http://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogressTopics are likely to be all over the place in playful pursuit of sharpening writing skills and developing further mental clarity.enBlogTalkRadio.com. All Rights Reserved.Sun, 16 Jun 2019 00:45:00 GMTThu, 04 Jun 2015 10:30:56 GMTWritingBlogTalkRadio Feed v2.0https://dasg7xwmldix6.cloudfront.net/hostpics/cee40df1-42e8-42f0-a814-68a5d19c6e8d_me_n_grayson.jpghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogressTopics are likely to be all over the place in playful pursuit of sharpening writing skills and developing further mental clarity.feeds@blogtalkradio.comBlogTalkRadio.comwriting,batman,green lantern,green lantern corps,iron man,music,ryan reynolds,superheroes,superman,top gunStream of Playful ConsciousnessnoTopics are likely to be all over the place in playful pursuit of sharpening writing skills and developing further mental clarity.episodichttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/06/04/pitch-exercise-a-green-lantern-movieWritinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/06/04/pitch-exercise-a-green-lantern-movie/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/06/04/pitch-exercise-a-green-lantern-movieThu, 04 Jun 2015 10:30:56 GMTPitch exercise: A Green Lantern MovieWith today's episode I'll be undertaking the exercise of developing a pitch for a Green Lantern movie.  I'll try to keep everything I say in broad strokes but the goal will be to take this entire franchise apart and put the whole thing back together with only the truly essential parts. While I liked parts of the Ryan Reynolds movie more than many other people did, I'll admit Hal and the Corps deserve a better big screen representation. This is what I would it to be. 00:07:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoGreen Lantern,Pitch Exercise,Hal Jordan,John Stewart,Guy GardenerWith today's episode I'll be undertaking the exercise of developing a pitch for a Green Lantern movie.  I'll try to keep everything I say in broad strokes but thttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/30/a-valiant-effort-to-little-acclaim-1Writinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/30/a-valiant-effort-to-little-acclaim-1/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/30/a-valiant-effort-to-little-acclaim-1Sat, 30 May 2015 03:00:00 GMTA Valiant effort to little AcclaimAn episode on Valiant comics. The imprint started by former Marvel Editor-in-Cheif around the same time as Image comics. Notable for their surprisingly mature approach to writing and creation, as in actual depth as opposed to violence and nudity. How three nearly forgotton franchises from the 60's that couldn't have been more different got stitched together into a coherent superhero universe. How this company grew to become a solid #4 publisher during the speculator boom, and how it all came crashing down when the company was sold to Acclaim... yes the sub-par video game company.   00:33:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoValiant,Jim Shooter,Bob Layton,XO Manowar,Magnus Robot FighterAn episode on Valiant comics. The imprint started by former Marvel Editor-in-Cheif around the same time as Image comics. Notable for their surprisingly mature ahttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/27/creating-the-characterWritinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/27/creating-the-character/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/27/creating-the-characterWed, 27 May 2015 09:30:00 GMTCreating THE Character.This is an idea that's mostly dead at this point, but it stil lurches along in some form or another.  The idea that THE IDEA of THE CHARACTER is the most important aspect of creation. From Stan Lee's cookie cutter origins, to Rob Liefeld's endless string of #1's in the 90's to the idea of "Original Character, don't steal!" My thoughts on this subject and why it frustrates and repulses me. Today I'll be joined by Joe Diesel of the half hour of power fame as we discuss this concept. 00:31:00Stream of Playful Consciousnessno"THE" Character,Rob Liefeld,Stan Lee,Fan Fiction,Action FiguresThis is an idea that's mostly dead at this point, but it stil lurches along in some form or another.  The idea that THE IDEA of THE CHARACTER is the most importhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/25/writing-music-for-animation-1Writinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/25/writing-music-for-animation-1/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/25/writing-music-for-animation-1Mon, 25 May 2015 09:28:51 GMTWriting music for animationMy main project is an animation project where I do a little bit of everything, but I make it a priority that the people who work with me on each individual step are substantially better than I am at it. For this episode I'll be talking to my lead composer and sound engineer Mike Beaty. We'll be discussing our overall process from a music and a production standpoint. 00:30:00Stream of Playful Consciousnessnomusic,composition,animation,Dynamic DebutantesMy main project is an animation project where I do a little bit of everything, but I make it a priority that the people who work with me on each individual stephttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/23/music-as-a-writing-toolWritinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/23/music-as-a-writing-tool/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/23/music-as-a-writing-toolSat, 23 May 2015 20:56:38 GMTMusic as a writing tool.About a decade ago I read a book with interviews with comic writers all giving tips on writing. One tip has stuck with me over the years.  Devin Grayson best known for her runs on Catwoman, Black Widow and Titans had an idea about catering the music she listened to while working to the individual project and sometimes even the individual  character. This can have great benefits both actively during work as well as when you're just in a "writing" state of mind. 00:28:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoMusic,Writing,Psychology,InsightAbout a decade ago I read a book with interviews with comic writers all giving tips on writing. One tip has stuck with me over the years.  Devin Grayson best khttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/19/a-tale-of-two-heroes-iron-man-and-green-lanternWritinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/19/a-tale-of-two-heroes-iron-man-and-green-lantern/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/19/a-tale-of-two-heroes-iron-man-and-green-lanternTue, 19 May 2015 10:51:02 GMTA tale of two heroes: Iron Man and Green LanternThe original Iron Man film and the ill fated Green Lantern film were both created with the intention of launching a shared cinematic universe. One would lead to becoming one of the biggest franchises of the 21st century, the other sent their company back to the drawing board. These two series have always matched each other quite well, all the way to the point of being Amalgamated into Iron Lantern of the Amalgam Universe, complete with merging even their supporting cast seamlessly. What went right, what went wrong and above all else why?   00:30:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoGreen Lantern,Ryan Reynolds,Iron Man,Robert Downey Jr.,Expanded UniversesThe original Iron Man film and the ill fated Green Lantern film were both created with the intention of launching a shared cinematic universe. One would lead tohttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/18/why-dont-people-just-create-their-own-characters-part-2Writinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/18/why-dont-people-just-create-their-own-characters-part-2/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/18/why-dont-people-just-create-their-own-characters-part-2Mon, 18 May 2015 12:59:21 GMTWhy don't people just create their own characters part 2Hate to admit this but I done messed up and accidentally set the episode for too short of a time frame. This half is on why working within the framework tends to happen more often than new franchises. 00:16:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoHate to admit this but I done messed up and accidentally set the episode for too short of a time frame. This half is on why working within the framework tends thttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/18/why-dont-they-just-create-their-own-charactersWritinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/18/why-dont-they-just-create-their-own-characters/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/18/why-dont-they-just-create-their-own-charactersMon, 18 May 2015 12:37:36 GMTWhy don't they just create their own characters?One of the most common statements I hear these days in reference to all the changes being made to existing characters (usually to create more opportunities for representation of different races, genders and sexualities) and the main point that comes up is "if they're so worried about it why won't they just create their own characters. Today's episode is MY answer. 00:15:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoImage Comics,Ultraverse,Comics' Greatest World,Milestone Universe,Dark Age of ComicsOne of the most common statements I hear these days in reference to all the changes being made to existing characters (usually to create more opportunities forhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/16/are-superheroes-fundamentally-anarchistWritinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/16/are-superheroes-fundamentally-anarchist/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/16/are-superheroes-fundamentally-anarchistSat, 16 May 2015 22:00:00 GMTAre superheroes fundamentally AnarchistThere's an interesting line of thought I've been wanting to explore for a while and I'll be having my former Superhero Babylon partner on to discuss it.  Many people dismiss Superheroes as authoritarian, but what if they're actually one of the purest examples of Anarchy in fiction. They might just be the ultimate form of decentralized power and checks and balances. 00:30:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoAnarchy,Superheroes,The Dark Knight,Man of Steel,Alan MooreThere's an interesting line of thought I've been wanting to explore for a while and I'll be having my former Superhero Babylon partner on to discuss it.  Many phttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/12/romance-in-superhero-comics-part-1-behind-every-good-manWritinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/12/romance-in-superhero-comics-part-1-behind-every-good-man/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/12/romance-in-superhero-comics-part-1-behind-every-good-manTue, 12 May 2015 10:59:26 GMTRomance in Superhero Comics part 1: Behind Every Good Man...Superheroes have brought the world some of the most iconic love stories there have been so many, and so many different types I want to break this up into multiple episodes. For our first installment we'll be heroes and the extrordinary "normal" women who help them become super. Lois and Clark, Barry and Iris, Wally and Linda, Peter and Mary Jane 00:30:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoSuperheroes,Love,Romance,Relationships,MarriageSuperheroes have brought the world some of the most iconic love stories there have been so many, and so many different types I want to break this up into multiphttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/05/principles-of-creativity-pluralismWritinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/05/principles-of-creativity-pluralism/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/05/principles-of-creativity-pluralismTue, 05 May 2015 10:30:00 GMTPrinciples of creativity: PluralismOne of the principles that guides my own writing is pluralism.  The idea of building something large enough that it has its own natural diversity and not pinning everything on one character or idea that needs to connect with everyone.   I'll be exploring good examples of this as well as talk over the principles that serve as a foundation to this. 00:29:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoPluralism,One Best Way,Green Lantern Corps,Flash Family,Superman FamilyOne of the principles that guides my own writing is pluralism.  The idea of building something large enough that it has its own natural diversity and not pinninhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/04/creepy-pastas-a-shot-in-the-arm-for-horrorWritinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/04/creepy-pastas-a-shot-in-the-arm-for-horror/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/05/04/creepy-pastas-a-shot-in-the-arm-for-horrorMon, 04 May 2015 12:26:58 GMTCreepy Pastas: a shot in the arm for horrorI discovered this about a year ago and became addicted. But what is it about these often badly sourced repasted, retold stories that, for me at least, produces genuine terror. I'll be discussing some of my favorite stories, readers and the tonal elements that make it so enjoyable which would serve creators of horror well to learn to adopt, or readopt as the case may be. 00:30:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoSlender Man,The Rake,Jeff the Killer,Fear Mythos,CreepsMcPastaI discovered this about a year ago and became addicted. But what is it about these often badly sourced repasted, retold stories that, for me at least, produceshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/29/30-days-of-night-and-twilight-horror-vs-glamourWritinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/29/30-days-of-night-and-twilight-horror-vs-glamour/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/29/30-days-of-night-and-twilight-horror-vs-glamourWed, 29 Apr 2015 11:00:00 GMT30 Days of Night and Twilight, Horror vs. GlamourWith today's episode I'm going to be doing something you don't see a lot of people doing, talking about what the Twilight series did well.  I'll also be discussing it's polar opposite 30 Days of Night.  Other than vampires what ties these two things together? Virginia Postrel's book "The Power of Glamour" gave me a great deal of insight on the subject and I'd like to share my thoughts about it. 00:30:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoTwilight,Bella Swan,Edward,Jacob,30 Days of NightWith today's episode I'm going to be doing something you don't see a lot of people doing, talking about what the Twilight series did well.  I'll also be discusshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/27/young-justice-and-why-i-love-side-charactersWritinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/27/young-justice-and-why-i-love-side-characters/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/27/young-justice-and-why-i-love-side-charactersMon, 27 Apr 2015 11:00:00 GMTYoung Justice and why I love Side CharactersThe original Young Justice comic came out of an interesting time in the 90's for DC comics where the original teen sidekicks had outgrown their roles and either accepted their own adult heroic identities or taken over for their mentors, Young Justice was the story of a new generation of teen heroes and heroines forming their own team. It was written by Peter David and at one point it was the only comic I was actively reading, today I discuss why. 00:30:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoYoung Justice,Teen Titans,Geoff Johns,Peter David,ImpulseThe original Young Justice comic came out of an interesting time in the 90's for DC comics where the original teen sidekicks had outgrown their roles and eitherhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/25/assembling-the-avengersMovieshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/25/assembling-the-avengers/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/25/assembling-the-avengersSat, 25 Apr 2015 03:30:00 GMTAssembling the AvengersWith the new film in theaters it seems like a good idea to analyze the series of steps Marvel took with the unprecedented gamble that was The Avengers.  Taking a franchise of the company's best characters who at that point had only been that in name only for decades, introducing them one by one in a way where if one movie failed the whole house of cards would come crashing down and built it into the definitive film franchise of the twenty-first century. 00:30:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoAvengers,MCU,Marvel,Marvel Cinematic Universe,Iron ManWith the new film in theaters it seems like a good idea to analyze the series of steps Marvel took with the unprecedented gamble that was The Avengers.  Takinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/23/dragon-age-origins-epic-romanticism-intimate-experienceWritinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/23/dragon-age-origins-epic-romanticism-intimate-experience/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/23/dragon-age-origins-epic-romanticism-intimate-experienceThu, 23 Apr 2015 15:38:55 GMTDragon Age Origins: Epic Romanticism, intimate experienceToday we'll be covering the fantasy entry from developer Bioware's first chapter Dragon Age Origins.  How the developers managed to create an epic experience that is also uniquely intimate. 00:31:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoDragon Age,Bioware,Origins,Grey Wardens,RomanticismmToday we'll be covering the fantasy entry from developer Bioware's first chapter Dragon Age Origins.  How the developers managed to create an epic experience thhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/19/introduction-who-i-am-and-the-importance-of-playWritinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/19/introduction-who-i-am-and-the-importance-of-play/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/playisprogress/2015/04/19/introduction-who-i-am-and-the-importance-of-playSun, 19 Apr 2015 21:56:55 GMTIntroduction, who I am and the importance of playI have a number of things I want to accomplish through this and I'm choosing to do it in a manner of largely unfocused action that's an end in itself 00:15:00Stream of Playful ConsciousnessnoSuperhero Babylon,Art,Writing,PlayI have a number of things I want to accomplish through this and I'm choosing to do it in a manner of largely unfocused action that's an end in itself