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Okay...following up to the previous post, which announced the posting, finally, of my latest fan fiction (and my first in...dear God...SEVEN YEARS!), I'd like to present a bit of information on my influences for writing this one. Thanks for reading, and for having a look at the YouTube links below (they're not long videos, so don't worry). Again, for those who missed the post on the previous page, here is the link to the completed and posted fan fiction: /balto/en/view_fanfic/Reclamation/212117.html


First, I should point out that, even though this story is based (loosely) upon Charles Dickens' excellent literary work "A Christmas Carol", MY version is not set in the Christmas time frame. Not only did I not feel it necessary to do so but, by combining it with the Balto animated movie story, to create a whole new one, it worked better to have it set closer in time to when the team leaves for the medicine. And while that's not specified in the movie, the actual history it's LOOSELY based upon does indicate that that happened in late January of 1925. So...


I used the dialogue for a few scenes from the Balto movie because, quite frankly, it was necessary to do so. The way the story goes, it focuses on Steele and his selfish and hard nature, and his chance at redemption. Using the scenarios laid out in Dickens' work, it provided the opportunity to look into Steele's past, present and future. And it was his present where I drew a little bit from the movie.


Now, I DID also draw heavily from Dickens' story itself. It is an amazing story, which most people are familiar with. Either they have read it (and if you haven't yet, you really need to), or they have seen one or more movie versions of it (or they've seen it performed on stage). Either the animated ones or one or more of the excellent live-action ones (and I am excluding "Scrooged", which is a take-off on the original, not a dramatization of the original itself).


Most Dickens' fans, or just fans of that particular story, will tell you that, of the many live-action versions of the story, NONE have ever done it better than the 1951 version, originally released in the United Kingdom under the title "Scrooge". It was retitled for the American release that same year, under the more commonly-known title of the work it was based upon, "A Christmas Carol" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044008/). Even though it was originally released in black and white (rather than color), a colorized version was later produced and released. It is the one (of all of them to date) which is considered to be most accurate to Dickens' original narrative, and yet it also expands upon the work faithfully by adding material. Great material! And the actors chosen for it are tops. None more than Alastair Sim, who was chosen to play Ebenezer Scrooge himself. No actor has ever played the part with more realism, more emotional turmoil and more sinister panache than him. And the video clips below will demonstrate why.


First, what may be considered a trailer of the movie (yes, it is in black and white...it won't kill you to watch a bit in black and white, folks!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahtLz9_iKJA


If you were so inclined, and wanted to see the whole film, here is a link. Though there isn't a link on YouTube for its colorized version. Only the original black and white one. However, the movie IS in print, and available for purchase (it comes as a set of DVDs or Blu-Rays, inexpensively, with both versions): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4FAeH1qOgI


(Here is an Amazon.com link for purchasing: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-2012-release/dp/B008UY8FI2/)


So here are some links to YouTube videos showing where I drew my influence, and why I drew so heavily from that particular movie:


1. THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q02cJkh74E
In this clip, you see Scrooge's experiences with the first spirit to visit him. The actor who portrayed the spirit did a good job, being at once kindly and gentle, and then stern and unrelenting. And in this, you see some of the expanded material created for the movie.


2. MARLEY'S GHOST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGGohTPuOeQ
In this clip (I managed to find a clip from the colorized version here), you see one of the most loved scenes of the entire story. And you get to see actor Alastair Sim showcase some of the great emotional range he put into his portrayal, which trumps any other actor to ever have portrayed Scrooge (a sentiment most Dickens fans heartily agree with). And you also see actor Michael Horndern, who portrays Jacob Marley's ghost (and the man himself).


3. IGNORANCE AND WANT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUzdzkrkm3Q
Here, in the very last bit of his encounter with the Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge sees the manifestations of the human conditions of ignorance and want...a boy and a girl. The spirit and Scrooge discuss them. And then the third spirit appears...


4. SCROOGE'S TRANSFORMATION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayW4c9aZXyw
Here we see Scrooge awaken on Christmas morning, and all the fun that ensues thereafter (at least initially). A great bit to watch for is the portrayal of his charwoman, Mrs. Dilber (who doesn't have a name in the original literary version) by actress Kathleen Harrison. The script was augmented here, especially where Scrooge chases her down the stairs of his house. VERY GOOD ACTING THIS! It starts with Scrooge's final moments with the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, and then runs through the morning. This is also a colorized clip.






I'd also like to explain why, by citing video clip examples, I chose the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol over later and more expensively-produced versions. One would think that the quality would improve in later years, with every new telling of the story on film. Not so. And again, I'm not the only one by far to say that. Here are more modern versions of the Marley's Ghost scene, which include other notable actors portraying Scrooge (and somewhat lesser ones portraying Marley's ghost). By these, you can compare and should see why the 1951 version still stands as arguably the best among them. There have been other versions too (the musical version from the 70s, which starred Albert Finney as Scrooge, but that version is ridiculous, IMHO):


1. MARLEY'S GHOST (1984, George C. Scott as Scrooge): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh_fUMgFomk
American actor George C. Scott has had his great roles and, admittedly, that gravelly voice of his and his stern demeanor might very well work for Scrooge. But in the end, it's a wooden, bland portrayal. The guy who portrays Marley isn't bad in this though. In fact, he's pretty good.


2. MARLEY'S GHOST (1999, Patrick Stewart as Scrooge): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62R8Du6Id1U
The great Patrick Stewart...Captain Picard and Profesor X. lol And Captain Ahab. And now Scrooge. A Shakespearean-trained actor of great talent. However, in this, he fails. I just don't believe him as Scrooge. And the guy who plays Marley's ghost? Lousy.


3. MARLEY'S GHOST (2009 animated, Jim Carrey as Scrooge): https://www.youtube.c/watch?v=GAu5jzSk0NQ
The animated film version from 2009, in which Jim Carrey voices the main character. Great animation...noooot so great in the voice acting, in my opinion.

Here, for everyone's enjoyment, are two of the original characters I created for the fan fiction (beyond using existing Balto movie characters, or reutilizing them in slightly different ways).


1. The Ghost of the Future:
My version of Charles Dickens' character "The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come", this version is a spirit which takes the form of a terrifying, emaciated black wolverine. I've worked up a character sheet for him (some time ago), but am sorting out some concerns with the moderators in order to get it posted as a character on Balto Source. Meanwhile, here's a look at him, in this beautiful drawing created by CatWhoHas14Tails (some of you know her as "AngryUnicorn"), who kinda really no longer comes here.






2. Charger's Ghost:
Charger is my version of Dickens' character "Jacob Marley", with some changes (beyond that he was a dog instead of a human). This is a sketch of his tortured ghostly form, living out his eternal penance for how cruel and cold-hearted he was in life. This beautiful sketch was done by former AS member Greykitty, who is now a professional illustrator, and I'm pleased to continue to count her as a friend!






Now, I am still looking for those willing to do some design work (for character bios...head and full body shots) and illustrations for the fan fiction. The original characters in the story, which I created, include:

Tommy, Steele's young nephew (a yearling male husky)

Steele's mother (I haven't given her a name...yet)

Charger (both his ghostly form and his more conceited, nasty living form)

Franklin, a former leader of Steele's team (husky)

The Ghost of the Present (a big, jovial brown bear)

The Ghost of the Future (the aforementioned black, emaciated, terrifying wolverine)

Joe, a large, heavy rat

Three other rats (one female, two male)

A few other lesser characters who don't need bio sheets (the male and female puppies representing arrogance and contempt; the preacher; the two gentlemen and the other musher).


If anyone is interested, please let me know! I can work in trade, though I can't do art to save my life. I can, however, and am willing to, write fan fiction and other prose (character bio material, etc.). I'd be gratified to have any good artists willing to honor my work with their art!

I think I'll see if I can find the full movie, only because I'd prefer to see the clips in their full context. None the less, I do like that you chose to harken to an older rendition; I think a lot of old things get left behind these days, and that in the end we'll be the ones to suffer for it.

It's worth finding and purchasing. And believe me, it shouldn't be too hard. And won't cost much. I think they even tossed on older versions prior to that (one from '35, and a silent one from '14). But again, it's widely considered to be THE best one ever made to date.

Mightybalto1925 just completed, and submitted to me, this BEAUTIFUL drawing of Charger's ghost from the first chapter of the story! Check this out! And note the detail she put in...the wallpaper (very Edwardian!) aaaaad, most especially, the ghost's transparency!

Thank you so much, Mighty! This is fantastic! And it's going up as new cover art for the story! (This will also be the full body shot for the upcoming character sheet for this ghost. His earthly, in-life form will have a separate character sheet, of course.

You're very much welcome, and I'm glad you like it! (I'm working on a headshot, then I will work on the other model sheet)

But I must say that I didn't actually draw the wallpaper (I can change that if you want) lol I used a picture I found online, then blended it into the rest of the background. Otherwise the rest is my own work.

That's kind of what I figured, given it's complexity. lol Paisley (or whatever that particular pattern is called), after all, is not easy to draw...especially at that small size.

Thanks for the tip, JC. Good drawing, Mighty; the transparency is very nicely done.

So after a brief discussion on the page for my fan fiction (the comments below the fiction itself), with Dragon Tamer, the question came up briefly about who he thought would seem good as one of the characters (The Ghost of the Present). And he mentioned that he liked actor Kevin Michael Richardson--who does indeed have an excellent voice.

DT ultimately felt that, while he really liked the story, it might not make a good movie. Granted, my intent was not to lay the possibilities of it becoming a movie, but it was an interesting tangent to discuss. Of course, he's entitled to his opinion, and I don't think ill of him for expressing it. So...with that in mind, here are my thoughts on who might represent them well if this story, in some alternate reality, were cast as a movie (with links to specific actors' IMDB pages, and then examples, in YouTube video links, of some of their work, or at least interviews with them. I may also list recent works of the lesser-known ones to help clarify).

Note: In most cases, I kept the original voice actors for the key roles from the first (and subsequent) Balto movies, except the younger ones who would be adults by now...or who may be deceased. In those cases, I selected alternatives. Also, three characters (noted with an asterisk after each) were never listed in the credits with their voice actors, and I just haven't given much thought to their voices...but I would envision their same original voice actors playing them...whomever they were. For the original voice actors I kept, I don't think it's necessary to give links to their pages on IMDB or voice samples on YouTube...you've already heard these and probably have seen their IMDB pages (though you can access them from the IMDB page for the Balto movies if you wish).


Present-day Steele: Jim Cummings


Puppy Steele: Raymond Ochoa (who recently played "Arlo" in The Good Dinosaur)

• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2358105/
• The Good Dinosaur interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9coe1-yD38

Young Steele: Will Poulter (who recently played "Gally" in Maze Runner and "Bridger" in The Revenant)

• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2401020/
• "Gally", from Maze Runner, featurette https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPoINvtCDDo
• Maze Runner interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9neWqTdAIM

The Musher (Steele's musher): *


Nikki: Jack Angel


Tommy: Justin Long (whom you'll recall as wolf "Humphrey" from Alpha and Omega, and as geeky sci-fi fan "Brandon" in Galaxy Quest)--or Dylan O'Brien (from the two Maze Runner movies)

• Justin Long: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0519043/
• Justin Long interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8xsGXTTDLw
• Dylan O'Brien: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3729721/
• Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ehf4MuqvpY

Charger: Edward James Olmos (among so many other roles, he was Commander William Adama in the 2004-2009 Battlestar Galactica series reboot)

• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001579/
• Battlestar Galactica interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJGtPEsiJNw

The Ghost of the Past (Aniu): Monnae Michaell


Steele's mother: Mariska Hargitay (as police detective "Olivia Benson" on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit television series)

• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002127/
• interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3gPn6AdvEM

Franklin: Sam Elliott (so many great roles as a scruffy, rough-cut cowboy, soldier or cop, etc.)

• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000385/
• as General John Buford in Gettysburg movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL82JEQhYAo

The Ghost of the Present: Kevin Michael Richardson (many animated voice over roles)--or Dennis Haysbert (actor/VO actor and also pitchman for the Allstate Insurance Company)

• Kevin Michael Richardson: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0724656/
• Kevin Michael Richardson's voice roles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6EY1eVld-U
• Dennis Haysbert: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0371660/
• Dennis Haysbert interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrlAorQ1uyw

Balto: Kevin Bacon


Jenna: Bridget Fonda


Rosy: Mariel Sheets (who recently played "Sally Brown" in The Peanuts Movie)

• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5795303/
• The Peanuts Movie interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk9kT2bEoZI

Rosy's father: William Roberts


Rosy's mother: Sandra Dickinson


Mr. Johannson (the carpenter): *


Dr. Welch (the doctor): *


The Musher (Steele's musher): *


Star: Robbie Rist


Kirby: Carl Weathers


The Old Leader: Malcolm McDowell (legendary character actor, too many great roles to list)

• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000532/
• as "Soran" in Star Trek: Generations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXNr2xtv09Y

Old Star: Tracey Walter

• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0910145/
• As "Bob the Goon" from the Batman movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U70p8VHxWZM
• As "Mophir" from the Justice League Unlimited animated series episode "Eclipsed" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d3WRJjW7vw