THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS AN UNLIKELY SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
Every couple months, I pick up a couple new Photoshop Magazines to learn some new tips and techniques. My absolute favorite is Advanced Photoshop. Every issue is packed with design inspirations, interviews with passionate artists and incredible images crafted inside Photoshop.
But the latest issue struck a cord for an entirely different reason I did not expect.
In an interview with Vasava, founder Bruno Sellés says:
“The thing is, when you do something for the first time you get really excited and you experience lots of fun. When you do it twice it’s cool because you do it better, though the amount of amusement reduces. If you repeat this process over and over you really get bored, and you enter the safe zone, where you’re confident although not excited at all. We like to evolve our styles and techniques in order to get on with every new project. We don’t like to get stuck in one recognizable style and live in this safe zone.”
It’s an interesting take on design that can easily be applied to screenwriting.
“Writing is a journey into the unknown” (Adaptation 2002)
If you don’t challenge yourself to try new things you will undoubtedly get comfortable and bored. My new screenplay is different than anything I have ever done because it’s based on deeply personal subject matter. I find myself constantly second guessing whether I’m making the right choices. I’m uncomfortable writing it. It’s interesting that I came across that quote the day I resumed writing after a month away from the script. It put things into perspective. I’m supposed to be scared of the unknown. Working outside of my comfort zone has been both terrifying and liberating at the same time and it’s absolutely normal.
I hope the uneasiness I feel results in a script that’s honest. There’s a lot of work to be done until the day I type fade out. I’ve got some emotional hurdles to leap before I get there but that’s all apart of evolving as a screenwriter.
People go to the movies for a cinematic experience. Video games can provide a similar experience with an added level of immersion and interactivity. Over the last few years, I’ve become obsessed with video games that play out like movies.
We’ve been given countless movie like experiences in video games but today I’d like to focus on the studios behind them. The top 10 cinematic game studios.
HONORABLE MENTION | NINTENDO: THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, BETHESDA SOFTWORKS:Fallout 3, Skyrim
I’m currently wrapped up in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It’s been dominating most of my free time for a while. Giant RPGs are tricky because they don’t really present a single narrative but that’s also an advantage. The ‘movie’ is different for every single player depending on the choices they make.
The big draw in games like Skyrim is the world itself. Bethesda Softworks creates incredibly detailed and wonderful worlds to explore.
10. BLIZZARD – World of Warcraft
You hear stories about divorces being blamed on Azeroth. While I never got into World of Warcraft, I was completely obsessed with the Warcraft real time strategy games. It was worth it for the cut scenes alone. Blizzard has always created amazing animated cut scenes that weave their plots together between the action. These scenes have always been beautiful and compelling.
Is there a movie?
Sam Raimi has long been attached to a World of Warcraft adaptation but nothing concrete has come along in a while. If you want to follow the film (or the rumors) check out this site.
9. ROCKSTEADY – Batman: Arkham Asylum
In my humble opinion, the geniuses at Rocksteady created the best superhero video game of all time when they unleashed Batman: Arkham Asylum. At least until they topped it with an equally brilliant and fun sequel, Arkham City. These games are love letters to superhero fans with tons of hidden references and cameos. People want to be Batman and these games are the closest thing to it.
The real stand out here are the voice actor’s amazing performances. Especially Mark Hamill as The Joker.
Is there a movie?
You really can’t plan a Batman movie until Christopher Nolan wraps up his legendary trilogy when The Dark Knight Rises is released. Still, I’m sure Warner Brothers is already planning some kind of sequel/reboot/remake/re imagining… Thing. It’s not a stretch to think they have considered these games at some point. Though I’m thinking Nolan will return as a producer and the series will continue the amazing style and tone he developed and mastered.
8. SQUARE ENIX – Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy is one of the most recognizable video game franchises on the planet. It’s a world that has already inspired numerous film adaptations.
Hideo Kojima is a legend. Of all the franchises listed here without a movie, Metal Gear is by far the most surprising. No movie yet? Come on Hollywood!
Is there a movie?
It’s listed on IMDB but right now it’s safe to say no movie will be coming any time soon.
6. BIOWARE – Mass Effect
I’m obsessed with the Mass Effect series. This is literally an infinite universe that Bioware has created full of amazing characters and massive battles. Not only is the series a blast to play but it allows you to carry your character over to the sequels. Nice! I can’t wait for my character’s third adventure aboard The Normandy.
Grand Theft Auto 3 changed the way we looked at games forever. It paved the way for so many incredibly deep sandbox games. Grand Theft Auto 4 raised the bar and with the anticipated 5th installment on the way, you would think Hollywood would capitalize on the franchise’s popularity right? Everyone loves a good heist movie and these games are packed with cinematic heist sequences. Not too mention cars, crime, violence and more. Somebody make a Grand Theft Auto summer action movie please?
Is there a movie?
A little digging revealed some rights issues behind the scenes but there hasn’t been a ton of talk out there about getting a production started.
4. IRRATIONAL GAMES – Bioshock
I would love to see the world of Rapture on the big screen. The original Bioshock had one of the best stories I’ve ever played through. I was totally captivated by the world, the art style, the Big Daddy/Little Sister relationships, the twists and so much more. (Jean Dujardin as Andrew Ryan? I don’t mean to type cast the guy but it could definitely work.)
Is there a movie?
A while back, Director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean, The Ring) was on board and Bioshock was in the early stages of pre-production.
However, budget issues forced the project to the sidelines. This movie has to happen and it HAS to be R rated. I’m happy waiting as long as they don’t sacrifice the elements that made the game so memorable.
Halo redefined the first person shooter when it was released in 2001. It introduced us to an action hero made for the big screen. Master Chief. The game is full of imaginative and exciting set pieces that MUST be filmed eventually… Right?
Is there a movie?
Peter Jackson led a team that included director Neill Blomkamp (District 9) in a phenomenal pairing that every geek loved…
Unfortunately budget issues at Microsoft put a stop to it and they moved on. To date, no official word has surfaced on the Halo movie.
2. INFINITY WARD – CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE
The Modern Warfare franchise pretty much functions as a movie already. Each level is full of amazing heart stopping moments. I still go back and play the sniper level from the first Modern Warfare. Crawling on that grass hoping to avoid capture gets me every time. Great franchise.
Is there a movie?
Nope. Still no word in any official capacity. You have to assume that somewhere there is a studio agonizing over who would play Soap if they ever made a movie… All I found was a couple old articles on MTV and /Film. However, you can’t ignore the original games or the recent Black Ops either…
1. NAUGHTY DOG – UNCHARTED
THE cinematic video game experience. The Uncharted series has successfully blurred the line between video games and movies. When you play Uncharted, you ARE Nathan Drake and you are most definitely IN a movie.
Is there a movie?
David O. Russell was gearing up to direct Uncharted with Mark Walberg attached to star. The casting alone caused some controversy as many fans out there wanted Nathan Fillion to win the role. Just when people got used to the idea of David O. Russell’s approach to the material the project fell apart. What intrigued me were the rumors that Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci would potentially be involved.
This movie WILL happen especially after the huge success of Uncharted 3. It’s just a matter of when and who the artists behind the project will be.
About five years ago, when we first started 17 West Productions, I took it upon myself to learn web design and photoshop. I figured with a little bit of work and a lot of help from tutorials online, I could make something that wouldn’t suck.
Fast forward a few years and I am amazed at how far I’ve come. I’m now confident that my work isn’t horrific and even though there is always room for improvement, I’m proud of the 5 websites I’ve created.
My first site has definitely evolved more than any other. It seemed like every six months I was forced to redesign it from scratch in order to include new techniques I had learned.
Today, 17 West’s home online is full of content and information about our films. However, it’s that time again and work has begun on a redesign that will incorporate new things I’ve learned over the years.
Things like SEO, social media, video, integration and better functionality overall.
I can apply these things to the redesign because of a movie blog called:
My blog about movies, screenwriting and independent film began as a single page on 17west.ca. Of course, this was before I discovered WordPress. I had about 10 posts finished but it wasn’t anywhere near what I had originally envisioned.
I wanted my blog to reach people like me and in turn, direct them to the projects I was working on. I wanted a place to write about my passions wherever I happen to be.
It’s been over two years since I launched The Athletic Nerd and I’ve written over 750 posts. The site received a redesign in celebration of the two year milestone and there are no plans to slow down any time soon. Posting about movies every day has become a part of who I am. I love working on this site.
17 West is a partnership. My partner Eric Gamache is a talented producer/director and we are both obsessed with film. But we also work on other projects and it was decided that portfolio sites would be a welcome addition to our little network. I was pumped because it gave me two more blank canvases to work with. Both sites showcase our individual work but they also connect seamlessly with our other online destinations.
The newest addition to the team is a blog about the wonderful uniqueness of a perfect stranger. It’s a blog dedicated to writers and the people that inspire their work.
Writing for The Athletic Nerd is a blast but posts in the form of short stories felt out of place. People Tales is essentially a collection of stories I’ve gathered by ‘people watching’ over the years. Each of these stories has a connection to screenwriting choices and so a companion blog was needed. I love finding ways to integrate my two blogs together and I’m extremely excited to explore the possibilities.
All of my sites are connected through one single Twitter account which is associated with my most important brand, 17 West. To date, nearly 1400 people follow me.
Beyond marketing implications, Twitter has also connected me with hundreds of talented artists. People who are passionate and inspiring. Surfing my timeline always provides me with unique and original content I would have never been able to enjoy otherwise. It’s also lead to several fantastic interviews which you read here.
THE NETWORK
When I began teaching myself web design and photoshop years ago, I always wanted to create my own little movie network online. With the launch of People Tales, I feel like I’ve taken another step towards that goal. I’m done adding websites now. This network took five years to develop but now it’s time to refine and enhance. It’s time to make these sites better.
Who knows where these websites will be in five years but I’m still just as committed as I was on day one when CSS was a foreign language to me.
Since Toy Story emerged, I’ve been obsessed with computer graphics, 3D modelling and animation. I’ve always envied the remarkable artists and animators that bring these creations to life. I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m jealous of anyone who can sit in front of a blank screen and create an awe inspiring image. I wish I could turn on programs like Cinema 4D, 3Ds Max or Blender and make a movie.
In the old days, there were programs like Microsoft’s 3D Movie Maker that really ate up a ton of my spare time. I would have given anything for the skill set needed to pull of incredible animations.
At one point, I got my hands on a digital lathe and created some pretty fantastic table legs but that doesn’t count! Even landscaping or interior design software interested me. I would use them to plan out locations for movies I never even intended to write. Sadly, I can’t draw and I don’t understand all the complexities of computer generated images. I think that’s why Photoshop became an obsession. It’s the only software that gives me the tools to create images I can be proud of. I’ll never be able to create new character models or paint mattes but I’ve become pretty good at manipulating existing images.
I’m no artist but it helps fill the void.
I think I just love the idea of mastering a piece of software and creating my own cartoon or elements to blend into live action shots. Take Killer Bean for example. It took creator Jeff Lew nearly 3 years to complete. His last film was a tiny project called Transformers: Dark of the Moon!!!
Movies like ‘In the Rough’ by Blur Studios have always inspired me. It’s just fascinating to think about how much effort and dedication is poured into every frame.
Since Toy Story, Pixar has absolutely dominated the feature length animated world. With each film they push the boundaries of what computer animated films are capable of. I think what interests me about the entire industry is how it allows for so many unique and creative opportunities that 2D animation couldn’t provide.
However, that doesn’t mean that 2D animation has been forgotten by this wannabe animator. I still grew up creating stick figure cartoons and watching all the ‘making of’ documentaries I could find on VHS. I was particularly fond of the Disney docs where you could get a glimpse at an animator at work. Watching them flip through those pages as they illustrated a new frame was awesome. I’d get that amazing ‘pit of your stomach’ feeling where you simply HAVE to do something creative.
Somewhere in my parents home is a box full of old VHS tapes that are full of classic cartoons. It’s a box I’ll never allow to be thrown away. The ‘Pixar’ generation of children have grown up along side movies like Finding Nemo, Shrek, Up, Madagascar, Ice Age, Despicable Me & The Incredibles. I’m sure parents will also show their kids movies like The Lion King, All Dogs Go To Heaven, Beauty & The Beast, The Secret of Nimh, Alladin, An American Tale, Cinderella, The Last Unicorn, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, The Land Before Time, Pinocchio as well.
Beloved cartoons become family members. They are the traditions we remember growing up and the traditions we pass along to future generations. I consider it a privilege to have witnessed animation evolve over the years but I plan to show my children even more than the usual suspects. I want them to experience the entire history of animated films. Remember Silly Symphony?
Animated movies have inspired so many people around the world. It’s an art form that has evolved so much but through the years, it has always been about telling great stories. I love to write screenplays and short stories. It’s always been my passion. I’ll never be an accomplished animator but someday, I hope to realize my dream of producing my own animated film.
I don’t know when that day will come but until then, I’m happy to go back and watch some of my favorites and experiencing new films along the way. What truly makes me envy animators is the notion that somewhere there is a single artist working on a passion project.
Wherever you are, I’m extremely jealous of your talents… And I can’t wait to see it when you’re done!
PS: I’ve been messing around with Blender 3D lately and I don’t have a clue what’s going on. It helped me create The Athletic Nerd graphic above but that took me about 2 hours to create. I’ve got a long way to go.
Director David Fincher and his team are doing a fantastic job marketing their upcoming adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Their newest promotional release is a video that shows how a metallic poster is created set to music created by Trent Reznor… Nice!
Their last collaboration resulted in one of the best ‘nerd’ movies of all time: The Social Network.
Watching that video made me think about the work I’ve put into my own film’s posters. Obviously, I don’t have access to that type of equipment (or a graphic designer for that matter) so I have to figure things out on my own. At the end of the day, you have to figure out the best way to generate interest for your film.
A while back, after I created the second poster for ‘The Climb’, I asked myself if it was good enough and the answer was no. It wasn’t until a few months later when I finally created something that reflected the story I want to tell. The point is, there is a lot that goes into each and every piece of artwork for a major motion picture so why not equal that effort and passion in your own promotional efforts?
Check out more posts on creating posters and artwork below:
