We are definitely not ready to tell the world!  Abolutely not.

Go with what you think will work the best, Michael.  I for one trust your judgement.

I'm down for anything, Michael. I'm starting to see my skills slowly improving because of this.

I'm completely down with whatever you chose.

There has to be a leader for this decision...and I'm glad it's you Captain.

I say we write and get better at what we are doing for sure before we announce it to the world...but when we get there...It Could Go All The Way!"  (thank you Boomer  for that well known line )

The cool part is we learn to write collaboratively in the process of having a lot of fun writing and developing our skills.

Nothing wrong with "dreaming a little dream."  

~m~

yes learning. Learning is always a good thing.

I think we should all watch the movie that we are going to pattern after. As I mentioned before, I'm not a big television watcher- I do watch movies, but I'm not the movie buff that some of you are. I'm more of a reader; so I think that by all of us watching, "said" movie, it will help to give us an idea of where we want to be.

There have been so many good ideas in this thread. Did someone mention an amusement park idea before? How about this premise:

A killer has chosen an amusement park for his workplace, but the park manager's determined to keep the park open and the rides going.

Sandra

Nothing wrong with learning (or dreaming as Sandra would tell you).  And thanks for the support guys and girls.  But you know, it doesn't happen without you all participating so thanks for that too.  

I'm leaning toward the survival story at the moment because it lends itself nicely toward a game.  But rather than zombies - which are overused - we might pick some other foe. Not sure what yet.  Any suggestions?

And also since we are very near the end of Killer.  I'd like to ask you all:

What sort of information helped on your turn?
What information didn't you use?  
What extra information would you have liked to use if it was available?
Is there any particular rules you would like to see added in the next game?

Cheers,

Michael

No zombies? Okay, how about a militia of some sort? or perhaps some sort of alien life form?

Alien life forms is a pretty easy way out since we could come up with pretty much anything and call it alien. What about something like a plague of rats.  Rats are creepy and they can do varied sorts of things to get rid of people.

The important thing is that we want to try and keep the tone serious this time.

Quoted from mcornetto Nothing wrong with learning (or dreaming as Sandra would tell you).  And thanks for the support guys and girls.  But you know, it doesn't happen without you all participating so thanks for that too.   I'm leaning toward the survival story at the moment because it lends itself nicely toward a game.  But rather than zombies - which are overused - we might pick some other foe. Not sure what yet.  Any suggestions? And also since we are very near the end of Killer.  I'd like to ask you all: What sort of information helped on your turn? What information didn't you use?   What extra information would you have liked to use if it was available? Is there any particular rules you would like to see added in the next game? Cheers, Michael

I'm going to jump in here   

First, as I mentioned earlier, when doing a collaborative project it is important that we utilize pieces from each of the scenes written before us...tying things together.

For instance...when people work together on a project they round table ideas and work out character development to advance the story.

I know it's hard to do this sometimes, but we need to discipline ourselves to keep the structure going while advancing the screenplay.  

In some cases, while I like the writing, the story went way out in left field so it was impossible to tie some of it back in.

If I watch a movie and I have to ask myself...why was that in there, it never got answered...then it probably shouldn't be in there in the first place.

I realize that's not gong to be a popular comment, but I'm thinking of how we can learn to write and develop our skills.  I hate to say it, but boundaries exist in the universe for a reason, and they do in almost every aspect of life.

Allegory:  A body has a skeletal frame work...that is the framework for the rest of the body, which from person to person is so very unique.  We look different, have different mannerisms, but we all have a structure, a framework.

I think writing together like this is a true challenge and extremely good for all of us.

I utilized the ship layout, and the scenes written before me...I liked having this information to draw from.

So secondly...I think it would be cool, as the moderator, if you not only told us what type of scene we were writing, but perhaps the characters we are to develop, and to keep things moving in a "connected" direction, an objective of the scene that must be carried out.  That way there would be more control as to where the story line went.

I know...I know...some aren't going to like that either, they think that's too much structure...but I believe it provides a bigger challenge, rather than crushing our creativity.

If you don't like that...then here's how we can get around having too much structure...I think the moderator should pre-read before posting...as we had guidlines and rules to follow and we didn't succeed at times.

I totally appreciate everyone here...all those who have contributed...so don't read anything into this, other than I want us to get better and better!  Learning to write with one or two others is challenge enough...let alone 10 or more.

Keep the words flowing!

Quoted from mcornetto Alien life forms is a pretty easy way out since we could come up with pretty much anything and call it alien. What about something like a plague of rats.  Rats are creepy and they can do varied sorts of things to get rid of people. The important thing is that we want to try and keep the tone serious this time.

That's funny, considering I'm writing a screenplay about pretty much that same thing. Infected rats tormenting a small island and its survivors trying to...well, survive.

we could probably do something like dogs. I think dogs would work better because they travel in packs and most people can't really outrun a dog. Rats like...they would probably go about their own business, but infected dogs...those are vicious. Also, depending on teh city, there could be a lot of stray dogs, in addition to like..house pets...

Both rats and dogs have been done to death, and the majority of those movies they populate are downright TERRIBLE!!!!

Not be sound like an ass or be difficult, but I think we can do alot better.

I'm thinking...if we want to go in a semi-serious situation, we should allow for nature to be the problem.  For instance, if we're in the woods, there are lots of potential trouble.  Or, the Aussie outback.  Or the mountains.  I don't know, I'm more of a semi-serious sort of situational guy.  Let's not limit the possibilities.

It all depends on where we are and what's potentially out there.  You know?

Whatever it turns out to be, as our resident orange one said, "I'm down with it"!

Quoted from Dreamscale Not be sound like an ass or be difficult, but I think we can do alot better.

Monkeys.  Monkeys are the answer.

Good stuff!

Quoted from MBCgirl For instance...when people work together on a project they round table ideas and work out character development to advance the story.

That's what the backgrounds are about.  They are the characters. If you want to work out background with other characters you are always encouraged to do so.  

In certain situations you may want to work out the entire story with another character.  I would discourage you from doing this.  Part of the benefit of the collaboration stuff is to let go of your control of the story.  Be flexible enough to be able to take the story in other directions based on other peoples ideas and not try to bend them to your own.  This is very hard for some people to do and it is the most valuable thing you can learn from doing these excercises.

Quoted from MBCgirl I know it's hard to do this sometimes, but we need to discipline ourselves to keep the structure going while advancing the screenplay.   Allegory:  A body has a skeletal frame work...that is the framework for the rest of the body, which from person to person is so very unique.  We look different, have different mannerisms, but we all have a structure, a framework.

This is what the  patterns are about.  You shouldn't have to really think about this too much.  Maybe think about what act we are in, but if you find yourself thinking about it too much then I haven't set up the patterns correctly.  You should just be writing your scene of the type requested.  We can have as many types as we want and they can have stricter rules than I gave the scenes in the killer game.  For instance, I loved the EVENT scene suggestion and we will be using that in the next game.

Quoted from MBCgirl In some cases, while I like the writing, the story went way out in left field so it was impossible to tie some of it back in. I realize that's not gong to be a popular comment, but I'm thinking of how we can learn to write and develop our skills.  I hate to say it, but boundaries exist in the universe for a reason, and they do in almost every aspect of life.

Completely agreed. The next game is going to have a rule about the type of content considered appropriate for the story (a genre). All games are going to have a rule about deleting scenes that are deemed inappropriate to the story - inappropriate will be at the discretion of the moderator.  It sounds pretty severe but I think it is necessary, especially if we start having new people join in.

Quoted from MBCgirl So secondly...I think it would be cool, as the moderator, if you not only told us what type of scene we were writing, but perhaps the characters we are to develop, and to keep things moving in a "connected" direction, an objective of the scene that must be carried out.  That way there would be more control as to where the story line went. I know...I know...some aren't going to like that either, they think that's too much structure...but I believe it provides a bigger challenge, rather than crushing our creativity.

The next game will have the EVENT scene.  This should allow us to tie groups of characters together in an event.  They will happen at a regular interval and be used to drive the story.  I really liked this suggestion from Yohn.  

Also when you are done with your turn, you will provide  a challenge for the next author.  A challenge is an action you would like them to take.  It's a special instruction related to plot.  This way if you have an idea that you would like to continue you can make it happen through the challenge.

Quoted from MBCgirl I totally appreciate everyone here...all those who have contributed...so don't read anything into this, other than I want us to get better and better!  Learning to write with one or two others is challenge enough...let alone 10 or more. Keep the words flowing!

Couldn't agree more.

Something I should make really clear is that this technique will never produce a totally finished ready to market script.  What it may produce is a rough first draft script that we can take and polish. We may even make the polishing into a competition. More on that when we are ready

Cheers.

Quoted from Shelton Monkeys.  Monkeys are the answer.

Night of the living monkeys...