Dustin J. Roberson is an emerging science fiction and fantasy writer from Fort Worth, Texas. His originality is fueled by media of all types and genres. When Dustin is not creating new worlds, he can be found reading to his kids. Samples of Dustin’s work can be found at dustinjrobers.wixsite.com/portfolio.
Facebook is a social media website that is known around the world. With nearly 2 billion active monthly users worldwide, Facebook’s blue and white color scheme is instantly recognizable. No longer needing write “Facebook”, their simple “f” on a blue background is a tribute to their popularity.
Having been in business for over 130 years, Coca-Cola has made their brand synonymous with sharing and friendship with their slogan, “Have a Coke and a Smile.” The red background with white calligraphy is recognizable around the world. In fact, as I write this post, I am humming Hilltop’s song, “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke.”
From Stan Lee’s “Excelsior” to fan’s salutation of “Make Mine Marvel”, I have been a fan of Marvel Comics since 1992. Home to the world’s most recognizable superhero, Spiderman, Marvel has successfully launched from comic books into multi-media entertainment with games, television, and movies. With the addition of Marvel Studios, their brand has reached a wider demographic causing merchandise sales to soar.
References
G. (2011, October 23). 27 New Jobs At Marvel Comics – As Interns. Retrieved June 21, 2017, from https://geekxlovin.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/27-new-jobs-at-marvel-comics-%E2%80%93-as-interns/Coke Red Disc Icon Chrome Bar Stool. (n.d.). Retrieved June 21, 2017, from
http://www.millenniumseating.com/store/products/318/Coke-Red-Disc-Icon-Chrome-Bar-StoolFacebook free vector icons designed by Freepik. (n.d.).
Retrieved June 21, 2017, from http://www.flaticon.com/free-icon/facebook_124010
These characters, Silver Surfer and The Rocketeer, are the inspiration for my short animation script.
In a world of pacifists, “Hero,” a robot peacekeeper, is sent to retrieve his charge, Billy, from his violent father, Shalom, bent on reprograming his son so the two of them can leave a legacy of strength through superior power.
References
Silver Surfer. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2017, from http://marvel.com/characters/53/silver_surfer
Not a day goes by where I don’t pick up my phone to use various apps and games. Games and other forms of media are an important part of our daily lives. This post will briefly discuss what Gamification and Media Convergence is and give a few brief examples.
Gamification is a fancy word for taking video game rewards, i.e. in-game achievements, and attributing it to real life. Media Convergence is the process of taking different types of media, i.e. comic books and movies, and merging them together to create something new; comic book movies. The first example is of the app, Zombies, Run!
Zombies have become a large part of American culture. This mobile application uses zombie popularity and adds gamification in order to motivate people to exercise through running. I have type 2 diabetes and, as a result, exercise is an important part of my daily life. Although running is the fastest way for me to get my sugar levels down, it’s just not fun for me. However, when I add this alternate reality game that has missions, achievements, and a story, I get motivated to run. This application incorporates all the fun of The Walking Dead without the sitting and eating a pint of ice cream.
Skype is my next example of media convergence. At this point, you may tilt your head and wonder, “How?” I am a part of a group of like-minded individuals who frequently gets together to fellowship and engage in the play of a table-top role-playing game. Role-playing is not for everyone so when you find a good gaming group, you do whatever it takes to keep that gaming group; enter Skype. Over the years, life has taken over and, though we once played at the same table, many of our group have needed to move to other cities across the country. Skype has enabled us to continue playing with each other regardless of the distance between us. Therefore, we are using media convergence to combine different forms of media to create a new way to play our games.
My final example of media convergence is the mobile game Disney’s Magic Kingdoms. In this game, the park has been taken over and cursed by Maleficent. You are tasked to help rebuild the park and bring the magic back. Not only do we get to enjoy the nostalgic appeal, but this game has successfully incorporated every Disney film and the Magic Kingdom theme park into one mobile game. My wife and I have added a bit of gamification by using this game to teach our son about economics. He learns how to prioritize and save up for things he wants without needing to spend real-world money.
References
(n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2017, from http://feministfiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/zombiesrun.jpg Zombies, Run! Logo
(n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2017, from https://www.filepicker.io/api/file/uRRNEeq9RXWGbZngZt0K Skype Logo
(n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2017, from https://cdn1.recombu.com/media/mobile/Apps/The%20Abandoned/Magic.jpg Disney's Magic Kingdoms Logo
Recently I took part in a class where we got some experience working together in a writing room setting. We started the process by sharing our springboards for the spec script that we would be writing for “No Good Deeds.”
It was interesting to read through everyone’s ideas. Several people could take a similar idea or quote and go so many different directions. I wrote my three springboards to write, and the one I wanted to pick was not chosen. It was just a little bit disheartening, but I learned to stick with it and roll with the punches.
From there, we had to come up with an outline, or a beat sheet. One thing becomes clear about a writer room setting, is your humor does not always match those around you. I had a certain idea for what I wanted to write, but since it was not received like I had planned, I had to make some changes. If I can’t talk my story idea in a group setting, then it seems I need to find a stronger story.
After that, we wrote our rough draft. I only had a single person comment on it and it became clear that as others choose their favorites, the online writer’s room is weak compared to being in a physical room with other writers. It was kind of telling that the person who commented on it was the only other writer that could apply it to her life.
Lastly, not all of my comments were heeded and it was interesting to see whether my comments strengthened their work or if them ignoring it strengthened it.
I can definitely see where there are pros and cons to this type of writing. You’d want to have people with similar humor and the ability to laugh off any rejection. If there were any hot heads that take it personally in the group, they would need to be let go quickly.
This is Carrie’s birthday mystery dinner. It was my first cooperative script. I’m the Sword Cop (before Axe Cop became a thing), then we have Aaron to the right of me, Anthony in the sunglasses, April with the dolphin on her shoulder, and finally, my wife, Carrie.
A father and son walked into a convenience store. The father chose a drink and a few snacks for himself while his son was getting his own drink. After the father paid for his sundries, he began walking toward the door to leave.
His son rushed up to the check stand with his drink and said, “Dad! What about my drink?”
The father answered with a surly voice, “I’ve got no money for you.”
The son’s face filled with hurt and embarrassment and he shuffled off to discard his drink as the father continued out to the car.
My heart hurt for the son as my thoughts turned to my own dad. He is the reason I know there is a difference between being a father and being a dad. Over the years my dad has taught me many things, not the least of which is how much he loves me. I know Dad will always be there for me when I need him. And I know, given the same situation, my dad would choose me over himself.
My dad is an inspiration to me. It is because of him I know the greatest job a man could ever have is to be a dad.
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