Alien Franchise Rule Book: for Members by Members
dk
MemberTrilobiteMar-31-2017 1:36 PM“The Scified Alien Covenant Unified Rule Book for Future Movies in the Alien Franchise”
I ran this thread from 23-30 March. I may have edited to maintain flow so I hope it somewhat orderly.
I would first like to thank contributors alphabetically: Apex_Predator, BigDave,, Blackwinter-witch , chadsbrothermatt, Dk, Grinning & Dropping Linen, IRaptus, LV226, ninXeno426, and Parkerparrot
Here is the original link: http://www.alien-covenant.com/topic/43788
Rules in no particular order:
- to have characters written and developed well with no wishy washy whimsical religious zealots.
- Do not put too much emphasis on technology like holograms and such.
- No romance whatsoever in any alien movie.
- No stupid characters such as fifield and milburn (posted X 2)
- No time travel (mentioned X 4)
- Put Chris and BigDave on the pay roll as consultants/writers with possible cameos. (Dave chose a mutated Jabba)
- No more than 3 rewrites of the script. Pick an idea, flesh it out, and make the best version of that idea possible rather than trying to incorporate old versions into some new vision by some new writer. (mentioned X 2)
- there is no place for corny over the top cheesy/corny dialog and sequences in this film universe (aka anything similar to Resurrection would be banned)
- No predators in the alien film universe, they are both cool but tonally too different to share a film and it be worthy of either,,save that stuff for the comic books (mentioned X 2)
- not everything has to be explained ,keep some mystery in this universe so we have something our minds can run wild with (mentioned X 2)
- NEVER turn it into an Avengers where our protaginists are just taking our hordes after hordes, it would be silly....even though Aliens went with the action/war vibe it still kept some of the bleak tone and impending doom and terror
- Ripley is done, done done never again shoehorn her into a sequel or prequel
- Keep the main focus on morphing and mutating as the genesis of the species but still allow an occasional queen ...there is just more ghastly horror to play with when it comes to mutation, but the queen IMO is limited, she looks good our hero fights her thats it, having her on the screen dosnt really open up any storytelling doors for us other than a cool action scene
- Im fine with tech but make it look used or serviceable, if its too "bright and shiny" it takes away the tone and feel of the movie
- I do not ever want to see Weyland Yutani weaponize the xenomorph.If you want to know why,just play Colonial Marines.Enough said
- R rating only (mentioned X 2)
- No main character kids
- Defined chest-burster gestation period(s). To paraphrase, consistent time lines yet allow some wiggle room for hosts with mentioned physical conditions that may explain gestation time variations.
- Xenos not used as cannon-fodder that run around in open spaces, or broad daylight; Ambush/stalking predator only.
- No quotes from Ripley as a fanboy nod to her like 'that's not exactly out of the manual' or 'get away from her, you bitch'.
- Stay true to H.R Giger and his nightmareish world and design.
- No comedy. (Dark humor is OK here and there but not to the extent of Resurrection)
- Never, ever again a newborn or anything that resembles that abomination. (I am fine with neomorphs though..) (mentioned X 2)
- No "up in the blue, infantile dopehead" ideas in scripts or drafts like wooden planets ur sutch. Alien worlds yes, but please not stupid.
- No fan boy service other then set pieces and or details about the alien universe that serves to expand the world
- Never 100% CGI, always a mix of practical effects
- Dont rely on Ripley storyline
- Don’t have more than 2 years between movies.
- I just hope they have it all planned out A-Z even if we dont see every part of A-Z as long as they know what a A-Z would be and stick to things that wont contradict it, and so also to tidy up the mess that has been left before.
- Projectile weapons preferred, yet allow for Laser-based weapons as they are making steady progress with them in the real world
- NO stupid-looking weapons like the blue and orange (present-day Target-match pistols) weapons seen in PROMETHEUS. They looked like kid's toys.
- NO MORE FLAMETHROWERS!! At least not pre-assembled ones in the armory/ready-for-use ones like we saw in PROMETHEUS. It is the absolute height of mindless and suicidal stupidity to fire one aboard a starship, they're cliche`, have no real practical use aside from menacing an Alien, and the last thing you want is an alien running amok, on fire, acid bleeding from multiple and increasing places where it's skin has burned through/sloughed off, and setting even more of the ship on fire and burning holes in the ship all along its path.
- Do NOT even TRY to 'Star Trek It Up'...this is the ALIENverse, it has its own distinct feel, flavor and mien. There is NO Central Monolithic Unchallengeable Federation of Planets as The Prime Authority...and there NEVER will be. There are NO Government starships out 'patrolling the sector', and when you're between star systems, you're on your own.
- Characters should act and inter-relate like people do in reality, not by way of artificial/idealized 'Niceness'. Watch ALIEN for some great scenes between Ripley and Parker and their friction-points in personality
- People drink beer, some likely carry whisky/liquor flasks, they smoke, and have pin-ups all over the place. These are people, not Idealized Human Federation Citizens
dk
MemberTrilobiteMar-31-2017 8:00 PMThanks BWW. Your response alone could make for an interesting movie.
Blackwinter-witch
MemberPraetorianMar-31-2017 8:11 PMYou're welcome and TY for reading all the technical info. :) End of the day, weapon-grade laser wounds are quite horrific, much uglier than anything a bullet can do.
I must also say lasers firing in pulse-mode are not quiet, they make a 'Crack' with a muzzle flash every bit as loud as any firearm, and even a IR or UV (non-visible frequency laser) has a fairly visible beam path as it creates atmospheric glow along it's path. The muzzle flash is the air at the muzzle suddenly being cranked up several energy states.
IN SPACE THERE IS NO WARNING
S.M
MemberXenomorphMar-31-2017 8:16 PMThey had lasers on the Nostromo. Pity we never saw one fired but I don't imagine it would've ended well.
chadsbrothermatt
MemberOvomorphMar-31-2017 8:25 PMThanks for including me in the rule book!
I'm in favor of keeping the rule. The Newborn was the equivalent of jumping the shark for me. Although, it's possible Alien Covenant may yet redefine "jumping the shark".
dk
MemberTrilobiteMar-31-2017 8:33 PMchadsbrothermatt- I don't understand. Do you want to keep or can the newborn. Also, no coments on issues presented will result in a favorable vote for Neomorph, BWW and Lone.
Thanks for checking in and participating!
Blackwinter-witch
MemberPraetorianMar-31-2017 9:01 PMYES!!! Thank-You for remembering that!!! Original script and such, and even a look at the Props, the weapons were laser-based.
IN SPACE THERE IS NO WARNING
dk
MemberTrilobiteMar-31-2017 9:03 PMBWW- Now I can't help but thinking about unruly people grabbing old dvd players and 3D printers, making weapons and committing the naughty.
Blackwinter-witch
MemberPraetorianMar-31-2017 9:10 PMI would like to Thank you for posting the Rulebook.
As I've mentioned I'm working on a piece for the ALIENverse, and while I will always defer to my own internal 'rulebook' the one you posted here has already proven useful to me and I have taken a copy of it so I have a 'guiderope' to what to avoid and what to keep. In short, it will be a further assist in helping me stay faithful and true to the genuine 'feel' of the ALIENverse.
I love this fanbase as much as I do the Firefly fanbase!!
IN SPACE THERE IS NO WARNING
dk
MemberTrilobiteMar-31-2017 9:22 PMThat is awesome BWW! Most like to have fun and be creative in this forum. I probably came off as an ass early in the thread and I apologize to anyone whom may have perceived it that way. I am trying something new here- sort of a court room quasi serious but not vibe. These threads almost always go OT though so there it is.
dk
MemberTrilobiteMar-31-2017 9:31 PMNEFARIOUS NINE:
We have members with issues of contention that require mitigation. I understand we are all over the world so it can be difficult to be here at any designated time. However, these members' issues must be addressed promptly. All nine have posted the rules, but since I am operating the thread, weighing in on deliberation will cease 2359 March 31st. Non participants will be considered affirmation/complicity to members' proposals. The vote tally will then be presented to Chris for final judgment.
Thus far we are considering proposals frome BWW, Lone and Neomorph.
ninXeno426
MemberPraetorianMar-31-2017 9:56 PMI would lighten up just a bit on the romance,only as long as it's subtle and not overplayed.Think Ripley and Hicks
Nothing the God of biomechanics wouldn't let you in heaven for
ninXeno426
MemberPraetorianMar-31-2017 10:00 PM(Omg,my girlfriend is turning me into a sappy SOB)
Nothing the God of biomechanics wouldn't let you in heaven for
ninXeno426
MemberPraetorianMar-31-2017 10:07 PMI agree on the cats though don't feel it's a requirement.Agree on Neo's point of view with the new born.Agree with BWW on lasers ironically(there's one in the Alien Resurrection game and it kicks ass)but disagree on the flamethrower,they've been there since day one,Isolation would be impossible without it
Nothing the God of biomechanics wouldn't let you in heaven for
ninXeno426
MemberPraetorianMar-31-2017 10:07 PMDouble post
Nothing the God of biomechanics wouldn't let you in heaven for
dk
MemberTrilobiteMar-31-2017 10:37 PMThanks nin for being short and to the point. I will follow up tomorrow.
dk
MemberTrilobiteMar-31-2017 10:39 PM(Omg,my girlfriend is turning me into a sappy SOB)
Wait until you have a spouse of 23 years!
dk
MemberTrilobiteMar-31-2017 10:45 PMN9
If I do not hear clear cut for/against, I will have to make the call so our members' can be approved/disapproved for adding rules and becoming members of the N9, Terrible Ten, Embarrassing Eleven, Troublesome Twelve etc...
ninXeno426
MemberPraetorianMar-31-2017 10:57 PMMay I add one more possible objection?
Nothing the God of biomechanics wouldn't let you in heaven for
ninXeno426
MemberPraetorianMar-31-2017 11:16 PMOkay.Well I wanted to dispute the child characters because of Newt,but since that is past i'll ok it.We don't need another.So instead I want to dispute Ripley's role in the future of the franchise.Even though it seems pretty unlikely at this point in time,I would like to keep things open on that for the possibility of Alien 5.
Nothing the God of biomechanics wouldn't let you in heaven for
dk
MemberTrilobiteMar-31-2017 11:27 PMFirst, the rules are what they are. It comes down to intent imo. I personally interpreted rule 17 as being the front and center main character. I would agree with Hudson- Why don't you just put her in charge! I wouldn't want a kid to be the main star.
Personally, I would like Ripley to continue, but Weaver is getting older and her aging sort of dictates how the movie would go. With all due respect to what seems to be planned, I say let Ripley go except for maybe flashbacks or voice acting ala Isolation.
ninXeno426
MemberPraetorianMar-31-2017 11:37 PMFine points.I was thinking of a child being a main character,not thee,so that one making more sense from that perspective.
Nothing the God of biomechanics wouldn't let you in heaven for
Lone
MemberPraetorianApr-01-2017 12:17 AMdk thank you kindly for considering my late entry! ;)
Blackwinter-witch I forgot to add that very important point about a ships cat being traditional! Good luck with your writing, I hope you will share the fruits of your labour with your SCIFIED brethren.
Aww a furry wee moggie can provide much needed fun and stress relief when having to deal with (other) hostile beings. It can also serve as a mini-McGuffin plot device.
Thanks also go to the other members who supported my catty suggestion.
"Let The Cosmic Incubation Begin" ~ H.R. Giger
I.Raptus
MemberPraetorianApr-01-2017 1:10 AMAbout the kids as main characters that was me being a grinchy bastard. To clarify (which I failed to do earlier sorry dk)
-First and foremostly: Kids in the story tend to drop the film classification to M instead of R.
- Newt is the exception to the rule for kids on the basis that the over-arching sub-theme for Ripleys character in Aliens was motherhood (or Ripleys lost motherhood in this case). Her entire character was written around that notion. So Newt was in essence a major plot device not so much a main character.
- Kids as main characters can pull on the heart-strings drawing out the protective maternal/paternal instincts of the viewer. However I usually find that kids are written really poorly and tend to come off cheesy and fake and cheapen the execution of the story.
Still not convinced about irrelevant kids in films that serve only to dumb down the story and rating?
I leave you with this picture....
ninXeno426
MemberPraetorianApr-01-2017 1:16 AMLOL you read my mind IRaptus.I was thinking of Jurassic World before I even saw the picture.I'm not crazy about that movie in the first place but the kids were definitely the worst part,the whole damn movie is pretty stupid to be honest
Nothing the God of biomechanics wouldn't let you in heaven for
dk
MemberTrilobiteApr-01-2017 1:19 AMIRaptus Agree about Newt and the dynamics and heart string possibilities, but I am grinchy too and cannot imagine a kid- even Newt carrying an Alien movie like Ripley or David carried those movies. Rule 17 stands.
ninXeno426
MemberPraetorianApr-01-2017 1:20 AMI second rule 17
Nothing the God of biomechanics wouldn't let you in heaven for
I.Raptus
MemberPraetorianApr-01-2017 1:21 AMHaha glad I'm only one then!! They were utterly pointless to the story beside a blatant attempt to draw teenage kids to the film. They offered nothing and were poorly written.
ninXeno426
MemberPraetorianApr-01-2017 1:26 AMNo you're not alone brother.Theres going to be a kid at the heart of The Predator and it screams potential disaster
Nothing the God of biomechanics wouldn't let you in heaven for
dk
MemberTrilobiteApr-01-2017 1:42 AMI liked Newt and she was necessary for Aliens. She may have survived for a while hiding out like she did, but she couldn't get to the heart of the matter like the adults did.