ARP’s Movie Script Coverage Service aims to provide a written outline of the author’s book—a screenplay—that will be stored in a database that major studios can consult when seeking stories to adapt into films. Recently, a Hollywood-style script was released, “A Chronicle of the Roman Twilight” by John Ranger, in which the story has a strong foundation rooted in the fascinating historical period of the Roman Empire’s collapse. The premise is solid, offering a unique perspective on the chaos and moral dilemmas of the time. By honing the emotional core of the protagonist’s journey and clarifying the motivations and arcs of supporting characters, the story could balance its epic historical scope with personal stakes. With adjustments to pacing and tone, this script could become a compelling and marketable historical drama that resonates with modern audiences.
In the journey from adapting a novel into a movie screenplay, there are essential intermediate steps that pave the way for success. One such critical step is the transition from coverage, which provides an initial analysis of the source material, to the film treatment.
This transition is not only a natural progression but also serves as a pivotal moment in the adaptation process. Once coverage is complete and the decision to proceed with an adaptation is made, the next logical step is the creation of the film treatment. A treatment is a detailed document that outlines how the source material will be translated into a screenplay. It serves as a bridge between the novel and the final script, providing a roadmap for the adaptation process. The film treatment is the crucial intermediary step that takes the adaptation from the conceptual phase to the concrete phase of writing the screenplay.
The screenplay is the common ground on which producers, directors, actors, and production teams working on the movie will collaborate from start to finish, and it serves as a roadmap for them in terms of what will be seen on the big screen. The production of the Movie Script coverage is to prepare for the screenplay to be produced.
“A Chronicle of the Roman Twilight (A Novel)” presents the story that begins in A.D. 364 when the author of this memoir, Marcus Cedranus, is born into a middle-class landowner’s family in western Britain. While his material prospects are promising, his deteriorating relationship with his parents causes him to leave home for the continent. In Gaul, he becomes a teamster for a freight hauling company, meets an older woman who will eventually play a major role in his life and is drafted into the Roman army in 382.
He is assigned to Legion XXII in Mainz, and in 383 he is temporarily transferred to Belgrade on the Danube. A revolt in the West makes this transfer permanent. He participated in several military campaigns and took part in a triumph in Constantinople in 386. In 388, his regiment took part in the eastern offensive against the revolt in the West that had by now spread to Italy. With the revolt suppressed, he is assigned to a new imperial guard regiment for the restored Western emperor, Valentinian II. During another transfer to the east, Marcus suffers a terrible personal tragedy from which it is impossible to recover.
Another civil war breaks out in the West and is suppressed with terrible casualties. Marcus is appointed tribune and made a member of the personal staff of Stilicho, the new generalissimo of the West. Further military adventures take place in Greece, Britain, and Italy. A massive barbarian invasion of the West on December 31, 406, triggers political instability, leading to revolts in both Britain and Italy. This inevitably led to the sack of Rome by Alaric and his Visigoths in 410.
John Ranger, a retired computer programmer and database administrator who spent 32 years at IBM, has a B.Sc. degree from the University of Manitoba, Canada, and a lifelong interest in Roman history. He has one son and lives in Wappingers Falls, New York.
The story has a rich historical backdrop, set during the collapse of the Roman Empire, which is a period filled with political intrigue, war, and societal upheaval. The concept of focusing on a Roman officer’s disillusionment and eventual reconnection with the military in this tumultuous time provides a powerful lens through which to explore themes of loyalty, betrayal, and survival. The use of real historical figures and events like Alaric’s invasion, the sack of Rome, and the fallout of Constantine’s actions strengthens the narrative, grounding it in a setting that inherently carries weight and gravitas. There is also potential to explore moral ambiguity—how good men are forced to make terrible choices during chaotic times—which can deeply resonate with viewers.