476 Reply by Writhyn

(93 replies, posted in Creations)

I'll take four dozen! (Gotta keep ahead of fireproof in the arms race)

Go to forum: Creations

477 Reply by Writhyn

(90 replies, posted in Episodes)

Capa isn't a bad guy! He just knew the bomb wouldn't do anything and everyone else tries to force him to activate something that's not actually there.
Maybe we and they think Capa's gone crazy, but it turns out the rest of the crew is who goes "crazy".

....Man I would watch that movie.

Go to forum: Episodes

478 Reply by Writhyn

(90 replies, posted in Episodes)

It could easily be that Capa was able to make sure he was the one sent on the mission, to make sure another guy wouldn't do it.

If you wanted a really dark ending, maybe the designers knew the ship wasn't going to do a damn thing, but "people need hope" was a motivation to bring the world together instead of it turning into anarchy. Maybe Capa tells the crew it won't work and they don't believe him, resulting in his capture.
It ends with, guess what, the "bomb" doing nothing.

Go to forum: Episodes

479 Reply by Writhyn

(90 replies, posted in Episodes)

What if the second act involved them getting near the sun, but Capa is the one who decides they shouldn't save humanity? The third act involves the others trying to convince/force him to come around, and it's about whether he has the right to make that choice.
Capa could escape and feel like he has to kill the others. Maybe that's a better third act? The only guy who can operate the bomb, who some others have sacrificed their lives for, won't do it?

Go to forum: Episodes

480 Reply by Writhyn

(108 replies, posted in Off Topic)

fireproof78 wrote:

Who explained the facts of life to you and did it make sense?

Learned it on my own reading a medical book at 12. Funny story, I actually felt bad about it because I figured it was probably something my dad would want to tell me himself. So later I asked him how people have kids so he could tell me.

What is a method of dying that particularly terrifies you?

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481 Topic by Writhyn

(1 replies, posted in Off Topic)

I was thinking today about how much I've learned from FIYH, and applications in my creative life, and I decided to pose the question to the forum:

What are three things you've learned listening to these guys? Provide an example of that knowledge being used if you can.

Three Things I've Learned from FIYH:
1. Foreshadowing (aka almost anything is ok if it is built up enough beforehand). First time it really came into play was when I watched Ocean's 11, and I got mad because the many elements of the story made no sense even retroactively. It was immensely gratifying to learn that many people don't like that movie because of that reason. I learned how to do that from FIYH.

2. That stories are often not inherently bad, but could have been way better. FIYH's dissection of the Prequels, Wild Wild West, and John Carter taught me a LOT.

3. That major developments of character or plot are best when they are EARNED. Characters dying for no reason, something blowing up, or emotional declarations of love or hatred are great as long as you put in the work to build them from the beginning. More than anything else, this has helped me in writing stories.

Between FIYH and Writing Excuses (which I learned about through this forum), my story structuring ability has shot through the roof. It's amazing how fun minefields are when you can see the mines.

THANKS, GUYS!

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482 Reply by Writhyn

(50 replies, posted in Episodes)

Dude. It's a nightmare.

YOU DON'T EVEN GET THE MOVIE!

BLAAAAH!

Go to forum: Episodes

483 Reply by Writhyn

(32 replies, posted in Off Topic)

AND I SUDDENLY BETRAY TEAGUE! Ha! YOU THOUGHT I WAS ON YOUR SIDE!

NOPE!

....

Hey, Zarban. Wanna be allies?

Go to forum: Off Topic

484 Reply by Writhyn

(50 replies, posted in Episodes)

Incidentally, I just listened to this commentary again, and you guys pitched a "remake" with Morgan Freeman as the hag who shouts at Buttercup.


NOnononononono.

Sam Jackson. THAT'S who should be the hag.

Go to forum: Episodes

485 Reply by Writhyn

(50 replies, posted in Episodes)

Can confirm it's a good book.

Go to forum: Episodes

486 Reply by Writhyn

(32 replies, posted in Off Topic)

I don't watch it because the exploitation of sex reeks of sleaze.
It may be well produced, but they know damn sure that a hell of a lot of viewers would not watch the show if the sex wasn't such a big part of it. And "they" being the people who talk about how empowered the women are in the show.

That's my emotional reaction to it.

Go to forum: Off Topic

487 Reply by Writhyn

(22 replies, posted in Off Topic)

My facebook comparison was maybe less apt.

Clarification: I LIKE this community. It's just hard to follow some of the more meaty topics because of the format.

Go to forum: Off Topic

488 Topic by Writhyn

(22 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Bear with me, for all I know this exists already, but here's my thought process...

I can't but notice the format of every forum I've ever seen (granted, not many) happen to have very similar characteristics that actually seem to inhibit group discussions:

First person starts a topic, makes a few points. Second person quotes them, makes a few counterpoints, and gives another point tangentially related. Third person, in order to engage with both of them, has to quote them separately, and respond in one post. If they want to make their own point, they splinter the conversation even further.

By the fifteenth person, there are multiple threads of conversation all related to the main subject that become very difficult to follow because forums are essentially email chains, where each post, regardless of subject, is shown chronologically.

I don't think this is the best way to have group discussions. So why don't forums adopt the format of a lot of comment sections in websites, or, even better, Facebook-types? Person 1 makes a point or asks a question, and everyone can respond to it, then make their own points, which can be responded to in a clear conversation-tree format? That way you can always follow a particular conversation to its conclusion before picking up the next thread.

Go to forum: Off Topic

489 Reply by Writhyn

(11 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Anybody?

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490 Reply by Writhyn

(11 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Teague what kind of projector is it?

Faldor I'll keep that in mind.

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491 Topic by Writhyn

(11 replies, posted in Off Topic)

I'm appealing to anyone who knows about projectors.

I'm considering getting a media projector for my bedroom. My wife and I like to watch movies together, and while a tablet works, it can be cumbersome.
I have no idea where to start. So I'll list my needs and environment, and maybe you guys can make recommendations.

1. We already have speakers.
2. The room is about 15' by 15'.
3. The projector would be casting from just inside our open closet.
4. We live in a finished basement, so light pollution is not a problem.
5. It doesn't have to be the most incredible viewing experience. It just has to be pleasant and clear.

Help?

Go to forum: Off Topic

492 Reply by Writhyn

(21 replies, posted in Episodes)

Lol I'm 25 and my voice still cracks occasionally.
I'll have to check out that other one.

We should just make an anti-trailer, containing all the vocal flubs from the commentaries. wink

Go to forum: Episodes

493 Reply by Writhyn

(21 replies, posted in Episodes)

Right in the middle of a random conversation about the Happening.

55:05 in the file.

You just got excited I guess smile

Go to forum: Episodes

494 Reply by Writhyn

(21 replies, posted in Episodes)

Best damn part of this commentary is when Teague yells, "Hey, look! Jaws!"
And his voice cracks three octaves high.

I rewound and listened to it over and over. It was hilarious.

Go to forum: Episodes

495 Reply by Writhyn

(35 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Herc wrote:

Interesting! But am I the only one who didn't know what Prince Rupert's Drops were before this thread?
Anyway, in answer to the original question: it would work, because it is badass.

Aren't they cool?? But honestly the FIRST thought in my head when I learned about them was "Has anybody weaponized these?"

Brandon Sanderson says something like this: "Err on the side of awesome."

I mean, I've already made up my mind on what I'm going to do, but this conversation is still interesting and the answer doesn't matter. smile

Go to forum: Off Topic

496 Reply by Writhyn

(35 replies, posted in Off Topic)

BigDamnArtist wrote:

Oh gods. Forgive me for even coming up with this.
Small drop, inch wide or so mounted inside an arrow head....

No. No. No! No. N-NO!. NNO! No. no!

Well....

Go to forum: Off Topic

497 Reply by Writhyn

(35 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Boter wrote:

Does tempered glass make Prince Rupert's drops of the same style? For some reason I'd think the differing properties would keep it from forming the same but I'm actually curious now.

As I understand, rupert's drops are, by definition, tempered glass.
Tempering glass (or metal) is accomplished by taking hot or molten material and cooling it more rapidly than usual via water or oil, which is basically how drops are made.

I didn't know that tempered glass broke into less dangerous pieces, though. Cool stuff we learn here on this forum.

Go to forum: Off Topic

498 Reply by Writhyn

(35 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Hm. Maybe it would be better as a "Holy CRAP! What the HELL??" sort of thing, like the horses and the fake wings.

Trey wrote:


Yours,
Genghis Khan

I must submit to the kha-khan.
But I DON'T have to be happy about it.
...
...
...
KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNN!

Go to forum: Off Topic

499 Reply by Writhyn

(35 replies, posted in Off Topic)

I like the trap idea, maybe.

Also in response to your manufacturing questions, Teague, I don't know if they could be made with more consistent, less spindly tails. Maybe if they were dropped into a narrow tube of water instead of a bucket.
If this did result in stronger Drops, I'm guessing even ones strong enough to survive the 5 g's would shatter on impact with hard surfaces like shields. If they hit flesh, they might pierce without blowing up....

...only to shatter into a gazillion pieces inside the wound when it hits bone or a surgeon tries to remove it.

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500 Reply by Writhyn

(35 replies, posted in Off Topic)

In an Iron age society, even if the enemy with the glass is more advanced, I don't know if mass produced chemical weapons is more practical than glass.

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