Some might think by 2017 after four years of ballroom and tango dancing, that it was time I to get back to dancing with words. But in retrospect, for many years I had this burning interest in the final years of the Cold War, besides of course being inspired by my singular ballroom champion instructor and Russian beauty Aleksandra, so elegant, and yet almost funny at times. But it was after returning home from a trip to Havana, Cuba, that the sparks of inspiration started to fly… as my imagination, dreams, thoughts, and experiences came together for the original much lighter stage play version (with dancing), titled ‘Goddess Studio.’
I would hope there would be a mix of vintage atmosphere style filming for perhaps the years of 1988-92, then a more modern and edgy approach when continuing, especially as Olga, William, and the Combined Task Force Unit [CTFU] story develops later in 2014 Havana. But perhaps I should first explain that the Dancing with Spies story (with episodes) is organized and guided by my award-winning book/manuscript The Dancing Spies for a potential season one and two tv series. This manuscript is organized into three parts, Part I – being the 2014 CTFU Mission’ from Greenwich Village to Havana. which would contrast with ‘Part II – Prior Times’ in flashback form where the lovers first meet during the later Cold War period of 1988-89. Part II then continues with Olga’s life for twenty-five years (without William), in addition to William’s life for those twenty-five years without Olga. As to the third and final section of manuscript being Part III, generally it takes place after the CTFU Havana Mission of 2014, as William has stayed with Olga in Havana joining the secret CTFU organization as an associate.
Why are there so many scenes with Havana?
Well, I had never written an in-depth love story before or espionage mystery for that matter. So, think of it, what better place to frame the context of a story than the exotic, romantic and Forbidden City Havana. And as we know, drama is based on tension. And unfortunately, historically there is so much tension and distrust between the U.S and Russia. Well in any case, combine this with my love and interest in stage theater. And then the greatest love story of all "Romeo and Juliet".And that is where Olga and William characters come in, as they evolve into bonded true lovers that would even die for each other.
It was interesting that while reading a book mostly concerned with the Late Cold War period, the author a KGB upper-level officer explained that the USSR government was organized… having the KGB at a much higher level of emphasis and decision-making, then the Central Intelligence Agency of the US in which the CIA is not included in the President’s Cabinet. By the time I finished the book, it seemed clear that the KGB were the true masters of the spy craft, whereas the US was noted for its technological advances and overwhelming financial resources. Then later, I was shocked as I found out more about Hanson of the FBI and Ames of the CIA evolving into super spies for Russia.
It is known that USSR film industry differed a lot from Western European culture. Do you think there is anything western filmmakers should learn from it?
I confess, I can only relate personally to what I was interested in, or really enjoyed as to Russian storytelling in films. But as to the Russian Epic Media tv series shows on YouTube, two of my favorites were GHOST and FLINT tv series. GHOST with its excellent actors and cinematography, interestingly had elements like my three favorite American espionage films… the first three Jason Bourne films. Another Russian series I thought very highly of, was the MOP series. With the character Anna so wonderful to watch, as she used her mathematics expertise to help the detective Captain solve mysteries. I learned a lot from those three series especially as to weaving intriguing family relationships, and the almost mystic or hypnotic representations.
Olga is an incredibly well-developed character. Do you consider her a hero of Dancing with Spies?
Well thank you. And Olga is more than a hero, she is the heart and soul of the entire story. From the start Olga was always my favorite main character. Without her I could never have been drawn from the original stage play into tv series scripts or the more comprehensive book manuscript.
There is a lot of technology in the script: small bugs in bras, color-changing cars, etc. Do you think such details are important for a script?
As to the technological gadgetry in espionage films, besides the occasional use of a lot of computer screens, it is just fun to write. I do feel a future director will then have a lot to choose from (hay, film is his medium). Anyway, remember 007 had a great Austen Martin sports car filled with gadgetry. Well, I was influenced by that.
History between USSR/Russia and USA has been controversial for a long time. Especially today, do you think American audience would be able to show empathy to a Soviet Union spy?
I feel for the most part that the American audience would enjoy learning about Cuba, Russia and hopefully fall in love with Olga like I did. And I do admit the Havana Cuba location may be upsetting to some folks in Miami, Florida. In the novel, I do mention Pope Francis and his meaningful humanitarian work trying to normalize relations between the US and Cuba after all these years. He is such a Godly man of hope and inspiration for those of us who pray for peace and a better moral forgiving world.
The script is divided in acts. As it stated in the beginning, it could also be a TV pilot. However, I wonder do you think a full feature film could also be divided in such way? Like certain Tarantino films.
Yes, I can agree that my two-episode feature type pilot would be better as two separate episodes for the tv screen. And yet as a writer it is so enjoyable and interesting to stretch those lines of similarities and differences to the big screen to see what happens.
80s films were full of cheesy USSR characters: they were blunt, cruel, stupid and surface. Do you think it influence the way audience profile Soviet people?
I think and hope those days are gone. But, if you read my book manuscript, you’ll notice quickly that those blunt, cruel, and stupid characters though rare are at least well distributed between both the US and Russian characters. And please remember, I was very influenced by the Jason Bourne original trilogy of films having a variety of blunt and cruel Americans portrayed. In any case, we have come a long way since the early Jason Bond days and Goldfinger.
Do you think Olga or other Soviet characters could be played by non-Russian actors?
Yet the British do it successfully all the time. But it depends. I would dream of Olga as being only a Russian actress. But I could be wrong. And remember, dancing is so important in this story. Therefore, I would love Natalia and Demitri to be from Russia or there abouts. Interestingly, Canada has a lot of talented film people with a real love and understanding of Cuba and its people. Oh, and I also would hope a lot of Cuban actors could be involved.
Could you share your future plans?
Being an old man of seventy-four, working for the Salvation Army (thrift store) in New Paltz, to get by, I still dream about writing a sequel book manuscript to The Dancing Spies novel/manuscript. In addition, I would love to workshop and develop‘David the Anointed’ my musical play (a biblical adaptation) with modern dance as a major exciting element. Besides that? Perhaps someday I will get to visit Russia, instead of dream about it.
