jtr7 on 2/12/2008 at 23:29
Honestly, I don't think a rope arrow is at all plausible in reality without a great deal of redesign. To pull it off in the movie without magic at all would be a miracle. It is defying physics on many levels. The more real you make any of the fantasy elements, the more proof is required to convince. Introducing an unknown science, or making it very modern or futuristic--in place of magic--will be the only way to keep a rope arrow "real".
It has to be believable without using obvious movie magic.
The power to launch the whole package will be too high for a standard bow. The head will have to be heavy enough to maintain momentum while trailing a cord that weighs more than the arrow and head themselves, so that it can sink into the wood just far enough. The cord would have to trail from its end, yet be anchored solidly to the head--the former for stability in flight, the latter for a man weighted down with gear and loot to hang from it. It will not be reusable without quite a bit of effort to remove it, although, after hanging from it, pushing upward might loosen it up enough to pull it from the wood. It would be like a miniature harpoon, and require its own launcher. It probably would have no shaft, but rather, a part to insert into the launcher which would also add flight stability. If the launcher is not very portable, it will have to be left behind, or hidden and retrieved another time. If the rope snagged on something as the projectile flew, it could spring back with dangerous force.
How to do it without making it gadgety, modern military, or sci-fi...
The Shroud on 2/12/2008 at 23:44
jtr7, all of those are very good points and that's exactly why it would need to be a grapple, rather than stick into a surface.
The Shroud on 3/12/2008 at 00:05
I think the fairest approach would be a grappler arrow - taking from the original concept of the grapple, while keeping it an arrow for the sake of range (and semi-adherance to Thief's rope arrow). It could have a trigger which springs open the prongs on impact (thus making it more aerodynamic in flight) and use a silk rope, which would lighten its burden significantly while increasing its strength.
Chade on 3/12/2008 at 00:10
On another note, I thought you would need to be more stringent about removing levels then you are atm ...
Have you considered nerfing the Strange Bedfellows mission (maybe just show the ruined temple and have a hammer give Garrett the fake eye from a hiding spot outside)?
Also, what about just compeltely avoiding the whole "haha you can't get into the temple right now, go and find four random artifacts that have nothing whatsoever to do with the main story arc and come back" ... this is a movie, not a game: is it really worth spending so much screen time on something that doesn't advance the relationships between the main characters?
If you really want to, say, show the player the hammerite temple before it gets destroyed at the end of the game, then maybe do it right at the start (seeing how you won't be using Cragscleft prison to introduce the Hammerites). If Garrett robs the temple at the start of the game you could actually make a recurring theme out of the Hammerite who finally gives Garrett the eye.
Not sure how authentic you want to be, but I just think that while thief's story may be appropriate for a game, it is not so appropriate for a movie.
The Shroud on 3/12/2008 at 00:31
Quote Posted by Chade
On another note, I thought you would need to be more stringent about removing levels then you are atm ...
Have you considered nerfing the Strange Bedfellows mission (maybe just show the ruined temple and have a hammer give Garrett the fake eye from a hiding spot outside)?
I've considered a lot of things. As it stands now, the Strange Bedfellows "mission" is extremely short - basically just consisting of Garrett sneaking/battling his way down to where the Hammerites have holed up, leaving out retrieving the High Priest. It has been cut down to about five minutes of screen time.
Quote Posted by Chade
Also, what about just compeltely avoiding the whole "haha you can't get into the temple right now, go and find four random artifacts that have nothing whatsoever to do with the main story arc and come back" ... this is a movie, not a game: is it really worth spending so much screen time on something that doesn't advance the relationships between the main characters?
Cut out the entire quest for the talismans? That just wouldn't be right.
Quote Posted by Chade
Not sure how authentic you want to be, but I just think that while thief's story may be appropriate for a game, it is not so appropriate for a movie.
Fair point in and of itself. However, my aim is to both maintain authenticity and make the movie as dramatic as possible. Incidentally, the Lost City will be the longest sequence in the story, and will feature some elements from the Bonehoard to make up for the absence of that mission (Mystic's Soul and Mystic's Heart tombs guarding the talismans of water and fire).
jtr7 on 3/12/2008 at 00:37
Quote Posted by Chade
...four random artifacts that have nothing whatsoever to do with the main story arc...
:eek:
Really? I strongly disagree with that implication. You're dismissing
everything that has led to the Trickster's return. Everything that leads up to his ritual. He's called it the "Dark
Project", the end game is what he's building up to, and it's rooted in what happened in the Old Quarter. Viki's been on town long enough to have
formerly worked for Raputo and made contacts when we get to Ramirez's. The story began before Garrett intersected with what was already in motion. Garrett's story isn't the main story, we are only witnessing his part in it. The Dark Project is the main story. Everything else is Garrett going about his hobbies, getting noticed, unwittingly aiding it, and discovering the true and horrific nature of it, and seeking to stop it. We are watching the Dark Project coming closer and closer to fruition through Garrett's eye(s). Understanding this gives meaning to all the missions, all the briefings, back-story, and so on. Little is without purpose and should not be so carelessly tossed out.
Purposely tossed out, after
careful consideration,
understanding its importance but having to make a sacrifice,
is necessary and fine.:D I trust The Shroud's intentions, at this time.:thumb: Respect, man!
You could have all four Talismans in the Lost City. The four element motif could work with that.
So then, no Builder's Chisel...? :laff:
The Shroud on 3/12/2008 at 00:41
No Builder's Chisel. However, Garrett will reuse the Talismans toward the end of the movie...
jtr7 on 3/12/2008 at 00:44
There's a twist.
The Shroud on 3/12/2008 at 00:51
I had actually considered having all four Talismans in the Lost City but decided against it for the sake of showing the Hammerites and maintaining the original story. As for twists, there will be several - including a new way Garrett devises to dispatch fire elementals (since he won't be taking water arrows with him to the Lost City, due to not expecting any lit torches down there).
