Discussion Point: 11-08

Listeners-watchers-readers, meet Marcello: Co-producer, co-writer and uh... drinking buddy.

A few nights ago, over some pretty foul pizza and some even fouler pre-mixed drinks, Cello and I discussed the place of the pilot in terms of the over-arching storyline.

WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT. I would urge anyone trying to write a script to not try this at home. Bourbon and Coke is BAD.

We discussed examples such as 2000AD; Firefly and even MacGyver (FTW?), citing them as good examples for characters who are inventive, and can get out of sticky situations under pressure.

Cello has a sense of beat and rhythm when it comes to story which is unlike my own, and I like to see the spin he can put on a scene from the discussion/writing phase. I think he's coming from a place similar to me (in which we like much of the same stuff, story-wise) but his differences are really what I think is going to make this an exciting process, and hopefully, some of that energy will be transferred into the story.

At this point, I am redrafting the outline, and along with Cello, I am putting the characters in "pure story" situations. Each character has an object of desire, some in direct conflict with others. This pilot, therefore, shall be used to play out the pursuit of those goals under a high-pressure situation.

I am parring back revealing diatribes, back-story and exposition. This is meant to be a taster; an introduction into this world. I believe if I focus on this, I can actually achieve the creation of this pilot. I think the pilot you saw in the last post/episode was too ambitious in scope. I also think that I can condense the story to ten minutes and just let the heart of the piece shine.

During the podcast, we discussed a few of the following. I have listed them below and provided links for further reading:

• Firefly
• 2000AD
• MacGyver
• Girl Genius
• Chung Quo by David Wingrove

Incidentally, David Wingrove was involved in the writing of the Myst books, which I have on my shelf.

I hope you like these discussion point episodes. I intend to give them some congruity with the WIP episodes, but it seems the format might go a little backwards - ie: the WIP video will be a preview of the discussion point of the following month. I hope to rectify this in the new year.

Next episode, I have a very special WIP where I shall be revealing the modeling, texturing and (hopefully) rigging of Minauld Wallace.

A couple of extra notes right here, if I can sneak them in:

I am excited to hear that Steve Ogden (voice of Aziz) is back in the World and back on producing Moon Town. If you don't know, the voice of Minauld Wallace (Jane Newton) is also voicing the female lead for Moon Town, Cassandra Quinn. If you unsubscribed from the Moon Town feed, or have not heard of it yet, why don't you do yourself a favor and head on over right now and check it out: MOON TOWN.

Also: A special shout-out to Mat Forcum and his students. They are hard at work on their first animated short: Anabelle's Bistro. I have been following their new podcast with interest. Mat posts on his blog, House of Move. His students have been podcasting about the production of this cartoon and it is encouraging to hear their weekly discussion. You can subscribe via the house of move.

Finally: I have been to the Digital Media Festival this week. A huge event in my calendar from now on,. Part expo, part meet-up - all a chance to sit back and have a beer or two with other creative types.

Cheers for now, folks! I have a Minauld to rig...

From Public Album

Subscribe to iTunes Feed