Short stories, films, audio programmes on the theme of journeys through time
I've developed a series of narratives about journeys through time, some real, some fictional. In all cases there the key element is travel through time, and trains feature prominently. There are short stories, audio documentaries and short films. I currently have outlines for about four or five narratives. Here are some outlines.
Geisterbahnhof - Ghost Station
Format: Short story, but could be made into a short film
Summary: A British traveller - actually, it's me - accidently gets out of a night train in eastern Germany at an unknown railway station. It turns into a terrifying experience, where I see people and trains from Germany's troubled past passing through the station. I have walked into a recurring nightmare, trapped by an officious and malevolent station master who is determined that I will never escape the Ghost Station. Is escape really impossible?
Ghost Station Geisterbahnhof will be available in downloadable PDF format shortly.
Expat returns to own childhood (working title)
Format: Short story, short film
An expat returns to his home district of Cheadle Heath Stockport and inadvertently walks through a 'time gate'. Wandering in a dream-like state through familiar childhood places, he watches himself as a five year old child with his mother in the park. He follows them home, but cannot enter the house. He is drawn to the railway station where his father is arriving from work on a steam train. He knows his father is in danger. Can he get there in time?
See the introductory article and FAQs about Expat Returns here
A ride on the train from London to Manchester in 1900 (working title)
Format: Audio Documentary
In this audio narrative I travel from London to Manchester on a train in 1900. I give a first person account of my experiences. Sound effects recreate the atmosphere and audio landscape. Sitting in the carriage, I give vivid off the cuff descriptions of the people, clothes, sights and smells. Based on research from old photos, documents and realia, includes interviews with railway historians.
Story of a House through 3 Centuries (working title)
Format: Radio Drama
This radio drams tells the story of a house beginning in the 17th century, continuing through 30 decades. People say 'If walls had ears', well in this drama, they do and they tell the story. We hear the voices of all the occupiers of the houes, as well as sound effects from all the different eras from the Civil War to the Second World War. In the end, the house is threatened with demolition to make way for a by-pass, but can it be saved?
I would like to work with an experienced writer of radio drama on this project.
Manchester Piccadilly Station Present and Past (working title)
Format: Short film
Archive film of Manchester's Piccadilly Station, prior to 1960 known as London Road, is interspersed with contemporary footage, filmed on Super 8 film to give it an old, nostalgic look. The aim is to make present and past seem to mingle together. A poetic style narration accompanies the visuals, versions in English, French, German, Spanish and other languages read by me. The film is probably no more than 3 and a half minutes long.
That's all for now. More of my narratives on the subject of time will emerge over the course of time!
I don't have the time or resources to develop these ideas into finished audio and film projects, though I am in the process of writing the short stories and script outlines.
I am interested in hearing from anyone who can help me develop this material and bring it to a wider audience.
2007-03-02
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