|
|
|
 |

June 10th, 2004, 06:08 PM
|
 |
Second Lieutenant
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 482
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Re: OT:An Observation
The classic remake that I remember most is "West Side Story." Many of you might not remember that one, but it was an intentional clone of "Romeo and Juliet," using two New York gangs as the feuding families. And the Star Trek episode may very well be an intentional clone of "The Enemy Below."
As far as plots go, one can, as Gandalf Parker suggests, throw a bunch of elements into a bag and draw them at random to produce a script. Odds are that every so often similar plots will result from the process.
__________________
The great tragedy of science...the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact. (T. H. Huxley)
|

June 10th, 2004, 07:21 PM
|
 |
Major General
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,174
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Re: OT:An Observation
*shrug* how many basic plots there are is up for debate - with the primary argument being "how similar can they be before we say they are the same plot?" A lot of the cloning is due to laziness - an artist wants something that sells, and sees that this other thing is selling, so he makes his own Version of it - but when similar plots are developed on opposite sides of the world before reasonable world wide travel or communication is in place? That pretty much rules out laziness. And yet, it's happened.
As for random plots, well, you are throwing those random elements into some framework (or, perhaps, another randomly selected framework) - and most of those who categorize plots by Greek plays (or however) aren't so much looking at the specific setting (fantasy/sci-fi/Greek Gods/whatever), nor the characters (Bilbo Baggins/James T. Kirk/Hercules/whoever), nor even the species of the characters (elven/alien/human/whatever) - they tend to classify elements by how they fit into the plot (the mentor/the hero/the villian/whatever), and the whole by a general outline of the plot (the rescue/the war/the coming of age/whatever). Such a random plot is going to fit into a Category, pretty much regardless. Granted, you will get a gargantuan number of variations on those plots, many of which are interesting, and keep them fresh for a long time - but when it comes down to it, they are all variations on a limited number of themes; they aren't fundamentally new plots.
[ June 10, 2004, 18:30: Message edited by: Jack Simth ]
__________________
Of course, by the time I finish this post, it will already be obsolete. C'est la vie.
|

June 10th, 2004, 07:31 PM
|
 |
Shrapnel Fanatic
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vacaville, CA, USA
Posts: 13,736
Thanks: 341
Thanked 479 Times in 326 Posts
|
|
Re: OT:An Observation
I remember the heated debates about copy-cat plots amoung the addicts of the various incarnations of Star Trek. True some seemed AWFULLY similar but some of them were majorly stretched in trying to make a connection
__________________
-- DISCLAIMER:
This game is NOT suitable for students, interns, apprentices, or anyone else who is expected to pass tests on a regular basis. Do not think about strategies while operating heavy machinery. Before beginning this game make arrangements for someone to check on you daily. If you find that your game has continued for more than 36 hours straight then you should consult a physician immediately (Do NOT show him the game!)
|

June 11th, 2004, 04:20 AM
|
 |
Shrapnel Fanatic
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: USA
Posts: 15,630
Thanks: 0
Thanked 30 Times in 18 Posts
|
|
Re: OT:An Observation
Quote:
Originally posted by Randallw:
Ok, sorry. Didn't mean to take the thread off in a bitter direction.
|
Apology accepted, now set course for somewhere out there. 
__________________
Creator of the Star Trek Mod - AST Mod - 78 Ship Sets - Conquest Mod - Atrocities Star Wars Mod - Galaxy Reborn Mod - and Subterfuge Mod.
|

June 11th, 2004, 05:48 AM
|
 |
First Lieutenant
|
|
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Gettysburg Sector
Posts: 785
Thanks: 7
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
|
|
Re: OT:An Observation
I know star trek used to frequent repeat plot lines from different perspectives. Take of example the Doomsday Machine, Operation Anhillate, and that episode with that blood sucking vapor cloud. One would focus on an outsider, then on the captain (or one of the leads), and then on someone under the captain or close to him.
On top of that, it's common practice for movies and films and TV shows to rip off other movie, films, and tv shows. It's the "OH-WOW!-WE-GOTTA-DO-THAT!" factor. They do what they think makes them money thus flooding us with clones of something that may or may not be good until we tune out thier babble...
Much like the reality show fad and Terrorist Drama Shows...
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Hybrid Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
|
|