Horror 'The Last of Us' HBO Series

[Kane52630]

 

[Drizzle]

I wonder if the actors portraying the clickers were the same ones who did motion capture for them in the games.

 

[carrrnuttt]

I wonder if the actors portraying the clickers were the same ones who did motion capture for them in the games.

If you watch the featurettes after each episode, the last one has Mazin talking about how lucky they were to find extras who were huge fans of the games and knew exactly how the Clickers should move.

Also, it was mentioned about how Druckman and Mazin explicitly told the actors to NOT play the games. That's because they didn't want the actors to approximate the game characters. They said that they (Druckman/Mazin) can convey to the actors what they need the characters to be. So far, they have been right.

 

[Iceman]

If you watch the featurettes after each episode, the last one has Mazin talking about how lucky they were to find extras who were huge fans of the games and knew exactly how the Clickers should move.

Also, it was mentioned about how Druckman and Mazin explicitly told the actors to NOT play the games. That's because they didn't want the actors to approximate the game characters. They said that they (Druckman/Mazin) can convey to the actors what they need the characters to be. So far, they have been right.

That’s really cool for fans to be able to use their knowledge while playing out roles as extras. They must have loved doing it and it adds an extra layer of authenticity.

Even from that I don’t get what’s so bad about actors approximating game characters, as long as they still act well in general. It’s just extra payoff to game fans watching when they do isn’t it?

 

[squeekness]

Someone needs to win an award for them or something.

 

[Iceman]

Very good for game sales too which might get future game translations to be taken more seriously.

'The Last Of Us' HBO Series Strikes Gold: Massive Increases In Videogame Sales Push Other Studios To Double Down On Screen Adaption Strategy - Benzinga

 

[Drizzle]

If you watch the featurettes after each episode, the last one has Mazin talking about how lucky they were to find extras who were huge fans of the games and knew exactly how the Clickers should move.

Also, it was mentioned about how Druckman and Mazin explicitly told the actors to NOT play the games. That's because they didn't want the actors to approximate the game characters. They said that they (Druckman/Mazin) can convey to the actors what they need the characters to be. So far, they have been right.

Ah, I saw the featurette but I must've missed that. I wouldn't want to see Pedro Pascal giving a carbon copy performance of Troy Baker's Joel from the game but I'm glad that the clicker movements were lifted verbatim.

That’s really cool for fans to be able to use their knowledge while playing out roles as extras. They must have loved doing it and it adds an extra layer of authenticity.

Even from that I don’t get what’s so bad about actors approximating game characters, as long as they still act well in general. It’s just extra payoff to game fans watching when they do isn’t it?

I see the reasoning in that they wouldn't want people to be too influenced by another actor's performance. I guess it's similar to actors being cast in a remake and not wanting to watch the previous incarnation of that character so they feel less pressure about making a role their own. Of course the exception here is Merle Dandridge reprising her role from the game as Marlene.

 

[Kane52630]

 

[carrrnuttt]

Ah, I saw the featurette but I must've missed that. I wouldn't want to see Pedro Pascal giving a carbon copy performance of Troy Baker's Joel from the game but I'm glad that the clicker movements were lifted verbatim.

It is possible that I conflated the featurette and another interview, as I've seen/read about a few of them.

But here's an article: 'The Last of Us' Co-Creators Discuss Designing the Clickers' Game-Accurate Look

The Clickers’ designs are very game-accurate, which co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann point out, but you might be surprised to know that those traumatizing infected were done practically. Actors who were fans of the games themselves and knew the Clickers frightful movements wore prosthetics designed by Barrie Gower.

 

[Blade Hoarder]

I can’t wait to see the reactions to ep 3. Both from the diehards who want parity with the source material and the chuds.

 

[Kane52630]

 

[Detective Conan]

‘The Last of Us’ Renewed for Season 2 at HBO – The Hollywood Reporter

 

[Kane52630]

Its premiere episode earlier this month was HBO’s second most-watched series debut in a decade, and has since climbed to 22 million viewers across all platforms.

That's incredible.

 

[BoredGuy]

Goes to show, the rumors of zombie fiction's demise were greatly exaggerated
people are clearly still here for it, as long as it's good

I think Walking Dead languishing and being dogs*** for the last 6 or whatever years just made people think the zombies were dead

 

[Kane52630]

The Last Of Us Episode 1 Is Now Free To Watch On YouTube In The UK

 

[Still Wynning]

‘The Last of Us’ Renewed for Season 2 at HBO – The Hollywood Reporter

Expected, but well deserved. Can’t wait!

And you just know the online misogynist CHUDs and YouTube clickbaiters who complained about Part II will be out in full force for the second season to fuel the Alt-Right, hatemongering machine.

Goes to show, the rumors of zombie fiction's demise were greatly exaggerated
people are clearly still here for it, as long as it's good

I think Walking Dead languishing and being dogs*** for the last 6 or whatever years just made people think the zombies were dead

There are so many puns and clever lines I could say in response to this about the zombie genre in relation to being dead or not, rising from the grave, not having anymore legs to stand on, getting too stale, etc., so I’ll just leave it here.

 

[Arachnerd]

Expected, but well deserved. Can’t wait!

And you just know the online misogynist CHUDs and YouTube clickbaiters who complained about Part II will be out in full force for the second season to fuel the Alt-Right, hatemongering machine.

Honestly both extreme sides of the argument are toxic and not worth paying attention to imo. As someone who didn't enjoy Part II but not to a hyperbolic degree, there are definitely things the show could improve on without changing too much from the trajectory (which thankfully it has been doing so far), like

Spoiler

maybe instead of introducing Abby with outright killing Joel and tainting first-time viewers' perception of her, move her backstory firsthand so viewers understand her as a character and why she has a grudge against him when that moment comes. Lots could be done to expand on her character in this show.

 

[squeekness]

‘The Last of Us’ Renewed for Season 2 at HBO – The Hollywood Reporter

 

[Lily Adler]

‘The Last of Us’ Renewed for Season 2 at HBO – The Hollywood Reporter

 

[Bobber]

Honestly both extreme sides of the argument are toxic and not worth paying attention to imo. As someone who didn't enjoy Part II but not to a hyperbolic degree, there are definitely things the show could improve on without changing too much from the trajectory (which thankfully it has been doing so far), like

Spoiler

maybe instead of introducing Abby with outright killing Joel and tainting first-time viewers' perception of her, move her backstory firsthand so viewers understand her as a character and why she has a grudge against him when that moment comes. Lots could be done to expand on her character in this show.

Doing that would absolutely ruin the entire point the game was trying to make, but fair enough.

 

[obredaan]

Honestly both extreme sides of the argument are toxic and not worth paying attention to imo. As someone who didn't enjoy Part II but not to a hyperbolic degree, there are definitely things the show could improve on without changing too much from the trajectory (which thankfully it has been doing so far), like

Spoiler

maybe instead of introducing Abby with outright killing Joel and tainting first-time viewers' perception of her, move her backstory firsthand so viewers understand her as a character and why she has a grudge against him when that moment comes. Lots could be done to expand on her character in this show.

I really hope they don't cave in and change any of that. That would change the main theme of Part II if you know the entire backstory beforehand.

 

[Arachnerd]

It's just my opinion. Doesn't mean that they'll actually change the story flow, it's just what I personally would prefer. It's fine if you guys disagree.

 

[Still Wynning]

EDIT: Nevermind.

 

[Still Wynning]

Honestly both extreme sides of the argument are toxic and not worth paying attention to imo. As someone who didn't enjoy Part II but not to a hyperbolic degree, there are definitely things the show could improve on without changing too much from the trajectory (which thankfully it has been doing so far), like

Spoiler

maybe instead of introducing Abby with outright killing Joel and tainting first-time viewers' perception of her, move her backstory firsthand so viewers understand her as a character and why she has a grudge against him when that moment comes. Lots could be done to expand on her character in this show.

Doing that would absolutely ruin the entire point the game was trying to make, but fair enough.

Doing that would absolutely ruin the entire point the game was trying to make, but fair enough.

It's just my opinion. Doesn't mean that they'll actually change the story flow, it's just what I personally would prefer. It's fine if you guys disagree.

Spoiler

I think there is a way to kind of meet halfway in the middle, and still maintain the intent and integrity of the narrative of Part II’s story.

Maybe intersperse all of the Abby flashbacks post her father’s death throughout the season, showing relatively happier times, ala Lost. Still have flashbacks intro each episode, just like what they’re doing with this season, and have the present day stuff split the focus between Abby and Ellie. Hold off on that flashback until the very end of the last episode of the season, just to keep people in suspense about what she’s doing in the present. Then, when you get to the finale, after Joel meets his end, immediately cut to the flashback of Abby finding her father dead, thus giving you context for why she is on her revenge quest. Then, cut back to Abby in present day, after having done the deed, leaving with her group. Last scene is of Ellie weeping over a bloodied, beaten, dead Joel. Somber music. Cut to credits. End season.

You still get quite a bit of info on Abby, her relationships, her personality, etc., but still keep the big reveal until the very end of the season. So, you maintain the gravity and dramatic impact, but a heck of a lot more context. That way, you aren’t left completely wondering who the hell this person is and why you should care about her, but her motives aren’t completely made clear until the finale.

 

[Bobber]

Spoiler

I think there is a way to kind of meet halfway in the middle, and still maintain the intent and integrity of the narrative of Part II’s story.

Maybe intersperse all of the Abby flashbacks post her father’s death throughout the season, showing relatively happier times, ala Lost. Still have flashbacks intro each episode, just like what they’re doing with this season, and have the present day stuff split the focus between Abby and Ellie. Hold off on that flashback until the very end of the last episode of the season, just to keep people in suspense about what she’s doing in the present. Then, when you get to the finale, after Joel meets his end, immediately cut to the flashback of Abby finding her father dead, thus giving you context for why she is on her revenge quest. Then, cut back to Abby in present day, after having done the deed, leaving with her group. Last scene is of Ellie weeping over a bloodied, beaten, dead Joel. Somber music. Cut to credits. End season.

You still get quite a bit of info on Abby, her relationships, her personality, etc., but still keep the big reveal until the very end of the season. So, you maintain the gravity and dramatic impact, but a heck of a lot more context. That way, you aren’t left completely wondering who the hell this person is and why you should care about her, but her motives aren’t completely made clear until the finale.

Spoiler

Imo they're in for a huge challenge with adapting Part II, as a lot of its strengths come through the very specific way videogames tell stories. The way you're with one character 100% of the time, forced to live in their shoes and go on their journey. TV doesn't really work like that. There are A plots and B plots, and you jump between different characters.

To me, the very sudden shift that happens in Part II is a MASSIVE part of the beauty of that experience.

I have no idea if doing it exactly like the videogame would even work in a TV format, but the idea of introducing a character we don't know in the first episode, that ends up killing our main character, then disappears for the rest of the season, be built up as this almost mythological symbol of brutality, pops up out of nowhere in the end of the season wreaking havoc... and then they're the main character of the next season. I really want to see if that can work. I think it could be some of the ballsiest tv in history.