Project CBRunway 4: Challenge 2

[mattbib]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/mattbib/Hosted_Images/projectcbrunway4Med.png
CHALLENGE 2: CONCEPTS

This is Project CBRunway. You're either in or you're out. Who will be CBR’s next big comic character designer?

Good morning, designers. Welcome back to the runway.

It's often a comic artist's job to visualize characters based on a writer's concept of their character's personality, traits and motivation, as opposed to a physical description.

For your next challenge you must design the character from the winning entry in the recent CBR Write Off: CONCEPTS (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=259308):
Memory is the most fluid of all things, some events imprint themselves upon us and some disappear without a trace while others still are created, constructed, conceived from a blend of what we hear from others and what we want to believe. Rosalie was very aware of this fact, painfully so, and took advantage of it every day. You see, Rosalie had a rare disorder where her brain was unable to store memories for very long so that every time she went to sleep, she woke up without any notion as to who she might be. To counter this, she kept a diary on her bedside table explaining who she was for her to read each morning but eventually Rosalie became tired of this continual rewind with nothing of value that she could remember for herself so she started altering her diary each night before she went to bed. At first, Rosalie only changed little things, add a flirtation with a nice girl for instance or maybe having someone give her a wonderful complement but eventually things got bigger and bigger until one day she decided to write herself as a superhero, even though there is no such thing. She sews together a costum that she hangs in the closet, chooses a set of criminals as her rogues gallery and gives herself the name of 'Wonder Beaver' knowing that in the next day she'll wake up and assume life has always been this way, so she will follow up on it without any internal struggle and fight (or fail in) the good fight.
Your outfit may consist of natural or synthetic materials.

As you are using someone else's concept you may only include the write-up required by the Submission Requirements. You may not add any additional biographical information.

Submission Requirements

Artwork may be done in any medium but must be in color.
Artwork may be no larger than 550-pixels wide and 800-pixels long.
Entries must be inserted into your PM, using such services as Photobucket.com or imageShack.com. If you are unable to use such a service you may e-mail (mattbib@comcast.net) your entry and we will host the image for you for the duration of the competition.
All submissions should include a written description of the costume, explaining, to the best of your ability, material, functionality, design inspiration, etc. Some rounds may have additional written requirements.
Write-ups are to be no longer than a single PM, which is limited to 5,000 characters, including your image address and all formatting and image tags.You have only five days, through Midnight PDT of Monday, March 16, to Private Message (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=342) (PM) me your entries for this week’s Challenge. Be sure to select “Request a read receipt for this message” in the Additional Options section before sending. Failure to complete a challenge will result in immediate elimination from Project CBRunway. There will be no extensions or exceptions.

Post any questions, comments, or concerns about this challenge in this thread. The voting thread will be posted this coming Tuesday.

Designers, make it work!

And non-contestants, be sure to Play Along at Home (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?p=8525039)!

[Aljira]

omg. i voted for Flaneur... who would've thought...

[spaghettikiss]

I voted for this one too, as=wesome idea matt!! I think the thing that is going to meke this tough is the name...wonder beaver

[escapegoat]

Haha...this is awesome. I too voted for Flaneur in the concept write-off. Smart thinking there Matt! :wink:

It's ironic how three of us designers voted for the same concept in that competition....

[LewMoxinsghost]

Make that at least four designers... I voted for that too!

[atoningunifex]

Not to put any pressure on, but.....

I sure am looking forward to seeing what you come up with, escapegoat.

[escapegoat]

I just checked out the votes for the Write-off. Looks llike 6 of us CBRunwayers voted for Flaneur.

We have only ourselves to blame for bringing forth the enigma that is...."Wonder Beaver!" :eek:

This round is gonna be fun and interesting. Good luck y'all!

[escapegoat]

Not to put any pressure on, but.....

I sure am looking forward to seeing what you come up with, escapegoat.

AAIIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! Get that spotlight off me!

:tongue:

I've already got a good idea of what I'm designing. At least this round spares us all of having to create a origin in the write-up of our designs.

Did I mention this is gonna be a fun round? :wink:

[spaghettikiss]

this IS going to be a fun round, I had a brainstorm and am almost done with my drawing already. It may be a bit of a risky entry but I can't help myself on this one.


Oh...no tech this time...promise

[End of Time]

I should have voted for stick-figure man :D

[deanlegion]

Hmmm..... I have a couple ideas. We'll see how it turns out on paper....

[Flâneur]

This is going to be interesting! :biggrin:

[spaghettikiss]

This is going to be interesting! :biggrin:

Holy crap I just went on a CBR rampage and just sent it off. I really hope you are into it flaneur!!!

[escapegoat]

This is going to be interesting! :biggrin:

Hey Flâneur? Come voting round, are you gonna let us know which one of us matches you own personal vision of what the character looks like to you?

I think whoever does that should be the one to get immunity, and not the top vote getter....just to shake things up a little. :smile:

[escapegoat]

Holy crap I just went on a CBR rampage and just sent it off. I really hope you are into it flaneur!!!

:eek:


Show-off! :tongue:

The fact that you've used no tech has really piqued my interest on your submission this round. It's almost become synonymous with you :wink:

[spaghettikiss]

Hey Flâneur? Come voting round, are you gonna let us know which one of us matches you own personal vision of what the character looks like to you?


I think whoever does that should be the one to get immunity, and not the top vote getter....just to shake things up a little. :smile:

I concur, thats kind of a cool idea

[escapegoat]

I concur, thats kind of a cool idea

I just realized though that he'd haveta be honest, and not pick favorites......

[Spidey]

As you are using someone else's concept you may only include the write-up required by the Submission Requirements. You may not add any additional biographical information.

Just to clarify, we're still adding the write up just minus the concept part right?

[Flâneur]

Holy crap I just went on a CBR rampage and just sent it off. I really hope you are into it flaneur!!!
I'm sure I will love it! You are all so talented on here.
Hey Flâneur? Come voting round, are you gonna let us know which one of us matches you own personal vision of what the character looks like to you?

I think whoever does that should be the one to get immunity, and not the top vote getter....just to shake things up a little. :smile:

Ahhh, I'm hesitant about that because it's like comparing Hanzo swords, to me, because I can't really draw. I know I'll love everything that everyone that pops out here, though. :smile:

[End of Time]

I showed the concept to a coworker...

Her suggestions were all horribly x-rated... a lesbian superheroine called Wonder Beaver... how could you come up with something remotely PG?

:biggrin:

[Danny Wall]

"Don't blame me. *I* voted for Kalen!"

[escapegoat]

I showed the concept to a coworker...

Her suggestions were all horribly x-rated... a lesbian superheroine called Wonder Beaver... how could you come up with something remotely PG?

:biggrin:

Well dang!....there goes that idea.....back to the drawing board....



:tongue:

[mattbib]

Just to clarify, we're still adding the write up just minus the concept part right?Just the basics described in the submission requirements:
All submissions should include a written description of the costume, explaining, to the best of your ability, material, functionality, design inspiration, etc.
Really, even "design inspiration" isn't that necessary since the concept is the inspiration, but telling us how y ou got from Flanny's concept to your drawing would be nice.

[Spidey]

Okie doke, gotcha.

[Aljira]

ok. i drew a couple of sketches and asked all the lesbians on our floor (office) to pick which one they liked best...

i never knew we had that many...

[CBrown]

I showed the concept to a coworker...

Her suggestions were all horribly x-rated... a lesbian superheroine called Wonder Beaver... how could you come up with something remotely PG?

:biggrin:

That was my biggest stumbling block, too, because at first that's all I could get from this concept!

[spaghettikiss]

That was my biggest stumbling block, too, because at first that's all I could get from this concept!

I tired hard not to focus on the lesbian theme, all the end results were too obvious. besides, thats only ONE thing that would define her, and probably a small thing what with her condition and all

[Flâneur]

I have to admit, I'm surprised that lesbian is such a big thing. I do not even use the word. I'm curious, what about my writing (or does my avatar and reputation precede me? :tongue:) emphasises or sexualises the character's orientation?

This isn't a challenge, since you're all as much of a creator in this scenario as I am but I'm rather curious and I love feedback on the things I've written, even if (and perhaps especially if) it is something I did without realising. I've never particularly thought of myself as a writer of LGBT literature before so this intrigues me. I also especially value the feedback of artists, as I've always felt that people who conceptualise visually with such invention are the best kind of people to tell you what about your work makes a certain scenario pop into your head.

[End of Time]

It stuck out for me because apparently it's perhaps the only constant thing in her life, one of the few things that is real and carries over to the next day without it being hindered or brought on by her own lies...

...or is it? (cue ominous music)

[Flâneur]

It stuck out for me because apparently it's perhaps the only constant thing in her life, one of the few things that is real and carries over to the next day without it being hindered or brought on by her own lies...

...or is it? (cue ominous music)

Ah! That is an interesting interpretation! I'd never thought of that and it certainly adds a sense of pathos. I can also see the seeds for that in the work now that you've raised it.

[CBrown]

For me, it's not that deep. Just that the only thing in the description that directly hints at her interior life is the line: "add a flirtation with a nice girl." I didn't even take that to mean she's a full-on lesbian; maybe just a girlish crush. But put that together with the possible connotations of the name "Wonder Beaver" and, well . . . Of course, I also have a dirty mind!

[deanlegion]

Hey, I did a sketch of her spread eagle with a tiara on it! I won't be submitting it, though.....

Flaneur, you can't post descriptions of girls who flirt with girls and call themselves Wonder Beaver and then wonder why everyone thinks she's a lesbian. You do know that beaver is a nick-name for the vagina, don't you? Maybe you don't.

I'm still working on my actual design, but I don't really care for this challenge. I don't understand how it won the Write Off. It's so 50 First Dates, but goofy.

[Flâneur]

Hey, I did a sketch of her spread eagle with a tiara on it! I won't be submitting it, though.....

Flaneur, you can't post descriptions of girls who flirt with girls and call themselves Wonder Beaver and then wonder why everyone thinks she's a lesbian. You do know that beaver is a nick-name for the vagina, don't you? Maybe you don't.

I'm still working on my actual design, but I don't really care for this challenge. I don't understand how it won the Write Off. It's so 50 First Dates, but goofy.

Oh, I know she's a lesbian and I know the connotations of beaver. Part of what I'm curious about is the pre-occupation with her orientation.

And thanks?

[deanlegion]

Dude.... Wonder Beaver the Lesbian. How does one not focus in on that?

I don't mean to pick on you, but you did submit this concept to the group. Not everyone is going to like it. I've received critiques and criticisms on my work too.

[Flâneur]

Dude.... Wonder Beaver the Lesbian. How does one not focus in on that?

I don't mean to pick on you, but you did submit this concept to the group. Not everyone is going to like it. I've received critiques and criticisms on my work too.

Well, as I said above, the identity politics of lesbianism (how in particular is a girl flirting with a girl different to flirting with a guy, for instance?) isn't referenced nor are there sexualised elements (so the dirtiness and the 'spread eagled with tiara' comments aren't something I understand).

And I appreciate criticism but I don't feel that was really what was given (criticism would tell me how, why and where I can improve). A dislike was expressed and then an association was made with a cliche Hollywood romantic comedy. The problems with 50 First Dates, from my view was more about the linear structure, the very typical Hollywood writing arc, the wooden acting (of Sandler, in particular) and the reliance on gags which displayed zero self-refllexiveness. The notion of memory wasn't something I had a problem with from that film, so I don't see the substance in solely relating the two because of memory being a feature.

I appreciate that the idea isn't something you like, and you don't have to like it, but I'd like something based in more critical thought (which is about reasons and logic, not ascerbicism) otherwise I'm as able to say I'm worthy of Edgar Awards because Memento also features memory as I'm able to say it's a failure because 50 First Dates does too.

This isn't me arguing with you, I'd just like to know more of where you're coming from.

[jester1436]

Why is Wonder Beaver a lesbian? She could just be Katy Perry.

[deanlegion]

I compared the premise to 50 first Dates, because its a girl who wakes up every morning with no memory. She uses a diary to keep track. Couldn't help but compare. Yes, things get different after that.

My question for you is, why did you add the line about Rosalie flirting with a nice girl? Why not a nice person? Or a nice guy? You must have wanted to identify her sexuality. We, the designers, can now make choices about her look. Maybe Rosalie is totally butch looking. If we didn't get that clue about her in the description, we might never have thought of depicting her that way. Maybe now that we know she's a lesbian, we'll give her more tattoos and a buzz cut. Maybe we'll make her look like a stereotype, which we wouldn't have before. Maybe she'll look like a plain girl instead of a Barbie doll type. Maybe she hates stereotypes and refuses to conform to them. Maybe she looks like Angelina Jolie? There are just more choices because that tidbit was revealed.

As for Wonder Beaver....I'm sorry, I just can't stand it! She sewed a costume so she could go out and fight the good fight. Why would she believe herself? The beaver animal is kinda silly. It has buckteeth and a big flap tail and a round body. The beaver female body part is private. That nickname is pretty crass. Who'd want to flaunt that? Especially someone who has no idea why they call themselves that, they just read it in a diary. Maybe a porn star would call herself Wonder Beaver.

So when you put the "flirts with girls" and Wonder Beaver parts together, without much else known about this girl except that normal life with amnesia is boring, it just adds up to something I just wouldn't normally want to illustrate - neither the goofy animal, nor the porn star.

I don't want to forfeit my spot in the competition, so I have to complete this challenge to the best of my ability. I don't have to like it.

[deanlegion]

Why is Wonder Beaver a lesbian? She could just be Katy Perry.

That's entirely likely, so add the Katy Perry look to the vast number of ways we can depict Rosalie.

[Flâneur]

I compared the premise to 50 first Dates, because its a girl who wakes up every morning with no memory. She uses a diary to keep track. Couldn't help but compare. Yes, things get different after that.
Well, Memento uses photos and tattoos, 50 First Dates uses a video, this uses a diary. The key difference in those is the continuing plot and execution - you supply part of the execution and the continuing plot isn't present here as it's a character concept, not that of a whole story. I still don't understand the derogatory association beyond it featuring memory - what about 50 First Dates is here that's problematic? Tell me so I can address it.

My question for you is, why did you add the line about Rosalie flirting with a nice girl? Why not a nice person? Or a nice guy? You must have wanted to identify her sexuality. We, the designers, can now make choices about her look. Maybe Rosalie is totally butch looking. If we didn't get that clue about her in the description, we might never have thought of depicting her that way. Maybe now that we know she's a lesbian, we'll give her more tattoos and a buzz cut. Maybe we'll make her look like a stereotype, which we wouldn't have before. Maybe she'll look like a plain girl instead of a Barbie doll type. Maybe she hates stereotypes and refuses to conform to them. Maybe she looks like Angelina Jolie? There are just more choices because that tidbit was revealed.
And all those interpretations are valid, as I said, I'm not arguing with you.

Why not a nice guy? Why not a nice person? Why not a nice girl? There's very little that's at all different that serves to be an identifier in those things. It really wasn't something that mattered to me and I added a flirtation just because it's something that she might like to put in there. She could, as jester and CBrown suggested, just be a straight girl who wants to make pretenses and be risque to liven things up like Katy Perry or she could be a lesbian who fits/does not fit any range of stereotypes or she could be bisexual. Whatever. You could also focus on the fact that she's a normal person playing hero instead. You're the artist, you choose.

My curiosity lies more in the pre-occupation with her lesbianism. As you say, 'why not a nice guy?' For me, it's not that big of a deal, I wasn't forcing a stridently lesbian character any more than in that instance there'd be a straight pride flag. It's cool that some people have found interesting directions to run with it [and that's their direction, I've not made any requirements, it's pretty open to interpretation, which I don't mind] but that sentiment, that there's 'flirting' and then there's a separate category of 'flirting with girls' confuses me. I just don't share it, perhaps because of my cultural background.

As for Wonder Beaver....I'm sorry, I just can't stand it! She sewed a costume so she could go out and fight the good fight. Why would she believe herself? The beaver animal is kinda silly. It has buckteeth and a big flap tail and a round body. The beaver female body part is private. That nickname is pretty crass. Who'd want to flaunt that? Especially someone who has no idea why they call themselves that, they just read it in a diary. Maybe a porn star would call herself Wonder Beaver.
Why would she believe herself? Maybe she doesn't always? Who knows? Certainly not her. At the very least, she'd believe it's always been this way and she has nothing else to tell her otherwise. And yeah, the beaver is a silly animal but honestly, it's superheroics, fighters dress in heels, underwear and capes, the Joker is one step away from being a drag queen and the Robin is absolutely ridiculous. You can play the costume any way you like - the disturbing contrasts of high camp and hardboiled from DKR or something comedic and slaptick or a version which minimises the beaver and makes it more subtle and symbolic or even something which she's not comfortable in. Play it your way.

As for the crassness, well, firstly, a pornstar wouldn't call herself Wonder Beaver. You'd probably get Mr. Long or whatever but that's besides the point. There are lots of instances where words like that are used stridently - queer and feminist activism often involves explicit language for instance, some subcultures are all about rebellion and vulgarity and challenging the status quo [wearing nappies and having chains through the skin is one of those vulgarities that some punks practice]. It can be whatever, there's hundreds of things to run with but if your interpretation is a pornstar and that's all you want to draw, then do that.

I'll take your commentary about the crassness under advisement for the future, however.
So when you put the "flirts with girls" and Wonder Beaver parts together, without much else known about this girl except that normal life with amnesia is boring, it just adds up to something I just wouldn't normally want to illustrate - neither the goofy animal, nor the porn star.
Well, I don't see how having a flirtation with a girl does not count as normal life. That was mostly my point in writing it though - that someone normal goes out to be a hero. And it's fine if you don't like your interpretation or my concept.

I don't want to forfeit my spot in the competition, so I have to complete this challenge to the best of my ability. I don't have to like it.
I know, you've said several times and I've said that you don't have to as well.

[deanlegion]

Y'know, I really didn't mean to upset you Flaneur, but I'm actuallly glad I went ahead and expressed how I felt about this challenge. My design is now complete and I really like my illustration. I just have to scan and color it.

Passionate artist types.... whaddyagonnado?

[Flâneur]

Y'know, I really didn't mean to upset you Flaneur, but I'm actuallly glad I went ahead and expressed how I felt about this challenge. My design is now complete and I really like my illustration. I just have to scan and color it.

Passionate artist types.... whaddyagonnado?

I'm not upset. I've been doing work shop writing every week for the past three years in my degree so it's nothing new. I've never written anything vaguely related to this kind of thing though.

[deanlegion]

Well, I don't see how having a flirtation with a girl does not count as normal life. That was mostly my point in writing it though - that someone normal goes out to be a hero. And it's fine if you don't like your interpretation or my concept

Although I was done with this conversation, I have to mention that the part about her adding the flirting with a nice girl to her diary entries was written by you, not me.

she started altering her diary each night before she went to bed. At first, Rosalie only changed little things, add a flirtation with a nice girl for instance

It implies that she normally did not flirt with girls, that she had to add it to her diary to make her life feel more interesting.

Don't try and make this into me having a problem with the lesbianism. That is not true.

[Flâneur]

Although I was done with this conversation, I have to mention that the part about her adding the flirting with a nice girl to her diary entries was written by you, not me.
Yes. The flirtation equating to something further is not me, though.


It implies that she normally did not flirt with girls, that she had to add it to her diary to make her life feel more interesting.

Don't try and make this into me having a problem with the lesbianism. That is not true.
The difference in emphasis for me is the flirt. It's nice to be liked. The girls was not the difference, to me, but it's fine if it is in your eyes. I'm also not trying to make you into anything.

[Manon]

I'm having a little difficulty coming up with a concept that has some oomph to it, but this was actually my second choice in the Write-off, so I'm having fun with it.

[LewMoxinsghost]

I voted for this character because I thought the memory thing stood out as something that would be interesting to write. You could practically completely reinvent the character every couple of issues, because to me the one constant is not the probable lesbianism, but it is her bored desire to want something new every day of her life. The whole series could be driven by the people (her rogues gallery, I guess) who remember past versions and who get tripped up because of her inherent unpredictability.

Regardless, I decided to focus on solving the obvious visual problem of the Wonder Beaver costume. :biggrin:

[spaghettikiss]

Wow, this just got interesting while I was making Z's last night. Usually I get frightened to voice an opinion on forums (not that there's anthing wrong with it, I'm just the prefix of what a child calls a cat)

Anyway, opinions seem so polarized and I am kind of in the middle. I voted for flaneur's write up in the char. write up competition for a simple reason...I hate cliche's and I love when a writer can take a cliche and turn it on its head. When I saw the votes for flaneur pulling ahead I was very curious to read his/her entry, when I did I was immediately annoyed...really annoyed, because of the 'obvious' 50 first dates rip off. Then I kept reading and saw how flaneur used it as a jumping point to find what would make that cliche more interesting. Success! I was totally turned around and love imagining how she would act as a superhero, how she would put herself in danger, who she would fight...what a great hook to add interest to a somewhat tired Hollywood idea.

The fact that the character is a lesbian is fine, but unnecessary in this short write up (which already has what it needs without it) as its a detail to be explored in a more in depth write up and perhaps not somewhat forced into a paragraph. Someones sexual orientation or romantic life in general is a BIG topic in most stories and not something to be glazed over. Plus, it begs many questions that may not be necessary yet. For instance, wouldn't the character be a bit asexual? Would orientation even be a factor? anyway, I think these are great things to think about and write about, but perhaps in a lengthier write up?

The only real issue I had with flaneur's writing AT ALL though, was the name chosen...Wonder Beaver (however, I am really excited on how I solved it for the challenge and am excited to get feedback on that) I just think that it's out of left field. As her lesbianism, its may not be something to drop on your reader without a bit more info (in fact it could be a brilliant name for the character, we just don't have enough info to truly understand its brilliance). Flaneur already had a killer hook that got him/her the win in the write off contest and the rest may have been unnecessary.

After all that, this may be a completely silly thing for us to form opinions about. Matt's idea to use that contest to feed into ours was brilliant in my humble opinion but it of course brought some issues with it which added to the challenge.

Flaneur: Did you know that the winner's write up was going to be in this contest as a subject of visual design?

No matter what, Flaneur - I loved your write up. Yes, I did have a few isues with it but I think it was great and totally deserved the win that it got. I think bringing into this challenge is AWESOME as it is changing its context and getting us all to think. Since your original intent had nothing to do with CBRunway the challenges it brings are unexpected and challenging, not that that's necessarily a bad thing. I think because of all this...objectively this is a great challenge with a great source, subjectively this is going to get some strong opinions and reactions

hope I didn't offend anyone and that I stayed diplomatic

[End of Time]

My main concern is with how to present the character...

Make it something that completely undermines reality. A slapstick character that you're not supposed to take serious at all, because she doesn't take herself seriously, and neither do the people behind the comic.

Make it work as something serious and something that takes itself at face value, a girl waking up each morning and deciding, based on what she wrote earlier, that she really is a hero who goes out and fights crime as someone named Wonder Beaver.

Go balls out and design something that would make papa Disney's cryogenically frozen corpse cry, or make an effort and actually make her the next spiderwoman or Miss Marvel.

It's so tempting to make a popsicle cry...

[Flâneur]

Wow, this just got interesting while I was making Z's last night. Usually I get frightened to voice an opinion on forums (not that there's anthing wrong with it, I'm just the prefix of what a child calls a cat)

Anyway, opinions seem so polarized and I am kind of in the middle. I voted for flaneur's write up in the char. write up competition for a simple reason...I hate cliche's and I love when a writer can take a cliche and turn it on its head. When I saw the votes for flaneur pulling ahead I was very curious to read his/her entry, when I did I was immediately annoyed...really annoyed, because of the 'obvious' 50 first dates rip off. Then I kept reading and saw how flaneur used it as a jumping point to find what would make that cliche more interesting. Success! I was totally turned around and love imagining how she would act as a superhero, how she would put herself in danger, who she would fight...what a great hook to add interest to a somewhat tired Hollywood idea.
This note is something that's interesting me - are there very many other Hollywood movies about cyclical memory? Memento and 50 First Dates are some obvious ones but I'm unsure as to others.

The fact that the character is a lesbian is fine, but unnecessary in this short write up (which already has what it needs without it) as its a detail to be explored in a more in depth write up and perhaps not somewhat forced into a paragraph. Someones sexual orientation or romantic life in general is a BIG topic in most stories and not something to be glazed over. Plus, it begs many questions that may not be necessary yet. For instance, wouldn't the character be a bit asexual? Would orientation even be a factor? anyway, I think these are great things to think about and write about, but perhaps in a lengthier write up?
I'm beginning to come round to this point a little bit. The way it was phrased may have shifted the burden more to 'girl' than I intended considering the brevity of the write up. I do hope though, that you can see that the presence of the flirtation line is not intended to be a command to represent her in a certain way?

The only real issue I had with flaneur's writing AT ALL though, was the name chosen...Wonder Beaver (however, I am really excited on how I solved it for the challenge and am excited to get feedback on that) I just think that it's out of left field. As her lesbianism, its may not be something to drop on your reader without a bit more info (in fact it could be a brilliant name for the character, we just don't have enough info to truly understand its brilliance). Flaneur already had a killer hook that got him/her the win in the write off contest and the rest may have been unnecessary.

After all that, this may be a completely silly thing for us to form opinions about. Matt's idea to use that contest to feed into ours was brilliant in my humble opinion but it of course brought some issues with it which added to the challenge.
Thank you, I'm glad that you enjoyed the hook. :smile:

I also appreciate the feedback (don't be such a prefix cat in the future, haha), even from deanlegion.

BTW, I'm a he.

Flaneur: Did you know that the winner's write up was going to be in this contest as a subject of visual design?

No matter what, Flaneur - I loved your write up. Yes, I did have a few isues with it but I think it was great and totally deserved the win that it got. I think bringing into this challenge is AWESOME as it is changing its context and getting us all to think. Since your original intent had nothing to do with CBRunway the challenges it brings are unexpected and challenging, not that that's necessarily a bad thing. I think because of all this...objectively this is a great challenge with a great source, subjectively this is going to get some strong opinions and reactions

hope I didn't offend anyone and that I stayed diplomatic
You were quite diplomatic. :smile:

Well, I pretty much entered on a whim just because Kalen told me about it. I was aware, because of bib's thing in the Write Off page that someone might run with it but that's not why I wrote it, I wrote it just to write it, really, not with the specific goal of making something for Runway artists.

I was really surprised that I won and that this happened, I'm also rather pleased because I've seen some of the talent here and it's very cool to think that something I wrote is going to be brought to life by you guys and that it's going to be brought out with all these angles I'd never have thought about.

[End of Time]

I should have never brought up the word lesbian. :)

But I still think it makes for one of the more interesting elements of the character. Depending on how she's written, her sexuality can be played as something genetic, or something taught, it could even be explored further by leaving it in the middle and having her question it.

Quite frankly, for me, that's the strength of the character as a character. The fact that she's running around in tights calling herself Wonder Beaver is secondary to her development as a well-rounded individual with a personality that can explore various social conventions.

[spaghettikiss]

This note is something that's interesting me - are there very many other Hollywood movies about cyclical memory? Memento and 50 First Dates are some obvious ones but I'm unsure as to others.

Now that you mention it, I guess not. I think here I was speaking more to how similar it was to 50 first date (only in your beginning sentences) in the write up. The major hollywood cliche is more the memory loss thing in general

again, take it as a compliment

[LewMoxinsghost]

Now that you mention it, I guess not. I think here I was speaking more to how similar it was to 50 first date (only in your beginning sentences) in the write up. The major hollywood cliche is more the memory loss thing in general

again, take it as a compliment

As someone who is oblivious to both stories, I can only think of the movie Groundhog Day as having a similar-ish concept. But that wasn't memory loss so much as it was the inability to move forward in time. I really thought that the two front runners of that concept contest had similar ideas, but went for Flanny's because of the humor of it.

[Flâneur]

I should have never brought up the word lesbian. :)

But I still think it makes for one of the more interesting elements of the character. Depending on how she's written, her sexuality can be played as something genetic, or something taught, it could even be explored further by leaving it in the middle and having her question it.

Quite frankly, for me, that's the strength of the character as a character. The fact that she's running around in tights calling herself Wonder Beaver is secondary to her development as a well-rounded individual with a personality that can explore various social conventions.
Oh, I do think you have a valid point that there is stuff to mine in that area and I find it quite interesting too; as a gay male the topic of sexuality is one that's of interest to me and it's something I'd read (or look at, as the case may be with visual media). I'm also happy that some of you have found something you like to run with in that area (Aljira has as well too, I think?).

If, however, I was trying to pump out exactly what was in my head though (and I don't know that that's a good idea, necessarily) then I'd probably have articulated things more precisely. As I said, it's really cool to see these unexpected angles spin with people which is probably more fun in the end but if I was trying to generate the expected thing in my head then I can see the issue some have raised.

Now that you mention it, I guess not. I think here I was speaking more to how similar it was to 50 first date (only in your beginning sentences) in the write up. The major hollywood cliche is more the memory loss thing in general

again, take it as a compliment
Ah, gotcha. And thanks. :smile:

[deanlegion]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_appearances_of_amnesia_in_fiction
Just a reference....

Flaneur,
I congratluate you on creating something that has caused a lot of conversation. Despite the differing points of view, there is no question that this challenge has made people take notice.

I've submitted my design. I'll be quite interested in all the others, as well.

Best wishes!

[escapegoat]

Whoo whoo whoo...hold on...so this isnt' a story about a girl who can turn into a beaver?

Dang, did I ever steer offroad on that one......back to the drawing board...

[LewMoxinsghost]

Whoo whoo whoo...hold on...so this isnt' a story about a girl who can turn into a beaver?

Dang, did I ever steer offroad on that one......back to the drawing board...

I can recommend from my own experience that using an animal is a bad idea. :tongue:

[Kid Icarus]

I am all done!
I just need to make some tweaks before I send it in tomorrow
woohoo

[End of Time]

finished!

Egads... that was quite a chore!

[mattbib]

About 29 hours to PM your Challenge 2 submissions!

[End of Time]

I have way too much time on my hands.

There should be more smack talk...

[mattbib]

About 12 hours to go, and I've only received designs from less than half of the finalists! Make it work, people.

[escapegoat]

I haveta say this is probably one of the hardest challenges for me...only because of the lack of control on the origin aspect.

Currently in the process of coloring it, so it will make it in later today.

[End of Time]

I was early? And here I was thinking I was incredibly late.

<insert smack talk>

[LewMoxinsghost]

Just finished mine. This one was a tough one! I look forward to seeing what others came up with.

[Flâneur]

I have way too much time on my hands.

There should be more smack talk...

*smacks you in the face*
I haveta say this is probably one of the hardest challenges for me...
Haha, this sentiment doesn't bode well for if I ever get the urge to go into the Write Off again.

[Manon]

I just sent mine in with 30 minutes remaining. After going through a few designs, I settled on one and am quite pleased with it. I think in this challenge, we're going to have a large a mount of variety. I'm looking forward to what everyone else has done for it.

[Affinity]

I am exhausted.

[End of Time]

let's vote...

Everybody in favour of Mattbib sacrificing his social life on the important days of the competition say: "Aye!"

[escapegoat]

The horrible trainwreck that is my entry must have befuddled Matt, thus delaying the start of the second round...I accept all responsibility for this...

I can't wait to see what Affinity's cooked up for this round.