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10:23, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Making it look like a script?

Posted by steelsmiter
steelsmiter
member, 2204 posts
BESM, Fate, Indies, PBTA
NO FREEFORM! NO d20!
Sat 11 Feb 2023
at 23:14
  • msg #1

Making it look like a script?

So one of the games I wrote is about making budget films. I tried to get it going before, but I lost motivation for reasons I can't quite remember. A player got back with me recently and was asking about it. At first I didn't think much of it, but I started looking over the book for some reason and then randomly sparked on an idea. Usually I run games in Third Person Past, as that's the tense of the lions share of fiction novels I read. The thought randomly occurred to me: Movie script examples on the internet appear to be written in Third Present. Now normally I would balk at anything outside third past because I want my games to read like a novel (with anything that breaks the format being in footnotes under a HR, much like the writings of Terry Pratchett) or I'm taken out of them, but I'm wondering if it might actually help with immersion to see a game like movie scripts are actually written. Also if I were to entertain the idea, how many people out there would be interested in it?
Gaffer
member, 1768 posts
Ocoee FL
45 yrs of RPGs
Mon 13 Feb 2023
at 06:23
  • msg #2

Making it look like a script?

I come to RPG from a theater background, so I'm always most comfortable in third person present: "Renzo swings up onto his mount and rides toward the sound of battle." I also try to put a lot of my characterization into dialogue rather than description. So, I like your idea.

I think I was in your budget film game.
steelsmiter
member, 2205 posts
BESM, Fate, Indies, PBTA
NO FREEFORM! NO d20!
Mon 13 Feb 2023
at 19:52
  • msg #3

Making it look like a script?

Gaffer:
I come to RPG from a theater background, so I'm always most comfortable in third person present: "Renzo swings up onto his mount and rides toward the sound of battle." I also try to put a lot of my characterization into dialogue rather than description. So, I like your idea.

I think I was in your budget film game.

It's possible. I don't want to resurrect that game though, I feel like a fresh start is in order if I can get a handful of interested players (and actually I can change this into an interest check to see what kind of movie potential players would like to make as it may inform what sort of kind of character mix we need.)
CriesofthePast
member, 107 posts
ActofDepression
Sun 19 Feb 2023
at 21:27
  • msg #4

Making it look like a script?

Hi, I'm the player who got back to him asking about it.  I really liked the concept, and the character I came up with.  It's a shame it didn't get off the ground, but if we do a restart I'll definitely be on board.
steelsmiter
member, 2206 posts
BESM, Fate, Indies, PBTA
NO FREEFORM! NO d20!
Mon 20 Feb 2023
at 00:14
  • msg #5

Making it look like a script?

Do we want to decide on a type of movie here, or let the application process work that out?
CriesofthePast
member, 108 posts
ActofDepression
Tue 21 Feb 2023
at 21:46
  • msg #6

Making it look like a script?

I guess during the application process, people could suggest what kind of movie they'd like it to be, and we can see how you feel about what would work best.
steelsmiter
member, 2207 posts
BESM, Fate, Indies, PBTA
NO FREEFORM! NO d20!
Tue 21 Feb 2023
at 23:07
  • msg #7

Making it look like a script?

CriesofthePast:
I guess during the application process, people could suggest what kind of movie they'd like it to be, and we can see how you feel about what would work best.

I actually thought about having players reply with their Audition/Demo Reel, and state a role they were applying for in terms like Action Lead, Romantic lead, Sidekick, Comic Relief, Subject Matter Expert, etc. Doing it that way seems like it would be a good way for me to decide from the applications what sort of film would be the best to start. Plus the Audition/Demo Real process already exists in the system whereby players define rolls based on the use of an associated talent or by sheer fame.

I think I might actually go with using applications to define the movie and have rejections possibly play Co-Star or Extra Roles under my control.
CriesofthePast
member, 109 posts
ActofDepression
Thu 23 Feb 2023
at 04:25
  • msg #8

Making it look like a script?

That sounds more immersive than people suggesting what genre they want.  That way you could take the roles people want and decide for yourself what kind of movie to make.  I do feel like that decision should be the directors, and somewhat out of the hands of the actors anyway.  So yeah, I think having them apply for the role they want instead could really work.
steelsmiter
member, 2210 posts
BESM, Fate, Indies, PBTA
NO FREEFORM! NO d20!
Wed 1 Mar 2023
at 20:15
  • msg #9

Making it look like a script?

The game is up! Bear in mind that as with the previous game, it is rated ADULT! Players should not apply with characters in the previous game as the storyline of this game involves the studio coming back from legal troubles so it's assumed the old actors were part of the drama.
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