click on one of images to see the full file. Thanks to Mia for the story board images.

Did you ever read a description so in depth or beautiful? This is exactly how I'd have the beautiful scene. Early morning, fog is low on the land, the score would be something longing and sorrowful, very light on music (the type of flutes used on Titanic). Frodo and Sam walking in the terraces of Elronds house, fog is blowing out of their mouths as they breathe, they stare out at the misty mountains and even look at each other, no words spoken. They meet up with Pippin and Merry further down the terrace, they are all in solemn moods, almost knowing the task that is to be put to them, the council bell rings, the council is about to start...

Yeah that'd be great. Now for one of the most anticipated scenes in this film (for me anyway) the meeting of the Council. I'd have this camera on a large crane, we see the council with Elrond at the head, the table is a long rectangular white table. The camera moves down and in towards Elrond for a close up (almost as if it were on the table itself).

This scene again must have an Arthurian feel to it, the meeting of the Knights of the Round Table, Elves, Men, Dwarves, Hobbits, and more. It must be noble and official feeling. Elrond begins:

ELROND

(Referring to Frodo)

Here, my friends is the Hobbit, Frodo
son of Drogo. Few have ever come
hither through greater peril or on an errand more
urgent.

This is a PINNACLE phrase! And should have deep impact, due to the lack of dialogue from the earlier scene. Frodo must seem very scared and tiny amongst all these people. We really must see in his eyes the urge to go home! Gandlaf then rises and introduces Boromir, the man from the South (played by Sean Bean). He's well worn and very dark and mysterious. Also at the council were Gloin, Gimli, Glorfindel, Erestor, Galdor the Elf, Legolas, Thranduil, Strider and Bilbo. These characters have much to say in this scene, so I feel no need for Elrond to have some sort of 'Frodo this is Gloin, and this is Legolas, and this is....' that's the type of shash that ruins so many good book to movie adaptations. There is a sure-fire way to overcome this problem, let's say for example Legolas (Orlando Bloom) were to speak, he says

LEGOLAS

Alas these are bad tidings!'

Or something, we could then have Gandalf say

GANDALF

Legolas, you speak ill will towards the council?
I have never heard the elves is such disharmony

This is an example folks, but do you understand what I mean? If they can doctor this scene, and there is plenty of dialogue to cut and paste, they can introduce the characters, tell the long stories in this scene, and make it all make sense, I have much respect and pity for these guys, this scene alone would finish me off!

So what are the main stories here? Boromirs story of his dream, strife in the south and his travels to Rivendell. Gandalf's travels and imprisonment by Saruman. So where do we start and how do we proceed? This I think I'll need my OWN council to decide.

I think flashbacks are the way to go here, but there are two types. Let's use one of my favorite movies as an example 'The Usual suspects'. Basically the entire story is a flashback, seen from Kevin Spacey's point of view, this type of flashback totally immerses you into the story, there is dialogue in the flashback and a few bits of narration, but basically you are immersed in the flashback.

The other type is simply a flashback of images with a narrator's voice constantly running over it. The scene in which Kevin Spacey's character talks about 'Keyser Sose', the story where Kyser kills his whole family. Do you remember that scene? There is a flash of images, with Kevin Spacey talking over them.

Now, when Boromir or Gandalf begin to tell their tales I don't think we need a flash of images per se, more of a collage, simply images of the Riders threatening the Men and Gandalf meeting Radagast, with their respective voices telling the tale.

Where I would then change the flashback to the type where we are immersed into the story would be Gandalf's meeting with Saruman. This is a great time for Christopher Lee (Saruman) to shine as the evil man he is, When I think of The white and the grey wizards talking at Saruman's castle I cannot help but be thrown the image of Darth Vader and The Emperor from 'Return of the Jedi'. The fist scene where they are walking side by side, talking together. That's what I see the two wizards doing. Gandalf, to pro-occupied with his own problems to realize the change in Saruman before it's too late, walking side by side. I'd have Gandalf on the left and Saruman on the right. The camera is positioned on Saruman's right, and they are walking from left to right (filmmakers usually have people walking from left to right in most scenes, it's been proven to be easier on the eye, check it out in ANY film!) Gandalf tells Saruman all and then Saruman reveals himself to Gandalf. I don't think these needs to be a grandiose thing, because Saruman is a sad man who is not in control but is in fact being controlled.

None the less Gandalf is captured. The tale should then revert back to Gandalf sitting at the council chamber, saying a few choice lines of regret about Saruman, and looking sad and rejected in the way I know Ian McKellen can do it!

He would then finish the tale with a few choice images of himself getting rescued and then his getting back to Rivendell. Where his tale would end and a long sullen silence would fall over the council. I know the next 1/4 of this chapter is spent on finding ways to destroy the ring. And many names, places and ideas are thrown about. But I'd like the mighty Elrond to take more of a role in 'my' film.

Elrond would declare that the only way to destroy the Ring is to throw it in the burning fire at the Cracks of Doom. But who will take on the task of seeking the fiery mountain and destroying the Ring?

Bilbo finally stands and grudgingly (though not really) he decides to take on the task. Elrond and Gandalf say no, that the ring is no longer his and it is no longer his responsibility. Finally Frodo stands and gives us another bit of soon-to-be-movie-magic.

FRODO

I will take the ring, though I do not know the way.

Another PINNACLE line! The council agrees, save Boromir, who thinks they should use the Ring to defeat Saruman. But he changes his mind and the council continues. Elrond declares that his Hobbit friends shall go with him, because Hobbits in numbers can be more formidable than they look (yes, I know I changed it).

It is also decided that Strider, Boromir, Gimli and Legolas also go. Because it is important that all the races should have their say in how to destroy the ring. Gandalf volunteers to be 9th member of the team.

And so the Fellowship of the Ring is formed.