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  • TRANSMISSION #26 // HOW TO START 2017

    January 18, 2017 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    How to start 2017?

    Well, one way would be for me  to start posting transmissions again…another would be for you to read an article I wrote for the Globe and Mail:

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/i-ditched-the-corporate-world-to-hit-the-road-spending-seven-months-living-and-working-in-mytruck/article33515894/

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    TRANSMISSION #25 // THE TAILGATE OFFICE SUMMER 2016

    June 8, 2016 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

     

    I have to admit I was more than a little sad to leave the mountains.  This ski season was nothing short of epic, I reconnected with old friends and finally had the time and focus to charge forward with my own projects (everyone has a novel in them, I finally found mine).  But when the snow melted it was time for me to depart, and yeah, I wasn’t happy about it.

     

    But bills need to be paid and contracts fulfilled.  I now find myself hovering around the coastal area of BC waiting for clients to sign off, plans to become actions  and people to make decisions.

    I hate waiting.  Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a very patient individual.

    So, with a client’s deadline looming and another chapter for my book due I decided to pack up my truck (a kitted out F150 my friend’s kids named GARGANTUA) and work from the road.  My mood/brain needed a reset.

    I call it the #TAILGATEOFFICE and I love everything about it. 

    My vehicle has been modified to carry all necessities and just a few toys.  Currently on my roof rack is a mountain bike, a kayak, a stand up paddle board and a surf board.  I have enough food for a week, clothes for every kind of weather and, of course, my laptop.

    I also have places to explore, people to meet and too much coffee to drink (need that free WIFI).

     

    If possible I highly recommend it.  There’s a lot to be said for sitting on a tailgate, laptop balanced on your knees, surf pounding a few feet away and knowing that tomorrow you’re going to be doing it again but somewhere new.  I find my mind is clear, my creativity fueled and new ideas absolutely come faster.  I’m focused on my projects because I like the preparation and planning of travel and enjoy a well organized excursion.  Meetings are done over the phone while driving through the mountains, sitting on the ferry or walking by a river. 

    You have to make sure you never, ever miss a deadline not matter where you are working from (you should always deliver early), you have to make sure you are prepared for all unknowns (solar batteries, back up portable hard-drives, lot’s of pens) you have to be prepared to sit in a truck for hours in an unknown town in the middle of nowhere and be able to consistently deliver on time, on budget and exceed expectations.  Freelance work can be challenging.  Doing it from the road even more so.  But it’s so worth it if your clients and you are happy.

     

    I’m actively seeking new gigs, contract or full time.  I can always be reached on my cell (250-231-3744) or my email (sean@planetfictionstudios.com).

    But, not this afternoon…

    Today, having been working since 7AM I am now going to wrap up this post.  I’m going to go surfing, then prep a particularly fresh and large fish for dinner and then I’m going to sit by a campfire under the stars  and relax.

    Best.  Benefits.  Ever.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

     – SEAN

     

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    TRANSMISSION #24 // TRAILERS. ENOUGH ALREADY!

    January 20, 2016 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

     

    Recently I’ve been providing the creative direction for a couple of projects that won’t be seen for quite some time.  With launch dates a considerable ways off I was pleasantly surprised to be engaged in a conversation about possible marketing campaigns.  We began talking about teasers, trailers and, of course, the teaser for the trailer (probably created by the same geniuses that thought filling your TV screen’s corners while you’re watching something with clips of upcoming shows was a good idea).

    Game and film studios will spend massive amounts of money on marketing.  Often more than the project’s production budget.  Much more. 

    Which is a hard thing to deal with when you’re scrounging for every project penny.

    So what do you show?

    Too much footage, plot and reveals leaves would-be consumers saying “Well, now I don’t need to see the whole thing, I already know everything that’s going to happen.”

    Too little of your project means your project gets lost amidst the countless other entertainment offerings bombarding everyone on this planet on a variety of devices hourly.

     

    I decided to do a little surfing.

    No. Not the good/healthy/soul cleansing kind.

    The other kind.

    The kind you always look back on and realize there’s an hour of my life you will never get back.

     

    So.  Movie trailers.

    Most studios think YOU, the consumer, are stupid.

    The entertainment industry, for the most part, has lost its mind.

    I suspect that most people partake in a little Netflix action weekly, if not daily.  There are multiple ways to download, rent, purchase and view movies and television series.  Many, many people partake on a regular basis.

     

    So I’m pretty sure people understand, or at the least, grasp what can and usually does happen in a narrative.

    But studios (and by ‘studios’ I mean those ‘people’ in charge of trailer decisions) feel most people need a lot of info to get their asses in theaters.

    A LOT of info.

     

    INSIDIOUS (2011)

    Thaaaanks for telling us the twist in this trailer.  I love it when a horror movie gives me the heads up months in advance.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuZnRUcoWos

     

    Cast Away (2000)

    A trailer about Tom Hanks by himself on an island?  I’m in!

    Oh, there’s more? He’s in a plane crash, befriends a volleyball, grows a beard, escapes on a raft, gets home four years later and sees his wife.

    You kinda had me at TOM HANKS…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJvosb4UCLs

     

    MONEY MONSTER (2016)

    Well hey there George Clooney (star) and Jodie Foster (director) you’ve made some great films in the past so I’ll totally give this a…

    Forget it.  But thanks for saving me a few bucks by showing me EVERYTHING.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr_fdDBYvps

     

     

    Whatever happened to getting people excited?

    Whatever happened to getting people intrigued?

    What happened?

     

    I have been a part of many production teams in my career.  Sometimes working over the course of a few years on a single project.  I know what it feels like when marketing steps in and creates a plan to show your work to the public.

    Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t.  As a producer I have been very aware of other influences, of nervous share holders, of panicky leadership.  It’s never quite black and white on what is good or bad.

    But still…

    It’s brutal when a trailer harms a production.

    It tastes like a heavy dose of disrespect.

    Disrespect towards those who put their time and efforts into creating something.

    Disrespect towards those who worked their entire lives to reach a point in their careers where their animation/music/words/stunts/SFX/VFX/framing/passion/blood/sweat/tears are to be experienced by audiences.

    There is nothing worse when working in the entertainment industry to see your project put into the hands of those who don’t care or try.

     

    A few that have, in my opinion, done it right.

    CLOVERFIELD (2007)

    Even if you didn’t like the movie, you have to admit this trailer got your attention.

    Especially when nobody even knew this movie had even been made.  The trailer was the first glimpse of anything.

    Surprise!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvNkGm8mxiM

     

    10 CLOVERFIELD LANE (2016)

    A Cloverfield sequel??

    Surpise!  Again!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3YIJOl2PH0

     

     

     

    SUPER 8 (2010)

    (is it me or are there some similarities with these BAD ROBOT produced movie posters…?)

    I levitated out of my chair when I first saw this trailer.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpzUCA5i6zY

     

    ALIEN (1979)

    What do you mean ‘in space no one can hear you scream’? 

    WHAT DO YOU MEAN????

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjLamj-b0I8

     

     

    Granted, even some of these brilliant examples had unnecessary additional trailers.  But, in these cases I like to think the studios – and I’d like to think the filmmakers – were trying to do something right.

    A good rule of thumb for making a trailer?

    Take your final edit and cut it in half.

     

     

    Going to the movies has always been a thrill for me.

    I love when a first glimpse, months before, transitions into that special, giddy sense of anticipation as the theater lights dim.

    Stop with the disrespect towards the movie goer.

    We’re not stupid. Try harder.

    Entertain us.

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOVFvcNfvE

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

     – SEAN

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    TRANSMISSION #23 // BODY ARMOR & CLIENTS

    January 13, 2016 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

     

    There are two things that take up the majority of my time right now.

    Mountains and work.

     

     

    I am trying to establish a balance with the two.

    6AM to 8:00AM: Emails and editing

    9AM to 12:30 PM: Skiing or snowboarding (unless the 20 cm rule is in effect)

    1PM to 6PM: Writing

     

    This is a pretty consistent schedule for me.  I’ve found that creative challenges are better met when sliding down a mountain and sitting at a desk is much easier after heavy doses of fresh air and powder.

     

    But for both to be successful choices need to be made on gear and clients.

     

    Growing up in the mountains, time spent in the military and extensive travel have taught me most successful adventures are largely due to reliable equipment.

     

    I’m also pretty big on scoping out the background of a company.

    Do they stand behind their product (I break everything)?

    Are they contributing positively to their industry or just camping out for sales?

    Does their marketing numb my mind, feel detached or actually speak to the product and its environment?

    A few of my prime selects:

    Triple Aught Designs: kick ass quality outdoor clothing and gear

     

    Salomon: My choice for snowboards, snowboard/ski boots, bindings, skis and tough footwear

     

    Arc’teryx: Excellent jackets and pants that take all sorts of abuse

     

    Hestra: Best.  Gloves.  Ever.

     

    Smith: First rate eye-wear and a surprisingly good snowboard helmet

     

    Trek: I own two of their mountain bikes

     

    Red Mountain: Best. Ski hill.  Ever.

     

    I’m also someone who has often and usually quite spectacularly smashed themselves to pieces.

    A motorcycle helmet saved my life.

    A flak jacket stopped shrapnel from tearing apart my lungs.

    Arm protection meant a shattered elbow instead of a missing limb.

    Impact resistant lenses meant a black eye instead of blindness.

    Yes, I know.

    I should just stick to writing.

    And yes, I take my choice of gear very seriously.

     

    Also, I take who my clients are going to be very seriously.

    Is their primary goal money?

    Are they passionate about the project?

    Do they follow a process, respect their own people and love what they do?

     Are they assholes?

     

    What I have learned, through trial and error, is what I want to be a part of: something worthy of my time and energy.

    Just like when I purchase gear.

    I want to enjoy it, feel confident in recommending it and continue to use it.

    Of course it can be extremely difficult (especially as a contractor) putting yourself in a position where you choose who you want to work with and for.  But I have been down this route too many times to do it again.

    A bad flak jacket, a shitty snowboard and an unprofessional client can really ruin your day.

     

    But, choose I do.

    I avoid those who hate their jobs.

    I don’t work with teams who are afraid to try things differently.

    I say no to companies who don’t respect their employees or customers.

     

    It would be great to think that everyone creating a piece of ski gear, a videogame, a helmet, a TV show, a mountain bike or a movie were doing their absolute best to make something reliable and top notch.  It would be great to think everyone involved wanted to be there and wanted to be proud of their efforts.

     

    Once I choose the right client I do my absolute best to ensure the experience is a good one (a few hours of fresh snow and clean air during the work day helps).

     

    We all have to work.  We all have to earn a living.  The experience needs to be rewarding for everyone involved.

    I’m fairly confident that on their deathbed nobody ever said they wished they had worked more.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

     – SEAN

     

    ***All these shots are mine – except Trek, Triple Aught Design and the asshole  – no photographer listed

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    TRANSMISSION #22 // WRITING ABOUT ROGUES, RENEGADES & REBELS

    December 14, 2015 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

     

    One of the many things I love about writing for a living is the research. 

    The chance to interact with interesting and unexpected people; (detectives, morticians, airline pilots, scientists and snipers are just a few I’ve interviewed). 

    Experience unexpected scenarios (going high speed in a Lamborghini, all night ride-alongs with the police, dinner with Satan worshipers).

    And occasionally, the opportunity for total immersion in order to understand your subject matter.

     

    Along with a few video game contracts I’m currently in the midst of writing a book.

    It’s a fictional tale of a man who walks away from his career and life in the city in order to write a book, have some adventures and live in the mountains.  He finds a renewed satisfaction in writing and unexpectedly finds himself embedded within a culture of ski bums and the mountain town life.

    It’s purely fictional.

    Suuuure it is.

     

    I feel I’m uniquely qualified to write this book as my mountain life resume is pretty respectful.

    I grew up riding at Red Mountain, located in Rossland, BC (do yourself a favor and visit, or at the least Google it).

     

    I have mountain biked, skied, snowboarded, surfed and paddled all over the world.  Usually on someone else’s dime (I should probably do a post on the art of ‘piggy-backing-off-the-business trip’).

     

    I was a ‘professional’ ski/snowboard bum.  This means I had a job that actually allowed me to spend my days riding the mountains ( ran a rather large ski and snowboard program in whistler).  It may not have paid a lot, but my staff, a typical work day and ‘benefits’ were pretty wicked.

     

    When I grew up and became a full-time, ‘professional’ writer I ended up making a bunch of snowboard video games and then took some time to work for a kick ass gear company called ARC’TERYX. 

    Through both I managed to enjoy considerable time in the mountains and a ridiculous amount of free and discounted equipment.

    Achievement unlocked.

     

    And now I’m looking to add the position of  WRITER LIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS  to my resume.

    I have always looked at the traditional ski bum with a certain amount of admiration.

    Yes, they are typically one step away from starvation, work is seasonal and irregular and their vehicles generally a danger to everyone around them.

    But,  they are not on this planet to work.

    They are here to live, love and enjoy the outdoors.

    I find those who pursue this lifestyle to be rogues who destroy expectations usually associated with career, relationships and responsibilities.

    Renegades who construct unique, often ridiculous methods of ‘earning’ an income and rebels who put good times ahead of just about everything else.

    I have rarely met people so incredibly focused, disciplined and motivated.

    It takes a uniquely capable individual to figure out how to achieve an existence filled with powder Mondays, bonfire evenings and heart pumping downhill sessions.

    My book draws heavily from my own experiences and focuses heavily on interactions with the misfits, wanderers and pirates I have met.   

    More than just giving me great characters and scenarios to work with, those who choose to live in the mountains inspire me to live a life worth living.  To appreciate and enjoy everything around me.

     

    I admit the transition from an overworked urban-living writer/producer/project manager/game designer to freelance writer has not been the easiest. 

    Re-prioritizing my stresses, priorities and financial responsibilities is taking some time.

    But I’m working through it and my current environment really helps.

    So would a few more writing contracts.

    just sayin’.

     

    I encourage those who write, whenever possible, to immerse yourself in a concept and to interact with those who will become your characters. 

    You may gain more than just ideas.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

     – SEAN

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    TRANSMISSION #21 // FAT BIKES & STAR WARS

    December 9, 2015 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

     

    A few months back I packed up my life, left the city and moved to the mountains.

     

    From my cozy little ski bum home and #TAILGATEOFFICE I teach video game writing courses for UBC, take on freelance writing gigs and work on a book.

    Teaching and freelance?  No problem.

    Writing a book?  Unexpected.

     

    I’ve been writing professionally for about  fifteen years.

     

    But this is different.

    It’s an absolute passion project and first steps towards the next phase in my career (creating content for my own company).

    Working for a decade and change in the studio system has taught me plenty, but my words always shared a relationship with budgets, producers, marketing, actors, animators, game designers, programmers, etc.

    Now that relationship is with myself.

    Just me and my thoughts on paper.

     

    I wouldn’t say it’s writer’s block.  More writer’s unbalance.

     

    Instead of worrying about my slow start I threw myself into other pursuits.

    Fat Bikes!

    One of the many reasons I moved to a mountain town was to ride more.  Ripping about on mountain bikes and road bikes are two amazing things I have enjoyed all over the world.

    When the snow began to fall I leaped at the chance to pick up a fat bike and hit the local trails. 

    My new bike is oddly simple compared to my full suspension downhill ride or carbon fibre road cycle.

    No shocks.  Limited gears.  Big ass tires.

     

    During a recent heavy snowfall I sweated my way to the top of a nearby mountain.

    On the way up I was questioning my writing process.

    At the top I had decided to try a different approach.

    By the bottom I felt confident it would work.

     

    Think on the way up.

    Decide at the peak.

    Commit at the bottom.

     

     

    This bike makes me feel like I’m ten years old.

    And what ten year old has unsolvable problems?

     

    New process in place I began to work through the book’s plot and characters.  But there were a few distractions keeping me busy: students, clients, the approaching ski season, company admin, business stuff.

    A few false starts (which is rare for me) occurred and I started to get frustrated with my lack of creative clarity.

     

    And then a distraction I fully welcomed.

    A viewing on the big screen with one of my oldest friends  of the DE-SPECIALIZED ORIGINAL STAR WARS. 

    No CG.  No new scenes. 

    Just the greatest movie of all time and my single biggest creative influence – in all its 1977 glory.

     

    I’m old enough to have experienced the first run of Star Wars in a theatre.  Watching it again was just as thrilling an experience.  I became very aware of how simple and straightforward it was.  How entertaining it was.

    It wasn’t cluttered with today’s cleverness and tomorrow’s technological perfection.

    It was pure fun.

     

    Just like my book needs to be.

     

    What did I learn from both of these experiences?

     

    Get outside.

    Watch great movies.

    Remember why simple works.

    Enjoy yourself.

     

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

     – SEAN

     

     

     

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    TRANSMISSION #20 // I NEED TO GET OUT. FAR OUT.

    November 16, 2015 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    I love to work. Stepping into my office and losing myself for a full day is never a bad thing.

    My office is comfortable; the walls are lined with bookshelves filled with comics and volumes of move/game ‘art of’ books, Star Wars toys old and new are everywhere, concept art from friends and past projects surround me and a collection of killer mountain bike trails are right outside my door.

    But occasionally, I need to get out.  Far out.

    I’ve talked about #TAILGATEOFFICE in previous blogs and have spoken to quite a few people about it in the last few months.  For me it’s less a ‘work from the road’ concept and more of a ‘change your environment often’ philosophy.

    I am incredibly influenced by my surroundings.  When the surroundings are unexpected and everything around the next corner is unknown I’ve found new ideas come easy.

    Being away from my desk helps to keep the creative part of my mind fueled.  You can’t ignore what a new environment can do for you.

    Some time ago I was traveling for work.  A few unique locations caught my eye.

     

    THE ABANDONED HOSPITAL

    This was not only a great photo opportunity (I take photos and video for a lot of pre-production and reference gathering) but gave me ideas for numerous zombie outbreak scenarios.

    It’s good to have a few on hand.

     

    THE CLOSED BRIDGE

    Scheduled for demolition, this structure presented me with multiple ideas for where to stage a particular action sequence for an upcoming project.

    And an alternate escape route in the event of a bank robbery gone wrong.

     

    THE HAUNTED HOTEL.

    I didn’t turn that lamp on. But on it was.

    Apparently this is a common occurrence in 100 plus year old buildings.  It also reminded me that sometimes an effective scare can be subtle.

     

    TOP SECRET TESTING FACILITY.

    I actually don’t know what this building’s purpose is, and I don’t care.  This has nefarious ongoing experiments with alien technology written all over it.

    I want to believe.

     

    ARTIFACTS OF THE CREATIVE

    I found something in a basement that, in an instant, reminded me of the fun my friend and I had making Super 8 movies every summer in a small town.

    That camera and those summers remind me of why I do what I do today.

    Ideas can come from the most unexpected of places.  Get away from your keyboard every now and then. 

    END TRANSMISSION.

    – SEAN

     

     

     

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    TRANSMISSION #19 // INSPIRED BY TOY ROBOTS

    November 11, 2015 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    I’m quite fortunate to regularly collaborate with some truly talented individuals and teams.  Every chance I get I ask, where do you get your inspiration from?

    The answers are always different and range from the expected to the surprising.  Movies, weed, art, travel, diving, booze, music, comics, games, motorcycles, reading, watching, playing …the list goes on.

    And where do I get my inspiration from?

    Many things.

    But one of them has always been toys.

     

    I got these back when I was around 8 years old from a place created to drive kids insane –  THE WHITE ELEPHANT in Spokane, Washington.

    As perfect as the town where I grew up was for a kid with its forests, mountains, abandoned gold mines (what, you didn’t have those?) it was a town pretty much cut off from the rest of the world.

    But then these giant robot toys showed up and completely blew my mind.

    Check out the 1976 TV ad:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbjoI47ARUs

     

     

    Who were they?

    Were they good guys or bad?

    Were they controlled by pilots or by their own mechanical minds?

     

    I had no idea what universe they lived in. But I needed to know what their purpose was and from where they originated (I wanted to move there).

    But what I did know was that that  hundreds of little green army men now had the ultimate enemy.

    Countless hours were spent crafting mega scenarios where the robots arrived and threatened the relative peace and tranquility that exists in a boy’s bedroom.  Immediately Star Wars toys, Micronauts, a sizable comic collection and one particularly patient German Shepard were in danger.

     

    Chaos ensued.

    Everyday.

    The battles were epic, the losses of brave green army men spectacular.

    But, as these things tend to do, the military successfully fought back with ingenuity, gumption and  incredibly detailed acts of heroism.  Acts of heroism that demanded hours of deep thought and careful planning.

    Storyboarding. World building.  Narrative design.  Character backstories.

    All the steps I would  do for a living when I ‘grew up’.

    The scenarios and characters may have changed, but the enjoyment and thrill from those days long ago is still front and center and continues to inspire me.

    Don’t get me wrong, working in the game industry can be challenging on many levels…  But it’s an environment that allows me to continue doing what I have always loved to do.

    Chaos ensues.

    Everyday.

    END TRANSMISSION.

    – SEAN

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    TRANSMISSION #18 // SO. THAT HAPPENED

    November 2, 2015 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    Last week I rescued a group of horses that had wandered out into the middle of the road somewhere in the mountains.

    And that wasn’t the strangest part of my trip.

     

     

    I was in Vancouver for a week, meeting with new clients and doing some promotional work for UBC (I teach a series of writing courses there).  I assumed it would be a quick trip; in/out, see some friends, attend some meetings, simple-simple.

     

    In the space of a single week:

    A good friend won an election.  Overwhelmingly won it.

    I experienced gaming with virtual reality goggles.  My brain is still there.

    Visited with the Lil’wat Nation. Best storytelling experience ever.

     

    Although each of these events seem unrelated they are all connected by storytelling.

     

    What will be the narrative for Canada now?  When I think of an immersive experience this is the one that will grab us all.  I’m in completely.  Past episodes in my life (yes, I often refer to my as TV seasons) have allowed me insight into our new leader and confidence is high.

    The whole thing is just a bit strange.  Awesome strange.

     

    It has been a long time since I’ve experienced something that has taken my breathe away.  I was lucky enough to play a demo recently (‘play’ doesn’t quite do it justice) of VALVE’S PORTAL.  I got to interact with robots, witness a mini civilization that lives in a drawer (and now worships me), attempted to repair something before it exploded…it’s all  a bit of a blur actually.  But what I really experienced was an opportunity to create new narratives.  Stories will be told differently and I can’t wait to start.

     

    An old  friend introduced me to a new friend and after a morning at the Lil’wat Nation’s Ts’zil learning centre and community centre we went on a field trip into the Pemberton Valley.  This new friend spoke casually yet extensively about events that spawned 150 years.  He spoke of railways and development, of misinformation and personal experiences.  He talked of hidden hotsprings,  of exotic fauna and something amazingly named the Hundred Lakes Plateau.  I left inspired.

    And not a little sad.

     

     

    I took the long route home.

    Almost ten hours of driving where I was lost in my own thoughts.  New Prime Minister, new creative opportunities, new perspective.

    And then I came around a corner, slammed on the breaks and looked into the eyes of a horse surrounded by friends.  This big, beautiful fellow had no intention of moving.

    It took a lot of coaxing, petting and not a few treats to get him (and eventually the others) off the road all the while dodging surprised (and surprisingly angry) drivers.  I found the broken gate, managed to herd them in and watched in awe as they group charged across a field.

     

    You ever watched a pack of horses charge across a stretch of open land, hooves kicking up dust as the sun starts to set over the mountains?

    I have.

     

     

    I’m incredibly grateful for the ongoing opportunities and moments #TAILGATEOFFICE provides me with.

    Can’t wait to see what’s next.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

    – SEAN

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    TRANSMISSION #17 // LESSONS FROM THE ROAD

    October 14, 2015 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

     

    As I mentioned before I’ve taken to writing from the road as often as possible.
    #TAILGATEOFFICE

     


    It can be a few days writing at a campsite while checking out the local mountain bike trails, or shooting reference images for pre-production with my camera while scoping lakes and rivers for a dawn paddle. Whatever the reason for the trip, I’ve found writing from the road has changed my creative process quite a bit.

     

     

    While on a surf/mountain bike trip earlier this year I stopped in at a few cafes and surf/bike shops along the way inquiring about campsites, swell status and trail suggestions. At pretty much each stop I left with generous updates on conditions, good coffee and great conversation.

    And characters.
    Lots of characters.

    A former corporate lawyer focusing on biking everyday after suffering from a heart attack at 38.
    A young dad teaching his son about the tides.
    A new bike shop owner who sleeps in the back of his shop to cut back on expenses.
    A waitress learning to shape her own surfboard for her first ever ride.
    A couple driving from South America to Alaska to play in the snow and smell (?) a grizzly.

    Driving is when I come up with most of my ideas – like where to take a rewrite, how many characters are needed in a new plot, how to transition Act I to II without giving too much away…
    Driving is when the mind likes to roam.

     

    I could drive for days and lose myself not only literally but mentally (and I’ve done both).
    But stepping out of my solo thinking bubble to interact with actual humans has provided me with endless fuel for my creative.
    One random conversation about wetsuits with a stranger led to an idea for a new villain, an alternate direction to an overly complicated ending and an adjustment to a fictional character that took her from cliché to memorable.

     

     

    When you work from home it’s nice to experience the outside world and those who live in it. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, you might just hear a quote that can launch a thousand ideas
    “Drink lot’s of water, drop some acid, put on a banana costume and see where the night will take you.”

     

    END TRANSMISSION.
    – SEAN

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    TRANSMISSION #16 // TAILGATE OFFICE

    October 1, 2015 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

     

    I’ve been trying something new with my writing.

    Basically working from the road every chance I get.

    Some time ago I found myself laid up after a particularly bad motorcycle crash.  Fortunately I managed to recover (with some pins, a new elbow, couple of new scars) and when I was healthy it was very clear to me what I had been missing.

    Doing things.

    Outdoors.

     

    I grew up in the mountains.  Early years were spent charging through the forests, ripping around the ski hill, soaking up hot and lazy days at the lake and generally enjoying everything a high alpine town could offer.  Over time those pursuits evolved from BMXs and inflatable rafts to mountain bikes, kayaks, surf boards and snowboards.

    I swore now that I was healthy that every chance I got I would take off and do the things I loved.

    But, as it is when you’re an adult, work started to get in the way.

    But I decided to not let it interfere.  As a kid my imagination was constantly on fire when I was out and about, that’s something I wanted to experience again.

    And that’s when I started to think about the TAILGATE OFFICE.

    The idea is to tackle work from the road every chance I get.

     

    I modified my truck so I can comfortably sleep and chill when needed.

    I have enough racks to take every toy I need: bikes, board, kayaks, general gear.

    I do a lot of my writing with notebook and pen.  Usually the first draft or initial creative on a concept.  I use laptops as opposed to PC towers.

    I can always find Wi-Fi when I need it and more often than not I don’t need it. 

    There are few distractions, I blast through my ‘to do’ list in no time and I’m hitting the single-track more than ever.

    Ever changing landscapes, fresh opportunities to ride and paddle, new people to meet and unexpectedly – a stronger  focus when it comes to my creative.

    What I love about being creative for a living is the constant opportunities for collaboration, challenging  yourself on how you come up with ideas and ultimately how you will execute on them.

    The TAILGATE OFFICE is showing me new ways of experiencing all of these.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

    – Sean

     

     

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    TRANSMISSION #15 //read //WATCH //play

    September 30, 2015 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

     

    I’ll be doing regular posts on what I’m READING WATCHING PLAYING. Some titles are current, some from a while back.

     

    This post is all about watching CABIN IN THE WOODS

     

    Occasionally I see a movie where everything goes wrong.  I’m not really in the mood, seats suck, annoying people sitting in close vicinity (if you’re not a brain surgeon, in charge of missiles or on-call to pilot that spaceship into the sun to restart it – turn your phone off).  You then witness something that more often than not begs the question “How the fuck did that get made…?” or “Well that was 2 hours of my life I’ll never get back.”

     

    And then you get to see Cabin in the Woods, and everything you love about movies comes crashing back into your face.

    What a great flick.  Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard – well done sirs.

     

    It’s no secret I’m a huge Joss Whedon fan.  I’ve never been one to hide how much I love the Buffy TV series, and am always surprised at those who dismiss it with a disdainful adult laugh when the subject comes up.  Interesting note – the game industry seems to be made up of those who love Buffy and those who make fun of people who love Buffy.  I would like to work with the first group – because I’ve unfortunately worked too much with the latter.

     

    Cabin in the Woods feels like it was made for me.

    There’s the secret underground lab, tactical teams on call, all manner of monsters being held in a brilliantly designed prison, a mysterious force field hidden in the forest and a brilliant connection to some HP Lovecraft evilness.

    C’mon…this is the stuff I spend my days thinking and writing about (and lately my nights).

     

    Along with being highly entertaining, each actor does a fine job in their roles, the film moves at an excellent pace, revealing just enough plot until the bat-shit ending that I didn’t want to take a bathroom break for fear of missing something pivotal (or funny).  What also surprised me was how clever the overall idea is.  Seeing two typical office types tackling their jobs with such casual professionalism and simple banter was pretty damn funny, but finding out exactly what their jobs consisted of was downright brilliant.

     

    I loved the universe and all it alluded to; the screens showcasing failed scenarios in other countries and the betting pool list of possible monsters (a snowman).

    But most of all I loved the whole experience…

    A movie filled with monsters.

    A fresh take on the horror experience.

    A film that was having fun with itself.

     

    We need more of this (well…I do).  There have been some pretty epic franchises for nerds that have come out recently, with more to come.

    I’m going to be there for all of them.

     

     I go to movies to escape

    To forget about bills and work and bills and all the other shit we weren’t told we’d have to deal with when we were kids lining up for a movie we knew nothing about – but loved the poster (remember those days?).

     

    I’m looking forward to having fun again at the movies  – let’s just hope the studios are too.

    END TRANSMISSION.

    – SEAN

     

     

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    TRANSMISSION #14 // A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS (that I like to write)

    September 22, 2015 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

     

     

    MONSTERS

    Always.  Ever since I was a kid (I kept all my notebooks from elementary and high school – jammed packed with creature features).  I wrote (and still write) about them all – werewolves, zombies, sea creatures, vampires (not the kind that sparkle, swoon and pout – the kind that rip throats out and guzzle blood) and varieties of my own monster creations.

    I find there’s something liberating about crafting a tale around something that I was convinced was in my closet, under my bed and waiting outside my window when I was a kid.

     

     

    ROBOTS

    Mine are never there to help humanity, only enslave it.  I prefer the old school kind with full blown retro styling and no facial expressions.  My first real robot influences were the DALEKS (!!!EXTERMINATE!!!) and that means the bar was set pretty high.

    Later in life I actually took all my pencil sketches of robotic hordes (most created during grade 7 math class) and mapped out an idea for a future series of retro Sci-Fi novels featuring BUSTER ZACK: ROCKET MARINE. 

    Remember.  Robots are not, nor will they ever be, our friends.

     

    Robot walks into a bar.

    Bartender says “We don’t serve your kind.”

    Robot says “Not yet…”

     

     

     MILITARY

    Big action.  Big scenarios.  I’m a self proclaimed military gear/history nut and having served in the Armed Forces myself I couldn’t help but absorb everything around me and come up with a ton of ideas.

    One of my favorite past Planet Fiction projects features a very high tech unit of Special Forces troopers squaring off against a pack of blood thirsty and powerful demons from Hell.

    A new project happening over the next two months, MONTANA’S MARAUDERS, is set in WW2 and features high adventure, weird happenings and all manner of the strange.

    Soldiers vs. monsters.

    Like chocolate and peanut butter.

    Bourbon and coke.

     

     

     

    SCIENCE FICTION

    Star Wars laid the ground work for what I thought Sci-Fi was supposed to be.

    From that point on everything had to be big and epic; space battles, invasions, weird and wonderful lost planets – all influenced with a heavy dose of Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers and John Carter (I don’t care what anyone says, Andrew Stanton…I’d like to shake your hand).

    Some people are complaining there’s already too much hype and merchandising for the upcoming Star Wars films.  I see it as way too much fun for one person.

    Stoked to be doing what I do.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

    – SEAN

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    TRANSMISSION #13 // THINGS THAT HAVE WORKED FOR ME

    September 2, 2015 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    I’ve been fortunate enough to be writing in the game industry for close to 15 years (along with producing, directing and game designing).

    Here’s a few things that have worked for me along the way, and may be of some help to writers who want to get involved.

    Or not.

    I dunno.  Whatever.

     

    1. STORM THE BEACH:

    Pre-production is my favorite time in development.  The sky is the limit, all ideas are good and they come a mile a minute from everyone.

    It’s also a key time for the writer.  I find it imperative to immediately sort the knowns from the unknowns.

     

    What are the key features of the game?  You’re writing for an interactive experience, understand it as completely as you can, what will the player be doing when they sit down with it?

     

    What is the target experience?  Are we working on something that is supposed to leave the player breathless from start to finish?  Is it a slow burn with the pacing?  Is there a need for a strong, immersive narrative or a light fiction as a backdrop?

    If these questions can’t be answered – now’s your opportunity to help shape the game to what it needs to be.

     

    Define the genre.  There are certain expectations with a shooter, with a racing game or a horror survival (like, survive…while being scared).  Ask yourself and your team – what is it we’re wanting to make and why?

    You’d be amazed how many times that question has been asked only to result in awkward silence (cue everyone checking their phones while sitting around looking important).

     

    2.  TALK TO EVERYONE:

    If you’re lucky you’re embedded with the development team – not working from home desperately trying to ignore the constant rain outside, the drilling across the street or the neighbors having way more sex than you (awesome sex by the sounds of it…).

     

    Find out who’s on your team.  What is their interpretation of the project, what do they want to bring to it?

    I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with some absolute ROCK STARS.  Individuals that have inspired me, influenced my process and collaborated with me to make a few words on the page become something great.

    Everyone has an idea, and it may be better than yours (c’mon, it’s hard to high five yourself after a super successful creative session).

     

    3. MANAGE EXPECTATIONS:

    I let the team know early on that the writing process can be very similar to how concept artists work.

    An artist will more often than not start out with some reference images, then move to a rough sketch or two, maybe end up with a decent color image and then multiple iterations on that before it’s ready to be signed off on.

    Let people know with an early creative treatment not to get too stuck on character names, freak out about spelling mistakes, focus too much on questionable grammar or worry about a few awkward ideas.

    In the early stages it’s about getting the idea out there and available for discussion.

     

    4. KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WRITING ABOUT:

    Ok…I admit this can be difficult.

    It’s hard to be an expert on what a military recon team sent to Hell is armed with and what’s their chain of command.  But that’s why we must look ‘beyond the page’.

     

    Read.  Watch.  Play.

    And LISTEN.

    The internet and books are your friends.  There’s a movie out there for everything you’re thinking about.  There are a lot of games out there about a lot of different things.

    But whenever possible – talk to people who do what it is you are writing about.  Pay attention to their slang, their quirks – like how they tuck their pants into their boots and never let the laces hang out. Why do they love being a cop or hate being a pro snowboarder?

     

    What if there’s nobody who knows more about it than you?  Then learn as much about everything connected to it that you can.

    You’d be amazed how popular you’ll become at dinner parties when you can speak confidently about the Yakuza, deep sea exploration, augmented sniper rifles and cybernetics (only with guys though – I find most women tune you out the moment you mention you work in video games.  Sigh).

    Know a bit about something and then let your mind go wild.

     

    5. KEEP GOING.  NEVER STOP:

    I’ve lost count the number of IPs cancelled on me (IP = intellectual property = a fresh game idea).

    Sadly it’s the nature of our industry, a lot of companies are hesitant to greenlight something if it’s not a sequel or attached to a recognizable license or can’t survive one pitch meeting.

     

    What to do when this happens?

    Take a few days to yourself.  Have some drinks.  Have some more.  Watch something inspirational (for me it’s always ‘Empire of Dreams’ and all the behind the scenes of ‘Lord of the Rings’).

    And then you DO IT AGAIN.

     

    END  TRANSMISSION.

    -SEAN

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    TRANSMISSION #12 //THE START OF SOMETHING NEW

    August 5, 2015 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    TRANSMISSION #12  //THE START OF SOMETHING NEW

    There is always one aspect of writing that I consistently find myself enjoying and looking forward to.

    The start of something NEW.

     

    I spent the last year doing double duty working with the  ARC’TERYX EQUIPMENT creative team and creating courses for the new University of British Columbia’s  VIDEO GAME WRITING ACADEMY.

    carryology-arcteryx-6  UBCLogo1

    Both gigs were lengthy and challenging but introduced me to new ways of thinking and working, of collaborations with  diverse and unique creatives  and stepping (leaping actually) out of my comfort zone.  Amazing experiences that I’m incredibly grateful to have been a part of.

    I will be teaching all of the six courses I created for UBC.  My students are from all over the world and do the courses online, which means I can teach from anywhere…

    Which means I’m outta here.

     

    After almost 14 years of living and working (mainly working) in the city I’ve made the decision to head back to one of the most inspiring places I know.

    My home town of Rossland, BC.

    Columbia-Ave-in-Rossland_-Red-Mountain_-Michael-Fisher

    This is the place where I learned to daydream, read my first comic, built architecturally unsound tree-houses and spent endless hours discussing if stormtroopers were robots or humans while leaning on the handlebars of my BMX, losing track of time as another perfect summer day transitioned into another perfect summer night.  This is a place that is not only in the mountains – it is the mountains.

    Adventure.  Exploration.  Discovery.

     

    I have a few new projects starting.

    THE DRIFT: A novel about a guy who walks away from everything in his life and immerses himself  in the sub-culture of those who follow the ski bum’s code of SNOW FIRST.

    THE LEGEND OF TY: An epic tale of sword, sorcery and sarcasm that is at times familiar and yet oddly new.  I’ve always wanted to dive into the world of high adventure and pulp sensibilities – this is it.

     

    I’ll also be collaborating with the fine dudes over at JUICY STUDIOS 9274152_100x100(www.juicystudios.com) , tackling some upcoming creative gigs with a few game studios and taking on some new marketing contracts.

    Reach me at:

    sean@planetfictionstudios.com

    T: 250-231-3744

    PLANET FICTION STUDIOS is about to be powered by mountains that break the sky, clouds that transform into something epic and endless forests that pull you in and set you free.

    Hope you stay tuned for the start of something new, check in soon for more READ WATCH PLAY.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

    – SEAN

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    TRANSMISSION #11 //BUILDING BETTER WORLDS

    June 24, 2013 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    One of the things I have greatly enjoyed working in video games was the process of creating an original world.  Along with the obvious visual building blocks and level design elements there is always a part that gets a charge in me; RULES OF THE FICTION.

     

    How does a character function in this world day to day – and why?  Does exposure to a raging sun mean instant death?  Is the daily routine of hunting the apocalyptic wasteland for gas and hanging out with your dog fun?  What’s it like for a young girl to live in a modern day oppressive society based off an Aztec Empire that never died (I’m sure a few of you know exactly what cancelled video game I’m talking about…)?

     

    At Planet Fiction we spend A LOT of time crafting our universes and concerning ourselves with details that the READER WATCHER PLAYER may never know – but will experience.  I’ve found that a well thought out fictional universe allows the narrative to unfold at a natural pace.  Your real life surroundings influence you in ways that most of the time you’re oblivious to – so why not the same for fictional surroundings?

     

    A prime example of all this is our latest project THE LEGEND OF TY.  It’s not enough for us to fill our environments with knights and pirates and castles and monsters.  We’re also creating a widely practiced religion that revolves around six goddesses, a form of the internet that runs on magic and a history that is both complex and mysterious allowing for numerous future plot points to rise up and viciously slap our heroes about the neck and face.

     

    Another big part of this process is the sketching out of maps.  I’ve mentioned this before, it comes from years of drawing DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS levels in math class (and history, biology, home economics, English, sex education class).

     

    Then there’s the names.  Love creating these.  Here are some of our most recent:

    VANORA: A kingdom high in the mountains where structures are built into sheer rock faces and everything is steep (reminds me of growing up in the Kootenays).

    DEPTH’S DEEP: Small fishing town where a Cthulhu like evil lurks (very much like Deep Cove – where our studio is located – on a good day).

    RAZ KASAR: Bustling port where massive canals criss-cross the city’s streets and titanic ships travel back and forth endlessly (traffic accidents are EPIC).

    EL CORAZON: Desert city where cattle barons and guitar-slinging banditos need to be dealt with daily.  We love a good western in a big way and wanted to mix it into the fantasy genre because…it’d be cool.

    Anyways, building a better world is a challenging and lengthy undertaking that often rewards not only the READER WATCHER PLAYER – but the writer as well.

     

    END TRANSMISSION

    –        SEAN

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    TRANSMISSION #10 //HOW WE BUILD A FRANCHISE

    June 10, 2013 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    How are you planning to spend your summer?  We’re spending it building our second original franchise (and fitting in a bunch of mtn biking and kayaking when we can…).

     

    Our first journey into creating an original franchise was with DOMAIN ‘The cold war between Heaven and Hell’ project.  Our tale of Special Forces troopers battling elements of the underworld unfolds across six chapters: movie – graphic novel –second movie – video game – third movie – and ‘something else’…  We learned a lot in crafting this linear narrative across multiple mediums and found it helped solidify our studio’s process of filtering our original projects through the READ WATCH PLAY process.

     

    So we’re at it again.

    This time around we decided to kick it off with a novel.  THE LEGEND OF TY: BOOK 1 features two reluctant (more like hopeless) heroes who undertake a series of adventures in a very epic, very unexpected world of sword, sorcery and sarcasm.  Sort of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER meets LORD OF THE RINGS (or something like that…).  Our first challenge was how to apply READ WATCH PLAY to this project.  What we came up with is a format that I wish more narratives would do.

     

    The first project of TY is a novel that will be supplemented by pages of character art and visual snapshots from the fiction.  Part two is a video game – very much in the vein of the very cool WALKING DEAD game by TELLTALE GAMES.  What we’re doing is taking a point in the book where we find our ‘heroes’ Ty and Vittus spending a couple of weeks travelling to the port city of RAS KAZAR.  Instead of telling you that part of their journey – the book simply states ‘TWO WEEKS LATER…’  TY is suffering from severe allergies (werewolf fur) and Vittus is missing part of his beard (fireball mishap).  If you were to PLAY the game you would find out exactly what went down (and learn a few things that may later affect plot points in the future).

     

    But what about WATCH?

    Personally I wanted a break from writing another feature length film script and wanted to explore what could be done with TV.  In BOOK 1 Ty and Vittus run afoul of some pirates going through union issues (amidst other things).  These bandits of the high seas – particularly the hot headed and impetuous Pirate Princess and her overly aggressive band of female friends – would be a great group to follow in an animated series.  It allows us to further experience the universe of TY, explore characters that are introduced as a side story and satisfies our WATCH requirement (CLONE WARS anyone?).

     

    So that’s how we are spending our summer along with some outside gigs (always fun to mash brains with others).  Check our Facebook (/planetfictionstudios) and future blogs for updates on Ty – and keep your eyes peeled for a sample chapter sometime soon.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

    –       SEAN

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    TRANSMISSION #9 //THE GREAT ESCAPE

    June 4, 2013 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    I’m always trying to find a particular balance in my work.  After years of hearing from studios’ preaching ‘work/life balance’ I found a certain degree of it with motorcycles.

     

    Anyone who has known me in the last few years knows how well that turned out (cue SFX of crashing, sirens, gunshots, llamas screaming, rending of metal).  I’m happy to say I’ve recently enjoyed mountain biking and stand up paddling – hours spent in the forests or on the ocean does more for my writing process than, well, anything.

     

    But there is another aspect of ‘work/life balance’ I feel quite privileged to experience regularly  – and that is finding escapism in not only my entertainment but in my work itself.

     

    I’m a big fan of the ‘B+’; ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, CONAN, CTHULHU, DOC SAVAGE (y’know…FUN shit).  I love every opportunity to lose myself in far-off lands, insane scenarios and unexpected concepts.  And I really love it when it happens in my own writing.

     

    I’m big on visuals while working on a project – currently I’m writing an epic fantasy adventure filled with all manner of insanity (THE LEGEND OF TY).  I find surrounding myself with mood boards, story boarded sequences and character references allows me to cue up mental movies for each narrative beat, mental movies that can keep my mind occupied for hours at a time.  It’s a process I’m sure many writers engage in and something I look forward to everyday.  Creating work you can be proud and satisfied with is one thing – happily losing yourself in a world you’ve created from some random ideas is something else.

     

    Or…maybe it’s something to be concerned about.

     

    Is an often overwhelming desire to escape the mundane complications of adult life for some time with evil queens, sarcastic wizards and sexy bounty hunters a healthy and good pursuit?

     

    Damn right it is.  And that’s why I am very fortunate to do what I do.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

    -Sean

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    TRANSSMISSION #8 //CHANGE EVERYTHING

    May 29, 2013 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    header-the-ultimate-star-wars-vs-star-trek-infographic-1

    We started Planet Fiction to do things differently so…we are!

     

    I’ve always wondered why entertainment seems so, um, simple? Take THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, loved it but did we REALLY need to see Bruce and Selina at the end and have him and Alfred nod? Wasn’t it kinda obvious without having it fully explained to us? Why are franchises always an exact re-telling of the same book you already read or a re-hash of that book you already read with an “updated look”? Why is every video game just a bloody re-do of its predecessor (“oh SURE it’s different…we put a “13” on the box”)?? Personally, I refuse to believe that the entertainment consuming public is really that dumb, so much so that were banking on it!

     

    Planet Fictions READ WATCH PLAY pillars are there for a reason – when we create a transmedia franchise you READ the first part of the story, WATCH the second and PLAY the third (or some clever combination thereof), it’s still linear storytelling, just utilizing multiple screens but more importantly it brings something NEW to the table – fresh concepts, new stories and you have no idea what the ending is going to be. Amazing. We know.

     

    Absolutely a new take on STAR TREK is great (they can do ANY story now, its brilliant) and actually modernizing SUPERMAN instead of simply following the film cannon is amazing…but let’s have more STAR WARS, let’s embrace more of THE MATRIX, let’s dive in to a unique universe that is accessible and fun and, dare I say, pushes the envelope and gives us a story (and ending) that we aren’t expecting (“I am your father”? COME ON, RIGHT?!)

     

    Now if you’ll excuse me, Empire is about to start (which I am VERY happy to argue is far better than Jedi, by the way. Anyone? Anyone??)

     

    END TRANSMISSION

     

    -Chris

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    TRANSMISSION #7 //BACK TO BASICS

    May 14, 2013 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    images

    Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Leonardo Da Vinci

     

    I begin each day like (what I assume) most entrepreneurs and producers do: 14 cups of coffee, workout, shower, mashable, Inc, Fast Company, Hollywood Reporter, Joe Blo, blog mix (Seth Godin, Richard Branson, etc., etc) and a look into new tech that’s going to “radically change and improve my life, project management and quality of whatever-the-hell-I’m-working-on”. And therein lays the problem.  I’m so busy “learning” about new processes, tools, information, improvements and new ways to improve the way my brain soaks up and utilizes information that I’ve stopped relying on my years in business and production.

     

    Anyone can be an expert in anything now. There are a zillion ways to consume information and a billion ways to second guess how you’re doing something – doubt, it seems, is a lucrative business. What’s 10 years of experience starting companies and producing a variety of projects worth if I’m second guessing everything I do because “experts” are telling me about “the top 10 things you do that KILL your business” daily?  Nothing.  Nothing at all.

     

    All of this information, for me anyway, leads to over complicating things – what used to be instinctual, that feeling of just knowing it’s the right move, is all but gone and replaced with “what did Fast Company say about process the other day?”. Then usually followed with “didn’t they say NOT to do that a month ago?” and boom, I’m busy trying to figure out a better, more innovative way to do what I already know how to do. My instinct is gone and replaced by over-complication and doubt.

     

    All of this has lead me to looking and focusing on simplicity and I’ve found a resurgence in people (from QA’s to Executives) striving and pushing for it, constantly reminding themselves that “we’ll do anything so long as it makes sense to do it” – you know, simple & clear…letting the facts, numbers, instincts and inner drive have their day.

     

    When Sean and I looked at doing Planet Fiction, which in itself can be viewed as a fairly complicated business model to most, it was simplicity and direct paths that was pillar # 1. “Strong simplicity” (a term I first heard from Michelle Lee, an awesome Sr Creative that I had the pleasure of working with a while back) became our top brand and key marketing pillar. Our approach to business development was back to basics as well: direct communication by approaching individuals, teams, and companies.  Being upfront, honest and striving to constantly deliver quality work and exceed expectations.

     

    We start our day, every day, by taking a 30 min walk through Deep Cove – such a simple act but right in so many ways.

     

    By focusing on getting back to basics and simplifying anything that can and should be simplified I feel I’ve gotten back my natural instincts.  I feel unstoppable and excited again for the first time in a long time. Not a bad attitude and approach to have – given today’s entertainment landscape – perhaps more people should apply this, take the insanely large amount of advice in moderation (“taking what you will & leave the rest” as my mum would say) and stop trying to outsmart themselves.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

    – Chris

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    TRANSMISSION #6 //MIXING A GOOD FICTION

    May 6, 2013 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    Like a good mixed drink I appreciate a good mixed fiction.

    Both take a decent balance of subtly, creativity and the occasional unseen and unexpected ingredient.

    tumblr_krm71i7DsI1qa8q3yo1_500

     

    One particular mixed fiction that stands out to me was the trophy room in PREDATOR 2.  Danny Glover, beaten and bloodied by his brawling with a Predator, gets a brief glance at a wall of skulls – one in particular being an instantly recognizable HR Giger design.

     

    predatory2trophy7

     

    I remember walking out of the theater pretty charged up.  Not only at the hope of seeing two of my favorite movie monsters finally going toe to toe on the big screen (and they did – twice – but we’re not going to talk about it here because…well, it’s just too painful), but because the idea of being a writer/film-maker just got all the more cooler.  What a great job it must be being able to drop a few Easter eggs here and there for audiences to laugh/freak/puzzle over.   How fun it must be to allude to a fictional past that happened off the screen and in the writer’s mind – but as a fan we knew it was happening somewhere – and it was all kinds of awesome.

     

    And now that I get to do it – I mix my own fictions quite regularly.

     

    In every videogame I’ve ever written/produced/designed I’ve slipped in some sort of reference to TIGER.

     

    This is of course the name of my lab/Rottweiler from years ago who accompanied me on many an adventure in the mountains and many a late night in the office.

     

    In more recent projects I’ve taken TEMPEST CO. – a particularly evil corporation that makes a particularly evil kind of science and placed it firmly in three very different fictions; DOMAIN, WELCOME TO THRILLSVILLE and the first script I wrote SPIRAL FLAGG: MONSTER HUNTER.  All very different universes, all thinly linked by my version of WALMART meets CRYSTAL DYNAMICS.

     

    One of my favourite examples of  mixed fiction is taking a FLASH GORDON type character I created  called BUSTER ZACK (a WIP series featuring a steely eyed rocket pilot keeping the galaxy safe with his fists) and making him the hero of a 10 year old boy in THRILLSVILLE.  The boy explores the forests behind his house wearing a BZ flight helmet and quoting tough guy lines to his dog while looking for summer vacation adventure.

     

    53369482

     

    Why do I – or any other writer – do it?

     

    In my case I’m not trying to be clever, or to showcase my understanding of ‘cross-pollinization of creative streams’ (a particularly corporate phrase from a game studio meeting I unfortunately had one day), I’m doing it because it’s FUN.

     

    Remember fun?  That thing that used to be prevalent in entertainment…

     

    Friends get it when they catch it, the odd fan notices it every now and then…  More importantly I know they’re there and I know what they mean and that makes all the difference.

     

    I appreciate a good mixed fiction, and I wish there were more.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

    – Sean

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    TRANSMISSION #5 //10 Questions With…

    April 29, 2013 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    10 QUESTIONS WITH…

    photo

     

    Scotty Carlson: Creative Director – Juicy Studios, Rossland, BC

    http://www.juicystudios.com/

     

    1. WHAT DO YOU DO?

    I’m the Creative Director of Juicy Studios. A small studio at the base of a big mountain. A dormant volcano to be exact.

     

    2. WHY DO YOU DO IT?

    It’s the closest thing to reliving childhood. Drawing every day. Using your imagination every day. Telling Stories. All of the above.

     

    3. READING WATCHING PLAYING ANYTHING GOOD LATELY?

    I just finished watching ‘The Killing.’ Awesome. Holder is a great character. I just got into ‘Fringe. I am surprised it didn’t find a bigger audience. Good shit. I’ve been reading a book called ‘Pandoras Star’ for the last 3 years. It’s an amazing Science Fiction novel loaded with ridiculous detail, but it’s working me a bit. I’m a big fan of Game of Thrones.

     

    4. BEST GIG EVER?

    The start of every project is amazing. Anything is possible. Beer is consumed, ideas flow. Then you enter production and a lot of those ideas are crushed.

    So for me the best gig ever is the one where the beer stained idea made it through production. It’s a little marketing video called ‘Red Sucks’ we created for Red Mountain Resort. Its nothing flashy or fancy and it was pretty quick to produce, but the client let us run wild with our idea and even encouraged our reckless behavior. They also trusted us to create a promotional video telling the world they sucked. Awesome.

     

    5. WHAT SCARED YOU AS KID (PLACE, MONSTER, THING, FOOD, ETC)?

    I’ve always had a fear of the deepest darkest corners of basements, usually where the monstrous furnace raged. Something about the huge size of the old furnaces, their demonic sounds. Clangs and bangs. I also was terrified of my grandmas canning room (which was also in dark basement corner.) To me all the canned fruit looked like eyeballs and organs. I still am afraid of basements.

     

    6. GOT ANY SIDE PROJECTS GOING ON?

    Always. I have been working on a few short film scripts as well as a kids television show. I really like the idea of reliving childhood through art. Books, films, TV series. This is where I spend a lot of my free time.

     

    7. STAR WARS OR STAR TREK?

    I am the youngest of 3 brothers. My oldest brother was obsessed with Star Wars. He had matching curtains, bed spread, and pillow case. It was awesome. I spent a lot of time in his room laying on his bed and pretending to be in Star Wars. My middle brother was a huge Star Trek geek. He controlled the remote control and every day after school we would watch Star Trek. I really had no choice but to become a fan of both worlds. Star Wars to me always felt bigger, more fleshed out, more realized. That effected me as a kid.

     

    8. WHO DO YOU WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH AND WHY?

    I think Sam Raimi is the boss. I report to him directly. He has had such an amazing career, yet he seems incredibly humble in every interview I have seen of him. I really like his approach to filmmaking and how he builds a story. I would love to crush some dinner with him.

     

    9. GUILTY PLEASURE?

    Rapping in the shower. Just feels right.

     

    10. PARTING THOUGHTS?

    Listen to more Rock & Roll.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

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    TRANSMISSION #4 //READ //watch //play

    April 12, 2013 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    We’ll be doing regular posts on what we’re READING WATCHING PLAYING.

    Thought I’d kick it off with something about one of my favourite books in the last while…

    Sitting on a beach in Cuba sometime ago enjoying rum, sun, sand and a mob boss sized cigar I cracked open Mr. Abercrombie’s BEST SERVED COLD.

     

    BOOM.  It’s been a long time since I’ve been that hooked.  The book will literally throat punch you so unexpectedly at the start that after the second chapter…I dreaded it coming to an end.

     

    The characters are fantastic – flawed and unique they move through the world with brutal wit and slamming violence.  From page to page I found myself equally despising them and rooting for them.  Their ambitions and conflicts are supported by some of the best dialogue I’ve read and their descriptions quickly had me casting faces both famous and personal.

     

    What I found really intriguing about this particular story was the setting.

     

    BEST SERVED COLD is set in a world where socially inept barbarians from the north mix with grandiose swordsmen in floppy hats and velvet tunics alongside armored knights and insecure poisoners.  There are epic battles, an amazing bank robbery (at the brilliantly conceived Valint and Balk) and mention of past wars and far off lands that made me want to spend more time exploring.  It’s hard to pinpoint a specific era Abercrombie is drawing from, and for that I’m grateful as everything came off fresh and original.

     

    But what impacted me the most was the book’s female lead, MONZA MURCATTO, a ruthless mercenary general also infamously known as The Snake of Talins and The Butcher of Caprile.  Her tale is one of revenge – and it’s a long and bloody journey as she eliminates those who betrayed her with an exceedingly entertaining group of allies backing her up (and more often than not fucking her up).

     

    I am reluctant to get into details of the plot and descriptions of the characters are best left to be experienced (ideally on a beach if you can swing it).  If you are one of the millions who enjoy GAME OF THRONES (reading and/or watching) you will definitely enjoy Abercrombie’s work.

     

    I think it’s better.

     

    In fact, I have given a tremendous amount of thought into how I could break this down into a TV series.  With all the great shows blasting out of my flatscreen these days there are multiple companies I could see doing this…

     

    Although BEST SERVED COLD is my favorite, Joe Abercrombie has a few other books for you to enjoy (I loved them all).

     

    THE FIRST LAW TRILOGY:

    1.       The Blade Itself

    2.       Before They Are Hanged

    3.       Last Argument of Kings

     

     

    And his latest – RED COUNTRY.

    http://www.joeabercrombie.com/

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

    – Sean

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    TRANSMISSION #3 //Our First Project…

    April 12, 2013 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    OUR FIRST PROJECT…

    Planet Fiction’s first original property was instrumental on how the company came to be.

     

    DOMAIN. A concept that has been bouncing around in my head for quite some time. Being a big time fan of movies like ALIENS, DOG SOLDIERS and games like GHOST RECON and RAINBOW SIX I had the idea of doing a game where modern day soldiers were pitted against monsters – guns and bombs vs. claws and teeth.

     

    Simple. Cool. Something I want to play.

     

    I tried to get some traction with a couple of the game studios I worked for but no bites (new IP = uphill battle). So I decided to write it myself. But not as a game – as a movie.

    The plot for DOMAIN:

     

    A Special Forces team is sent into a war torn Mexico City to secure a WMD. Instead of a weapon they discover the gateway to Hell – and it’s about to be opened.

     

    After finishing the script I (forcibly) gave it to a few friends for feedback. The responses were pretty good but there was always one question – what happens next?

    I’d always seen it as a stand-alone. While pondering the idea of a sequel I stumbled across an article about an underground river discovered in South America.

    The writer said it was like discovering the River Styx.

     

    BOOM (the sound of my brain exploding). I suddenly began to see where this story could go.

     

    Around this time Chris and I were discussing the lack of true TRANSMEDIA projects out there (a single narrative unfolding through different mediums). This led to the idea (after many a beer) of taking DOMAIN through the steps of READ WATCH PLAY.

     

    This was the kind of thing we wanted to do. Full time. So we did it.

    Planet Fiction Studios is our company.

    READ WATCH PLAY is our mission.

     

    The original Domain script became the first chapter of six. The second is a graphic novel. The third is a movie (a recon mission down- you guessed it – the River Styx).

    The fourth is a video game. The fifth another movie. And the sixth…well, that’s a bigger discussion.

     

    We learned a lot in creating our first ‘transmedia-fied’ universe. We’re looking forward to doing more.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

    -Sean

     

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    TRANSMISSION #2 //10 Questions With…

    April 12, 2013 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    10 QUESTIONS WITH…

    Geoff_Image

    Geoff Coates: Studio Art Director – Relic Entertainment, Vancouver BC Canada

     

    1. WHAT DO YOU DO?

    Whatever I want! That’s a huge lie. I’m sorry. “Whatever I’m told” feels more accurate. I’m pretty much an Omega dog. Also I art direct video games. Which basically means saying things like “Make the explosion more explosier” and “Is it too late to build some 3D nipples on the models? Call of Duty had that, right?” I’m super creative.

     

    2. WHY DO YOU DO IT?

    I don’t know, why do you ask invasive questions? Is it a calling of yours? Something you’ve always wanted to do? Living your dream, are you?? (Doesn’t feel very good on the business end, does it?)

     

    3. READING WATCHING PLAYING ANYTHING GOOD LATELY?

    No. I’m basically in cryogenic sleep waiting for Boardwalk Empire to come back. Everything else is hot garbage water.

     

    4. BEST GIG EVER?

    “Gig”?? Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize we were all a bunch of “hepcats” being “cool to the scene”. Wait, let me go smoke my “reefer cigarillo” and I’ll “scat” you some “verbiage”, “daddy-o”.

     

    5. WHAT SCARED YOU AS KID (PLACE, MONSTER, THING, FOOD, ETC)?

    Two words: Mom’s home.

     

    6. GOT ANY SIDE PROJECTS GOING ON?

    “Overheard on Facebook” on the MSN video network! Go watch it, marvel at my creative brilliance, then go name your dog after me!

     

    7. STAR WARS OR STAR TREK?

    Do you mean, which one would I want to set on fire first? Tough call.

     

    8. WHO DO YOU WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH AND WHY?

    I don’t know. Gore Vidal? Isn’t that who people answer this question with, so they sound all smart? Sure. Gore Vidal. He makes good shampoo, so why not. He better goddam well pay for dinner though, with all that shampoo money.

     

    9. GUILTY PLEASURE?

    Your mom. BOOOM!!!!

     

    10. PARTING THOUGHTS?

    “Parting thoughts”?? What the hell kind of question is THAT? I just gave you nine answers spun from pure GOLD, and now you want another one? And you can’t even bother to come up with a real question?? Is this like an encore? I’ve CLEARLY left the stage, and you’re just standing out there, like a dummy in the dark, waving your cell phone in the air and yelling for me to come back and entertain you some more. What a lame idea. I HATE encores.
    So I guess that’d be my Parting Thought: Encores are stupid.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

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    TRANSMISSION #1 //What is Planet Fiction Studios?

    April 12, 2013 | Posted By: | Uncategorized |

    WHAT IS PLANET FICTION STUDIOS?

    Welcome to the site and thanks for giving us a look!  This first transmission will give you an idea of who we are and what our mission is.

     

    #1: WHO ARE WE?

    Sean Smillie, Writer. Chris Davis, Producer.

     

    Basically a couple of guys who love comics, movies and video games. After a decade plus of working in the video game industry we decided to start our own creative agency just outside of Vancouver, BC in beautiful Deep Cove (the perfect setting for a horror movie – seriously, Google it). We’re big time fan boys who are constantly keeping THE BIG IDEA alive (more on that in upcoming posts…).

     

    #2: WHAT ARE WE DOING?

    Planet Fiction is a studio that focuses on two things…

     

    ORIGINAL IDEAS. Our projects go through our transmedia filter of //READ //WATCH //PLAY.  An example is our first property – DOMAIN.  An epic tale that kicks off as a movie – sequels as a graphic novel – transitions into another movie – becomes a video game – then continues into a movie and carries on into…something else.

    Our ideas tend to sit in the region of ‘high concept’.  They often include such pleasant elements as monsters, adventure, big evil, strong heroes, tons of destruction and a healthy dose of the unexpected. Basically all the things we love to //READ //WATCH //PLAY

     

    WORK FOR HIRE. We’re always available.  Anywhere.  Anytime.  We believe great ideas come from great partnerships and we’ve always enjoyed being part of a team.  Check out our ‘work for hire’ page to see some of the services we offer (or contact us if there’s something in particular you want to discuss).

     

    #3: WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

    We’re champions of THE BIG IDEA.

    We want to work with talented people and create great stories.

     

    #4: WHERE’S THIS BLOG GOING?

    Every Monday we’ll be posting something new. It might be what we’re currently READING WATCHING or PLAYING. It might be a look into the creative process of one our original projects (our own version of BEHIND-THE-SCENES). Or maybe a healthy dose of THE WEEKLY UNEXPECTED…’ or 10 QUESTIONS WITH… All this and more is coming down the pipe – so visit us regularly.

     

    Aaaanyhoo, give us a shout if you need some work done, are interested in our original concepts or what you think of PLANET FICTION STUDIOS.

     

    END TRANSMISSION.

    – Sean & Chris

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