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		<title><![CDATA[Forums - Bricks in Motion - Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
		<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/topic/20636/licensed-ip-improvements-poll/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The most recent posts in Licensed IP Improvements Poll.]]></description>
		<lastBuildDate>Sat, 14 Feb 2015 21:44:55 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341656/#p341656</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Honestly I am fully interested in spectacle, and a space epic without it seems like it's missing the point, I feel like story and characters can be added to IP with the luxury of not having to explain as much back-story, that can let you jump into the meat of the story as viewers will already understand the mechanics of that universe.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (SlothPaladin)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 14 Feb 2015 21:44:55 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341656/#p341656</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341513/#p341513</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[quote=Pritchard Studios]Nathan, you've got some great observations there, but I'm wondering where you would put stuff like my [url=http://www.bricksinmotion.com/films/view/6040]Secrets in the Shadows.[/url] I know films that genuinely respect the source, but also add their own story are rare, but they do exist. In fact, that is my favorite kind of IP film...something that seemlessly fits into the wider universe, and does so well, you just can't beat that. They can echo the tone and feel of the source, and give you the sense of truly opening a window into that world, rather than some random child's poor imitation. Good fan-fiction can work, it can take the IP and build on what is already there. Rather than disrespect or destroy our appreciation for the original, it can add to our love for both the brickfilm, and the source material.[/quote]

[quote=SlothPaladin]I am open to the idea of some IP films, really what I would like to see is complete stories told in premade world's with new characters.[/quote]

These are things I'm aiming to do this year, with the Marvel Brickfilm Universe (though my next brickfilm, [i]Avengers Tower: Invasion[/i], evolved out of a fight scene I was originally making for another channel and so has annoyingly ended up being pretty vacuous). There's nothing to say an original story in a licensed IP world can't be as good as a totally original brickfilm: [i]Secrets in the Shadows[/i] is a great example, and there are plenty of others out there too. [url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjhOOhIGYyrC2WjQYt2A7REzrKNY223p9]Atlas Animationz' Marvel series[/url] is very action-centric but makes a strong effort for story, while [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOJK_W0zW94&list=PLFaGe7W2cUPbtCJ67YtFJDPNbBmKCFOYg&index=8]this Bionicle fanfilm by Vrahno[/url] captures the spirit of that era of the saga while telling its own story in a fun and (in parts) novel way.

I think it's possible to find a solid marriage of 'Story' and 'Spectacle' in licensed IP brickfilms, but it takes work to do so. It's easy to fall into the trap of "yeah, that would look cool", but ultimately if you're a good storyteller, [i]you're a good storyteller[/i]. Of course, I think pure spectacle brickfilms have some merit too (if done well) but that leads into the argument of high brow and low brow culture, which would massively derail this topic, and could possibly become inflammatory (it tends to do so in some of my uni seminars whenever the subject comes up, particularly about UK TV regulation).

What's been really interesting about this topic is how varied everyone's opinions are. Some people firmly for, some firmly against, some who don't see it as black-and-white, and what this suggests to me is that the matter of licensed IP brickfilms is predominantly a subjective issue; there's no way to say they inherently have a lack of quality by being based on licensed IPs, but it's interesting how we all have different views on how that fact may or may not impinge on quality. This topic was not meant to create a categorical 'no' or 'yes' approach to licensed IP brickfilms, but what it has done is shown one thing for certain: whether we enjoy them or dislike them, we are all far more critical of them than we are of original brickfilms, and this is an interesting conclusion that we've come to. :)]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (jampot)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2015 15:02:42 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341513/#p341513</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341510/#p341510</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[quote=togfox]My very first flick was a recreation.  It's the best way for any beginner to go IMO.  Sets, characters, camera angles, dialogue - its all provided on a platter.  All beginners should start with a recreation IMO.[/quote]

I disagree. If you are going to start something, why not start off on a good foot, not starting off copying other people's work? My first brickfilm was not a recreation. It was [i]based[/i] on a Bible story (which is obviously non licensed :P), but it was definitely no recreation with dialogue, camera angles, and sets. A beginner should start out doing something they love, sure that may be a Star Wars recreation, but generalizing "recreations are the best way for any beginner" is not right. Everyone has their own beginnings, they are never the wrong way to start. IMO, I wouldn't suggest to anyone to start out on brickfilming by recreating something. It makes them look like un-creative people looking for fame (which they may not be, but that's what the general public tends to think).

But that's waaaayy off topic.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (rioforce)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:42:21 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341510/#p341510</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341508/#p341508</link>
			<description><![CDATA[My very first flick was a recreation.  It's the best way for any beginner to go IMO.  Sets, characters, camera angles, dialogue - its all provided on a platter.  All beginners should start with a recreation IMO.

My next was a fight scene, wasn't much, but I wanted to see if I could do it.

My next was a mockery - the next stage of maturity

My next three have been non-IP original content.  The final stage of maturity IMO.  By the Fox scale of[i] technical ability[/i] (tm):

Bronze: recreation
Silver: action
Gold: mockery
Platinum: non-IP.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (togfox)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2015 11:51:50 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341508/#p341508</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341499/#p341499</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I think (if I understand the concept correctly) licensed IP brickfilms are good if they parody the original subject matter. That's just something I like... but don't mind me...]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (If I Were A Minifig)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2015 03:32:03 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341499/#p341499</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341494/#p341494</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[quote=SlothPaladin]wouldn't mind seeing an Oliver Twist type film set is Mos Eisley[/quote]

This would be fabulous. I think it'd make a really interesting brickfilm.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (jampot)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2015 23:01:31 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341494/#p341494</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341493/#p341493</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I am open to the idea of some IP films, really what I would like to see is complete stories told in premade world's with new characters.  Perticularly Star Wars films about bounty hunters and smugglers without Jedi, I have seen so many Jedi and/or Stormtrooper films I'm just over it. I'd really like to see some complete stories unfold in Hutt controlled space.

I started [url=http://www.bricksinmotion.com/forums/topic/19534/starwars-smuggler-script/]working on a script[/url], but never wrote the dialog,  I'm pretty happy with it as far as plot and charicters go, and if I really wanted to I could change a few thing and it could be an original sci-fi or cyberpunk film, but having the SW universe frees up things that would otherwise need more elaboration on. I don't think I'll be able to shoot it as my plate is already so full of projects and I am a very slow film maker and the project is really hard. But it very much is the kind of IP films I would like to see more of.

Edit: wouldn't mind seeing an Oliver Twist type film set is Mos Eisley]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (SlothPaladin)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2015 22:47:12 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341493/#p341493</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341488/#p341488</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Nathan, you've got some great observations there, but I'm wondering where you would put stuff like my [url=http://www.bricksinmotion.com/films/view/6040]Secrets in the Shadows.[/url] I know films that genuinely respect the source, but also add their own story are rare, but they do exist. 

In fact, that is my favorite kind of IP film. I agree about the over saturation of mindless fight scenes, though I grudgingly respect a well-executed scene recreation. (But only if it's very high-quality.) Parodies are on odd spot for me, since my sense of humor doesn't always match up with the creators. Therefore, certain kinds of parody drive me up a wall, while others I adore. 

But something that seemlessly fits into the wider universe, and does so well, you just can't beat that. They can echo the tone and feel of the source, and give you the sense of truly opening a window into that world, rather than some random child's poor imitation. Good fan-fiction can work, it can take the IP and build on what is already there. Rather than disrespect or destroy our appreciation for the original, it can add to our love for both the brickfilm, and the source material.

One point I will agree with is the need for good writing. There has be a reason for stuff to happen more than just the usual "Hey, it'd be cool if-" that many IP films play off of. Respect and knowledge of the source is essential, but ultimately there is also a need for balance. A film that sounds like a trivia game of random facts is nearly as off-putting as one that can't remember which dwarves were actually at the Battle of Azanulbizar. That balance also needs to extend beyond the plot to sounds and music, since endless repeats of "I am the Doctor" do little for a DW film when they are overused, or used in place of more appropriate, but less recognizable tracks.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Pritchard Studios)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2015 19:17:23 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341488/#p341488</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341484/#p341484</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[quote=Nathan Wells]Recreation IP brickfilms just recreate a scene or trailer. I have no time or interest in them, and there's no way to improve them. They just exist to grab views on YouTube.

My distaste for IP brickfilms stems from the fact that most of them are just extended fight scene tests, with no actual story attached to them. If more IP brickfilms actually had a compelling story, if even if that story is just cleverly mocking the source material, then I'd be much more welcoming to IP brickfilms.[/quote]

I agree. Even in my old stop motion series the fight scene's had a story connected to it. (not that I even like any of my old stuff)
Story should be above absolutely everything else. That's why we see that movies that didn't have a good story are bad, no matter how many visual effects or cool stunts they pulled off.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Harborlight)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2015 17:19:01 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341484/#p341484</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341480/#p341480</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Typically, IP brickfilms fall into three categories: the spectacle, the mockery, or the recreation. Spectacle brickfilms are all about the fights, action scenes, and visual effects, and almost always are lackluster in character development or story. The typical brickfilmer's skill at animating has gotten so good that pretty much anyone can animate a convincing fight scene. And unfortunately, this means most fight scenes look the same, whether they are Thor vs Spiderman, Darth Vader vs Luke, or Spongebob vs Steve from Minecraft. If I'm going to care about a fight scene, I need to be invested in the characters. Otherwise it's yet another film where minifigs throw punches with exaggerated swings and weightless reactions.
Some of my favorite brickfilm fight scenes are from Zach Macias's [i]The Profession[/i] and Robinson Wood's [i]Grace[/i], because those fights [b]play a part[/b] in the story, they aren't the [b]entire[/b] story.

Mockery IP brickfilms are more about making fun of the source material, such as Philip Heinrich's [i]Station Tribulations[/i]. These types of brickfilms are much more interesting to me, because generally, to be any good, they have to be clever in their writing. They actually have to have knowledge of the source material, beyond "Hey Iron Man is a strong guy and Batman is a strong guy, so they should fight!"

Recreation IP brickfilms just recreate a scene or trailer. I have no time or interest in them, and there's no way to improve them. They just exist to grab views on YouTube.

My distaste for IP brickfilms stems from the fact that most of them are just extended fight scene tests, with no actual story attached to them. If more IP brickfilms actually had a compelling story, if even if that story is just cleverly mocking the source material, then I'd be much more welcoming to IP brickfilms.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Nathan Wells)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2015 16:12:57 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341480/#p341480</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341333/#p341333</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Honestly, I don't have a problem with brickfilms with licensed themes. At least not until it becomes what a large portion of licensed theme brickfilms do - the same old thing. 
I see licensed themes as a good way for people to come up with their own story (or retell a story), with a vast number of guidelines already in place and, in many cases, an entire world (galaxy?) established. Because of that you can shape your film in ways you can't without that world already there.

So yeah, I really think licensed brickfilms as a whole should really steer more in the direction of having interesting stories that aren't what everyone else does - or, if they are, an interesting interpretation of that story (Indiana Scones?).]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[nebulaewanderer@yahoo.com (Mighty Wanderer)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 07 Feb 2015 15:45:56 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341333/#p341333</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341332/#p341332</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I think that brickfilms based on pre-existing/licensed themes should slit away from the main story and invent a new story. Instead of Superman saving the news lady from a giant gorilla, the film could focus on his home life, and what he does on his average non super day. Or instead of The Hobbit brickfilms re-hashing the movies, they could focus on minor characters that have their own adventures but nobody appreciates them. Branching out from the norm is what makes them successful. Like Squid said, Brotherhood Workshop did that well, especially with their first LoTR brickfilm where the Orks just wanted an autograph.

For example,take my "Captain D. Rom" mini-series I have done for BRAWL 2014 and THAC 12 (even though it's not technically a licensed theme it still applies). I didn't invent Captain D. Rom. His character was from the LEGO Island video game, I just used his name and design and re-invented his role. Instead of him being the goofy sidekick, he's now the goofy main character.

Re-inventing the characters is crucial for making a good brickfilm that already has a base story. Sure, you're not building from the ground up, but you are remodeling a little. ;)]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (rioforce)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 07 Feb 2015 15:45:28 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341332/#p341332</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341330/#p341330</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I think the main thing they need is a really good execution.  One of the reasons I'm not going through with the entirety of I Am The Night is it wasn't as good in that regard as I would have liked.

It's fun to see things you like in LEGO done well, rather than by a more beginner level animator.

Brotherhood probably does some of the best work in that regard.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Squid)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 07 Feb 2015 15:30:29 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341330/#p341330</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341329/#p341329</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[quote=Galactic Films]Look, when you just start out brickfilming, story will probably be the last thing you think about due to you trying to figure out how to animate correctly. Story comes once you feel confident with your animation.[/quote]

I agree. That's when tests come in handy. I spent three years making stop motion off other stories like Ninjago, LOTR, and Star Wars and my animation was still bad. I honestly think that after you get good at stop motion with the tests, then you should try original stories. But that's just my opinion I won't inflict upon anyone else. :P]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Harborlight)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 07 Feb 2015 15:19:07 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341329/#p341329</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Licensed IP Improvements Poll]]></title>
			<link>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341328/#p341328</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[quote=Galactic Films]and concepts and theologies of the Force are just a few things I would really love to see incorporated in future Star Wars brickfilms.[/quote]

Funnily enough, I briefly considered doing my own take on Abeloth/Father/Son and Daughter. It would have been very different from the books and the TV show,.

I totally agree that the volume of SW brickfilms doesn't reflect the complexity of the mythos at all.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (jampot)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 07 Feb 2015 15:04:33 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/341328/#p341328</guid>
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