(Slightly) revelatory interview with McCarthy

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:29 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC3b5epypnA

The IDW threads kind of descended into a 'be nice' camp, since Shane himself has showed up. What do we think though? Apparently Kup was going to be the original traitor in AHM. Even more surprisingly, according to McCarthy you don't get anywhere in the comics industry unless you're 'ready' (ie. a really good writer). Um!

Post by **Best First** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:38 pm

Just listening now...

Its a bit sad really - Shane's articulation of what he wanted he was aspiring to do is (in some cases) a lot more compelling than the final product.

Some of its quite muddled tho - for example saying Drift's situation is "all about racism" - its not is it? Its about being a evil c*** and then deciding to stop being an evil c*** and then what does that mean for you and the people you now ally yourself with. Saying the Autobots are being dicks for not welcoming him with open arms doesn't wash. Whatsmore that situation is hardly explored in the series IMO.

Lots of nice ideas but the manner in which they translated into the story just don't tend to work for me.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:57 pm

Transcribey goodness please? Anybody? Seriously, one of the fandom must be sad enough to have typed it out already for people with no speakers?

Best First wrote:JSaying the Autobots are being dicks for not welcoming him with open arms doesn't wash. Whatsmore that situation is hardly explored in the series IMO.

Mmm. It's barely even addressed beyond a vague throwaway remark about him being true to what he used to be.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 3:05 pm

Best First wrote:
Lots of nice ideas but the manner in which they translated into the story just don't tend to work for me.

Nor for me.

When I met with Shane at Comicon last year, he went into what he wanted to achieve with AHM, and I was psyched. It promised to be something much more deep and mature than what we had seen thus far. I felt the same way when I read some of his interviews on the web. I was excited.

But the execution? Very lacking. I mean, racism doesn't even come to mind when dealing with Drift. I doubt it came to anyone's mind except Shane's.

So it is sad. It's like Shane forgot his readers can't read his mind, like we were privy to things that only he had concieved but had never shared with anyone.

Post by **Best First** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 4:03 pm

Yaya wrote:It's like Shane forgot his readers can't read his mind

well summed up.

Then again its not disimilar to my hopes for M:Origin - when Holmes was interviewed beforehand saying "Every villain sees himself as the hero of their own story" and then... well then i read Megatron; Origin.

On a related note i took my old PS2 to where i stay for work during the week and Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction which Holmes was the lead game designer on was/is a great game - he should have stuck with the day job.

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:43 pm

You know, as much as with Transformers as with anything else, every Tom, Dick and Harry has an imagination. The fan sites are constantly full of people with ideas for what direction to take a character in, what would make a cool spotlight etc. The difference between them and a 'writer' is that the writer should have the ability to translate an idea into a narrative. And I mean narrative in the most basic of ways - a character encounters a conflict and undergoes various exercises in order to logically resolve it.

Bearing in mind that McCarthy just hasn't performed this task, it makes me query: in what respect is he a writer?

And here's where I'll admit to a sort of bitterness - I always wanted to be a writer myself, after all. I studied creative writing at Uni, and I still work on a few serious literary projects in my spare time, get an occasional short story published, that sort of thing. Generally, it's become something I just enjoy, a way of engaging with the world. I'm not particularly hungry for success - at least not until I've written something really good, which I haven't yet.

Listening to a few bits of McCarthy's life story over this and the TV interview, I get the feeling he's just like me, but instead of putting his energy into trying to be a *better* writer, he's put it into trying to *make it* as a writer - bumming off to the USA and cosying up to the peeps on the scene! However affable he is, it takes a heck of a lot of arrogance (call it 'self-belief') or cynicism to keep pestering people with your work and ideas until someone gives in. That's why the comment about being 'ready' riles me. He isn't. He doesn't have the ability to be self-critical, to stand back and say, "Hold on, I might think my idea for Megatron is great, but thinking about this for a moment, does what I've written make a jot of sense?"

That's not to say he couldn't ever be a good writer, but to consider himself as accomplished merely because he blagged his way in, on the basis that he wouldn't have been able to if he wasn't already good - it's like people who think they're famous if they get on the telly, or interesting because they're on Big Brother.

I guess what I'm saying is: charm aside, I don't like the guy's attitude one bit.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:10 pm

Jack Cade wrote:I always wanted to be a writer myself, after all. I studied creative writing at Uni, and I still work on a few serious literary projects in my spare time, get an occasional short story published, that sort of thing. Generally, it's become something I just enjoy, a way of engaging with the world. I'm not particularly hungry for success - at least not until I've written something really good, which I haven't yet.

Heh. I feel you. Although I broke down last year and said, "[composite word including 'f*ck'] it, I'm never going to write something 'good enough' so I'm just going to send out everything I have." Since then I've sold two stories.

Is this interview really an hour and-a-half long? wtf?

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:56 pm

Jack Cade wrote: And here's where I'll admit to a sort of bitterness - I always wanted to be a writer myself, after all. I studied creative writing at Uni, and I still work on a few serious literary projects in my spare time, get an occasional short story published, that sort of thing. Generally, it's become something I just enjoy, a way of engaging with the world.

I feel ya. I feel like I could churn out some good ideas, but I bet most of us here could. I have some incredible moments in mind, but I bet most of us here do.

Translating those ideas into a comprehensive story that a reader can follow and understand, without there being a lack of clarity, that's what separates a real writer from a brainstormer. They take those ideas and convey them to their audience in such a way that the reader 'sees' in his or her mind what the writer intends.

The deeper the idea or concept, the better the writer has to be at what he or she does to convey it.

Looking back, I think the problem with AHM is that Shane tackled some concepts that were too big for him, too ambitious relative to his talents.

stranger · Post by **stranger** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:34 pm

I sort of agree with Bumblemusprime... I've been a songwriter/music producer for almost a decade now, and the biggest lesson I could take from it (though is also applicable to what's been said) is that no-matter how good or bad I think something I have done is, it's ultimately irrelevant. It's always dependent on someone else liking it, and you just have to take a punt on some things.

In Shane's case. Hell I haven't enjoyed his story so far. But is he a writer? Well, yes. IDW are publishing his story, he's being paid for it, and people out there are enjoying it. The self promotion thing... well, I guess you have to do that. It's not enough to be just a good anything these days. You need to jump up and down and do all the things that Shane has been doing. If you can't sound confident in your own work, then why should anyone else? "Don't hate the player, hate the game" would seem to be an apt expression here.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:10 pm

stranger wrote: "Don't hate the player, hate the game"

Can't I hate both?

Really, I've got enough hate to go round...

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 12:41 am

Stranger wrote:You need to jump up and down and do all the things that Shane has been doing. If you can't sound confident in your own work, then why should anyone else?

Dude, the thing is I'm not going to publish a sub-par story if I can help it. I'd be embarrassed by it. I send stuff out to publishers when I'm confident I've produced a decent piece of work that will show me in a good light as a writer. So far, that's been true of a small number of short stories and poems, but not a whole book. There's just no point in saying, "Stuff it, I know it's not great, but I'll pretend it is so that people will pay me money for it."

I agree with you that ultimately "it's always dependent on someone else liking it", but I reckon that's got to have some connection to when I like it - so long, at least, as my critical eye is up to scratch, and if it's not, then I'm not ready yet.

My annoyance with McCarthy isn't professional (or amateur, if you like) jealousy because he's being paid and I'm not - it's that he's going against the principles I think all good writers should have, which is that the writing comes first and the success second. Not: throw enough **** at the wall and some of it will stick.

I mean, he's got a lot to learn about effective narrative writing, imo, and it looks like he's not going to because he's decided that lucking your way into the industry means you're already the cat's pyjamas. Maybe that's putting it a bit harsh, but I just tend to expect more humility from pro writers than: I was ready.

In fact, the trend among good writers tends to be, in my experience, that they tell you they definitely weren't ready when they made their breakthrough and wished they'd waited a bit longer.

Post by **Best First** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 5:38 am

Jack Cade wrote: In fact, the trend among good writers tends to be, in my experience, that they tell you they definitely weren't ready when they made their breakthrough and wished they'd waited a bit longer.

Indeed, but that does rather suggest that they started trying to flog their wares before they were happy with what they were producing doesn't it?

To be honest i think people are better off chucking themselves in and maybe getting a bit of guff/averageness out there if it gets them on the career lader - that way you can actually concentrate on being a pro creative-y person in a way you would struggle with as a hobby.

No one feels ready on their first day at the office either - but you have to tak ethe plunge.

That said i completely understand the annoyance at the whole "i would not have got this gig if i wasn't ready" schtick - mate your comics are **** and the best thing about them is the art!

So i can understand people prmoting themselves rather than waiting to produce the perfect effort, but a little humility and introspection goes a long way.

And AHM is, at the end of the day, a load of old toss.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:07 am

It's just the publicity game all over though, isn't it? Alan McGee will always pop up to tell us that the new Oasis album is the best one since Definitely Maybe even though he said that about the last five and they were all rubbish. Daz will be quick to point out that their new product eliminates those horrible smells you get while ironing but they won't have mentioned those same horrible smells in previous commercials when they were unwilling or unable to do anything about them.

I wouldn't be surprised if Smac turns around in a couple of years when he's moved on from IDW and says "Well at the time I thought AHM was great but now I've grown as a writer I can see there were some major flaws with it. My new book, however, is perfect."

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:49 pm

Best First wrote:To be honest i think people are better off chucking themselves in and maybe getting a bit of guff/averageness out there if it gets them on the career lader - that way you can actually concentrate on being a pro creative-y person in a way you would struggle with as a hobby.

I admit it's no good being like that character in The Plague, always rewriting the first line of his novel until it's perfect. But there can be serious negative consequences to embarking on a professional career too early. For one thing, you can find yourself pressured to find a 'formula' that sells, so that it becomes less like an enjoyable art, and more like treadmill work. For another, if people throw lots of money into promoting you and you aren't a hit, you'll struggle even harder to sell future work than you would have if you'd never been published, because you're a proven flop.

Even if you are a hit, you may find yourself thereafter so much surrounded by sycophants that you rapidly deteriorate into a self-parody.

I may be being too harsh on McCarthy but really, the world could do with less poor writers who imagine that the cheques of silly editors have proven them accomplished.

stranger · Post by **stranger** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:28 pm

Edit: Arrgh. I had a point to make but effed it up. Will try again when I'm more awake.

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:51 am

Anyone following the IDW thread where he's answering more questions?

NeoSpringer · Post by **NeoSpringer** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:02 am

Jack Cade wrote:Anyone following the IDW thread where he's answering more questions?

Yeah, he's really not accepting of criticism is he? Galileo's explaining plenty that's wrong with his technical writing ability, but McCarthy just doesn't seem to be able to get it (or maybe he doesn't want to admit it in public, and I can't blame him for that, but if that's the case he'd be better off not saying anything). If you didn't understand why something happened in his story, it's because you're stupid. If there doesn't seem to be any consistency or pacing, or that there are plot points pulled out of his backside at random, then that's not bad storytelling, that's just Shane's style.

The art of storytelling seems to be on the wane. It is an art, but McCarthy makes it seem like it's something anyone can just make up. He gets away with it because half the time the readers don't know any better. I guffawed when he told Galileo not to tell him how to write – I have no idea what Galileo's background is but I feel McCarthy is making assumptions that the readership doesn't know better than him.

That said, you've got to take your opportunities when they come along, and McCarthy has done that, and hats off to him for that. If you want to get ahead in life, a lot of it is about who you know in the business and getting lucky, it's not just about being good at what you do. You've got to be a bit ballsy to get your foot in the door, and once you're there, then you can worry about your ability to stay there. McCarthy's done well to get the gig in the first place, and I really do hope that McCarthy recognises the criticism, addresses it and improves as a writer and can be a success, but I definitely get where you're coming from Jack – as a writer it is disheartening to see this kind of attitude from someone.

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:09 pm

NeoSpringer wrote:The art of storytelling seems to be on the wane.

Slight divergence, but this is why I'm not going to see Transformers 2. I've convinced myself over the last few weeks that competent storytelling in films is getting worse and worse, and it's because we're always going to see stuff we know is going to have a terrible, hackneyed plot, just because we're hoping something will make up for it.

I mean, I know the obvious thing to say here is that things have always been thus, and it's not actually getting worse - it's just my perception of it.

But it's hard not to have that perception when you've been following the AHM debacle. I've paid some attention to why AHM followers say they like it, and aside from the suspicious-looking total assbackwardsness of views like Hannibal's, it basically seems to come down to thinking that the setpieces are cool. Whenever you bring up the sieve-like plot and the total non-development of most characters, people basically indicate that they don't really care about that - so long as Megatron gets sufficient space to tell everyone he's a mad, bad, evil genius and the like.

And good god, yes, there is something majorly up with the 'are you telling me how to write' comment. "Me? Me? Shane McCarthy? You're telling me how to write? Sir! I am an artiste!"

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:21 pm

Jack Cade wrote:it basically seems to come down to thinking that the setpieces are cool

Yeah, but the set-piece itself has to be well-executed. And have stuff around it. I'm all for a big entertainment-driven popcorn movie, which is why I'll probably watch Revenge of the Fallen a gazillion times, but if there's no substance to the film beyond sitting around waiting for the next big effects sequence, I'll feel cheated (by any film, not just a Michael Bay movie).

Thinking that "ooh explosions" is enough to make a story stand on its own is akin to thinking everybody wants to see 90 minutes of David Beckham slicing free kicks wide or drilling them into the wall, on the grounds that, well it's 90 minutes of Beckham free kicks.

The set-pieces in AHM are rubbish. Them just being there isn't enough, they have to actually be well executed. And if they're not, then the build-up play before the forward gets brought down on the edge of the box has to be worth the time spent watching. And it isn't.

All Hail Megatron thinks it's Barcelona. It isn't. It's Luton Town.

Post by **Best First** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:20 pm

Jack Cade wrote:I've convinced myself over the last few weeks that competent storytelling in films is getting worse and worse

Jack, who are you to tell film makers that they are doing something wrong. Its rude.

I can't believe you can be so rude. And uncivil. And condescending.

Especially to witless people who write sub par dross.

On that note i bought Total Film today for the plane fome and TF2 was the main feature - the whole article was basically saying "This film isn't about he plot", "anyone who reads into this too much is a f*cking moron" and "Just enjoy it for what it is".

Which is basically saying that if you want more from something you are a bellend and should shut it.

That fits my definition of rude a bit better i think.

Some vague irony there maybe?

Mr_Tigg · Post by **Mr_Tigg** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:43 pm

So I wrote a pretty straight forward, not especially critical post basically saying how being a professional in no way corelates to how good you at your particular field of work....and some moderator schmuck deleted it.

I think that was my last drop of patience with IDW.

Constructive criticism = wudeness, and we wouldn't want to be wude to the precious creatives...

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 1:58 am

It's really annoying how some on that board infer we're supposed to look at AHM like it's some sort of Shakesperean work of art, like it has layers upon layers of subtlety and meaning.

It's quite a generic story, really.

Seriously, if I told you there was a tale about Prime and Megatron duking it out in the middle of a city where Devestator is bashing things and a nuclear warhead is on its way, you'd shout "Prime Directive! by Sarracini!"

This story is NOT revolutionary, is NOT epic.

Why treat it this way? Why not say it was meant to be a fun romp instead of some sort of multilayerd story that's open to interpretation depending on how you look at it? Starscream and Megatron's dialogue could have been interesting, but in the end, it's like Shane was asking the reader"what were they talking about? YOU DECIDE!" .

The only reason I bash AHM (aside from it being the most decompressed TF tale ever) is because it pretends to be something it's not.

I feel sorry for Shane. I think he's got ideas, but lacks sufficient skill to transfer them to paper in a way the reader can appreciate, at least with this go around.

It seems the one's who thoroughly enjoyed AHM were the one's who would have enjoyed just seeing Devestator and Omega in a comic.

I moved beyond that after Marvel G2. It's no longer fun when some obscure bot shows up. I used to be like "Hey! It's Ruckus!". Now, I'm like "yeah, big deal, just point me to the story."

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:02 am

Yaya wrote:
Seriously, if I told you there was a tale about Prime and Megatron duking it out in the middle of a city where Devestator is bashing things and a nuclear warhead is on its way, you'd shout "Prime Directive! by Sarracini!"

This story is NOT revolutionary, is NOT epic.

You're right! All Hail Megatron does share a whole lot of similarities with Prime Directive. I daresay that All Hail Megatron is the series that I wanted Dreamwave to give me back in 2001.

AHM is Prime Directive done by somebody with a better understanding of the TF Universe. I stop just short of saying AHM is PD done right.

I have my nitpicks with the series, but I've enjoyed it beginning to end. I look forward to buying a nice hardcover of the series. I'll likely even pay to get a signed version, since a Guido Guidi autograph is the one signature that still eludes me.

Seriously. I have signatures from people who actively disliked me at the time (Glenn Hallit, Pat Lee and Aaron Archer), but not my favorite TF artist? How'd I manage that?

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:49 am

Yaya wrote:Seriously, if I told you there was a tale about Prime and Megatron duking it out in the middle of a city where Devestator is bashing things and a nuclear warhead is on its way, you'd shout "Prime Directive! by Sarracini!"

Heh, nicely spotted. I so quickly forget AHm after I read the latest issue, this didn't even caught my mind.

I moved beyond that after Marvel G2. It's no longer fun when some obscure bot shows up. I used to be like "Hey! It's Ruckus!". Now, I'm like "yeah, big deal, just point me to the story."

BUT IT'S RUCKUS!!!!

You gotta love Ruckus...

Seriously though, the obscure moment still does it for me, but AHM hasn't even given me that. Shane obviously is only familiar with the bots who were in the cartoon, and the ones IDW has been pressing to be used (Wreckers). I don't expect, say, Triggerhappy to show up anytime soon.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 1:03 pm

Yaya wrote:I moved beyond that after Marvel G2. It's no longer fun when some obscure bot shows up. I used to be like "Hey! It's Ruckus!". Now, I'm like "yeah, big deal, just point me to the story."

Speaking of plot vs "characters for the sake of it", can anybody give me a valid plot rationale for why Skywarp (mindlessly loyal to Megatron), Thundercracker (cynically disloyal to anybody who isn't himself) and Starscream (self-centred bastard who's perpetually trying to usurp his commander) are constantly painted as the best of buds, an elite little club, rather than, I dunno, hating each other as even casual logic dictates they should?

And by valid rationale, I mean something beyond "well they've got the same alt mode and hung about in the kids' show"

Eh?

At least Darkwing and Dreadwind had the excuse of both being hateful sods who nobody else wanted anything to do with.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:24 pm

Professor Smooth wrote:AHM is Prime Directive done by somebody with a better understanding of the TF Universe. I stop just short of saying AHM is PD done right.

I agree with you to some extent that AHM is better than PD in terms of characterization. (Remember Prime saying "Bring me their heads"? Ugh. ) Shane definitely knows the material better than Sarracini.

But PD accomplished what it set out to do in six issues. AHM has taken 12.

For me, that's the big difference.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:50 pm

Yaya wrote:But PD accomplished what it set out to do in six issues. AHM has taken 12.

I dunno. They both managed to be utter ***** within the space of issue 1. It's just a case of how much longer they then proceeded to drag on for.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 3:53 am

I think AHM is all over the map in terms of writing, from total drudgery to occasional brilliance to plotholes that would make Michael Bay wince. But the reason I won't buy it is because it aborted Revelations. Still mad.

Jack Cade · Post by **Jack Cade** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:10 pm

I've never really been in the 'flashes of brilliance' camp. 'Flashes of competence' is more like it for me. But competence is fine. I like competence.

Mr Tigg wrote: So I wrote a pretty straight forward, not especially critical post basically saying how being a professional in no way corelates to how good you at your particular field of work....and some moderator schmuck deleted it.

That'll be Denton. He doesn't like people forgetting their place, and we've got to remember that we're just the mugs who buy and read the stuff!

Yaya wrote:It's really annoying how some on that board infer we're supposed to look at AHM like it's some sort of Shakesperean work of art, like it has layers upon layers of subtlety and meaning.

Defence of AHM is organic, contorting itself to fit the criticism. Point out that it's cheesy, full of plot holes etc. and you're told it's just meant to be a bit of fun. Point out that it's bewilderingly hard work to make any sense of what's going on and you get told it's a clever storytelling device designed to prompt multiple rereadings.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 3:55 pm

Jack Cade wrote: Defence of AHM is organic, contorting itself to fit the criticism. Point out that it's cheesy, full of plot holes etc. and you're told it's just meant to be a bit of fun. Point out that it's bewilderingly hard work to make any sense of what's going on and you get told it's a clever storytelling device designed to prompt multiple rereadings.

That's true.

But I also think that Shane did have clever ideas that were simply not effectively executed in the story.

I think a look at the script would help elucidate what was intended and what wasn't.

Also, I have come to find that Shane was told to write the story as 12 issues. How unfortunate for him, because a 6-issue AHM tale would have been much more acceptable to me, much more enjoyable. Fans bitched about Revelations being cut to four issues, but interestingly, I think forcing Simon to compress his story actually made it better than it might have been.