Seventh Sanctum Blog

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Archive for June, 2010

The Future Is Tremors

Posted by Steven Savage on June 27, 2010

Originally published at Fan To Pro.

Know what I think we need more of in media?

Shows
like Tremors.

You may remember that series – based on the series
of deliberate-B-monster-movies-with-heart, it ran on Sci-Fi channel
before their name change.  It was an episodic series with some
continuing arcs about the people living in a small town that happened to
be infested with odd creatures, and their lives and stories dealing
with them.  It was charming, funny, and quite clever.

It was also
a great model of synergy that I think more companies, authors, and
media people need to look at.

First, it took a cult property with a following and made something
out of it.  Tremors is a charming film (and the other sequels have their
moments).  You knew you'd have an audience.

Secondly, it
extended the mythos of the series as a continuing series.  No reboot, no
restart, no unrelated stores like too many spinoffs and novel series. 
It continued the tales of the story and of the main character, lovable
survivalist Burt Gummer.  It enhanced your enjoyment of the other
properties.

Third, it actually made an effort to be a good show -
it didn't sit on it's laurels.  It got a good cast, good writing, good
guest stars, and made in short, an actual good TV series.  I still
remember a few scenes that actually choked me up – and others that made
me laugh.

Fourth, it was fun.  Seriously fun.  It didn't feel
fake or contrived because apparently some of the people on staff
realized it should be fun – just like the crazy film that started it
all.

So I think instead of remakes and prequels and adaptions,
maybe it's time for media producers (IE some of you reading this) to
think about extension.  Take a property that you can monetize, and
extend it with a series – it doesn't even have to be TV, it could be
comics or novels.  Tie it together in one continuity (since fans love
continuity), and have fun with it.

You make money.  The fans have
fun.  The people doing the work get paid.  I call that win-win.

You
also don't end up competing with past media as you do with a remake,
you don't go for flash-in-the-pan and do half an effort.  You make a
real effort to do something, and avoid the temptation to just "get it
done and over."

Go on.  Firefly got Comics.  Tremors got a TV
series.  What's the next series?  Go do it!

- Steven

Posted in Analysis, Media | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Twilight of the Vampires Contest Update!

Posted by Steven Savage on June 12, 2010

Current Contest is here: [link]

The
onslaught against the Stereotype Vampires continues with:
* Abrose
Voss: [link]
*
Colic Fargrave: [link]
*
Constantine Locke: [link]
*
Malachai Le Doux: [link]
*
Voiddemon: [link]
*
Xaririnta Moonhand: [link]

-
Steve

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Go Farther: Two-Dollar Dreadfuls

Posted by Steven Savage on June 8, 2010

Originally posted at Fan To Pro

I've often heard Twilight called a modern
"Penny Dreadful."  I myself am no fan of the series – I find it
overblown and turgid, and frankly feel the manga incarnation looks
superior in artistry to the novels.

But when people call it a
Penny Dreadful, I think they're missing an opportunity here, and they're
dismissing a valid business model.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Interview with Melissa Heidrich of PassionFruit Games

Posted by Steven Savage on June 7, 2010

Originally posted at Fan To Pro.  I thought everyone at Seventh Sanctum would enjoy this – an interview with a Studio Director of a game company that's working on romance/adventure games.

You may remember a few weeks ago when our news of the day mentioned a romance-themed computer
game from PassionFruit Games.  Well I talked to Studio
Director Melissa Heidrich, the studio director, and she agreed to be
interviewed.  So sit back and get some insights on what it's like to
fuse romance, puzzle games, and more!

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Interview | 1 Comment »

Latest Contest Updates!

Posted by Steven Savage on June 2, 2010

We got a load more entries at the contest: [link]

*
Josephina Ash [link]
*
Circe Locke [link]
*
Faith Delacroix [link]
*
Isaac Ash [link]
*
Jusem Ebonscream [link]
*
Bernando Lovelock [link]

Again
a lot of good entries – it also seems to me that the simple “name”
generators produce a lot of great results. Makes me wonder if I should
do more of them.

I’m also glad to see people breaking out of the
typical vampire mold. I’ve already seem 3 or 4 characters who deserve
their own webcomics . . .

- Steven Savage

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