The film went through 5 different scripts from 7 different writers, a teaser trailer was released based on a story where none of the plot elements survived the final script, likewise $7 million dollars was wasted on sets for a script that was disregarded and the eventual writer Vincent Ward was fired weeks before production. As a result production began without a finished script, what was completed of the script changed on a daily basis by the now producers turned writers David Giller and Walter Hill. Without a definitive story the then newcomer David Fincher resigned from the film before completing the film and has disowned it ever since. The confusion doesn't stop there as there are now two, very different version of Alien 3, a theatrical and one referred to not as an extended cut or directors cut, but as an assembly cut. Due to this the reception was extremely poor and as a result Alex Thomson's cinematography was forgotten.
The dim lighting, smokey atmosphere are executed extremely well and are very appropriate for an Alien film which deals with dark, mystery and human torment. Even the brighter scenes above look dirty and gritty, with a black backdrop and washed out white colours.
I would go as far as to say that Alex Thompsons work is more effective then his predecessors, Adrian Biddle for Aliens. Although the superior film, Biddle made the images in Aliens look very crisp and clean;
Though there is smoke and darkness, the source light has been put on full power and pointed directly onto the Alien Queen in the image above. This makes for a less suspenseful sequence and diminishes the dark atmosphere.
Despite this, Thompsons's work is forgotten and Biddle went on to work on such films as 'The Mummy' and 'V for Vendetta'. Perhaps an oversimplification part of the reason Thompsons's work has been forgotten is because Alien3 is not recommended by anyone nor is it held in high regard due to it's poorly written script.
I'm well aware that I am not being marked on my script however a good narrative with an original concept can produce compelling images that will stand out amongst others who may not write a story. For these reasons and the fact that both Michael Chapman and martin Scorsese are major influences of mine I decided to write a script around boxing. Gordon Willis's dark style seems appropriate for such a topic also as boxing is an extremely violent sport that can bring out the dark behaviour in fighters.
Below was my original script. Being a student, working solo time and money caused limited all that I wished to do however I stand firmly that without a script, ideas relating to camera movement and lighting would not have formed. This has been copied and pasted from celtx so the layout may have been affected.
INT. BOXING RING - GYM - LATE NIGHT
The gym is all but empty save for a large boxing ring surrounded by smoke. Slowly, a well-built boxer enters the ring, his hood up covering his face, preparing himself for the oncoming physical punishment. An old commentator recording is played over.
commentator
Reese is hit, Reese is hit! The former undefeated fighter continues his losing streak. Did you see his hand shaking throughout the fight?
COMMENTATOR 2
I did, he use to stand determined. There's been talk of him giving the sport up.
COMMENTATOR
Well we've just got our answer. Look his hands still shaking.
(Pause)
He came into the ring with no belief he'd ever win.
fade out
INT. BEDROOM - HOME - MORNING
The early morning sunlight shines through onto a man lying still in his bed. His name is REESE, early twenties. He lies motionless.
INT. BATHROOM - HOUSE - MORNING - CONTINUOUS
Reese looks into a mirror. Reflected back is an aging man with bags under his eyes which convey little life. Stuck to the mirror is a newspaper heading that reads;
"THRILLER BOXER THROWS IN THE TOWEL"
Reese reaches for the clipping however his hand begins to shake uncontrollably. Clearly agitated by this Reese attempts to stop it by curling it into a fist. This does little to prevent the shaking.
INT. OFFICE - WORK - MID DAY
Reese sits hunched over a desk, typing automatically. A cigarette hangs loosely from his mouth. Unknown to Reese, his boss walks through the door he throws a envelope onto Reese's desk;
"CONGRATS ON PROMOTION"
Reese opens the envelope to see rolls of £20 notes. This hardly excites him. The boss in a patronizing manner then lightly slaps Reese's face before leaving. This action and the envelope irritate the former boxer.
INT. STUDY - HOME - AFTERNOON
Reese is sat at table with a cigarette still hanging from his mouth and swigging on a beer. An old clearly cherished scrapbook is opened on his desk. On the most recent page Reese sticks his boss's congratulation letter. Whilst taking another sip of beer, Reese begins to flick back through the pages of headlines.
"RISING BOXER UNSTOPPABLE"
"ANOTHER WIN FOR YOUNG BOXER"
"BOXER DREAMING ON UNTIL HE COLLAPSES"
"ANOTHER KNOCKOUT FOR YOUNG BOXER'
Reese reaches a picture of a gym. Lost in thoughts of the past he gets up from his seat and walks out the room. Opposite to the picture of the gym is a more recent heading that reads;
"NERVES GET TO FORMER PROMISING BOXER"
INT. CABIN - TRAIN - LATE NIGHT
Still dressed in his shirt from work Reese sits quietly on a train. His hand shakes slightly.
EXT. GYM - LATE NIGHT
Reese walks towards the gym. The closer he gets to the entrance the smaller steps he takes.
INT. WORKOUT AREA - GYM - CONTINOUS
The gym is empty and huge in comparison to Reese who looks very out of place with his hands in his pockets wearing a shirt. The old boxer picks a skipping rope up and attempts to gain momentum but fails miserably, whipping his hand. Reese then comes to a speed ball where he tries to start a rhythm but again fails. In a burst of anger he smacks the ball aggressively. A shadow of his former self.
INT. ROOM - GYM - CONTINUOUS
Reese is looking through a draw of files. From the masses of papers he finds what he's been looking for, an old video tape.
EXT. PORCH - HOUSE - LATER NIGHT
Reese has reached the front garden to his home. A huge banner is across the entrance that reads "CONGRATULATIONS". With reluctance he enters.
INT. HOUSE - MONTAGE.
A quick montage shows the ingoing events of the celebration.
* Glasses are raised for Reese's promotion.
* People are joking, laughing and enjoying each others company at the dining table.
* Reese holds the tape tightly.
INT. STUDY - HOUSE - LATER NIGHT
Darkness has crept into the room. Reese is busying himself with the tape. The footage appears on TV, slightly drunk and wearing aviator glasses he sits back into a seat.
EXT. GARDEN - FLASHBACK
The video cuts numerously to different periods of his life.
* Reese wrestles lovingly with his dog.
*He does a set of push-ups at a quick rate.
* His skipping is superb, unnaturally good for such a young age.
* He fights against an opponent in the ring, clearly outclassing him.
Sat still, Reese takes puts down his glass.
INT. WORKOUT AREA - GYM - MIDDAY
The gym is moist from the sweat and tears of Reese who is completely exhausted from a set of push ups. His hand begins to give that familiar shake. He collapses to the ground, rolling onto his back whilst holding his shaking hand.
He turns the light off in the gym, defeated. Behind him the squeaking sound of a punch bag can be heard. Slowly Reese walks towards the dominating bag. Now standing beside it he is still. Then in an absolute fit of rage Reese pounds into the bag, releasing all the anger that has built up inside him. A few seconds past before he stops, his breathing heavy.
INT. STUDY - HOUSE - LATER NIGHT
Reese is tending to his bloody knuckle with a bucket of ice. The lights reflection from the water is against his face. The water soothes his pain. He lifts his hand from the bucket, water dripping. The shaking has stopped.
INT. WORKOUT AREA - GYM - late night
Fists clenched, posture straight, eyes determined, Reese within the series of montage trains as hard as he ever has in the dimly lit gym.
-Push ups over and over again.
-Lifting dumbbells smoothly.
-Sits up, hitting the air once reaching the top.
-Dancing on his toes to regain his former style.
-Bench pressing increasing amounts of weights.
-Walking whilst lifting even heavier dumbbells.
-Push ups being too easy, he is now clapping also.
-Shadowboxing his movement's impossible to read.
-Smacking the speed ball with his utmost effort.
-Beginning to skip.
-Now betting the bag instead of the bag betting him.
-Hitting the speed ball so fast it's impossible to see where.
-Unleashing a furious amount of combo's onto the bag.
-Skipping, faster and faster, his face showing nothing but pure determination.
int. boxing fight - arena - flashback
The younger Reese pounds into his opponent.
INT. WORKOUT AREA - GYM - present
The agility, speed and strength he once had has returned as he skips without end.
INT. CORRIDOR - GYM
Reese, fully robbed, walks down a long corridor.
INT. BATHROOM - HOUSE
The news clipping of Reese past failed carrier is ripped off, replaced by;
REESE'S COMEBACK
INT. BATHROOM - HOUSE
Reese continues to walk down the corridor.
INT. CHANGING ROOM - ARENA
Reese ties his shoe.
INT. CORRIDOR - GYM
Edging nearer, a light can be seen at the end of the corridor.
INT. CHANGING ROOM - ARENA
He pounds his fists together.
INT. corridor - gym
A crowd can be heard chanting. With no hesitance Reese steps into the light being cast from the arena.
He stands strong in the corridor's frame, ready for his comeback.
THE END.
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