Beleg Cúthalion on 2/12/2008 at 09:53
One thing about The Golden Compass, since you mentioned it: That film was exactly the kind of lively spaciness (I should find a better world) I wouldn't want to have for Thief. It's just the... I dunno...:erg:
Don't you think one could leave Cragscleft in? I always had the idea of making Bafford part of the intro credits scene (maybe Artemus and the Keeper training as prologue before) and seeing him meeting Cutty in the prison afterwards. After that the whole Bafford thing would be settled.
The Shroud on 2/12/2008 at 12:14
Really not the thread to discuss this, but let me put it this way. There are twelve missions in TDP, plus Garrett's intro, keeper training, midway cutscenes, and ending scene. A screenplay is 120 pages, which equals two hours. There is simply no way to include anything that is not absolutely crucial to the story. I loved Break From Cragscleft Prison, Down In The Bonehoard, and especially Assassins (actually Assassins is my favorite mission from TDP), but they had to be cut out or else something else would have had to be dropped - like Constantine's mansion, the barricaded Olde Quarter, the Lost City, or something else.
When it comes down to it, the real story doesn't get moving until Garrett gets the job from Viktoria to break into Constantine's mansion and steal the sword. There's just no room for dilly-dallying in a screenplay - the plot has to get started a lot faster than mission 5.
jtr7 on 2/12/2008 at 19:09
I'm fairly satisfied with what little I know, at this point--Not that anyone needs my blessing.:eww: I'm kinda surprised no one else has chimed in. Is this project separate or related to your 3D rendering projects?
It's funny to see the almost non-stealthy Noisemaker Arrows garnering more votes than the others.
In a way, it's redundant--a broadhead can create a similar diversion.
What I like about the Noisemaker Arrow is the reusability, and being able to bounce it around corners, but I can't see either quality having a place in the movie.
Beleg: Too literal. I'm actually apathetic about Golden Compass, but it has a mix of technologies, real and fantasy, anthropomorphic animals, spiritual creatures, steampunk, magic, and people generally swallowed it. Stardust did okay, too. I think most people know they aren't seeing something real when they see a fantasy flick. I don't know about the few who expect it to be real, somehow. If people don't like a well-done Thief movie, it'll probably be because it's too dark and scary, thus the need for humor.
The Shroud on 2/12/2008 at 19:58
I agree, I'm also pretty surprised to see, of all things, the noisemaker arrows taking the lead for items to add in. Who would have thought?
jtr7, in answer to your question, this project is entirely separate from my rendering attempts.
On another note, the only items that no one wants to leave out appear to be lockpicks and the rope arrow. Which I suppose makes sense. Those items are about as thiefy as it gets.
As of the 20th voter, here's what we've got:
Lockpicks: 20
Rope arrow: 20
Blackjack: 19
Water arrows: 18
Compass: 18
Broadhead arrows: 17
Fire arrows: 17
Flash bombs: 17
Constantine's sword: 17
Noisemaker arrows: 13
Gas arrows: 11
Holy water: 10
Moss arrows: 9
Explosive mines: 6
Gas mines: 6
Healing potions: 5
Breath potions: 5
Speed potions: 5
Interesting that all the items I originally selected for the screenplay remain in the top 20%.
Chade on 2/12/2008 at 21:53
I think the top four there are the really important items. The most important thing, however (IMO), is to avoid Garrett looking like gadget-man. For the purposes of a movie, in particular, even the most canonical items should be used as sparingly as possible. Garrett needs to look like a master thief.
Also, regarding rope arrows: won't they look sort of ridiculous in a film?
The Shroud on 2/12/2008 at 22:18
Actually, I'm glad you brought that up. The rope arrow will look and function differently in the screenplay than from the game. Instead of a broadhead-shaped arrow that sprouts a rope on impact, it will be an arrow with a four-hooked grapple replacing the arrowhead, with a rope trailing from its end. It's not really plausible for an arrow fired from a bow to embed in a surface securely enough to hold a man's weight - however, it's quite possible for it to be fired onto a ledge and latch onto something. This is how it will be used in the story.
jtr7 on 2/12/2008 at 22:30
So far, all the posters agree that the equipment use should be minimal. I reiterate the "boy scout preparing himself" for a mission philosophy. What he's going into, making his best guess at what he'll need, determining what he chooses to carry. I think it should try to never feel like Batman or 007, but like a sportsman, gearing up for a sporting game of taffing.
And the vote for the rope arrows is an indication that vertical movement is a necessary ingredient of Thief, and not just the rock-climbing, or skyscraper scaling kind.
Beleg Cúthalion on 2/12/2008 at 22:46
Quote Posted by The Shroud
Instead of a broadhead-shaped arrow that sprouts a rope on impact, it will be an arrow with a four-hooked grapple replacing the arrowhead, with a rope trailing from its end.
Yes to the second, no to the first. The pretty thing from the artwork would be nonsense because it would divide the arrow's energy into four. A lank armour penetrating arrow head with small barbed hooks and a little eye for the rope should be enough and I think it could work that way (c.f. the siege ladders in LotR II, the ones shot by ballistae). There is a thread about it as well.
Noisemaker arrows aren't so bad either (but probably a one-shot as well); if you look at the TDS artworks you'll see a small tube filled with marbles. Looks attractive to me.
The Shroud on 2/12/2008 at 23:05
On the issue of what Garrett will take with him on his missions - currently, this is what's been written into the script (i.e. what Garrett will be seen using):
Lord Bafford's Manor
Water arrows
Blackjack
Lockpicks
Rope arrow
Constantine's Mansion
Rope arrow
Lockpicks
Water arrows
Blackjack
Flash bomb
Olde Quarter
Compass
Rope arrow
Lockpicks
Flash bombs
Fire arrows
Constantine's sword
The Lost City
Rope arrow
Compass
Broadhead arrows
Fire arrows
Flash bombs
Constantine's sword
Hammerite Temple
Lockpicks
Blackjack
Flash bomb
Haunted Cathedral
Lockpicks
Rope arrow
Flash bombs
Broadhead arrows
Fire arrows
Constantine's sword
Constantine's Subterranean Lair
Lockpicks
Compass
Blackjack
Hammerite Temple Sublevels
Broadhead arrows
Fire arrows
Water arrows
Rope arrow
Constantine's sword
The Maw of Chaos
Water arrows
Broadhead arrows
Rope arrow
Fire arrows
Constantine's sword
The Shroud on 2/12/2008 at 23:13
Quote Posted by Beleg Cúthalion
Yes to the second, no to the first. The pretty thing from the artwork would be nonsense because it would divide the arrow's energy into four. A lank armour penetrating arrow head with small barbed hooks and a little eye for the rope should be enough and I think it could work that way (c.f. the siege ladders in LotR II, the ones shot by ballistae). There is a thread about it as well.
That would stick into a surface, sure, but it's doubtful that mere barbs would support a man's weight.
