#character creation and continually remade by the cast throughout the story

[shorthaltsjester]

me when the campaign with characters i’ve praised for being essentially pawns/npcs in the greater world is ending by underserving the main characters by [checks notes] highlighting the role those characters have played as quasi-npcs who are nonetheless still the narrators of their destinies within the limits of a world beyond their control

[aegir-emblem]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FIRE EMBLEM!!!

Y’all, the 30 year anniversary!!!!

My first video game ever was Fire Emblem Sacred Stones on my brother’s black Game Boy Advanced “console”... I still remember being so shocked by that main intro, my god - hhhh it was so pretty!!!

Just... shoutout to this texture. This game was so amazing and colourful, I would love to see it remade.

My first crush ever was Joshua from this very game, who I have made posts about before... and Lyon’s theme still makes me cry every time I hear it. Those flashbacks hit different. GAH!

Between 6-years-old and middle school, I played a lot more Fire Emblem games, like Shadow Dragon and Tellius... and while they were good, none of them hit as hard as Awakening did when it dropped. Do y’all remember when Awakening dropped and you first saw that customisation page?? And those cutscenes for the first time?

It was nothing like I had ever seen, and even as the games continue to get better and better in quality both of writing and graphics, Awakening will always hold a very close spot in my heart as the game that really shaped a lot of my childhood and personality, to be honest.

Id: Purpose makes me sob every time I hear it. I just remember the emotional roller coaster this game brought me through, through roadtrips and trainrides and plane flights across the US. I have logged over 500 hours on Awakening that are recorded, let alone all the times I started and stopped new playthroughs. My peak achievement was defeating Grima in 2 hits using Ricken equipped with a ladle.

That brings us to Fates... I know that Fates has a tricky rep within the fandom, so I won’t go too into detail. I have fond memories of the day my brother and I went to the store to buy the games, and we didn’t tell each other which game we would be purchasing. Until we walked up to the counter, me with Conquest in my hands and him with Birthright. From then we knew it would be a battle within the home, haha.

My brother is the better strategist than I am, but I grind my characters. It was really hard in Conquest, but I found a way, and whenever we would do castle battles, it was always evenly matched; my powerful Nohrian team against his brilliant tactics.

Additionally, although it was limited, the option of Bisexual S-ranks for Niles and Rhajat was very nice. I understand the contract rules that go into making games, especially in this franchise, but it was a step forward, and the representation for me as someone of the LGBTQ+ community was very nice. I understand that some people in the community remain frustrated with the minimization of the representation, but it was a step in the right direction for me.

Also, just the energy of Fates... The full creation of both kingdoms was so satisfying, and the cutscenes were crisp and lovely. And Corrin/Kamui’s design!!! The dragon blood techniques... I loved Fates. It was very exciting.

And more recently... Three Houses. The most I can say to start off... WOWZA.

I have more to say about this game than I can put into words, really. I bought my switch only aware of this game, and still to this day I don’t own many other games for my switch since Three Houses has taken up so much of my time.

Three Houses is incredible. The extent to it all, with the full voice lines and the quality of production, depth of character and story and the fact that it’s essentially THREE (four/five) games in one is so fantastic. Every character has such depth and detail, and it has inspired so much incredible art and writing. 

I, for one, have always struggled with writer’s block, but had a passion to write. This game changed that. By coming out on the Nintendo Switch, it opened up Fire Emblem to a broader community and gained an onslaught of fans passionate about the experience and ready to share what they could do. For once, I had a much more solid base of people to receive my writing. Recently, I finished my first multichapter fanfic, and have (since January of this year) written over 250 pages of fanfiction just for Three Houses. It’s utterly incredible.

And going onward with representation, this game deals with such depth of character that it is impossible to ignore their values. It deals with topics of racism, mental illness, sexuality and identity... and throughout it all, it remains a Fire Emblem game as if to encourage people that despite how scary the world can seem with those things, it always moves on. Despite the real-life topics, it is set against a backdrop of Kings and Queens and Emperors, Knights and magic and the question of chivalry with a goal in mind and so many allies to support you along the way.

The cast of this game has been lovely, and the quality resonates clearly with the value and the legacy that the game has. It’s fantastic.

I didn’t mention some of the games, but also - thanks to Heroes!! It has opened Fire Emblem to a whole new audience, and brings together so many more creative artists and fun communities... It’s amazing.

In short, I would not trade Fire Emblem - the series, the producers and studio, anything - for the world. It has shaped so much of who I am as a character, provided me solace in times where everything is changing too fast and I can retreat into a world with friends, allies, and goals. 

Whenever I think of these games, I think of my brother as well. He introduced them to me, and it’s something we’ve been able to share this whole time even when real life divided us.

I wish I had more words to articulate how this series makes me feel, but I truly do not. My passion for this series is beyond words. So - all I guess I can say is: 

Happy Birthday, Fire Emblem Series!!! Congrats on 30 years, and thank you so much for everything!!!

Fanfiction.net @ Thirth Floor; AO3 @ ThirthFloor

[drewnelsonfinalproject-blog]

The Rocky Horror Picture Show Analysis

On September 25, 1975, Michael White Productions released The Rocky Horror Picture Show based on the 1973 cabaret musical (Schwab). The parody of a gothic horror film with elements of science fiction tells the story of Brad and Janet, two white, middle-class lovers betrothed to each other. As they travel to inform their high school science teacher that they are engaged, their car breaks down in the middle of the woods resulting in them entering the nearby castle to use the telephone. This castle is inhabited by Dr. Frank N. Furter, the genderfluid scientist from the planet known as Transexual in the galaxy of Transylvania. They are accompanied by their ragtag posse Riff Raff, Magenta, and Columbia. From here, chaos ensues which results in the death of the excessive scientist, freeing the couple and leaving Riff Raff in command. The movie ends with the castle, their spaceship jetting off into outer space. Although the story is quite complicated and confusing, the movie plays in at least 75 theaters across the United States every week to this day (Mochari). It has become known as the longest-running movie of all time (Schwab). This cult classic has a peculiar history that most blockbusters do not possess. 

While looking at the typical blockbusters, one usually thinks of a film that is specifically designed to attract large audiences, for example using big casts, lavish sets, and a long run time. However, The Rocky Horror Picture Show has none of these (although some actors are well-known today). A blockbuster is also known as a movie that has done well in the box office, typically looking at the movie’s first weekend. Again, Rocky Horror does not fit into this category either as it was quickly shelved after its limited release in California, it didn’t see a nation-wide release (Schwab). However, it would be considered a blockbuster due to how well it has done after the initial showing. It has a lifetime earning of $100 million (Mochari). Thus, I will be examining how this cultural phenomenon came to be.

As stated above, Rocky Horror was based on the musical written by Richard O’Brien (Shwab). As far as production, things did not go well for the cult classic. The director, Jim Sharman, wanted to keep the cast the same as the musical to ensure that they all had chemistry together. However, the producers made him recast Brad and Janet, as more popular actors resulting in Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon playing the roles (McAdams). There were also problems with production as the set designer, Sue Blane, went on record stating that she did not want to be a part of the movie, however she then agreed and the movie is now known for its campy and extravagant costumes (McAdams). The director additionally had to take away all of Peter Hinwood, Rocky’s, lines because he can’t act (McAdams). He was hired for his good looks needed for the engineered creation, however, they looked over the fact that he had no talent for acting. Production continued to go awry when the movie’s $1.2 million budget could not afford to heat the set (Thompson; McAdams). This resulted in the lead, Susan Sarandon to become ill during filming. Finally, there were many injuries on-set of the movie because the low budget only allowed them to higher a rather inexperienced production team (McAdams). One example would be when the rock star playing the role of Eddie, Meat Loaf, was sitting in his wheelchair that then fell off the ramp (McAdams). It was clear that Rocky Horror had a hard time during the production of this blockbuster. However, that did not stop the cult classic from becoming the longest-running movie in history. In this clip, Richard O’Brien discusses the process of writing of the story and Tim Curry talks about what it was like to play the villainous Dr. Frank N. Furter. One can see more insight into the production of the film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfL98tLN1t8

As far as marketing goes, they originally advertise that much for the movie. There is very little information out there about how the producers originally marketed the movie. Most of this has come from its redistribution after the release. Although the film did not do well originally, Rocky Horror was brought back at a midnight screening the next year on April Fool’s Day at the Waverly Theater in Greenwich Village, New York, due to the marketing savvy of an executive at 20th Century Fox (Schwab). The movie was then transformed from a failed movie-musical to an underground queer phenomenon to mainstream production, due to the die-hard fans who flocked to the late-night showings (Schwab). The cult classic, thus, has been able to reproduce for itself as it would play midnight showings weekly. Devout fans would draw in others to perpetuate the fervor around the movie. This video shows the audience participates with the actors on the stage. This exemplifies how the movie has been reproduced over the years and these are also done at showings of the movie. Here, one can see lines yelled and also how they participate in the dance of the “Time Warp.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nYI4IqDshQ

There are stark differences between the reception of the movie-musical when it was first released to where it is today. It has transformed its $1.2 million budget into a $100 million dollar franchise. What drew people into this cultural cult was how the fans received the film. There are specific actions that became canonical while watching the movie. These include yelling known lines at the screen, bringing props to throw, and dressing up as one’s favorite character. The President of the Rocky Horror Fan Club, Sal Piro, discusses the history of the movie in his book Creatures of the Night. He states that this counterpoint dialogue is how the show “went public,” from people inventing lines to shout back at the screen (Piro). Some examples are yelling “asshole” whenever Brad is mentioned, “slut” whenever Janet is, booing the villain, and any other lines that were accepted which varied regionally. Additionally, props were used as part of the interaction between audience and screen. Viewers would come with a bag filled with rice to throw at the wedding scene, newspaper to cover themselves during the raining scene, and others (Piro). Some viewers also began to dress up as characters and play them at the front while the movie is playing behind them. Although the midnight showings were originally played at the Waverly Theater in New York, it quickly began to travel outside spanning all over the United States (Piro). And thus, Rocky Horror became the national phenomenon it is known for today. Here, Laverne Cox and others working on the production discuss her process of coming into the role of Dr. Frank N. Furter and how when she first saw the original film, she saw herself in the character. This speaks to how Rocky Horror has drawn those that feel othered in and made them feel accepted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH1a8zBWuaU

There were no real intentional marketing strategies that a production company fashioned, rather a group of devoted fans that brought others in. What began as a failed movie quickly became an underground scene for those that don’t fit into a mainstream work that is known by many. Rocky Horror has not only been reproduced by those at the theater, but it has also been a part of popular culture. It has been remade by popular shows like Sesame Street, That 70’s Show, and Glee dedicating an entire episode to the music. It was a plot point in the 2012 dramedy Perks of Being a Wallflower and has recently been recreated by Fox in 2016 starring Laverne Cox, Victoria Justice, and more. The cult classic has proven itself to last the test of time. 

Although Rocky’s story is not the most concise, there are specific themes that make this movie so appealing. This would account for why so many hold the movie close to their hearts to this day. Brown and Hoch note two major themes throughout the films which are (1) the decline and fall of the family and metamorphosis of sex roles that have shocked the West in the post-World War II and Vietnam Era, and (2) the struggle between rationality and sexuality for dominance over the social order (Brown and Hoch, 61). The white middle-class archetype is exemplified in Brad and Janet who are at war against the indulgent Dr. Frank N. Furter. 

The authors continue to note that the music also plays a part in this dispute. It provides a protest against the “bland, tightass pap of WASP [White Anglo-Saxon Protestant] culture” (Brown and Hoch, 62). These rock and roll anthems liberate the sexes with sexual choreography that allows all to release their inhibitions. The conflict between liberation and repression is shown through the changing sex roles, where the villain emphasizes pleasure and delight. In one of the final scenes, Dr. Frank N. Furter sings “Give yourself up to pleasure” as all the characters jump into a pool and participate in a soft-core orgy. This movie could also be seen as appealing to those tired of conventional social norms because the film is an attack against sexually repressive traditional mores and social institutions (Siegel, 306). It draws people in by operating similarly to a religion, where the audience is the mass attending the congregation with pre-scripted dialogue they repeat back to the minister, or the characters (Siegel, 307). Finally, when teens and young adults are asked about why they are attracted to the film, they state that the movie lets people know that it is okay to be different and it’s okay to feel good (Tyson et al, 60). For most, this goes against what they were previously taught, that one should try to fit in. It is understandable why this movie has lived on for 40 years and continues to bring in fans.

While most of the themes are accepting, there are some problematic elements while watching the movie in 2019 with the current political climate. First, the villain Dr. Frank N. Furter, the villain, refers to themselves as a “Sweet Transvestite,” a politically incorrect and offensive term for transgender individuals. This character is also played by Tim Curry a cisgender man which would not fly today. Dr. Frank N. Furter is also problematic because they are a sexual predator who uses their power to take advantage of others sexually. In an analysis of the troubling elements of the film, Jef Rouner notes that they “look like a caricature of the LGBTQ predator conservative lawmakers are so intent on convincing us is real” (Rouner). There are offensive elements that are also present in the ceremonial viewing of the film. Whenever Janet is on the screen, the entire audience hurls the epithet “slut,” while Brad only receives an “asshole” (Rouner). Why does Janet get labeled a slut, while there are characters that have more sex than her in the film? Again, this would not be permissible today. However, Rouner notes that the film should be taken more as “an artifact to be appreciated for its historical value more than for its continued cultural relevance” (Rouner). Although there are troubling themes, the film can still be viewed and appreciated for the specific historical moment it holds.  

Works Cited

BROWN, JERRY B., and JUDITH HOCH. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: A Galactic Gothic Epic.” Studies in Popular Culture, vol. 4, 1981, pp. 59–66. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/45018077.

Central Arkansas Library System. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975, R). 1975. https://cals.org/event/rocky-horror-picture-show-oct4/.  

Collectors.com. “Meatloaf from the movie ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW ** Private Signing ** From a Ed Bedrick Autographs private signing.” https://www.collectors.com/autograph/meatloaf-from-the-movie-rocky-horror-picture-show-private-s/-950191601604210661.

“Finding Frank N. Fruter | THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW” Uploaded by FOX. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH1a8zBWuaU.

FOX. “A ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Cast Comparison To Prepare You For Tonight’s Time Warp.” Getty Images. https://decider.com/2016/10/20/rocky-horror-cast-then-and-now/.  

McAdams, Eric. “20 Crazy Details Behind the Making of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Screen Rant. October 8, 2018. https://screenrant.com/rocky-horror-picture-show-behind-scenes-details-making-trivia/.  

Mochari, Ilan. “How ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Became an Enduring, $100 Million Brand.” Inc. October 28, 2015. https://www.inc.com/ilan-mochari/why-rocky-horror-picture-show-still-has-cult-following.html.

Piro, Sal. “It Was Great When It All Began.” From Creatures of the Night. Accessed December 2, 2019. http://www.rockyhorror.com/history/howapbegan.php.

“Rocky Horror Audience Participation Night Montage.” Uploaded by Robert Neblett. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nYI4IqDshQ.  

“Rocky Horror Picture Show-Behind The Scenes (Remastered). Uploaded by Stotle. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfL98tLN1t8.  

Rouner, Jef. “Looking Back, The Rocky Horror Picture Show Hasn’t Aged That Well.” Houston Press. July 13, 2017. https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/the-rocky-horror-picture-show-is-very-problematic-in-2017-9601139.

Schwab, Katharine. “After 40 Years, Rocky Horror Has Become Mainstream.” The Atlantic. September 26, 2015. https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/09/after-40-years-rocky-horror-has-become-mainstream/407491/.

Siegel, Mark. “‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’: More than a Lip Service (Le ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show," Du Bout Des Lèvres).” Science Fiction Studies, vol. 7, no. 3, 1980, pp. 305–312. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/4239358.

Thompson, Simon. “‘Rocky Horror’ Remake Cast Talk Giving The $1.2 Million Cult Classic A $20 Million Update.” Forbes. July 25, 2016. https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2016/07/25/rocky-horror-remake-cast-talk-giving-the-cult-classic-a-20-million-update/#2ae4e4fe3afe.  

TomorroWoman. “Secrets You Didn’t Know About Rocky Horror Picture Show.” http://www.tomorrowoman.com/culture/things-you-didnt-know-about-rocky-horror-picture-show/17/.

Tyson, Christy, et al. “Our Readers Write: What Is the Significance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show? Why Do Kids Keep Going to It?” The English Journal, vol. 69, no. 7, 1980, pp. 60–62. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/817417.

20TH CENTURY FOX. “Tim Curry in The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon in 1975.” The Kobal Collection. https://www.kunc.org/post/movie-gabriel-machts-seen-million-times#stream/0.