This was actually a topic came up with weeks ago but while locked in my eternal pit of damnation it got put on the back burner. A while back during the traditional 3AM neither of us can sleep conversations me and wench started discussing various What If? scenarios. Of course some of them are over in two seconds (i.e. What if Hitler didn't invade Russia - WW2 over by the end of '41) but sometimes you can go on and look over matters with a bit more depth.
One that often comes up is "What if Henry VIII hadn't divorced Kat?" I always find it quite interesting, as a starting point would England have split from the catholic church? I think ultimately, we wouldn't have done. The only reason we ultimately split from them was that Annie B was a bit of hooker and Henry had become obsessed with having a son which given Kats' breeding always made me laugh. A lot of other countries that left the Papal faith behind had a trigger, I don't know if the English would've had this afterwards. Potentially with the civil war but I think it would've happened catholic/protestant this is assuming after Mary lines remain unbroken of course.
As for Mary. The woman has been demonised almost since the day she was born, ultimately for being the wrong gender. Thing which gets me is had her mother remained queen and Henry not started persecuting Papists she probably wouldn't have earned the moniker "Bloody Mary" as the bitterness would not have been bred into her. Accordingly of course with the strong breeding in her she may have had a much better reign and that may instead be referred to as Englands "golden age" as opposed to that of her half-sister, given that her death seems to have been linked with the stresses she imposed on herself to stop Dizzy Liz from taking charge.
Around these great historical turning points, and I've kept it brief before going on too much of a lecture (any comments to discuss anything in further of course), we moved onto the "insignificant" turning points, or rather our own lives. The conversation inevitably turned into "what if we'd not got together?" and ultimately I honestly couldn't really give a plausible scenario. Wench seemed to watch it better than I could (I got scarce further than less headaches) and saw ultimately in her mind that I would've been managing at the company I was working at when we first got together. Had I not been coming through yet another bout of depression I would've focussed on that and overcoming the demons in that way, instead I'd opted to drop the work stress and took the time to recover by spending more time in Poxford.
Relationship wize she went bolder still and predicted that I'd have got into a relationship with one of three girls she's seen me with using the assumption that I'd have still been involved in the same groups which I guess is pretty solid. I refute all three of these as I was always an expert in getting to the "you're a great friend but..." scenario and put a lot of the relationship with wench down to putting her off a relationship for so long to avoid my depression and as a result mood swings harming her had we got closer it'd inevitably have gone wrong well before it finally happened. Incidentally I'd have got a lot less stress from her so with a higher paying job and a partner who according to her I'd "make the perfect couple with" something tells me this what if went the wrong way! :P
In the end we just had a nice conversation spending time together and looking at those little things that make up our lives and how in little changes the way our directions and history is built up. Of course, nothing can change now but sitting there and taking alternative looks at certain events no matter how small or minor can be a great way to pass the time. Now to start checking the library for some "alternate history" novels to along side the Cornwell and Iggulden.
Saturday, 18 September 2010
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Art of Acting 1 - Auditions
As we head in to the Christmas period up and down the land various groups are now preparing to enter "pantomime season" where pretty much every actor up and down this land is preparing to engage "over the top enthusiasim mode" and shouting "Oh no you're not!" over and over again. For a long period I hold my hands up to snubbing panto (Me to play buttons? I'm a serious bloody Shakesperian ac-tour) but after my bid to direct and produce a Hallowe'en performance of "The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" fell flat I had a Christmas free and went for it. Personally I've never looked back and I'll do it again. The thing is, when auditioning you find no matter where it is and whom the production is directed by we have a similar procedure.
LIMPETS - Of course, the first thing that happens is that the prospective actors arrive and begin sizing eachother up as potential rivals. The obligatory overtly camp lad no doubt intends to be the butler/servant, a few middle age men are generally going to be fighting over the dame/villain of the piece and roughly 3,971 teenage girls are going to fight it out for the roles of "good fairy" and "pretty love interest". Occasionally one of them will find herself heartbroken in lead male since "well, she looks kind of masculine". Around this, every group has "the regulars", people who come back year and year again who're a little harder to judge ("Do I REALLY want to be the dame 4th year running?") these become the limpets, clinging to those they know.
You see, usually you see groups come in and they're all cuddly and happy and you know they're rooting for eachother. Limpets will inevitably have next to nothing to do with eachother during the run but for now, you're best friends for life. That snooty biatch over there is competition and a limpet will find a corner with fellow limpets and plan their downfall. Hopefully they will read opposite them and make them look REALLY bad but the limpets will often do all they can to make sure their little play thing doesn't get harmed by "outsiders". Shakespeare once wrote "Hell hath no fury like a limpet scorned", a limpet without a role WILL become full of rage and hellfire and begin smeer campaigns on facebook.
READINGS - Once we've gone through the meet and greets and introduced eachother (queue limpets highlighting their years of service) we find ourselves given the roles that the director sees us based on initial appearence and the "I would likes...." almost immediately someone will find him/herself deflated as they're given the complete and utter opposite type of roles to read on. They will find themselves looking like thunder for the rest of the afternoon. Inevitably though people only really get one chance, JUST ONCE CHANCE [/William Wallace] to show what we're capable of. This often ends up with the interesting image of seeing someone trying to show versatility and going through a nice little geographic tour of accents they can do (most end up sounding Indian...)
Sometimes, seeing the script is enough to put people off the role they invisioned themselves/write themselves off in the view of the director (memories of the Zimbabwean Romeo who could barely speak a word of English come flooding back), after this people are well and truly deflated or starting to get confident on their part/sabotaging of the "outsiders" chances.
STUPID MOVEMENTS - It doesn't matter what you're auditioning for, there WILL be a stupid movement session. So many directors like to sit there and watch the way you move. Sometimes this is understandable and in the guise of a quick choreography session where a group of people who're unsure dancers look uncomfortable (female limpets will scowl at the pretty young rivals who appear like professional dancers compared to their flat footed shenanigans) but at least one can understand why. I've never understood why this is required while auditioning for King Leer though.
WAITING GAME - Ultimately, that's it with an audition. Stupid movements will often also cover a little bit of "singing" but by now we've gauged those who're musically aware and whom looked out of their depth so it doesn't offer much except for the remaining 1,573 "pretties" in the event of a tie. Nope you get the waiting game instead. "Thanks for coming, we'll be in touch" this normally has a disclaimer along the lines of "just because you don't hear when your friends do it doesn't mean you're not in". This is a lie, it means you're not in but it gives everyone the butterflies waiting by the phone.
Normally at this stage we thespians begin analysing ourselves and rapidly fall out of love with the audition and aren't too hopeful overall. Some however will be bought to Earth with a bang (most of the limpets in the event of a larger audition) after being convinced they're deities gift to acting. Most will be disapointed and while some will protest and boycott the group, most actors should use this to spur them on. It's still a nice feeling to get that call and get YOUR role (trying to calmly say "yes I will accept X" as your jaw drops is nigh impossible!) but nobody walks into any role and if you're a good, versatile actor you'll still get a decent role. This week I had a bad audition and came out unhappy. I've not got the role I wanted but looking at the script and knowing me I can make it work, anyway, what's the point of playing the same old roles all the time? I personally, am now relishing the role of "Mr Bod" even if he was nowhere near my radar at the audition. Bring on rehearsals!
LIMPETS - Of course, the first thing that happens is that the prospective actors arrive and begin sizing eachother up as potential rivals. The obligatory overtly camp lad no doubt intends to be the butler/servant, a few middle age men are generally going to be fighting over the dame/villain of the piece and roughly 3,971 teenage girls are going to fight it out for the roles of "good fairy" and "pretty love interest". Occasionally one of them will find herself heartbroken in lead male since "well, she looks kind of masculine". Around this, every group has "the regulars", people who come back year and year again who're a little harder to judge ("Do I REALLY want to be the dame 4th year running?") these become the limpets, clinging to those they know.
You see, usually you see groups come in and they're all cuddly and happy and you know they're rooting for eachother. Limpets will inevitably have next to nothing to do with eachother during the run but for now, you're best friends for life. That snooty biatch over there is competition and a limpet will find a corner with fellow limpets and plan their downfall. Hopefully they will read opposite them and make them look REALLY bad but the limpets will often do all they can to make sure their little play thing doesn't get harmed by "outsiders". Shakespeare once wrote "Hell hath no fury like a limpet scorned", a limpet without a role WILL become full of rage and hellfire and begin smeer campaigns on facebook.
READINGS - Once we've gone through the meet and greets and introduced eachother (queue limpets highlighting their years of service) we find ourselves given the roles that the director sees us based on initial appearence and the "I would likes...." almost immediately someone will find him/herself deflated as they're given the complete and utter opposite type of roles to read on. They will find themselves looking like thunder for the rest of the afternoon. Inevitably though people only really get one chance, JUST ONCE CHANCE [/William Wallace] to show what we're capable of. This often ends up with the interesting image of seeing someone trying to show versatility and going through a nice little geographic tour of accents they can do (most end up sounding Indian...)
Sometimes, seeing the script is enough to put people off the role they invisioned themselves/write themselves off in the view of the director (memories of the Zimbabwean Romeo who could barely speak a word of English come flooding back), after this people are well and truly deflated or starting to get confident on their part/sabotaging of the "outsiders" chances.
STUPID MOVEMENTS - It doesn't matter what you're auditioning for, there WILL be a stupid movement session. So many directors like to sit there and watch the way you move. Sometimes this is understandable and in the guise of a quick choreography session where a group of people who're unsure dancers look uncomfortable (female limpets will scowl at the pretty young rivals who appear like professional dancers compared to their flat footed shenanigans) but at least one can understand why. I've never understood why this is required while auditioning for King Leer though.
WAITING GAME - Ultimately, that's it with an audition. Stupid movements will often also cover a little bit of "singing" but by now we've gauged those who're musically aware and whom looked out of their depth so it doesn't offer much except for the remaining 1,573 "pretties" in the event of a tie. Nope you get the waiting game instead. "Thanks for coming, we'll be in touch" this normally has a disclaimer along the lines of "just because you don't hear when your friends do it doesn't mean you're not in". This is a lie, it means you're not in but it gives everyone the butterflies waiting by the phone.
Normally at this stage we thespians begin analysing ourselves and rapidly fall out of love with the audition and aren't too hopeful overall. Some however will be bought to Earth with a bang (most of the limpets in the event of a larger audition) after being convinced they're deities gift to acting. Most will be disapointed and while some will protest and boycott the group, most actors should use this to spur them on. It's still a nice feeling to get that call and get YOUR role (trying to calmly say "yes I will accept X" as your jaw drops is nigh impossible!) but nobody walks into any role and if you're a good, versatile actor you'll still get a decent role. This week I had a bad audition and came out unhappy. I've not got the role I wanted but looking at the script and knowing me I can make it work, anyway, what's the point of playing the same old roles all the time? I personally, am now relishing the role of "Mr Bod" even if he was nowhere near my radar at the audition. Bring on rehearsals!
Saturday, 11 September 2010
Unsupportive Support
A surprisingly short and borderline emo post today so apologies there. Ultimately it's been bought about by feeling pretty crummy most of the week and one of those things that I frustrate myself with, yet in some cases it becomes a persons best asset towards others. I'm sure I'm not the only person who does this to themselves, when looking at others I'm able to sit back calmly and talk from experience and a bit of psychological understanding and offer advice and support to others which makes one "popular". "Popular" as I can't think of a better word to describe the appreciation others have for the friend like that.
Problem is the emotional and mental kick in the teeth you give yourself when you realise how down you are and how rather than spending your time sitting at home worrying about others you should probably have pretty much ignored that at your own expense, especially if after doing the hard work of lifting the original person you being worrying for them afterwards and again distract yourself from your own woes.
Ultimately, I don't know what keeps making me feel down. I know life isn't perfect but there's not really anything disasterous to get in the way. In a case, what's really wound me up and annoyed me the most is that I try to do what's right for others and worrying for others knocks me down emotionally. Perhaps I should take a step back and frankly my dears, just not give a damn. We all know I'm not capable of that though so next time I get sympathetic just slap me one. Maybe some retail therapy of getting all the original Transformers DVD's, not the original movie though I'll cry like a baby.
Speaking of which, how dare they put a "Grimlock! Smash!" line in the computer game and everyones favourite robotic T-Rex doesn't appear? Hmmm, maybe that's why I'm feeling so down, nerd rage ;) Hopefully next time a more entertaining ramble so bare with me during my wet blanket phase x
Problem is the emotional and mental kick in the teeth you give yourself when you realise how down you are and how rather than spending your time sitting at home worrying about others you should probably have pretty much ignored that at your own expense, especially if after doing the hard work of lifting the original person you being worrying for them afterwards and again distract yourself from your own woes.
Ultimately, I don't know what keeps making me feel down. I know life isn't perfect but there's not really anything disasterous to get in the way. In a case, what's really wound me up and annoyed me the most is that I try to do what's right for others and worrying for others knocks me down emotionally. Perhaps I should take a step back and frankly my dears, just not give a damn. We all know I'm not capable of that though so next time I get sympathetic just slap me one. Maybe some retail therapy of getting all the original Transformers DVD's, not the original movie though I'll cry like a baby.
Speaking of which, how dare they put a "Grimlock! Smash!" line in the computer game and everyones favourite robotic T-Rex doesn't appear? Hmmm, maybe that's why I'm feeling so down, nerd rage ;) Hopefully next time a more entertaining ramble so bare with me during my wet blanket phase x
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
First for News! (providing we're the only site...)
So aside from the complete stupidity and overkill over Sky Sports News going úber cool high def their news networks are just generally getting my goat these days. As if the "we're better than you" approach to adverts wasn't irritating enough and the sight of their smug bimbos, one of which looks like reconstructive surgery has taken place and not done a very good job of it for that matter, smiling inanely while failing to comprehend the meaning of the word "football" or indeed any other unusual subjects sports news may throw at them such as "results" or "fixtures" as well as the inability to pronounce a players name accurately (hell even heard Wayne Rooney pronounced wrong once!) it get infuriating.
The problem leads on to this though, is there a place for TV news anymore? With the rise of the internet they say that print media is dying. That newspapers and magazines now are losing subscribers and face decreasing circulation is a story commonly being read and satired on various comedy shows. Thing is, Sky News seems to be falling behind as well and even though they are a medium which is purely instant, anything can and will happen and "we will be there". How does that explain getting stories which broke some time prior?
The reason that brings me to this is that the main story today and huge globally impacting breaking news is relating to a small church in Gainesville, Florida who're planning a "Burn a Quran Day". Interesting story, except that I found out about it myself nearly a fortnight ago, and that was late to the party as the group "Right Wing Extreme" (a militant far right Christian organisation) had refused to do security as it was "going to far". Only reason that caught my attention was the irony but I found out about it through a computer gaming forum, I can only assume that anyone who cared about politics or religion to the extent to follow the news would've known about this even earlier than that. So I have to ask, if Sky are first to news why are they so late to report this? Given they're now repeating it over and over again it seems they've finally picked up on why islamic militant groups are able to get support.
I understand why groups may object to Islamic militants in the modern world, the events on 11/09/01 (refuse to call it 9/11, that's why the UK no longer exists but that's for another rant...) hit the world hard and the whole of this millenium so far has dealt with the reprocussions (I feel Bush winning the US election had more to do with it as the reason the event was allowed to happen). Problem is, it was a poor US foreign policy and some insanely xenophobic beliefs that cause the contempt for America that rises up in support against them. How do the US deal with this? Well, in the last month they've protested against followers of Islam following their faith, they've not only burnt down a seperate mosque being built but destroyed the building equipment being used in this "atrocity" and now they plan this.
We know this is not the viewpoint of all Americans just like we know those dancing on the streets of Afghanistan didn't represent all Islam that day nearly 10 years ago (Actually that footage was 20 years old, the hammer and sickle were big hints!) but for an extremist or person with strong right wing beliefs these are the proverbial red rag. London was hit a few years ago on the 7th July and we were shocked this could happen here. Problem was, these were "home grown" terrorists. We, by foreign policy and right wing xenophobia created an event that was the first time since the IRA ceasefire we were left reeling and in shock (unlike previously though we lost that British way of coping, see future rant).
Ultimately though while we highlight incidents like this (and ignore countless many others) we provide the ammo for recruiters. Already people are protesting in some countries and with the more media coverage the easier it'll be to recruit. If people want to eradicate fundamentalist warfare we need to stop giving these tiny groups a platform. Ultimately, one red neck church of 50 practitioners, which most Americans don't support nationally, doing this is nothing newsworthy. What it is though is a fantastic propoganda tool if Mr Bin Laden wants to show the footage of these plans and the unrepentant pastor.
So the fact Sky were late to this news story and are now hailing it as huge (but not huge enough at leasty a fortnight ago) only goes to show 24 hour news is unrequired in the modern world with the interwebs. Still, they'll repeat their belated little story and sing their own praises which does nothing except for give more people the chance to use and manipulate this. Let's await the next car bombing hitting our troops in Kabul and Sky talking about our brave "heroes" and remember, it's organisations like Sky who continue to spread misinformation long after an event hits the news and the way they fight the fundamentalists propoganda war for them. Is it any coincidence that the last decade has been nothing but terror attacks and propganda, most of them caused entirely by our own media, so determined are they to blow their own horns.
The problem leads on to this though, is there a place for TV news anymore? With the rise of the internet they say that print media is dying. That newspapers and magazines now are losing subscribers and face decreasing circulation is a story commonly being read and satired on various comedy shows. Thing is, Sky News seems to be falling behind as well and even though they are a medium which is purely instant, anything can and will happen and "we will be there". How does that explain getting stories which broke some time prior?
The reason that brings me to this is that the main story today and huge globally impacting breaking news is relating to a small church in Gainesville, Florida who're planning a "Burn a Quran Day". Interesting story, except that I found out about it myself nearly a fortnight ago, and that was late to the party as the group "Right Wing Extreme" (a militant far right Christian organisation) had refused to do security as it was "going to far". Only reason that caught my attention was the irony but I found out about it through a computer gaming forum, I can only assume that anyone who cared about politics or religion to the extent to follow the news would've known about this even earlier than that. So I have to ask, if Sky are first to news why are they so late to report this? Given they're now repeating it over and over again it seems they've finally picked up on why islamic militant groups are able to get support.
I understand why groups may object to Islamic militants in the modern world, the events on 11/09/01 (refuse to call it 9/11, that's why the UK no longer exists but that's for another rant...) hit the world hard and the whole of this millenium so far has dealt with the reprocussions (I feel Bush winning the US election had more to do with it as the reason the event was allowed to happen). Problem is, it was a poor US foreign policy and some insanely xenophobic beliefs that cause the contempt for America that rises up in support against them. How do the US deal with this? Well, in the last month they've protested against followers of Islam following their faith, they've not only burnt down a seperate mosque being built but destroyed the building equipment being used in this "atrocity" and now they plan this.
We know this is not the viewpoint of all Americans just like we know those dancing on the streets of Afghanistan didn't represent all Islam that day nearly 10 years ago (Actually that footage was 20 years old, the hammer and sickle were big hints!) but for an extremist or person with strong right wing beliefs these are the proverbial red rag. London was hit a few years ago on the 7th July and we were shocked this could happen here. Problem was, these were "home grown" terrorists. We, by foreign policy and right wing xenophobia created an event that was the first time since the IRA ceasefire we were left reeling and in shock (unlike previously though we lost that British way of coping, see future rant).
Ultimately though while we highlight incidents like this (and ignore countless many others) we provide the ammo for recruiters. Already people are protesting in some countries and with the more media coverage the easier it'll be to recruit. If people want to eradicate fundamentalist warfare we need to stop giving these tiny groups a platform. Ultimately, one red neck church of 50 practitioners, which most Americans don't support nationally, doing this is nothing newsworthy. What it is though is a fantastic propoganda tool if Mr Bin Laden wants to show the footage of these plans and the unrepentant pastor.
So the fact Sky were late to this news story and are now hailing it as huge (but not huge enough at leasty a fortnight ago) only goes to show 24 hour news is unrequired in the modern world with the interwebs. Still, they'll repeat their belated little story and sing their own praises which does nothing except for give more people the chance to use and manipulate this. Let's await the next car bombing hitting our troops in Kabul and Sky talking about our brave "heroes" and remember, it's organisations like Sky who continue to spread misinformation long after an event hits the news and the way they fight the fundamentalists propoganda war for them. Is it any coincidence that the last decade has been nothing but terror attacks and propganda, most of them caused entirely by our own media, so determined are they to blow their own horns.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Fan Service
When I like something, I tend to become hooked on it. I will sit through hours of pap just because I liked something for example (Starship Troopers 2 & 3 and the Transformers (live action) films say hi). I will sit there and do a "run" of something, case in point my recent decision to sit through all Aliens and Predator films due to the release of Predators. Reading through all the Hornblower books in a row (last one now, perhaps to read through the entire Diskworld series in chronological order (bar Eric and Witches Abroad) now Sir Tel has released a new one) and the way I set a target to view/read everything I can get my hands on.
Thing is playing through LEGO Batman and Indiana Jones I realised just how much time and patience fans pulling together can create something that makes a fan smile with a really nice tribute. I'd already encountered TT games' work with LEGO Rock Band and there were elements of it in there. A personal memory is the "hotel" incident in which the bands drummer drives a car into a swimming pool alá Keith Moon, this is closely followed by the band trying to escape from a T-Rex in a jeep through a difficult jungle trail alá the scene from Jurassic Park following a roadie being eaten on the toilet.
It's these little things that show the dedication and that the makers clearly were fans of the source material. Playing Indy I found it funny they latched onto the scene during Raiders in which Star Wars characters are represented in Egyptian hieroglyphics and at various times Indy comes across them (trying to swap the idol following the boulder sequence for C3-POs head) a nice little nod and noting it too was created by George Lucas. Any character and moment that you remember from any films is represented and there's a smile a mile wide as I playthrough and spot all the moments and nods. Random gaming fan service award - Oblivion, which features a suicide note from a troll under the bridge because "Mee wurst troll evurr, nobuddy pay brijj tole, me nott sceary enuf, mee gett drunc an kil sellf, troll droun". Those Billy Goats Gruff have a lot to answer for!
Of course gaming isn't the only place where fans craft tributes it can happen in Hollywood where big money allow people to make huge tributes of their loves. Sometimes you've got to beware of the cash ins, a great case is the aforementioned Transformers (live action) movies where Bay has no real interest and it's just a job. As a result you get Devastator which is a great villain name. Sadly he turns up twice over the two films, once as a tank and once as the combined form of the Destructicons. For a casual observer (probably already turned it off anyway) it means nothing but for a fan it was yet another case of someone asked to make a movie based on a source material he doesn't care about.
On the other hand you can get something like Lord of the Rings in which you can see Peter Jackson was a fan of the book. There are somethings that a "true fan" would object to but the determination to get the project off the ground and some of the changes you can understand why they were done. After all a film maker needs to remember his not making a film for himself and more than fans may want to watch it. The patience was there though and little things still crept in. Another case X-men where those little things for the fans creep through. X2 having the moment when Mystique and Nightcrawler have a quiet friendly conversation, in the story she's his mother but as the films don't cover this it was a nice nod.
The ultimate fanservice though has to be the film "Raiders" which brings me full circle. In 1981 a group of schoolboys in the States saw Raiders of the Lost Ark and rather than writing pornographic fanfiction as is common now they took it upon themselves to remake the film shot for shot with there school friends. They hand made costumes, they burnt down their basements and worked with dedication and adoration for the source material and the end result was something which bar one sequence (fight under the props of an aircraft) was as close as can be made. For some kids to take on a project like that over a period of 7 years just shows the level of fan service people will go to.
Now who wants to help me remake the LOTR films shot for shot? Kate can get that Galadariel costume for a reason now!
Thing is playing through LEGO Batman and Indiana Jones I realised just how much time and patience fans pulling together can create something that makes a fan smile with a really nice tribute. I'd already encountered TT games' work with LEGO Rock Band and there were elements of it in there. A personal memory is the "hotel" incident in which the bands drummer drives a car into a swimming pool alá Keith Moon, this is closely followed by the band trying to escape from a T-Rex in a jeep through a difficult jungle trail alá the scene from Jurassic Park following a roadie being eaten on the toilet.
It's these little things that show the dedication and that the makers clearly were fans of the source material. Playing Indy I found it funny they latched onto the scene during Raiders in which Star Wars characters are represented in Egyptian hieroglyphics and at various times Indy comes across them (trying to swap the idol following the boulder sequence for C3-POs head) a nice little nod and noting it too was created by George Lucas. Any character and moment that you remember from any films is represented and there's a smile a mile wide as I playthrough and spot all the moments and nods. Random gaming fan service award - Oblivion, which features a suicide note from a troll under the bridge because "Mee wurst troll evurr, nobuddy pay brijj tole, me nott sceary enuf, mee gett drunc an kil sellf, troll droun". Those Billy Goats Gruff have a lot to answer for!
Of course gaming isn't the only place where fans craft tributes it can happen in Hollywood where big money allow people to make huge tributes of their loves. Sometimes you've got to beware of the cash ins, a great case is the aforementioned Transformers (live action) movies where Bay has no real interest and it's just a job. As a result you get Devastator which is a great villain name. Sadly he turns up twice over the two films, once as a tank and once as the combined form of the Destructicons. For a casual observer (probably already turned it off anyway) it means nothing but for a fan it was yet another case of someone asked to make a movie based on a source material he doesn't care about.
On the other hand you can get something like Lord of the Rings in which you can see Peter Jackson was a fan of the book. There are somethings that a "true fan" would object to but the determination to get the project off the ground and some of the changes you can understand why they were done. After all a film maker needs to remember his not making a film for himself and more than fans may want to watch it. The patience was there though and little things still crept in. Another case X-men where those little things for the fans creep through. X2 having the moment when Mystique and Nightcrawler have a quiet friendly conversation, in the story she's his mother but as the films don't cover this it was a nice nod.
The ultimate fanservice though has to be the film "Raiders" which brings me full circle. In 1981 a group of schoolboys in the States saw Raiders of the Lost Ark and rather than writing pornographic fanfiction as is common now they took it upon themselves to remake the film shot for shot with there school friends. They hand made costumes, they burnt down their basements and worked with dedication and adoration for the source material and the end result was something which bar one sequence (fight under the props of an aircraft) was as close as can be made. For some kids to take on a project like that over a period of 7 years just shows the level of fan service people will go to.
Now who wants to help me remake the LOTR films shot for shot? Kate can get that Galadariel costume for a reason now!
Sunday, 5 September 2010
Concerning Freindship (and corpses)
So yesterday we headed in to London for another day of Forumbatical shenaninanagans and as always in a basic and largely free day we managed to thoroughly enjoy ourselves with the purist pleasure of conversation for most of the day. As I touched on the other day it's a great example of the positives of internet forums in that people with only music in common as a starting point can become better aquainted. March last year we all met, though for my part Hannah and myself were farther back in the queue and so didn't have that long day at Brixton bonding with the rest of the group who would later become Forumbats. As a result, for me, the group really came into their own at the start of August last year when we decided to do a "Brixton Aftermath Meet", after all the Brixton topic on the forums had grown to twice the size of itself and had been about the only topic to get any use in the meetings forum anyway.
So in that August meet we really got to know eachother as more than the screen names. One of the highlights of that one being a very unsure Holly being incredibly obedient when I forebade her from leaving. Sadly she's since got to know me better and now is almost as disobedient as Jackington but from a "don't really know much about her" she's become someone whos company and opinions I thoroughly enjoy listening to, she's also incredibly posh so when the revolution comes I've got someone on the inside working for me.
On All Hallows Eve we were reunited for the third time of 2009. This time due to the increased potential for shite weather we settled on an indoor course of action for the day with a Jack The Ripper walk to finish, of course, in costume for the occasion. Started the day waiting outside the Natural History Museum posing for photos while dressed as Death and waiting for our latest addition, GemGem. Again we had a great time over the course of the day, and though couldn't remain for the walk due to impropper footwear from SOMEONE it was fantastic. Highlight, GemGems mock wedding speaches during a ceremony held by Cap'n Yappo. YAAAR!
Next meet up was on Soul Cake Duck Day (or Easter to "normal" people) which became a pain due to peoples trains being late (GEMMA!), coming in to Hyde Park from the wrong entrance (flange...) or throwing a sicky (Kate) but we managed to meet up and although I can't recall a definite highlight of the day for me we again had a time good enough to come back soon. Which was the 4th September.
Yesterday could've been the last convenient meeting for us now as "the Forumbat kids" now fly the nest and head off to uni. It won't hamper things too much, after all Owen does travel down from Cockermouth but on those rare breaks home from studying I'm sure they can think of better things to do than hear my abuse. Still we will make it happen and another fun day worth remembering.
Some things from this one, the woman randomly turning up and doing "Li-Chee" in the middle of Hyde Park, Holly did at one stage see her take her top off, sadly I missed this so can not judge if it was worthy of a highlight due to the toff being too speechless to point it out on time. Spending a few minutes in the V&A museum, I've never been there so will have to have a decent look sometime, Kate checking the manhood of every statue we passed (watch her deny it) as we headed to the fashion section. Guess whom it was to head over to the underwear section first! Taking Gemma to the science museum to push some buttons in the kiddies section, Hollys suggestion of "Act simple Gemma" almost not needed as she was like a kid in a sweetshop with all the random gadgets.
Sadly, all good things have to come to an end and so following Holly having to head home early it was time for Gemma and Owen to head back to the horrible north (after getting "Stupid Deaths" stuck in my head) from Euston so after a portion of cheesy chips came the more sombre moment. Kate, Hannah and I visited Cross Bones cemetary, Southwark near London Bridge. An old site where prostitutes and those poor who could not afford a "real" burial were buried hastily in unconcecrated ground. Seeing the small ribbons left in memory of those fallen left there from three year old boys given the title "workhouse labourer" and 9 year old prostitutes to the list of prostitutes who were nothing more than a statistic murdered over the last few years in Nottingham.
A sombre and sorrowful finish to the day which is always appropriate considering the come down we have following any happy times such as music festivals or a good run on the stage. At the end of all things we have to say goodbye and as some old guy once wrote "parting is such sweet sorrow". Should we fail to make it to the barren north for GemGems 18th I for one can't wait until the chance to meet up in April as I know we are certain to have a great time with some great people, who bar for a convenient concert we never would have become so closely aquainted.
Before I get too serious, I leave you with a link to a couple who've been caught by police in Washington state US for stopping to make a sex tape during a break in. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100824/ap_on_fe_st/us_odd_sex_video_suspects;_ylt=Ah.mAO.lt47hOMEj0SZsePXtiBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTJ1c2ZtNXQ5BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwODI0L3VzX29kZF9zZXhfdmlkZW9fc3VzcGVjdHMEcG9zAzIEc2VjA3luX2FydGljbGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNmdWxsbmJzcHN0b3I-- luckily they survived I guess. Otherwise I'd be singing THAT song again!
So in that August meet we really got to know eachother as more than the screen names. One of the highlights of that one being a very unsure Holly being incredibly obedient when I forebade her from leaving. Sadly she's since got to know me better and now is almost as disobedient as Jackington but from a "don't really know much about her" she's become someone whos company and opinions I thoroughly enjoy listening to, she's also incredibly posh so when the revolution comes I've got someone on the inside working for me.
On All Hallows Eve we were reunited for the third time of 2009. This time due to the increased potential for shite weather we settled on an indoor course of action for the day with a Jack The Ripper walk to finish, of course, in costume for the occasion. Started the day waiting outside the Natural History Museum posing for photos while dressed as Death and waiting for our latest addition, GemGem. Again we had a great time over the course of the day, and though couldn't remain for the walk due to impropper footwear from SOMEONE it was fantastic. Highlight, GemGems mock wedding speaches during a ceremony held by Cap'n Yappo. YAAAR!
Next meet up was on Soul Cake Duck Day (or Easter to "normal" people) which became a pain due to peoples trains being late (GEMMA!), coming in to Hyde Park from the wrong entrance (flange...) or throwing a sicky (Kate) but we managed to meet up and although I can't recall a definite highlight of the day for me we again had a time good enough to come back soon. Which was the 4th September.
Yesterday could've been the last convenient meeting for us now as "the Forumbat kids" now fly the nest and head off to uni. It won't hamper things too much, after all Owen does travel down from Cockermouth but on those rare breaks home from studying I'm sure they can think of better things to do than hear my abuse. Still we will make it happen and another fun day worth remembering.
Some things from this one, the woman randomly turning up and doing "Li-Chee" in the middle of Hyde Park, Holly did at one stage see her take her top off, sadly I missed this so can not judge if it was worthy of a highlight due to the toff being too speechless to point it out on time. Spending a few minutes in the V&A museum, I've never been there so will have to have a decent look sometime, Kate checking the manhood of every statue we passed (watch her deny it) as we headed to the fashion section. Guess whom it was to head over to the underwear section first! Taking Gemma to the science museum to push some buttons in the kiddies section, Hollys suggestion of "Act simple Gemma" almost not needed as she was like a kid in a sweetshop with all the random gadgets.
Sadly, all good things have to come to an end and so following Holly having to head home early it was time for Gemma and Owen to head back to the horrible north (after getting "Stupid Deaths" stuck in my head) from Euston so after a portion of cheesy chips came the more sombre moment. Kate, Hannah and I visited Cross Bones cemetary, Southwark near London Bridge. An old site where prostitutes and those poor who could not afford a "real" burial were buried hastily in unconcecrated ground. Seeing the small ribbons left in memory of those fallen left there from three year old boys given the title "workhouse labourer" and 9 year old prostitutes to the list of prostitutes who were nothing more than a statistic murdered over the last few years in Nottingham.
A sombre and sorrowful finish to the day which is always appropriate considering the come down we have following any happy times such as music festivals or a good run on the stage. At the end of all things we have to say goodbye and as some old guy once wrote "parting is such sweet sorrow". Should we fail to make it to the barren north for GemGems 18th I for one can't wait until the chance to meet up in April as I know we are certain to have a great time with some great people, who bar for a convenient concert we never would have become so closely aquainted.
Before I get too serious, I leave you with a link to a couple who've been caught by police in Washington state US for stopping to make a sex tape during a break in. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100824/ap_on_fe_st/us_odd_sex_video_suspects;_ylt=Ah.mAO.lt47hOMEj0SZsePXtiBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTJ1c2ZtNXQ5BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwODI0L3VzX29kZF9zZXhfdmlkZW9fc3VzcGVjdHMEcG9zAzIEc2VjA3luX2FydGljbGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNmdWxsbmJzcHN0b3I-- luckily they survived I guess. Otherwise I'd be singing THAT song again!
Thursday, 2 September 2010
Who are You? Who who, who who?
Strictly speaking that's a grammatical error but given the background I'm not surprised "The Who(m)" got that wrong. Useless detour many MOONS ago my friend Liz's mum was engaged to their drummer, can never remember his name though, the engagement was called off because "he'll never amount to anything". Well done Mummy Liz, a few months and a broken instrument or two and we have one of the most iconic bands of all time.
I digress from my point though, no nautical terms thankfully, as my topic today is the most watched program on the planet CSI - Crime Scene Investigation. William Peterson who plays Gil Grissom put it best when he said that this wasn't a bog standard "Whodunnit but a HOWdunnit" and I think that's one of the reasons it's so popular. Sometimes the penny drops too late and they don't get their man/woman or they realise they make a mistake. Also Catherine Willows (Marg Somegermannamer) is such a judgemental trollope she'll dedicate most of an episode harassing someone innocent then refuse to swallow her pride and say "sorry" after breaking up a relationship/shutting down a business/wasting an innocent mans time (always male suspects).
Recently me and Hannah finished sitting through the whole of the first series, most episodes of which we've not seen for a very long time if at all. During which I decided to play the "Catherine game" and judge someone's motives from their first line. Initially I'd been playing the "Metropolitan Police" method of "Black-Dude did it" and though it would've served me right in 3/23 episodes, in most cases the only "suspect" was Warrick Brown (I'm sure this is a writers error, in his script he wrote Enter Warrick, Brown, they assume its his name for PC reasons) and I can't believe he'd do anything wrong, ever, right? Playing more seriously I had a better success rate and would spot the key evidence as well but it's just not as fun.
The board game version as a result of the formula actually made it one of the best board games I've played for ages. In order to win you not only had to get the right suspect but the three key pieces of evidence that is 110% concrete in court, fail however, and you're "off the case". As a family we never managed to win. We've always had the right suspect but not the right evidence to get the arrest and conviction. So many criminals walking the streets of cardboard Vegas because of my inability to wait for evidence, though at least I've not yet done a Catherine and let my prejudism jade my judgement. Well there was the one time with my first role of the dice I went to Grissoms office and said "Black-Dude did it"... Don't know where that game is now, could be epicness next Forumbat sleepover!
So that's it for the day, finished the series one DVD box set and now to find a next film series to captivate me. Maybe Hannibal Lector (including Manhunter starring Grissom) will do, unless for the wenches birthday someone happens to have the series 2 CSI:Vegas box set available... Nah, didn't think so!
I digress from my point though, no nautical terms thankfully, as my topic today is the most watched program on the planet CSI - Crime Scene Investigation. William Peterson who plays Gil Grissom put it best when he said that this wasn't a bog standard "Whodunnit but a HOWdunnit" and I think that's one of the reasons it's so popular. Sometimes the penny drops too late and they don't get their man/woman or they realise they make a mistake. Also Catherine Willows (Marg Somegermannamer) is such a judgemental trollope she'll dedicate most of an episode harassing someone innocent then refuse to swallow her pride and say "sorry" after breaking up a relationship/shutting down a business/wasting an innocent mans time (always male suspects).
Recently me and Hannah finished sitting through the whole of the first series, most episodes of which we've not seen for a very long time if at all. During which I decided to play the "Catherine game" and judge someone's motives from their first line. Initially I'd been playing the "Metropolitan Police" method of "Black-Dude did it" and though it would've served me right in 3/23 episodes, in most cases the only "suspect" was Warrick Brown (I'm sure this is a writers error, in his script he wrote Enter Warrick, Brown, they assume its his name for PC reasons) and I can't believe he'd do anything wrong, ever, right? Playing more seriously I had a better success rate and would spot the key evidence as well but it's just not as fun.
The board game version as a result of the formula actually made it one of the best board games I've played for ages. In order to win you not only had to get the right suspect but the three key pieces of evidence that is 110% concrete in court, fail however, and you're "off the case". As a family we never managed to win. We've always had the right suspect but not the right evidence to get the arrest and conviction. So many criminals walking the streets of cardboard Vegas because of my inability to wait for evidence, though at least I've not yet done a Catherine and let my prejudism jade my judgement. Well there was the one time with my first role of the dice I went to Grissoms office and said "Black-Dude did it"... Don't know where that game is now, could be epicness next Forumbat sleepover!
So that's it for the day, finished the series one DVD box set and now to find a next film series to captivate me. Maybe Hannibal Lector (including Manhunter starring Grissom) will do, unless for the wenches birthday someone happens to have the series 2 CSI:Vegas box set available... Nah, didn't think so!
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