Team Prospero Brainstorming Thread - Project Ten: The Great Literature Ride

[NigelChanning]

Oh, sure. If you want to tackle something like the exterior or gift shop, that is fine. In fact, if there are any elements like those that someone wishes to tackle, that's fine with me.

Cool! I’ll probably tackle the exterior and the gift shop if that’s okay with everybody!

 

[montydysquith-navarro]

I had initially taken horror partially as a placeholder because I thought we still had spots open. But also, I totally forgot that this ride needs a finale, unless @AceAstro was accounting for that in his scene, but I would think that it would be separate from his scene. If you want to take horror, by all means, or if Ace wasn't planning on folding it into his scene, and you want to take a shot at a finale, that works too.

Honestly, either genre isn't really in my literary wheelhouse (more of the fantasy-adventure or historical type here), but I'm fine with going for either the horror scenes or the finale scene (provided that @AceAstro didn't plan for his scene to be the final scene of the ride).

Also, have we solidified a ride system yet? That's something that we really need to be on the same page about, obviously. I still vote for trackless as it would allow us to put in smaller vignettes and bring out more unique experiences for the larger scenes.

I also had trackless vehicles in mind, tbh. Depending on how the general backstory will go, the vehicles will be themed appropriately to that.

Cool! I’ll probably tackle the exterior and the gift shop if that’s okay with everybody!

I already called dibs on the ride exterior earlier!

 

[NigelChanning]

I already called dibs on that earlier!

I completely forgot! Sorry about that!

 

[DashHaber]

Honestly, either genre isn't really in my literary wheelhouse (more of the fantasy-adventure or historical type here), but I'm fine with going for either the horror scene or the finale scene (provided that @AceAstro didn't plan for his scene to be the final scene of the ride).

If you want any help with the horror or finale scene, I can help out and offer ideas if you'd like.

 

[AceAstro]

Honestly, either genre isn't really in my literary wheelhouse (more of the fantasy-adventure or historical type here), but I'm fine with going for either the horror scenes or the finale scene (provided that @AceAstro didn't plan for his scene to be the final scene of the ride).

I could make it a finale but much like GMR there was the movie montage that worked so perfectly so I think a finale beyond my scene is a better fit!

 

[montydysquith-navarro]

I could make it a finale but much like GMR there was the movie montage that worked so perfectly so I think a finale beyond my scene is a better fit!

I was actually thinking of doing something similar to the original ending of GMR (where the movie characters literally take a bow), but depending on the backstory (that I'll eventually come up with), it might change.

 

[AceAstro]

Having watched the podcast, I’ll be swapping out Pride and Predjuice for the Great Gatsby.

I don't know how deep you want to have Gatsby but you could even do simple cameos like the green light. It is an iconic part of the book (the symbolism is huge there) but also allows you to have tons of IP's in the area if it is little things here and there

 

[Evilgidgit]

I was about to crash the thread to make an obligatory appreciation post for The Pagemaster (i.e. the greatest film of all time), but someone already beat me too it. So instead, I'll drop one of the movie's theme songs instead to motivate your imaginations!

 

[Outbound]

Authors at the Backwater Bar
Right next to the entrance of the Great Literature Ride is the Backwater Bar, a seemingly insignificant establishment providing drinks and servings. What the public doesn't know is this is the meeting place of the Writers Club, twelve famous authors through history, who like to gather at this pub to discuss literature and interact with guests.

Although there are twelve authors in the club, only three will ever be present at one time. They alternate randomly throughout the day, so you never know who you will meet. The exceptions to this rule are the Midsummer Party, the Halloween Costume Party, and the Holiday Party, taking place in the last weeks of July, October, and December respectively, all twelve authors will appear at the Bar from 6:00 to closing time, and party games will be played with all who attend.

As each Author was a real person, they will be played respectfully, however that doesn't excuse some humor through their interactions. The actor or actress playing said author will use improvisational skills to create a dynamic character tied to real life. They will share true tidbits about their respective author, creating both an educational and entertaining meeting.

The 12 Authors are as follows, listed by date of death:​

1. Homer: The author of the Illiad and Odyssey, two epic Greek poems. He has had a profound influence on the development of literature, and will happily tell you the myths and legends from Ancient Greece. However, not much is known about Homer's life: if you ask him about his life and not some Greek legend, he'll tell you point-blank: "Honestly, it's been so long, I don't quite remember."​
2. Luo Guanzhong: The author of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the grand final scene of The Great Literature Ride, Guanzhong, similar to Homer, will happily tell stories of Ancient China and it's surrounding lands, but is less remembering of his own past. Still, he is a great source of wisdom, always with tea in hand.​
3. William Shakespeare: Shakespeare can talk to you about his many sonnets and plays, as well as his adventures with Queen Elizabeth and King James as a part of Lord Chamberlain's Company. The only issue is he's still stuck in sixteenth-century English, so while he'll understand you just fine, you might have some trouble.​
4. Jane Austin: A pioneer for female writers, Austin held many connections through family and friends of early 19th-century Britain. Her works were only published in the last six years of her life, but she saw great success during her final years, even receiving praise from the Prince Regent, an amazing accomplishment for women at the time.​
5. Mary Shelley: Shelley will speak about her very interesting life. At the age of 16, she ran away from home to be with her future husband. She would later attend a writer's circle in Lake Geneva with her husband and Lord Bryon, where a volcanic eruption kept them from going outside. She wrote Frankenstein -- an idea that came to her from a dream -- all for a ghost story competition at said lake. Shelley acts stranger than most, but one can find wisdom through her prose.​
6. Alexandre Dumas: The author of such famous French Epics such as The Three Musketeers and the Count of Monte Cristo, Dumas is a loud and proud figure, consistently boasting of his own accomplishments. The son of a nobleman and black slave, Dumas nevertheless thrived in 19th century Europe, supporting independence movements and generally having a good time.​
7. Fyodor Dostoevsky: Dostoevsky was always at odds with his time, from a strong dislike of his required military service to the government's banning of certain books, which led him to a 5-year exile in Siberia. Dostoevsky seeks wisdom, but there is one problem: you can never get a straight answer out of him. Like his writings, he expands his dialogues to a ridiculous extent.​
8. Mark Twain: An eccentric character, Twain is always providing humorous anecdotes to prove his points. Some of these true stories, including boyhood in Antebellum Mississippi, traveling the country as a printer, an adventure to Nevada and later California with his brother, and scientific studies with Nikola Tesla.​
9. H. P. Lovecraft: Lovecraft seems to be scared of everything. In fact, he seems to believe the Old Gods are true, if not the ones he wrote about, "something else" that will prove humanity insignificant. Okay...​
10. JRR Tolkien: Serving in the first World War, Tolkien was so horrified by the metal machines and the utter violence he imagined a simpler time, back when there were such things as chivalry and honor... and so he began writing Middle Earth in the trenches. Tolkien always has a pipe in hand and acts almost stereotypically British, but will encourage guests to imagine their own worlds, where the grass is greener.​
11. Dr. Suess: Suess likes to inject humor into his everyday conversations. Even though he is technically a children's author, he believes his works can be used as satire for real problems.​
12. Maya Angelou: Angelou had a turbulent childhood, spending five years a mute from her trauma and spending much of said time reading literature. Despite her tragic early days, she rose to the top, using her writings to advocate for social change. She will encourage guests to see literature not as separate to our world, but integrally tied to it.​

 

[DashHaber]

I was actually thinking of doing something similar to the original ending of GMR (where the movie characters literally take a bow), but depending on the backstory (that I'll eventually come up with), it might change.

I like the idea of something akin to that for the finale of our ride.

So, I'm thinking of going with the Chronicler for the title of our host character. I'm almost not even sure about a more real name for them. Part of me is thinking of the idea that maybe their backstory is kept more deliberately vague, almost like they're more of an archetype or personification. Perhaps they are a force tied to the idea of how stories can inspire people, so the Chronicler has been cataloguing and sharing stories as long as people have been telling them.

 

[montydysquith-navarro]

So, I'm thinking of going with the Chronicler for the title of our host character. I'm almost not even sure about a more real name for them. Part of me is thinking of the idea that maybe their backstory is kept more deliberately vague, almost like they're more of an archetype or personification. Perhaps they are a force tied to the idea of how stories can inspire people, so the Chronicler has been cataloguing and sharing stories as long as people have been telling them.

I like the idea! Considering the actual stories are the stars of the show, keeping The Chronicler's backstory vague might work to our advantage. The framing device is just there to establish why are we going on a journey anyway.

 

[Outbound]

I don't know how deep you want to have Gatsby but you could even do simple cameos like the green light. It is an iconic part of the book (the symbolism is huge there) but also allows you to have tons of IP's in the area if it is little things here and there

That's one of the things I was concerned about. Gatsby's Party would be a bigger setpiece. It'd be awesome, possibly even one up there as the most memorable scenes. But it also poses the risk of turning this ride into something too big, where every scene is trying to big the showstopper and there is no cohesion. We will need smaller scenes between every big scene to even things out, which is what Pride and Prejudice was supposed to do initially.

 

[DashHaber]

That's one of the things I was concerned about. Gatsby's Party would be a bigger setpiece. It'd be awesome, possibly even one up there as the most memorable scenes. But it also poses the risk of turning this ride into something too big, where every scene is trying to big the showstopper and there is no cohesion. We will need smaller scenes between every big scene to even things out, which is what Pride and Prejudice was supposed to do initially.

Honestly, I'd say stick to your guns with Pride and Prejudice. I know there is a demand for The Great Gatsby, but I really like Pride and Prejudice offering a quieter scene between the thrills of Adventure and scope of Historical Epic.

There are other places we can stick in a reference to The Great Gatsby, such as the queue.

 

[TheOriginalTiki]

Honestly, I'd say stick to your guns with Pride and Prejudice. I know there is a demand for The Great Gatsby, but I really like Pride and Prejudice offering a quieter scene between the thrills of Adventure and scope of Historical Epic.

There are other places we can stick in a reference to The Great Gatsby, such as the queue.

Need I remind you, as Project Leader you're eligible for elimination if we feel like you've dropped the ball

 

[DashHaber]

Need I remind you, as Project Leader you're eligible for elimination if we feel like you've dropped the ball

I know, and as Project Leader, I am fully willing to carry that target on my back. I just feel that we could realize a better flow for the attraction using Pride and Prejudice as the Romance representation, giving us that quiet moment between the bigger sights of Adventure and Historical Epic.

 

[JokersWild]

I just want to get confirmation before I start working on stuff.

@montydysquith-navarro you’re working on the finale?

 

[DashHaber]

Speaking of the finale, it might not be bad if folks mentioned which books they were pulling from for their scenes. It'd not only give us all a clear idea on how we're all flowing through each genre and give us a shared map of the attraction, but also helps to give some stuff to consider with the finale and what stuff I might reference in the queue.

 

[NigelChanning]

The Fantasy section is going to have The Hobbit and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

 

[JokersWild]

Speaking of the finale, it might not be bad if folks mentioned which books they were pulling from for their scenes. It'd not only give us all a clear idea on how we're all flowing through each genre and give us a shared map of the attraction, but also helps to give some stuff to consider with the finale and what stuff I might reference in the queue.

I'll have that up once I know if I'm working on horror or not haha.

 

[Sharon&Susan]

For Adventure, it's One Thousand and One Arabian Nights with the main focus being the Ali Baba story.