Category:

Timeless Theme Songs

7/7/2017

In the previous post we looked at some of the films and characters that have been a source of inspiration for us. It got me thinking about some of the others and then I came across a video featuring the title track for "The Neverending Story." A good find as it gives the perfect opportunity to share a few other sources of inspiration and (more specifically) two magical films with memorable theme songs. In this one scenes and music are blended nicely into a montage but you'd want to possibly skip it if you've never seen the film (or minimize the screen and listen only).

The Neverending Story (1984) is a film adaptation Directed by Wolfgang Petersen based loosely on the original story written by Michael Ende (published 1979) and Illustrated by Roswitha Quadflieg. This movie has many notable qualities, among them the title theme song composed by Giorgio Moroder with lyrics by Keith Forsey, and performed by Christopher Hamill. Credit for the song is usually given simply as "Limhal" which I had often thought was the name of a group, but apparently refers to Christopher Hamill's nickname or pseudonym.

Of course, one cannot write about memorable theme songs without mentioning...

The Princess Bride (1987) is a film adaptation Directed by Rob Reiner. It is based on the novel by William Goldman (published 1973) that takes place in a charming world populated by the most rich assortment of characters. The story has touched the hearts of readers and viewers alike and, for those who grew up watching the film version, become one of the most quotable movies of perhaps an entire generation. A few samples from different moments in the film.

Vizzini: "Move the thing! And…that other thing!"

Inigo Montoya: "I just work for Vizzini to pay the bills. There’s not a lot of money in revenge." ~and~ "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

Fezzik: "I just want you to feel you’re doing well. I hate for people to die embarrassed."

Fezzik: "I’m on the brute squad."
Miracle Max: "You are the Brute squad!"

Grandfather: "When I was your age, television was called books..."

Of course, the magic of the film is made all the more complete thanks to an amazing piece titled "Storybook Love," written and performed by Willy DeVille, produced and accompanied by Mark Knopfler. Was able to locate two versions...

The official music video version at Mark Knopfler's channel,
featuring Willy and Mark with a few snippets from the film.

A lyrics only version, if you just want to close your eyes and listen. Also a good choice for those who've never seen the film and want to know as little as possible.

Inigo: He's climbing the rope....and he's gaining on us.
Vizzini: Inconceivable! ....Faster!!
Fezzik: I thought I was going faster.
Vizzini: You were supposed to be this colossus, you were this great legendary thing and yet he gains!
Fezzik: Well, I've gained three people, and he got only himself.
Vizzini: I do not accept excuses! I'm just going to have to find myself a new giant that's all.

Excerpt from scene four courtesy of
https://stuff.mit.edu/people/davidmac/princess_bride.html

Sources: YouTube, Wikipedia, the happy places of our childhood

Imagine Goblins

7/3/2017

Picture this... a Goblin. There are certain mythical creatures that have been a part of popular culture for generations, inspiring writers, artists, filmmakers and designers to envision myriad iterations on an otherwise singular thing. The spectrum of interpretation can be so broad that people may evoke dramatically different mental imagery when faced with an imaginary group of Goblins in something like a roleplaying game.

The world of Feonora has Goblins and we have a pretty good idea about what they're like. A bit comical, somewhat like a collective group of hapless misfits with delusions of grandeur. What kind of picture comes to mind when the party encounters these guys? Well, that probably depends on what part of the boundless pool of reference each person might be drawing from his or her own exposure on the topic. We have definite ideas about it, and thought we'd share a little bit about our own points of reference and sources of inspiration.

A proper starting point would probably have to be those well-known Goblins depicted in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Most people would already have a mental image of these unsightly minions just by citing the title of the film. But in a similar vein of interpretation something like the wicked assassin in the [now iconic but] lesser known film "Legend" (1985) may also come to mind. Put them together and these could easily exist in the same world, both being visceral sorts of creatures, realistic in their design and manner.

But as we move along the spectrum, making our way toward the other end, you find interpretations of a less sinister nature. It is these that have most informed our own vision of the sort of Goblins that might inhabit the wild lands of Feonora.
At least, they have tended to influence how we imagine our encounters with them.

Jim Henson's 1986 production of the film "Labyrinth" has come to embody what many of us who grew up watching these films probably now think of when it comes to silly Goblins and goofy mayhem. Conceptual Designer Brian Froud gets credit for his original work on these characters along with the many artists at the Jim Henson Creature Shop and puppeteers who brought them to life. So grateful such films were made before the advent of CG as there is no replacement for practical effects (it's part of the wonder that makes them special).

Another source of inspiration hearkens back to a cartoon show from the mid-to-late 1980s that many out there may never have heard of (it was later eclipsed by more popular series). Now, for the subject of this post we are talking about those wacky misguided Goblins who trouble Feonorans but (in fact) the characters that come to mind from that show are not "Goblins" at all but rather, strictly speaking, referred to as "Ogres." The Disney Afternoon "Gummi Bears" cartoon series introduced us to the wonders of Gummiberry Juice and a trio of inept Ogres always looking to get their hands on it by whatever means. They are led by Toadwart, a miniature Ogre who always did the bossing around and subsequently took most of the punishment when their schemes were thwarted. Always funny. So very memorable. Maybe he really was a Goblin who only thought he was an Ogre... (?)

The show is perhaps most famous however for it's catchy theme song.
For those who remember you may now join along,
"Gummi Beeaars! Bouncing here and there and everywhere..."

But that's the wonder and magic of roleplaying, especially when things are left to the imagination. We can draw upon various points of reference and then blend and re-imagine things to compliment our own ideas about the kind of fictional world our characters find themselves exploring.

Oh. And when we picture Orcs?
Yeah; we tend to think of those menacing guys from Lord of the Rings.

Detailed Credits

Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) Directed by Peter Jackson
   John Howe, Conceptual Design
   Alan Lee, Concept Artist
   Richard Taylor, Costume Design, Makeup and Visual Effects

Legend (1985) Directed by Ridley Scott
   Alan Lee, Visual Consultant
   Assheton Gordon, Production Design

Labyrinth (1986) Directed by Jim Henson
   Brian Froud, Conceptual Design

Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1985-1989)
   Theme music written by Michael and Patty Silversher
   Toadwart was voiced by Bill Scott and Corey Burton

With respect to Production Design credit typically goes to Disney Television Animation but may also belong more specifically to Jamie Mitchell and David Block on account of their role as Character Designers for the original series

Sources: Wikipedia and imdb

Print-Friendly Victory Badges

1/20/2016

By request: a modified version of the badges sheet without the fancy parchment background (to help save on ink and toner usage).

Now, to be honest, we initially envisioned this particular pdf (above) as merely visual inspiration for what would more likely end up as 'homemade' versions of the badges and medallion. What we hadn't considered at the time is that these can be printed, cut and then pasted onto thicker media ~ ideally to both sides. With that approach something like this (below) might be more suitable.

There are of course many possible ways of reproducing these in homemade fashion, so if someone has come up with a unique or creative way of making homemade badges we'd love to see them.

<<Previous

Forward>>

Timeless Theme Songs

Imagine Goblins

Print-Friendly Victory Badges

Categories

Archives