9962 réponses à ce sujet

[Drussius]

lillitheris wrote...

noxiuniversitas1 wrote...

Shep's a marine, but has a naval rank (the Codex specifically says that naval and marine ranks are kept distinct -- I know they don't follow the US military, but - does the Canadian military have a Marine Corps)?

Ah! It actually says “The marines, as a matter of pride, maintain some of their
traditional rank titles; for example, marines have Privates and
Corporals instead of Servicemen.”

The only ones kept separate are  Serviceman/Private (fleet/infantry), Captain/Major, and Rear Admiral/General. So, Shepard’s rank doesn’t tell us much — and the N7 implies she’s infantry.

I think we went into some detail about this a few pages back, but the differentiation is just handled through specialization. Shepard’s training would likely have included some fleet ops, making her capable of handling a non-fleet combat vessel with a competent XO and crew handling the details.

I must admit, I never understood what the problem was with how the ranks are handled…it felt natural enough as a single branch of service and multiple specializations.

That said, you can obviously establish whatever you prefer as your own rank system.

Must... resist.... getting... into... this.... debate... again...!

[lillitheris]

Drussius wrote...

Must... resist.... getting... into... this.... debate... again...!

:happy: Here’s a link to one of the latter summarizing posts from that debate. There are some additional posts above and below.

Modifié par lillitheris, 14 juillet 2012 - 02:38 .

[LinksOcarina]

I really need to get back into creative writing...I actually have a planned out story regarding Mass Effect, just need to sit down and do it.

[Drussius]

LinksOcarina wrote...

I really need to get back into creative writing...I actually have a planned out story regarding Mass Effect, just need to sit down and do it.

You can count on us for moral support! More wonderful writers telling stories about Mass Effect are always welcome here!

[Spiritwolf1]

Drussius wrote...

LinksOcarina wrote...

I really need to get back into creative writing...I actually have a planned out story regarding Mass Effect, just need to sit down and do it.

You can count on us for moral support! More wonderful writers telling stories about Mass Effect are always welcome here!

Yes be sure to keep us ypdated and place a link up for us and we will support you the best we can... speaking of which... *Looks to Drussius*

[Drussius]

Spiritwolf1 wrote...

Drussius wrote...

LinksOcarina wrote...

I really need to get back into creative writing...I actually have a planned out story regarding Mass Effect, just need to sit down and do it.

You can count on us for moral support! More wonderful writers telling stories about Mass Effect are always welcome here!

Yes be sure to keep us ypdated and place a link up for us and we will support you the best we can... speaking of which... *Looks to Drussius*

Hey, I said it would probably go up today! By my clock, there are still 13 hours left in today!

[lillitheris]

We’re using my clock! For secret reasons, I can’t actually see it right now.

Modifié par lillitheris, 14 juillet 2012 - 03:43 .

[Obsidian Gryphon]

Drussius wrote...

Must... resist.... getting... into... this.... debate... again...!

[LinksOcarina]

Spiritwolf1 wrote...

Drussius wrote...

LinksOcarina wrote...

I really need to get back into creative writing...I actually have a planned out story regarding Mass Effect, just need to sit down and do it.

You can count on us for moral support! More wonderful writers telling stories about Mass Effect are always welcome here!

Yes be sure to keep us ypdated and place a link up for us and we will support you the best we can... speaking of which... *Looks to Drussius*

I'll be totally honest, I just have a character-map and basic plot outline going for me at the moment. And I kind of have this contempt of not including major characters from the game in my stories, at best they get passing references and stuff.

But if I can get a prologue up I would be happy to post it. I just need to sit and write it out. 

[hot_heart]

Drussius wrote...
$.08!

While the inherent greed to two-part movies bugs me on some level, it also does allow them to put more of the story into the movies when adapting books, so that fewer scenes need to be cut on the basis of time. So it's a bit of a mixed bag for me. More story and accuracy? Yay! Twice the cost to see it all? Boo!

$.11 (because I put two pennies, which is equivalent to three cents)

It would bug me in some regards, but with larger films I think it helps. If it's done well, it has a decent pace to it, it makes it a more enjoyable watching experience, especially if you're familiar with the source material. Too many films nowadays just don't know how to tell a story in under two hours and that really annoys me.

[Drussius]

hot_heart wrote...

Drussius wrote...
$.08!

While the inherent greed to two-part movies bugs me on some level, it also does allow them to put more of the story into the movies when adapting books, so that fewer scenes need to be cut on the basis of time. So it's a bit of a mixed bag for me. More story and accuracy? Yay! Twice the cost to see it all? Boo!

$.11 (because I put two pennies, which is equivalent to three cents)

It would bug me in some regards, but with larger films I think it helps. If it's done well, it has a decent pace to it, it makes it a more enjoyable watching experience, especially if you're familiar with the source material. Too many films nowadays just don't know how to tell a story in under two hours and that really annoys me.

I am one of those people who loves movies and doesn't get restless. Therefore I am one of those people who never complains about the length of a movie no matter how long it is (I loved the director's cut of Dances with Wolves, which I believe clocks in at about 4 hours total). I think it's more important to do justice to a story than to limit yourself by run time. But I am not a rich man, and the two-part movies are rough when you don't have a lot of spare money... which is why I'm not adding any more cents to the pot


And on a totally unrelated and frustrating note. I have written myself into a corner in Chapter Five of my story... the only escapes are horrible cop-outs that I can't use in good taste. My solution has become clear, but unfortunately it involves rewriting event X in Chapter Three... Which requires that I rewrite three sections in Chapter Four and two in Chapter Five to account for the fact that event X did not occur and was instead replaced by event Y.

[hot_heart]

Drussius wrote...
I think it's more important to do justice to a story than to limit yourself by run time. But I am not a rich man, and the two-part movies are rough when you don't have a lot of spare money... which is why I'm not adding any more cents to the pot

Granted, it's down to personal reasons, but I tend to buy films when they're on DVD and cheap so the cost is not so much a factor. Just with my screenwriting experience, I get pretty annoyed with how excessive they can feel.

Plus, maybe it's because I've just had bad experiences with bloated, crap films like, most memorably, the Pirates of the Caribbean ones. Friend invited me to see the third one and I was all, "Well, I guess the first was alright but I haven't seen the second." Friend lends me the DVD but I neglect to watch it until the same day as I'm seeing the third one. What a terrible decision, and I couldn't back out of seeing the third.

[Bahoogasmif]

I don't know how many of you are Tali fans, but i have a post-ME3 ending with a romanced Tali that some might like.
http://www.fanfictio...1/Wings_Of_Fire
I would love to know what you guys think!

[lillitheris]

Drussius wrote...


And on a totally unrelated and frustrating note. I have written myself into a corner in Chapter Five of my story... the only escapes are horrible cop-outs that I can't use in good taste. My solution has become clear, but unfortunately it involves rewriting event X in Chapter Three... Which requires that I rewrite three sections in Chapter Four and two in Chapter Five to account for the fact that event X did not occur and was instead replaced by event Y.

Turn that upside down, and it’ll be a… W? At least you’ve not published those chapters yet.

I know what will make you feel better: releasing Ch. 1!

[Drussius]

lillitheris wrote...

Drussius wrote...


And on a totally unrelated and frustrating note. I have written myself into a corner in Chapter Five of my story... the only escapes are horrible cop-outs that I can't use in good taste. My solution has become clear, but unfortunately it involves rewriting event X in Chapter Three... Which requires that I rewrite three sections in Chapter Four and two in Chapter Five to account for the fact that event X did not occur and was instead replaced by event Y.

Turn that upside down, and it’ll be a… W? At least you’ve not published those chapters yet.

I know what will make you feel better: releasing Ch. 1!

I am doing my best, believe me. But the time crunch is deepening by the second. My younger daughter wants to have a sleepover tonight. Which means that I'm going to have a half-dozen girls here tonight making things hectic. Not to mention the pizza costs! So I am hoping to finish up these rewrites and get Chapter One up before the girls start arriving.

Currently on section two of Chapter Four's rewrite. Just three more sections to go.

[lillitheris]

hot_heart wrote...

Granted, it's down to personal reasons, but I tend to buy films when they're on DVD and cheap so the cost is not so much a factor. Just with my screenwriting experience, I get pretty annoyed with how excessive they can feel.

I can see that, though maybe it’s just a problem with the writing

I kind of feel that it is hard to tell a good story in  under two hours. Not impossible, there are some very good short feature-length movies (and shorts), but — in case you couldn’t tell — I like…not epic, but expansive works. I suppose my base assumption is that a 90-minute film isn’t going to tell a worthwhile story: too long for a vignette, not enough for more. Of course, sometimes it turns out to be good still.

[Spiritwolf1]

Bahoogasmif wrote...

I don't know how many of you are Tali fans, but i have a post-ME3 ending with a romanced Tali that some might like.
http://www.fanfictio...1/Wings_Of_Fire
I would love to know what you guys think!

I will add it to my list and try to read as soon as possible.

[hot_heart]

lillitheris wrote...
I can see that, though maybe it’s just a problem with the writing

I kind of feel that it is hard to tell a good story in  under two hours. Not impossible, there are some very good short feature-length movies (and shorts), but — in case you couldn’t tell — I like…not epic, but expansive works. I suppose my base assumption is that a 90-minute film isn’t going to tell a worthwhile story: too long for a vignette, not enough for more. Of course, sometimes it turns out to be good still.

It's always a problem with the writing.

Well, if we're talking adaptations then, yeah, some are epic and expansive works that would benefit from being longer films/broken up. I could just about manage the LOTR theatrical version, but the extended cuts work well split into two. I probably wouldn't see the latter in the cinema and I don't think it was ever released that way.

In general film terms, though, there are thousands that can tell a good story in under two hours. It's just about being economic and concise in your writing. Although I know a lot of modern film (i.e. blockbusters) is wasted on meaningless spectacle.

[Bahoogasmif]

Spiritwolf1 wrote...


I will add it to my list and try to read as soon as possible.

Much appreciated! always searching for new opinions and improvements.

[Drussius]

hot_heart wrote...

lillitheris wrote...
I can see that, though maybe it’s just a problem with the writing

I kind of feel that it is hard to tell a good story in  under two hours. Not impossible, there are some very good short feature-length movies (and shorts), but — in case you couldn’t tell — I like…not epic, but expansive works. I suppose my base assumption is that a 90-minute film isn’t going to tell a worthwhile story: too long for a vignette, not enough for more. Of course, sometimes it turns out to be good still.

It's always a problem with the writing.

Well, if we're talking adaptations then, yeah, some are epic and expansive works that would benefit from being longer films/broken up. I could just about manage the LOTR theatrical version, but the extended cuts work well split into two. I probably wouldn't see the latter in the cinema and I don't think it was ever released that way.

In general film terms, though, there are thousands that can tell a good story in under two hours. It's just about being economic and concise in your writing. Although I know a lot of modern film (i.e. blockbusters) is wasted on meaningless spectacle.

I do my best never to debate people over whether movies are good or not. Because I seem to be in the minority among writers and artists in relation to movies. Many of my friends who are artists or writers are very critical of movie plots and dialogue, and come down as very harsh critics on movies. When I see those same movies, I absolutely love them. I think the difference is that when I watch movies, I do it to just lose myself in something for a couple hours, and I can find something to like in just about anything. There are a small percentage of movies I've seen that I just didn't enjoy, but for the most part, if I get what I expect out of a movie (or more), I love it.

For example, I saw the movie Battleship. What did I expect from it? A CGI explosion-fest with some very cool visuals, lots of ridiculous action and not much of a story. What did I get? Exactly what I expected. Hence I had an absolute blast. Likewise, I very much enjoyed the Pirates movies... all four. Because after seeing the first one, I had a good idea of what to expect from the rest and got just what I wanted. But that's just who I am. I can certainly recognize a movie that is exceptionally well-written, and some of those are my favorites. But could you get me to sit down and watch Friday the 13th part 11? Absolutely, as long as it's the cheesy slasher movie I expect.

----------------

Now that I am finished with the rewrites of the sections of Chapters 3 & 4, I have to say that my initial irritation has subsided and I like the new passages MUCH better. It gets rid of an issue I thought stretched believability a bit more than was ideal, and also opens up some of the restrictions I was having difficulties resolving going into Chapter 6. I guess maybe my short-sightedness was a good thing in the long run. I think the rewrite will be much better for the story in the long run.

[hot_heart]

Drussius wrote...
I do my best never to debate people over whether movies are good or not. Because I seem to be in the minority among writers and artists in relation to movies. Many of my friends who are artists or writers are very critical of movie plots and dialogue, and come down as very harsh critics on movies.

I'm probably the same. Thanks to my education, I have a hard time turning off the analytical part of my brain.

I would never say someone is wrong for liking a film (except in extreme cases...), since we all have our reasons. I just hate it when I see how much more concise a story/script could be. Part of it's probably jealousy.

p.s. post the story already!

[Drussius]

LOL. A lot of people are riding me about posting Chapter one! I'm starting to really worry that it's not gonna live up to expectations!

But I am making headway. Rewriting is almost finished! Then just need to finish up the last scene in Chapter Five. Then do all the editing and formatting for Chapter 1 on FF.net... Should be interesting. Hopefully it's mostly self-explanatory and that MS Word documents translate fairly well.

[dpMeggers]

Drussius wrote...

LOL. A lot of people are riding me about posting Chapter one! I'm starting to really worry that it's not gonna live up to expectations!

But I am making headway. Rewriting is almost finished! Then just need to finish up the last scene in Chapter Five. Then do all the editing and formatting for Chapter 1 on FF.net... Should be interesting. Hopefully it's mostly self-explanatory and that MS Word documents translate fairly well.

So far as I can tell, our only expectation is that we'll be able to see it! (please can we see it?)

Formatting on FF.net is pretty simple. It doesn't make you code in HTML or anything. You can't indent (at least not that I've seen) but that's about it.

[Icyflare]

Drussius wrote...

I do my best never to debate people over whether movies are good or not. Because I seem to be in the minority among writers and artists in relation to movies. Many of my friends who are artists or writers are very critical of movie plots and dialogue, and come down as very harsh critics on movies. When I see those same movies, I absolutely love them. I think the difference is that when I watch movies, I do it to just lose myself in something for a couple hours, and I can find something to like in just about anything. There are a small percentage of movies I've seen that I just didn't enjoy, but for the most part, if I get what I expect out of a movie (or more), I love it.

I agree with hot_heart that people can like movies for whatever reasons they want. However, when I watch movies where I can easily spot bad dialogue, pacing problems, wooden unlikeable characters, and plot replaced by CGI/+ fluff, and yet, people I know claim that these same movies are absolutely amazing for the same problems I've spotted....well, it ticks me off something fierce.

I don't have an issue with people extolling the stuff they like as long as they recognize its faults and other strengths. "I know Movie Z had terrible visuals, but I love how they portrayed Character X, etc." However, it's when people start to claim these movies are the best without providing clear examples of its strengths "Movie V is the greatest. You  need to watch it." "Why?" "Because it's the greatest!" while putting down other movies needlessly or insisting that I should see aspects of the movie as they do "Yeah, they sparkle in the sunlight. Stop laughing! It's romantic!", it's then that I may get drawn into an argument.

Actually, I have no problems with "bad" movies. I have an issue with people who praise them blindly. The two-parter trend is something I'm hesistant on. Yes, it may provide more time to fill with ample backstory and characterization. At the same time, the people who are unable to tell a good story within two hours may still be unable to tell it within two movies. If the problem was conciseness, then these same movei-makers may pump their two parters full of scenes and yet still have issues with plot and characterization. Basically, I fear that the movie story-telling quality may yield diminishing returns the more a movie has to be stretched out into several parts.

@Drussius: Soooooon *tents fingers expectantly*

[LanceSolous13]

I really don't mind them splitting the movie up into different parts. Yeah, Its going to cost more to see it, but I always find going to the movies to be a fun event and debating with fans over the Genophage or weather the Quarains or Geth are correct before the movie just makes up for it to me.

Mass Effect 2 comes under that very issue of 15 characters to pull through a development cycle and I'm not sure how someone would do that. I worry about pacing issues because this basically means you have 12 seperate tangent-plots to wrap up which make up a huge portion of the entire film's plot.

So, let's take the 2 hour first part a double it. Now we have 3 hours and 30 mins to cover 15 characters and 12 sub-plots. Let's take out 15 mins for Project Lazerus and the Normandy SR-1 being obliterated, leaving us with 3 hours and 15 mins.

This still leaves about 15 mins per subplot.....Not to mention you're going to get people lost at just how many characters will need to be introduced. Outside of the Squaddies, You have to introduce...General Okeer, Morinth, Donivan Hock, Vido Santiago, Orianna Lawson, Henrey Lawson, Nikket, Ronald Taylor, Wrex, Maelon, Kolyat, Irrika, Keiji, The Admiralty Board, and Garrus' target (I forget the name).

And I hesetate to even try and do the math on a third part because having three parts would have a huge ammount of pacing issues of nothing getting done across three movies.

At the moment, It just simply seems to be unwinable.