The sheer variety of a story can be a major part of its likeability. This is the reason that an idea can be so important even with a less than stellar execution. Witnessing the scope of a story firsthand can help the audience empathize with the characters or be awestruck by the sheer grandeur of events. Part of the appeal of Pulp Fiction is the human flaws of the characters. The entire story takes place in one setting that may be a little goofy at times, but is instantly recognizable. There is no magic, no choson one, just LA hitmen and their jobs. Compare that to something like The Lord of the Rings. An entire landscape caught in the collision between a force of pure evil and those that resist it. Think bigger. The conflict spans a galaxy now in Star Wars. Bigger. It spans the edges of the universe in Dragonball Z. Bigger! The multiverse in Marvel Comics. BIGGER! A universe within a universe that’s within a multiverse in Rick and Morty. (I think you can see the point.) The scale of a story’s world completely shapes the audience’s experience, but one size does not fit all. Though something like Dragonball Z may be much grander than Pulp Fiction, the latter does a much better job of telling its story. Likewise, the style of Star Wars may not even be able to exist within the confines of a realistic-fictional universe. The right lens can be just what your audience needs to see your masterpiece as you see it.
1 Comment
The Mario game series is a special one to many people. The mustached plumber popularized the platforming genre and is still a household name 35 years after his initial appearance, though it’s hard to believe that he’s only 35 years old. Though no longer in his prime, the jump-man has managed to star on some of the funnest platformers, sports, racing, party, and even exploration games. He’s the face of possibly the most versatile and beloved companies in the gaming industry, and exemplifies their spirit. At the core level, Mario is a muse for versatility. Sure he has his fundamentals, but no other game character comes close to his range and quality. Which I suppose relates back to Nintendo. Their method of gameplay fits the fat handyman perfectly. There is no required plot. There is no intense improvement in graphics. There’s just a fun game, with a simple premise, and a loveable charm. Let's hope the red-capped hero sticks around for many more years to come. (It also led to the creation of Waluigi which would make the series worth it regardless.) What makes a sports game so entertaining? Why do some people cry when their favorite character dies? If you’ve read the title you should already know that the answer is investment. There was a time when the online Dungeons and Dragons podcast Critical Role had the most successful Kickstarter campaign of all time. The weirdest part? It is fully deserved. It has taken a long time to discern just what makes this group of “nerdy-ass voice actors” so appealing. Why can you listen to them talking at a dinner table with rapt attention for over half an hour? Because the cast has done such an excellent job of getting you to invest in their characters. A huge part of the show is the group of adventurers themselves, as well as the people who play them. Each character has hopes and dreams, but also weaknesses, failures and tragedies. The aforementioned dinner scene was so immersive because the audience knew what it meant for a member of the party. We had spent over 400 hours building up to a payoff such as this one. Payoff is another reason that anyone can realistically invest in the show. With the amount of time spent on one episode alone, the average viewer needs to feel a sense of catharsis for all those hours to be worth it. And low and behold, Mathew Mercer is a terrific practitioner of Chekhov's Gun. “Chekhov’s Gun” refers to everything within a piece of media having purpose within the narrative; basically Mathew manages to make even filler episodes testaments to character development. In fact, Mathew arguably works harder on the little things than the big ones, as the larger plot is revealed to the audience at the same pace as the characters. Between the attention to detail, the excellent character writing, and the unique medium, it is no small wonder that Critical Role has such an avid fanbase. Though not functioning as the perfect Dungeons and Dragons campaign, that is a sacrifice the cast is willing to make for inclusivity. It inspired many players to begin playing the game, and that’s something worth being grateful for. The show isn’t perfect, but it’s a pioneer, and a terrific example of investment. |
AuthorMcRae Walker, an 20-year-old writer and lover of many dorky topics. Archives
September 2022
Categories |
Proudly powered by Weebly