Look, this project isn't falling, Berserker or no Berserker. 5 members have just poured in. We have two scripts almost ready to go to second draft. Art is developing slowly, but at least developing. Even music has made a start. Let's look on the bright side. And no one is losing interest. The only thing that will drag this down is all this slapping.
Where is Saphy, anyway? We need a Voice of Unity....
Heh. Sorry. I've had various Real Life things going on, plus a persistent FF1 plotbunny. But I'm back now. ^^ And I'm flattered by being called a Voice of Unity; thanks Maeglin!
I would like to agree with Maeglin on the points he just made: this project is not failing, in any sense of the word. Writing, drawing, creating music, they all take time. They all take revisions and editting. Things are very rarely perfect the first time around, so how things look now might not be how they ultimately end up. The key here is patience.
As to the ongoing debate, I see valid points on both sides:
Berzerker Camp: Anachronisms, like cliches, must be avoided. Nicknames should not be used unless they a) are used by Tolkien (as is the case with the Fea-kids) or b) make sense. Points that are brought up should have some intelligent discussion; yes-men are largely useless. Very few people here have experience with actual film techniques and whatnot. Differing opinions should not be "cliqued", to coin a phrase.
Huinesoron Camp: hS did, in fact, get this project rolling, so he has considerable weight in final decisions. Problems should be pointed out as soon as possible, to avoid time-consuming and extensive rewrites. The Silmarillion tends to focus more on events than personalities (note the word "tends" there). Differing opinions should be presented tactfully, as should retorts to said opinions.
Now, here are my thoughts:
Anachronisms: Generally avoid them. However, if something can be taken from a language and logically modified as something that is commonly used (a shortened Quenyan greeting used in place of "hi" for example), then by all means try it out.
Nicknames: If Tolkien didn't use it, then we probably shouldn't. However, no rule should be followed off a cliff; substituting 'Nor for Feanor would work. Let's just not fall into the oft-used fangirl trap of nicknaming everyone.
Discussion: How many bad situations have come up because people blindly follow the herd? Look at our source material to find just a few. If you have an issue or a question, by all means bring it up. Maybe nobody else has noticed it, and it therefore would merit discussion. Intelligent discussion, please. Flaming and mindless praise, as in reviews, are largely pointless. Research, questions, listening: these are all your friends here. And so are we; please don't be mean to someone just because they don't completely agree with you.
Film Experience: Although not all of us have a lot of film experience (I am by no means an expert, but I have taken a few classes) that doesn't mean that those who do can lord it over the rest. It means that they will have some valuable input, and will be a lot of help later on when we start the animating/filming. For now, however, we are all finding our feet on this project, and no one's opinion should be discredited because they know less about film than the others.
And yes, this whole project was pretty much started by hS, so he has a teeny bit of extra influence in terms of the final product. Kinda like I have a bit of extra influence because I started the forum. I'd really hate to have to ban you guys for being rude, mean, and otherwise cranky, so let's see if we can work all this out like civilized people.
hS, I will help out with whatever editting and betaing you want me to do.
Berz, please don't leave, we'll miss you horribly. And remember, these scripts are just first drafts; don't act as though things are already set in stone.
Maeglin, I shall be online more often to act as a Voice of Unity. I hope this post helps things a little. If not, let me know what needs clarifying and I'll get right on it. ;D
~ Chronicler, back after a long absence ~