Hey, I'm D.C. Fergerson, author of The Wicked Instruments, The Dragon's Dream Saga, and many more! I like to talk about storytelling in a way that uses modern, pop-culture references to sharpen our craft and tell the best stories we can. So, build a blanket fort with me and let's tell great tales.
Check me out on Amazon! www.amazon.com/stores/D.C.%20Fergerson/author/B01MFG11GW
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I have been a long time viewer of your channel. The analysis and lessons given in your videos helped me understand the broad range of storytelling, as I was practicing storytelling for writing my own story for the future(still a amature at it). A request was could you make a video like this for The Godzilla X Kong the new empire, why it was a let down compared to Godzilla vs kong, Even though it was enjoyable???
We'll definitely see if there's enough to say.
HES BAAACCCKKKKK
'the least skeptical' so you're entirely delusional and ignoring the reality of context?
Not following you there. Perhaps expand?
@@DCFergerson if you were not skeptical of the marvels for a multitude of reasons then your fingers so far off the pulse that it's hard to believe you can have an objective interpretation of anything.
@@cop5144Fairly hyperbolic language, don't ya think? I mean, given that this entire video is predicated on how bad this movie is, and given that we had Love and Thunder to compare it to, yeah. 'Least skeptical' about the trailer when compared to a year of bad MCU movies. I stand by that.
@@DCFergerson if you were using least sceptical to say 'these were all going to be complete crap, but this trailer at least had one saving grace' then sure. If you mean least sceptical as in 'I had hope this movie might be good' then you were either totally unaware of the greater context, or are entirely unwilling to recognise or admit it. The entire films concept, and everything that the characters had been built up to be in the previous films or tv series, and the continued insistence on pushing themes and narratives aligned with political messaging ensured that there was too much baggage regardless of the narrative you choose. Hence why I say that your finger must be so far off the pulse for you to have not been incredibly sceptical. The only positive you even bothered to mention was the power swapping, however I fail to see how that would overcome any of the real problems with the clash of themes on display. The vibe I got from the trailer was trying to combine Freaky Friday with a marvel superhero movie archetype, while of course looking to be marred in the depths of the current political context. A Freaky Friday body swap type movie might not be a bad thing on its own, but if you're going to court that audience, then court that damn audience. There's a reason why Barbie did phenomenally and all these action super hero movies aimed that are trying to ensure the widest audience possible continue to fail. There's a reason why Ellen Ripley works as a badass character and hero in her movies, and Miss Marvel feels like a silly gimmick. There's a reason why Atomic Blonde was a hardcore thriller action movie staring a petite blonde woman half my size killing men twice my size and you cant find a single person with a bad word to say about it. I've been a subscriber of yours since you had about 1000 subs, and have watched just about all of your world building dojo movies. You understand how to write believable characters, worlds, and understand the value of consistency and adherence to your worlds rules far too well for me not to believe that you cant look at something like this and instantly recognise that at the best case scenario it would be trash aimed to please a boardroom. I find it hard to believe that you don't see the overall narrative shift of the so called ''m-she-u'' and cant recognise the dissonance that causes in the audience, but you avoid all the reasons it doesn't work beyond the pure story beats, without admitting that your new story would fail just as bad because the film will be still dragged down by the wider context. You would have to change the entire context of the films, and how phase 3 and 4 have been approached in order to come close at making this film work. Its just disappointing, but if you actually believe that this would have made a good film and your story would fix it, then yes: you are delusional.
@@cop5144Hoo boy, lots to unpack here. So, I'd argue that your initial premise shows a bit of A/B thinking. The answer, my answer, is somewhere in the middle. The trailer showed the power-switching conceit, and as I said, the trailer showed off the best concept of the movie. Left out of the trailer: Disney princess song and dance, lack of development for the villain, "Black Girl Magic", and saving a space station via cat-aliens. I think the biggest point where we differ was that 'glimmer of hope' in the storytelling. I had some, you had none. You would have been right in hindsight, sure. But to say that there isn't a salvageable, smart, perhaps even good story to mined out of this boardroom-assembled mess is dishonest. Like I said in the outro, I would argue the bones of a really good story are there, tossed to the side to hit a bunch of political checkboxes. But, and this is a BIG but, to say that you can't be both a writer and an activist and still make good stories is to ignore how well it's been done before (Do the Right Thing, 187, 12 Monkeys, Doubt, etc.). The problem is you have to be a writer first, activist second. Modern studio writers have it backwards. Would my idea have made this movie 'save' the MCU? Definitely not, for all the reasons you listed. Would it have 'fixed' the story into something that was respectable, cohesive, and focused on one particular theme? I'd like to think so. You say delusional, I say dreamer. Agree to disagree on that point, I suppose, but I'd strongly recommend trying to disconnect the culture war/political stuff from your opinions on storytelling. If 'everything X side does is bad', then you're stuck in the same camp-dividing problem I described in the last video. The writers of the Marvels can be terrible in execution AND make the bones of a good story at the same time. It doesn't have to be one or the other.
Now after Watching the Video Great idea(s) and a good exercise; although i'm reluctant to say that we would get such a "clear" vision for a marvel movie in the foreseeable future. I'm not entirely convinced by the M-she-U Crowd although i suspect that the people involved in creating these movies might simply follow a formula of "must haves and don'ts" and this fills many aspects of an otherwise creative process with quotas, market research expectations and fixed budgets i somehow doubt that one can get an outstanding movie, so it becomes mediocre/average "slob" at worst and forgettable at best (as in: somewhat of a no-brainer movie, after which you can easily watch another movie from the same franchise and don't need to know much about this one)
Unfortunately, you're not wrong. The 'too many cooks in the kitchen' thing is doing this to film AND music, and what we're left with is black hole of culture without a soul. All hope is not lost, though - as long as we keep telling the stories that add value to our lives, we can combat it.
This is to feed the Algorithm - Engagement! Big Words like Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis - even though it's not relevant to the video! You have read this... thank you, but why? 😂
Good video 👍Brother we still have anime and manga we are good
I can’t believe this video has only 25 likes, this was fantastic! Love it when KZread’s recommendation algorithm actually strikes gold. I overall had similar views to begin with but I hadn’t really been able to explain the reasons why I felt such a big portion of the stories out there right now feel so hollow, and this really helped me to get a clearer understanding of what goes into that
a copy of a copy.
i assure you my friend AI can do many things but it can't mix-match other movies stories to make good plot.(I tried that with gpt-4 in bing copilot myself when the question first came up, it didn't work) anything AI is doing is making stories worse.
Oh, definitely. With what it does for images and video, I have no doubt its more of the same soulless, uncanny valley kinda stuff.
It is, for sure. However, even subpar LLMs of today are dangerous for the writers. Because if large companies can create artificial scarcity for working places and/or mass produce junk movies for pennies, they will. The skilled potters of yore could produce incredible ceramics buy hands, but mass production made their craft niche, obsolete. So it was with tailored clothed. With AI writers, we are going for a "standardized clothing size chart", but for the movies. I think I get, why SAG-AFTRA strike causes mixed feelings: it was a bright triumph of creativity in a dull, uphill battle.
@user-uk9bk2ik6d if there was any way to make a one-size-fits-all story, Hollywood has already tried before the AI gets a chance to. And what we've seen is trash, so we can only hope the rejection would be even harder.
Welcome back. Especially with this important video about the decline of storytelling.
More than 2 years...Didn't realize it has been so long.
Thank you! As a non-native speaker observing this essay from Russia, I notice similar challenges in storytelling both in American cinema and here (much more pronounced). Our narratives are often saturated with metatextuality, clichés, and remember-that sequels which have nothing to say. Nevertheless, the notion of universal truth begs a question, even within the common American culture the author mentioned. Love may possess a dark side, while excessive kindness can render one blind to malevolence. Here our filmmakers try to sell "universal truth" (traditional values, family, honor, etc.) as a "new sincerity", but it can and is done poorly. If I were to give one warning, let it be that: "one common culture values and truth" and "heartless mass produced movies" are not opposed, they can be mixed together: truths can be instrumentalised and manufactured, and the values alone can't stop the division inside the country.
What a fascinating perspective. Of course, you're absolutely right, the morality play can be used against you as a culture or people. I'd imagine there is a shared understanding of that, though, with the sincerity coming off more like the 'this is fine' meme while the whole house burns down. There is a such thing as toxic positivity. If anything, times of incredible strife and social upheaval is when our art gets critical, provocative, and tries to find the truth of the current time and place. I hope when such a thing comes, your culture knows where to find it.
@@DCFergerson Thank you! I hope for the same, for both of our cultures.
I am glad you are back.
Oh My god your Aliveeeee???? He's Aliveeee!!!! The master of kung fu and Friendship is aliveeee!!!!!!
Excellent analysis.
Good to see you back. Is the whole book going to audible?
I haven't decided yet. For now, I'm putting up the first chapters of all of my first-in-series. We'll see what happens next.
@@DCFergerson I came across a podcast from an established writer, named William Burnhardt. He said that if you have the ability, it's a very good idea to make audio versions of one's books. Not doing so is leaving money on the table. I personally think you should do it. One piece of advice though, slow down just a bit, and exagerate you articulation just a bit. You can be a bit tough to follow at times. That being said I have heard far worse from audible books, so I don't think you should be affraid to do it.
@@Gunsong1 well I won't lie, part of this was a test. I wasn't sure if I was the right person to do it. I definitely have novels where my voice is not the correct narrator . I do appreciate the feedback though and will consider it for future releases.
Duuude wtf where you been? Glad you're back!
So nice to see you post a new video! I've missed the blanket forts. I'm not big on psychological horrors, but this really got me intrigued. Looking forward to future videos and/or readings :)
Thanks so much! It's good to be back.
Thanks for the good work. Got a worldbuilding project set in the mediterranean some 500~ years and a small apocalypse in the future and your lessons in cities and such has helped me out a lot.
This is so informative and thank you for using so many great examples of actual media, it helps much more than hypotheticals and sentence comparisons, I subscribed immediately and will be binge watching your content :)
Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy!
The God of the Forge is too good lol I actually wanna syeal aspects of it
May your story/campaign flourish upon his anvil!
My current project is a bildungsroman in a fantasy setting. He's not a hero, his friends aren't quite fantasy protagonist material either.
Only today, you have to come with a disclaimer like that.. before it goes without saying that politics and religion were just tools in a sandbox to make a comprehensive and immersive story.
Not sure I follow what you're saying, but yes, world building politics and religion are yet another tool to make your world more immersive and alive.
Its been a month since the last video.
I’ve found your channel yesterday and I’ve been watching all of your videos since then! 2K followers??? You deserve 200K!
Aww, well thanks so much!
The master of kung fu is back!!!
Nice to see a new video from ya!
Thanks so much!
WELCOME BACK!!! It's incredible all that you have accomplished, and I'm looking forward to what you have setup for us in the dojo. Looking forward to future blanket forts :)
Thanks so much. Make no mistake, I am ready to build blanket forts for all my secret meetings!
Omg, it's so nice to see a new video! Great video, as always! And welcome back!!
Thanks so much!
Glad to have u back dad
Feels good to be back, son.
Love the new covers. And glad you are back and time travel books sounds cool!
Thanks so much!
Thanks for sharing the good news about your daughter's service dog and your wife's recovery. We could all use good news. Myself especially. I lost my friend, who was also my confidant, and therapist to suicide at the same time the world lost Betty White. Hopefully, I can blame that on 2021 and move on knowing 2022 isn't going to get worse than that. But I have my doubts. It's good to have you back.
Thank you. I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope 2022 is much better for you.
Glad to hear you are back. Best wishes to you and yours.
Thanks so much!
YOURE BACK!!!!!!!! I MISSED YOU!!!!! Thank you for the update, and I'm glad for the good news, even if it clearly put your life into a rollercoaster to get there. I'm looking forward to more vids from you. Each one is a delightful thought provoking piece for writing.
It's good to be back, thank you. Missed you guys!
Very happy everything is good with your daughter, Ferg!
Thanks so much!
Mr. Fergerson welcome back. We missed you... Trying for an Agent Smith homage there but that may have come out creepy, lol. Cheers on your wife being cancer free. And congrats on all the productive writing inspiration. 🔥
Thanks. It's been a heck of a year, but things are looking up.
welcome back nerd!
It's good to be back.
I missed you sensei good to know you survived 2021.
Crazy clown world is no match for my Open-Palm Tiger Style.
I'm curious as to your opinion on Distopian stories where the character is loyal to the "evil government" right to the very end (example Jin Roh the Wolf's Brigade AKA the place with the OG Nazi Exosuits)
Best example in literary history, in my opinion, is Lloyd in The Stand by Stephen King. There is this incredible complexity in knowing you're on the wrong side, but being principled with this noble loyalty that is both misplaced and honorable at the same time. I love the 'sympathetic character' that isn't really sympathetic at all, but understandable where they're coming from.
You forgot blade runner
Oh, definitely not. Blade Runner is just one of those important, popular films that you cannot avoid as you're coming into the genre. This video was chasing after some of the lesser-known films of the genre. As far as I'm concerned, you shouldn't even touch the cyberpunk genre if you don't see and understand Blade Runner.
Oh and I also like Legend. And ghost in the shell
@@amehayami934 Now you're talking. Both cult hits, both very good at what they were doing. Easily would have made the list if I did 10 instead of 5.
I disagree with your thoughts on villains, I honestly think the sympathetic villain can just as easily be a product of a bygone era, a villain with a sympathetic backstory is only interesting so many times and how many times have we already treaded over the same old ground, which is not an indictment of sympathetic villains I just think that the secret to making a good villain is just catching lightning in a bottle and making one that's super compelling, in other words no matter what kind of villain you have you can write it in a way that is compelling if you are a talented enough writer
I agree that the sympathetic villain can only be done so many times, but that's not what I'd advocate for. What we don't want is evil for evil's sake, a cartoonish moustache-twirling bad guy. Understanding the motivation, like a Walter White, doesn't make him sympathetic, just makes you understand why he does what he does.
@@DCFergerson I believe that in eras when people long for simplicity an evil mustache twirling villain will see a rise in appeal, I even believe that we could on the verge of such an era right now. I don't think we always have to know what made a villain evil or what their exact goal is, perhaps as writers that's important for us to keep in mind but I don't think it's something that we have to telegraph to the audience. After all there are some people who are just psychopaths, those people have proven to be pretty compelling. I can send you a link to a video of someone who is far more articulate than me attempting to explain the huge popularity of Frieza from Dragonball and what made him the most popular villain in the series. I am someone who enjoys complex characters I have never written a one-sidedly good or bad character in any of my personal writings but I just don't think every character needs to be complex and I don't think every story needs to be complex.
@@DCFergerson kzread.info/dash/bejne/pmGByq-oXcqyZqQ.html I'm interested to hear your opinions on this, if there's anything you truly disagree with, granted you do know his motivations, though those motivations are effectively "be evil" I don't really buy the bygone era argument because I think when things get too complex and build too much upon previous works there eventually will come a point when people will want to resimplify, go back to basics.
@@j-henry7391 Well, to your point, I think the 'back to basics' is exactly why Freeza is a great foil for Goku. Dragonball works in absolutes, a character of good for goodness sake will of course have their most memorable villain in their mirror, a Freeza fits that bill perfectly. It's no different than to say that the witch in Hansel and Gretel is the perfect foil for the children. She is the embodiment of fear in children getting lost in the woods, and the anchor for the overall morality lesson in the story. In that regard, it's not that Freeza nor the witch are 'lesser' villains. They compliment their storytelling worlds perfectly. The type of stories I want to write, and thus educate on, are those grounded in the modern realism. It's not just that it's marketable, but I personally need that kind of complexity in my villains to stay invested in my suspension of disbelief.
@@DCFergerson I think that's the wire there is that this is advice for modern realism, it's a matter of a certain taste and style
The gabe story inspired me. Gabe 👏 is 👏 art 👏
I would leave a like but i cannot ruin the 69
Thank you this helped so much
Glad it helped!
Omg this was so helpful im making a story. Mostly for myself and friends (when im brave enough to show them) and i have no idea on politics. I dont know how to make the politics important. Ive made laws. Now to write how people react to these laws. And how they abide by these laws. <-- these characters here will be my Zealots yes?
Zealots are your most fervent, unwavering, and often literal practitioners of your religion. Spanish Inquisitors, Crusaders, those types. So glad you enjoyed!
Watched all your videos over a week. Best decision this year. You are a hidden gem. Hope your brilliant mind will be picked up by the mainstream so to help others. Thank you sensei.
Thanks so much for the kind words!
3:30 incus god of iron and flame every blacksmith no matter how menial and mundane they are is her child ,every complete metalwork is a prayer send to her,if someone make a weapon or tool that she deem worthy then in his or her death she will send an envoy to make a blade quench using the black smith's blood and given the blacksmith name to honor his name
You get it, sir.
@@DCFergerson thankyou
Dam you're really insightful and thought-provoking on this stuff. You earned a like and a sub from me good lad!
Thanks so much!
I just found your channel D.C. and appreciate your work here very much. I completely relate to the problems you share due to your introverted personality. I am an artist and a writer. My art is much further along than my writing. However, I have stacks of paintings all over my house because the idea of walking into the kind of social settings I need to to market my work makes me break out in hives. I've been meaning to start vlogging for ages and haven't. I'm so impressed with you for getting on here, showing your face or not and the videos I've watched are going to help me avoid many mistakes as I plot and begin work on my stories. Thank you so much and get out to those conventions!!!! (PS I say "so" and "very" way too much!)
Thank you so much for the kind words. My daughter has a shirt that says, 'Introverts, unite! Separately, in your own homes' and truer words were never spoken. I'm [email protected] if you'd like to continue the conversation. We all need support now and again. P.s. You break out of those words eventually.
@@DCFergerson That saying could be the slogan for my life! :) I'll send a test email, that way you'll have mine as well.