Video Games Will Make Me Into Bruce Lee
- Posted September 16, 08 by AlBaraa under Ideas & Pitches
Print This Post
I want your feedback on an idea for a documentary I had the other day that I think I would like to produce. It’s focus would be on physical and mental discipline and fitness as well as a story for training for a competition.
In summary the idea is this:
I’m someone who’s had the best of geek and jock world. I’ve been around computers since I was in kindergarten and I’ve been active in sports (especially martial arts) since the third grade. Ever since I started geeking out on video and filmmaking I haven’t really had an oppurtunity to mix the world of fitness, sports and martial arts with this.
These past couple weeks I’ve been entertaining the idea to produce a documentary about training for a physical competition such as the New York CIty Marathon or the Nautica New York City Triathlon or something similar. It would be a means to combine my passion for physical fitness and film making while at the same time raise funds for a reputable charity such as Islamic Relief.
I’ve been an avid video gamer since middle school, but then I put the controller down in 2004 because I ceased to see the benefit in it any more. It didn’t have the “cool” factor anymore until a few days ago.
The story goes like this…
I was attending an iftar (breaking of the fast during Ramadan) at a friends house in Nutley, NJ. The guys right afterward we’re playing Soul Calibur on the Nintendo Wii. One of the guys suggested that we attempt to play the game with a DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) mat. Its basically the game controller on a mat.
I never thought that playing video games would be an excellent workout. After about three rounds in the game my face was wet with sweat.
I then thought to myself what if one were to adjust the circuitry in the pad and attach it to a training pad and then play the game. Punch buttons would be actually punched. Kick buttons would be kicked and you use the directional buttons on the floor.
To do something like that would require jimmy rigging the DDR mat to the training pad with which I would require some help from a fellow engineering/electronics student.
One thing that would be unique is if I were to turn this concept into a tournament for particular video game. There are quite a bit of nice fighting games that are either available or just around the corner. To name a few; Soul Calibur IV, Street Fighter IV, Tekken 6, and Virtua Fighter 5 to name a few.
The most important aspect of any movie is the story, which is something I really don’t have at this point. It would be great if any and all of you contribute your ideas for something like this. Give your comments about possible story to follow and or ideas for the concept of bringing physical fitness and film making together.
Looking forward to your responses.
|
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Provoking Invoking Says: 16.09.08 at 12:13 pm
umm, Salams,
I feel inclined to ask, ‘what is wrong with you?’ Clearly at no point in time through out your life did anyone pose such a question and clearly you hang out/around very like-minded individuals. You and your friends play a game i like to call “follow the idiot”. It’s a fantastic game when surrounded by Muslims. It’s often in a public setting and makes passer-by-ers assume that all Muslims or foreigners lack home training.
The first player or the ‘idiot’ makes a suggestion like, umm, i don’t know “LETS PLAY W/THE DDR MAT INSTEAD OF THE CONTROLLERS”. Then, hypnotized by the power of the idiot. The other players at no point in time question said idiots authority and instead join in. It makes for a delightful post-iftar game and people of all ages can play. No assembly required. But, the fact that you took the time and effort out to post such endeavors is entertaining to me. And, don’t get me wrong for tonight I will gladly be the idiot to make the “LETS PLAY W/THE DDR MAT INSTEAD OF THE CONTROLLERS” suggestion.
idiotic idea.good post.
Saad Malik Says: 16.09.08 at 6:32 pm
Provoking Invoking - I’ll be honest with you, I’m not such a fan of Belal’s documentary idea either. It’s not something I feel that I’d like to watch.
But that surely doesn’t mean I have any right to bash him. Every person is entitled to their very own opinion. I might LOVE Corn Flakes but my brother might HATE them…you know?
Though your comment does have a point behind it - it could have been presented in a much better manner. Instead of referring to it as an “idiotic idea”, it would have been wise to provide some constructive criticism instead. After all, he’s your brother in Islam (I’m assuming you’re Muslim). He’s simply trying to help our religion by taking different approaches than usual - that’s the whole purpose behind this website and other projects Belal is active in. We should be supporting him all the way considering most of us just talk Islam all day but don’t do anything to make a difference.
(P.S. Belal, I saw you at the Teaneck iftar on Sunday - what a coincedence! I walked in right behind you but didn’t realize it was you until later. Your table was right across from mine! :D)
Provoking Invoking Says: 16.09.08 at 6:45 pm
@ Saad Malik
My intention was not to come across so aggressive. Although I realize I might have. All of it was written in cynicism with a spoonful of sarcasm. I appreciate his idea for like I said despite it’s unrealistic approach I must admit I will probably be playing sometime soon.
As for the use of the term ‘idiot’ i don’t entirely apologize for that for we are all but, idiots. I seek those who follow truth but, avoid those who claim to have found it.
egyptian gumbo Says: 16.09.08 at 7:00 pm
Provoking Invoking — Sounds like the “Manoffewwords” to me :).
The style in which it was written has his name written all over it.
I think a better approach is to set your goal in mind. Do you want to raise money for Islamic Relief? I think instead of focusing on the entertainment aspect of the documentary (game/ triathlon) you should have the MAIN focus be a documentary about Islamic relief’s work around the world. you get stories from people all over the world that Islamic relief is helping (human interest stories— subtitled if needed)
then cut back to the muslim in NY training for the triathlon by using all these creative methods (humanizing muslims) and then him running along side people from all over the world.. for one purpose… raising money to help save people from all over the world.
That way you dont just have a documentary that is strictly islamic relief stories.. you have a secondary story, which is the fund raiser– preparing for it.
wallahu alem.
AlBaraa Says: 16.09.08 at 8:44 pm
@ Saad and EgyptianGumbo, Jazakallahu khairun for the defense.
@ Provoking Invoking, Glad I could entertain. I must admit. I literally laughed out loud when I read YOUR post. Good taste in cynical humor. You write like my friend ManofFewWords
–
The fundamental idea for brainstorming such an idea is to combine my passions for film making with fitness and martial arts. A documentary is only ONE way to approach something like this. There are MANY different approaches that can be taken into effect.
I came up with jimmy rigging a DDR mat to a training bag because of the fun and geek factor that would come with it. I’m a gamer and geek at heart and at the same time I love a good cardio workout. Porvokling Invoking, if you’re ever in for a good cardio workout (trust me, it is) you’re more than welcome to join me in a came of 1vs1 battle in soul calibur!
Getting back to the movie idea, there are a few OTHER ideas that came to mind that maybe could incorporate the DDR mat concept.
(1) — Underdog/Karate-Kid style narrative story about out of shape desi kid who always gets picked on, beat up and fun of. He decides to use his ultra geek abilities with the help of his friends to build this DDR game thing to help him “train” to be able to stand up to bullies. — – Although in the end he really doesn’t learn how to fight, but realizes that the bond of friendship, discipline backed by strong desire, and self confidence is stronger and more effective in overcoming your challenges than just the ability to physically fight.
(2) — Six episodes that have an over arching story where each episode is an actual fight scene and with every fight the story progresses (What’s the story…i don’t know). How the DDR mat concept is implemented into this idea? I don’t know perhaps each fights scene is really the main character’s imagination of the video game fight scene in his head
(3) — A story about an elder man caring for an orphaned kid (This is where Islamic Relief plug can come in). The elder man is trying to teach the child discipline and focus but the child just doesn’t seem to get it. All he does is sneak out to the neighbor’s house to play video games. He see’s with such enthusiasm how the child is able to go toward that goal of playing video games. The elder gets an idea to use the very video games the child love to keep him disciplined in areas of life such as studies and fitness. He creates the DDR mat training system and thus has the child do that as part of his martial arts training at home, only to have his neighbor come over and play too…I just pulled this off the top of my head
Do share your ideas and thoughts w/o hesitation (even if others think its harsh).
–
PS: Saad, we should sit down for lunch together sometime
Saad Malik Says: 20.09.08 at 6:16 pm
ALBARAA: Sounds good! Would love to.
AlBaraa Says: 21.09.08 at 1:44 am
Email me: khanb (at) leechon.com — – let me know when’s a good time.
Dawud Israel Says: 06.10.08 at 8:49 pm
You need to lose a few pounds before you can attempt this
But I think it’s been done before actually…I recall seeing this at a Playdium when I was little.
Dan Says: 20.10.08 at 5:25 pm
Interesting idea! As a gaming enthusiast and former ju-jitsu student, I would have loved to have a setup such as the one you described! By the way, Soul Calibre was my favorite game on my old Dreamcast.
AlBaraa Says: 20.10.08 at 7:29 pm
Dan, maybe we should get together and script something together, plan a shoot and marketing/distribution plan, pitch it to people who have money and get together and make it!
btw, I still occationally play Soul Calibur w/ my little sisters
Dan Says: 21.10.08 at 11:17 pm
Belal, sounds great my friend. I’ll need to wait until after my current project is wrapped up, but yeah, two heads are better than one! Would be interesting to see what we kind of concept we could come up with. Since we both have some experience in the world of martial arts, perhaps it would be fun to make a martial arts comedy (e.g., “Kung-Fu Hustle” — I thought they did a great job blending the action with comedy and a bit of romance for good measure.)
Sounds like you got a lot of great info at the Internet Marketing For Filmmakers seminar. I especially wish I could have heard that portion about the trailers! If there’s a specific gem or two from that section that you’d feel comfortable sharing, please feel free.
I wonder if they have an online version of Soul Calibre?!