kongisking said:
I mostly do original work. I've dabbled in fan fiction, but I don't care for it much, as I feel more comfortable writing something that is entirely of my own creation. Otherwise I feel I am wasting whatever minuscule talent I may have doing something that will forever only just be "a fan work".
Now, if I were contracted to do an official story in a franchise, maybe I'd be more willing... That said, I don't discount the value of fan works. On the contrary, I highly encourage them, as they are a heartwarming expression of passion for something, that at the same time allows for honing of your own talent and creativity.
I just prefer to wallow in my own fictional worlds, is all...
Spurlock said:
Wow, cool, me too. I have really only one massive series in mind, with many different franchises within, as well as an IJ inspired series I call Arcanum.
I agree, fan fiction is pretty entertaining to read, and I appreciate those who write it, but i'd never write a film that I one day wouldn't hope to translate to the silver screen. The only problem I have is if I come up with a really good idea by accident, I can't help but develop it further in my mind, even if it's for a series like IJ.
kongisking said:
I face a similar issue a lot too. If you come up with a truly great idea while writing a fanfic, why not put it in an original story and thus be able to properly publish it and contribute an awesome new story to the world of fiction that you can well and truly call your own? A classic dilemma for fanfic writers, and my main reason for being adverse to doing it myself.
On that note, boy is it nice to be having such a conversation on this site. It's always a delight talking to fellow aspiring writers.
Man, I agree with so much of what both you guys just said! I have been kicking around a few ideas in my head that, as much as I would love to share them with fellow Raveners, I would hate for them to simply get relegated along with so much other fan fiction. I sense that once those specific ideas were to be shared, even if they were to be forged into a proper screenplay, and commissioned to be used, they would be taken for granted, and diminished, due to their early exposure into the fan consciousness.
We all should know that even the best ideas have small beginnings, and start like a seed. I wouldn't be surprised if there are more than a few great potential movie screenplays that get close to being made into relevant movies, but they aren't nurtured, and pruned enough, (or perhaps to much), and instead of being valued and appreciated, by their creator, the author lacks the patience, confidence, or knowledge, to take them to the next level, and they get haplessly thrown in the ring, with so much, "hey wouldn't it be cool if....." material!
I'm all for fans having fun, writing ideas, and sharing them. But Man... if you think you've got PEARLS, DON'T toss them before SWINE!!!
I do appreciate this forum, and thoroughly enjoy sharing common interest with many people here. But another factor, is the discrimination factor. Namely, you could be a no name screenwriter that comes up with a brilliant idea, you create a great screenplay, and it gets chosen to make a really great movie! But then, I believe there's a subconscious prejudice, that if you were to take the same great script, and submit it in a fan forum, some may appreciate it, and it may even be considered the best of the lot! But some might write it off, not because they objectively look at it's merits, but because it originated from a source familiar to us. They might say, "It's good, but it was on a fan site, so how good can it really be. If it were that good, they would be a professional writer". I say to that "Well maybe they're about to get discovered". "A Prophet is never honored in his hometown", as it were.
Don't get me wrong, I understand how inbred, and in a vacuum/fishbowl, some fan fiction can get, if not given enough perspective, room, and air to breathe. And a fresh perspective can be a good thing. But dangitt, it stands to reason that a franchises best work can, most often come from it's passionate devotees. Case in point, I think it's no accident that Joss Whedon pulled off The Avengers, so impeccably well, out of a deep love, and reverence for the material. And I suspect J.J. Abrams' deep love for the Star Wars universe, will have an equally positive impact on the upcoming Episode VII's outcome.
Fortunately, I haven't personally ran into this problem,
but it is why I am hesitant to share my ideas on a fan forum such as this.
I'm obviously passionate about the subject, but one last thing worth mentioning, is that while I was merely reading the forums here, and hadn't become a member at the Raven yet, I stumbled upon a VERY, VERY specific scene idea, that someone had posted, and I swear it was to the letter with the same shot/scene idea I had devised, but had never posted here, or elsewhere. I had however, shared it with a few close friends, in some very public places. And in putting clues together from other posts this person had written, it looks very likely, this person lives in the same City as I do. I suspect this person "borrowed" my idea, and then posted for everyone to read. Either they plagiarized me, or this bloke has a creative like-mindedness I truly admire. I haven't seen this person post in quite a while, but I've been meaning to get to the bottom of this.
It honestly made me livid, and is the biggest thing to get me to finally join, so that I could approach them about it.
But then I considered that if they didn't swipe my idea, it would be kinda cool they thought of it too.
I've put it off for some time now, because I wasn't sure of the best approach, but maybe I will PM them in private, or at least approach the mods. Either way, I would almost have rather saved it for a proper screenplay, or at least got credit for it! Of course, if they honestly came up with it them self, I would not begrudge them of that. Just that It be known I came up with it on my own before, and I've got witnesses, 5 or 6 of them!
Spurlock said:
I'm not sure many people would know of these because most of you are a lot older than me but they also had these Legos years ago based on Indiana Jones with a character Johnny Thunder. Played with those for years.
You may be surprised, though I never played with them, or noticed them, judging from some of the posts I've read there are more than a few Raiders here that know of that series, and have even collected them. Here at The Raven, age is just a number, and geekdom knows no age, no limits,....and no shame!
Never Underestimate your abilities Spurlock! And keep honing your craft! You'll go far in life!