by Harrison Hayes
My Flamboyant Grandson was set in 2002 in New York one change I would make to make it more of an interesting story and compare it to the original story would be to make it set in 2023. I think having the grandson being Flamboyant in 2023 would change the story drastically, first thing would be the Grandfather. I think the Grandfather would have a different look at his grandson, I believe that he wouldn’t pray to god and have thoughts of him not being “safe” in the world acting the way he does. I also think that it could go either way of him having an opinion on him wearing his grandmother’s scarves, I think he would have mixed feelings but it definitely wouldn’t worry him as much I believe. Secondly, I think the way the grandson grew up would be different, going through school I do not believe he would be bullied at all, I think his life growing up would be a lot more positive and have a different impact on his future. I think the grandson would be more open and fall into a comfortable position with his personality. I believe that is a big switch to the story because it lets the reader see what the grandson could have been and what his personality would be like. I also think that instead of the grandfather wanting to do something for him, the grandson takes the grandfather to a play like they went to. The grandson would want to show the grandfather the side of this personality that he let him become, I think he would offer to take him to the play and they go on a completely different route having a good time with no problems. This is one of the main reasons I picked this story this switch shows the difference between the times, it shows that he is so much more comfortable with his lifestyle and he wants to have the person who has been supporting him all his life that he appreciates him. Now with making a film, I would keep it pretty simple but I would start with the grandson taking the grandfather to the play, and throughout them walking to the play they would begin talking about the past. While they were doing that I would have flashbacks of the grandson going to school, and the moments where he wore the scarf. This would show moments leading up to them going to the play and give a good backstory in comparison to what the original film would be with the somewhat sad backstory as to why they are having certain conversations and what their relationship is like. I think for the theme I would have the flashbacks in some sort of an older theme like what they would use in the 2000s which with the change is around the time the grandson would have been born. For the scenes where they are heading to the play, I would have a normal font and just use a camera. The ending would pan to the grandson and grandfather sitting down as the play starts and the curtains roll, I think this is a perfect ending to this story having it being a happy ending and just an overall happy story.
I really like this choice of setting “My Flamboyant Grandson,” in 2023. Times have really changed since this was set in 2002, and I agree with Harrison that having it set in the present would show the viewer how the grandson is more comfortable and confident in his lifestyle and how the grandfather doesn’t have as many mixed feelings toward him. I also like how the adaptation would be more revolved around the grandson’s point of view as it gives more insight into his personality and maybe the things he personally had to go through while growing up in this generation than compared to his grandfather. I also like how Harrison intends for the story to have a happy tone, because that’s how I pictured this story as well. I feel like it only makes sense for it to be told this way since I felt like the bond between the grandfather and grandson was happy and heartfelt.