A man of ideas but no action
Several weeks ago when I went to see Avatar with Sandy, I recounted for him the numerous stories I had in my mind. It even scared me how many I had, how many of which were nearing some severely indepth plotting, and how little had been done with each of them. Thus I thought it might be prudent to document them here, since this the blog where I journal such things. Here goes, in no particular order.
Paintball
STATUS: Shelved until Strike Rapier's EVO's newest version is released, which has several features I need.
MEDIUM: A bot controlled game in Active Worlds.
PROJECT: A new age paintball bot that reinvents how paintball has been done before.
NOTES: 'nuff said. The ideas are still here, most of them on the SWC forums, some detailed others not. I'll push it once EVO is developed to a point where my ideas can be realised.
T-Shirt Business
STATUS: Awaiting a quote from printer.
MEDIUM: n/a
PROJECT: Starting a t-shirt business selling mostly online with designs from my friends.
NOTES: This is the most financially viable project, and the current one I am obsessing over, which was reinvigorated today. I'm eagerly waiting for some replies to numerous e-mails, the most important of which is the one from my potential printer.
The Spiral Project
STATUS: Traveling steadily and awaiting Colby to write his latest chapter.
MEDIUM: Novel. Maybe more than one, depending on where the story heads.
PROJECT: A novel that begins with two disparate storylines that end up spiralling together. It is written chapter by chapter, taking turns between Colby and myself. We're not allowed to discuss plans or ideas and must make predictions based on what the other has written (in turn guided but what the other wrote previous) without intentionally guiding the story themselves.
NOTES: This is perhaps my most successful project in that stuff is happening with it. I have a kickass chapter planned (but of course subject to change based on what Colby gives me). I've made a prediction for how I think his chapter will end (jut based on what I have up to Chapter 6.2, and if he ends it that way then there will be an awesome link in the stories ;)
The Spiral Project TV
STATUS: Pilot written. Considering 2nd eps and how to proceed with series. Possible wait until novel is written.
MEDIUM: TV series... obviously. A serial drama. Probably more like a mini-series. Several eps long.
PROJECT: a translation of the Spiral Project novel into a TV series type format.
NOTES: The pilot script is written. I've yet to properly edit it. Mostly dialogue lifted from the chapters but delicately woven together by my dainty hand with lil' extras peppered here and there to add to the dramatic tension.
Helix Project
STATUS: Shelved pending one or two years until Connor is ready. Looking for replacement in meantime.
MEDIUM: Novel.
PROJECT: The book is written where person A writes a section and person B must pick it up, without talking to person A and continue the story. Not necessarily the storyline, but continue with what the story requires. The integrity of the project is imperative. In this way we can write two novels simultaneously, swapping between the two of us together.
NOTES: Connor says he doesn't want to do it right now, given uni commitments and all that. I respect that. He really likes the idea and wishes to do it. Gave me blessing to find someone else to do it with in the meantime. I have a first 'section' idea roughly sketched out. No idea where it will head though.
Trio
STATUS: Idea is sitting in my cognitive limbo.
MEDIUM: TV series.
PROJECT: A Prison Break/Code Geass/Death Note type psychological thriller and mindfucks galore meet the decadent Skins. As a TV series it can potentially span 2-3 seasons, though, like LOST, I feel it would be best if it had an end date so I can arc the story properly.
NOTES: I did say I was going to do with this Jeanne, but that kinda fell through and the more I think about it the more attached I get to these characters and so will probably do it on my own. Designed to work with a major television network type thing. How this will be achieved I have no idea. Currently coming up with character names and may start definitively plotting the story out sometime soon. I have copious notes detailing plot points and ideas and characterisations.
A Show about Heroes
STATUS: Idea is sitting in my cognitive limbo.
MEDIUM: TV series.
PROJECT: A Heroes meet D. Gray-man type thing. Story based around people who get powers (and though similar in premise to Heroes, the storytelling will be quite different and I actually came up with it before watching Heroes. The idea of people getting powers intrigued me and I wanted to put my own spin on it).
NOTES: In my mind I have it planned into three definitive seasons. I have a basic mythology planned. No characters as of yet.
Liberi ex Janus
STATUS: Shelved, but not forgotten.
MEDIUM: Manga/Graphic Novel.
PROJECT: An original story idea. There is a premise that could sustain a long term manga, but in my mind I do have a definite story planned out. So if it's fleshed out then it will expand on this story. Basic mythology laid out, most names planned and characterisations of the main characters devised.
NOTES: I've written a draft for the first graphic novel. Awaiting detailed feedback from Gordon, who is/was going to be my artist. Project shelved due to lack of interest on his part. I also need to rewrite the entire draft to give it better dialogue. Plenty of notes for how the story goes, separated into 5 arcs, though upon reflection could be expanded to 6-7.
Doppelganger
STATUS: Idea is in cognitive limbo.
MEDIUM: A play.
PROJECT: An original comedic play. I have a basic premise, an opening and an ending in mind. I know the ideas and themes I wish to play with, but no characterisations and virtually no plot.
NOTES: I only have scarce notes on this. I did have plenty of ideas at one point, but failed to document them, and I suspect for the best.
Sekrit project
STATUS: Discarded.
MEDIUM: A web startup.
PROJECT: top sekrit.
NOTES: I don't feel the idea was ever viable and definitely isn't at this point in our technological history.
AWTowns
STATUS: Shelved.
MEDIUM: A bot based game in Active Worlds.
PROJECT: A game that is a little bit like interactive building. Gives a social element to the game, a lil' bit like Hyper Anthony's new Goal-Oriented Building Game, but more involved.
NOTES: Failed interest on my part led me to shelve it. I feel kinda bad for Baro, as I'm like the 4th or 5th developer to give up on him.
Romantic Comedy
STATUS: Idea is in cognitive limbo.
MEDIUM: A screenplay or maybe a play.
PROJECT: A love story told from two perspectives. A bit of a farce. Love from a different perspective ;)
NOTES: I know the basic 'message' of the story and maybe one or two themes. I have one scene planned in my mind, I hope it's as funny as I think it is. But that's about it.
Graphic Novel with Alastair
STATUS: Idea is in cognitive limbo.
MEDIUM: Graphic novel.
PROJECT: Taking a basic premise from Alastair and expanding its story and characterising it. Alastair as artist.
NOTES: I have the first 2 acts planned. No idea how to end it though, and through talks with Alastair, neither does he. Basic characterisations planned and name of the name character. Basic ideas on themes.
Bathos
STATUS: Shelved.
MEDIUM: web-comic, kind of like a xkcd meet ... I dunno. Slightly serial.
PROJECT: Just a fun lil' project on the side. Art style I blatantly am using the Order of the Stick, but I mean it's only 3 comics, so whatever.
NOTES: Shelved because it was waaaay too much work to make each comic. I have basic ideas for several comics planned. Maybe one day I'll find an artist to realise them. Although I've lately been thinking about deploying them through a different, non-web comic medium.
Musical
STATUS: Idea is in cognitive limbo.
MEDIUM: Musical.
PROJECT: Taking a story already written and turning it into a musical.
NOTES: Haven't formally asked permission from author yet. Probably won't until I have several songs written and if denied I'll adapt them for something else. I have several song themes planned, though no actual lyrics written.
NaNoWriWe
STATUS: Idea is in my cognitive limbo.
MEDIUM: A series of novels. Generally humourous. High fantasy.
PROJECT: Originally conceived as a story NaNoWriWe, but spiralled out into something else entirely. Still no name for it yet so I'll refer to it as NaNoWriWe.
NOTES: A full mythology and history planned. Character roles planned. Symbols and themes planned. Message and motifs planned. A lil' bit of characterisation, though no names. Begining fully planned. An ending fully planned. Only thing missing is an actual plot.
The Unremarkable Tale of a Boy and his Dog that Couldn't Talk
STATUS: Idea is in cognitive limbo.
MEDIUM: Rhyming poem. Dr Suess style.
PROJECT: A children's story with a pretty kickass moral.
NOTES: A rhyming meter determined, a few rhymes here and there. At one point I had several lines planned, but they are forgotten. I have a full plot planned. Just need to write it now.
Raffle House
STATUS: Just came up with a few days ago.
MEDIUM: Screenplay.
PROJECT: A comedy type drama film.
NOTES: Got the idea from Comit when he and I were having a discussion. A basic germ of an idea to set up the movie. Not sure where it goes.
The Phantom of the Opera
STATUS: Idea is in cognitive limbo.
MEDIUM: Mini-series.
PROJECT: A mini-series based on Phantom of the Opera. Based heavily on Leroux's original work.
NOTES: I have specific lines I wish to use. I think I would be quite good at this, especially when I'm in my Erikian mood.
Sketch Channel/Series
STATUS: Just an idea.
MEDIUM: An online youtube channel.
PROJECT: A series of character-based sketches, kind of like Little Britain, but done online.
NOTES: I have like a handful of sketches in my mind. Several characters I could play for it. But this is not much more than an idea.
Punk/Emo/Rock Band
STATUS: Awaiting the right people.
MEDIUM: A band.
PROJECT: The idea is to form a band around people I know IRL and taking to the online and building up a fan-base from scratch. I would be manager, of course.
NOTES: I have several plans. I know what I want the band to look like, but no actual people as of yet.
Duologue
STATUS: Awaiting the right people.
MEDIUM: Non-fiction.
PROJECT: A kind of back and forth exchange of philosophical discourse.
NOTES: Nawaaz did express interest at one point, but I think that was a one off.
Short Story Collection
STATUS: Idea is in cognitive limgo.
MEDIUM: Short story collection.
PROJECT: A short stories based around a real world event connecting these people together.
NOTES: I have a final story planned. I have the world-event premise. I have several stories planned. Just need to seriously plan it.
Documentary
STATUS: Awaiting the right idea.
MEDIUM: An amateur documentary released online. Maybe serially.
PROJECT: Just an idea for some kind of real world documentary. Just need the idea.
NOTES: I was thinking maybe using it as an excuse for an epic all-round Australia roadtrip. But dunno if I know the right people who would be up for like a month long roadtrip D:
Got AbMo?
STATUS: Back and coming along nicely.
MEDIUM: Online blog.
PROJECT: To keep a record of the thoughts that run through my head daily and the events that occur in my life daily. To be an effective "me on the internet". Destroying the notion of a professional image.
NOTES: This blog is a project, I nearly forgot. And is no doubt the most successful in front of Spiral.
Huh. 25 projects listed here. My God; how many of these are in cognitive limbo?! :P
