Horror 'The Last of Us' HBO Series

[Punisher_MAX]

I was absolutely dying at this part. The fact that I haven't seen it meme'd is shocking.

 

[Kane52630]

 

[Man in the Suit]

 

[Still Wynning]

I figured quite a few shots required a lot of CGI in the show, because of how extremely difficult and expensive it actually would be to get sets to look like they do in the series for real, but I didn’t realize just how much there actually was, which ones were real and which were mostly blue screen. That’s crazy.

It’s kind of mind-boggling to think that at this point in time, if given enough polish and implemented properly, VFX can be indistinguishable from the actual in camera stuff.

I remember him mentioning this on their most recent podcast episode or the last one they did.

If any if you guys haven’t yet, I highly recommend listening to their companion podcast. A lot of great behind the scenes talk and insight for each episode. Troy Baker is the host and it’s interesting getting a bit of his perspective on the show from someone who played one of the main characters in the game.

There is also a really great 50+ minute video analysis of this show on YouTube. It’s on a channel created by Filup Molina from New Rockstars and it’s the first part of a three-part series. Really goes into Craig Mazin’s journey as a creative in the industry, how that shaped him, his guiding principles for writing and why he was so perfect for spearheading this series.

 

[Drizzle]

If any if you guys haven’t yet, I highly recommend listening to their companion podcast. A lot of great behind the scenes talk and insight for each episode. Troy Baker is the host and it’s interesting getting a bit of his perspective on the show from someone who played one of the main characters in the game.

I've been loving the podcast. The only thing I wish is that they were joined by some of the actors and directors from each episode to get their input as well.

 

[Still Wynning]

I've been loving the podcast. The only thing I wish is that they were joined by some of the actors and directors from each episode to get their input as well.

Maybe that’s something they’ll do at a later time after this season is over. I imagine there’s stuff that they’d like to talk about that would make it really hard to not spoil future episodes, so they’re just trying to keep it down to the people in charge of the show.

Would love them to dedicate one podcast episode each to one or more cast members each talking about their experience filming and giving insight into how they play and perform their respective characters. Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Nico Parker, Lamar Johnson, Merle Dandridge, Anna Torv, Nick Offerman, Murray Bartlett, Rutina Wesley, Melanie Lynskey, Storm Reid, Keivonn Woodard, Jeffrey Pierce, Graham Greene, Elaine Miles, etc.

 

[Kane52630]

There's a couple other pods that has done a great job covering the show.

 

[Kane52630]

 

[Drizzle]

 

[Still Wynning]

I already knew this was going to be the next post before even scrolling down.

 

[squeekness]

Did a good job. I never once thought any horses were fake.

 

[BoredGuy]

That's also a very solid stunt-Pedro... even if they showed his face (from a slight distance), I wouldn't have noticed it wasn't Pascal

 

[Iceman]

Very cool. Great way to toast the massive success of this show.

 

[Iceman]

I honestly couldn't be happier for Pedro Pascal right now since I've been a fan of his ever since I first saw him in Narcos and knew then he would go on to do great things from there. He deserves all the success in the world, and I absolutely can't wait for Mando Season 3 either coming hot off the heels of TLOU.

He’s one of the hottest properties across TV shows right now. His GoT entry blew me away and he will follow up an amazing lead performance in the best ever (by far) video game live action product with Disney’s highest profile Star Wars/Marvel show. Dude is gonna be in serious demand and I’m super-happy for him.

 

[carrrnuttt]

 

[Still Wynning]

That’s the video I was referring to in my comment. Very well produced and edited. It’s almost like an actual professional documentary.

Had some idea of the stuff Mazin worked on in the past, but had no idea to what extent and why. He really is the best example of not judging someone’s talent by their past work. Makes you wonder how many other creatives in the industry possess any potential talent we haven’t yet seen.

 

[antsman41]

 

[Snow Queen]

 

[squeekness]

View attachment 62570

 

[Kane52630]

The youtube reactions from nongamers have been fun so far for this episode.

 

[flickchick85]

Ok I'm slow. I just realized that the kid clickers at the end of 1x05 (like the one that chased Ellie into the van, and the one that killed Kathleen) were meant to be the kids from that underground school they were hanging out in.

 

[squeekness]

Ok I'm slow. I just realized that the kid clickers at the end of 1x05 (the one that chased Ellie into the van, and the one that killed Kathleen) were meant to be the kids from that underground school they were hanging out in.

I didn't get that either so you're still way ahead of me, lol.

 

[carrrnuttt]

Megan Mullally Wants 10 Percent of Nick Offerman’s ‘Last of Us’ Check | Cracked.com

 

[Kane52630]

Ok I'm slow. I just realized that the kid clickers at the end of 1x05 (like the one that chased Ellie into the van, and the one that killed Kathleen) were meant to be the kids from that underground school they were hanging out in.

Yep and she's got a Blues Clues shirt on too.

 

[Still Wynning]

As for emotional moments in games, it is dismissive no matter how you try to prop it up. Rewatching a series degrades an emotional impact just as much. I mean, I'm of a generation where Aerith was a bit of a formational experience for some.

I will say this, as someone who loves and absolutely adores the original game, six episodes in, this series has more than justified its existence. This isn’t just a one to one, from game to screen, beat for beat photocopy. While it does honor the source, it does make smart changes where it makes sense in regards to the new medium that it’s occupying and this version of the narrative being told. When it does bring in some familiar moments from the game, the new material is written in such a way that allows those moments to feel organically woven in. Even then, all of the emotional moments, when they do come, still hit. Maybe a bit differently, but still very effectively. Even the actors themselves bring something familiar, while also bringing some of their own touches.

That, however, doesn’t completely negate the original game, and this isn’t meant to be a substitute or replacement. This series is a companion to the original. People who love this series can go and play the game and love that, and vice versa. I have even seen and heard people online say as much that the series is turning them on to the game and getting them to check it out. That doesn’t sound like a dismissal to me. If anything, it’s more of a ringing endorsement.

Craig Mazin’s pixels quote from two months ago aside, in all of the stuff I heard him speak, from his own personal podcast and the companion podcast for the show, he clearly loves the original game. I never get any hint he has any contempt for the original source or feels like he is above it. I mean, he himself has worked on some pretty awful projects and has admitted as such. He has more than enough experience failing in the film industry to know not to talk down on someone else’s work.

I get your issues, though, and understand where you’re coming from.