What Star Wars and George Lucas Taught Me About the Creative Industry

In honor of "May the Fourth"...

What Star Wars and George Lucas taught me about the creative industry...

Love him or hate him, George Lucas and his world of Star Wars has been a part of the popular culture around us for a long time.  And like many my age there's hardly a time I can remember in my life where Star Wars wasn't present at least some where.  I've had my love and hate for the series and experienced highs and lows in the fandom from fanfiction, to waiting in line for the re-releases at the theaters to the horror of the prequels and to the redemption of "The Force Awakens."  Through it all it occurred to me that looking at George Lucas' creative journey with Star Wars has actually taught me a lot (albeit indirectly) about my own creative writing journey and given me several lessons to take to heart and I thought I'd share those.

1. When you sell your characters, they are no longer yours. 

Right on the heels of everything, I'm jumping right in.  A good number of people remember the photo released right after George Lucas sold his characters to Disney of him standing with Mickey Mouse and cast with a decidedly sour face.  As soon as the deal was done, rumors surfaced that George Lucas wasn't happy with the deal and might have accepted it begrudgingly.  Whatever the truth in all of that, the reality of the situation goes much deeper.

When you send your creative works into the world, especially writing, it usually involves giving a portion of the control to someone else.  Be is a publisher, an agent, or even a website to print your works, you're handing your creation to someone else and that comes with potential risks and rewards.  More then anything else, it's scary, but it's near impossible to do it all by your lonesome (even self publishing involves trusting other people and entities).  That sour faced photo is a reminder that what seems like an awesome deal might turn out to be rotten at the core, or vice versa - it might be the most amazing thing ever.  It's all about perspective, being careful and still taking those risks. There's no way to avoid this that I've found, but I remember that photo every time I consider signing a contract, and make sure to give all such decisions extra thought to try and avoid potential disaster.

2. Fans will be fans

Looking at interviews with George Lucas about Star Wars it doesn't take long to locate quotes where he eludes to the fans not being happy, especially with what became of the infamous prequels, and how they're impossible to please.  At the time the prequels were released a good number of fans were incredibly hyped, but upon seeing the first of them fan views tanked and even die-hard fans admitted to being "Phantom Menaced" - where they convinced themselves the prequels were amazing just so they didn't have to admit the falling of their favorite fandom.

Again, regardless of your feelings about the prequel movies, it's worth noting that sending your own creations out in to the world is a scary prospect in itself.  No matter how popular your stuff is, you will generate fans and those fans have a tendency to claim ownership (at least in part) of the things they love.  Fandom as a whole is a scary concept and fills the nightmares of many creators, but it is a reality and not something to be afraid of.  In the end, fans are the lifeblood of this creation you've sent out there.  While the world you're creating is yours, upon publishing it you're sending it out into the world to be experienced.  Fans will be good, bad, amazed and indifferent and that's all part of the journey.  What's important to remember is this is your creation and you're handing it to people who will love it and hate it.  Enjoy your fans and give them something worth reading.  Delight in surprising them and scaring them and making their dreams come true.  Enjoy giving them new worlds and dreams to grasp on to and don't get caught up in what they think - even when you see that inevitable hated review.  In the end there will always be someone out there who loves and hates your work and there is nothing you can do to please everyone.  So don't try, just create and respect that creation and the fans are an added bonus to enjoy - but not someone you're required to preform for.

3. Creativity needs direction and limits

Star Wars is a amazingly diverse world with deep fantasy and lore.  That lore started with three movies and then expanded into countless TV shows, novels and even *shudder* a Christmas special. Each had it's assets and flaws. However, in reading the novels, and watching the prequels, it became very clear that there was a lack of control and oversight missing or forgotten.  Now, I'm not privy to what guidelines were given to authors who were allowed to write in the Expanded Universe, but there was evidence that certain characters' personalities varied wildly between stories (I'm looking at you Mara Jade and Kevin J Anderson).  Beyond that the prequels were made with almost no one seeming to reign in George's ideas and tell him that 'maybe he should reconsider' on some of the more outlandish things.

In the world of writing, this job is done by a good editor and beta reader, one who will read through your story and advise not only on the missed commas and misspellings but also on the plot-holes that might cover your prized possession.  The importance here is two fold.  A good editor who is willing to be honest and let you know what's missing is important and so is your ability to listen and consider their advice.  Yes, it is your creation, but sometimes creations are hard to understand and while writing is you putting it all to paper - readers still need to enjoy and understand what you're creating.  So make an effort to find these people who will be honest with you and make an effort to listen to them.  You don't have to obey them in the end, but at least consider that maybe, just maybe, there might be another way to do what you're intending. And who knows, many times listening to editors might even make your work better; after all that is their job.

4. Once it's out there, it's out there.

Remember how in number 2 I mentioned that fans take a bit of ownership of your work?  Well, that bears repeating.  This is especially important when considering the Special Editions of the original Star Wars movies and how George Lucas took the opportunity to pull the movies back and change things he felt needed to be changed.

This is a big no no - because it rarely comes out well.  While his intention may have come from a great creative place and it is his work to do with as he pleases, trying to change history is never a good thing.  And that's what the original Star Wars movies were - history.  Like the FX and storytelling or not, the story of Luke Skywalker is sewn into many people's childhoods and collective memories and to some it's almost as important as the Bible.  Basically in this case, keep in mind that yes it's your creation to do with as you wish, but you need to also respect those who have enjoyed your creation since it was released.  Trampling over characters they've identified with - even if you think you're improving them - will be met with resistance and you will have to deal with that fallout. Beyond that once you publish something it's out there and likely you can't pull it back and fix it.  So make sure what you're releasing is the best you and your team can make it. There's a good chance this book you're writing and world you're creating will become someone's life and you want that to be something they and you will love for the whole future to come.

5. Nobody is nobody. 

While the things above are general guidelines for how to approach creative writing and endeavors, this one is not a guideline, it's a fact.  If a farm-boy can pick up a sword and become a hero of the galaxy and a cute little droid can hold the key to the most sought after secret in the world - so to can a simple person in front of a computer share an idea far too big for themselves.  As a writer you are a creator and more then that - as a human you have a story to tell.  Be it on paper, tablet screen or podcast, inside of every single one of us is a story that is slowly trying to make its way out.  At the time of writing and putting together what was to become Star Wars, George Lucas had no idea it would become the huge thing that it is today.  He might had dreamt about it becoming big, but there's no way he had an idea of everything that was to come.  So too, the same applies to you and that little muse whispering in your ear.

You are not nobody.  You are a person and you are somebody and that little nugget of a story in your head deserves to be told in whatever incarnation you can.  So take a chance and do it, and maybe after a bit of hard work, you'll hold a galaxy of fantasies and dreams that the whole world can enjoy in your hands too.

Yes I Made That Dress: Legend of Zelda Dresses

Some History:

Within the last 1-2 years Joanns and Hancock fabrics have seen an explosion of licensed fabric from the likes of Nintendo and other popular properties.  When the Legend of Zelda fabric was announced my wifey and I jumped on it and started visiting our local fabric stores on a weekly basis to see if we could find some.  When we finally did I'm pretty sure we cleaned them out, making sure to buy enough for the dresses right away, before it disappeared again.   

Now while these dresses aren't simply cosplay, we still wear them to cons and outside on a normal basis.  So we picked patterns I could easily upsize to our sizes and ones that we wanted to wear.  I love some of the retro designs coming out, so it really seemed like a great way to do both!

Making the Dresses:

Seeing as how there's really no costumes designs to duplicate here, I went full on with following the patterns' instructions, or at least the pictures.  For Briana's dress we used Simplicity 1061 because she wanted the cute over jacket too and mine was Simplicity 1155 because I wanted to try the top pleating.

For extra fun we didn't really try to match the different prints based on colors.  Instead her dress was made of the first two we found and mine was made of the other two. They match because they're all Legend of Zelda, but the colors contrast a bit more then I would normally pick so it was a bit of a fun adventure seeing it come together. 

For the bolero/jacket we actually ran out of fabric and it needed a collar.  So I took some of the fabric from mine to add an extra punch. 

For my dress, this was the part I was waiting for and dreading.  I'm not very good at pleating, but mostly because I haven't had much of a chance to practice with it.  So what better time then now?

I really love this close up shot.  I was concerned the two patterns wouldn't match or look right, as I mentioned above, but forced myself to cut out the pieces and pin them together anyway.  Upon seeing this on my dress form I was so happy I did, because I love the contrast and how pretty it looks.  I also made sure to try and line up the stained glass windows so they were all facing the same direction, something else I haven't had much time to practice with.  All in all, both dresses came out even better then I was imagining. 

Oh!  And my partner found the perfect accessory at Hot Topic to go with her dress!

Finished Product

So now we have a very punk and retro-ish set of Zelda dresses we can wear on Sundays at conventions and they're super comfortable!

And bonus!  My partner now has a neat jacket she can wear normally!

If you'd like to commission me for a dress or have any questions on how I make these pieces, please send me an email or message me through my etsy store. 

Review: Bitten - Season 1

We'll be in Wisconsin this weekend for No Brand Con!  If you're there, stop by and say hi!  We'll have a table in the Dealer's Room and be running several panels!

What's it about?

Elena Michaels isn't just a photographer working to juggle her modern life with her soon to be sister in law's wedding, she's also hiding a secret from most of her normal work.  Elena is a werewolf.  And not just any werewolf, she's the only female to have survived such a change. 

In an effort to put that supernatural world behind her, she's moved to a bustling city and settled down with only a couple midnight runs under her belt.  However her previous life doesn't want to let her go and when the pack calls, she has to return home to help, whether she likes it or not. 

Thoughts?

Trigger Warning - This story, as good as it is, is the story of a rape survivor.  What I mean by that, is Elena's transformation, from the beginning, is communicated in the same way as a rape story.  And, subsequently, the story of her living with it and still very much dealing with the people  related to that event - because they're now a very integral part of her life that she struggles with attempting to leave behind.  Whether it was the author's intention or not, this was something that was communicated very clearly in the first episode and actually made me a bit squeamish on the series.  

That said, it is still quite good. 

I will be honest, I'm generally not one for werewolf stories.  They've never really caught me and I'm usually more interested in the other supernatural creatures that fill their world, with a few exceptions.  So why did I watch this series?  The series is based on a set of books by Kelley Armstrong called "Women of the Otherworld" and takes turns focusing on different supernatural women in the same world.  I particularly liked the witches her in books and tried this series in the hopes that the characters I like would eventually show up.  (I honestly just skipped the werewolf-centric books when I was reading the series.)  In spite of this, the series caught my attention and held it, keeping me interested with the pack dynamics, well thought out characters and underlying motivations. 

Elena is a well rounded character and likable, certainly not the damsel in distress you might expect when the majority of the cast is made up of attractive men to surround her.  Instead, she carves her place in their world with power and ferocity and manages to assert herself to be one of their own. 

That said, there are some downfalls in the series.  It's obvious this series was made to draw the same crowd as Supernatural and True Blood, which comes with the tropes of the genre.  I'm quite happy they stayed away from the roadkill episodic characters and went for an overarching story, even if it appeared to drag at times to fit the run time.  Other down sides are the fact that this series is based on a series of paranormal romance novels, so the amount of sex is a bit higher then normal and there were some scenes where it really didn't fit and could have been left out, but then considering the audience I'm sure they were more appreciated by others.  

My only other complaint was toward the end, the series dropped into mostly action (good!) and convenient cell phone calls (bad!).  Phone calls in the series are a bit too common, with Elena receiving them, or providing them, quite often to move along the plot.  While this might be a clever narration device, it was used a bit too much in the series and really started to wear on me.  Yes, the information was important, but each time it was given with a phone call and I found myself wishing they could be a bit more creative in their execution of the action. 

But yes, as a whole I did like the series and I'm quite interested to see where Elena and her pack go from here.  Not to mention I'm still hoping some of the other strong women from the series show up in the future. 

Watched on?

Streaming on Netflix

Creations?

None for this show, but I am a great lover of the paranormal genre and there are many other women in this series that deserve attention.  So you really should check out the Women of the Otherworld series. 

New Release!! Hunters: Beneath the Chapter Release and Preorder!

We're happy to announce that our second book in the Hunters series is now available for preorder!

"Was this why? Was this the reason he'd told her to be quiet, because this needed to happen?"

The middle of winter has given the residents of the warehouse plenty of time to mull over their last adventure. The Storyteller has been found, but has left behind only more questions and no real answers. Just when the group exhausts all of their resources, a new organization comes to the surface that could tie up all the loose threads. 

Unfortunately, the Chapter isn't what it appears to be, and the Hunters are now left to deal with a new threat that hits a little too close to home. What secrets is the Chapter hiding, and is it worth uncovering the truth?

Once again we have an amazing cover created by Rain-Arc Rhapsody, with formatting done by Deverish Workshop.  (Please be sure to check out their pages as well!)

So, you ask, where can you get the book?  

We have a couple different options for you with discounted preorder pricing!  Just click on the link below for whichever you'd like.

Signed, physical book.

Ebook through Amazon.

Signed combo pack, with a copy of Seeking the Storyteller.

Physical and ebook copies of Seeking the Storyteller also available now!

All copies of Beneath the Chapter will be released and shipped on or around April 30th this year.  If we get our copies sooner, so do you!  

Review: One Punch Man Season 1

What's it about?

In a world full of Shonen series and Marvel blockbuster movies, there's One Punch Man.  He's a hero so over powered he can defeat everything with one punch - which you would think is the perfect power.  But this isn't the story about how he became this powerful - no, this is the story about what it's like to have that much power and no real challenge.  Saitama can beat anything, so the fight has really lost all appeal.  He's honestly more concerned about the next sale at the grocery store, then the monsters that might stumble into his path.  He's really not even that excited about Genos - a cyborg who comes into his life and wishes to learn how he gained all that power.  But who knows, maybe Genos and the League of Superheroes can change his mind.  Of course - they'd have to acknowledge his impressive power first.  

Thoughts?

One Punch Man is not usually my type of anime series.  I'm more for the serious, the dark, the pretty and the action that tugs at your heart strings and leaves an impression.  Upon watching the first episode of this series and seeing Saitama go up against a main that is half lobster to save a kid with a butt for a chin I was tempted to write it off as another zany comedy that wouldn't hold my attention.  However, through the prodding of my partner and several of our friends, I kept watching and was pleasantly surprised. 

So those things I said I tend to watch?  Dark, action and impression leaving?  One Punch Man is actually all of those things, just wrapped up in a package I wasn't expecting.  The character of Saitama grew on me with his monotone lack of care for the world now that it really held no interest for him anymore.  The character of Genos struck me as seriously enduring considering how in awe he is of Saitama's powers and him as a person.  Saitama just needs motivation, and Genos provides that in a very innocent and sincere way.  I was also struck by the character of Sonic, who is just crazy enough to make me giggle because he's so committed to his insanity.

The background plot and storytelling also doesn't leave anything to be desired.  Sure, the monsters are weird and the creatures they go up against are strange, but the variety of heroes and how 'down to earth' they are was obviously put together with care.  For example, like Genos' sincere innocence, there are other characters such as Mumen Rider who immediately strike you as useless because they're so underpowered.  Yet their characterization and the care put into this story and world give them a very important place.  As the viewer you end up rooting for all of them, even when you know there's no chance, and seeing Saitama take the hit for them all makes you invested that much more.  Normally oddly grotesque anime styles like this turn me off because I'm such a visual viewer, but the characters in this series and the care put into the story have made me look past that and admire the show as a whole package of great storytelling.

Every hero is unique, and not in a 'we all have different powers' way.  Instead they're all fully fleshed out and it results in Saitama being only a small piece of this really interesting world that I could seriously enjoy many more seasons out of. 

It's hard to admit this, but I really can't come up with any flaws at this point or things I didn't like.  The show has a great balance of characters, plot and yes, even the art style grew on me as the episodes went on.  I have to say I'm impressed and I think that this will actually become a great gateway anime in the future to introduce people to the world of anime and what sort of stories and art you can expect that are so wildly different from the US.... just as long as the good writing holds up throughout the whole story.  (I'm looking at you Naruto.)

Watched on?

Streaming on Hulu, subtitled.

Creations?

Thanks to our new found love of this show, the wifey and I are planning One Punch Man themed dresses which will hopefully be done this year.  She wants to be Saitama and I want to cosplay Genos, so here's what we designed.  Hopefully you'll see these soon on our pages and at conventions!

Review: Sailor Moon - Dark Kingdom Arc (VIZ Dub)

(Oops, it has been pointed out to me that this is VIZ, not Funimation.  That's what I get for posting this so early in the morning.  Sorry it still shows on my Facebook link as Funimation, it won't change the title associated with the link, even though it's been corrected on this page.)

What's it about?

Usagi is a normal school girl who's biggest worry in the world is hiding her bad grades from her mother and when the next Sailor V video game will come out.  When she comes across a cat with a strange crescent shaped moon on her forehead, she learns that she is actually Sailor Moon, a guardian from the Moon Kingdom and tasked with several new challenges - the most important of which is to stop the Dark Kingdom from taking over the Earth, just as it tried to take over the Moon Kingdom so many years ago.


My review:

There's something magical about going back and watching a redub of an anime series you grew up with.  I remember watching Sailor Moon for the first time when it was shown on American TV and produced by DiC and had to wake up way too early for each episode.  Something about the series stuck with me, and while it wasn't my first anime, it had probably the biggest effect on my life, especially in the growth of my writing and imagination, even to this day.

When VIZ got a hold of the series and announced a redub and retranslation, giving the entire series a major facelift, I'll admit I was hesitant.  This series was close to my heart and while I admit there were issues with the original version I'd seen, it was still important to me, and it's so hard to watch something from your childhood be picked up and brushed off, because you're worried the memories will disappear with it.

Now that I've watched the entire first season (the Dark Kingdom arc) in the VIZ dub, I can happily say I'm impressed and seriously thankful they did this.  Having a new dub and a better translation added to the show and while I miss some of the original voices and that corny american soundtrack, it was replaced by something better and more true to form, that really made the series that much more impactful.  Now watching the new dub with my memories intact honestly almost makes it feel like the series grew up with me and matured just as I did over all these years.

That sounds seriously whistful and dreamy, I know, and maybe that fits the show.  But honestly it's how it is.

Of special note, I'm impressed with the voice cast brought on to the series.  Many of these voice actors I recognize from other shows and they were a welcome edition to this show, each lending just as much emotion to their characters as was needed.  The only voice that felt a little off to me was Johnny Yong Bosch as Artemis, but only because his voice is so recognizable to me.  After a couple episodes it blended in with the others and his performance lacked nothing, so it really didn't ruin the experience at all, just gave me a little pause.

I think what I love the most is the fact that after surviving with the DiC translation and reading about what I missed on the internet, I now have a chance to experience the series as a whole, without the edits and the cuts I was 'raised' on.  Zoisite has been returned to his correct gender, and the relationship between him and Kunzite (not Malachite) remained intact.  The relationship between Usagi and Rei felt more genuine rather then just annoying bickering.  And Minako was allowed to show her maturity with the restored Sailor V episodes that delved into her past - you really felt the weight of the fact that she'd been doing this for so much longer then the others.  Finally Luna's voice was returned to its youthful tone, rather then the older Angela Lansbury style - which showed that she's not really an all knowing teacher - instead she's learning just like the others about their past and struggling to fight this horrendous force that's been reawakened.  There's plenty of other things that were added back into the new dub, but those were the important ones that stood out to me and rounded out the whole experience.

I look forward to seeing the rest of the series released in the same manner and I look forward to revisiting some of my favorite characters and episodes.  It's weird, because in an age where everything is being rebooted and reskinned for the next generation, this new dub stands out as a faithful rerelease of the series I grew up with and loved so much.  If revivals like this keep happening, I'll happily be on board.

Watched on: 

Hulu

Any cosplay?

Yep!  Just in time for this year of conventions, I've fixed up my partner's Neo Queen Serenity dress and she also has a Sailor Moon dress made from a wallscroll.  I would like to make a Queen Beryl cosplay for myself, I just haven't gotten the time yet.

Sailor Moon wallscroll dress (modeled by Brichibi Cosplays)

 

Neo Queen Serenity, based on the fanart below by AsieyBarbie (modeled by Brichibi Cosplays)

Where To Find Us In March 2016 - WI, MI, UT

Convention season is a go, and this month we have a gauntlet of conventions to get through: three in a row!

First up, this weekend, we have Anime Milwaukee in Milwaukee Wisconsin!  We'll have a table in Artist Alley and some new dresses to show off.  Plus!!  You'll be able to preorder the sequel to Seeking the Storyteller for the first time: Beneath the Chapter!  Check out the map below for where you can find us. 

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Next up, we have Shuto Con in Lansing Michigan from March 18th to 20th.  We won't have a table in Artist Alley, but we will be running some panels and wandering the convention.  

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Finally, we have Salt Lake City Comicon from March 24th through 26th.  We're guests!  Come stop by our table in the Dealer's room and attend our panels!  We'll also have our normal crafts and costumes and the ability for you to preorder Beneath the Chapter as well. 

And check it out, they gave us banners!

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Can't make it to any of these events?  That's ok, we have plenty of other cons coming up.  Plus, you can always order our stuff through our etsy or just say hi to us on this blog or our facebook pages!

Brichibi Cosplays  -  Snow Cosplays

See you there!!