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Posted on Saturday, January 7th, 2012 by Malin
This week has been amazing. I get to work from 9 am to 6 pm on something I love.
Writing.
^That could be this whole entry, but I’ll continue for more detail.
Monday morning a nice room mate went up early to show me how all the buses worked and how to get to the Game Studio, and showed me to the Human Resource Manager’s office. I had no idea what time I was starting, and as far as I know, I still haven’t been told. Most people get there at 9-10 and go home at 6-7, so I do the same.
I just have to say I am so lucky to have room mates that are willing to help and socialize with me. I even spent New Years Eve with one of them!
(First day I was going home alone from the Game Studio, and without thinking about it I went on the wrong bus. This is one of my greatest fears; not knowing where I am. Of course panic ensued as I went off it, trying to find my way to an U-bahn and localize how to get on the right one. I swallowed my tears as they tried to push their way out on multiple occasions, saying to myself “You have to get through this”. I think also started humming “every little thing is gonna be alright” to keep my cool. It was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had. Forced into chaos, and then coming home realizing it all went okay.)
All the people I’ve met at the Game Studio are very welcoming, and very happy. The atmosphere is – to put it into one word – Friendly.
The first day was confusing to say the least, but after reaching out to people who walked past, and setting up some ground rules to my project, and receiving a project manager (who’s very kind and let’s me do what I want, but if I have some questions, he tries his best to find answers. So far, he’s found out most of them!), it all started falling into place.
What I’ve also found out is that it’s okay if I don’t understand the lingo at the office – in fact it helps my work. The German sentences people say to each other becomes white noise, but the happy tone the comments have still stay with me. When they’re going out to lunch they ask me if I want to join, and if they’re making tea they ask me if I want some, so I’m not left out at all. Yesterday our room made a salad. Team building in its truest form, while being healthy!
I am sitting in a room with a few animators, concept artists, game designers and one writer. The same writer that wrote the dialogue for A New Beginning in fact. He gave me feedback on my first draft. Dat’s kewl bro, amirite?
Needless to say, my first draft kinda sucked. It was cynical, there was no moral and it was just… Not Good. Without realizing it I made the young female character run away from an evil world together with a much older man she didn’t even know. Do you see anything wrong with that picture?
I was missing a lot to say the least, and so my whole week consisted of re-writing, re-writing, and re-writing. My main problems were these:
And boy, did I struggle! I had four or five drafts where I just couldn’t figure out an ending. All felt forced and not heart-warming at all. Asking for advice from my mentor, he told me amongst a lot of other things, to watch the Pixar movie Up!
I watched the intro. It was enough to make my heart tender and my eyes filled with tears.
Posted on Friday, December 30th, 2011 by Malin
As a part of my internship, my job is also to write about what I do. Now, I haven’t started yet, but I have just gotten settled in in my new room! Well, sorta. Still have to sort some things out.
I accidentally had Oreos for dinner, too. ANYHOW.
The vaccuum cleaner I borrowed was one of those fabulous old retro ones. Super-heavy, but so COOL. Not to sound like a silly little housewife (those who know me well know I’m nothing of the sort), but I’ve always dreamed of vacuuming with one of these!
Posted on Monday, December 26th, 2011 by Malin
Before I even went into the cinema I knew I was going to hate the american version of “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”. I had just seen the three Swedish films (long overdue, I know) – but since Americans did a splendid job of destroying “Let The Right One In” – this film couldn’t have done better.
I was wrong.
They did everything right.
But here comes the unfathomable error that I never saw coming.
Lisbeth Salander.
The wardrobe for this gorgeous creature was fantastic, as well as the actress herself. Everything is so aesthetically pleasing I just couldn’t find myself hating her, even though Noomi Rapace is a good Lisbeth.
However, her dragon tattoo compared to the Swedish version is… TINY.
This shows EXACTLY how different she is in the two versions. She’s not a flaming dragon here. She’s squeaking and tiny; a baby dragon.
The reason why I mention this in my blog is because I want to acknowledge how easy it is to fuck a character up if you’re not careful – not only through dialogue but also with the small things as appearance and make-up.
In the Swedish movie – Lisbeth doesn’t only cover her face with a thick fringe, but also covers her eyes with black soot – ALL the time. It is only after a few weeks with Mr. Blomkvist at the cabin that this starts to disappear, as if her layers are peeling off – even though she always manage to push him away as soon as he tries to get close.
The make-up is her shield*, but for the aesthetic value alone the American version chose to get our grungey alternative girl keep her black soot rubbed off – tiny hints of it still being underneath her eyes. They’ve even rouged her cheeks with a cute pink colour and cut off her heavy fringe and put up her hair in braids and other various cool hair do’s – showing off her pretty face.
It is indeed pretty. But it’s not Lisbeth.
This is Lisbeth, in all her glory:
And this is the only reason why I’ll always prefer the Swedish version, with all its flaws.
Noomi Rapace, I am sorry for doubting you.
…and another thing. Why would such a kickass hacker as her use Google?
*(Make-up is very present in the Swedish version’s third movie during the trial – every day Lisbeth walks in with a full costume; mohawk, black eyes and darkened, menacing eyebrows. Maybe to put the judge’s prejudice to the test, or in my opinion; to feel protected from those who mean her harm)
Posted on Sunday, November 6th, 2011 by Malin
Made two posters for two events at my university. Nothing too fancy. SO EXCITED about the Game Jam. Hopefully I’ll be able to attend!
Click for a bigger view!
Posted on Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 by Malin
I have lots of e-mails and meetings and assignments and classes and blahdehblahblah. Movie Analysis class is quite fun. I started liking “Sånger från Andra Våningen” again – a movie I liked as a kid, but thought nowadays to be too depressing and strange.
Actually… It’s hilarious! And has beautiful shots.
ANYWHO. Many changes are occuring. In a few weeks I’ll be giving my three months notice of my apartment. This also means that in a few weeks I have to have found another apartment, and god knows what district (or what country?) that will be.
I’m in the process of finding an internship, and I know it’s the same for all the other people out there; waking up in the morning to find emails with “Sorry, but no” is never fun. It takes the life out of you.
But when you actually get a “Actually, maybe. We should talk”, it’s the most energizing boost EVHURRR.
…until you realize even more planning is about to begin and you freak out even more.
And when all this internship business is over and done with, even more stuff will happen. My exam paper. EEP.
In the meantime, I’m also mesmerized by Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches trilogy. She’s been able to create a fictional character I hate but still understand more than any character I’ve ever read about. Respect.
I found the most beautifully crafted wax dolls out of the main character Rowan, and my main HATEHATEHATEobject, Lasher. ROWAN IS SO PRETTY.
(Can you read how cramped my mind seems to be? Lots of stuff. Lots, lots. Fo’ shizzle.)
Posted on Sunday, October 23rd, 2011 by Malin
I’m having a blast figuring out how to use different tools for dialogue trees.
My first try is from a game called Dream Orphans (working title), and it’s now up on the front page! Wooh!
Posted on Sunday, October 16th, 2011 by Malin
I received this on my 21st birthday – a printed picture of an angel and a happy birthday message. My mum loves sending angels, but what I don’t think she knew was that this specific angel was drawn by one of my favorite artists: Jason Chan.
I was quite surprised when opening the letter!
It’s now sitting on my refrigerator, and I am very happy.
Posted on Friday, October 14th, 2011 by Malin
Two images I doodled of Elizabeth and Clara from my short story “Liar”, which can be read by clicking here.
(My camera’s slowly kicking the bucket, so all you get for now are two shotsfrom my cellphone.)
Posted on Thursday, October 6th, 2011 by Malin
It’s up on the main page as well. Hopefully in the coming years I’ll be updating it with a lot better amazing stuff!
Posted on Tuesday, October 4th, 2011 by Malin
An assignment for school, learning different techniques in Zbrush. For once I enjoyed sculpting in ZBrush and I did not have as much trouble as I had the last time. Must be a sign that the teacher’s good, right? Or maybe I’m just getting better, eheh.