NokiMo
americanmcgee
americanmcgee

patreon


Last Chances, Live Streams, and Leaping Wizards

Dear Insane Children, 

Every morning this week, I sit down meaning to write a Patreon post and end up getting sucked into a billion tasks ... the next thing you know, it's dinner time and the day is finished. But I always figure it's a good sign when the days fly by like that - means you're staying busy in a healthy way. And, boy are we staying busy these days! 

Ok, where to start? 

Double Prints

Font Lord tells me to remind you that this is the final week to adjust your pledge to take advantage of the current Double Print Offer. Need more info on the Double Print Offer? He says, "Click THIS LINK to find out more." Basically, this month's print is "Escher Alice" and you'll get another (random) print thrown in the tube for free but you've got to be at the $75 Tier. 

Live Stream

We'll have a live stream over on Twitch this week. Usual time... 

That's 7PM on Wednesday for those of you on the West Coast of the USA (and not on fire, under a car, breathing tear gas, without electricity, etc). 

We have a ton of stuff to cover. Make sure you get your questions and feedback into the comments below. We'll do our best to go through that stuff. 

I know I still owe feedback on that Plot Twist idea and on our Oz Story stuff. I know! Working on it!

Dorothy Not Dorothy

Look, I am going to call her "Dorothy" because it's a convenient shorthand. But she's not "the" Dorothy from the books. 

I say this partly because I received more than a few (private) comments from people who said they aren't fans of changing the skin color of original characters (be it from black to white or white to black or whatever). Which... I don't really care one way or another except when it looks like pandering for Political Correctness Points. Recent example: I saw the new trailer for The Batman, and I couldn't be happier they selected Jeffrey Wright to play Commissioner Gordon. The guy is an absolutely brilliant actor - and I doubt the selection was made as a trojan horse to inject racial messaging into the narrative. 

This "Dorothy" is a character who inhabits a story taking place hundreds of years in the future from the world in which we met Dorothy Gale (of the books). 

As for "why" this new Dorothy looks the way she does... that's something Omri will have to explain. He says of this revised Dorothy: 

the earlier Dorothy was of MIXED RACE. i thought about it
and if i was Emerald corp i'd might want to create a beautiful black woman dorothy just because it's more "American girl" type. with no relation of racism what so ever. more of a marketable concept.
i did 2 outfits. If dorothy is a performer she actually might wear something like the green dress, very pretty, a bit too much then something that's like on the right, more modern and with some resemblance of farmer clothes in the depression of 1900. both can work but if we are going towards something more Corporate we need to think what THEY want to market in their own world. she's not a person, she's a product.
whatever direction we will decide on dorothy i feel making her a dark skinned beauty is correct to the character.

So there you have it. 

Now... I have been thinking of themes and maybe there's a way skin color plays into the narrative. Maybe not. I'm thinking more about "magic and technology" than social issues right now... I'm guessing that by the time of our story (or in the universe in which its set) the questions will be less about skin color and more about the implications of allowing technology to become like magic... and who/what is in control of that magic. Dunno... still brainstorming. 

Meanwhile In Wonderland

We're working through The Chess Realm (Depression), continuing our efforts on an Animated Alice (2D sketches), and we're putting finishing touches on an updated Live-Action Series Pitch Document. 

Omri says he wanted to finalize these character designs. So there you have some nice (finished) Chess Piece characters. Lovely. 

Lots of new action sketches from Norm - featuring Alice jumping, swinging, hopping, climbing, and otherwise action-ing her way around Wonderland. 

Note that there is an ATTACHMENT to this Patreon Post. Contained there you'll find the latest variation on our TV Pitch Document for "Alice: Asylum." We're putting this together ahead of the September film/tv pitch season in Hollywood. And it will be handed over to the group that own/control the Alice Film/TV Rights (Priority Pictures). The hope is that they will secure a deal with someone like Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon, etc. 

Let's please not get into "Oh, god I hate Netflix, please don't work with them!" right now... As they say, "Beggars can't be choosers." If we even manage to get this project set up with one of these companies... we'll worry about whether we like that company or not... later. 

One of the main reasons for pushing this pitch is that if it does get picked up, that will inspire the money/publishing people to get a Game Deal done that much faster. So maybe the TV stuff isn't 100% what we want... but if it means we get our game deal in place - and we control the game production - then we maybe can live with that?

So... feel free to provide feedback on the content of the pitch. If you were a TV Exec reading this for the first time - and hearing of Alice for the first time - would it capture your imagination? 

Things are progressing on the production of our new Plushie Dreadfuls. And many of you asked for a Patreon Special Offer on the Angry Rabbit... so we'll figure that out next month. 

An Art Print Calendar is also still being made. More news on that soon. 

Oh, and Lucky got a gig as a diaper model for a Japanese diaper brand. So Kawaii! 

Only one week until Lucky's 1st Birthday. Wee!

For those keeping track, he's up and walking (and running) around on his own now. And he's got a solid vocabulary of ma, ba, da, thtptpptptpt, and other noises. Plus, he's got more than a few signs he's using pretty effectively (more, milk, eat, and 'get bent'). Smart kid. 


That's it for now. We'll catch up more on the Live Stream tomorrow. Hope to see you there!

From Shanghai in Another Typhoon, 

-American


Last Chances, Live Streams, and Leaping Wizards

Comments

Hope Netflix takes on the project. I’m so excited to find out of all the projects. Yet importantly keeping busy. Seeing Lucky growing up a joyous and healthy boy. I know game is taking long, yet this is normal now in my eyes since Alice pc game and awaiting next. Good things come to those who wait. You never let us down with superb work and the detailing in your work. So please inane children do not rush or stress the artist. That’s Lucky’s job...hopefully until late in his teenage years or never. 🤞🏻Much 🤍 to you and your team and may all your goals be fulfilled.

On the livestream they discussed movies depicting suicide or suicidal ideation. Here's my list: World's Greatest Dad The Woman in Black Wristcutters Girl Interrupted What Dreams May Come The Forest The Chumscrubber Inception Sin City Thelma and Louise The Unforgiven

Stephanie Groth

Is there a date for the game yet? I'd rather have the game, than a series at this point

Adore this Dorothy and her threads. Love the new action shots of Alice from Norm and the chess pieces look great. Plush bag looks cute for the new plushies. Would love a movie or series for Alice (been dreaming of it ever since the previous attempt with Wes craven etc) so that’s good news to my eyes and ears. Happy birthday sweet baby Lucky! So cute, I’m not surprised he would be the pick for a diaper commercial x3.

LOVE the chess pieces!! I also like both the blue and green dresses for Dorothy!! The angry bag is AWESOME, so want one!

Sarah McKeegan

Dark skin sure gots its debates. I'm happier about the Tv pitch. Unless I'm being trolled.

Saleh Abu-Rashid

Have you considered a character creation element? I mean, for marketing, you obviously have to have the “stock” version, but something a lot of people are drawn to is being able to create your own version of the character or of yourself in the story.

Hawk Owsley

Mixed-race chiming in to say that yes, hair is super important - especially since trying to find a hair stylist who can properly cut and style POC hair is a real chore. I am LOVING Black Dorothy, but I do agree that the hair doesn't quite match up here.

This Patreon has always been for American and his various projects. If you’re not comfortable with that, you should probably discontinue pledging.

Lucky Dragon ‘She.They’

I love it, why not!

thed4rkestrose

If you do decide to change her race, I hope you will make her hair type & style appropriate to her race. In the picture her hair looks like it might not in sync with her race. EDIT: Full disclosure: I freely admit that I don't know much about race and hair -- being bald myself -- but I do know that hair is linked with race, and is often a point of pride that I wouldn't want to see diminished by accident or otherwise.

I am soooo excited to hear that you are pitching a tv series type thing. I have always wanted to see your vision for alice on screen outside the game world. It has always been my absolute favorite.

Thoughts .. I'm not sure "she's not real just a product " is a sound justification for making a Dorothy of color. Also, if you do end up going the android route, she should not know she is an android until late in the story. Maybe, the player doesn't know either.

Is the work on the Oz stuff being paid for by this Patreon? If so I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that. My money has been donated towards making the next great game in your Alice series and I wouldn't want that diluted. By all means set up a separate Patreon for the Oz work but keep the focus on Alice here please.

I don't know what people are so upset about. Hasn't THE Dorothy already been reimagined as black multiple times?

ps. Very cool thumbnails for the actions of Alice :) and like above you should decide what is best to make this game come out well. Take your time ☺️Bye!

Hey! So, I like this type of Dorothy, maybe because is really different from the blond dolly type, in the dresses I like the green color because of the contrast, but maybe I prefer the unique dress on the right. I did prefer too the idea of the prosthetic legs, and I like how the little shoes are incorporated in its, but yes I’ m a little worry too by the android idea... Is like it would changes too much of the story in a strange sense, I did prefer something more fantastic with magic and strange encounters, but I believe in you guys, so think well x)

Baby!!

Death of Ink

I 2nd that one, they look great! Action panels look good too.

The TV Series pitch is amazing. I really really hope it happens.

P.S. love the way the chess world is coming together as well as the designs for the various pieces

I found changing Dorothy’s race immediately refreshing but agree that you would need to then be more sensitive to what you do to the character and the story created around her (especially if she’s a ‘bot). That’s not a reason to shy away from the changes but it does require more work, education and feedback especially from people of color. Peter Parker and Miles Morales are both Spider-man, but they have very different cultural backgrounds and upbringings and that affects their choices as well as how they view the world. I hesitate about the Android narrative mainly bc it’s been done so many times, man vs machine, robot finds its humanity, etc - there are so many story options within the initial set up and without making her an Android. As for the TV pitch, I have no objection - for all the M Night’s Airbender mistakes, you still can get a great adaptation like Umbrella Academy or Watchmen (the series, not the movie). I think the pitch could use more images or hints of the worlds/settings - while the images are all beautiful (!) they don’t tell/hint at the story you’re planning to tell (or have already told). The images aren’t backing up the text in the most thoughtful way. Maybe something a little more story-board-ish. For example I don’t pick up on much of the story behind the first game, the various worlds and places you’ve already created. Lots of (great) character images but not much context.

I am not all that sold on the android thing either. I have the same issues with it you and others do. That is why I want to explore a shipwreck / weird island theme in the next revision of the story brainstorming. We'll see...

American McGee

If there’s one thing I hope I can change your mind on, it’s making the main character an android. Part of the essence of Oz is that it is fantastical in nature, and I know where we are at right now is to present a more technological Oz, but even is fantastical in its own way. I strongly suggest making the main character somebody we can easily relate to and somebody that finds Oz just as odd and fantastic as the player, otherwise it won’t seem as interesting, and it will just be generic sci-fi land that has the gimmick of being called Oz. You need a main character to go, “Huh, that’s weird.”

Lucky Dragon ‘She.They’

I love the NonDorothy (Dorth, lol) I was hoping she would be the Dorothy and there are version of the Wizard of Oz movie with a black Dorothy, either way, I love your work and your ideas!! I throughly enjoyed the pitch attachment. I’m excited to play the game!

I like both costumes, really like the green dress cause the whole obvious emerald color Oz fit. I may have missed something, I (think I) remember you tossing the idea of her being a human who was injured and now having bionic parts. That vs. android/product can change a lot in the story. One thing to keep in mind is if the race issue is being looked at heavily, you will probably want to avoid referring to her as a product or property. All depends on the overall story telling though, as to how offended some people may get. I still think this was the best of the Dorothy’s, she looks great in the new drawing as well. I just know everyone is being extra on guard for ethnic comments/statements/things of that nature. There is always the fear that a game to movie adaptation can be horrible, but it can also be great. Either way I would love to see it. Hopefully, in the process you would have a good amount of say, but in the end money for you and something for the fans…win win. As Wendy Jaa pointed out, Avatar the Last Air Bender, horrible live action….I’ve still watched it more then one time though lol

My only worry about the tv pitch is that people will see it as a remake of the once upon a time series. They did a one season side story of Alice and it starts off with her in the asylum and escaping. I didnt get to finish it when it was on and I am not sure if I would even want to because I didn't care for the once upon a time tv series after a certain point. I'm just afraid they will still see it as a new try at remaking that. But i am still reading the pdf so i am most likely way off. Just throwing my two cents in 😋😁

Loving Dorothy, though I still don't know how I feel about the previous pitch. As far as the Alice film/TV thing, I'm so afraid it being ruined like every single live action adaptation has done. If you won't be a part of that process, I'm afraid it will turn out the all the live action Netflix anime movies, or even worse, M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender. I trust that you know what you're doing, so if you think it's a good idea (or if it means revenue for you), then you should go for it.

Wendy Jaa

People are entitled to their opinions and preferences. Since this isn't a battle we're fighting (this Dorothy is not the original Dorothy), we might avoid the debate. But the answer to your question might be contained in the response you feel when I ask why Black Panther can't be white. Or why Blade can't be white. Some characters are written to perform within a certain cultural or temporal context. And trying to shift the character without shifting the context might feel jarring. My point is that we've shifted the Context and the Character with this new Dorothy. Those that wrote to me thought that the name "Dorothy" meant we were re-inventing the original character (from the books), and that's what they expressed concern about.

American McGee

Changing characters skin colors arbitrarily is something that's often odd, but I object to the notion that Dorothy Gale ever had a canon race or hair color or eye color or anything of the sort. Dorothy was designed to be an everyman, when Baum created her I'm sure he probably didn't have a black person or latinx or asian or any other ethnicity than white but he also never had Dorothy appear looking the same way twice in any project he helmed. She looked different from Denslow to stage to the comics he wrote to the silent films he made and the fairylogue touring show. I think having a character presented as "black", but not really human and "more of a product" strikes a wrong chord with me. But in general, I hate the android thing anyway. Android narratives are almost always allegories about race wars that make you sympathize with a "humanoid" before actually taking a non-metaphoric look at actual, currently happening, racism. I can't help but think of the white-presenting android in Detriot Become Human quoting Martin Luther King Jr. and how that was criticized as being totally tone deaf by people of color who played the game. I think the concept could do with more people of color, particularly ones from America, chiming in. I hope they do here where it's constructive and not in an environment that'll further stigmatize opposing viewpoints as political correctness and thus automatically moot to some. Fingers crossed. Though on another note, the costumes are lovely Omri.

Btw American, theres gonna be people calling you an SJW for having a black woman as the lead regardless, whether you call her Dorthy or not, and you are one of the farthest people from an SJW. I know you believe strongly in crowd design, but that’s one aspect you are gonna have to straight up ignore. Keeping the status quo is very popular, and all you’ll end up making is very safe content if you heed any of that kind of feedback. But that’s just how I feel.

Lucky Dragon ‘She.They’

I think you should call her Dorthy anyway. She doesn’t have to be THE Dorthy, but she can still be Dorthy. My question for those people that had an issue with the change of race would be, what about Dorthy’s character necessitates that she needs to be white? If the answer is nothing, which that is what it is, then there’s no reason she can’t be black. People can deal.

Lucky Dragon ‘She.They’


Related Creators