Where does it start?

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Permalink Reply by ClericRuss on September 3, 2008 at 6:27pm

Things seem to have changed radically in the look/feel department of the forum, so I'm just getting used to this myself.

I'm hoping that once there's an established "film crew" which will include writers, production managers and those heartless souls [not unlike our beloved walking dead] called Producers [doh!] to flesh out an action plan for creation of material or a working script- or what I suspect will be the "Community Bible" by which the "look" [in a visual/video sense] will look like.

One thing I can tell- even though I've not been here terribly long- is that Lost and the rest of his [Her?] merry marauders don't want to stifle creativity from individuals anymore than they would from established [or, hopefully in this case, burgeoning] film groups.

I'm also interested to see if there's parameters to be placed on the group or if the only limitation is our own set parameters...

Cleric

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Permalink Reply by Danny Bones on September 3, 2008 at 7:28pm

I am pretty sure that you should probably avoid discussing a cause. Think of it like this: if you were a survivor in the zombie outbreak, what are the real chances of YOU knowing what caused it? I imagine it would be more likely that you wouldn't. Unless your a high-ranking gov. official, an investigative journalist who dug in the right places, or, I dunno, a voodoo priest/priestess. Another reason to avoid mentioning a cause would be that this is all going to be in one film, so if you and me both come up with a cause, and it isn't the same, then neither will be used.

The theme as of yet is not so much an over-arcing story, but personal experiences. Show what YOU had to do to survive, how YOU killed your uncle, why YOU think it is a good idea to use this weapon, or hide out there.

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Permalink Reply by Maverick on September 3, 2008 at 7:44pm

I think that Danny has the right Idea. Its not about what is the source of the zombies, their here and that's all that matters. Discussing the cause of, or reason for, the zombie horde takes a lot of time and energy to concoct an accurate timeline. For instance there would have to be a Zombie 0, the one that started it all. Where did he/she come from, how did he/she contract the virus, if its even a virus. There are many schools of thought on where zombies originated and supposedly there are sightings that date back all the way to 400 B.C. That's a lot of history to sort through and a lot of data to extrapolate. I think it would be better to focus on the initial contact with the afflicted, how you survived and how you've kept alive, weapon choices, hiding places, how you get food, water, how you may have helped other survivors. Ultimately I think its about having fun with the notion that zombies have come to end all life and how you would deal with it.

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Permalink Reply by Lost on September 3, 2008 at 11:11pm

This is pretty much right on. If a user comes up with a spectacular video that shows the origin of the outbreak, that's great. We'll use it if it fits. If not. No big deal, we'll make it work.

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Permalink Reply by Lost on September 3, 2008 at 11:08pm

All great questions. Generally speaking our plan is to allow users to submit their footage and films with what ever cause and timeline they believe or come up with. We'll then choose the pieces of footage that we feel are strongest and we'll edit those to form a single cohesive documentary. Because we are using the documentary format it's okay if there are contradictions in the timeline. It may even add compelling controversy to the documentary. Having said that we would like to create as cohesive a story as possible. Which is part of the reason for creating this group. Our hope is that users will collaborate to answer these kinds of questions.

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Permalink Reply by Potters Field on September 4, 2008 at 5:40am

My point in these questions wasn't meaning that each group should come up with their own reason for why the zombies are here. But more so wondering if there were any guiding parameters or key points that Lost had for members to follow while making their films.

Its easy enough to provide small tid-bits of storyline...nothing that completely steals away creativity from your members but more so helps guide them along.

It is very possible, depending on how fast the "infection" spread that we might be well aware of what causes it or where it came from. On the other hand it is also possible that no one has any idea and everything being broadcast at the onset is mere speculation.

In anycase I think that content provideres (aka members) should have some, at least, minimal guidlines to help them. For instance if no one knows what caused the plague then you should have that in a FAQ somewhere. As a content provider these are things I want to know, to help me fit my documentation into what the characters would "Know" or be aware of.

A quick list off the top of my head of questions I would want the answers to, regardless of what they were.

What caused the outbreak?
Where did it start (location)?
How long till infection takes hold after u'r bitten?

Also another point of interest. Have you broken the documentary out into phases for creators to focus on. Like various time-periods during the pandemic?

OnSet, Quarantine, Panic, Exodus etc....

That would also help me as a creator to select a period to focus on, or walk through all the various phases.

Its your project so handle it as you like, I'm just telling you what I think would assist me as a content creator.

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Permalink Reply by Zombie Hunter 223 on September 4, 2008 at 1:01pm

First off I think we should vote for were the setting will be. Then on to cause of the outbreak, and then to other things.

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Permalink Reply by Potters Field on September 4, 2008 at 2:48pm

I believe that the setting is everywhere and anywhere the participants are located or pretending to be located. The whole of the documentary (Corrent me if I'm wrong Lost & Mods) is to be comprised primarily of member submitted material.

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Permalink Reply by Zombie Hunter 223 on September 4, 2008 at 2:57pm

I guess your right, probably better to go with that way instead.

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Permalink Reply by Lost on September 5, 2008 at 2:21pm

Ideally we'd use all member created content. Having said that, we are filmmakers with plenty of experience. We're prepared to shoot if need be. Our thought process as of right now is that we will compile the footage we get, choose the best pieces and begin editing together a documentary. If there are gaps or contradictions in time line we will shoot additional scenes to address those.

You bring up some great points Potter. The more of you guys we have working together on a story line the more the separate pieces will hang together cohesively.

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Permalink Reply by Quiggz on December 2, 2008 at 4:56pm

Personally, I like the idea of each piece of the documentary should have its own speculation. I like the idea of one story saying "I heard it started here for this reason..." And then another part going "Well, I heard it started HERE for THIS reason" etc etc. It gives each character their own little something extra because it shows what they have perhaps wanted to believe. And it also adds to the chaotic feeling of the whole outbreak. Nobody knows what's going on.

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Permalink Reply by Laz on September 4, 2008 at 7:04pm

Yeah, the documentary will be made around the content submitted. Use your own judgement to decide how/what your film contains.

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