Darker Shades of Gray - A BrikSpace BrikFilm

[Silverdream]

Here's what I'm thinking for characters. One is a strong independent black woman, one is a retired cop and the rest are spoils and comedic relief.

[AlphaLurker]

What about on the immortal's side?
We have (mortal)troopers, which are canon fodder before our heroes.....

And then there's the the badass terrorkhan/dakkakhan. Recurring villain, anyone?

[mgb519]

Allow me to elaborate. Don't write cliches-write things that fit into the story, and then find out that you're not the first person to come up with that. While it is difficult to be truly original, it will seem more original if you came to the same thing without copying someone else. At least, that's my experience.

[ForlornCreature]

We need a naive but strong character for the opening protagonist, or at least someone we can do a character arc with that includes establishing the relationships in the crew

[AlphaLurker]

Possibly a rookie engineering officer, who just transfered to the ship?

[enders_shadow]

engineers are boring, how about a rookie pilot? something that gets them in on the action early on.

[thade]

Okay, I thought I'd contribute what I can.

My idea for the plot/backstory:
A crew of raiders/pilots/whatever with some captured prisoners finds an abondoned ship flating in the black. They board it, to find no trace of life, and the ship in perfect condition. Meanwhile the prisoners manage to escape and overtake the guards, and board onto the main ship with the intention of taking over and flying back to their homeworld. One of them trips a trap, leaving the ship badly damaged, and they emit a distress call. This leads the immortals to attempt to destroy them, meanwhile they must flee in a damaged abandoned ship. Later, they discover that the ship was planned to be used as some sort of weapon by the immortals (or something equally secret) and must try and use it to get the immortals off their tail, or to help their side in the war. Meanwhile, the prisoners and pirates have to work together, despite being enemies from different empires.

/walloftext

Anyway, just my idea, feel free to completely ignore it.

[mgb519]

engineers are boring, how about a rookie pilot? something that gets them in on the action early on.

I believe you just simultaneously insulted Isaac Clarke, the main character of my novel, and this guy.
But I agree, main protagonist ought to be a pilot.

[Olothontor]

A crew of raiders/pilots/whatever with some captured prisoners finds an abondoned ship flating in the black. They board it, to find no trace of life, and the ship in perfect condition. Meanwhile the prisoners manage to escape and overtake the guards, and board onto the main ship with the intention of taking over and flying back to their homeworld. One of them trips a trap, leaving the ship badly damaged, and they emit a distress call. This leads the immortals to attempt to destroy them, meanwhile they must flee in a damaged abandoned ship. Later, they discover that the ship was planned to be used as some sort of weapon by the immortals (or something equally secret) and must try and use it to get the immortals off their tail, or to help their side in the war. Meanwhile, the prisoners and pirates have to work together, despite being enemies from different empires.

I liked this.

Also, sounds like a pilot would do well in the protagonist's shoes. That way we get no Wash Syndrome. "I am a leaf on the wind... ::DIE:: "

[enders_shadow]

exactly. Also, regarding thade's plotline: I like most of it, but the whole prisoners and pirates in the same boat (so to speak) doesn't jive. Perhaps it could be two different factions? I don't like it because pirates, imo, are just really ragtag, evil, stereotypical baddies.

[thade]

they don't neccessarily have to be pirates, just some sort of scavengers. I liked having some setup for there to be conflict among the crew. Again, feel free to include whatever you want, and leave out the rest.

[Silverdream]

What about primitives the crew saved? As in they were in a position of Genocide from the IE when the crew came along.

[thade]

An interesting concept. I like the idea, but I think it would be interesting if there was some conflict within the crew.

[mgb519]

I feel that we need a darkish plot twist later on.

[thade]

Agreed. definitely. Perhaps the ship's secret purpose is an override of the AI (the insane one, perhaps?) or navigational system, heading towards the crew's home planet with some sort of superweapon?