Posts Tagged ‘fourth wall’

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MOVE ALONG NOW

by Tom on January 14, 2005 at 12:00 am
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(5 votes, average: 8.40 out of 10)
Charlie, insulted, talking, fourth wall

Sometimes Tom has trouble gauging the passage of time. Sometimes I wonder if "real life" Tom doesn't suffer the same affliction. Have we been talking about Charlie for two weeks?

Today's comic brushes up against the 4th wall a little bit, but only if you were paying attention. It's actually a subtle commentary on some of the feedback I requested in Wednesday's blog.

This isn't me poking fun at anyone who took the time and care to write. I actually agree with a lot of what I was hearing.

While some people said they were enjoying Charlie's introduction just fine, some people commented that they felt it was being drawn out too long. I actually received a couple of notices that the last two weeks of strips simply weren't funny.

It's cool. I take it in stride. I wouldn't have asked for criticism if I couldn't handle the negative stuff. I want to publicly thank everyone who was thoughtful enough to write in and let me know what they felt was working at what wasn't.

I mean, on the one hand, I feel that I've committed myself to the story that I want to tell and there probably isn't a lot that anyone can say or do that's going to change that. Besides, it would be pretty lame of me to change course on the comment based on the suggestions of a vocal few. It would be creatively fraudulent of me to kowtow to someone else's vision when it's my own artistic satisfaction that has been propping this up for the last 2 and half years.

But on the other hand, the internet is a marvelous tool that allows me to receive very specific feedback very quickly and it would be foolish not to take advantage of that.

Basically what those e-mails did for me was put into focus my own doubts about this new direction. While I believe strongly that some things are working, it puts into focus the issues I was concerned about. Basically, it answered the question, "Does this seem weird to anyone else, or is it just me?"

I should note that although I've strongly trumpeted the "NEW DIRECTION" of Theater Hopper through basically ever media outlet I could uncover, what's been happening for the last two weeks won't be a permanent shift in tone away from comedy and toward the dramatic.

Some of you said that while introducing Charlie, I've strayed away from the meat and potatoes of the site - topical reflections on movies and pop culture. I agree. But I FULLY INTEND to come back to that. The objective here is to lay the groundwork for a new character so when I do return to that format, there will be a fully-realized creation through which I can filter my opinions. Bringing Charlie into the fold adds a whole new layer to what I can say about movies. She brings a new voice and a fresh perspective.

However, in order to do that, I need to make her prominent. While readers have become familiar with Tom, Cami and Jared over the last 2 and half years, I have to establish A LOT of exposition in a short amount of time if I'm going to make Charlie their contemporary. In other words, so that the audience will recognize that the words coming out of her mouth are coming from an honest place in terms of characterization. That there is motive. That there is a background story which is the prism through which she interprets her situation.

This sounds heady, I know. But I've put a lot of thought into. Maybe too much thought. Maybe what's important is that people come to the site to be ENTERTAINED and they don't need to be bogged down by the drama of FICTIONAL characters.

Whatever the situation, one thing has become clear. While undertaking what I want to achieve with the comic and the characters in 2005, there's no reason it can't be funny. This weekend I am going to reassert my focus and strive toward that.

Goodness, that was quite the little manifesto, wasn't it? If you have any response to what I'm putting out there, I am always available.

That said, I want to remind everyone that TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO PRE-ORDER A T-SHIRT, BABY DOLL TEE OR HOODIE! After today, I'm going to shut down that portion of the store probably for the next few months. So if you were thinking about getting a Spoiler t-shirt any time soon, now's the time to do it.

Actually, if you were thinking about getting a "Professional Movie Goer" shirt, now would be THE BEST time to do it. The design hasn't been a strong seller, so I'll probably discontinue it after today.

I have some other site-related thoughts bouncing around in my head. I might come back and share them later if I have time.

Honestly, are there any other web comics out there that pull the curtain back as far as I do in regards to process? I mean, it's not like I'm showing you the penciled artwork before I ink and color it, or anything. I'm affording you frigging real estate IN MY BRAIN. You totally get a glimpse of all my little hang-ups bringing this thing to you 3 times a week, don't you?

Ho, boy. Life in the Digital Age...

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STRINGING YOU ALONG

by Tom on October 18, 2004 at 12:00 am
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars6 Stars7 Stars8 Stars9 Stars10 Stars
(9 votes, average: 8.56 out of 10)
Team America: World Police, Trey Parker, Matt Stone, puppet, complaining, narcissism, entertainment, fourth wall

Today's buzzComix incentive sketch kind of flips the script a little bit. It's not entirely unprecedented as a concept, but it's still fun. Plus, it gives me a chance to give Puppet Tom a little extra time in the spotlight. Click here to see it.

I did get a chance to see Team America: World Police this weekend and my response has somewhat waned after walking out of the theater. I think there might be a backlash to the hype surrounding this film. Several critics are calling it the funniest of the year. I'll admit that I laughed and even had fun quoting some of the lines afterwords, but the more I think about it, the less I like it.

The movie's funny parts don't stem so much from being clever, but more from the "Oh my gosh! I can't believe they did that!" category. More shock value than genuine laughs. And there are more juvenile aspects of the film that I initially laughed at, but upon review, really aren't that funny.

For example, the film takes great pleasure out of deflating well-known Hollywood liberals. Alec Baldwin is a prominent figure and the head of an actor's organization known as the Film Actor's Guild. So whenever Alec Baldwin appears on screen, his name is displayed with an unfortunate acronym behind it. It's pretty third grade.

I don't think I should spending too much time analyzing the politics of a puppet movie, but it seems like liberals in the movie are treated a little more unfairly than those on the right. Essentially, the movie would try to convince you that you shouldn't listen to people like Sean Penn or Janeane Garofalo because they don't know what they're talking about. But since when do Team America's writers and directors Trey Parker and Matt Stone have all the answers? It seems more than a little hypocritical to me.

Personally, I think a lot of critics are hopping on the "IT'S OUTRAGEOUS SO IT MUST BE GOOD!" bandwagon. Frankly, the first South Park movie was more irreverent.

That aside, I was very impressed with how the film was shot. The cinematography is excellent and the sets and props have to be seen to be believed. A lot of care and attention to detail went into Team America and it shows. From what I could tell, there was nary a special effects shot in the thing. All the effects were physical. If anything, see it for that. But don't strain to hard trying to decipher the politics. The undercurrent doesn't run that deep.

In site news, I know I said on Friday that I was going to have some new shirts for you to check out today. Well, that didn't happen this morning, but I might be ready to go by tonight. I was out late Sunday night and didn't get a chance to set up the store. Kind of a lame excuse, I know. But I have to have a social life, too!

I sent the printer the first order for the Spoiler shirts and I'm just waiting to hear back from him on production estimate. Those of you who got your orders in on Friday can probably expect to see you shirts somewhere around the middle of November at the latest, but I don't know for sure yet.

Those of you who missed last Friday's deadline. Don't worry. I'm still taking orders. The next pre-order deadline ends October 30. So you have until then to get your name in for the second batch of shirts!

Thanks to everyone who ordered. Response has been strong. Hopefully I can still come up with designs that will hold your interest. I'm having a lot of fun trying!

Talk to you soon!

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CREATOR CENSORSHIP

by Tom on June 25, 2004 at 12:00 am
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(9 votes, average: 8.78 out of 10)
Fahrenheit 9/11, Michael Moore, controversy, hate mail, censorship, finger sandwiches, fourth wall

I know emotions have been running high for some of you, so to diffuse some of the controversy, I decided to offer a very humorous incentive sketch. I won't spoil the surprise, so vote for Theater Hopper at buzzComix and have a cheap laugh on me.

So here it is. Part 2 of my little reaction piece to Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. I have to admit there wasn't as much backlash to Wednesday's comic as I thought there would be. I don't know what that says about you the audience or me the creator, but there you have it.

Really the comics of the last two days don't have anything to do with Moore's movie. They weren't a collaboration of his political or a statement against President Bush.

My issue is censorship. Whether it be artists censoring themselves in fear of reprisal or suffering the judgement of others in a society that professes free speech as its highest virtue.

Wednesday's comic saw me stepping into my own imaginary universe as some kind of overlord, informing the audience that we wouldn't touch the controversy with a 10 foot pole. The joke was that I was censoring myself.

Of course, this gets thrown out the window when I call President Bush a doodie head.

Today's comic is about the reaction to commentary such as that. My free speech is countered by another's free speech and my characters get caught in the crossfire. Attempting to express their frustration, I alter what Cami was going to say in panel three. Censorship again.

At the end of the day, it serves no purpose to try and prevent what one person wants to express. Whether it's Moore, myself, or a fictional character. No one has ever adopted the concept of free speech and democracy by having it forced down their throats. No one will adopt another persons idea of what is appropriate and what is not if they aren't already looking for that answer.

I understand that you guys primarily come to the site for a cheap laugh before going about your day and you probably don't need my opinions cluttering things up. But every once in a while, I want to make you laugh AND make you think. If I can do that, then I know I'm not some hack out here trying to perform some slight of hand to make you think I have talent. It's no different than my commentary about the MPAA a while ago. And for those of you who don't think it's my place to mix politics and art, where were your criticism when I was taking Jack Valenti down a few pegs?

Ultimately, there is a nexus where art, politics, commerce and opinion intersect. And every so often my work drifts into the middle of it. If you like it, great. If not, well... content decisions around here is like Iowa weather. You don't like it? Wait 10 minutes. It'll get better.

Stay tuned to the comic next week for a whole new story arc profiling the biggest summer blockbuster of the year - the upcoming Spider Man 2! I'm looking forward to it! I hope you are, too!

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BREAKING BOUNDARIES

by Tom on June 23, 2004 at 12:00 am
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars6 Stars7 Stars8 Stars9 Stars10 Stars
(17 votes, average: 8.35 out of 10)
Fahrenheit 9/11, Michael Moore, President Bush, self insert, photo, fourth wall, controversy

Again at a loss for a good incentive sketch idea, I decided to depict myself as another well-known muckraker, Geraldo Rivera! Click here to see the image (and dig that crazy reference to UHF as well!)

I found myself at a crossroads with today's comic. Even though a lot of people are talking about it, Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 could be perceived as damaged goods for a web site that traffics in making people laugh with funny pictures. Without even seeing it, we've been made aware that the film is unapologetically ANTI George W. Bush and this is something that can dramatically split an audience.

But on the other hand, NOT tackling a film that has generated so much advance buzz would just be sloppy content management on my part. Why should I deny what's current in the culture because of a little controversy? Ultimately, I think I reached a fairly inventive solution in regard to discussing the film without directly mentioning it's politics or its bias.

Even if I had to break every law regarding The 4th Wall to do it! ;)

Now before anyone gets their knickers in a twist and thinks that maybe what I'm saying in the third panel are my personal politics... well, I'm here to tell you that's not the point of this comic strip.

Things will become more clear after Friday (this is a two-part strip) that what I am choosing to lampoon is not the movie, the conservatives, the liberals or the independents. Instead what I'm gunning for is the response to works like Moore's and what it says about America as a whole.

I'm sure you've read reports about conservative groups sending e-mails to the C.E.O.s of large movie chains petitioning them to ban Fahrenheit 9/11 from their theaters. Whatever your politics are, I find it decidedly UN-American to censor another artist's work - no matter HOW strongly you disagree with it.

Sure, picket the theaters. Hand out pamphlets denouncing Michael Moore as a one-man liberal propaganda machine. There's nothing against free speech or the freedom to assemble going on there.

But outright censorship - trying to prevent art from reaching the masses, denying them the right to choose FOR THEMSELVES if this is material they wish to expose themselves to - is just plain wrong. As an artist myself, I take particular notice when stories like these break because who is to say I won't be next if you happen to disagree with something I say?

In any case, I plan on watching Moore's film when it comes out this Friday. And like all of Moore's work, I intend to take it with a grain of salt. When I get home, I plan on taking the information I've gathered and researching it myself to get a balanced perspective on the issues.

And IF ANYTHING ELSE, that is the beauty of Moore's chest-thumping. He gets people THINKING. And in an election year where 50% of the populace chooses not to express their given right to have their voice heard, a little extra thought tossed into the political arena is never a bad thing.

:: steps off soapbox ::

If you have comments about today's comic, please leave them in the THorum (Rational discourse ONLY, please!) and expect a follow-up comic on Friday.

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WARDROBE, PLEASE!

by Tom on February 16, 2004 at 12:00 am
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(11 votes, average: 8.73 out of 10)
fourth wall, 50 First Dates, Drew Barrymore, clothes

Real quick: Be sure to vote for Theater Hopper at BuzzComix. The recently introduced a new system that makes their top list more accurate. If you sign up for a free account, you can tag all of your favorite comics so it makes it easier to vote! And don't forget, every time you vote for Theater Hopper, you get a sneak peek at some extra artwork as our way of say thanks!

Today's comic is the third time I've acknowledged the fourth wall. That's not a big deal for a lot of comics, but when I started Theater Hopper, I had a specific set of guidelines. I didn't want to get too self-referential or "inside".

I also tried to refrain from introducing any fantasy elements without some kind of tether to reality. Well, with The Cult of Sandler and Cami shooting fireballs out of her hands last week, I figured those guidelines are either in serious disrepair or jettisoned completely out the window. It's probably for the best. This isn't a journal comic, after all.

As you've probably gathered, Cami and I did see 50 First Dates on Friday. We went to the late show expecting the first showing to be packed with goofy 14 year olds. When we arrived for our 9:30 showing, there was hardly anyone in the theater. Of course, by the time they got through all the previews, all the goof 14 year olds showed up... late... and chattering like monkeys as they tried to find their seat.

Some obnoxious woman and her sister (mom?) plopped down next to me and proceeded to spend the entire time before the previews discussing how sick and contagious they were. Coughing, hacking, spitting... All I could think of was some noxious green cloud straining to be filtered by my lungs as we sat there in the darkness.

Seriously, people. If you're so sick you're complaining about it to everyone in earshot STAY HOME!

As for the movie itself, it was enjoyable. The cinematography was certainly a notch or two higher than Billy Madison, I can tell you that much! Drinking in all these lush vistas, I kept thinking "I have to go to Hawaii. I have to go to Hawaii." like some sort of drunken mantra.

I had logic problems with the movie. Plot problems, too. I'm sorry, but I don't find BRAIN DAMAGE to be a wholly charming device to center a romantic comedy around. I also struggled with the concept of making a long-term relationship work with someone who has no long term memory!

The whole "we'll have her watch a videotape to get her caught up with her life" trick seems unnecessarily cruel. I kept picturing Drew Barrymore's character waking up each morning and crying for a hour after being introduced to this grim reality. But I guess the benefit is, no matter how hard you day is, you'll forget about it tomorrow? Hmm...

I'm pretty much comparing apples to oranges here, but I thought Memento did a much better job with depicting the struggle of someone afflicted this way. Mostly from the perspective that the human mind is devious enough to create a method to work around the handicap.

I found it particularly offensive that Barrymore's character's brother and father would go to the lengths of re-creating her last day of functioning memory. What kind of twisted hell is that? Not just for the person without the long term memory, but for the people around them? If I had a daughter who was a drug addict, I wouldn't be suppling her with crack! Face the problem, people!

Ultimately I realize that we're dealing with fantasy here. But truthfully I have an easier time committing to the idea of a man trying to reconcile his relationship with a mermaid versus what we have here. The minute you try to pass off these kinds of authentic handicaps as the central conflict of the story, you open the door to much harsher criticism and attention to detail.

That out of the way, I'm giving everyone a prescription for our latest advertiser Dr. Wuss. Check it out. It has the cure for the daily blues!

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TAKE YOUR TURN AT STORYTELLING

by Tom on January 12, 2004 at 12:00 am
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(6 votes, average: 8.33 out of 10)
Big Fish, tall tale, fourth wall, web comic, Cuba Goodin Jr., fifty dollars, breaking even

First things first. We're trying out a new little voting incentive program that will hopefully generate more consistent voting habits from the readership. I know it's lame to keep asking for your support by voting for Theater Hopper at BuzzComix over and over without getting anything in return, so I decided to change how we do things around here.

When you vote for Theater Hopper every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, you'll get the opportunity to look at a freshly-drawn sketch depicting the Theater Hopper characters dressed up as icons of the movies and pop culture. The incentive has seemingly helped. We jumped up 3 or 4 spots since Friday and we're within spitting distance of the Top 10! If we keep this up, we might find a respectable spot in the Top 5 by the end of the month!

What's today's offering? Vote to find out! I *can* say that today's sketch is a special treat because it's colored in, too!

With that said, I'm taking another swing at Cuba Gooding Jr. in today's strip. He seems like a nice enough guy, but I take issue with an actor who signs on for crap like Snow Dogs, Boat Trip and Radio and then complains all of the good roles for black actors are going to Will Smith. Wasn't Cuba in Boyz N the Hood? He needs to line himself up with better directors. And now that I think about it, I don't hear Taye Diggs or Don Cheadle complaining. Food for thought.

The comic also has fun with the idea of storytelling - the conflict between what is real and what isn't - while playfully brushing up against the fourth wall. I don't do this often, but sometimes it can be a gas to play the "self-awareness" card. Of course, this development was inspired by Big Fish, which I got to see this weekend.

I thought the film was wonderful. An incredibly touching story. A couple of comments that keep popping up in my mind I sadly not take credit for.

Someone in the forums said Big Fish was the least Burton-esque movie Tim Burton has ever directed. I have to agree. Still gothic in nature, it's almost as if Burton has removed some kind of Edgar Allen Poe-inspired death shroud from his visuals and cranked up the color dial to 11. It looks gorgeous.

My good friend Nick said Big Fish is the kind of movie that will give you a headache at the end if you don't want to cry in front of a packed audience. He was right on the money with that statement and I will admit to a case of the sniffles watching it.

I don't know what it is, but whenever a movie starts tinkering around with loss in the father/son dynamic, it becomes very difficult to watch. I know other men who feel the same way. I don't know if that's cultural influence or if it's more of a human condition. I'm curious as to your thoughts.

I wanted to write a full blown review of the movie for the site, but I think I'm still digesting it. Now I'm thinking it wouldn't be a bad idea to see it a second time. The movie is so rich in metaphors, it deserves a more serious examination.

I will say this: If you're anything like me - if you believe that the art of storytelling is fundamental in terms of feeding the imagination and essential to developing stronger relationships, this movie will speak to you in a resounding chorus. The idea of finding magic in the everyday, mundane exploits of life resonates with me on a very personal level.

Beauty exists if you look for it. A story will unfold to you if you're receptive to it.

How ironic that such a film would come along just as I was juggling my thoughts on the narrative arc of this comic... Yes, more time should be given to exploring Big Fish... Please go see it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

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THE FOURTH WALL NEEDS MAINTENANCE

by Tom on September 8, 2003 at 12:00 am
Posted In: Blog
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars6 Stars7 Stars8 Stars9 Stars10 Stars (No Ratings Yet)

I was kind of sitting on this joke for a little while waiting to use it for a Monday strip when I knew more people would read it. I hope you like it.

I'm usually not one to call attention to "The 4th Wall." In all honesty, one of my unofficial rules when I started Theater Hopper was to never break it. I always kind of viewed it as a cheap out.

But with American Splendor being all about the dissolution between reality in entertainment (decades before reality TV or LiveJournal, I might add), the joke was too perfect to pass up.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the film. It won't come to Des Moines until this Friday, but I plan on checking it out early. There's a lot of good stuff out this weekend. I'm going to be busy!

I've received some e-mails from people in other areas of the country where American Splendor is currently playing and I'm hearing nothing but positive reviews. I've always been a fan of Paul Giamatti, so I'm looking forward to it.

My good friend Nick suggested renting the documentary Crumb to help flesh out the experience. Since R. Crumb was a frequent artistic collaborator to Splendor's author, Harvey Pekar, that's good advice. I intend to follow through sometime this week.

Did anyone else notice that Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star was number one at the box office this week? I can't say it was an enormous victory. It only raked in $7 million.

The last number one movie to rake in that little was the Ashley Judd thriller Eye of the Beholder in January of 2000. It only did $6 million in business.

When that's the case, how much pride can David Spade really take home after getting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

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