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[Hound]

I'm thinkin' of doin' a DF-themed animation for my final project in my APCG 110 course.  However, my problem is this: how can I come up with something that is both understandable to people who have never played Dwarf Fortress and yet still Dwarf Fortress themed?

Any suggestions would be vastly appreciated.  Heck, if you want maybe I'll put you in the credits or something, if I use your idea.

[chaoticag]

Funny engravings in funny places.

You can have a dining room where people comment on how marvelous pictures of death and defeat are put along-side engravings of dwarves embracing elves.

Have a stab at attacking elves, as no one really likes them.

Dwarven women have beards, but outsiders are unable to tell the difference. You can have traders comment on how ugly that dwarf is, only to have the husband show up.

[MMad]

The basic theme of DF (dwarves found mine --> dwarves build, craft and prosper --> dwarves dig too greedily, and too deep --> dwarves get eaten by goblins and horrible monsters) should be recognizable to anyone who read Tolkien, or saw the movies. Also, just stuff like dwarves fighting goblins or skeletal elks wouldn't really need to be understood, it'd just be cool regardless of context.

[Heavy Flak]

Perhaps you should start it with, "inspired by Dwarf Fortress".

Play around in adventure mode or fortress mode, or read a couple succession game threads and jot down some notes on some of the absurd / strange / hilarious things that happen, then do a more traditional animation of that.

You'd have to look at it through a filter though; most DF players are pretty bizarre and it takes a bit of effort to translate game-events into cohesive narrative.  There's a lot of latching on to memes and silly ideas within this community that can really alienate an audience who would have no idea why spinning pants would decapitate people OR why that's funny. 

[Bullion]

Animate Jreengus occurring.

[Neonivek]

Cats forcing dwarves at gunpoint to adopt them... (Cute yet deadly)

Dwarves exageratingly in awe of such a simple object

[Creamcorn]

Wasn't there another thread like this?

Anyway, I've found zerg elf tactics to be funny, along with any other wars.

[Neonivek]

I just noticed now that we all assumed his animation is a comedy...

I don't know if that is complimentary or something more indicative of a problem

[daemoria]

For my final project in storyboarding class, I'm telling the tale of a kobold thief raiding a old fort of mine. Fairly brutal ending where she is turned into a zombie from a filched gem, the same curse that took down the fort (in the storyboard, not in game...that'd be cool in game tho).
 
Comedy is a good thing to have, but only if you are specifically aiming for a funny animation. Remember that what is funny to you or us here might not tickle the funny bones of others.

[Inquisitor Saturn]

Maybe you could do an extended version of the DF opening cutscene?

[Appelgren]

Actually, spinning pants decapitating someone is probably MORE funny if you've never played DF.

[Vugor]

i second the spinning pants

or anything other of that kind of stuff that could be funny without really knowing DF

[Boksi]

End it with a guy dodging off a cliff.

[Haven]

For the more comedic bents...


Dwarf looks down to see cute little kitty meowing and rubbing against his leg. What a cute-*meow* Oh, it's another one! Isn't that- *Meow* Oh, hey, two more! Must be a - *Meow Meow* Eight- *Mwow* Sixtee- *Meow* Thir- *Meo-Meow-Me-Meow* RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, URIST! IT'S KITTENS!

Meanwhile, at the Trade Depot... 'Alright, you two bring me the Fine Giant Spider Silk Sock Bins, you other two bring me the Colossus cage.' (Time goes by, cat guy runs through background followed by cat flood). 'Here are the sock bins.' 'And here's the Colossus cage!' '...That's great. Where's the Colossus?' (Shot of the Colossus raging) 'Ah...'


I do have rather a hard time looking at DF without a bit of humor. One could have a fairly serious seige... And for a comedic break...

'But surely you can't expect us to do that! We're only soapers, milkers, wood burners! It's insane!' 'Well... I was hoping it wouldn't come to this. But... We're out of booze.' 'Out of... Booze?' 'Bone dry.' (Cut to the fearless dwarven charge of those with nothing left to live for!)

[Hound]

hmm, lots of good ideas here, I especially like the cat one.  Spinning pants, also a possibility.  Keep 'em comin' if you have anymore.