Movies, dahling, movies. And a bit of babbling about role-playing on LJ.

[valis2]

I entirely forgot to mention that I had seen Crash while in WI, and I recommend it highly, as long as you're in for a dramatic ensemble piece that explores the effect of racism in LA. Really, it was a fine piece of filmmaking, and while I can't say I "enjoyed" it (especially because "enjoy" seems to have a meaning that doesn't really apply; let's say that I devoured the movie, was entranced by it), I definitely appreciated it tremendously and feel that it was a very worthwhile two hours. It's a thought-provoking film.

Went to see Batman Begins just now. On the valismeter it registered as "like" more than "dislike", so that's a good thing, I suppose. I had some problems with it, but overall I liked it. I wouldn't jump up and down about it, but it was definitely more emotionally intriguing and was an interesting, detailed look at Batman's beginnings.

Also took advantage of <--I have no idea where that sentence was going, because I wandered off to check out the_leaky. Y'know, I'm very glad that I don't RP, because I'd never get anything done ever again. It looks like a blast. I'm still trying to understand what's going on, and it seems that I've missed an entry in the flow of Serenus/Severus/Remus/etc., but the writing and interaction is fascinating.

Now, of course, I'm obsessing over RP etiquette, and I'm wondering if people don't generally reveal which characters they are playing. I also find it quite delectable that the person playing Regulus Black uses many tasty pictures of Oded Fehr as the inspiration for that character. In fact, I find it quite interesting that each person has picked a real-life celebrity to stand in for the characters and uses that person in icons to convey things. Which, of course, means that they (most likely) have not only purchased a paid journal for their RPing, but they've also put together a set of icons for it. Which draws me into another thought spiral about the people who RP, and the levels of RPing, because, just like anything else, there must be talent and skill and practice involved, and different tiers of RPGs, and it makes me wonder what sort of traits work best for writing such a spontaneous, sometimes improv style piece of work.

Bought enough Bath & Body Works to last six months at their Semi Annual Sale. chrysantza will be pleased that I've done my part to support our Evil Industry.

Haha...just went looking to see if the logical Batman Begins slash pairing (Ducard/Wayne) has generated any fics...found this astonishing summary.

Batman has found his match and Bruce Wayne has found his mate in the same explosive woman. Dripping with Sarcasm and eventually fraught with peril, Gotham is in for one wild ride when the Dragon and Batman collide!

Gotham drips with sarcasm...oops, I mean Sarcasm. Who knew? Watch out for that peril, folks! It's dripping sarcasm! And I love how funny it sounds that Bruce gets a "mate", though I would caution him to be very careful, considering the combustible effects mentioned.

And from another fic...

I have not read the comics. Period. This is strictly movie based, and if you don't appreciate what I do with Ducard's charecter, then don't read it. I have no idea how his personality works, so I'm making a guess off the movie's not-so-good charecter development.

Heh. If the story sucks, it's because the movie sucked!

And further into the story...

“You are in the healing rooms of the Council of the Heavenlies.” Ducard licked his lips to further investigate, but was silence by the Healing Man’s calming voice, “That is all you need know for now.”

Wow, Ducard could be one of the most unusual private detectives of all time. Not to mention creepiest. What unusual investigatory techniques!

ETA: Hahaha!! Best summary evah!

Batman, Robin & Batgirl thwart the evil plans of Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy and Catwoman. Based on a performance I saw at a theme park. Pretty lame, I know, but I couldn't think of anything else to write. Please R&R.

Comments

[scribbulus-ink.livejournal.com]

I'm still trying to understand what's going on, and it seems that I've missed an entry in the flow of Serenus/Severus/Remus/etc., but the writing and interaction is fascinating.

Aww, thanks! :D This has been a pretty intense plotline for us to play, especially dealing with all the emotional fall-out.

Now, of course, I'm obsessing over RP etiquette, and I'm wondering if people don't generally reveal which characters they are playing.

I think it varies from game to game. In some games, most or all the players remain anonymous; I think Nocturne Alley was like that. In the_leaky, most of our players aren't anonymous, but we have a few who want to keep their identity secret for various reasons, and the rest of us respect that. We have a really active watchers community

We have a new website (http://www.remembrall.slashcity.net/leaky/index.php), if you're interested, and if you ever need to catch up, I've got all Severus and Serenus' scenes in their LJ memories (there's a link on the character page of the website).

Which, of course, means that they (most likely) have not only purchased a paid journal for their RPing, but they've also put together a set of icons for it.

Oh, yes. LOL I know a lot of us have paid accounts for our characters, and some of us have bought extra icon space as well. For me, it's a matter of finding photos of Adrien Brody that I want to use because they fit Severus or exemply one of Severus' (or Serenus') moods so well, and because I'm an icon whore.

It makes me wonder what sort of traits work best for writing such a spontaneous, sometimes improv style piece of work.

Flexibility is a big one. RPGs don't have concrete beginnings, middles, and ends like regular fanfiction does; you have plot arcs that begin and end, but the effects of that last, and it gives you the opportunity to explore a character in-depth over the course of months, perhaps years, and see how they grow and change. So as a player, you have to have the flexibility to let go and see where your character takes you. You also need flexibility to work with other people when hammering out plot ideas.

Playing well with others is important; RPGs are like big collaborative fanfiction projects, so you have to give and take and be willing to compromise.

Patience. Especially if you play scenes in comments, because players sometimes have schedule conflicts, and scenes can move slowly, especially large group scenes.

It's really fun, though; I enjoy seeing how characters interact with each other, and I love being able to explore a character in-depth. I think it's a natural medium for anyone who enjoys soap operas and serial stories, because of the on-going nature of the narrative and the depth of attachment you can get to the characters as a reader and a writer.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

What a lovely comment! Thank you for shedding so much light on the subject of RPGs.

I checked out the website, and now I see what I was missing...outside_leaky! It all makes sense now.

I am quite amazed at how everyone seems to just keep going forward, taking the comments and quite literally running with them. So much happens, and now I find myself wondering how people keep the timing up. I mean, if one person comments before another it could quite honestly change the whole plot, or at least create a new smaller scenario, or just influence things and push them in a different direction.

Some people with smaller roles seem to pop in occasionally, and it's interesting how accomodating people are, how they reference those people in the next comment and try to work them into the situation. I'm certain that there are some problems somewhere on some RPGs where people get a bit ebullient and try to involve themselves in too many situations, but it looks like the leaky players are having a wonderful time.

It's something that I'd love to explore, something that seems like a lot of fun and no small challenge, but I don't think I can, because a) I already spend way too much time online and I'd become obsessed quickly enough and never go to work, and b) I am only home about eight months a year...leaving at random times isn't conducive to creating a strong and steady character.

it gives you the opportunity to explore a character in-depth over the course of months, perhaps years, and see how they grow and change.

Absolutely fascinating. Honestly, over the year and a half I've been writing HP fanfic I've found an entirely new side of the characters, and as I've read more fanfic and written more fanfic I have found new things about Severus. Playing a character like that for months would definitely create such a concrete "voice" for the character.

Thanks again for such an illuminating comment!

[chrysantza.livejournal.com]

I loved Batman Begins except for Katie Holmes. Not because I'm an evil old woman who hates young women (okay, so I am evil and old, but still) and not really because she's irretrievably linked with *ew* Tom Cruise in my mind. No, Katie just isn't suitably cast for her part, which needed a more substantial and less girlish woman. But never mind Katie, I squee'd over Christian Bale and Liam Neeson. I squee easily.

And good for you for supporting the Evil Bath and Body Works Empire!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Katie & Tom=Evil *giggle*

I definitely squeed over Christian & Liam. Together they are quite a beautiful thing. I am looking forward to finding some fic featuring their characters in this movie.

Katie was definitely way too girlish! You hit the nail right on the head there. After my entry I went back and read your entry and agreed whole-heartedly.

[privatemaladict.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I saw Crash a few weeks ago and really... well, like you, not so much enjoyed as appreciated it. The way it all just sort of tied together - it was such a well-made, thought-provoking film.

Haven't see Batman Begins yet, but then, I'm not that into Batman anyway. I haven't even see most of the other films, I think I saw one of them a few years ago but I can't remember which one.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Crash was pretty intense. I think that is the best word for it. Intense. I want to see it again to tie it all together.

I always have liked the Val Kilmer Batman. I like him a lot anyway.

Plot Summaries

[lady-branwyn.livejournal.com]

Valis, your quotes from the Batman fics inspired me to browse the "just-in" plot summaries on ff.net. It is entirely your fault if I snort orange juice up my nose and choke to death laughing.

Aragorn takes the ring to Mordor instead of Frodo, but Saroman reveals Aragorn's secret: he's a girl. The evil wizard turns Aragorn back to the nine year old girl he used to be. What will happen now?

This does explain the watermelon-flavored lipgloss in Strider's backpack.

Re: Plot Summaries

[valis2.livejournal.com]

This does explain the watermelon-flavored lipgloss in Strider's backpack.

Ahahahahah!!!! *dies*

ffnet should have a warning on its homepage...