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Re: Am I making films for the right reason?

Carousel wrote:

If in your film it is necessary for some, oh-no, adult content 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.

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.

Last edited by HoldingOurOwn (July 13, 2013 (08:29am))

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Re: Am I making films for the right reason?

You are over 40 O.O

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Re: Am I making films for the right reason?

Carousel wrote:

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.

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 complete (as in 100%) opposition to the inclusion of mature content in one's animations, I think their draconian 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.

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Re: Am I making films for the right reason?

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.  If--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.

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Re: Am I making films for the right reason?

Carousel wrote:

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.

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.

Last edited by HoldingOurOwn (July 16, 2013 (11:21am))

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