Two new shorts in the pipeline: Three Left Turns and They Know! · 1:30am Mar 31st, 2014
Due to hereto unforeseen productivity, I'm almost ready to release yet another story, and I have the skeleton of another laid down.
Three Left Turns is another experiment in atmosphere, but instead of focusing on the dark elements, I'm letting imagination take center stage. In the last days of Equestria, Twilight is forced to visit an ancient black market of magic to purchase the weapons she needs for her last stand. The catch is that she is one customer of many, and they don't take bits. I was going for the Miyazaki vibe, similar to Spirited Away. There's wonder casually added in wherever it fits, but unlike Miyazaki, Twilight's quest won't give her quite as much time to experience it, nor will the world be sympathetic. What is a magical pony princess in a marketplace of spirits?
On a night yet to come when the skies were alight and the forests burned, a cloaked pony glided along the straight cobblestone streets where the last stones were upon stones. It kept to the walls and shadows, but otherwise made no sign of stealth. A lavender horn peeking from its hood was all the identity it had.
Expect to out what follows in a day or two.
They Know! takes a break from heavier matters for a lighthearted comedy. When Daring Do attends a nitpickers' convention panel, she is presented with irrefutable proof that the ancient texts she dug up with her very hooves are impossibly modern. When carbon dating proves their authenticity, the answer can only be time travel. Shenanigans ensue! Look for this one later in the week, possibly next week if the evil writer's block gremlins attack.
Well, if you're going for a Miyazaki-like feel to it, I suggest putting a scene of flight. Be it in a dream while remembering the days of old, an empty feeling inside of her for the coming loss of her home or a last flight of freedom and hope from the despair and cruelty of harsh lands.
Nothing beats a sense of freedom to ease your mind from a cruel reality.
1968631
Yep, flight always was Miyazaki's personal trademark. I don't think it quite fits here, though. I'm more focused on the feeling I got from Spirited Away in particular: you're in a place where strange things come regularly. Everything is wildly outside of the viewer's frame of reference, so it seems wonderful, but at the same time everything's sorted itself out into routine that we can recognize and identify with. It's a fantastic market: we know what a market is, but not quite what this market is, and that is why it is wonderful.
Also, you seem to be the first person to comment on a blog of mine. This deserves a cookie
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1968847
Hmm, quite a wonderful painting you are planning to do.
How about you put it in a dream? If you're planning on making Twilight's trip to the market within like... 12 hours, you can ignore my suggestion since it would be quite uncomfortable knowing that it takes place within half a day.
Though, Chihiro's adventure in Spirited away lasted about two days. Considering she slept at the bath house and lasted the next night at Zeniba's (or what's-her-name). So there's a thought you can linger on.
Also, I thank thee for the wonderfully crisp cookies
1969306
You'll just have to wait to find out
Luckily, you won't have to wait for long: the first draft is done and will probably be up tonight. It's a bit more stark and minimalist than previously planned, but this time there's some kindness thrown in for balance.
1969322
Yay