basing characters off real people - the risks

Writers are constantly observing everything. Anything can show up in our writing, especially people. When we want to base a character off of someone we don't know all that well it may be a bit awkward. How are we supposed to get close and observe their habits for our fictional character without appearing weird or creepy? This blog may help. If you wish to study the human race, please do it correctly and discreetly.

This post is not a guide on how to stalk someone. I want to be clear. This post is how to study and people-watch humans you don't know all that well for the purposes of writing fictional characters, without getting stalking accusations slapped against you. I do not advocate following someone around like a film PI (because, frankly, it isn't even accurate legally) or popping up everywhere they go, due to the fact that if they notice you are doing this they will get a little upset (which can be anything from a stern conversation to legal stalking charges). The blog below is not about gaining their personal information or hacking someone. 

Photo by a writer of history

First, we are going to go over the legal definition of stalking. No joke. As much as I'd love to observe someone under an invisibility cloak, it is not legal. Also, it is better to befriend than to stalk if you want to get to know them well. Voluntary information is given in friendship, plus more opportunities for legal and comfortable observation. Friendship is magical, especially if you need writing inspiration.

According to Merriam-webster

"Legal Definition of stalking

: the act or crime of willfully and repeatedly following or harassing another person in circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to fear injury or death especially because of express or implied threats

broadly : a crime of engaging in a course of conduct directed at a person that serves no legitimate purpose and seriously alarms, annoys, or intimidates that person

NOTE: Stalking is often considered to be aggravated when the conduct involved also violates a restraining order protecting the victim."

The information we want

Given the above definition, I would like to make sure you know what I look for when I base a character off of someone. I am not looking for personal information to steal identities. Do not take personal phone numbers, addresses, or anything of the like when looking around. 

I observe personality, which is the characteristics of who someone is. It is how they act, think, react, and live. This is something you have to observe and take notice of as they get comfortable. It comes out in their words, what they value, the traits they value, and how they react to anything. Personality is how they are wired. Time is needed to get this information and you shouldn't just befriend someone and drop them like they were only a means to an end. True friendship creates many character bases in many stories, so try to keep those going. This also includes intro and extroversion. 

Description can be anything from how they walk, to how they talk, to what color their hair or eyes are. This doesn't require friendship, so if you are only describing them and nothing else you need not become besties - just don't gawk or record them without their permission. Please don't violate the stalking laws above to get this descriptive information. The best way is to sit in a public place with a book, laptop, or music in your ear and drink coffee. Become as normal and invisible as possible and blend in with the crowd. Know the social rules or you will fail at blending. Then take notes as subtle-like as you can. Coffee shops are great places to do this. Take notes in your head, if you can. 

The ideal place to people watch
Photo by Pinas Social

Values, defined here as what they put as their highest priority and care about deeply, are shown through what they react to. For instance, if they jump in on a debate on a political agenda, but don't even speak about the next topic that is a clear sign of what they care about. It is either that, or they don't believe the crowd they are in understands or will try to. As for priority, take note of what they put their time into. Time spent and money will reveal what is higher on their mental hierarchy (and sometimes we shift those, so notice that, too). It isn't all that hard to see if you try and truly pay attention. 

The only other thing I look for is tendencies, as in unique quirks that only they seem to have. I have a tendency to talk to reason out loud when comfortable and alone, as an example. Along with this, we have habits. Whether they were started from experiences, conditioning, childhood, or superstitions is to be noted if possible. A lot of the time we may never know why they have that quirk until we become close with others or see their home life. Lifestyle comes into the discussion at this point and social norms are put into this category. Take special note of habits and social faux pas (or mistakes) because any social mistakes are signs of an unfamiliar social rule that contradicts a lifestyle habit. Along with this, you may notice what they are uncomfortable with. If they get uncomfortable with you, specifically, back off of them for a long time (or forever, if they are truly, deeply annoyed).

How to use social media without creeping

The above information can be found on social media if they post often. However, pretend that you are a private detective that wants to leave no trace at a crime scene. I have made this mistake once and it got taken badly. It is easy to say "oh, cool post" and share (because that is easy), but do that a bunch of times in a row and you are going to be noticed. Don't react to anything, especially if you think they won't take it well, if you decide to find information off of a public profile. If possible, get them to accept a friend request. In that case, they will have authorized you to look. "Public" is important because that means they told everyone on the internet the same information you are seeing on the page, which means they can't say much of anything legally, should they misunderstand you. Don't annoy anyone if you can help it. 

That warning being said, I continue. What someone finds important they share, post on, write statuses about, and chat about. The groups they participate in are signs of values. You see a lot of another human's life by going so far back into their posts that you run out. Pictures reveal who they hang out with and find valuable. Another warning I'll speak of is that anyone can be what they want to online. Don't depend on this for everything. Please be discreet.

Observation 

Actions speak louder than words. People watchers everywhere know this to be true. The discreet watching of a subject comes with some need for guidance if you are new. You are going to face the same pitfalls of a PI (private investigator) if you don't befriend the character base. I, again, advocate that you do so. That aside, I will give more advice. 

Public places are easier to manage if you want to do this stealthily. Coffee shops are full of people who linger and no one is too suspicious. Grab a hot beverage or snack, take a laptop, and chill. My best advice here is to act like a local or be one. Blend. In the case of other public places, it is the same concept. If you can look natural taking notes do so. The safest way is to jot it down later on. Stick to one place and don't follow them anywhere, or you are going to get in trouble.

Photo By United States Cybersecurity Magazine

Need help blending in? I found some advice online you might heed. For starters, act like you are supposed to be there and you are in the middle of something important. Do what everyone else is doing, if you need to linger. If you need to keep an eye on stuff it helps to strike up a conversation with the nicest and friendliest human in the area, while also paying attention to your subject. Wear what you see around you, preferably a common color like gray. To observe someone without them realizing it you can put headphones on or stare at your phone. Literally, so easy to do because all of millennial society (minus the introverted ones) do this for hours. 

It is rude to eavesdrop, and yet, I do so almost naturally by acting busy and not gossiping the information out. Some days you should play dumb. People tend to get a little upset when you know more than they told you. I remember quite a bit about everyone I'm close to. I have played dumb often. Columbo, the detective, does so during the investigations he conducts and gets more out of someone by using this method. Take his hint. Don't panic people. Don't broadcast what you know. If you do intend to eavesdrop appear busy and preoccupied. 

Assuming you are just observing, here are some things to remember. As a general rule, keep your distance unless you are friends. Don't make eye contact or give them any reason to look over at you. Be invisible. Mind your clothing and try to look clean and appropriate to your environment. If you stop observing to make a friend try to be casual and natural, not pushy. Don't make your subject want to run or leave. 

Logical Deduction Science

This is where you become Sherlock. Try to channel your inner Sherlock Holmes as you take in every aspect of the subject you are getting to know. You don't have to ask many questions when you use this type of science, which makes this the safest way to base a character off of someone you know. You are a writer and can fill in the blanks. Be aware that you won't learn it all. 

Let me give you an example. A man in his 20s is sitting in a coffee shop typing, pausing to drink his coffee, and sighing deeply. He has a bag that is worn and full of history books. His hair is messy. His attire is casual. The laptop has an Akron University label slapped on the cover, along with two Supernatural and Doctor Who stickers with it. He has been sitting there for a few hours. Another man comes in, someone his age, and joins him. They ask how his term paper is coming and he groans. They nod sympathetically. They say that they understand because they gave up on it fifteen minutes ago. They order their coffee and glance at the notebook of notes beside him. He has now opened a history book. They leave and come back with their own laptop, decorated with another Akron University sticker and a Batman sticker. They casually lean back and scroll through something you can't see. After half an hour of that, the pair leave together. 

What do you know about your subject? He likes Doctor Who and Supernatural, and might like Sherlock (because the fanbase of both feed into the Sherlock fanbase). He is in a history class. He is having a lot of trouble with his term paper. He is an overachiever (noted due to the fact he didn't give up on the term paper), unlike his friend who is probably scrolling on a form of social media (the only place you scroll on a laptop). His friend is into DC comics, or at least batman, and might be a roommate. Both go to Akron University. Your subject has been stressed all day because his hair is messed up and he probably ran his fingers through it. Additionally, that professor getting the paper is likely hard to please. I got all that through looking and none of it through asking. Common sense will get you far. 

What if I annoy my subject?

A note on gender is necessary here. Men, you should be extra careful if your subject is a woman. Women, like me, don't react well to men who come across as off. If you messed up and came across as creepy and not as a nice dude writing a novel (if you are a nice dude - I assume you are if you want to avoid looking creepy) you should immediately disappear from that person's life or apologize and hope that you can befriend them someday (not today, another day). Two choices. Pick one and live with it. If they say you are a creep and run, you back off with no parting words or intention to study further. This society sometimes makes women feel unsafe. My best advice here is that you make a new friend from the start (which works much better). 

 If they talk to you personally about it in a logical, reasonable way you can easily explain that you are writing a novel and they were chosen as a character base, but if they desire to be left alone you will do so. This is if you run into a friendly human. The fact that they are willing to discuss this with you is a good sign and means you might work it out eventually (if not now). Don't despair. They are probably more forgiving than others. All the same, back off until your friendship is repaired.

Now, we bring up the illogical humans that get their feathers ruffled and don't forget. You make a mistake with this breed of human and they may do things behind your back. This is why you should heed the warning I posted at the top of the blog. This person will not just passively forgive you right away (believe me - I've been here before), but ask their forgiveness and explain anyway. Then back away from them declaring that you will leave them alone. And make no attempt to contact or talk to them unless they initiate first. Don't create any evidence that you were studying their personality. The less physical evidence you create, the better, because if they declare that you stalked them and there is no evidence to be found they can only slander (which still hurts, but is not as bad as it could be). Again, this is a human who may hold a grudge for a long period of time. Be careful and tread on eggshells. 

I'll end this on a note I've been repeating all this blog. Befriend the subject of your studies and you will go far. Friends are far more forgiving than strangers. Friends will not spook as easily and you have easy access to being where they are - all without a conspicuous trenchcoat and hat (which you shouldn't even use nowadays). Go easy on yourself and make a new friend today. It will take the risks down to a bare minimum, where you can breathe a little easier. Plus, you get so much more from the subject when they trust you. 

Sources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/out-the-ooze/201604/why-some-people-creep-us-out-so-much

https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/10-things-extremely-creepy-people-do-usually-without-realizing.html

https://graywolfsurvival.com/133872/the-art-of-blending-in-5-tips-from-a-counterintelligence-special-agent/

Good musicals that get dark

 If you came to a musical to have a cheery tune play through your brain you should beware of these. Though they are excellent choices of entertainment, they don't leave you happy. Some of them make points about society, some are just weird, but they do not leave you with fuzzy feelings. Join me in exploring the world of musicals.

Photo by 25 YL

A musical, for the purpose of our blog here, is determined to be in both film and live theatre form. Basically, if there are consistent songs throughout the acting scenes and script you have a musical. The dancing and singing have to be essential, according to the dictionary, so that is our standard here. 

While there are plenty of upbeat, light musicals out there, you clicked this blog link to talk about the ones you don't watch for sheer comedy. If you want the light humor and show tune quality in another blog comment below, but without further adieu, we start with Les Miserables.

Photo by Les Miserables 

Les Miserables translates to "the miserable ones" and the book is no cheerier (in fact, it is much sadder at the end because it is drawn out). I'd recommend the book if you have a lot of time, but if you can barely read a short 20 chapter novel you should probably skip it due to the sheer length of the book (which was released in smaller chunks, but is huge put together). Victor Hugo wrote it and is not everyone's jam, so I get it. It is good if you have the attention span, so I suggest it - and I know because I took months to read it. 

Anyway, the plot is that Jean Valjean gets out of prison in the 19th Century after serving 19 years for stealing bread for his family to eat. He then breaks parole in order to start a new life because a priest saved his soul by giving him mercy. He does a lot of good in the community and then has to run because of his violation of the law, which eventually puts him at the barricades through various detailed events that get a bit complicated. There are several plotlines to follow that all end up connected. The musical makes them easy to understand. It is all singing (talented singing), in case you were wondering, so if you are not into constant singing you were warned. It will leave you in tears.

Photo by Rocky Horror Wiki Fandom

Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cult classic, a musical that makes you wonder who drugged your popcorn - when you know no one did. It doesn't have a real clear plotline once everyone starts sleeping with each other and the only clear plot is the beginning, where Janet and Brad are newly engaged and get a flat tire. The couple go for help in a mansion that is full of sexually active aliens, one of which is a psychopath that plays with people like toys and is killed at the end for the sake of humanity.

In case you didn't know how to attend the show, I have advice. You can dress up, bring props (they sell them in survival kits there, most likely), and you are welcome to dance to the time warp when it comes up. You can shout up at actors, however, watch the people who know what they are doing before you do that. It is an oddity of a show. First time seeing it? You may have to be embarrassed with a lipstick V for virgin and sit at the front. Be prepared for that.

Cabaret, set during the start of the German occupation, is a show that truly shows you how the Nazi ideals choked out the good in society and killed relationships. The main character is a homosexual and is telling the story through a cabaret show style. At the end, they sing the same beginning song in a darker manner and use the same words to portray a different tone. Your narrator dies at the end scene when they bow and the lights go out - and the kicker is that they are wearing striped pajamas! It is a kick in the gut and you almost expect to hear a gunshot. 

Photo By Stage Chat

During this whole musical there is a romance going on that involves a man and cabaret dancer, which is complicated by his confusion of sexual nature. Also, a Jewish man almost marries a woman, only to have the German Nazi influence ruin everything and leave the pair unable to marry. All the characters end up miserable and the main narrator is clearly killed in a concentration camp.

West Side Story is a gang and street-violence retelling of "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare. It is not exact, I don't think, and isn't intended to be exact. If you have never read the play I just mentioned it is about two people from rival families falling in love and killing themselves on accident and on purpose (depending on the character you are looking at). In this case, Maria is the sister of the gang leader of the Sharks (Porta Rican gang) and Tony is part of the Jets, the previously established gang unsure how to handle the foreign gang. Only Tony dies in this one, but Maria nearly kills herself and shoots several others in the process.

The way they show the gang violence is kind of mesmerizing due to the dance style and choreography. It is not all words in songs and is instead dance for most of the time. The beginning scene is quite telling without the need for the words, much like a silent film, but not silent. It is almost all body language and cinematography saying the Jets are not into the Sharks in the area. Watch it to the end to see how cool the dance style looks. It has an excellent way of telling a story without words, but still having words involved when necessary. Below is the opening scene, in case you want an example of this storytelling technique.

A gentleman's guide to love and murder is the tale of Monty Navarro, who learns at his mother's death that she was disowned for marrying poor, and that they were in poverty with no help from her rich family. He finds out he is up for a title, but they all hate him. As revenge and for his own gain he kills his way from the 8th Earl to being the 2nd Earl. It is not a commonly known one. He is attracted to two women and is trying to figure out what to do about it. He is then accused of murdering the one, the only relative, that he never murdered and actually liked. 

Photo by Boulder Weekly

This one I have never fully seen because I can't find it on a recorded anything and can only listen to the soundtrack on youtube. Which is a bummer because it is such a funny show. I put it here because of its odd, murderous nature that might make some shy away from it. I loved the songs and I know that it is not the most normal entertainment in the world. Try it out, if you can find it shown. If you've seen it comment about your experience. I know it is long and takes some attention span.

Dear Evan Hansen is the story of a troubled youth who tried to kill himself over the summer in secret and gets a therapy note stolen from him. The kid with the note is found and it looks like a suicide note, so Evan gets contacted about it and lies about a friendship because he doesn't know what to do and doesn't want to tell them their son was a bully. He ends up dating the dead boy's sister. Everything spirals out of control and it is a tear-jerker.

Photo by Seanger Theatre

What makes it so emotional is the way that we see his anxiety tear him apart, as well as seeing part of why he was like that. We see the struggles of his single mother because her husband left. All of it is hard to look at, especially when the lie falls apart and chaos breaks forth into a confession that he tried to kill himself and he had lied to the family for months. I saw it live. I cried. It was an amazing show that his now as expensive as Hamilton (if you look for live shows). 

Next To Normal is a show exploring bipolar disorder, suicide, electric shock therapy, and dealing with the death of a child. It is not the light and airy show and is here because of the mental health struggles it reveals. Diana Goodman has bipolar disorder and her first child died, but she sees him around the house. This causes problems with her living daughter. If you watch carefully, no one else acknowledges her figment and talks to him and the table is only set for one child and her date - not two children. The husband dealt with the loss by taking away every picture of the dead child, and after the electroshock therapy he doesn't return them and continues in denial. I'll let you watch the show and watch the complications that happen, but I will warn you that it is a bittersweet ending.

Photo By Broadwayworld.com

You see readers, this is more realistic than you would think. It isn't a sunny, bright show because the battle for mental health in disorders like Diana's is not sunny. It isn't fun to deal with the death of a child and in the case of the husband we see that he too is faced with this figment and has trouble even saying his name. By this time Diana is facing the child's death, recovering and is moving out due to her recovery. It is hard to watch, even more so than the previous show I described. Be mentally prepared to see a reality you are not used to. It is titled like it is due to the nature of Diana's life and how she can't have normal, but she can have next to normal. 

What is this book worth?

 As an avid reader who feels books almost have souls, I want to cry when I see gutted old books that might have been vintage set up as decor, or art that rips book pages from old, classic, antique books. I want to sob for every Nancy Drew book that anyone has ever destroyed for the sake of art. Books, to me at least, are more valuable than gold. That being said, if you are going to or have to destroy a book find a novel that is trash on paper or worth nothing (so, not antique or vintage). Today we explore what books are worth money and what books are not.

Photo Courtesy of My Wall Decor Ideas
An example of abused books

Again, I implore you as a human being not to destroy these precious gifts that authors have given us and doom them to being useless decor. I know not everyone has room in their house to collect bookshelves of novels. There is a solution that will put some cash in your pocket or save you space - sell it or donate it. It is either that or you can pass the book on to the next reader in your family, friendship circle, or workplace. 

I, personally, only keep books I enjoy or collect on my bookshelves (of which I don't have enough). I am an addict when it comes to books and have to occasionally make sure I'm going to read all my books every so many years. To those who collect valuable editions and rare books, an antique shop shelf is an excellent place to look. If you are going to start, you need a guide. I can only help you so far, but here is a basic guide to what is worth buying and what you should leave for those that want to make decor cheap.

Rare Books

Rare books are hard to find because of earlier print dates, limited edition, historical interest, or rare binding or character. These are the last thing you want to make decor or gut. I will take these precious paper children from you willing to save them and so will bookshops in your area. You can sell them at a high price online if you wanted to. 

First editions, for starters, are worth a lot, and the older the book the more money you can get (especially 1900s). If it is published with 500 or fewer copies you may have an opportunity. Autographed books or books signed by someone famous are great, too. If anyone famous owned anything you can sell it for some spending or saving cash, as a general rule. If it was made by a specific printing technique that is no longer used you are holding something rare. Depending on the condition, you can adjust your prices. Mint condition (perfect with no wear) is money. Signed binding is another thing to look for.

Releases of special covers of books get attention. Some people want pretty, leather-bound books and pay well for them. Reprints with more decorated covers and more illustrations are sought out, as well. Specific typography is the same concept. If you have a cover of a book that is unique and hard to find (even if the content is the same as the cheap paperback of the same title) you should not harm it, especially if it is in mint condition. Fore-edged painting, painting done by hand on the edges of a page of a closed book is something to look for.

I will warn you that some books have more demand than others and this requires research to find out. A first edition alone does mean rare.  Also, identifying first editions is not as easy as you think. One way to check is to check the date it was copyrighted and the date it was printed. Does it match? If so, yes, it is the first edition. There are a few other ways, but you are going to have to go deeper and get a manual on first editions, due to the non-uniform nature of publishing companies.

Why Do Reprints and Originals Vary?

Photo by Los Angeles Times

You would not think that reprinting would change content, but I'm going to use Nancy Drews as an example here. Some books are re-edited when they are released again. The originals actually have slightly different content sometimes (this may be true of other books, but do your research). The covers of Nancy Drew dime novels (because they cost only a small amount) give away the time they were released. The ones released now are revised, every one of them. The guide at the link below will give you more details, but you see my point. Some collectors say the revised are not as good as the original, but most of the books sold in major book stores are the shiny revised. Take a trip through antique stores and look for the originals, if you are trying to collect them all. The same thing goes for the Hardy Boys collection.

http://www.series-books.com/nancydrew/text.html   (The link is specific, in case you need that.)

http://hardyboys.us/hbos.htm ( This is the Hardy Boys reprints that details the specifics.)

The Series That People Want Most

Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys are two series that are in demand from collectors. The book collectors out there tend to band together and show off their collection on bookshelves. Most likely, they also play Nancy Drew games, but that is beside the point. 

We also have, on this collectible list, "Birds of America" by James Audubon. It was auctioned for 6.6 million dollars. Good luck getting it.

Photo By 13th Dimension

Some may know how much DC and Marvel mean to the world right now. Their comic books are extremely valuable when in good condition and the people who collect will do so avidly. They, too, will show off their bookshelf to others. 

Edgar Allen Poe, it seems, is in demand. He is a gifted, dark poet that has been let into public education textbooks. This is thousands of dollars in auctions. Good luck finding much of this stuff for a student price. 

Next, we have Charles Darwin's "The Origin of Species". Expensive book, but if you want it I suppose the richest bidder will find it. It usually comes up at auctions every year or so. Again, you'd better be rich if you want this one.

Harry Potter is a classic series and is collected quite often. The first editions of this series cost some money, but are not as bad as the above book. 150,000 dollars for this is not unheard of (given it is the first edition). This is not an old book. It is not any less valuable because it isn't old. 

Least Valuable Books

Photo By The Guardian

Personally, I'm going to give my opinion and you can disagree, but the book series that I think you should gut is "Fifty Shades of Grey", every one of them. I have two reasons. One is that the content is pornographic in a dark nature and represents an unhealthy relationship that shouldn't be graphically shown to anyone. Reason two is that the content, even if it weren't graphic, is so badly written that it should never have been published at all. 

To see some of the many reasons why this book was royal crap on a plate read this link: https://www.workthegreymatter.com/50-novel-writing-mistakes-fifty-shades-grey-part-1/

Our role of dishonor continues with "Mein Kampf" written by Adolf Hitler. I don't have to tell you why.

After this opinions may go this way and that, so it is up to you after this, but if you can get money for it don't gut it. The money is useful for several things, but a gutted book is worth nothing. 

Sources:

https://antiques.lovetoknow.com/How_to_Identify_a_Rare_Book#:~:text=According%20to%20dictionary.com%20the,binding%2C%20or%20its%20historical%20interest.

https://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/most-wanted-rare-books

https://geekforthewin.com/worst-books-ever/

Cult classics

The cult classics are never going out of style, whether they hit the box office well or flopped. Some of them were experiments, graphic novels and books, or just the result of a British or American TV show spinoff. What cult classics have you seen? 

Photo By Forbes

What qualifies as a cult classic? Good question. The standard is that a film must have a devoted cult following, which means a devoted fan group in different wording. It can't be a short-lived infatuation. These films don't go away and fade out of memory in a few years. They are remembered years later and have sequels in some cases.

Some films are remembered for being bad, so much so that we are laughing at the film in theatres when it isn't a comedy (like The Room). Others are classics for being good and timeless. Princess Bride, just one example, is known as a fantastic film everywhere and is unlikely to be remade or enjoyed as a remake. There are a few of these movies that are known for their unique features. Rocky Horror Picture Show is a blaring example of this, to the point that it is one of the only theatre shows that people might yell at the stage. Without further adieu, we go forward into the land of cult classics.

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World

Photo By Next Gen Base

This one bombed at the box office, but yet, I have a copy at home in my collection. It became a cult classic later and is actually quite close to the graphic novel when it comes to accuracy, to the point of verbatim images and movie lines, give or take a few shots and scenes. It is a gamer classic, especially if you know what games they are referencing. It has Nintendo game music within the soundtrack and a game connected with it. You can play this movie in the form of a game.

The plot, in case you know nothing about this geeky classic, is that Scott Pilgrim meets a girl and has to defeat her seven evil exes in video-game-related battles that most nerdy and geeky fans will fangirl over. It is based tightly on a six-book graphic novel set (of which I have all of them). It didn't hit the box office well because it is for a special audience. When it comes to video game imitation only Wreck-It Ralph 1 and 2 can compete. The specialized audience that it was made for flocked to it and continues to watch it long past its release to theatres.

Sharknado

This one is rather brainless in nature, but that is kind of why some people watched it and funded it

Photo By Amazon

enough to make sequels. I do not understand how it made money. Somehow this plot, which people ate up with a spoon, of sharks and tornadoes has six sequels. The first one was not a comedy. The rest of them were given a facade of seriousness so that the nature of comedy could still be there. It was clear to the people filming this weird stuff that their serious film was taken as comedic and did well in the genre. 

The plot, if there even is one, is that Los Angeles is flooded with shark-infested waters and mayhem ensues. Reading the plot alone is comedy. It is like a badly written film of Jaws, only they made it so ridiculous that "a boating accident" can't even be blamed. I have no words for this series. I'm pretty dang sure that people watch it to make fun of it and because they don't want to think. 18 reviews were made on rotten tomatoes - and they said it was fun, brainless, and should probably be watched while drunk (paraphrasing several reviews, not exact wording). I'm sure it would make sense if you stopped using your brain and consumed a few bottles of wine and a keg of beer. All the same, I don't understand why they made it.

Here is the plot. Have fun laughing! : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharknado

Jaws

Photo By Film Affinity

Speaking of sharks, here is a film that is supposed to be horror, but is suspense instead. Compared to what horror films about sharks we have now I'd say it is good. It always will be. It just isn't as scary as it used to be considered. I love this film. Classics don't die. 

The plot is simple and makes sense (unlike the other shark movie I just referenced). Police Chief Martin Brody recognizes a shark attack, but is denied authority to close the beaches. Some more shark attacks come up on the fourth of July. This leads to an agreement to hire someone to hunt the shark. The sequels focus on the Brody family and how shark attacks seem to follow them. There are only three sequels. This one is worth the time to see.

The Room

This film showed in the theatre, but I can tell you that it was not because it was quality. The world made

Photo by VICE

fun of this movie, from dialogue to acting to plot. I've seen it. It was not intended to be a comedy, and yet, it gets laughs when it is shown. The director wrote it, starred in it, and produced it. It has around nine sex scenes (all of which are not good). 

The plot, though incoherent and awful, is that Johnny is living the American dream and his wife is cheating on him. It is supposed to have a sad ending. I, personally, was too busy laughing at the bad acting. If that is any clue to the overall film you can just guess how much camera film they wasted. There is a film about the making of The Room called The Disaster Artist.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Photo By Mental Floss

There are two versions (and I hear both are good). The basic plotline is that a newly engaged couple, on their way to announce this to a friend, get a flat tire and end up at a mansion of sexually active aliens (an understatement, if you've seen this movie). At this point, the plot gets weirder and odder until you have a suspicion that someone drugged your Cheetos, popcorn, or soda. It all boils down to a psychopath who plays with people like they are toys and acts like an adult child when they don't comply. 

If you notice that gay pride signs are all through this one, you may also notice a lot of inuendoes. There is no cussing in this movie,  but they don't need it after you count all the endless sex jokes. This is a broadway show, then a movie later. It was never a failure in the broadway sense, but did flop originally in the movie theatre. Actually, audiences watched this movie to yell at the screen, dress up in costumes, bring props, and trash the theatre viewing room. Some people watch this movie daily in theatres late at night. 

Be aware that if you are seeing it for the first time, broadway or movie theatre, you might have a lipstick V (for virgin) put on your forehead and be seated at the front of the theatre. You might be embarrassed in front of others. If you wish to save someone sitting with you from this embarrassment because they are not of the temperament to stand it don't tell anyone it is their first time. Don't let them say it, either. It may even be a better idea to rent the movie and watch it at home (where no one can do anything to you). It depends on your friend that you brought. Or you.

The Princess Bride

Photo By Know Your Meme

I think we all know that this movie can never be redone because it is perfect as is. In case you don't know the plot, I'll give you the gist of it. Buttercup and Wesley have a romance until Wesley is thought to be killed by the dread pirate Roberts. Buttercup then marries a prince (but never professes to love him) and Wesley turns out to be alive. From there chaos ensues. I'm not going to give you every little detail. I want you to watch this one and enjoy the fairytale that it is. 

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Photo By Blu-Ray Authority

This one is not everyone's cup of tea. It is British humor. If you like that you will love this movie. It doesn't take a brain and can be a great rest from writing a paper for your college classes. It is the search for the Holy Grail by King Arther and his knights of the round table. Monty Python is known for being rather silly. That is what makes this gem what it is. I encourage you to watch this one, too, and laugh for a while as the English make fun of themselves. It is absurd humor that doesn't have to make sense. An overly serious mind will stare at this                                                                                   and go "What?". 

Blues Brothers

I liked this one. You see, it is a musical in movie form and sucks you into the plot (and forgetting

Photo By Eye For Film

everything on your to-do list). Pull this out when you don't have a long list of things that need doing because you will find you have nothing done after you begin watching. That is precisely why it is good. It keeps your attention. 

The plot is that The Blues Brothers reunite the band to save an orphanage in their city that raised them. It is all jazz music and gospel music that pops up at nearly every scene. It is rated well, according to google (nearly all ratings are five stars), so I'd say it is doing well. 

Pulp Fiction

Photo By IMDB

The film has its own genre, practically, due to the nature of the film. It involves gangs, money, drugs, a gangster's wife overdosing and being revived, a boxer, armed bandits, and a fixer. It gets complicated and has an updated Noir feel to it (Neo-Noir). It is directed by Quentin Tarantino. If you know that director you know his quirks. He is rather violent in nature with his plots. It was received well by audiences and critics. 

        Star Trek

Fun fact, the actors thought they were making dumpster trash. Now people dress like Klingons to go cosplaying. It seems it was not garbage after all. The budget for the original was not high, unsurprisingly, so you can tell when they did get more money for the production of it and the budget rose. It has not died and probably won't die out in our entertainment because of the large fandom that is supporting it - young and old alike. 

If you don't know the basic plot, it is set in the future when humans and aliens are existing together and explore galaxies together through starships. It is often compared with Star Wars, which is not the same plot. We have the original series starting 1966-69, The Next Generation from 1987-94, Deep Space Nine from 1993-99, Voyager from 1995 -2001, Enterprise from 2001-2005, Discovery starting in 2017, and Picard starting in 2020. I would not be surprised if I missed a series, so let me know if I did. 

Sources:

https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/level-up-why-scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world-endures-as-a-cult-favorite-beyond-its-geek-appeal/

https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/12/2/16720012/the-room-tommy-wiseau-backstory-explained

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073629/plotsummary

Brave and magic

Here we are discussing Brave, only today we are tackling the magic and folklore of the Brave movie. What are wisps? Do they really lead you to your fate or doom? Keep reading to find out.

Photo courtesy of Surf and Sunshine

 Those cute little blue flames are real folklore. Wisps are as bad as pixies. They are spirits of the dead or spirits of fairies that lead travelers off the beaten path and lead you to your doom (which does in fact change your fate) or treasure. According to folklore, you should be wary of them if you are out after sunset on an unfamiliar path.  Ignus Fatuus, or foolish fire, often leads lost travelers into the marshes. Why? Because it is a natural phenomenon that is due to decaying plants in marshy areas. It is a case of biology explained by the folk tales. Fun, right? So, please, don't follow those blue flames into the marshes and get stuck. They are not actually dead spirits or fairies. You will die in the bogs or drown there. People used to follow these "wisps" and get too far into the bog to be saved, which is your doom and does change your fate - just not for the better. Folklore says chasing these things are like cats catching laser pointers - you can't get it. Ultimately, the one doing the chasing ends up lost and alone. 

The video below is the closest I can get to showing you the real nature spectacle. It gets confused for spirit orbs quite often. They resemble lanterns. Animated blue things look a little bit less weird, but the fact is that it is hard to find anything on youtube, other than stuff like this that doesn't look all that clear, that represents wisps in real life.

The legend does ring true to Merida's story because she does end up led to a witch, which makes things far worse, because of those cute blue flames. They probably intended her doom, really, because her decision tore apart her kingdom, which she had to face. While Merida and her mother did end up better off as mother and daughter and the kingdom was restored, it could have been a smoother ride without dealing with a witch's spell, a spell that had been done before and was proven to shatter kingdoms. Mordu was a huge neon warning sign and may have also been shown the way by wisps. Mordu ended up alone. Merida changed her ways and reunified her kingdom, but Mordu never mended his ways in time. He was forever trapped in the form of a bear that had the strength of ten men. Oops, times ten!

Other things that make Brave authentic

Photo courtesy of Visit Scotland

You see those standing stones in a circle that the horse won't go near? Those are real. In the outer Hebrides is a circle of stones - the Calanais standing stones. They were constructed 5000 years ago. We don't know why. They may have something astrological about them or they may be a religious ceremonial place, but they are there regardless. Until we invent a time machine and watch what the people do with the stones, we know nothing. 

The Highland games are real, even the throwing of big poles. If you win the games you win honor and a

Photo courtesy of Visit Scotland

name for yourself. Merida was a warrior of a woman, even disarming her own father to save her mother and hitting targets on horseback. I'll say it again - she would have done well to be born a boy. She doesn't fit the domestic role she was born and prepared for. She outshot all the suiters and split an arrow! (I know the suiters weren't good at archery, yes, but still, she split an arrow!) Nowadays all genders can compete in the games. Even some women toss cabers.

Photo courtesy of Balkan Celts

Artio, a bear goddess, may have inspired Elinor's transformation. The Helvetii tribe worshipped her. She was called upon during hunting rituals and there were white bear-shaped candles of her carved. She was a feminine goddess brought from Switzerland to the UK to Scotland.

                What isn't quite right

As expected we have some costumes that are portrayed inaccurately. Also, it only shows the highland. Strangely, bears may have been extinct in Scotland then. According to a historian the feel of the movie and settings were actually quite good, but only a few things were off. This film crew did their homework and research well. The chessboard was accurate to the time period if you look at it in a museum and then watch the movie. Most movies are not entirely accurate in historical senses unless they are documentaries or reenactments of some form. They got close, very close, but not quite correct. 

The link here can show you more details about the historical accuracy of the film Brave:

https://apprenticeofthechosenone.wordpress.com/2015/08/23/disney-pixars-brave-historically-accurate/

Sources:

 https://www.surfandsunshine.com/will-o-the-wisp-brave/

https://www.babysavers.com/what-are-the-wisps-in-disneypixars-brave-bravecarslandevent/

https://thefairytaletraveler.com/2016/06/17/Disney-brave-Scotland-legends/#:~:text=Folklore%20%E2%80%93%20Scottish%20Legends%20Featured%20in%20Brave&text=To%20avoid%20an%20arranged%20marriage,a%20bear%20goddess%20called%20Artio.&text=Artio%20could%20have%20partly%20inspired%20Queen%20Elinor's%20transformation.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/aug/29/scottish-historian-view-brave

Rare Finds: movies accurate to the book

 I am here to show you the unicorn of movies - the ones that are accurate to the books! Yes, I know, I'm showing you long lost treasure. If anyone else is disappointed by films that don't reflect their source material read further and allow me to show you some hope.

Photo courtesy of In Their Own League

Most movies take some creative liberties and have budgets to deal with. It is also possible that insurance says no to some stunts. Taking a book from a novel to a screenplay is actually rather hard to do. You can't always do every scene from the book. After taking a scriptwriting class I found that out for myself when I took my own short story and had to pull it apart beyond belief to make it fit the play form. I give Hollywood some slack after that. I gave Hollywood even more slack after I took a film class at Malone University and couldn't use the places I wanted to make my documentary on my fiance, so yeah, we don't always get the locations we want. It is not easy to make a film or write a script. On top of those struggles, you can't always have the actors you want and some actors won't do certain things.

That being said, some people hit the nail on the head and did an awesome job of adapting novels into films. It took work, actors who read the book, and so many extra hours to make it so good and satisfying for us. We love it. Let's look at who put in the extra hours. 

Hercule Poirot  starring David Suchet

Photo courtesy of WNYC

I love Agatha Christie's novels and the Hercule Poirot series was spot on. Read the books, watch the Suchet series, and be prepared to listen for exact dialogue from the books. I am not joking. David Suchet learned to walk like Poirot by pinching a penny between his butt cheeks while walking. He read the books before filming. He became the Poirot from the books. I love it so much and my fiance got them all for me. No other Poirot I have ever watched has gotten it so exact. Check out this unicorn from your public library and read the book before you watch the corresponding                                                                                episode. Prepare to be amazed!

Little Women (2019)

I read the book after watching the movie. It stood up to the test, minus a few tiny, microscopic details

photo courtesy of MoMA

that only avid readers would notice (like the fact that Jo's husband was actually supposed to be 40 years old). It changed only a few tiny details that our time period may not entirely understand, but it kept the most important details and parts of the book other adaptations missed in the script. The book is long and a bit old English at parts, so filmmakers did cut some parts and extremely minor characters out, but they got the essence of everything important in the film and have verbatim dialogue written into the script. It is worth comparing to the book. 

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

photo courtesy of Offscreen

This movie, this was so perfect and so accurate that the only thing they omitted was a homosexual connection between two characters, and that wasn't truly important to the plotline (didn't make a difference in the storyline). They got it nearly completely correct. I was floored at how accurate this was. I read the book after the movie, even, and saw lines from the movie verbatim. Read, watch, compare, and let your jaw drop to the floor. It was like they wrote the script with the novel sitting beside the typewriter. Test this one for yourself.

The Big Sleep (1946)

This is the same actor as Maltese Falcom, yes, and his last wife as his costar. This one was close. I read

photo courtesy of Decider

this book first and I will say it is not exact, but they have the essence of it. It is close enough and there are two versions (the first being the most accurate) because apparently there wasn't enough Bacall in it. I have a DVD with both versions (one side original, one side the added scenes). I was particularly happy with this adaptation of a noir classic.

LOTR (Lord of the Rings)

photo courtesy of Taste of Cinema

This one was a large scale project and could in no way be completely accurate, for reasons of how fantastic the story itself is and how deep the meaning of it goes.  That aside, it is pretty darn close because LOTR fans are kind of obsessive over accuracy. Yes, a few characters were left out, but there is a limit on budget. Scriptwriting is not easy when you have a deep, complex novel that needs to become one movie. One movie can't last ten hours (though I know LOTR fans would actually watch it), but this fandom is unique because they will marathon the extended editions for a whole day and not lose attention span. This fandom will notice tiny, microscopic details, so the filmmakers have to pay attention and notice them, too. 

Conclusion

I know that filmmakers do deal with producers, actors, and everyone else while making these films. Like I said at the beginning, it isn't easy, but test these films out after reading the book. The film crews did the authors of these books a wonderful favor. 

Sources:

https://www.shortlist.com/lists/40-best-film-adaptations

https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Tolkien_vs._Jackson:_Differences_Between_Story_and_Screenplay

A Character Study: Brave

The characters in the movie Brave are well written and change throughout the movie. While it is easy to say Merida was all in the wrong or Queen Elinor was all in the wrong that is not what the actual movie was about, to begin with. Here is a character study that will give you a deeper understanding of Merida and Queen Elinor.

Our starting point is explaining the plot. If you've watched this movie you know the plot, but I'm banking on the fact some of you haven't. Put simply and in a few words, Merida and Queen Elinor have a disagreement over Merida getting married to the winner of the archery contest (which Merida secretly entered herself and won her own hand). There are some hurtful words on both ends, Merida runs into a witch, and it all leads to Queen Elinor turning into a bear unless they "mend the bond torn by pride", which takes both mother and daughter to do. There is more detail, but I'm not here to analyze the whole plot, just two characters.

Merida

From the beginning, we see that she feels smothered by her expectations, her role as a princess, and 

how her mother has planned out her entire life. This has, no doubt, caused more tension in the mother-daughter relationship over time than the two ever spoke about. She favors her father because her father allows her freedom. Her mother looks at her personal accomplishments that she is proud of as if she was not doing something worthwhile (because none of it was ladylike), so she doesn't feel appreciated by her mother. 

Another problem is that Merida doesn't listen to her mother because her mother doesn't listen to what she wants, but instead forces her into a social box she doesn't fit in. Merida doesn't feel loved by the instruction that Elinor is giving out of love, but instead feels smothered by it. From the first few scenes, we already see a wall between the two women. She doesn't want the role her mother has. The blowup that rips the tapestry and burns the bow was inevitable. Because Merida isn't tied to tradition, she doesn't feel her breaking of tradition is that important. Frankly, she would have actually done better in that society if she'd been born a boy, given her temperament and will for freedom (because we know men didn't have to be lady-like).

Merida, not realizing her mother would become a bear after the spell took effect, is convinced it wasn't her fault. On her end, "pride" is defined as not trying to understand her mother and thinking only of herself with no regard to the kingdom or her mother's intentions. With the threat of permanent bear-hood comes the fact she could lose her mother and that she really did love her mother.

As for the scene where Merida is forced to step into the Queen's role of stopping a war in the throne room, she learns quite quickly what her mother was trying to teach her. The skills that she learned suddenly became important. And she apologizes to the entire kingdom. She was prepared to say yes to the betrothal at this part until Elinor stops her. Merida has finally been given some freedom and her joy is evident.

In the end, Merida is fully aware that her mother's near-death and bear transformation was her fault,  especially when her father misunderstands and thinks the bear (Elinor) killed Elinor. She takes back her rash words when she almost loses her mother to bear-hood forever.

Queen Elinor

This woman came from nothing and now she is trying to give her daughter everything. Her instruction comes from love, but she has pulled the reigns too tight, so her daughter has decided that she is not proud of her and she is a nuisance. Elinor has spent years preparing her daughter for queenship. She sees this as a great gift and doesn't feel appreciated by her daughter. At this point, she has taken some of the pants in the marriage relationship (given she does most of the public speaking), though her husband is still known as manly and masculine. 

From Elinor's perspective, we see that Merida's breaking of tradition highly insults her and makes her feel that Merida targeted her when really, Merida was trying to take control of her own life and avoid the arranged marriage. Elinor thinks highly of tradition. She has devoted herself to her children.

After becoming a bear she is, rightly, angry. On her end, "pride" is defined as not trying to understand her daughter and trying to make Merida what she wanted her to be. Queen Elinor, partially a bear, almost hurts her own child (and later her husband), which scares her beyond anything. Elinor changes her mind about the betrothal. Why? Because she now understands that Merida was not ready. The happiness on her daughter's face has not been seen for a whole movie, with exception of the flashbacks and her alone-time with her bow. Upon seeing this she is changed even further.

Elinor is nearly killed by her own husband, who thinks she is just a bear. She defends her whole family from Mordu, which actually releases the king trapped inside Mordu from the bear body. She even creates a new tapestry with her daughter later.

For Parents Who Claim Merida Is Not A Role Model

I'm going to tell you that she is not a static character. Don't portray her as a defiant teen purposely thrashing her mother. This is a storyline of a mother-daughter relationship that changes over time. Watch the entire movie. Try to understand the characters. Please don't make a character that is three-dimensional into a character that has no depth. Yes, she made mistakes, but she changed. She humbled herself and so did her mother. It is a complex storyline. While it isn't Game of Thrones, I'd say every character was full of depth. Take a look at these fictional people and try to understand their motives, not just judge their actions. Step outside yourself, even while watching Disney. If you still say she was a troublemaker with no redeeming qualities you are likely not empathizing. Our world needs empathy. Teach your children empathy. I am no parent, but I know enough parents to know that it isn't easy raising small humans to adulthood. Please, respectfully, hear me out. 

Also, Brave has no real villain. It has antagonists (which go against the protagonist, Merida), but not every act can be traced to just one character. Merida bought a spell, but Elinor also pulled the reigns too tight before that. We are looking at chain reactions and dominoes falling. Even the bear Mordu was explained and released from his bear prison at the end. You can't say there is a villain here, because no one was a saint. Which is realistic to the world around us. Disney has become more reality-oriented in the world of princesses and I feel refreshed by this. If you really want to criticize a Disney princess movie, go look at the oldest ones and tell me what you think of Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. Old Disney was actually kind of dark.

Sources:

Fanpop

Holly Jolly Holidays

The Washington Post