does anyone know any really good movies about a kidnaping that dont involve the kidnaper growing to like the person kidnaped? im trying to write an action/thriller based arround a kidnaping and really need help with the dialogue between kidnaper and kidnapee. just thought id add this in there for those who frequent this preproduction forum a lot, but this one is more than likely going to work out (unlike the drug and wilderness ones) so im trying to get the dialogue as realistic as possible, the only problem is i suck at writing it...

also, if there is anyone in the Tennessee area who would like to be a part of this film in any way, please contact me at brinelacrosse1287@yahoo.com

Actually, almost every story in that genre involves some kind of bond forming. It was handled beautifully in Frank Herbert's "Soul Catcher."

Without this, what is the basis of the dramatic element? If the kidnapper is simply a random guy with no legitimate reason to commit the crime, or connection to the victim, it's gonig to come across as dry and action-based.

well, the kidnaper is a minor part, most of the story is told through the main characters thoughts and memories, the kidnaper is really just a catalyst for these emotions. i just thougt of the idea like 2 hours ago so its still in the pre-pre-production stage so im sorry if i cant tell you much more.

look into the actual symptom known as "Stockholm's Syndrome," where its natural for the kidnapped to symphasize and grow to depend on their kidnappers. that might help you understand it better and see what would prevent such a relationship.

in the movie "ransom" a few of the kidnappers dont become attatched to the kidnappee, but some of them do. i really think having a movie where the kidnapper doeesn't become friendly with whoever is kidnapped is possible but as far as dialogue my suggestion would be to keep it minimal. if they dont talk much then the chances of a bond forming are smaller. plus a kidnapper who doesnt respond at all to the victim would be creepy and make the kidnapper a much colder character.

I agree if the kidnapper wants to stay detached he won't engage the victim. Remember in Fargo they never actually talk to the girl shes just property to them.

And Kabuta's right the kidnapper would have to "want" something from the victim to motivate the dialouge. Wheter its information companionship or something more sinister. Find out what they both want and the dialouge should come more naturally.

The Clearing SEEMED to follow the standard of Kidnapper and Kidnapee becoming good friends... but it really didn't. Very weird movie, but you should check it out.

quote:

Originally posted by titaniumdoughnut:
The Clearing SEEMED to follow the standard of Kidnapper and Kidnapee becoming good friends... but it really didn't. Very weird movie, but you should check it out.

weird but brilliant, the editing in that movie was amazing. I love that movie. Ransom was a good movie too, im gunna have to watch that again.

anyways, thanks for the help, so you think that the kidnapper should just say things very strait-forward and minimal, therefore lessening the chance of a bond? i was really thinking about using lighting to hide his identity until the end, so i guess a lot of talking would give away who it is anyways.

quote:

anyways, thanks for the help, so you think that the kidnapper should just say things very strait-forward and minimal, therefore lessening the chance of a bond?

It completely depends on where you go with the story. There's no right or wrong answer, but it's impossible to say without knowing more about the story. Let the narrative decide the requirements of the kidnapper's character, don't think in terms of how he should act or talk.

The way I'd do it is to never have the kidnapper talk to the kidnapee. If you think about it realistically, a professional kidnapper would never talk to the person he's kidnapped otherwise they would be able to recognize his voice/face later on. I think there's a lot you can do with just the kidnapped guy living in memories and hopes for rescue whilst stuck in a dehumanizing, cold concrete room by a captor who won't even talk to him.

Is the main character the kidnapper or the victim? (or both?)

its a little bit of both i guess, i havent really worked on this in like 4 or 5 days, ive been busy(school sucks), for right now i think its more based on the kid, but the only 2 people you see in "real time" (not in flashbacks) are the kidnaper and kidnapee. i was thinking about giving him a voice changer thing to solve the problem of the kid recognizing his voice so he could still talk (and it makes the kidnaper sound more menacing). i dont know, the more i think about this, the harder it looks like its gunna be to film, maybe it will be one of those things where i write some of it and save the rest for another time, sometime when i have a bigger budget, lol.

There's Fargo, or Resevour Dogs (though the kidnapping isn't the main plot there).