View Full Version : Battle Ready - comments from JAF.
Supreme Comander JAF
15-04-2008, 13:32
Illl try to post some godies from my point of view every now and then. Maybe this will be 1001 things that upset me.. ;) He he.
The first thing that I want to talk a little about is why some ones try to make a conflict between sw and st fans? I love both for what it is and cant see anything crazy about loving both. So why does some try to make it into that the fans hate eachother? Is it young unmature sw fans or what? I dont get it... J. :confused:
I couldn't agree more! :) This is why we have decided to mix Star Trek and Star Wars in Gatekeeper - even though the movie IS a Star Trek movie. We will attempt to bring the two communities closer together. It has never worked very well before, but I believe we have found a good way to do this
However...(here we go)...I believe some ST fans feel a frustration that SW - which is a wonderful fast food sci-fi, takes up as much place as it does - given that the show has nothing important to say. It doesn't have to off course, but we have grown used to that in the ST community
There is also a jealousy involved, as all SW fans has a large number of stores in each town selling SW products.
We have also become a bit spoiled as the ST universe is much more complete (as one might expect after 40 years) and has inspired scientists all over the world since it started
SW makes no attempt for realism and tends to simplify things in a way that kills some of the excitement - like being able to travel in a speed that is almost unlimited, and being able to destroy entire planets with one singe blast. It's too easy! But it's a great film series. As a matte painter I love it as inspiration and entertainment - while ST for me is a way of life
I agree. . .I love both ST and SW. . . but there is a big difference in the approach. . . First of all. . .SW is set in a glaxy far, far away and a long time ago. . . And the premises for it is more what is called Space Opera. . . Like the Lensman series and such. . . While ST is put as one possible future for mankind, and is more Science Fiction. . . But then, technology is not a very important thing in Trek. . .It's the interplay between persons that is the main theme.
However, I will not say a bad thing about either of them. . .SW is great for a fun time in front of the TV, when you want to see something that doesn't make you think. . . ST is great if you are the thinking type. . .So, both has its value, and as I said earlier, I like them both.
Supreme Comander JAF
15-04-2008, 16:33
I really dont wanna call sw a sci fi series at all. For me its either a space opera, a space western (w spaceships instead of horses) or a space fantasy or even a space fairy tail. I mean you have all the basic concepts of a fairy tail/fantasy in it! J.
True! It has quite a few fantasy elements in it - but I would still look at it as a Sci-Fi.
Supreme Comander JAF
15-04-2008, 18:47
Is it forbidden to ask why? *curious* J.
I think one part of it is the age and amount of the content and I think another part is that people put them under the same genre.
I agree Star Wars is a western that is placed in outer space.
Star Trek is a sci-fi series that attacks subjects that are problems in today's world, which is the very definition of Sci-Fi.
However if we also look at the amount of content as well, I think we can put some of it on that as well.
Star Wars has 6 films and some extra. The films all together are 14 hours long and that's it... you get 14 hours of some good entertainment, Star Wars doesn't make me think to much about my current life, at least from my stand point.
Now let's compare Star Trek. Overall it has 726 episodes plus 10 films and another one in the works. Star Trek has affected me, it has made me look a little more open on everything, it's also the main reason I'm currently studying what I am.
In the end I think it comes down to that some Star Wars fans feel that Star Trek is too complicated and is too "uptight" with regulations and not only entertainment. Whilst some Star Trek fans feel that Star Wars does not have enough and might be imature, because SW doesn't attack as many subjects as Star Trek does.
My standpoint: Star Trek is what I hope the future will become like, Star Wars I hope not.
Supreme Comander JAF
17-04-2008, 13:19
Time to put my head in again :-) How came that so many doesnt like Nemesis? Some dont like it because data dies and that is fully understandeble but why shall main caracters be free from the risks of death? Its a dangerous space out there.
Apart from that I havent heard many sounds arguments apart from those like "a car in star trek?" (why not?) and "there is to much action" (so?).
Its not the best star trek movie but its absolutely not the worst either. J.
The reason why it was not rated very well is the fact that the director didn't like Star Trek at all - and this IS visible in the movie. The visual effects are quite good, but something is missing. I would never go so far as to describe it as a bad movie though
Killing off central characters is a bad idea in Star Trek. Everyone dies eventually, but when it comes to legends - they need to leave that up to ones imagination. It also makes it impossible for anyone to resurrect the character in the future without getting ridiculous
Supreme Comander JAF
17-04-2008, 19:15
How can any one be so stupid that he put in a director that doesnt like what he is doing???? I mean there are space ships loads of wanna be directors out there that realy realy realy love star trek and anything about it and then they came up with some one that does it for the money? Its sick man but that doesnt make Nemesis a bad movie.
Oh have you seen the extra material where Picard gets security belts in his new chair? We must add that to captain Janeways chair! J.
I have only read about it, and have never understood why they never had a seat belt, given that thay get tossed around all the time.
Supreme Comander JAF
18-04-2008, 13:37
One simple reason: It looks better on the screen if theyre tossed around. Its the same as with thoose stupid explosions on the bridge all the time. It looks like the bridge draws every phaser hit towards it instead of being the most protected area of the space ship. From a military stand point that is plain stupid. J.
Rachel Krystad
19-04-2008, 02:38
Yeah, even though Starfleet is naval, not military. ;)
Being Naval could explain why they dont have seatbelts. Most bigboats dont have seatbelts on the bridge, and thus they fly around when hit by a wave or iceberg.
/Conny
Supreme Comander JAF
19-04-2008, 18:01
Hit by an iceberg? Hm could be a brand new effect here. A starship hit by an iceberg... And then there is a lot of water floading in to it... J.
Contec: Really? I didn't know that!
Commander: Maaaan! It's only 18:00 and you're allready drunk???
Yeah, why not have a starship called "starship titanic" and it can be serverly damage in an Ice asteroid field.The crew from Gatekeeper could find lifeboats and people in Ev suits, one of the survives could be a girl clutching a big jewel.
Both is a nod to James Cameron's Titanic and Douglas Adams Starship Titanic:
http://www.starshiptitanic.com/
/Conny
Oh no! They're having a party!
Supreme Comander JAF
20-04-2008, 10:40
I am not drunk thomas. Its only a part off my creative mind that its working here. Some one said that it is a very slime line between genius and idioty. And bealive me you wouldnt like to meet me when I am drunk... he he. But on the other side some of the most brilliant plays did came up when the creator was drunk. Or in sleep. J.
I get all my ideas at the bathroom! ;P
But as for the idea I will be very careful not to overstep too many boundaries and make Gatekeeper a parody.
Supreme Comander JAF
20-04-2008, 14:24
Well much of what makes an movie a parody is how you make it. If you bealive what you are doing could be happening in that world and takes it seriously then its a normal movie but if you bring in humor and create impossible things then its a parody. Or if you excaggerate the original. But making a space ship hiting an iceberg (at least some sort of asteroid dito) that causes flooding could be very real and a bad day at work for the crew, try it... J.
I don't quite agree with you there, commander! You get a feeling of parody even in "serious" movies if they take it too far. A ship called Titanic crashing into a lump of ice in space is not doable. It's cheesy! ;)
Supreme Comander JAF
20-04-2008, 18:02
Dont bet your life on that thomas... he he. I bet that some day some one will do a smash hit sci fi movie that been inspired by titanic. J.
A parody can also be a smash hit, I just don't want to make one! :)
Supreme Comander JAF
05-06-2008, 14:12
I am thinking a little bit of a star trek series or movie in this time period. I mean with the galaxy races to sector 001 there could be numerous unexpected conflicts and clashes of interests. And that is solved by a federation ship specialied on diplomacy. Lets say that they have a team of diplomath from every major race or group of races in the galaxy that could speak on behalf of theyre races and then theyre going between troublespots in the galaxy... Just a thaught... J.
I need to think of this movie first. ;) But you are free to have the TSS or WCT guys make one. :)
Supreme Comander JAF
05-06-2008, 18:29
I was more thinking of paramount... J.
I see! Chances are that they will use the movie to start a new show from the TOS era! A real bad idea I think. People doesn't like to look back in time. :)
Supreme Comander JAF
06-06-2008, 11:06
The best thing about such an idea is that we could do tos as it really should have been so to say. So I wait for my judge. But its a nice idea to use the actors and the sets once more and make a spin off series of the movie. And it doesnt have to be a full length serie to, it could be like rome, say 12 one hour episodes per season for a number off seasons. I miss trek and cant wait for more, whatever it is. J.
The problem with cult series is that remakes are not very popular. I thing a future time-traveling show would be smartest, as they could visit any of the old shows and characters. ;)
Supreme Comander JAF
06-06-2008, 16:25
But I need more treck and going backwards is still better than going no where! J.
The opposite of backwards is not nowhere!
Supreme Comander JAF
06-06-2008, 20:36
Read my lips: I rather go backwards than nowhere...
I heard you the first time! ;) hehe But you might as well say you rather go anywhere than nowhere - right? :) Naturally I do agree. I'll like and watch it nomatter what it is, but I'd be a bit irritated if they can't learn from their mistakes.
Illl try to post some godies from my point of view every now and then. Maybe this will be 1001 things that upset me.. ;) He he.
The first thing that I want to talk a little about is why some ones try to make a conflict between sw and st fans? I love both for what it is and cant see anything crazy about loving both. So why does some try to make it into that the fans hate eachother? Is it young unmature sw fans or what? I dont get it... J. :confused:
I couldn't agree more! And like you I do not understand the conflict either. I think perhaps you're onto something regarding youthful fans......
I do believe most Sci-Fi fans like both. :) And I also believe you can't compare the two. SW is pure entertainment - and good entertainment at that. Star Trek is a positive vision for the future and has an underlining ethics.
Supreme Comander JAF
07-06-2008, 23:49
I couldnt agree more on that thomas! There is no conflikt between the two, at least not from our side and I hope not from their side to. Its time that we unsetle this once and for all and makes the ultimate crossover between them! I have always woundered how it would be if George Lucas would have made a star trek movie... But the ultimate dream must be if he decided to make an st sw crossover, ummi... J.
Supreme Comander JAF
15-08-2008, 13:24
Argh! I been running away from my own outline! How do I get to the finish now? And how do I get the kind of caracter development I want plus the big battle feeling I want? Its maybe time to make a new outline before I start writing again...
This is excacly why its importantant to do an outline before you write. If you dont have any you get so stucked... J.
That is true!
I work with keywords myself - for the entire story, but also for each chapter. I always use film music with the right mood for the scene I want, as this produce pictures in my head.
Then I start writing with no self critics what so ever and erase the keywords as I go. I finally go back and start tweaking it by adding and subtracting several times.
Supreme Comander JAF
02-10-2008, 13:12
Thats another thing you have to do almost all the time: write and rewrite and rewrite. In that matter a moviescript, or a bookscript as well, is never finished, there could always be work done with it.
As for me I dont care to much of music, scenes and dialouque are more important to me. That doesnt say that music is less important, its only say that music is for others to do.
Id grown a little bit intrest in writing a star trek or stargate or whatever drama episode one day just to see if I can make up the same feeling and intense as the pros can... J.
Knowing about music and how it sets the pace and sets off people's feelings the way you need it to, will always improve on your script!
Supreme Comander JAF
02-10-2008, 23:42
After seeing all the tv series and movies Ive seen I would like to think that Ive adapted a natural feeling for the music as well as for the settings and stuff. But as I said before I rather let a musician do that work and maybe change some off the script in coorperation with him and the director if the feeling aint right. J.
Supreme Comander JAF
18-10-2008, 19:21
If some one in here knows swedish production company for movies thats villing to read script from unknown script writer like myself just give me a note about it. The same if you know any good agents for scriptwriters in hollywood. J.
... There is also a jealousy involved, as all SW fans has a large number of stores in each town selling SW products.
Any trekkie with jealousy-feelings towards SW should get a kid who's into SW. I know it works for me ;)
I decided agains that and got a hamster instead. It's cheeper but it's not into sci-fi it seems.
I decided agains that and got a hamster instead. It's cheeper but it's not into sci-fi it seems.
Hmm... it must be defective programming. Demand an upgrade from the pet shop:D
Supreme Comander JAF
26-10-2008, 17:56
or get a holo hamster that are into trek... J.
Supreme Comander JAF
14-11-2008, 14:06
Ill hope my baby is born soon since its not so funny to carry on this weight... Wait a second here... If any one needs a pregnat male for some reason feel free to pm me :-) J.
We got holofish swimming around on the main promenade in the new edit!
Supreme Comander JAF
15-11-2008, 11:28
Hm; I have experienced a few flying fishes in world of warcraft recently and theyre were rather ghosts than holos. I just felt a bit sad of myself yesterday. I hate having legs that hurts. Cant some one just warp me into 24th century so I can use theyre medical technologyes for a while? J.
I'm sorry to hear that Commander! Hope you find a threatment for it that works.
Supreme Comander JAF
16-11-2008, 13:13
me to! And weight have nothing to do with it... I think... J.
me to! And weight have nothing to do with it... I think... J.
Have you tried acupuncture? It has definitely had an effect on my migraines.
Supreme Comander JAF
16-11-2008, 22:56
Well I dont react that well to needles... J.
Supreme Comander JAF
23-11-2008, 12:28
When youre doing scripts and tailoring em for the swedish market whats costing most? What shall you be slim on? Actors? cgi? shooting places?
I had the impression that its actors that costs most and that if youre high on cgi you could do a preatty cheap movie yet still interesting but thats maybe wrong? J.
It would mean lots of green screen and lots of flat mattes or sterile CGI settings. I really do believe you need to shoot at locations, in sets and in large miniature sets to look good.
As for Gatekeeper the actors and material costs are greatest. And the music is close by - IF we agree with the conclusion of the Ten Tenors. If they won't let me show it all over the world the deal is off and we are producing the music ourself! We'll have to wait and see.
Supreme Comander JAF
26-12-2008, 10:49
Merry xmas and happy new year! A question: Why does song titles makes for so good movie titles? Or is it just the fact that some songs could be movies? I got three movie ideas based aroung swedish lurics. The newest is "änglar i snön" (angels in the snow) and the others are "I himlens raseri - Lågornas sken" and "När broarna till tryggheten bränns" (When bridges to safety burns). So whats makes songs good titles? J.
"Damaged People" by Depeche Mode is a good one, "She and her darkness" by Diary of Dreams another. Both groups have lots of excellent songs with titles that makes smashing film titles:D
Because they are both labels!
Yep, although the labels can be misleading sometimes. "She and her darkness" might suggest that the lady in question is seriously depressed, whereas the song itself is about what's the word, heartbreak? (Kjærlighetssorg) Really depressing heartbreak, but nevertheless not depression as such:p
The christmas song titles works the same way, änglar i snön suggests to me snow angels, i.e. making angel patterns in the snow, but it might literally mean that there are angels in the snow during the song/film:)
Supreme Comander JAF
27-12-2008, 13:04
For me Angels in the snow is more the feeling. Angels are the kids (ofc) thats are on the ground (in the snow) and is vulnerable to the hash and rough souroundings. iq good kids thrown into a rough enviroments (parents etc). Snow sets it as a winter/christmas theme movie. J.
That's the good thing about these labels and why they fit perfectly as film titles. Everyone gets something different from the same title:D
The two other titles you mention; "I himlens raseri - lågornas sken", this gives me ideas of either some religious sect kind of movie or a von Däniken themed movie about literally war in heaven between the "gods" or "ancient astronauts" as he calls them.:p
Supreme Comander JAF
27-12-2008, 19:36
A movie about a war in heaven (or even between heaven and hell) would be fun to do...
Could be a triology: In the first part the persons in heaven uses different groups of humans to battle eachother, in the second theyre fight eachother (with one group suported by the devil) and in the third part its a full scale war between heaven and hell. J.
Supreme Comander JAF
28-12-2008, 00:13
But not my way... J.
It's still a variation of something old. Do something new! People keep telling me its all done before! Not so!
Supreme Comander JAF
28-12-2008, 11:04
Basicly every story plot has been done. New ideas is just a matter of putting the things together in a way that no one has done before. After all there is only so many movie plots that people care about. J.
No! This is just a myth! Naturally there is still room for originality. It's not simple any more though, being original!
War in heaven/hell has been done innumerable times, true. Why not use the ancient astronaut angle? The various factions amongst the "gods" use humans as pawns until they're ready to confront their adversaries face to face? Take a look at Mahabharata while your at it, it contains an interesting passage about a mighty weapon that sounds uncannily like an atomic device of sorts judging by the effects the weapon has on its surroundings even after the explosion. Instead of making the "gods" aliens, you might consider using the Atlantis/Rama Empire legends as the two warring factions or something along those lines:p
Supreme Comander JAF
29-12-2008, 16:08
Looks like an interresting point of view. It could be fun to use youre everyday pre medevieal human as the outsider that for some reason (slave/servant/diplomat/whore?) comes to the world of the gods and takes a more active part in the live and the upcoming conflicts than even the gods thaught was possible... Hm could be interresting (even thou I think that Atlantis/rama is to taken by stargate to be possible to make a fresh looking movie of.) J.
Any thoughts about the latest (last few weeks) Gatekeeper info on Facebook? :)
Supreme Comander JAF
29-12-2008, 20:31
I am so obsolete so I dont use facebooks... And whats the action thing? J.
people are more active on Facebook than here, so it automatically shifts more and more in that direction. But we will post everything here as well.
people are more active on Facebook than here, so it automatically shifts more and more in that direction. But we will post everything here as well.
Remember that whatever You put on Facebook, You loose Your copyright to it.
So if You put out scripts or other ideas, it can be "stolen" from You, and You can do nothing about it...
I'm fundamentally against the "agreement" Facebook prompts everyone to sign, so You will newer see me there, nor at any similar place! :mad:
(I guess others, that reads and understand what these agreements really means, also choose to stay away.)
No! I can never loose my copyright. I DO have to share it with Facebook though! They can, how ever, never claim they have created it them self! The rules on Facebook are nothing but shameful, but we do need to get people involved, and that's the fastest way.
Given that the script is copyrighted by LucasFilm and Paramount Pictures it can never be stolen by anyone other than a fan producer. And a fan producer stealing a well known script from another fan producer would be laughed out of our community. So you might say that publishing it is a safety thing for us, rather than have it leak out with few knowing who wrote it first.
Supreme Comander JAF
30-12-2008, 14:56
You should be carefull to put out script and ideas on facebook thou. The more public a site is the more likely that some one sees it and steal it. J.
It doesn't matter, commander! :) Facebook is the only one that can use the materials. All others can be prosecuted. And who would want to use an idea that is THIS well known? ;) They might as well steal something from a move already made.
You should also notice that the moment I delete something from Facebook they do not have a licence to use it any more.
Supreme Comander JAF
30-12-2008, 19:10
I love to steal from other movies, Ill do it all the time and its called inspiration. The trick is to pack it in a way that it doesnt look like stealed stuff, or rather so that no one can see that you have stealed it... J.
That's not stealing! That's how most artist in this world work!
Supreme Comander JAF
31-12-2008, 12:55
I know... J.
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