Some of you may recognize the name title "GET BORN AGAIN" as being a song performed by artist Layne Staley, former front man for the music groups ALICE IN CHAINS and MAD SEASON. You may also recognize it as a being entitled "Layne Staley: Get Born Again" as written by author/journalist Adriana Rubio of Argentina. If you made this connection, you are very wise and are exactly right.
I was first approached by Ms. Rubio to pen a screenplay based in part on her book and the research she conducted during her investigation of that project. I agreed and set out to make this a memorable adventure, for me as a writer, but more importantly to his family, friends and his fans. I spent a great deal of time researching Layne's life, his relationships with friends, family and his beloved Demri and then investigated his fans, who they are, how they feel and what they might expect in a movie about his life. I then began my writing trying to capture the essence of Mr. Layne Staley, the story of his life, his music, his art, his poetry, his message and the legacy.
Although it cannot be denied and therefore is mentioned in the movie, this is not a story about the drugs that took his life, but rather a story about the creative and adventurous life that he lead. In its original state, I have included sixteen music videos and another seventeen music sound tracks in this screenplay because music was his life and I feel that in making this project a celebration, the music must take center stage. It is understood that due to time and cost considerations, some of these works may be cut or otherwise recreated to meet production needs.
No doubt, this will be a highly emotional movie. As the writer, I absolutely felt that it needs to be however, it is not all sad and as a viewer, you will laugh, you will cry and you will remember both the man and the legend, Layne Staley. If you loved him, you will love the movie. If you loved his music, you will love the movie. More than anything, I wanted this to be as integrity filled as can be done in a movie. I sincerely feel that I have incorporated that spirit into this script.
I do hereby acknowledge having taken some literary license with some scenes. In the scene involving Layne's Art Showing in Seattle, Washington I did adjust the date of actual showing to being prior to Kurt Cobains death. Layne and Kurt has met and had discussed several things they had in common. To have demonstrated the existance of that relationship in a separate scene would have extended the movie's length or meant additional chopping of his music videos. So, to address this delimma, I created a scene whereby the time line was amended to establish two factual events. I hope you understand and accept that change as being appropriately necessary.
One other event change was the notification to his sister Liz of Layne's girlfriend, Demri's untimely death. In the actual event, Liz's husband called Liz while she was working in Greece to inform her. I hereby acknowledge the importance of Greg in Layne's life and his involvement in this portion of the story. However, one fact that I absolutely needed to bring into the movie was that Layne and Liz had a very psychic relationship sometimes able to communicate without words and over distances. As an author I took literary license to establish that fact in this scene. I have Liz in Greece getting that connection she shared with Layne sensing that something is wrong and calling Layne. Again, this was done to establish imprtant facts without extending the movie length and subjecting either the scene or his movie to be cut. My sincere apology to Greg and Layne's fans for deviating. My intent, as previously stated was to maintain the integrity of actual events and pray that these manipulations do not offend. I do think that when you see this movie, you will agree that I made the right decsion.
"GET BORN AGAIN, The Layne Staley Story". Is packed with songs, music videos and tributes created by his adoring fans. It also tells the story of the man, the myth and the legand that was Layne Staley. A tragic and sad ending of a life that was filled with addiction, but an even greater story about who he was and the music we continue to enjoy today. It will certainly become a must see for his fans. Be watching for the movie release coming to a theater near you.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to Production and Contractual Obligations, I will not be allowed to post this script until after the release of the Movie in Theater and DVD. Thank you for your understanding. For more information, you may contact the Author, Terry D. Hilmer or his Agent on this project, David Cobb.
