Strangetown Extras: The Shifting Paradymes

[strangetomato]

One of the things that bothers me most about having the story worked out far beyond what I've written, and also being pretty far from getting there (even if I picked up the pace considerably), is wanting to jump ahead to parts of the story that I'd like to do RIGHT NOW. One of these is when The Shifting Paradymes reform, in at least one sense of the word, and get themselves out there as a band. If you read my RR legacy entry, you got a little sneak preview of that, but I'm really wanting to write more about it now, because it'd be fun. For now, I'll have to be content with using them in projects.

Since I wanted some album artwork for a CD clutter cc project (yes, I'm still working on it, on and off), I took some photos of the band.










I like this one, except for Helena's goofy pose. I wanted her to be all hyped up and cheering, but it doesn't quite work for me (also I want to update her with her newer look). Ripp and Jaxy came out exactly as I wanted them to, though, so that makes me happy.

Remember how I said I always think of The Shifting Paradymes as sounding like the band, Royal Trux? No? Well, I do. I especially like to imagine Jaxy's voice as Jennifer Herrema's, because she sounds like she could chew you up and spit you out, and Neil Hagerty works pretty well for Ripp too, in my opinion. He has a sort of nasal and "too lazy to really bother" quality to his singing, which suits Ripp.

I'm been wanting to link to versions of the songs so you can hear them, but not much is available on youtube, etc., and I'm not really sure about how to upload them somewhere to url so I can use them in one of those embedded players, like Muzicons. I need to upload them to a direct link, and you need to upgrade box.net to pro to do that. Does anyone know of a good site that would allow that? For now, I can link to the box.net player in a separate window.

This is one of the ones I've really wanted to share. I'm going to use it at some point in the story (spoiler: they might play it at a wedding). It's a cover of Money for Nothing, and it's probably the greatest thing I've ever heard. You can listen to part of it here (I converted the file to MP3 and it cuts off before it's over, so I apologize for that). Also, the second file is Dr. Gone, which is the song I wanted to include with that song lyrics challenge entry, concerning Jaxy's overdose (but argh! it cuts off before the song cuts back in all epicly after the drum solo... I need to find an mp3 converter that doesn't have a time limit *grumble grumble grumble*). But anyway, you get the idea.

Just thought I'd share some of my nerdly thoughts on the band.

ETA: The links don't work, but I have an embedded widget, thanks to Grooveshark:

 

Comments

[simgarooop.livejournal.com]

I really like that picture! As for Helena's pose, I know there's a still portrait pose for children that could work for her (arms up and a big smile, like cheering). Maybe Aikea Guinea's paintings have that option available for adults. But it depends on what you have in mind, of course :)

The link for the Money for Nothing cover does not work for me.

And I totally understand what you mean about wanting to post the fun scenes in advance. I actually did one for my legacy, and the pictures for said scene are currently in my Photobucket account. I really like how it came out, so I've wanted to show it for a long time. Hmmm... maybe I will now :P

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I like it, aside from those little issues with Helena. I'll probably try it again at some point.

As for the portrait poses, it might not work with the other poses because they're always looking upward in those poses, but it's worth a shot. Even some other frame of the cheering would work, I think.

I found a file of that song on Grooveshark, so you can check it out now. I've added a widget. No luck on Dr. Gone. I'll have to try to figure out how to do that later. I'm seriously clueless about it.

I try not to actually shoot future scenes for that very reason. It would feel like some self-dooming thing if I work too far ahead, and I usually change something and ruin the continuity anyway. :P

Yeah, you should. It'd be a shame to waste it.

[will-o-whisper.livejournal.com]

The Money for Nothing link gives me a "wrong file" when I click it. ;^;

I've never really noticed before, but The Shifting Paradymes are seriously colorful in terms of skintones, hair, eyes (personalities too though.). It makes pictures of them interesting to look at, I don't know if that sounds odd. It's a nice picture! That bright purple tile works well as background, too; is that why you use it so much? ;P

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Drats. I should have known it wouldn't work. I have no luck with music files. Good news, though! I found it on Grooveshark and I've added a widget. Have a listen. This cover is one of my favourite songs.

Yeah, they have a lot of variety on the go there. I quite like that about them as a band.

Do I overuse those tiles? :P I can only recall using them twice before. Is that a lot? Heheh. Whatever... I like them, okay? ^_^

[ikichi.livejournal.com]

I like it, but it seems weird to me that Ripp's in front (I expected Jaxy). Especially since he's the only guy.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, yeah. He's not supposed to be any more prominent than Jaxy. They're supposed to be about the same, since they both sing. It's more about the way she's posed, with her arms angling back.

I was actually aiming more for a back-to-back sort of thing.

[ikichi.livejournal.com]

Another reason he seems more prominent is because he's pale/the palest, and everyone's wearing black with a dark background- your eye is always drawn to the lightest/brightest area. I love her pose, but it really looks like she's behind him. (Isn't he back up and occasional lead? Wow, I can't believe I just asked that).

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I see it now that you've pointed it out. I'll play around with it the next time I shoot some pics. They're supposed to be about the same. Jax is more of the frontwoman, when it comes down to it, but their stage pressence is all about playing off each other on an equal footing (or will be, when I get to it).

Jax is definitely the lead vocalist (though, like I said... they both sing together a lot of the time), but she plays rythmn guitar. Ripp is the lead guitarist, and does the soloing, when there is any soloing to be had.

I think I'm going to try the same poses on them with her in front to see how it goes. It seems like it'd be more interlocked that way, anyway. I just need to nip my inherent Ripp bias in the bud. :P

And you're so right. Jaxy would never let Ripp stand in front of her.

[petchy-14.livejournal.com]

Wow! I didn't imagain them sounding as quite like that.. mm.. but I do like it :D I felt as though it would be slightly less full on, but now you gave an example, I can TOTALLY see where your coming from!! Very cool :)

About the picture - I kinda like it..:) HOWEVER, I know its only a matter of time until you get out your Posebox skillagenessness and then redo the whole thing xD
Those purple tiles WORK though.. I like them!!

I know what you mean about wanting to write the bits that are fun earlier!! I wrote an entire chapter for a Dr Who story I [was..? am...?] working on that will never been included in the true thing, majorly because I felt like changing the entire setting and also because I knew that no matter what, the Doctor wouldn't send someone he's just met into a room which could possably kill him and suck all of his knoledge/brain/life and make him live as a drone, ETC, and considering this was their first outing together, it just *won't* happen. LOL!
...Doesn't mean I can't reuse some of the script or thought processes.. *smiles*

Can I ask, how much of S,HWC did you plan? I mean, did you expect the whole thing to just fall into place and then ran allong with it, or did you grow it like a tree, taking each step carfully planning out what direction it could turn and went with the best storyline[s]? I'm just wondering because I find the whole thing slightly brilliant in an idiotic way (LMFAO, I mean that in the best way, honestly, I do) as so far, the entire thing has flowed amazingly [I'm about onto Chapter 26+] and hasn't felt like one has needed to take a pruneing to the stray leaves.. I love it!
You clever person, you! :)

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

That's why I wanted to give an example, ya know? So people would be on the same page with how I was imagining them, since I can't really include sound in the story. Of course, I have no problem with people imagining something entirely different, if that suits them better. But they are meant to be a pretty raw and "balls to the wall" rock band.

Yeah, it's just not quite right, and I appreciate the feedback. I'll try again later, since it's fun to do so. And thanks... I'm glad you think so. ^_^

It's so hard not to just skip ahead, but I know I do a fair amount of jumping around and spoiling with drabbles and such, so I don't want to push that too far. It'll take away from some of the enjoyment of reading it, I'm sure. I don't want to blow all my good reveals. ;)

Yes. the answer is yes. :P

No, really... it's a little from column A and a little from column B, I suppose. I did have an entire plot worked out, but it more or less completely fell apart as I began to work with the characters. It's a good thing too. The current plot is much better, I think. I let the characters react to changes in the game and in my writing of them, but I also have a masterplan. The details might change, but that's been going strong for a while now. So far, so good, I think. I like to think I haven't completely blown it yet.

Also, did you just call me an idiot? *arches brow* I might have to fight you now. :P

Thanks. I appreciate it, and especially appreciate that you're taking the time to read it all. ^_^

[petchy-14.livejournal.com]

Yea, I totally get you now when your talking about the Band - I was expecting.. mm. I don't know.. actually. I wasn't maybe expecting as much Drums and Back!Guitar, but thats because I have not heard the songs you add to the Mix at their Gigs! However, I love what they sound like now, more Experimental, Rocky, but also ~new~ in their ways that they don't seem to sound Mainstream and are fresh off the press - Maxis' "Selection" of "College Rock" just wasn't that... College Rock.. you know? It was something just a little diluted :)

Happy and Helpful Feedback is what the world lives off - along with Sunlight, Water, and good old Bread - and I am always helpful to dish out a serving!

I don't often read through the entire Drabbles.. the longer ones I sometimes miss altogether, but I'm glad I do, because every secret is new to me.. And thats cool!

OH I know what you mean there, A rough plot that when you started work on, began to shift slightly, but was better so you sticked with it, Yea, I think that is the best to go!!
Some things I can tell that you did with the presence of writing, and not for some crazy plot line, but they *add* to the overall story so well that they are necessary to add because they add funny stories that give a depth to the characters, and also some extra texture to the Thickening Plot.

Me? Call you an Idiot?
*Pushes Strange_Tomato's Brow down*
Nope, I was simply using a Contrapuntal adjective to give a double compliment! *grinz* I haz Writing SKILZZ XD

I have actually gotten back up to the point when I started to read! I feel so special, you know, managing to get back to where I began xD I'm not going to stop until I'm at the (present) end now.. I'm hooked like a Wild Ripp on the Bubble Blower, LOL!

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely guilty of straying from driving the plot forward to dally on the microdetails of the characters, but I think that's part of the joy of "the sim story" as opposed to writing a novel. It can be episodic and it can be less focused, and it's really a combination of different things. Sometimes I write it and try to actually produce some nice prose, and other times I just play around and make fanservice. :P It's hardly the most focussed thing in the world, but it's fun.

No, actually... I think it was an insult sandwich, with compliments for bread. :P But that's okay. I'm cool with being idiotic.

That's cool. So you probably know what's going on better than I do. XD I'm glad you've enjoyed it.

[petchy-14.livejournal.com]

Insult sandwhich...? It wasn't meant to be...! D:
Sorry about that, if that is how it came across, as you might have guessed, it wasn't suppost to be! I was reffering to *me* being an idiot - kind of like an Oxymoron - but yea.. I write faster than my brain and so it must have come out wrong *sighs* which is not as rare as one would expect!

Oh yes, I have enjoyed it, it feels much less daunting now, actually, which is a great plus!
I actually forwarded this onto a semi-simmer friend, who reads like there is no tomorrow xD

I'm actually working on my "own Strangerown" type thing where I'm taking all the Characters and aging them up. It's hard work - re-moddeling the houses and all - but it's good fun to do.
You know that small Yellow house on the RtN? I moved the singles into there and am planning to make it into some form of Four-way-apartment. [If I don't split them up - and rename them back - first!] Its good fun to play as true Characters, at least, and I am definatly making this original!!

[sims-gone.livejournal.com]

It's now my mission in life to obtain a copy of that Money for Nothing mp3. It is not easy, as I'm sure you are aware!

[flogurself.livejournal.com]

I actually recently heard that song on the radio. Weird.