One rule: you cannot have seen / played / read this thing before.
After you experience whatever media you experience for this assignment, you can get on this here blog and answer the following questions:
- What media thing did you choose to experience for this assignment?
- Describe it to us in a paragraph so we get its plot / gameplay / essence / whatever.
- What Steampunk elements were present? Was it really as Steampunk-y as you thought it would be? Was it actually more Dieselpunk or Cyberpunk (or Atompunk or Biopunk, etc.)?
- Were the characters and themes substantial or was it just about the sensation of the cool Steampunk elements?
- What ideas did you get from this thing that you want to incorporate in your own Steampunk script?
- What else are you dying to tell us about it?
For your convenience, here are a list of media you might use for this assignment (but this is just the tip of the iceberg):
Feature Movies:
- League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
- Van Helsing.
- The new Sherlock Holmes movies.
- Castle in the Sky.
- City of Ember.
Series (watch at least two-three hours of the series for this assignment):
Short Films:
- Electric City (link here to the trailer where you can see how to watch it).
- The Legend of Korra (Book 1 -- Book 2 is not as Steampunk-y).
Short Films:
- Search YouTube for these.
- Also, check out the Steampunk Abraham Lincoln post.
Short Stories:
- There are a few anthologies published. You can borrow one from me.
- Search the internet for them.
Novels:
- There are lots of these. Use the internet to find them then check them out from the library.
Video Games:
- Final Fantasy VI.
- Final Fantasy IX.
- Bio Shock Infinite.
- Dishonored.
- The Thief games.
Also, you could read a web comic. Here is a great list of Steampunk web comics: http://brassgoggles.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=22257.0
ReplyDeleteAlso, you could read a web comic. Here is a great list of Steampunk web comics: http://brassgoggles.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=22257.0
ReplyDeleteHey, guys! I found something awesome. A steam-punky web-series...by Tom Hanks! It's called Electric City. Here's the first episode! http://screen.yahoo.com/electric-truth-consequences-120000616.html
ReplyDeleteAngell Chandler
ReplyDeleteHey guys! Because I decided to watch Sherlock Holmes (2009), starring Robert Downey Jr. I will tell you a little bit about it.
Like most adventures starring Detective Sherlock Holmes he is accompanied by his dear friend Watson when trying to solve a crime that only seems as if magic could be the answer. They both come face to face to a man who all of England claims is evil. Just like good old Sherlock is used to, he gets down to business not missing a clue, solving the ginger dwarf's death, and several others. I believe you will find this film to be outstanding. Now, to get down to business I would have to say that I do see a lot of steampunk aspects to the film. There are several cool gadgets and machines used to help create murders, and one of the obvious things that screams steampunk to me is the style. For example Watson and Sherlock. They are both dressed up in nice suits, and Sherlock's forbidden love, like many of the females in the film, wears a very large dress.
I feel that the characters were a must in this film, after all you could not have a Sherlock Holmes movie without Sherlock Holmes himself. By watching this movie, I think I may create a main character who is a detective, but with my own little twist to it. I think it would be fascinating to create a detective who was fond of gears and gadgets, and that is how he caught many of the criminals. As for something I am dying to tell all of you? I think you should sit back and watch the movie! I would love to hear your opinions on the film, and what genre you thought it was.
You also could not have Sherlock without Watson!
DeleteGood job answering all of the questions, Angell.
Deletei watched all the episodes of legend of korra. and i really liked the steam punk elements. the masks and the inventions and everything was so great. it had a great and intriguing story line and i completely recommend it to anyone.
ReplyDeleteAshley:
DeleteBut for more in depth: The Steampunky parts of legend of korra where about when they were attacked by the Equalists. the equalists were dressed in really cool masks and outfits and they used machines and steam powered robots to attack the benders. and cool electricity shockers to shock people. and the story could complpetely go on with out the steampunky elements the characters where so strong even with out them.
I dedicate this Blog post to Tyson.
Hey don't get me in the middle of your guys.
Deletefeud* Sorry Marina messed with my keyboard special shout out to Marina!
DeleteHey Ashley, please do answer the rest of the questions for full points. The questions you still need to answer are repeated here for your convenience:
DeleteDescribe it to us in a paragraph so we get its plot / gameplay / essence / whatever.
Were the characters and themes substantial or was it just about the sensation of the cool Steampunk elements? (You did say the storyline is good but tell us why.)
What ideas did you get from this thing that you want to incorporate in your own Steampunk script?
My movie was the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I really liked the movie, probably because I grew up with it but it gives off the vibe of a essence completely different from Steampunk mostly the colors. They kinda went away with the copper tones and went with darker and chrome colors. About 50% of the story can actually survive on its own without the steampunk ascetics, but the other 50% definitely need it such as Mr.Hyde and Tom Sawyer (yeah the guy from the Mark Twains Novel).
ReplyDeleteWow tyson. Maybe you should go more in depth
DeleteThanks "anonymous" for the words of wisdom. The car I felt wasnt steampunk but was so abstract that it could pass for diesel punk or atom punk in a way.
DeleteCan you give us a very short plot synopsis (like 2-3 sentences). Did you learn anything from the movie that will help you with your own script?
DeleteGood work answering all the other questions!
The story encounters a man assigned to track down a series of thefts, with his "trusty" band of vigilantes. Upon closing in on the case they encounter that the vigilantes have been taken advantage of, so they fight to make sure that no one else has their powers and a bomb is included. This is my very childish synopsis.
DeleteI learn that without even knowing you can have a character that everybody knows, but put it in a way that will throw them off their feet when they realize they've known the character for awhile. (If that made any sense)
I watched Treasure Planet. It wasn't as steampunk-y as I thought. It was, if anything, more of an Aetherpunk. The only steampunk element that I saw a pirate's leg. Everything else was powered by Aether. Also, this movie wasn't based during the Victorian era but in a alternate dimension where the a Victorian-ish period happened in space with aliens and a creature that can shape-shift.
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis of whether the film is Steampunk or not. I feel your articulated your points very well.
DeleteYou've successfully told us what you watched and analyzed whether it is Steampunk. Now, answer the other questions in this post as well.
Castle In the Sky
ReplyDeleteIt's about a farmer girl named Sheeta who was kidnapped by government agents because she possesses a magic crystal. While trying to escape from the gov. agents on an airship, she loses her grip and falls. A boy named Pazu spots her floating down from Earth. He retrieves her and takes her to his home. In the morning they get acquainted with one another. Pazu tells Sheeta about his father who was an explorer in search of a floating city called Laputa.
The government agents come to Pazu's house in search of Sheeta. They get away but run in to pirates who also want Sheeta's crystal.
Sheeta is once again captured by government agents and learns that they are after Laputa. Pazu and the pirates rescue Sheeta and go in search of Laputa for themselves. They find the floating city.
The end is for you to watch and find out!
I definitely would classify this movie as a steampunk. By the look of the character's clothes, this does in fact take place in the Victorian era. The airships, weapons, robots, and the city of Laputa are all steampunk.
This story could stand alone without the steampunk aesthetics. I really anjoyed this movie and recommend it for you all to watch!!
(:
What did you learn from watching the film that will help you when you write your own scripts?
DeleteMy home Steampunk... thingy I decided on was Torchlight 2. The setting was really isn't steampunk but the chracter class know as the Mechanic. his armor is really steampunky in not only design but in color as well, also he wields a wrench.
ReplyDeleteGood work identifying the work and talking about whether it is Steampunk or not. Now, check out the other questions in the initial post and answer those as well!
DeleteA note for everyone: I really like that a few people are (somewhat jokingly) asking for more depth. I don't think I was as clear in the instructions as I should have been. Will you please answer ALL of the questions in the initial post. If you didn't answer all of them, I gave you half points. But once you get on again and answer them all, I will happily give you the rest of the points.
ReplyDelete(Pretend that this is part of my previous post)
ReplyDeleteWhat I learned that can help me when writing my script is that to make sure to put my story in the correct timeline if I want it to actually be steampunk!
Treasure Planet has the looks n mannerisms of steampunk.With the fashion style n manners of the characters.The villain "the cyborg" Mr.Silver is a pirate with steam powered gears as is a odd little robot name B.E.N whom is introduced when arriving on Treasure Planet.
ReplyDeleteThis tale is based on the classic Treasure Island. This tale started when a little boy named Jim Hawkins fell in love with tales of space pirates n treasure of 1000 planets known as Treasure Planet. His journey becomes a tale of coming of age into manhood. Jim learns lessons thru his journey with Capt.Amelia and his family friend Doppler. B.E.N helps them find the treasure. This tale has a happy ending when Doppler marries Capt Amelia , Jim returns home with gold n gems given to him by Silver who saved his life and Jim's home the Benbow being rebuilt after burning down at the beginning of Jim's adventures when a space pirate called Bones crashed into it n gives Jim a map orb of Treasure Planet.
It is steampunk in appearance n that there is a lesson of life to learn from the adventure.
I watched Sherlock homes game of shadows and its just the most awesomely amazing film ever! Its pretty much about him trying to stop an early world war which I find fascinating because in the beginning they start off with simple revolvers and rifles then when the enemies come in its old tech vs more modern tech like machine guns and rockets. The fight scenes and story kept me into it the whole time and I'm pretty sure it has the coolest slow motion gun fight scene I have ever seen. The whole movie was just amazingly beautiful
ReplyDeleteI read steampunk pailin and let me just say its one of those things that are so bad that its good. So steampunk pailin is the story of a earth where we are looking for an alternative power source (such as steam) because something is wrong with oil And For what ever reason Sarah Palin is the Person with the big idea of using steam. So the first question is why an outdated sourse of such as steam well aperantly other alternative energy sources are not powerful enough so all the leaders of the world hold a summit...I'm Alaska why because Sarah Palin so this summit is attacked by terrorists of big oil and Obama mcain and Sarah are all seriously wonder and therefore must become part robot but Sarah was Hurt enough that she is mostly robot. So Sarah john Mcain and obama (aptly named robama) must fight the evil of big oil remnents with an army of robots that only pailin can control(because she's mostly robotic) this story is bad so bad its good. so along the lines of steampunkieness its steam punk but it is in a unique way that can't really be described. The characters weren't all that great although having real life politians act like hardcore warriors was entertaining. The story was to focused on talking up Sarah Palin and not enough on story or steampunk if you ask me. Along the lines of ideas for my script I honestly don't see any.
ReplyDeleteI recently re-watched the animated Tim Burton film 9.
ReplyDelete9 follows a rag doll who was created and given life to by a scientist. This rag doll has the number "9" stitched on its back. He carries an artifact that he doesn't immediately understand the use of. He sets out to discovers he lives in a post apocalyptic world, filled with machines hell bent on trying to destroy him. But it is quickly revealed that he is not alone, he soon meets 8 other rag dolls (stitch punks) created by the same scientist, who have they're own specialized duties/purposes. He learns the artifact he holds may very well be the answer to saving all of civilization as they know it.
Not too steam punky in my opinion. Sure there's some gear work, fun little gadgets made out of everyday stuff, maybe some of the more bronze color palette. But I wouldn't count 9 as a true steam punk flick.
I enjoyed the characters. Mostly because I love ensemble groups with characters that have different archetypes. "The Fighter" or "The Artist" and all that fun stuff. Otherwise I don't see too much actual depth in each character. The character does something a certain way and no other.
Not many ideas come to mind from this film. Mostly because I'm not interested in creating animated movies.
Back in around 7th or 8th grade I was actually super stoked to see this film, and when I finally did see it, I was really underwhelmed and left unsatisfied. This film is really nothing special too me.
I watched the miyazaki film Castle in the Sky. I saw it for the first time when I was about 8, so I didn't remember it at all besides the giant robot flying thing and how it was somehow really sad.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as it started I was surprised (as I am by all early miyazaki films) by how cheesy it was.
It was a wonderful story, and I cared deeply about the characters, but there is just way too much expositional (and damn unnecessary) dialogue. They say things that were already inferred by the visuals (which aren't limited in the same way a live action is), so there was no excuse but shoddy screenwriting for that.
I've noticed a trend in steampunk movies, where the plot seems to revolve around the evilness/ignorance of the young business generation, and how they have strayed from nature and tradition. This makes a lot of sense in Japanese culture, and also with the prevalence industry and it's ill effects upon the working class in Victorian times.
This new technology (that rejects nature) must be destroyed, because it's 'taken science too far', and some chosen few from the youngest generation (children) must band with the older generation (grandparents) to save humanity from itself.
It's a ridiculously specific cliche, but a cliche it is.
Besides the rather thin plot, the characters were much more developed than in, say, "Steamboy", which failed because of it's talking head characters carrying out an uninteresting plot.
Like all miyazaki films, the characters are the strong points. They have depth, and seem real despite the larger than life drawings.
I enjoyed it despite the flaws, and it's definitely a good steampunk film, and a good family film.
I watched the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. What to say about it, I really enjoyed the characters and their little super hero group(the invisible man is my favorite for sure!). It has a lot of Steampunk elements though with a big twist of fantasy story tell/famous characters, given the characters such as Dracula's wife, Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde, and James Moriarity. which could get pretty quirky, buuut it was very enjoyable. It is filled with lots of betrayal, seduction and fun. I'm a huge graphics/S.G.I. dweeb, so that's the only big thing that got to me, I know it's a fairly old-ish movie and for what they were given it was pretty good, I'm just a goob when it comes to that stuff. At some points it really feels like it drags out and it gets a little confusing, but it's still a pretty good movie. If you're a picky/high quality movie watcher then I wouldn't recommend this for you, but if you're alright with really derpy awkward super hero steampunk style than by all means! Have at it!
ReplyDelete