The Space Opera Working Thread

Originally posted by mf_luder
I mean, I'll keep writing responses, because it's necessary to drive the overall story, but what happened to the other ship?

Yeah you guys are writing loads. Good work. I think we're just waiting for the rest of our crew to appear before things get underway.

We are more secretive. Thats why we write less.

reply to post by Cadbury


That's cool man, I just didn't want to seem like we were running away with the thread, you know?

lol

I'll keep pumping out stuff though. This really got me out of a writer's block I'd been in and I'm working again on my personl story because of it.

I wish I could do this ALL the time.

Originally posted by John Q
Whats our crew doing about their own department staff... I intend on having about 500 engineers (on split shifts) and then maybe 5 to 10 officers that report directly to me. How do we interplay this.. can we make up names for these people or are we hoping new writers will take their roles.

Good point. I am not sure how we should do that.

But if we are going to have other officers that report to us will they be red shirts or mauve shirts?

The Mauve Shirt

"The advantage to this is that they're less likely to be killed senselessly, because it would hit harder than some faceless redshirt no one cares about. The downside is that, since their death would now have more emotional impact, they are more likely to be Killed Off For Real to prove how bad the new villain is. If they're successful enough, they just might graduate from Mauve Shirt and become a "Gold Shirt" as part of the supporting cast or even the main cast."

Are we going to have a new very minor character we only hear of once? (Red shirts)

Example:

Post 1: Then ensign Ricky alerted me to the...

Post 2: Then lieutenant Jones...

Post 3: Then [insert name here] told me...


Or are we going to have set characters that interact with us a lot? (Mauve shirts)

Post 1: Lieutenant Jones was following me...

Post 2: Lieutenant Jones kept using technobabble...

Post 3: Lieutenant Jones is really annoying me...

Though I think a combination of both would be best. Characters that only appear once show general ideas about how a group acts or thinks. One time characters also allow whatever message they are delivering to take center stage instead of who is delivering it. While characters that appear more than once can be interacted with and can develop their own personality.

reply to post by Studious


LOL

I love that red shirt thing from the old Star Treks.

To be honest with you, it isn't really my style of writing to have nameless faces get killed after having like 2 lines - I mean, of course, in every battle there are going to be casualties, but I'll rarely if ever send someone along on a mission just to have them get killed for the storyline.

I like the idea of secondary and supporting cast roles that last throughout a length of time and if a death happens, it should be something emotional for the crew.

That's my view point.

I think they should have actions and words.

Originally posted by mf_luder
To be honest with you, it isn't really my style of writing to have nameless faces get killed after having like 2 lines - I mean, of course, in every battle there are going to be casualties, but I'll rarely if ever send someone along on a mission just to have them get killed for the storyline.

I like the idea of secondary and supporting cast roles that last throughout a length of time and if a death happens, it should be something emotional for the crew.

I agree it is kind of bad when the main cast goes someplace with two random guys and everyone knows the only reason those two guys are there is to die.

It's like a horror film but instead of "Stop, don't go investigate that noise. Are you crazy?"
It's "No, Don't go someplace alone with the main character you'll be killed to serve the plot."

[edit on 21-3-2009 by Studious]

[edit on 21-3-2009 by Studious]

reply to post by nenothtu

I like what you've done with your avatar! Gives me a warm fuzzy to know the shot got put to use like that.

Note: "warm fuzzy" was NOT a dig at aliens. Really!

Hehehe

It was fun working with such a great pic.
I don't know if I'm going to stick with what I have - I just needed something!

Thanks again for sharing.

*Makes note to keep my eyes on Nenothtu for any alien diggs, lol*

peace!


[edit on 21-3-2009 by silo13]

I am nearing completion on a Standard Operating Procedures manual for the Penelope. My question is - where can I upload it onto ATS for the purpose of the other writers to see without all hell breaking loose?

It's currently in Microsoft docx format from Word 2008.

Anyone know?!?

reply to post by mf_luder


These are the permitted file types on the ATS media portal:

Allowed File Types:

gif jpg bmp png swf wmv mpg avi flv mpeg rm mov 3gp mp4 asf mp3 wav midi mid pdf

I guess you could try a .docx but you might need to convert it to a .pdf. Does MS Word 2008 have the option to do that?

reply to post by Cadbury


Not to my knowledge, but I'm sure I can find a free converter on line. Do I just upload it to the media library? Or my profile?

Originally posted by mf_luder
Not to my knowledge, but I'm sure I can find a free converter on line.

May I recommend to you Open Office? It's a free open source alternative to Microsoft Word and all you do is click a button on the toolbar and it will make you a .pdf of your work in under a second.

Do I just upload it to the media library? Or my profile?

I had to ask this recently as well. What you need to do is log into the media portal and click "my home." Then scroll down and on the bottom left-hand side of the page there is the section "upload media." Follow the link and the instructions it brings up and then hit upload. This thread I wrote asking about the subject may also be of use to you.




[edit on 21-3-2009 by Cadbury]

reply to post by Cadbury


Thanks man, I just downloaded it.

It will help out a lot.

I should have the SOP uploaded soon.

media.abovetopsecret.com...

USS Penelope Crew, that is a link to the Standard Operating Procedures manual I made for the ship.

Please feel free to make suggestions and inquiries as you see fit.

It is a working document and I will change it as needed to suit the crew's desire.

Thanks.

[edit on 21-3-2009 by mf_luder]

Originally posted by masqua

Don't forget to post your Orders in pink. Cap'n luder got the orange down first.

They're in red, everyone. I guess I'm colourblind.



[edit on 21-3-2009 by Cadbury]

Originally posted by mf_luder

Originally posted by John Q
I just have some questions before I post in the story again..

Who out ranks me (apart from the captain) do all heads of departments have equal rank?

My intent was for the dept. heads to be of equal status, so that you guys would be able to work together without too much trouble. The fact that you are an ensign could bring some interesting story conflicts up later on, but as long as you are Chief Engineer on the Penelope, you are the equivalent of Security Chief Neno or the Doctor as far as I'm concerned.

Is that a promotion for the chief engineer, or a demotion for us?

As far as I'm concerned, rank is just some shiny junk you keep on your collar, and have to keep up with when you change uniforms. Chief Engineer, whrther Ensign or Admiral, has knowledge I don't, and can do stuff I can't, so ya gotta respect that. I never had the notion of trying to pull rank on him. After all, It ain't a good idea to tick off the fella that can fix your car with bubblegum and bailing wire when your broke down in Outer Slumgullia, in the middle of blackness.

nenothtu out

Originally posted by Skyfloating
We are more secretive. Thats why we write less.

You scare me. I don't think the alien crew is JUST alien, I think they're ALIEN NINJAS!

reply to post by Studious


Also, there's the thought that recurrent, 'sidekick' characters allow for a character to develop some dialog, without stepping on another character's lines.

Originally posted by nenothtu

Also, there's the thought that recurrent, 'sidekick' characters allow for a character to develop some dialog, without stepping on another character's lines.

Good point, I forgot about that.




A question to anyone. Who will act for the Centaurians?

Will it be Masqua "Nature?"

reply to post by Studious


Or, did whatever ate the earth vessel eat the Centaurians too?

The suspense is killing me....

[edit on 2009/3/21 by nenothtu]

Originally posted by nenothtu

Originally posted by Skyfloating
We are more secretive. Thats why we write less.

You scare me. I don't think the alien crew is JUST alien, I think they're ALIEN NINJAS!

Muhahaha!

- I plan on contributing hopefully tomorrow. Love reading the story so far!

On my avatar...are those swords....OR GLOWING TENTACLES lol