Back when the Deep Space Nine series was developing into a more serialized kind of story, the writers wanted to define the major threat from the distant Gamma Quadrant. Who was going to be the big villain for the series?
The stakes were pretty high, here - what if the villains ...
The Villain Combo Platter
Banes at 12:00AM, April 21, 2022The Professional as Character and Plot Device
Banes at 12:00AM, April 7, 2022
Better Call Saul!
First, let me apologize in advance for what will probably be a LOT of Better Call Saul related Newsposts over the next few months. The show is finally coming back, and has been one of my all-time favorites. So…BCS Lovefest incoming.
It won't be every ...
Growing Up with Louie (1953-2022)
kawaiidaigakusei at 12:00AM, Jan. 24, 2022
Photo: Young Louie Anderson in “Life with Louie” TV Series. (1994-1998)
In another round of shocking events, the comedy world lost another great last Friday, with comic Louie Anderson.
As part of the target demographic for Saturday morning cartoons in the mid-nineties, my introduction to Louie’s humor was through ...
Everyman Heroes
Banes at 12:00AM, Jan. 13, 2022
Critics, professional or not, identified a trend in many of the…lesser regarded manga and anime series.
It's the “everyman hero”.
This school of thought is that to make a lead character who is identifiable to everyone in the readership or audience. So the lead will be unremarkable, and ...
To Magic and Not To Magic
Banes at 12:00AM, Dec. 9, 2021
One common story formula involves a character receiving a magical gift…or magical ‘curse’…and being forced to deal with the chaos that the magic causes.
In Liar Liar, the slick, dishonest attorney is compelled to only speak the truth.
In Groundhog Day, the main character repeats the same day ...
The spookiest of all creatures. The… familiar?
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, Oct. 29, 2021
With the spooky season upon us, it is time to give homage to the spookiest of all creatures. The… familiar?
According to TV Tropes:
“This is based on the medieval belief that Satan granted demon servants (in animal form) to witches as part of their pacts and that “cunning folk ...
Horror and Morality
Banes at 12:00AM, Oct. 15, 2021
The idea of “sin” is a prevalent one in horror stories. In terrifying tales, the monstrous against the human also explores good vs. evil.
There is often a “sin” perpetrated by horror Protagonists. The classic Psycho begins with Marion Crane stealing money from her job. Her intentions are understandable, maybe ...
Horror, and the Broken
Banes at 12:00AM, Oct. 14, 2021
I'm wounded but you can't see it!
A lot of stories involve a wounded and/or flawed character. It's a staple of strong storytelling; a character has some kind of pain or wound to overcome, and that's the inner journey they take along with whatever outward ...
Consequences & Familiarity
damehelsing at 12:00AM, Sept. 19, 2021
How many of you write serious/drama filled stories? Or even characters that truly suffer consequences?
I think it’s often that we, as creators and almost like parents, don’t want our kids/creations to suffer terrible consequences, but I think that’s one of the reasons that makes ...