape the boys/men who were involved. You could then weave the stories together to get a more comprehensive picture of the war (maybe better for a series rather than a movie).
Perhaps you follow a player who upon entering the service was assigned to the 141st Infantry Regiment in the 36th Division. Follow them from training, to the crossing of the Atlantic, and ultimately to war. At the same time, you follow Coach Bible on his journey through Austin, Dallas, and France into the skies over the western front.
You could even pick out a pivotal moment to reinforce some thematic elements. You can take an engagement like the Battle of St. Etienne-a-Arnes near Somme-py in OCT 1918. It was the first engagement of the 36th Division in the war and there were more than a few Aggies involved. It was also very brutal and involved our green troops going against very well entrenched German forces. Not to mention the miscommunication and lack of intel that caused a lot of un necessary casualties.
Bottom line is you have plenty of opportunity there to tell the stories of war (heroism, loss, love, etc.). I am sure you can find similar instances for people in the Air Corps and Marines serving on the front.
