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		<title><![CDATA[Forums - Bricks in Motion - Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
		<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/topic/17357/am-i-making-films-for-the-right-reason/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The most recent posts in Am I making films for the right reason?.]]></description>
		<lastBuildDate>Tue, 16 Jul 2013 18:18:47 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304932/#p304932</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[quote=Carousel]
Also, what in the world is wrong with homosexual chefs? That sentence is odd, I dislike what it implies and it reduces your argument. Talking about arguments, this whole topic, within a somewhat resolved thread, is really entering off-topic territory.[/quote]

I never said that there's somethng wrong with homosexual chefs.  I'm implying nothing but that I don't like to get overtly sexual content in a TV-G show I watch with my entire family.   When there is such dialogue, don't make the show TV-G, then surprise the audience.  I like the Big Bang Theory, for instance, but not when my children are around.  At least shows like The Big Bang Theory post their ratings accurately, and parents will know what to expect.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (HoldingOurOwn)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jul 2013 18:18:47 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304932/#p304932</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304777/#p304777</link>
			<description><![CDATA[If I may offer my opinion without this thread turning into a massive "are adult themes acceptable in brickfilms" discussion, I would say it all depends.  I'm fine with adult themes up to a certain extent--as long as there is a purpose for their being in a film.  The reason I generally dislike such themes in brickfilms are because:

1. In pretty much every single brickfilm that includes such content it has no purpose.  I can understand the use of violence etc. if it is justified within the context of a film--for instance, to, say, highlight the nastiness of a villain--but in pretty much every single brickfilm that uses "adult" content, the animators (most likely 12-year olds desperately trying to show off how "cool" and "grown-up" they are) have no idea how to effectively use this and just include it for its own sake.  This invariably makes the film seem immature and probably has the exact opposite of its intended effect.

2.  On the whole, they don't fit in brickfilms.  LEGO is a family-friendly toy, and I get an extreme case of cognitive dissonance every time I see happy plastic and largely gender-neutral people scream profanities at each other, bleed profusely, and make crude sexual jokes.

My point is that the vast majority of brickfilms could get by easily without adult themes--and indeed pretty much all of my favourite brickfilms do so very well.  [i]If[/i]--and this is a big if--you're going to include adult content, always have a purpose for it.  If you go off the deep end, you run the risk of alienating a good part of your audience.  Pointlessly including excessive gore and cheap, vulgar, jokes only shows that you have nothing better to offer the audience and implies the plot and other aspects of your film are weak at best.

That being said, you shouldn't feel compelled to unnecessarily constrain yourself.  In the end, it's your decision on what you want to include in your films.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Mr Vertigo)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 13 Jul 2013 21:55:17 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304777/#p304777</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304775/#p304775</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[quote=Carousel]I do agree. It's not particularly clear from my paragraph, and I apologise, but I was inferring that the inclusion of some violence or whatnot should not render your brickfilm unsuitable for viewing by one's parents. I also agree that to receive a proud response from one's parents is not a given, but in the context of creating a mildly themed animation, there should definitely be some appreciation of the work put into the film despite maybe not totally agreeing with the subject matter/content. Yes you follow in your parents beliefs, but you need a little space to be able to develop your own too.

So to answer the original question, I think your (silents429) motives are absolutely fine, I just wouldn't severely limit what I make due to some parental objections - make it appropriate for them, but add your little bits too. Explain to them the necessity of this and that in your animation and you should be fine. Just don't go overboard and certainly remember to respect their opinions and values.[/quote]

Genus Heist, did you fail to comprehend the above two paragraphs I wrote, in which I somewhat repented on what I'd previously said. I am not being harsh on people who manufacture family appropriate content, I'm just saying that I personally would not be bound, to a certain extent, by the ideals of one, more conservative group. I retain my stance on people who have a [i]complete[/i] (as in 100%) opposition to the inclusion of mature content in one's animations, I think their [i]draconian[/i] attitude is plain silly, and I'm not at all apologetic about my views.

Also, what in the world is wrong with homosexual chefs? That sentence is odd, I dislike what it implies and it reduces your argument. Talking about arguments, this whole topic, within a somewhat resolved thread, is really entering off-topic territory.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Carousel)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 13 Jul 2013 21:40:35 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304775/#p304775</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304772/#p304772</link>
			<description><![CDATA[You are over 40 O.O]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[p244065@nwytg.com ([deleted1263])]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 13 Jul 2013 21:03:37 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304772/#p304772</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304750/#p304750</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[quote=Carousel]If in your film it is necessary for some, oh-no, [i]adult content[/i] just do it. Make your animation, play to your strengths and don't hold back on bits if they're really necessary. Don't be dictated to on what you should and should not do, of course take in criticisms, but do not shift your entire way of filmmaking just to fit the needs of one little audience. 

On the bottom line, your parents, as adults, should be proud/supportive of you and whatever you produce, even if it somehow conflicts with some silly draconian rule of theirs. If not, that's saddening.[/quote]

Mary Charles (Brick7) is the voice of the mother in my script, and she always advises me on the series' family-friendliness.  When I don't realize something could be changed, she often helps me find ways to change the content without sacrificing the impact, meaning, or quality of the final animation.

I think you're being harsh on people who want family friendly content.  To strive for such a goal doesn't mean being against those who make so-called "mature" films.  My own series is suitable for all ages, but is still written at an adult level and doesn't compromise by dumbing anything down.  Something without adult content is a breath of fresh air for many people, myself included, who can't even watch a TV-G Food Network show with their kids without IUD commercials or cooks overtly talking about their homosexual relationships.  There's nothing silly or "draconian" (please look it up if you wish to use it, it means handing down strict and unjust laws & harshly punishing those who disobey) about it.

When I said, "I want my mom to be able to watch each episode I make."  I mean it.  And I'm over 40.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (HoldingOurOwn)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 13 Jul 2013 15:16:07 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304750/#p304750</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304699/#p304699</link>
			<description><![CDATA[My mom is incredibly religious, no hint of violence the slightest, and I only need to get one done for them.

I like to make dark, violent (reasonably), things with a good story, all of these tend to conflict with what I am suppose to make. 

I can't just ignore these, and I know none of you know my Mother but shes the type that would ban me from the internet over messing something up like this. 

Final verdict of the whole thread however is: Motivation to make this simple film for them has returned full force, and I am enjoying the process more suddenly, and feel a bit less stressed over it.

So thank you all for the wonderful responses.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[p244065@nwytg.com ([deleted1263])]]></author>
			<pubDate>Fri, 12 Jul 2013 19:44:10 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304699/#p304699</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304675/#p304675</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[quote] make it appropriate for them, but add your little bits too. Explain to them the necessity of this and that in your animation and you should be fine. Just don't go overboard and certainly remember to respect their opinions and values.[/quote]
That's sound advice. From reading your response I think we're in agreement on the most important issues. Nothing wrong with introducing something new to your audience to test the waters.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Squash)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Fri, 12 Jul 2013 00:15:51 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304675/#p304675</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304673/#p304673</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I do agree. It's not particularly clear from my paragraph, and I apologise, but I was inferring that the inclusion of some violence or whatnot should not render your brickfilm unsuitable for viewing by one's parents. I also agree that to receive a proud response from one's parents is not a given, but in the context of creating a mildly themed animation, there should definitely be some appreciation of the work put into the film despite maybe not totally agreeing with the subject matter/content. Yes you follow in your parents beliefs, but you need a little space to be able to develop your own too. 

So to answer the original question, I think your (silents429) motives are absolutely fine, I just wouldn't severely limit what I make due to some parental objections - make it appropriate for them, but add your little bits too. Explain to them the necessity of this and that in your animation and you should be fine. Just don't go overboard and certainly remember to respect their opinions and values.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Carousel)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2013 23:57:49 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304673/#p304673</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304670/#p304670</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[quote=Carousel]If in your film it is necessary for some, oh-no, [i]adult content[/i] just do it. Make your animation, play to your strengths and don't hold back on bits if they're really necessary. Don't be dictated to on what you should and should not do, of course take in criticisms, but do not shift your entire way of filmmaking just to fit the needs of one little audience. 

On the bottom line, your parents, as adults, should be proud/supportive of you and whatever you produce, even if it somehow conflicts with some silly draconian rule of theirs. If not, that's saddening.[/quote]
Uh, we're veering off-topic a little bit here, but at risk of making that worse I think this post makes a lot of dangerous assumptions. To be honest, I don't think there's a person here whose parents would be proud of them unconditionally- because most of us have parents that aren't religious figures. If I decided I was going to spend the rest of my days making LEGO pornography (I'm really not) my parents would probably not be especially proud of me for doing that... and I think that's their right. They did raise me, after all- it's not unreasonable that they would be disappointed that I didn't possess some semblance of their morals. 

I don't personally feel there's any reason to limit yourself to exclusively making things your family will enjoy (the apocryphal Mark Twain quote "Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it." fairly well sums up my feelings on the topic), but I think it's unrealistic and damaging to think of your family as anything other than people, with their own beliefs and feelings. They aren't broken for wanting you to share their ideals. This is more a case of knowing your audience than anything; if you don't think your parents would appreciate something and your end goal is to impress your parents, you're more likely to achieve that goal by refraining from doing whatever it is they would object to.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Squash)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2013 22:58:34 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304670/#p304670</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304667/#p304667</link>
			<description><![CDATA[If in your film it is necessary for some, oh-no, [i]adult content[/i] just do it. Make your animation, play to your strengths and don't hold back on bits if they're really necessary. Don't be dictated to on what you should and should not do, of course take in criticisms, but do not shift your entire way of filmmaking just to fit the needs of one little audience. 

On the bottom line, your parents, as adults, should be proud/supportive of you and whatever you produce, even if it somehow conflicts with some silly draconian rule of theirs. If not, that's saddening.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Carousel)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2013 22:29:46 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304667/#p304667</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304665/#p304665</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I think that by wanting to impress your friends you want to impress yourself too by discovering what you're capable of. Also, any reason is right as long as it motivates you to finish it.

And about family friendly stuff: I think a movie should be made in a way that it works, be it family friendly, violent or else. It doesn't matter as long as the final product has everything it needs (and nothing that it doesn't) to tell a story in an efficient way.

Well, that's how I think about it.

Ps:[quote=jstudios]PS, parents are probably the most biased people to judge your work. Ask other people involved with the medium, heck if they're not even friends with you then they'll be even less biased really.[/quote]
Actually, that depends. My family is supporting, but if they think something could be made better they will tell me (especially my brother, he is very critical... and I quite like him that way ;)).]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (MPfist0)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2013 21:24:23 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304665/#p304665</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304660/#p304660</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Family friendly usually entails no swearing, adult themes, and no overly gory violence.

[quote=HoldingOurOwn]I want my mom to be able to watch each episode I make.[/quote]

This is a good rule of thumb.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Greenshirt)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2013 21:12:54 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304660/#p304660</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304659/#p304659</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[quote=HoldingOurOwn]I think it's important to make the movie family-friendly.[/quote]

Isn't that kind of defeating the whole point of making art because you want to? Do you think that the people who made works like Pulp Fiction or Spec Ops The Line were thinking of the 'family mindset' when making them?

Thing is, as an art, you can use film to do whatever you want [within reason], you should make something because you feel like it's a work to be proud of. Forcing yourself to be censored is just not going to make you feel good as you can't voice your opinion through your work.

You can make family-friendly films too, obviously, but don't try to censor yourself unless it's something completely ridiculous.

PS, parents are probably the most biased people to judge your work. Ask other people involved with the medium, heck if they're not even friends with you then they'll be even less biased really.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (jstudios)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2013 21:11:26 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304659/#p304659</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304657/#p304657</link>
			<description><![CDATA[What defines videos as family friendly. Do they object to swearing, violence, or what? It's different for each person.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Willco66)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2013 21:09:38 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304657/#p304657</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Am I making films for the right reason?]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304647/#p304647</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I think it's important to make the movie family-friendly.  I want my mom to be able to watch each episode I make.  Work on your weak suits.  They'll improve with practice!  Also, I think youre parents would be happy with the creation of any brickfilm, no matter the quality, because it's quite an achievement at any level!]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (HoldingOurOwn)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2013 20:21:28 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/304647/#p304647</guid>
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