Link to script:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzlAYWykvgltZDdObXpXMGtkUFk/view?usp=sharing
Our screenplay explores the events and discussions surrounding the inception of the real-life vigilante group; the Baldknobbers. Born out of the lawlessness of post Civil War Missouri, the Baldknobbers were primarily Northern men focused on securing justice against ex-Confederates who murdered, robbed, and abused the prospering Union settlers. Information regarding these vigilantes and their exploits was scarce. We drew heavily from Gerry Darnell’s, Bald Knobbers: The Ozark Vigilantes and Kathy Weiser’s historical commentary Legends of America. Piecing together the information concerning the group’s key players and infamous methods we decided to paint a narrative that introduced the Baldknobbers as well as comically explored their true to life transformation from vigilante band to oppressive mob.
Generous liberties were taken to mold our story into a succinct and engaging exposition that scrutinizes the corruptive character of power but still somewhat genuinely describes legitimate facts. Nat Kinney, was in fact the founder and leader of the Baldknobbers. His name, and many others that we used for the script were borrowed from history. The real Baldknobbers actually met on the tree-bare, Missouri hilltops to negotiate and plan their acts of justice. To facilitate the concept of blind ambition and the blatant disregard for consequence that eventually lead to the Baldknobbers dissolution, we decided to write Nat as the embodiment of misguided enthusiasm and the majority of the assembly as the bloodthirsty simpletons. Choosing to frame their exchanges in a more humorous light, we decided upon writing one character, James, to be the straight-man. He is the only level-headed, educated brain in the bunch. Much like NBC's The Office, our screenplay portrays the ridiculous majority interacting with their energetic leader whilst a few sober characters look on in disbelief.
Our portrayal of the first Baldknobber meeting is a historical caricature similar to one of our readings from last week entitled, The Veil. This text uses the superimposed titles to tell the simple facts and uses pictures and comic dialogue as a critique and caricature of the events portrayed. We used a similar technique, with superimposed title and end cards to give the simple facts about this historical group. During the portrayed meeting, we have a representation of what it might have been like to witness such an interesting gathering. Of course, we threw in a comical twist and we took a few creative liberties, but that is what makes it art! The author of The Veil did the same thing and it makes the message and story more clear and persuasive. It was a joy to take these pieces of history and give them new life in this script! We hope you enjoy it.
Weiser, Kathy. "Missouri Legends The Fierce Missouri Bald Knobbers."Legends of America. N.p., Sept. 2009. Web. Feb. 2016. <http://www.legendsofamerica.com/mo-baldknobber.html>.
Darnell, Gerry. "Bald Knobbers: The Ozark Vigilantes." Bittersweet. Springfield-Greene County Library, n.d. Web. Feb. 2016. <http://thelibrary.org/lochist/periodicals/bittersweet/su79e.htm>.
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