The complexity of simplicity. by asarian

BLUE SUN ROOM

The complexity of simplicity.

POSTED BY: ASARIAN
UPDATED: Monday, January 15, 2007 03:55
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Monday, January 15, 2007 3:41 AM

I wanna talk a bit about how hard it is to keep things simple. :) A few hours earlier, I uploaded the following image:

Then I deleted it. Why? It's not bad per se. And I certainly loved the paraphrase of the quote I came up with. Just something about it bothered me. It was the hero shot: the scene from the BDM where Mal says: "Good answer." It's a very studly picture, and very Mal. Very slick, poster-worthy, almost. Which is, I guess, what bothered me: I don't want a poster.

Also, the hero shot interferes, as it were, with the theme of regret. It's like I want to express two opposing things at the same time: that Mal screwed up with Inara, and that things between them are okay again. I faced the same problem in an early draft:

It's lovely, qua color-setting and all. But I kept feeling the two themes of regret and "okay-ness" are competing with each other.

Eventually I posted this:

It's decidedly simpler; and I lost my cute paraphrase; *pout* Yet I cannot help it's artistically stronger. It focusses solely on regret. At this point in the conversation with Inara, at the end of HoG, Mal regrets ever having met Nandi (primarily because he feels he caused her death). Right before Inara tells him she's glad she got to spent her last night with him, and Mal will ask: "So, you weren't before?" Which is where the quote comes in: "Regret is insight that comes a day too late." Mal will soon realize how hurt Inara really was. But by then it will be too late.

My dear friend Rhyianan remarked that, at the time of the screencap, Mal is not yet fully aware of the hurt he caused Inara. And then I figured: that's precisely what adds to the artistic value! :) Because, in conjunction with the quote, you realize that, come tomorrow, after Inara has told him she'll be leaving, and it finally dawns on Mal how much all of this pained Inara, he will come to regret having slept with Nandi for that reason, too. He will regret it, a day too late.

Comments are welcome.

--
"Mei-mei, everything I have is right here." -- Simon Tam

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Monday, January 15, 2007 3:55 AM

YINYANG

You were busy trying to get yourself lit on fire. It happens.

I just have to say one thing: you and words go well together (not to mention you and pictures). That is all.

Rules on voting here: http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=22892

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