Michigan Basement
 

In the Art of Grimscribe Interview "Work Not Done?" May 2003 with Eddie M. Angerhuber, Ligotti stated:

"Over the years a series of developments have taken place that hold some promise that we may be able to get people in Hollywood to read our stuff, which now includes not only Crampton but another screenplay by the name of Michigan Basement."

And

In "Thomas Ligotti: A Bibliography" compiled by Douglas A. Anderson, it lists the following information. No date.

"Michigan Basement" [by Thomas Ligotti and Brandon Trenz]
[Unpublished, unproduced screenplay]

Does anyone know anything more about this screenplay? I'm going to go out on a limb and say I bet its a horror story. I wish they could publish it like Crampton. I think that is a great story.

Re: Michigan Basement
 

I spent more than my share of nights in a Michigan basement. Water, mold, and things that slither in the dark. Since moving to Mississippi, I now see the slithering things in broad daylight. Water and mold are universal treats, apparently.

Re: Michigan Basement
 

I actually have read Michigan Basement, and while I certainly don't discuss what I discuss with Tom in private, I am sure he wouldn't mind me speaking generally about the fact that I have, in fact, read the screenplay. I suppose it certainly falls into the category of "Horror Story", and has some very classic Ligottian elements and imagery, even though the influence of BT is obviously there as it is in Crampton. I can remember reading certain parts that seemed to come to life, just as Tom's stories tend to evoke some dazzling imagery in the mind's eye, I recall experiencing this type of effect while reading the screenplay. Without getting into details because it's not my place to do so, and of course considering that it, like Crampton is a screenplay and obviously reads much different than a standard piece of fiction, I can remember being impressed by it and thought, in the right hands, it could be made into something that was compelling, visually really dark, strange and surreal; the highly sought after holy trinity in and of itself, and what one would expect from the process involving Tom's writing being translated into a visual medium in the first place. As we all know, that's the challenge; to do his work justice, and in the the process of that story translation, it needs to convey the very essence of the work in all its various and sundry dimensions. This is a tall order, certainly. Anyway, I happened to see this posting and add two pennies worth, if it's even worth that.

Re: Michigan Basement
 

Thanks for the info, Ascrobius.

I certainly understand your reticence to talk about specifics if you feel it may betray a trust. I'm actually surprised that anyone knew something about it. I may eventually start a campaign to agitate for it to be published, but that would be too greedy for now as Tom was generous enough to let us preview Conspiracy. I never even hoped for that one.

Re: Michigan Basement
 

Does anyone know what the reason is for this work going thus far unpublished? Perhaps Mr. Ligotti is still shopping it around to have it made into a film?

Re: Michigan Basement
 

I don't believe that Tom or Brandon have any plans on shopping around Michigan Basement or pursuing it any further, though you never know, right? While I liked it, in as much as one can "like" reading a screenplay, and I am lucky to have read it, I got the impression that Tom and Brandon might consider it somewhat sub-par, though I don't agree with that assessment.
Tim

(Today I went back and looked at Michigan Basement after not looking at it for a year or so, and it is really interesting, but I find anything written by Tom to be worth reading (not to mention giving due credit to Brandon Trenz; I liked Crampton as a stand-alone piece as well). I didn't read the whole thing today but skimmed it briefly, and it is as creepy as I remember in parts. There are some moments that are very Ligottian, not surprisingly, and it's longer than I remembered it being; 110 pages to be exact. Who knows...maybe someday it will see the light of day, but that'll obviously be up to Brandon and Tom.)
Tim

Re: Michigan Basement
 

Every time I read this title I'm amazed at how evocative it is. Two simple words, yet they really get my imagination racing. For me it's almost like a two-word poem. I realize, due to its brevity, I'm coloring the title by injecting a lot of my own mental visions and experiences. But isn't that what all good writing should do, no matter how brief? They're very innocuous words by themselves. Perhaps any sinister connotations are a result of knowing who penned them.

Re: Michigan Basement
 

I haven't heard anything about this one in a while. Any chance that this may be published in the near future?

Re: Michigan Basement
 

If it ever does, I don't think it will be any time, soon. Maybe some day...

Re: Michigan Basement
 

I wonder if the title was a play on this:

Cellar door - Wikipedia

Probably not. (Time for a shameless bump anyway)

A few 'horror' books have been published with the title.

Re: Michigan Basement
 

Hope I'm not being super obvious but the term Michigan basement is a reference to an original crawlspace that is later dug into a full basement. Because the basement was 'added' later, the walls are dirt or stone or whatever works to keep the walls from caving in. The result is that the basement is not convertible into any sort of living space. I'm sure elsewhere in the world, there are other names but in Michigan, Ligotti's original home, they are called Michigan Basements. Just Google the term if you want more technical details.

Now none of that tells us much about the play though!

Souphead.

Re: Michigan Basement
 

I'm so envious of the title "Michigan Basement."

As The New Nonsense wrote below, it's incredibly evocative in its blunt simplicity. Self-generated horror in two seemingly innocuous words.

Re: Michigan Basement
 

I must now express my difference of opinion, Ted, as both Michigan AND basements have a plethora of foreboding! Combining both images together is simply unthinkable. Stop thinking it!

Re: Michigan Basement
 

Figured this could be used as some kind of creative exercise (with all dues to Ligotti and Trenz, of course.)

Knowing what you know about Ligotti's fiction (including Crampton, if you've read it): what do you think Michigan Basement is about? What kind of imagery or scenarios spring in your mind from this evokative title?

Re: Michigan Basement
 

I have no clue what Michigan Basement is about. I really hope I get to know, or even better to read the thing itself. Crampton was excellent.

Can someone tell us more what that script is like? the gist and vibe of it?

I'm so damn curious about it

Re: Michigan Basement
 

I sense an anthology taking shape.

Re: Michigan Basement
 

"The Challenge From...Debasement"