I don't know where I'm going with this except to say that I've wanted to write for a while now about something intangible that, even now, I can't quite define.
Why is there such a dearth of creative, original ideas created by people that claim to have such passion for the work of folks like those at WDI? I understand that a lot of people who're participating here are just kids, really, but it's still really disappointing that the unlimited imaginations of kids are so irrevocably limited by practicality and familiarity. It seems their creative process is informed by a paper doll mentality that does little more than take existing parts created by other people and rearrange them.
Is this art imitating life? The Walt Disney Company has, in some ways, begun to do exactly the same thing that we see here, hasn't it? They've spent money and time developing a brand or an attraction like Pirates or The Haunted Mansion and so it's fiscally wise and responsible and safe to reproduce those attractions for new markets. Where the first generations of Imagineers were creating an industry, today they seem satisfied to merely participate rather innovate. Perhaps the industry has reached that part of its lifecyle. After all, it's not uncommon that the early days of technology or product or industry will produce its most varied output. With time, the good percolates to the top, the rest disappear and the process of refining things begins. Is there a place anymore for original stories in the theme parks? The early attractions (and the most beloved) are often based not on a single story, but on a genre or archetype. What remains untapped by the industry that isn't dependent on box office receipts or DVD sales?
I want to see more original content from folks instead of the same old, tired copy and paste routine that borders on creative plagiarism. Hell, I'd even settle for a little bit of artwork that'll make me understand why *your* version of Tomorrowland is so much more interesting than all the rest. Does this exist anywhere on the web?
I know that it's not easy to develop an entirely original concept; and that it's even more challenging if we take the time to assess its good and bad characteristics and work to improve them. I understand that nearly nobody at all will have the skill, time or determination to complete the design for a whole attraction beyond the simple "blue sky" phase, but it'd sure be nice to challenge ourselves and develop and grow in areas we don't have much experience or success in.
Why is there such a dearth of creative, original ideas created by people that claim to have such passion for the work of folks like those at WDI? I understand that a lot of people who're participating here are just kids, really, but it's still really disappointing that the unlimited imaginations of kids are so irrevocably limited by practicality and familiarity. It seems their creative process is informed by a paper doll mentality that does little more than take existing parts created by other people and rearrange them.
Is this art imitating life? The Walt Disney Company has, in some ways, begun to do exactly the same thing that we see here, hasn't it? They've spent money and time developing a brand or an attraction like Pirates or The Haunted Mansion and so it's fiscally wise and responsible and safe to reproduce those attractions for new markets. Where the first generations of Imagineers were creating an industry, today they seem satisfied to merely participate rather innovate. Perhaps the industry has reached that part of its lifecyle. After all, it's not uncommon that the early days of technology or product or industry will produce its most varied output. With time, the good percolates to the top, the rest disappear and the process of refining things begins. Is there a place anymore for original stories in the theme parks? The early attractions (and the most beloved) are often based not on a single story, but on a genre or archetype. What remains untapped by the industry that isn't dependent on box office receipts or DVD sales?
I want to see more original content from folks instead of the same old, tired copy and paste routine that borders on creative plagiarism. Hell, I'd even settle for a little bit of artwork that'll make me understand why *your* version of Tomorrowland is so much more interesting than all the rest. Does this exist anywhere on the web?
I know that it's not easy to develop an entirely original concept; and that it's even more challenging if we take the time to assess its good and bad characteristics and work to improve them. I understand that nearly nobody at all will have the skill, time or determination to complete the design for a whole attraction beyond the simple "blue sky" phase, but it'd sure be nice to challenge ourselves and develop and grow in areas we don't have much experience or success in.
