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Janae McDaniels
Ya Literature
Professor M. Sherry
15 March 2011
LENS 2: Transmedial look at Monster
I think the style that Myers wrote Monster in provides the perfect opportunity to
observe it from the perspective of a film. I think in order for the film to have real grit and
street credibility, the director would have to be either Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire,
127 Hours) or Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino). The star of the movie, a young Steve
Harmon could be someone like Michael B. Jordan, and then his older self could be
Mehcad Brooks. Then I think a possibility for the movie would be to add more closure.
For instance, adding an epilogue with the now older Steve Harmon’s voice, would say
how this experience changed his life and what he’s doing in the present.
His mother could be Chandra Wilson from Grey’s Anatomy, because she is a
strong woman who had the acting chops to play it with heart. His father could be played
by Don Cheadle from Crash. He is also an actor with a lot of heart and for his parents I
think that’s a very important quality to their character’s back story. Sandra Petrocelli
could be played by Judi Dench (Notes on a Scandal) or Marcia Gay-Harden (Into the
Wild). Both these actresses are good choices because they have played similar roles in
the past. They would be ideal for the uptight, ambitious, white upper middle class women
who would strive to put this young black man in jail for the rest of his life. Kathy
O’Brien, the defense attorney with doubts could be played by Gweneth Paltrow (Proof),
or Natalie Portman (Black Swan), because these two actresses have an innate innocence
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and gentleness. Yet, they still have the ability to surprise the audience with their
directness and talent for true empathy. Lorelle Henry could be played by a sweet old lady
like Betty White (Golden Girls) or Shirley MacLaine (Steel Magnolias). Both of these
actresses seem like a reliable witness and respectable older women, and they could easily
portray women who have a tendency for racism themselves.
When I was searching for young male actors to play King and Bobo Evans, I
realized how limited the choices are for young black actors and also, it made me realize
how little I even know of the top of my head. James King, “the thug” might be played by
a harsh looking young black or Puerto Rican man who has many tattoos and has a stare
that speaks volumes, such as “Whaat…!!??” Bobo Evans might be played by a lanky
young black man who is sweaty, nervous, and jumpy. However, I think he would be
eager to please the courtroom, but even more eager to defend his “friends” and lie for
them so that he would still be in their gang in some small way.
Other than casting, the score or soundtrack is another essential part of a film. I
think an ideal soundtrack that would parallel the progression of Steve’s character
throughout the story would be as follows. Like the multi-racial cast, the soundtrack
would also give representation to many genres of music in order to represent this
potentially ideal cast and also to please a wide variety of audiences. I marked the songs
that are my favorite and I encourage you to look them up on YouTube, if you ever have
spare time to do so.
1. Me against the World- 2Pac Admittedly, my collection of hip hop is limited, yet the
few I do have are mostly nineties because it’s what I’ve heard from my older brothers.
This song is perfect for the beginning because it is Steve against the world of the film and
the world of the audience as well.
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2. Everything in Its Right Place- Radiohead. I had to include Radiohead in my
soundtrack. Period. My reasoning is that it reflects Steve’s state of mind when he has a
flashback of when everything was good and in its right place.
3. Gangsta Shit- Snoop Dogg I think this song is a good representation of the gang world
and the type of music they would admire and listen to. I think characters like Bobo
Evans, King, and even Steve may have liked this music before getting locked up.
4. Done All Wrong- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. I chose this song because I think it can
echo on Steve’s feelings when he’s awaiting his trial and he’s thinking about how badly
he’s screwed up his life and dishonored his family.
5. You Got Me All Wrong- Dios Malos I think this is perfect for Steve’s notebook
sections because this is when he stresses that the people in the trial and in his life don’t
understand him at all. He’s questioning his goodness, and by including a few nice stories
about his siblings, he becomes more sympathetic in the eyes of the readers.
6. Possibility- Lykke Li This is probably one of the most depressing songs I’ve ever
heard. I had to include it to play during the chapter when Steve’s desperately awaiting his
verdict. Also, this song has a feel that time is going painfully stop and even stopped at
some point.
*7. Lost- Coldplay featuring Jay-Z This is my all-time favorite band
*8. Revival- Soul Savers I love this song! I’m really not a huge fan of Christian music,
because except for Switchfoot and Relient K, it tends to be touchy feely and I don’t enjoy
it; however this song has the ability to either give me chills or make me cry almost every
time I listen to it. It’s that moving to me. When I listened to this song I thought it would
be ideal for the moment of real vulnerability in Steve’s character, the moment when he
prays, so to speak.
9. Won’t Back Down- Matt Kearney I first heard this song in 2008 when he opened for
John Mayer. Ever since then I’ve had a musical crush on Matt Kearney. He has a lovely
voice and talent for tonal quality and tenderness that comes naturally. This song mirrors
Steve’s mindset that whatever happens is meant to be, but at the same time, he really,
really doesn’t want to go to jail.
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*10. Hope for the Hopeless- A Fine Frenzy The young woman that leads this band is
mostly unknown; however, I think this Brit Band has a load of potential. The song title is
self-explanatory. This is the chapter when the reader is most engaged I think, because
*11. Be Here Now- Ray LaMontagne The lyrics in this say it all, “Don’t let your heart get
heavy, child, inside you; there’s a strength and light. Don’t let your soul get lonely, child
it’s only time, it will go by. Don’t look for love in places, or faces, it’s in you that you
will find.” Beautiful, soul-searching song, enough said.
12. Man in the Mirror- Michael Jackson This is perfect for Steve, because this would
play after he was found innocent and he has a true revelation to start with himself. After
this moment he vows to make his life mean something.
*13. Sweet Disposition- The Temper Trap This is the last song, but in a way it’s just the
beginning. The tone and feel of this song is sheer bliss, love, and a theme of possibility,
that parallels Steve’s freedom and his new outlook on life.