Author:
Kira the Evil Eppy Empress
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Date Posted: 15:05:09 06/13/02 Thu
In reply to:
JIM
's message, "Re: Episodic Quote of the Week" on 17:10:19 06/10/02 Mon
Steveo wrote:
>>Bearing in mind, of course, that Mu's author is the
>>only non-soap writer who's been accepted by the
>>Episodic members, it's not surprising that they would
>>post something like this eventually. It's exactly the
>>kind of cheap jab that convinced me that Kira was not,
>>in fact, serious about her offer to expand the
>>episodic into more than soaps.
Aw, kvetch, kvetch, kvetch, can'tcha do anything else? :) Seriously, I have no idea where your cheap jab is coming from. I have never been anything less than serious regarding expanding the Episodic's reach, and I'd love to know where you're getting the idea that I'm being disingenuous in my offer. Hmph.
As Jim pointed out, the original comment is an independent opinion by one of the producers involved in our workshop, not my own. And in fact, if you'd read the whole thing in context, the writer is remarking that he wants more emphasis on the fantasy elements -- more descriptions, more graphics. He's not expressing his dismay that the series isn't realistic -- he's saying that there's not enough description of the elements that make Mu so interesting and special.
Speaking of graphics (and the reason people harped on Mu for the lack of 'em in the episode area): Mu is, after all, a series based heavily on the anime/fantasy genre. The author is skilled at graphics but for whatever reason has included none in the actual episode pages. This makes these pages look stark and oddly out of place with the rest of the site, which throughout uses lovely anime-inspired pictures for illustration. Some images here and there on the somewhat bleak, white-text-on-black page would make it far more captivating on the eyes.
Whew. Meanwhile, Jim writes:
>Actually, it wasn't said as a cheap shot, but part of
>their
rel=nofollow target=_blank >HREF="http://www.episodicreview.com/features/060102/wor
>kshopmu.shtml">Web Series Workshop feature, where
>a panel of web-series producers review each
>other's sites. From the Mu review, it's pretty clear
>that the other producers know nothing about
>fantasy whatsoever beyond Frank Baum and Lewis
>Carroll. Most of the time they seem irritatingly
>anti-text, too.
First, thanks for clarifying that misunderstanding for Steveo, who oh-so-cruelly cast aspersions on my interest in broadening the Episodic's horizons. Didn't change his mind, heh, but at least you corrected him -- thanks for that! :)
Second, most of the series the Eppy covers are very text-intensive. I'faith, so is my own series, although it's got graphics too, to liven things up a little. But by and large, these series are certainly no online comic books. Ironically, there's a whole 'nother segment of snarkers who complain that the Eppy is TOO text-based and doesn't show enough interest in video- or animated series. I'm not sure how we could simultaneously be such anti-text snobs and backwards anti-video/graphics neo-luddites. Quite a talent!
To me, the Web is a medium that's driven by both text and images (and sounds, to a lesser extent). IMHO, variety is key to keeping the audience's interest. Relying solely on text or on graphics to tell one's story isn't always the best thing. Honestly, when I come across either a text-only site or a fully animated series ... I tend to long for a less all-or-nothing solution.
Anyway, the whole purpose of the workshop is to get people to think outside of the box, to process new ideas. Suggesting that Dave (Mu's producer) add images to enhance his episode pages is simply one way of getting him to make a choice that he may not have considered before.
Finally ... so bloomin' what if they're not that knowledgable of the fantasy genre? Everyone has to get their first taste somewhere. They're coming to the genre as newcomers, as many of Mu's audience is as well. (Yes, I'm sure most of Mu's visitors come to it through anime-related links, but I'm also sure there are several who've discovered the site in other ways.) Our workshop participants represent such newcomers. Why not? Shouldn't they be represented?
Now, ahem, maybe if one of you guys had taken part in this workshop before, you could have represented the more fantasy-knowledgable sector of the audience. When I opened the workshop, I specifically stated that I wanted a variety of series in each group -- I'd love it if each participant produced a different type of series. But that can't happen without people like you. (Yipe, why do I suddenly feel like this is a PBS membership drive?)
But instead you stay away from the Eppy kvetching that we're too soapy. Exactly how are we supposed to get non-soapy, when producers/readers such as yourselves don't participate in the forum or respond to info requests?
I mean, cripes, I can extend the invitation and throw my welcoming arms out from now till doomsday, but until some of you get off your high horses and unclench the ol' buttocks enough to join in, nothing's going to change, is it?
Personally I was thrilled that Jim took part in the "Summer Preview" article, and that he's now joining the workshop group.
And finally (I know I already said "finally," but this time I mean it!), Dave ain't the only non-websoap producer we've "accepted" at the Eppy, whatever that means. (What do y'all think we are, the Freemasons? We haven't gone the route of the Stonecutters yet...) The producers of Stoney Grove, Quiet, Station VII, Deep Galaxy, Saga of Moon and Stars, and now Starstrikers (and more every week) are all part of the community, to a lesser or greater extent depending on their own activity. Joel from Deep Galaxy, for example, isn't around much because his series is being reworked. But surely even you lot can't blame the Eppy for that! :)
So stop yer whining and start taking part in the Episodic, which I'm really, really certain is becoming more and more reflective of the many interesting genres and subgenres out there. If you guys don't want to take part, that's your choice, not because I'm unwelcoming or the Eppy's too soap-based.
But it would be a shame if you made that decision, because the Episodic would truly be enriched by your participation. And you would be, too.
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