As a writer of both Novels and Motion Picture Screenplays I have managed to drink from the waters of every genre. Horror? Done it. Comedy? Been there. Big Budget action/adventure? Twice. Drama? Uh-huh. I'm royalty in that arena. Over an Eleven year career, I have been to nearly every corner of the human imagination, from ghostly visitors to prehistoric beasts, from serial killers to Angelic entities. One aspect I adore is fantasy, and unwittingly, weaving a thready of the otherworldly through every story, no matter how subtle, has become my trademark.
But what about full blown fantasy, an epic tale? I knew the very concept was engaging audiences everywhere, with the success of Harry Potter and Peter Jackson's The Lord Of The Rings. And we also recently got a taste of the dark age itself in Black Knight and Reign Of Fire. I always envied these writers who ventured into these territories of the imagination, where all notions of reality must be cast away, giving way to a story that must even still invoke passion from it's viewers.
However, I soon found myself going there... late at night when the entire world is asleep, in the middle of the day while sitting in traffic... the images came fast and furious, the Troll, the Sorceress, the Firbolg.. I could seen them, not as pixilated images from the game most of us know and love, but as individuals posessing a spirit, a life. Yes, I was inspired. I was emotionally moved by the concept I toyed with... I wondered where it would go. Dare I persue it futher? Yes. I was having fun with it. I enjoyed contemplating their paths, getting inside their heads. Who were they? Where did they come from? What was their past? What was their future? What would bring them together? Finally, would it be worthy of putting on the page.
During this time I was wrapping up a novel, a very emotionally exhausting, tragic story about the triumphs and tragedies of a young man. This story was very introspective, and more or less an observation, a narrative, if you will. Each story I approach I take several factors into consideration. Who wants to tell the story? Do I have one protagonist? Am I looking through at the world through their eyes? Am I a voyeur? What role do I, as the teller, play in bringing it to life? In some respects you can hear your story. When the inspiration strikes you it comes to you in words, sometimes it comes in pictures. "Dark Age Of Camelot" wanted to be a screenplay. It was a moving picture, lush with images, atmospheres, explosive battles, exciting chases, and tender moments. It was incredibly visiual, so much so that I could see the events as they unfolded, in my mind, like film. I could see how the Troll moved, how they looked next to each other. For me to express this vision accurately, I knew it had to be a screenplay. Finally, I had been inspired to take my mind in the direction of the fantasy.
I delved into research mode, learning about the actual myths shrouding these creatures, their roles in history, the perceptions of them today. It helped me understand and more fully develop my characters. I was amazed to find that Firbolgs (Or "Bag Men") were a huge part of irish history, and while their appearances exaggerared over time, they were an actual race of people, coming to Ireland around 800 B.C. I watched as a whole new world opened up and invited me in. A world of Magic, Mystery and Majesty.
From the first word, typed in the late night hours of May 2002, I went on an adventure. I laughed, my heart raced with unbridled anticipation, my eyes welled with sorrow, and when the final scene was finished in October 2002, I was almost sad it was over.
Afterward I went on to work on a new project, very pleased with what I considered a very rewarding writing excersise. As time passed, snow began to fall, Winter began setting in and I realized that I would really love the opportunity to share my expression of passion for the game with other enthusiasts. As with any topic that has herds of fans across the continents, there will be those who say "Oh! <Enter Game Event Here> should have happened!" Or, "You should have put in this <Enter Race Here.>." But as I say, we all have our own inspirations, and expressions of passions. I enjoy reading that of others, appreciating their view, respecting it as their privilige to enjoy it for what it is, and make it what they want. That's what makes us each artists in our own right! So, this is just my little contribution to that pool of fans, of admirers of a great and innovative game who adapt it and make it a part of them, and themselves a part of it. That's what makes it beautiful. No one is seeing the same thing, yet we all have the honor of sharing the experience, together. I wouldn't have it any other way.
November 23rd 2002 |
