Hey everyone,

Having recently aquired a job that affords me some small measure of free time whereas before I had none, I feel like writing again.

This is going to be a script for my friend Joe aka The Bard. I just want some suggestions and to be informed of any potential problems you may forsee using a mute character.

Working title, Ranger.

Basic synopsis, The story of a boy born without the gift of speech into an elitist society. Being deemed inferior by the elders at the time of his 8th birthday, it was decided that he should be cast out for his affliction to perish in the wilds, that his imperfect taint should not poison the populace.

However the powers that rule this world deemed not that he should die, but that he should grow to become the unwitting savior of a people he hates.

That... Sounds extremely awesome...

Can't say I know much about having mute MCs, though. Sorry. I have a deaf MC in one of my novels so... That's just a whole other problem. I'd think the only difficulty you might find is creating a way for people to understand him, considering he can hear, I'd think he'd be able to understand them, yes?

Anyways, sounds like a great idea! Good luck!

Are you trying to make this really hard to direct? Mute people are hard to do on film!

(But it's still awesome.)

Why of course Joe. You know I could never make things too easy for you. What would be the challenge in that?

He'd need to communicate through actions and facial expressions. looking as though he's thinking through his problems. I figured making him a mute would help him fit along better in his mind with the other unspeaking denizens of the forest he calls home, to help set him apart from the other vocal humans.

Plus I don't want him to use a sword. The main character in this story should use a more primitive yet elegant weapon. The spear. And maybe a dagger or very rough and primitive knife. Shooting for originality here. It would have to look like he made it himself.

But still in the works. Let me know if anyone has any suggestions or foreseeable difficulties.

I agree with Bethy. That sounds extremely awesome.

Anyway, I had a mute main character once. She carried a book and piece of charcoal around with her to communicate. But if he was cast out in the wild, it's possible he doesn't know how to write...

"Castaways of the Flying Dutchman" has a mute main character, I think. I could be wrong. Could be worth checking out.

I think that using a mute character would be an exciting challenge and I don't think that would be a problem. I have a deaf character in one of my books and it is interesting to see how characters with disabilities perceive our worlds.

It certainly wouldn't be cliche to use a Mute Character. If done right, I could see it being a huge success and accomplishment.

Thanks everyone, If this works out I may branch from screenplay to full fledged story. I've always liked the silent brooding heroes like clint eastwood and aragorn... But with the added awesomness of being silent and brooding all the time.

Still hammering out the wrinkles. I'll post some of it when I get it written out.

I can't wait!