We talked to Jamie Christopher White, who is writing a screenplay based on Nirvana. The Hollywood game is rough and there have got to be others gunning for a chance to write a screenplay that Courtney Love would approve, but White is beyond dedicated (see guitar playing, bags of raw pasta, and cheese leaping). Hopefully things work out for him, but only time will tell.

 

Shoutmouth: Do you have a title for the film?

 

White: It has to be called Nirvana. There is just no other name for it.

Is it going to a fictional portrayal or documentary / interview style?

 

It is going to be as genuine and as truthful as possible, though there will of course be ethereal moments with visually intense landscapes, as well as a few other unexpected surprises.


Do you feel competition with other Cobain films?

 

When I started writing the Kurt Cobain/Nirvana movie, I had started to feel the enormous amount of pressure that one would expect with such an undertaking. Eventually over time, and with the support of friends, colleagues, and other filmmakers, the pressure subsided. I, now, overwhelmingly feel as though the material will speak for itself. So far, I am very proud of the material.

 

Well, then what did you think of Last Days?


I had recently seen Gus Van Sant’s Last Days picture, at the recommendation of writer/producer/director Michael Corrente. I loved it. It is a genuine, vulnerable, and intimate portrayal.


Has Courtney Love heard of your film?

 

At this moment and time, I hope she has. When I had first received word that she had acquired the rights to Charlie Cross’s biography of Kurt, I immediately telephoned a local filmmaker friend of mine and asked if he would produce a documentary about me auditioning for the role of Kurt, that we would then send to Courtney, via Danny DeVito who has been a supporter of my art for awhile now. He excitedly responded, “Yes!” So, we spent nearly three weeks recording a genuine, and at times intensely intimate moments of me talking about what it is that I am thinking and feeling, as I maintain the spirit of Kurt Cobain. The result is a thirty minute long docudrama entitled Untitled Spirit, which many people have suggested I submit to film festivals. Maybe someday I will, with approval from Courtney, because there are some very intense moments with me singing Nirvana songs. I have since sent a copy of the reel to Courtney.

What other films do you know of that are in production? Isn't their one with Ewan McGregor coming out?

 

To the best of my knowledge, none. There was a press statement made by Courtney, before I had mailed her my audition reel, that her number one choice would be Ewan, and that she wanted an A-List production.


Have any production companies picked up the film's rights?

 

Well, a friend of mine had suggested that I contact Tom Rosenberg over at Lakeshore Entertainment, in regards to the motion picture adaptation of my novel entitled Tattered Clad, which I haven’t done yet. I am still putting the finishing touches on the novel. I am planning on speaking with Tom about the production, upon completion of the screenplay. Also, an assistant of Shekhar Kapur (Elzabeth), has expressed interest in reading the screenplay. I may wait until I receive some feedback from Shekhar before I speak with Tom. We’ll see, I am still writing like a madman.

Will you be using Nirvana's original music?

 

There is no other way to tell the story of Kurt Cobain and the band Nirvana.

Is it all about Kurt or is it more of a Nirvana film?

 

It is the story of Kurt Cobain’s life, and how his aspirations were always focused on his art, music, dreams of rock stardom, and eventually the inner turmoil he experiences, while living with his attainments.

How are you doing your research on him/the band?

 

Besides having lived the life of a musician, while living in a van and playing guitar, writing music, poetry and art, while rationing bags of raw pasta in various parts of Washington, including Aberdeen, Seattle, and Tacoma, I am reading Charlie Cross’ Heavier Than Heaven book, Kurt’s “Journals”, and watching and listening to various interviews and recordings of Kurt. I have also started to learn how to play the guitar left-handed; I was born right-handed.


Have you finished writing?

 

No, though the momentum is so great, that the writing is blossoming out as a reincarnation of an overly excited rat that has landed in a plethora of cheeses, while pleasurably listening to the Bleach record. I think Burroughs would be proud.