|
Post by OziRiS on Sept 5, 2015 18:07:29 GMT
Reply as above?....(My last post) This is based on what the Bothan has told me at various times, and might not be 100% accurate in all details as I am making educated guesses at some points;Unless specifically tasked with finding something on a specific topic the researchers will tend to pass on anything that catches their eyes as being interesting and testable within the restrictions of a TV series. Ideas are then passed onto the producers, who will tend to either place them onto the list of possible myths for the show or dismiss them at that point - keeping in mind that they have a lot of ideas hitting their desk to say nothing of the existing list. On rare occasions an idea might be considered so good or ideal for something they are about to do they pick it up for testing there and then. Slightly more often they may like the sound of an idea and request more information on this from researchers*. Ideas are then passed around the 'round table' with all the producers present, including those from Discovery. Ideas are discussed and considered in greater detail in regards what would be interesting, how they could be tested and it seems what would actually be tested. In the latter case this can result in changing the specific myth if part of that is considered particularly interesting. (*This is why I say that when you are writing a myth up you should start with a short description as to what the myth is. Then to follow it with as much information as possible. The former is more or less what would be passed on to the producers as the 'sales pitch'. The latter is what would be passed on if they ask for more information, and where the researchers are likely to start looking when getting more information themselves. Thanks for clearing that up
|
|
|
Post by Cybermortis on Sept 5, 2015 19:09:38 GMT
No problem.
Most fans don't know how they pick ideas or what kind of things they may be looking for. I wouldn't have known had I not had the opportunity to talk to the Bothan, and if they had been unwilling or unable to talk to me about some of the process. Heck, I can't talk about some of the things that the Bothan has mentioned to me - for example I not only knew about the first Star Wars special (since I was asked to post a thread on it in the hopes of getting viable myths on that topic). But I also knew that they were looking at making a second Star Wars special*. In both cases I was asked not to say anything until either given permission (as was the case with the first SW special) or the episode was confirmed as about to be aired or has been aired.
I hope you can, however, now understand why I ask/suggest that ideas be posted in a specific way. I'm trying to increase the odds of ideas being picked up and passed on by the researchers and increase the odds of those ideas being looked at in greater detail by the producers. I can't do anything to help you find something the producers find interesting, beyond attempting to point out the kinds of things they won't consider or the kinds of things that they would object to. Generally you only get one chance to have an idea picked up and placed on the list, so removing/considering major problems/complaints well before the producers hear of anything is advantageous.
Might also be worth remembering that the Producers have a huge number of ideas to look at. So while they could probably find ways to test 90% of the more complex ideas, they really need/want ideas that have quick simple introductions and as few possible objections at the initial stage as possible. Or if you like something interesting that doesn't have the initial reaction of 'we can't test that'.
(*Edited to note; I didn't post anything the second time around for obvious reasons, namely that you lot would probably have figured out they were considering a sequel. Besides which I also pointed out to the Bothan that I suspected we'd covered most, if not all, of the testable ideas. I can't be sure not knowing the details of what they tested at this point. But I suspect that the myth about dodging stormtroopers shots is an example of taking one or more ideas and combining them into something slightly different. In this case I suspect the ability of Jedi to deflect/parry shots with a lightsabre not actually being all that impressive mixed with questions as to how practical Stormtrooper armor would be to wear and fight with. It will be interesting to see if there are elements of stuff posted in the original thread within the second special)
|
|
|
Post by OziRiS on Sept 5, 2015 23:07:55 GMT
But isn't that what we almost always try to do around here? I know some of the threads can go a bit sideways sometimes, but very often the offshoots and side roads we take are part of hashing out what can and can't be tested, but if you ask me, we've started to focus far too much on what can't be done and not enough on figuring out how to make it possible. And I'm not excluding myself here.
I think it was TLW who pointed out recently that just because we here are smart enough (or at least think we are) to know the result of a test before it's even done, that doesn't mean everyone else in the world is capable of that. In fact, the survival of myths and urban legends rely on the inability of the average person to apply often simple reasoning to a far fetched story and extract what little truth - if any - there is to it.
Looking back over some of our myth suggestion threads, many of us have become the geeks people love to hate. The nay saying poindexters that pick everything apart before any of it ever gets fully assembled. The people in the movie theater who ruin the romantic Hawaii beach scene for everyone else by pointing out that the hotel in the background is actually in Barbados, or take the fun out a meteor shower by going on a half hour rant about how it's not really meteors we're seeing, but microscopic dust particles from a passing comet.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to be that guy, so from now on, if I comment on an idea, my angle is NOT to pick it apart and tell you why it can't be tested or why it shouldn't be done, because it's common knowledge how this or that works. My angle will be to figure out how it CAN be tested and how we make it interesting for both Adam and Jamie to do and for the viewers to watch.
This board wasn't created to take the Mythbusters off the air, but to keep them on. If we keep shooting down ideas before they've been fully explored, we're doing the opposite of what we're supposed to be doing. Not only could that attitude potentially kill the show, but this board as well. I like both and I'd like to keep them around for as long as possible.
|
|
|
Post by Cybermortis on Sept 6, 2015 3:23:27 GMT
For my part if I post 'objections' it is more to point out the things I suspect the producers or researchers would have issues with. I think I usually note this, as most of the time I think the basic idea might be something that would catch their eye.
Being 'negative' in show ideas can be helpful, as long as it is being helpful in considering what points might need to be addressed or what aspects of an idea might not be testable or considered valid within the confines and limitations of the show. Sometimes realizing that something might not be viable can make people reconsider the basic myth, and maybe come up with a different take on things that is just as good and much more practical.
I set up the Finished Ideas board for those ideas where such issues have been addressed, with the show ideas boards being more akin to a sketchbook area where the idea can be worked out and discussed.
|
|
|
Post by silverdragon on Sept 6, 2015 10:26:19 GMT
I see what you say Cyber, but.... We dont know exactly what they are looking for, its hit and miss, and I know the way I put up my own ideas is far from ideal, I tent to maybe joke about too much?... But the ideas I pass on are sound, you just have to read past my sometimes oblique way of writing.
Perhaps we should go through few old ideas and see where we went wrong.
Again, is this thread now getting away from the topic at hand, should it be split back over to the Board Ideas section.... And yes, mea culpa, I am topic drifting faster than a F1 car on ice.
Which gives me an idea......
|
|
|
Post by silverdragon on Sept 9, 2015 8:25:25 GMT
Just in case the team ever do ANOTHER shark week.....
Sharks dont get cancer. Thats a myth that they can tackle... And for the more enlightened on here (But maybe not those out there that believe this one) yes we know, and there is evidence that sharks DO get cancer.... teams have been studding cancerous tumours in sharks for a few years now.
|
|