Writing this chapter of EB Saga is much different from past chapters. The reason for this is that it’s actually being written, where as the other chapters have been roughly outlined if not improvised on the spot. I’m enjoying where EB5 is heading; it’s going to be a major departure from previous chapters, with a different approach, feeling, and aesthetic.
The crude aspects from chapters one through four will virtually disappear with the installment of chapter five. Ideally it will be a legitimate movie that rebirths the entire series, and fans of the “poor quality” aspect from past chapters will fully embrace (dare I say) a real EarthBound movie. I can only hope that the fans will react positively to where the series is heading, and perhaps fall in love with it on a level where they’ll like our other movies just as much.
One of the problems I’m faced with is the amount of artistic interpretation I’m allowing myself to take. I should point out that EB Saga is in it’s own universe, and it’s not going to run exactly parallel with the story that takes place in the game. Sacrifices must be made in order to make the story believable and smooth; things, characters, locations, and possibly plot points (that some may argue are fun to leave in,) are being removed for the sake of what I believe is a better movie. I’m actually hung up on one part in the EB5 outline, dealing with artistic interpretation. Without giving anything away: I’m debating with myself over having something happen in the movie, that never happens in the game, and it kind of questions the rules of EarthBound’ reality. I’ll probably wind up leaving it in because it kind of fits, but who knows. It’s early in the process of writing and still very rough.
No matter on how early the process currently is, the project is getting so large that the idea of paying for it out of my wallet is now impossible, and I’m purely relying off the profits made by the EB Saga 1-4 DVD sales provided by Fangamer. So I strongly advise you all to buy that DVD when it comes out, you’ll be financing EB5.
I don’t blame you guys for going in this direction; Earthbound’s story goes places that are just not built for film. The time and effort to recreate Saturn Valley is daunting, let alone the final battle. Just keep to the spirit that is Earthbound; it’s wacky characters, witty dialogue, and it’s vague, dark undertones are all we fans need to love your series.
I’m interested to see how you’ll make the mr. saturns, will you be using the Saturn plushies or CGI or just having somebody dress up like a mr. saturn? you said that it would be less poor quality, so I’m expecting something awesome out of the mr. Saturns.