So why abandon Gumbo? Why not finish what I started?

The Unfunny Factor, and What’s Best for Machinima

Two reasons. First, I just don’t find the idea the least bit inspiring anymore. It’s not just that the dialogue strikes me as uninspired (which it does), nor the jokes as silly (which they are), but the story driving that dialogue and (attempts at) humor is, in a word, dull. So even if I tuned up the dialogue, the fact that this thing has a hollow center makes that seem like a real waste. Especially when I’ve got no lack of new, very inspiring (and I think much more funny / entertaining) ideas in the present day.

The second reason really has less to do with my opinion of the story or script, and more to do with what Machinima needs right now. I don’t claim to know exactly what Machinima needs; opinions are varied. But if one of our goals is to maximize our potential audience, then one thing Machinima does NOT need is more gamer-centric inside-joke-driven films. (Attn: Praxix; No, I don’t hate gamers.)

And let’s face it, FFB was nothing if not an iconic piece of inside-gamer-joke machinima. I’ve since come to view that trend as one whose passing should not be mourned, its continued popularity in some circles notwithstanding.

These two reasons can be unified in one statement, actually: Machinima does not need more uninspired films built on nothing but gamer humor. And Gumbo, indeed the whole premise set forth in its prequel, is guilty as charged.

As such, the only reason I can think of to persist with the project in the face of these convictions would be stubborn, irrational pride, like Marty McFly when he’s called “Chicken.” I think I’d rather risk having to overcome the “quitter” epithet than work hard to release a film that I’ll be ashamed of and will almost certainly disappoint its audience.

Solution: Parts and Pieces?

Some have alluded to a possible solution down the road, i.e. the recycling of assets, bits, characters, and so on. This remains a live possibility.

But for now, I have decided to shelve Gumbo, both as a project and as an idea, and move forward full force with newer material and (I hope) improved storycraft / humorcraft (for which the overcast has been a fun practice ring).

Interestingly enough, it looks like someone else is considering a major change as well, though for entirely different reasons. Dull, uninspired ideas have not troubled that team’s work as of late, that’s a fact.