unforum

[knifeman]

Fair enough, even though I'd have to argue that the crossover has not been the highlight of the series. I feel the same way about the TJAprojects. I just couldn't get into it...can anyone tell me why it is so highly regarded?

[AssassinB]

[knifebladepresents]

[veronica2199]

I'm really tired of seeing "So I'm looking back on videos from years ago and just now noticed this thing" and "I just got released from a mental institution and this thing is following me" type ideas. I'd really like something where there is heavy user input, like if the series started out like normal vlogging, like "Today I'm going to do stuff and I'm going to film it" and Slendy appears in the background and the person doesn't even notice. Then when people point it out, they go back and look at it. And then maybe they try to investigate during livestreams (that get recorded and put on youtube), kind of like the "The Sick Thing That Happened To Emily When She Was Younger" segment of V/H/S. And the mystery just gets deeper and deeper and they try to find what this thing is doing and stuff. Also, PLEASE GOD, N O M O R E P R O X I E S . We already have Masky, Hoody, The Observer, HABIT, and whatever other proxies exist. We're all tired of those, no matter how cool your mask looks.

[knifeman]

I kind of disagree with you about how a vlog should progress. I think that having a normal vlog, but slowly incorporating slenderman has already been done a lot (EMH, KeratinGarden, 5zer02, MichaelsCamera, the list goes on...). I like instead to know if something weird is going on (MarbleHornet's beginning for example).

And there are some series that are very user heavy. TheRiddleOfTheTreeMan most notably. I also kind of disagree about proxies too...I mean, generic proxies I don't care for. But if the proxy is a complete badass (the ancient creature from OurGodEvil, and Victor from MyDarkJournal) or has some sort of power or something, it is a character with purpose and depth, if you do it right.

A lot of a good vlog is execution. The phrase "the difference between a trope and a cliche is execution," is kind of what I go by. Tropes are useful tools, but can be cliches if overdone, too generic, or play no part in the story.

That being said, a series doesn't need tropes either. MichaelsCamera and RotTM break most of the trope rules, such as slenderman being immortal, or even physical, not showing the act of violence, and having a supporting character.

[fezstudios]

[Lithp]

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Plot details should come from several different sources. When they are coalesced into a single character who just happens to present everything when the time is right, that's just a Deus Ex Machina.

[SignerJ]

Tying all mentioned details together seems (from what I can tell) to be important. For example, if you take the time to mention that there character has a favorite pen or something in one entry/video/post, then that pen should come up again later in the story, preferably having some plot importance. Things shouldn't be mentioned once and then simply forgotten.

Additionally, foreshadowing is a great way to improve a story. It shows forethought and planning on the writer's part, and it is nice for the audience, as well.

[Tharol]

If we could have more coughing in video. April Fools.

[JAL13]

[Lithp]

You know what I think would be neat? If the characters nicknamed the Slenderman & then, after a video or 2, found out that it actually has a name already.

Also, no idea. I am only familiar with The Operator & Administrator. I have no idea why Tribe Twelve did it, & Trosephim basically said that they were trying to personalize their version of Slenderman, which makes sense, because the Slendervlog Mythos was springing up around them.

Since we're all clearly sick of "Proxies," what alternatives do people have in mind? I frequently say that there should be multiple characters who know different things, but I've heard the complaint before that it's difficult to get enough actors. There's always the Found Documents Trope, but I have heard complaints about that, as well.

[Peppercorn]

The problem isn't even that people overuse the common tropes, it's that they don't use them for a reason. What we need is substance. We need more Slender Man series that pull you into the story and make you feel like there is actually something to them. For instance, applying weight to the story events, building an atmosphere, justifying the usage of the Slender Man by actually taking advantage of what makes him unique... not just standing there in jaw-dropped awe at the fact that you even managed to turn the camera on at all? I used to ask Slender Man series to try to meet the standards that the best ones have set... now I'm just asking that they try to exist!

[JAL13]

@Peppercorn

[knifebladepresents]

OK, to all the people complaining about "why are you filming this?", I mean, if they weren't, we'd never hear the full story, right? No matter what, the writers have to find SOME kind of excuse for them to be filming.

Has anyone thought about using ACCIDENTAL film? Like how about for some reason, Slender Man's powers makes cameras turn on? Or maybe you could use security camera footage?

[Lithp]

Still think "what can you do besides Proxies" is a good sub-topic.

BEING filmed without one's knowledge would be believable & scary.