From LI-Game Writing Group:
Voicing concerns: the problem with video game acting
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2010/mar/16/games-controversy
Why are modern video games still having problems with voice acting? And what can be done to solve them? Gamesblog investigates...
"Although the videogame industry loves to compare itself with the movie business, and clearly has ambitions to become the story-telling medium of the 21st century, poor vocal performances are common, even among Triple A titles. In the last few months Aliens vs Predator, Army of Two: 40th Day and even Final Fantasy XIII have drawn criticism in the areas of scripting and performance. So what's going on?..."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2010/mar/16/games-controversy
====================
Programmers think they can write a great narrative or at least a good one, but it's much harder than they can do. Much like me, or most writers, learning the mind-numbing, confusing bits of code (months and years' worth) that go into background scripting.
Hiring out at Elance and Guru, I've done the Heartwild Solitaire and Margrave Manor story, character, and dialog parts. There is a skill to it, to visualize the many layers past a few smart-assed things to say. To put a kernel seed of intrigue that juices a gamer to hurry to the next story development.
And sometimes the character's most important narrative is to say nothing.
Programmers don't know that, or can't do it skillfully, many beginning writers or even older writers can't--I've seen their films, games, and novels.
Comics are pretty but can't tell the involved subtlety within stories Spidey, Superman, and the rest tell, without Stan Lee and all those who write and design the narrative.
A professional journalist hired me recently to develop and polish a fiction synopsis of some life events because writing important facts we need to know in an information article isn't the same as writing intriguing, depth-filled fiction.
Those who don't do what we've trained for years and do everyday, and are still learning to perfect better and better believe wrong, and believe the narrative is simple, and can be--if written well. And well-edited by the writer.
Most who aren't writers can't write well nor can stand to edit until it's layered, and deeper, and clearer. We do.
You need an artist to make great art, so why does everyone who's ever read one stanza of Shakespeare, five thousand comic books, and watched a lifetime of TV and film actually think and believe they can crank out the next stunning story? Even producers, directors, and actors can't. They do what they, let us do what we do, sooner and better, instead of making us come late to the party and do patch up?
It's amazing, stultifying, and bad for business. TV's Lost proves that people can handle a great deal of subtle info and character detail. The last WGA writer's strike proved we generate mega money and can kill it, if we aren't in the game.
We're in the game, let us write it.
--Neale Sourna
Friday, May 21, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
RE: A Cautionary Tale for the Aspiring Novelist From: warrenadler.com
A Cautionary Tale for the Aspiring Novelist
From: warrenadler.com | May 17, 2010
It has always been difficult for an aspiring novelist to get published by a traditional publisher. By novelist, I mean those who write mainstream novels that do not fall into any genre slot. The revolution in publishing and the b... Read more at warrenadler.com
================================
Traditional publishing is lost, at present. Change is already here, and NYC and other trad publishing centers are cranking boring and poorly executed materials: no proofing, no sense, no drama, bad continuity.
In fiction and nonfiction.
Author publishers can have these errors, too, but they, we, don't claim to be the great leaders, while yet lost, following a form that no longer suits the day, nor can be maintained, as they lay off and fire those who can proof, and find sense, and encourage drama, and notice the gaps of continuity.
The 1930s are over, but the traditional goals of that day are still here, dragging, dragging, dragging.
I make more sales with ebook fiction than paperbacks of the same. I write materials that have too many multi-ethnic characters, too much sex, and characters who are too deeply layered.
Well, I like character. My friends and family have deeply layered characters. I like sex, whether its in action or merely thought. And most everyone else does, too, although they pretend otherwise. I rather have my characters have character-driven sexual action than murder after graphic murder.
But that makes me in my own niche triangulated between Zane and D. Gabaldon and E. Bronte. They don't know what to do with people like us, who aren't writing stereotypes.
Plus, few trads let you have control of your covers, your full story text, its layout style, and like eighty-ninety percent of the income your work generates; the rest folding back into software, marketing, etc.
The trads can give you a huge push, but they also can pull you out of the bookstore and make your book disappear all in the same year, because they have someone else's book product to move. I've seen that.
Is that worth it?
"Eragon," I'm told, was author published, if that's true, that's good. A long shot but a hit just the same.
And plenty of authors who've gone the trad route are generally "unknown" names. Not to be rude but I've heard of the "War of the Roses," but not your name, Warren. But, now I do. Most don't put themselves out there, like S. J. Cannell and J. Patterson.
But what, to me is most important is to it, those of us who actually write, who actually complete a book, and edit it until it gleams like fine silk, and publish it into the minds of world get paid, by income and requests for "more...."
Most actors and musicians don't make enough to live off, perhaps, writers should understand that most of us fall into that, as well. But, while others have steadier incomes, they'll never be able to do what we do, or get into the innermost feelings of others as we do.
--Neale Sourna at LinkedIn, Affiliated Authors
From: warrenadler.com | May 17, 2010
It has always been difficult for an aspiring novelist to get published by a traditional publisher. By novelist, I mean those who write mainstream novels that do not fall into any genre slot. The revolution in publishing and the b... Read more at warrenadler.com
================================
Traditional publishing is lost, at present. Change is already here, and NYC and other trad publishing centers are cranking boring and poorly executed materials: no proofing, no sense, no drama, bad continuity.
In fiction and nonfiction.
Author publishers can have these errors, too, but they, we, don't claim to be the great leaders, while yet lost, following a form that no longer suits the day, nor can be maintained, as they lay off and fire those who can proof, and find sense, and encourage drama, and notice the gaps of continuity.
The 1930s are over, but the traditional goals of that day are still here, dragging, dragging, dragging.
I make more sales with ebook fiction than paperbacks of the same. I write materials that have too many multi-ethnic characters, too much sex, and characters who are too deeply layered.
Well, I like character. My friends and family have deeply layered characters. I like sex, whether its in action or merely thought. And most everyone else does, too, although they pretend otherwise. I rather have my characters have character-driven sexual action than murder after graphic murder.
But that makes me in my own niche triangulated between Zane and D. Gabaldon and E. Bronte. They don't know what to do with people like us, who aren't writing stereotypes.
Plus, few trads let you have control of your covers, your full story text, its layout style, and like eighty-ninety percent of the income your work generates; the rest folding back into software, marketing, etc.
The trads can give you a huge push, but they also can pull you out of the bookstore and make your book disappear all in the same year, because they have someone else's book product to move. I've seen that.
Is that worth it?
"Eragon," I'm told, was author published, if that's true, that's good. A long shot but a hit just the same.
And plenty of authors who've gone the trad route are generally "unknown" names. Not to be rude but I've heard of the "War of the Roses," but not your name, Warren. But, now I do. Most don't put themselves out there, like S. J. Cannell and J. Patterson.
But what, to me is most important is to it, those of us who actually write, who actually complete a book, and edit it until it gleams like fine silk, and publish it into the minds of world get paid, by income and requests for "more...."
Most actors and musicians don't make enough to live off, perhaps, writers should understand that most of us fall into that, as well. But, while others have steadier incomes, they'll never be able to do what we do, or get into the innermost feelings of others as we do.
--Neale Sourna at LinkedIn, Affiliated Authors
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Casting gender-bender: Why shouldn't male roles be rewritten for femme stars? by TATIANA SIEGEL
Posted: Sat., May 15, 2010, 4:00am PT
Casting gender-bender
Why shouldn't male roles be rewritten for femme stars?
By TATIANA SIEGEL
• Helen Mirren joins Russell Brand in 'Arthur' Remake
Hollywood may be running low on good roles for women [not even trying--NS], but that hasn't stopped female thesps from landing a few good parts anyway.
Helen Mirren is the latest leading lady to have a role intended for a man be rewritten for a woman. She recently inked a deal to play the butler opposite Russell Brand's troubled millionaire in Warner Bros.' remake of "Arthur." This is no thankless sidekick role -- John Gielgud's performance in the 1981 comedy earned him an supporting Oscar.
Universal is toying with the idea of taking its Jason Bourne franchise in a new direction. Who says Zoe Saldana couldn't relaunch the action-loaded series as, say, Jessica Bourne?
Though Alexandre Dumas envisioned his Three Musketeers as young men, why not retool with Kristen Stewart, Miley Cyrus and Dakota Fanning as the trio taking on the evil Cardinal Richelieu? (Warner Bros. and Summit might want to consider as a way to differentiate their competing projects).
And while Columbia waits for Will Smith to decide if he's making a new "Men in Black," the studio could summon a quick rewrite for a female agent Jay as a back-up plan. Sandra Bullock would pack them in, and she's probably available ... thanks to the dearth of worthy roles for women.
For Mirren, it was the second time in as many years that the actress signed up for man's work. She also took on the role of Prospero (er Prospera) for Julie Taymor's bigscreen adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Tempest."
Similarly, fellow Oscar-winner Angelina Jolie did some gender bending by nabbing the lead in Columbia Pictures' spy actioner "Salt" (Tom Cruise was originally poised to topline).
Can other actresses leverage their clout to demand a sex change for Hollywood's plum roles?
Contact Tatiana Siegel at tatiana.siegel@variety.com.
Casting gender-bender
Why shouldn't male roles be rewritten for femme stars?
By TATIANA SIEGEL
• Helen Mirren joins Russell Brand in 'Arthur' Remake
Hollywood may be running low on good roles for women [not even trying--NS], but that hasn't stopped female thesps from landing a few good parts anyway.
Helen Mirren is the latest leading lady to have a role intended for a man be rewritten for a woman. She recently inked a deal to play the butler opposite Russell Brand's troubled millionaire in Warner Bros.' remake of "Arthur." This is no thankless sidekick role -- John Gielgud's performance in the 1981 comedy earned him an supporting Oscar.
Universal is toying with the idea of taking its Jason Bourne franchise in a new direction. Who says Zoe Saldana couldn't relaunch the action-loaded series as, say, Jessica Bourne?
Though Alexandre Dumas envisioned his Three Musketeers as young men, why not retool with Kristen Stewart, Miley Cyrus and Dakota Fanning as the trio taking on the evil Cardinal Richelieu? (Warner Bros. and Summit might want to consider as a way to differentiate their competing projects).
And while Columbia waits for Will Smith to decide if he's making a new "Men in Black," the studio could summon a quick rewrite for a female agent Jay as a back-up plan. Sandra Bullock would pack them in, and she's probably available ... thanks to the dearth of worthy roles for women.
For Mirren, it was the second time in as many years that the actress signed up for man's work. She also took on the role of Prospero (er Prospera) for Julie Taymor's bigscreen adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Tempest."
Similarly, fellow Oscar-winner Angelina Jolie did some gender bending by nabbing the lead in Columbia Pictures' spy actioner "Salt" (Tom Cruise was originally poised to topline).
Can other actresses leverage their clout to demand a sex change for Hollywood's plum roles?
Contact Tatiana Siegel at tatiana.siegel@variety.com.
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Male Character: 10 Places You're Guaranteed to Meet Men by Carly Spindel
Have female characters or femininely gay guy searching for men? Here are a few places they can go to find men, in your novel, short story, or screenplay.
--Neale Sourna
-------------------------------------
[StyleCaster, on Fri Apr 30, 2010 6:23am PDT]
Meeting the opposite sex isn't the easiest feat – especially when you work in femme-heavy fashion – but here's a compilation of some handy and perhaps unexpected tips to cross paths with Mr. Right.
1. Eat Out
Busy, single men don’t have time to cook. This is why they need a girlfriend! Just kidding. However, when they are tired and hungry after work, they dine out at restaurants. So if you want to meet a new man, try a new restaurant at least once a week.
2. Join a Gym
Gyms are places where all body conscious men go to let off some steam. If you meet a man at the gym you can see what he really looks like when he’s all sweaty. If he looks good in gym clothes, he’ll look great in real clothes. People who work out are also much happier (translation: a better partner to be with).
3. Pay Attention To Your Pet
The sun is out and love is in the air. People are outside enjoying the weather. Take the opportunity to give your dog some extra attention and go to the park. If you don’t have a dog, borrow one. Many men think of dogs as soul mates (who else better understands their zest for the simple things in life?) and will often frequent dog runs. If a man sees a woman walking a cute dog, he will most likely start talking to her.
4. Fix Things
To me, Home Depot is the worst place in the world. I would rather sit in an icebox and freeze than go to an oversized tool shed. But, guys consider it their inner handyman Mecca. Men love fixing and building things, so Home Depot (or Lowes) stores are always filled with an array of manly men.
5. Start To Love Toys
Men love toys. The bigger the boat and the faster the engine, the more powerful the guy will be. The same way women love fashion shows, guys love toy shows. Car and boat shows are places where single men are like a flock to a shepherd. If you attend a car or boat show, pick up on the finer things in life (um, Ferraris anyone?), while meeting a man to drive it.
6. Wash Your Car
Speaking of cars, most men love their four-wheelers and they like them to appear brand new. It could be a rut (pun intended), but I’ve always dated men who are car freaks and I’ve been taken to car washes much too often. But while I'm there (bored to death), I’ve noticed that they were usually filled with men, and pretty hot ones sometimes. Head to a car wash and remember, your car can never be too shiny.
7. Be Tech-Friendly
True or false? Men are into electronics. All the men I’ve dated (or known for that matter) have proved this statement to be true. Men love technology and are always looking for new phones. If you want to meet a tech-friendly type of guy, frequent a Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T store.
8. Pick Up a Sport
Do you like tennis or golf? Well, start to love them both! Being active will boost your confidence and help you stay fit. Golf courses and tennis clubs are places that men go to with their friends. If you join one, you can better your game and meet new people.
9. Start Reading
Reading is a great way to escape your day-to-day troubles. Go to a bookstore and kill two birds with one stone – find a book and a brand new man. Some men love to learn and are always looking for reading material. If you’re browsing the same aisle, then you know you have something in common.
10. Get Cultured
Experience a typical New York moment by going to a museum. There are new exhibits opening all the time. If you meet a man at a museum, chances are he is interesting and cultured. You can also brush up on some art history while looking for that prospective boyfriend or husband.
---------------
Carly Spindel is a writer and hopeless romantic. She left her job at Shape Magazine to pursue her dating blog. Carly is a world traveler who has lived in Paris and London. She resides in New York and is always on the go. She can usually be found at her favorite café enjoying chocolate mousse while people watching, which is one of her favorite hobbies. Carly spends the rest of her time focusing on her five dearest past times: travelling, learning about different cultures, shopping, reading, and of course looking for Mr. Right.
--Neale Sourna
-------------------------------------
[StyleCaster, on Fri Apr 30, 2010 6:23am PDT]
Meeting the opposite sex isn't the easiest feat – especially when you work in femme-heavy fashion – but here's a compilation of some handy and perhaps unexpected tips to cross paths with Mr. Right.
1. Eat Out
Busy, single men don’t have time to cook. This is why they need a girlfriend! Just kidding. However, when they are tired and hungry after work, they dine out at restaurants. So if you want to meet a new man, try a new restaurant at least once a week.
2. Join a Gym
Gyms are places where all body conscious men go to let off some steam. If you meet a man at the gym you can see what he really looks like when he’s all sweaty. If he looks good in gym clothes, he’ll look great in real clothes. People who work out are also much happier (translation: a better partner to be with).
3. Pay Attention To Your Pet
The sun is out and love is in the air. People are outside enjoying the weather. Take the opportunity to give your dog some extra attention and go to the park. If you don’t have a dog, borrow one. Many men think of dogs as soul mates (who else better understands their zest for the simple things in life?) and will often frequent dog runs. If a man sees a woman walking a cute dog, he will most likely start talking to her.
4. Fix Things
To me, Home Depot is the worst place in the world. I would rather sit in an icebox and freeze than go to an oversized tool shed. But, guys consider it their inner handyman Mecca. Men love fixing and building things, so Home Depot (or Lowes) stores are always filled with an array of manly men.
5. Start To Love Toys
Men love toys. The bigger the boat and the faster the engine, the more powerful the guy will be. The same way women love fashion shows, guys love toy shows. Car and boat shows are places where single men are like a flock to a shepherd. If you attend a car or boat show, pick up on the finer things in life (um, Ferraris anyone?), while meeting a man to drive it.
6. Wash Your Car
Speaking of cars, most men love their four-wheelers and they like them to appear brand new. It could be a rut (pun intended), but I’ve always dated men who are car freaks and I’ve been taken to car washes much too often. But while I'm there (bored to death), I’ve noticed that they were usually filled with men, and pretty hot ones sometimes. Head to a car wash and remember, your car can never be too shiny.
7. Be Tech-Friendly
True or false? Men are into electronics. All the men I’ve dated (or known for that matter) have proved this statement to be true. Men love technology and are always looking for new phones. If you want to meet a tech-friendly type of guy, frequent a Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T store.
8. Pick Up a Sport
Do you like tennis or golf? Well, start to love them both! Being active will boost your confidence and help you stay fit. Golf courses and tennis clubs are places that men go to with their friends. If you join one, you can better your game and meet new people.
9. Start Reading
Reading is a great way to escape your day-to-day troubles. Go to a bookstore and kill two birds with one stone – find a book and a brand new man. Some men love to learn and are always looking for reading material. If you’re browsing the same aisle, then you know you have something in common.
10. Get Cultured
Experience a typical New York moment by going to a museum. There are new exhibits opening all the time. If you meet a man at a museum, chances are he is interesting and cultured. You can also brush up on some art history while looking for that prospective boyfriend or husband.
---------------
Carly Spindel is a writer and hopeless romantic. She left her job at Shape Magazine to pursue her dating blog. Carly is a world traveler who has lived in Paris and London. She resides in New York and is always on the go. She can usually be found at her favorite café enjoying chocolate mousse while people watching, which is one of her favorite hobbies. Carly spends the rest of her time focusing on her five dearest past times: travelling, learning about different cultures, shopping, reading, and of course looking for Mr. Right.
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
LinkedIn Question: How to start as a game writer & story crafter in the games industry?
Keep writing. Look for chances to write for game techs without your skills of character dialog and deep storytelling.
When a Polish programmer--Hi, Darek!--was looking at writers online, he found my author site and liked how I opened with character feeling and action; we've done the Heartwild Solitaire series from that.
I got another break by having a sound set of writing and getting a few game writing jobs at Guru; the Margrave Manor series and an RPG script still waiting to be published.
We all want thee huge AAA narrative we can quit our other many writing and nonwriting jobs for, but that may never happen. We're like movie actors and writers, always looking for another job, hoping we didn't just do our last.
Then again, we may need to start hiring or bartering with programmers to get OUR stories done.
Check the jobs section here, pitch some bids, stay open to writing short stories and scripts/screenplays and even novels for you or as hire.
Author publish.
Set up a writing sample site.
Become a member of freelance writing sites.
We're all scrambling, just keep moving and improving--and relax, there seems to be the perception that there are more writers than jobs. But I can tell you, most of those being called writers are programmers slumming and messing up the storyline and dialog.
Perceptions change everyday.
So, eventually better writers will get the call more often and sooner, we still have a while to that.
But that is why we're showing our face at LinkedIn--we game writers are here, ready, and already writing.
--Neale Sourna
Game Writing Exchange @ LinkedIn.com
When a Polish programmer--Hi, Darek!--was looking at writers online, he found my author site and liked how I opened with character feeling and action; we've done the Heartwild Solitaire series from that.
I got another break by having a sound set of writing and getting a few game writing jobs at Guru; the Margrave Manor series and an RPG script still waiting to be published.
We all want thee huge AAA narrative we can quit our other many writing and nonwriting jobs for, but that may never happen. We're like movie actors and writers, always looking for another job, hoping we didn't just do our last.
Then again, we may need to start hiring or bartering with programmers to get OUR stories done.
Check the jobs section here, pitch some bids, stay open to writing short stories and scripts/screenplays and even novels for you or as hire.
Author publish.
Set up a writing sample site.
Become a member of freelance writing sites.
We're all scrambling, just keep moving and improving--and relax, there seems to be the perception that there are more writers than jobs. But I can tell you, most of those being called writers are programmers slumming and messing up the storyline and dialog.
Perceptions change everyday.
So, eventually better writers will get the call more often and sooner, we still have a while to that.
But that is why we're showing our face at LinkedIn--we game writers are here, ready, and already writing.
--Neale Sourna
Game Writing Exchange @ LinkedIn.com
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