Make It So: The Trailer Film Of Trailers

Awhile ago I mentioned how Serdar and I had discussed the way film companies could act as incubators for smaller, less pricey movies. The risk is lowered, the chance for success is good (and perhaps higher without Save The Cat efforts), and goodwill would be made. Basically, a skunkworks.

Well admittedly we don’t know if anyone is doing this, though I’d like to fantasize that big studio execs read our blog and hang on our every word. Or at least try to find ways to mess with Scott (I suspect that Charmed remake HAS to be that).

But a similar idea struck me – it actually came during a movie outing with a local group of gamers. We were discussing “Machete Kills.”

Now this Danny Trejo vehicle may not seem to be something that leads to particularly deep thoughts about movies and media. But let’s consider its origins.

Read more

Does io9 Get It Right About SF and “Competence Porn”?

Well worth reading.  Rough summary, SF has diverged from “Competence Porn” – the joy of seeing smart and skilled people do smart and skilled things.  I agree with the thesis that this has happened, but not his explanations.  In fact I probably need to analyze this for awhile before I can coherently state my own theories.

However, I think there’s something here.  Maybe it’s just my age, but for me my SF heroes were always, well, competent.  Scientists and adventurers with names like Dick Seaton (oh, E.E. Smith . . .), Danny Dunn, Tom Swift, John Carter.  Even Luke Skywalker, a bit niave, was a fast learner – but then again *I* mostly wanted to be Han Solo or Obi-Wan, so maybe I don’t care.

Something to think over.

Also I am so using the term “Competence Porn.”

(Edit: I put in the wrong link.  Ironic that.)

– Steven Savage

 

Taking My Date To Cantown. Homestuck Creator To Work On Datesim

No.  Really.

Now I’ll remark that this is great.  Andrew Hussie is clearly a dynamic and energized person who can create things and to say the least stick with a project.  I’m glad to see him getting even more to do, even if I’m not really into Homestuck.

So kudos for his one phenomena leading to another job!

Except it’s a datesim where, and I’m not making this up, you date Namco-Bandai characters.  Really.  In a High School.  I’m not even sure how to process this level of strangeness yet, except maybe it’s some kind of hope to move datesims over here, influenced by School Doll Culture (Monster High/Ever After High/Equestria Girls), or . . . the super robot games.  Or something.

Look I have no idea.  But maybe this’ll open up datesims more in the American market.  Or something.

Man, the “homestuck” part of this is unsurprising.

– Steven