What's Your Weakpoint?

[��� 53]

Singers have song writers, models can't take pictures of themselves, and Spielberg and Lucas worked on Raiders of the Lost Ark (and more). You would think with so many fantasy, horror and sci-fi themed projects and a community so passionate about games, it'd be easier and more common for people to collaborate. Kinda weird.

 

I wonder why so many people feel the have to be the Alpha. 

[Dark Horseman 93]

It's just difficult to find someone else you would throw in your lot with. Honestly, for me to get out of my comfort zone and help someone I've never met, they'd need to have a great record as well as have a story that fits my interest: gritty and deep enough to be in a book. But it's difficult to find a project that meets your personal standards. And I'm sure for plenty of people it's not about being the Alpha - it's about being the writer. Everyone wants their own story to be told - whether it's the most original, well-composed plot for an indie-game or Final Fantasy VII: Aerith's Revival.

[Tharis 212]

In most cases of direction, Movies, video games, plays etc. Being the writer is being the Alpha. As what you put into the story has to be reflected in all of the aspects of the medium.

[RetroExcellent 369]

I can see how finding a team would be difficult, I've worked with several over the years, a few of which are on this forum. I've done a variety of roles, and was both leader and worker.

 

I've finally formed a team with someone who I can honestly say is the best person I've ever worked with. SMC games may only have one small game released so far, but we work together so well, and while it is mainly Jonnie91 and myself, we do bring in others who contribute their talents as they can.

 

I think the reason we work so well together is that we are both leaders and take charge, but we do consider what the other would want and we discuss and change things until we come to a compromise we both like, even in our own areas of expertise.

 

I think it isn't so much the alpha syndrome, as it is the inability to compromise on your artistic vision, which is great, but misguided.

[Tharis 212]

Well I think your experience, shadow, may be more the exception not the rule. Otherwise you might see more people recruiting to stand alone (non commercial) projects. and although it does happen on occasion it's not quite that common. Most of those requests fall on deaf ears, on occasion they get the people they need but even then are usually minor roles like beta testing and what not.

 

Again this isn't me saying that collaboration doesn't happen it's that it's not commonplace and that the larger problem is that people seek to have their work be their own without input (directly) from another person. hence the largest weakness In my opnion.

[��� 53]

In most cases of direction, Movies, video games, plays etc. Being the writer is being the Alpha. As what you put into the story has to be reflected in all of the aspects of the medium.

 

Yes and no. In television more often you'll have a team of writers fitting together a script for an episode/whole series. In film, a script or screenplay are more commonly collaborative works. Whether two writer's developed a script together or (what's usually the case) the screenplay is revised by another writer or staff (usually two or more times over). When things get to the director, they'll often have their own say in things and sometimes make last minute changes on set. I'd have said the producers are the real Alphas in film...but I don't think that's really true anymore.

 

Sorry for playing devil's advocate. 

 

I think the reason we work so well together is that we are both leaders and take charge, but we do consider what the other would want and we discuss and change things until we come to a compromise we both like, even in our own areas of expertise.

 

Pretty awesome stuff. 

 

Also, what game were you speaking of? I'm curious to take a look.

[Tharis 212]

I don't mind differing opinions its all good. and yes you are right there are times that a team of writers gets together and makes the story for a lot of things. thats generally just TV though as these people need to come up with something new in 7 days (and obviously they do much of this in advance) but in movies the director is almost always directly involved in writing the screenplay often times it's written by them soley (with revisions and proofreads done by others). but those are hardly creative inputs.

 

Ok, let me redirect this back to the original point instead of stamping out minute details on how the semantics work on what it was that I said. I think, the problem at large with the community is that many feel like they have to take the lone wolf route. There are exceptions to this but as a whole, and for the most part soloing projects seems to be where people are getting burnt out.

[��� 53]

Devil's Advocate here. Sorry, but I can't help myself. Directors are usually the last person to get involved with the script unless it's something they've written them self (not very common unless your looking at Spielberg, Nolan, or M.Night). If you look at A LOT of movies, the first person to write their script is always side-lined and the script is revised by someone else, and then maybe even again by someone else. Producer's are the one's more involved with the script and able to make changes through out the filming process. Director's don't get a lot of creative input unless it's in there contract. That's why every so often there will be a director's cut. Either way, screenwriters are often times screwed.

 

Sorry...I think this all stems from being a huge David Hayter fan. Just sticking up for the guy. Speaking of, 5 people worked on the script/screenplay for X2. Just to show how often those things exchange hands. 

 

 

...I'd like to add something on topic, but right now I've got nothin'.

Edited April 12, 2013 by TRICKSTERLv3

[Dark Horseman 93]

Off-topic: Haha, David Hayter is insane. That guy wants TO BE Solid Snake and keeps pushing a CG movie for Metal Gear.

 

Back-on: Here's a very inspirational game that made me want to join a team myself eventually. http://divisionheaven.blogspot.com/2013/04/reincarnation-rpg.html which consists of a team of Fomar0153, Hirei, and Archeia - some big names in the RM community. This quality of game is possible when you make a team rather than lone-wolfing it. I think once I'm done with my own project, I'd try to find a group like this in hopes of completing something this professional.

[Tharis 212]

Off-topic: Haha, David Hayter is insane. That guy wants TO BE Solid Snake and keeps pushing a CG movie for Metal Gear.

 

Back-on: Here's a very inspirational game that made me want to join a team myself eventually. http://divisionheaven.blogspot.com/2013/04/reincarnation-rpg.html which consists of a team of Fomar0153, Hirei, and Archeia - some big names in the RM community. This quality of game is possible when you make a team rather than lone-wolfing it. I think once I'm done with my own project, I'd try to find a group like this in hopes of completing something this professional.

 

This is precisely why I stated that I feel Lone Wolf projects are the weakness of our community. my opinion, of course, but it pops out to me as the most glaring problem out there.

[Tsukihime 1,489]

Can't come up with visually attractive designs. I can organize things, but presenting something that looks organized does not necessarily means it looks attractive.