Fanfilming

Okee-dokee, on the advice of our most just and noble and venerable supreme dictator, and also to wake up the ol' board here which I think, we can all agree, it could sure use....allow me to throw my hat in the ring here and see what I can come up with.

Now, I know that at least a few of us have seriously entertained the notion of making a fanfilm....and naturally there are many questions or issues or just, you know, ideas in general that people may have along those lines....I know *I* do, sure as shootin'! So, then, let's hear 'em....even general story ideas, anything you may need help with or perhaps more outside creative input or inspiration on or even just musings in general....let 'er rip.

And, well, I suppose I can start it off....at least inasmuch as musing about potential shooting locations is concerned; I've found a great many spots that I think would be perfectly viable, at least for my purposes....and to be sure, people may look askance at more stuff set in the forest, for instance, but it's the idea, the story that matters first, and if it takes place in a forest - which is, naturally, the easiest thing for us to find around here anyway, so it all works out that way - then that's what it'll end up being, and you know, that's not so bad at all. Just so long as it serves the purpose of the story....

So, then, a few of my interesting locations, various discoveries here and there: several spots in Beacon Hill Park and thereabouts offer themselves as places with great potential, such as some of those tree copses near the beachfront cliffs....some other small spots in the park as well, but being as a lot of it is rather high-traffic, that's something you'd have to keep in mind. Or, at least, what *I've* had to keep in mind. Other good spots....almost the whole of Summit Park, a pristine Gary Oak ecosystem with nooks and dips and hollows, and craggy rocks galore....personally, I find it *very* inspirational, and of all people I like to think that I know that park - growing up with it, *my* park - the best of anyone. I pride myself on that.

Other possibles....some parts of Mt. Doug, which I *swear* at certain times of year, if you follow just the right paths, are exactly like the Naboo forests....walkin' around in there you expect to stumble across Jedi and a battle droid army, I kid you not. Mt. Tolmie, the more rocky, craggy and untouched side of it, is also a distinct possiblity....if you've ever been around it, climbing all over it and exploring the place in general, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. For very good reason did I once play at ambushing war tactics with a friend up there....*loads* of fun, let me tell you. Also, if it's still viable in terms of some of its more wild spots....I suppose maybe part of Fort Rodd Hill or the university campus up on....it's....well, I'm experiencing a brain freeze at the moment so I can't think of the name, but it's the campus that used to be the junior military training site....we all know which one I mean, right? Right? Also potentially good, there....

Also....what about Cathedral Grove, the Goldstream Park area....Sooke Potholes....Island View Beach and other places of the like? And even Botanical Beach as well....yes, it's way the heck out and gone, a *long* trek up-Island, I'll agree....been there myself so I know what a drive that is....but oh, boy, is it *ever* worth it. It could be a very appropriate spot, mesa thinks....

Here's a question for general consumption, though.... Does anyone know how, or where, I would be able to either find or, I suppose, even mock up or make - i.e. with Styrofoam blocks or something - the impression of actual ruins, as in, stone buildings that have been blasted to pieces and whatnot? With columns and such? At least in part, I was potentially planning to go for that kind of ancient, timless and epic feel....i.e. like Roman or Grecian columns and whatnot, stone ruins, just a general impression of a place of ancient secrets....that kind of thing. Picture it in your head, and

Well, not to rain on anybody's parade, but it'll cost money to film at any public place; we need permits and insurance and stuff. So, there is that.

Permits and such? Understood....although it may not be as much an issue or concern depending on the park in question, for instance. I would think it tends to be more of a concern if someone wants to film something right smack-dab in the middle of the city....or in a residential area....at least, where filming might get potentially loud and/or disruptive in that case. Ah, how fortunate we are to have some much parkland to retreat to.

Also - it's my understanding that it can help a great deal to mention that you are a student filmmaker, and that the project you're working on, say, is something for class; I gather that this can go a long way towards smoothing out any potential bumps in the road.

Still, what I think it comes down to is that if we're nice and polite and we're sure to not destroy any property, as obviously we *won't*....then there shouldn't be any problems. I have the sneaking suspicion that the people we talk to in this regard, if necessary, will be perfectly accomodating. I feel good about that.

So....let's hear some of those ideas! More, c'mon! ::makes a rolling, get-a-move-on motion::


Dawn.

Oh, alright, fine....I'll come up with something more. So there. Is that the chirping of crickets I hear? But, yeah, at any rate, here's something to consider: what about the matter of finding inspiration for a character's personality, their mannerisms or how you want them to come off in the film, from other sources....other shows and films?

In my own experience - and I'm thinking of when I write or brainstorm for Sithly characters here - I've found it very useful indeed to explore these external sources for inspiration or ideas. Like picking-and-choosing the aspects that best suit your story, it also helps give you an even clearer mental image, I think, of just who that character is to you, why they act the way they do, and how, in your mind, they would interact with others. If it helps grant you an even better idea on where to take the character, then it can only be extraordinarily helpful and beneficial, and really, I can't recommend it enough.

And I can say this much at least....that if you happen to be writing a Sithly character, and even a female one in particular, just right - then you might be surprised at just how much inspirational, useful material there really is out there. It's at once startling, encouraging, and hugely inspiring....I honestly don't know how I'd get along without it.

C'mon, now....ideas! Let's have it! More ideas....can't ever have too many....


Dawn.

A sithly female character? Well, I haven't written a story in a long time, as Derisa can well testify, but if I was going to write a story or screenplay and needed inspiration, I'd rent Fatal Attraction for starters. Dangerous Liasons also springs to mind for creating a pattern for an evil calculating, sithly female.

For combat scenes, I'd look to movies with "chicks in chainmail" like Red Sonja, Conan the Barbarian, or Willow, and also cavelier period films involving sword-weilding women like the Three Musketeers sequel, Twenty Years After. And of course, let us not forget TV shows like Xena and Hercules for an endless supply of sithly, sword-weilding female characters!

I'm sure I could think of more sources if I put my mind to it, though.

- Rani

True, all of that....very good point. You mentioned looking at "Xena" and "Hercules" as offering inspiration for Sithly females....also true, certainly, and I'm thinking here of two in particular that I've been using for my own notions....in other words, kept them very close, very immediately in mind, and they tend to influence the mental picture I have of the character....the mannerisms....even to the inflection and patterns of speech. What can I say, when it fits, then it fits with a vengeance....hoo boy....

For me, then, two of the best from "Xena" at least have been Callisto (Hudson Leick)....you know, before that whole heaven-hell pseudo-redemption kick. Up until then she was *so* deliciously insane and evil....ooo, I get shivers just thinking about it. So that's *definitely* very inspiring, and as a result I keep Callisto very much in mind when I'm brainstorming and writing the stuff in question. Another excellent Sithly-type chick, a real baddie, is Livia....better known as Eve, Xena's daughter. Again, this would be Livia before she underwent that whole redemption/healing/good guy metamorphosis and kind....well....lost her edge. I still liked her, to be sure, but I knew I'd always prefer her back when she was Livia in all her bloodthirsty, cruel glory. Mmmm, Adrienne Wilkinson....really inhabited that role and, I think, also only served to help inspire *me* all the more.

So certainly I'm keeping those two very much in mind, as but one example.... But you can find inspiration other places as well, in what may seem like the most incongruous shows or films, as a matter of fact....where you might not expect it, at first blush, but just give it a chance - and then you'll be amazed and delighted by the result, that's what I've found.

Here's another example of interest for you....well, I *hope* it's of interest, anyway. Gee, I wonder who's been lurking in on this topic without offering their own few dataries' worth thus far....sneaky, yes, very cunning indeed! But I digress. Ahem.... So, yeah - another one of the shows I've found very useful in this regard is "Buffy". Yes, that's "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer", and if you've watched it for any length of time then you'll know which female characters I'm thinking of here....Darla to a certain extent, Drusilla *certainly*....for the slinky, predatory, smooth-moving aspect of it....the soft-spoken viciousness and threat....a truly beautiful thing, that. Another good one, I've found, though we've only ever seen her twice....but what an *amazing* two times that's been!....is Vamp Willow, as seen in the third season "The Wish" and "Dopplegangland". I must say that I found *her* very inspiring indeed.

And you see, in that case at least, with Vamp Willow in those two eps....it wasn't only about her attitude, the feel of it, the way she came off in general; oh, yeah, certainly her outfit had a *lot* to do with it as well. Oh wow.... Did I mention it was inspirational?

So I guess the point I'm trying to make is that you can find that little spark of inspiration, something to draw from, just about anywhere....doesn't have to be in a sword-wielding epic or show, it can be found in seemingly the most disparate of places....but if it works, then that's it, that's all you need to know. And you can take your cue from that, most definitely. Oh, and also....you don't even have to draw from an exclusively female character to get a good sense of what you want. Again I'll refer back to "Buffy" long enough to mention....Angelus. And if you've seen him, and this particular second-season story arc....and some of his darkest, most cruel moments....then you'll know *exactly* why that's proven, for me at least, to be very useful indeed when it comes to my own brainstorming and writing. But, yeah, you see what I'm saying here, right? That you just never know....it truly can hit you anyplace, at any time....with just about anything. And personally, I find it quite marvellous!


Dawn.

Wow, the board's just been hoppin' lately, hasn't it? I'm amazed.... Alright, then, even though I feel like I'm pretty much only answering my own posts at this point, I'll have another go at it. Can't hurt, I guess....

So, another question for everyone to ponder, bruit about and then - I would presume - maybe share their thoughts with the rest of us.... What do you do when you're trying to come up with names for characters? Original, fitting, good-sounding names that have that "just right" ring....if you've ever tried to pick one, or several, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. And, yeah, it can be a real brain-twister on occasion....so how do you deal with it? Have you ever looked anyplace in particular to find inspiration for a name? Is there a certain mechanism or technique that's worked well for you in this regard? C'mon, spill!

Personally, I've discovered that one potential good source for names, in particular evil Sithly names, is to look at the names of runes. You know, Nordic runes, the futhark, that kind of thing; some of them have a very sharp, edgy feel to 'em, they roll "just so" right off the tongue....and, equally as important, you can see that the name may very well fit the character you already have in mind. And that can be the hardest, yet the most crucial, fit of all to make....but oh, when it succeeds, there really is nothing better than that. At least, that's what *I've* found....I'm not sure about anyone else. Well, anyone else who may be checkin' up on this topic at least on occasion....and I know you are....sneaky sneaky....I'm *sure* of it. I'm watching you.

And you know....you can't stay silent forever....


Dawn.

I'm not sure, I haven't created too many sith characters for my paltry writing, preferring to pit my protagonists against situations instead of people.

I know what I don't do when choosing a name for a Star Wars character. I steer clear of anything that doesn't sound original. I am mystified by fanfic writers who insist on naming their characters after Lucas' creations, like using the last name Skywalker or Kenobi, or first names like Anakin.

Only once did I ever see an author pull it off successfully, using the last name Jinn for her protagonist, who was brought to an orphanage as an unidentified baby by Qui-Gon himself, thus inheriting her benefactor's last name as an administrative convenience.

I guess the overwhelming desire to be original is my primary inspiration when coming up with ideas, names, plots, etc. It's also only one of the many reasons why I haven't really written in over a year. For the other reasons, just ask Derisa. I think she's spent more time analyzing my lack of writing and misses my storywriting more than I have.

- Rani

Of course, the thing to remember is that the protagonist in any given situation is up against people, as much as the situation or the environment myself. With that interaction, there is conflict, there is drama, there is intrigue and fascination....all elements of the story that we wish to be told accordingly. The people, the characters involved, they're not the whole story or situation....but they're part and parcel of it. And to at least some extent, they're how other people connect with it....which is why I think that even elements such as finding the right name are so important. Indeed, even if only to the writer who's trying so hard to envision it all "just so"....it's all important. It all has a role to play. And I, for one, am just interested as hell to see what's made of that.


Dawn.

Wow, look at this....I guess I really *am* a Thread Killer. I don't know whether to be more bashful or regretful, or instead filled with a strange, perverse sense of satisfaction....though not really. I *would* like very much to believe I'm not the only one reading this thread....I thought people were interested, yes? That is, people other than me? 'Cause it's feeling a bit lonely in here! Still, maybe because I don't know what else to do - I'll keep plunging ahead with it. Even if that means, as indeed it apparently does, that I'm only talking to myself. Well, I *do* have a lot of practice with that....

So....fine, then. Next question....although maybe I'm only asking it of myself at this point, but whatever.... Do you find that certain music is condusive to your writing, and in particular that it helps you to block out certain scenes? In other words, do you find that you're choosing the music to fit the scene in question, more often, or that sometimes a certain piece of music can inspire a whole new scene....and thus you end up wanting to frame the action around that musical cue alone. Speaking from experience, I know both approaches can work very, *very* well indeed....seems perfectly viable both ways. Indeed, some of my best scene brainstorming has come from one musical cue or another, as if but a few notes intricately and carefully woven together helped me to create what I couldn't have, without them. It really is a symbiotic relationship, in my opinion....a most remarkable synergy. At least, that's what *I've* found.


Dawn. (just call me Killer...Thread Killer)

"I *would* like very much to believe I'm not the only one reading this thread....I thought people were interested, yes? That is, people other than me? 'Cause it's feeling a bit lonely in here!"