Scriptwriting - Blog Posts

"What’s that notion app on your phone?"

Bringing this back because I feel like I don't have the talent for storytelling or drawing...

There's this one series (Lunette Precure) I had that I want to bring back as a novel but I'm not sure if I should due to the toxic experience I had with making a series, I remember I had this precure fanseries called dream skies precure when I was 13-14 and the experience I had while trying to make it was awful, a lot of people bullying me into changing the character designs, people calling it terrible when I never even got started with the first episode (and they could've ignored it if they didn't like it), stealing my characters just to make hateful shit and more (and there was very little criticism to help improve it btw), I was like 13-14 with low self confidence and decided that i should just cancel it and nothing changed.... Nowadays when I come up with a new series, I always worry if it's not good enough and that I need to change something about it (I'm 17 now and still struggle)

I need some advice trying to write a script for my fanmade precure series, this was the first chapter of my series and I wanna know if it's good or needs improvement

There's this one series (Lunette Precure) I had that I want to bring back as a novel but I'm not sure if I should due to the toxic experience I had with making a series, I remember I had this precure fanseries called dream skies precure when I was 13-14 and the experience I had while trying to make it was awful, a lot of people bullying me into changing the character designs, people calling it terrible when I never even got started with the first episode (and they could've ignored it if they didn't like it), stealing my characters just to make hateful shit and more (and there was very little criticism to help improve it btw), I was like 13-14 with low self confidence and decided that i should just cancel it and nothing changed.... Nowadays when I come up with a new series, I always worry if it's not good enough and that I need to change something about it (I'm 17 now and still struggle)

You know the drill: New Chapter

Chapter Two of the Script is Out!

Here's a link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54260500/chapters/137832220

I just finished a third document for my current writing project for Persona 5 Royal

Thing I've noticed:

I have an impulse now to write names, places, and other things in capital by holds shift (my computer does't have an all caps button)

I've only gotten through around half an hour of Persona 5 Royal and it already spans about 25 pages.

The only reason it isn't 30 pages like the script industry standard is because I made the font size 10 instead of 12

Ren does a lot of thinking, but not a lot of talking

I often have to go back to change names based on what is written in the game

I decided I might as well make my posting schedule on Mondays, so look out for the next part tomorrow! I might not always post every Monday, however. The script is too long and I have to juggle other things. I'll post here when I post another chapter, though, so you will know even if AO3 doesn't!

Me: Okay, I am finally posting something on ao3, but I want it to be posted on Saturday

Me: *makes a typo*

Me: Oops, let me change that.

Me: *accidentally posts the chapter*

Me:...

Well... I guess enjoy the thing I posted: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54260500/chapters/137411920

So, Persona Community...

I couldn't find the script for Persona 5 Royal, so I thought "Fuck it, if I have to download this shit for fanfic idea I might as well just watch videos." So... should I try to post the entire script of Persona 5 Royal on ao3?

Btw I have never played the game so I would be reliant on other sources to try to clobber something together. I am running on Pure spite rn.

Pls answer.

Random script I came up with at work for Pmatga.

(Betrayus grinding his metal nails sitting in his throne)

Lord betrayus: I'm currently busy at the moment, not caring. But you are free to put your suggestions in the suggestions box!

(Pans over to shredder over trash can.)

Pinky: You're kidding right..??

Buttler: No, he's not. He also told me to put my vacation request in there as well.

Lord Betrayus: DE-NIED.

How to automate twitter or tumblr posts using scripts ! Thank me later

1. Automate Content PostingAutomating the posting of content on Twitter can help increase engagement and followers. You can use Python scripts in Termux to interact with the Twitter API for automated tweeting.Install Required PackagesEnsure you have Python installed and install required libraries:pkg install python

pip install tweepySet Up Twitter Developer AccountCreate a Twitter Developer Account: Sign up for a developer account and create an app to get API keys: Twitter Developer Portal.Get API Keys: You need the Consumer Key, Consumer Secret, Access Token, and Access Token Secret.Write a Python ScriptHere’s an example script to post a tweet using the Twitter API:import tweepy

# Replace with your own credentials

consumer_key = 'YOUR_CONSUMER_KEY'

consumer_secret = 'YOUR_CONSUMER_SECRET'

access_token = 'YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN'

access_token_secret = 'YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN_SECRET'

# Authenticate to Twitter

auth = tweepy.OAuth1UserHandler(consumer_key, consumer_secret, access_token, access_token_secret)

api = tweepy.API(auth)

# Create a tweet

tweet = "Hello, this is a tweet from Termux!"

api.update_status(tweet)

print("Tweet posted successfully!")Run the ScriptSave the script as tweet_bot.py and run it:python tweet_bot.py2. Monitor Twitter EngagementYou can use Termux to run scripts that analyze engagement on your tweets, helping you optimize content for better monetization.Install Required Librariespip install tweepy pandas matplotlibWrite a Python ScriptExample script to analyze tweets:import tweepy

import pandas as pd

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Replace with your own credentials

consumer_key = 'YOUR_CONSUMER_KEY'

consumer_secret = 'YOUR_CONSUMER_SECRET'

access_token = 'YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN'

access_token_secret = 'YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN_SECRET'

# Authenticate to Twitter

auth = tweepy.OAuth1UserHandler(consumer_key, consumer_secret, access_token, access_token_secret)

api = tweepy.API(auth)

# Fetch recent tweets

tweets = api.user_timeline(screen_name='your_twitter_handle', count=100)

# Create DataFrame

data = {

'Tweet': [tweet.text for tweet in tweets],

'Likes': [tweet.favorite_count for tweet in tweets],

'Retweets': [tweet.retweet_count for tweet in tweets]

}

df = pd.DataFrame(data)

# Plot engagement

df.plot(x='Tweet', y=['Likes', 'Retweets'], kind='bar')

plt.title('Tweet Engagement')

plt.xlabel('Tweets')

plt.ylabel('Counts')

plt.xticks(rotation=90)

plt.tight_layout()

plt.show()Run the ScriptSave the script as analyze_engagement.py and run it:python analyze_engagement.py3. Engagement AutomationAutomate interactions like following, unfollowing, and liking tweets. Be cautious as excessive automation may violate Twitter’s policies.Install Librariespip install tweepyWrite Automation ScriptsExample script to follow users:import tweepy

# Replace with your own credentials

consumer_key = 'YOUR_CONSUMER_KEY'

consumer_secret = 'YOUR_CONSUMER_SECRET'

access_token = 'YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN'

access_token_secret = 'YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN_SECRET'

# Authenticate to Twitter

auth = tweepy.OAuth1UserHandler(consumer_key, consumer_secret, access_token, access_token_secret)

api = tweepy.API(auth)

# Follow a user

user_to_follow = 'user_handle'

api.create_friendship(user_to_follow)

print(f"Followed {user_to_follow}")Run the ScriptSave the script as follow_user.py and run it:python follow_user.py4. Monitor Trends and AnalyticsUse Termux to track Twitter trends and analytics to identify opportunities for monetization.SummaryAutomate Posts: Use Termux and Python to automate tweeting.Analyze Engagement: Track and analyze tweet performance.Engage Automatically: Automate interactions like following or liking.Consider Policies: Ensure compliance with Twitter’s automation policies.These steps will help you use Termux to support your Twitter monetization strategy, but direct monetization typically involves more comprehensive strategies, including content creation, advertising, and partnerships.

You see, hear, smell, touch, and feel everything through words. You should even feel your balance and inner sensations just by reading a script.

When putting together a scene on paper..

Be it in a script or in the early stages of notes, describe as much as you can. It’s better to have more to work with later, and you can always narrow it down in the process. Personally, I like to draw scenes out to help submerge myself into a piece. Working with your senses you can help others do the same when they’re looking at or even just reading your film and or writing.

Describe it as if you’ve never thought about the idea. Like you’re walking into a completely foreign place, because that’s what everyone else will be doing when they see your work

Dash: Why'd you do it, Vlad?

Vlad: Why not? I won! I tricked everyone! Starting with you, your friends, the Fenton family and your friends. Me! I won!

Dash: You are sad, man!

Vlad: Oh, I may be sad, but I run your world now. And don't you forget it!

(This script I made is associated with an AU where Dash is a half-ghost instead of Danny btw)

Technus: *laughing* You fool, I have SEVENTY ALTERNATIVE ACCOUNTS! You'll never know any of them!

Danny: and are your alternative accounts Technus_f4cker2, Technus_f4cker3...

Danny: Why, Vlad? Why'd you do it?

Vlad: 'Cause it's fucking funny, Daniel. It's called having a sense of humor, and a laughing. You should fucking try it once in awhile.

Vlad: We had fun, didn't we, Jasmine?

Jazz: I have never been... More stressed out... In my entire life!

Astrid in her ghost form

Also, here's a transcript for her and her little brother, Pluto which is based on the ghost stories English dub down below↓

Astrid: *trying to cheer Pluto up* Don't cry, it's okay. There's no ghosts here except for me, okay?

Pluto: *crying*

Astrid: Why are you still crying?

Pluto: *sniffs* Because these pajamas are gay.

Skulker: What are you, boy?

Danny: Ammatta.

Skulker: What? What's ammatta?

Danny: *smirks* Nothing. What's ammatta with you?

Scene cuts to Danny getting chased by Skulker, screaming.

Danny: I'M SORRY!! I'M SORRY!!

Vlad: Right now, I'll be taking those puppies back.

Jazz: But they're ours! You stole them from us!

Vlad: Here's a phone. With it, you can call somebody who actually cares!

Jazz: *dials 9-1-1*

Vlad: *Snatches the phone.* GIVE ME THAT!

Jazz: Oh, uncle Vlad, I ran away from home. My brother hates me, my dad's an idiot and I want to live with you! *cries*

Vlad: Wait, what was that?

Jazz: I ran away from home?

Vlad: No, no after that.

Jazz: My brother hates me?

Vlad: No, in the middle!

Jazz: My dad's an idiot?

Vlad: That's the one! Come to uncle Vlad!

Max: My wife is putting my son in a fucking suit for his autism diagnosis.

Ruby: It's a special event.

Max: Shut up!

Danny: Complain, complain, complain! Is that what you always do? You know, when life gives you lemons-

Vlad: I COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LEMONS!

Anti-Cosmo: I have to find my dear wife. I'm soo worried about her.

Timmy: Seriously, what do you see in her?

Anti-Cosmo: She makes me laugh.

Lancer: Amber...? No... You're not...

Ember: Do I look like your girlfriend?

Lancer: No. My... Well... Just a girl I went to school with. You could be her twin. Your face, your voice, your-

Ember: My name is Ember McLain. I don't look like a... Ghost, do I?

(I read a theory that Mr. Lancer was the one who asked Ember to be his girlfriend as a joke and burned her house down. It's very unique and I decided to do something with it.)

i love writing scripts it makes me feel so happy

B disarms A, swinging their sword back up and preparing for the final blow. As eyes widen.

A: you wouldn't- no no no. It's me! It is me under the mask!

A lifts off their mask revealing their face as B looks at them with sad eyes.

B: I know.

Bs guard falters and A reaches out toward B

A: you? You knew? Then why have we been fighting this whole time?

Bs grip tightens back up and they press A against a wall. Sword to the throat.

A: oh-

B looks away as their calculated assassin face leaves and they start to cry.

A: oh honey- its okay.

B: I have to kill you, you know.

A: its okay! We can fake it and they will never know. We can run away, live in the woods. Wake up each morning side by side. Doesn't that sound nice?

B: ...you know that you would get bored. You would come back to this life.

A: I won't! I will do it for you!

A reaches out and cups Bs face

B: and yet we both know thats a lie.

B takes As hand and kisses it, looking sweetly down at A.

B: You were always my star. You will always be my star. I love you.

A: I love you too.

A pulls B close into a kiss, B reciprocates and they both lean into it, touch starved and frenzied. Breaking only for air.

as they both breath heavily, B readies their sword and As eyes widen as they tense up.

A: The order of-

B shakes their head and A shuts up.

B: don't let their name taint this moment, love.

A closes their eyes and exhales slowly.

A: I love you.

B puts their lips back on As. A gentle and soft kiss as B brings the sword in with a swift and practiced motion. Causing a quick and painless death.

B: I love you too my star, I love you too.

Look I love unconditional devotion love stories as much as the next person, but there's really something so deliciously raw about conditional devotion.

I have served you and I have loved you for decades, but I will not give up my principles for you. You cut out part of my heart and took it with you down that path that you insist on walking, but you walk it alone. Even when the bleeding, gaping hole you left in my chest kills me, I will not follow you.

doing script writing + illustration w multitasking perhaps 💪💪

Do we think the duffer brothers did this consciously or do they just default to music when writing characters in sync / out of sync? I wonder if there could be other parallels similar to this.

“The Chemistry Test” Theory

(How the Duffers demonstrate romantic AND platonic chemistry in Stranger Things’ relationships)

When one character starts singing, how does the other react? Are they in harmony?

(alternatively: do they match each others freak?)

“Chemistry” describes the emotional connection between two characters in a relationship. This can be either romantic, platonic, both, or neither.

We know that the Duffer brothers highlighted the importance of music in Stranger Things 4, so let’s look back on it’s uses in earlier seasons.

I’ve noticed a lot of parallels between scenes that focus on the relationship between two characters. One of these two characters will sing, and the other has one of two reactions:

Indulge in the fun

Try and shut it down

Depending on their reaction, we can conclude a lot about what the Duffers want to communicate about the chemistry between two characters.

So let’s look at 6 examples:

Exhibit A: Dustin and Suzie

https://youtu.be/ehtsmxu1w10?si=CGnKM5PubO5lC-V4

This - I think - is the most glaringly obvious example of how the Duffers like to demonstrate chemistry between two characters. Mostly because this scene is purposefully very memorable.

Dustin and Suzie have clearly sung this many times before, we know this because Dustin immediately knows what Suzie wants from him just from her saying “I want to hear it”

At first, he’s embarrassed - all of his friends are listening, friends who didn’t believe until now that Suzie even existed. He doesn’t want to sing it in front of them.

But when Suzie joins in, he’s actually able to forget about the danger they’re all in, he’s doesn’t care everyone is listening, he’s able to indulge. Because he loves Suzie, these moments bring him joy. They bring Suzie joy, too. Just look at this shot of them together, despite being states apart. Because they are in harmony, the distance between them doesn’t matter.

These two cutie patooties pass the chemistry test with flying colours.

Exhibit B: Max and Lucas

(Max and Lucas are presumably also in a relationship at this point in the series, and they don’t break up until after.)

As another couple, the two are mocking Dustin for his relationship - making kissy faces at him and calling him “Dusty-bun”.

However, whilst doing so, they are demonstrating their own chemistry - synchronous clapping, smiling at each other, holding eye contact. When they start singing the second time, they need nothing more than a look from the other before they start again from the same lyric.

Max and Lucas may not have the same romantic dynamic as Dustin and Suzie, after all no two couples are the same, but they will sing to make lighthearted fun at their friend.

It should also be noted that Max didn’t even hear Dustin’s original rendition, she had to hear about the whole ordeal from the others, I’ll wager Lucas sang it enough to Dustin that she picked up on it and joined in. She indulged in the fun.

If Lucas and Max did not have chemistry, Max would’ve been at most only slightly amused in Lucas’ mockery, but she would not have joined in on it (similar to Mike) and might have even told him to knock it off during the time skip if he continued doing it.

These two pass the chemistry test.

Exhibit C: Mike and Eleven

Might be time to start contrasting these examples to other scenes in the same season.

This is our first look at Mike and Eleven as an official couple - and what I would label as the start of their downfall.

(may make a whole post dedicated to this one scene because it speaks volumes about Mike and Els relationship and what the Duffers want us to take away from it in retrospect)

This scene is special because it’s not like the writers are trying to make it glaringly obvious that Mike and El are not a compatible couple. Rather, this scene is disguised as a cute (albeit slightly awkward) scene, hell - i thought it was cute when i first watched it (I was also, you know, 12, but whatever, I’m now 17 I have a very different idea of what romantic relationships actually look like).

It’s only later when we gather the other examples in this post and compare them we can start to see that somethings not quite right with these two cutie pies.

Even whilst they’re still kissing, Mike is pushing Els hands away from him - already not a good sign.

When he pulls away to sing, it’s because he wants a break from constant kissing. From my own experience, I can tell you that making out is very exhausting (especially when you don’t have a lot of chemistry with the person you’re locking lips with).

El reacts very quickly by covering his mouth, she calls his name to grab his attention, she tells him to stop, she gives him a look that just says “What are you doing?”. This is her trying to shut him down. She is not indulging in the fun, even though Mike is trying to make her - he shakes her and her arms, he maintains eye contact. He asks her if she likes it, and she says “No!”.

If the Duffers wanted to portray Mike and El as a couple with chemistry, a better way to portray that could have been to have them just sitting and reading their own respective magazines, when Mike sings, El could have smiled and bopped her head along despite likely not knowing the words. They could have demonstrated that the two enjoy each others company even when they’re not making out, that they are still close, and a kiss goodbye to make it clear to the audience they still have a romantic dynamic.

This scene doesn’t just not do that, it does the opposite. Mike and El are only interested in kissing. When they break up later, it’s for comedic relief.

These two unfortunately do not pass the chemistry test.

Now, due to the very thick romantic tone of this scene, we can conclude that Mike and El do not have romantic chemistry, but we cannot make any conclusions about their platonic chemistry.

What does platonic chemistry look like with Eleven, you ask?

Exhibit D: Max and Eleven

This example is slightly less noticeable, but this scene starts in Elevens room, a parallel to the previous example with Mike.

Max is singing along to the radio, much like Mike was, the only difference is Els reaction. Instead of trying to shut her down, she is bopping her head along to the music. She may not be singing along, but she is still indulging in Max’s behaviour, she’s having fun.

Max and Eleven have platonic chemistry.

Exhibit E: Steve and Nancy

Let’s now look at the very first example of this Chemistry Test the show gives us, way back in season one. It’s so small you may have missed it.

I think this is a very good example of how interactions like these are a two way street.

(For context, Steve is apologising to Nancy for his lack of empathy towards Barbs disappearance, and tries to invite her to a movie to take her mind off it all - note that Nancy is yet to verbally forgive Steve in this scene)

Nancy goes through a lot in the first season, I don’t doubt that even if her and Steve shared romantic chemistry, that she still wouldn’t be in the mood for a little sing song. But Steve still sings to her anyway, he hasn’t picked up on how distraught she is over Barbs disappearance, and how “pretending everything is normal” is not something she wants to do.

What she wants is to go out and look for Barbara with Jonathan - Steve later misinterprets this as them hooking up, completely ignorant to the fact that they both have lost someone they care deeply for when they both feel they could have prevented it (Jonathan was not supposed to be working that evening and Nancy convinced Barb to come to Steve’s even though she didn’t actually want to)

It’s clear Steve is genuinely trying to make amends with her in this scene, but there is still a glaring disconnect in their emotions because Steve does not apologise proportionally to the distress Nancy is in. When he sings to her and tries to make her laugh, he is demonstrating this lack of understanding of her needs and emotions. Of course she doesn’t laugh, she looks away awkwardly and eventually shuts him down.

The lack of chemistry between these two is demonstrated by Steve singing in the first place, then confirmed when Nancy does not indulge.

These two, unsurprisingly, do not pass.

Exhibit F: Steve and Robin

(Skip to the end of this video for a refresher)

This is a very intimate conversation. This time, Steve appreciates that it takes a lot of trust for someone like Robin to talk about what she just has. It takes a lot of love from Robins end to be honest with him as to why they can’t be a couple.

Trust and love that didn’t come from no where, I’ll remind you.

He reacts the way he does because he values Robin as a friend, and as friends do, he picks apart and judges her crushes.

Steve doesn’t have to grasp at straws for something to say, despite having never been in this situation before, despite having never even thought about being in this situation before. He just talks. The right words come out of his mouth because they have that shared love and trust. He just talks and says the right thing because he feels and thinks the right things.

He sings because it’s appropriate for their dynamic and his approach to this conversation as her friend, she indulges to confirm that they are in harmony now their relationship is defined as platonic.

These two have undeniable chemistry. Id argue this is the best example of this Chemistry Test because it’s such a raw and real interaction, even if it only demonstrates a strong platonic bond.

(I would love to see some sort of parallel with Mike and Eleven in S5)

“Great! We have a theory about how the Duffer brothers have previously demonstrated Chemistry, with evidence to support it! … Now what?”

Now we apply it to Season 5 Speculation!

I bring to you a whole three possible applications of this theory.

Number 1: Robin and Vickie

Crucial detail that loads of people overlook about Robin and Vickie - they’re both in band.

We’re constantly reminded of it, too.

Steve to Robin: “You’re worried about a high school pep rally, you expect me to believe that? […] This is about Vickie!”

Our first look at Vickie is during said pep rally, we see Vickie and Robin standing side by side, sharing a glance during the band performance.

We see them interact later that night, during band (again), whilst Tammy Thompson sings the national anthem.

Dustin to Eddie s4 e02: “You know Robin! From band!”

Vickie to her boyfriend when he asks who Robin is: “Someone from band.”

Robin and Vickie are in harmony, even in their limited on screen interactions, because they both play music together.

It’s also worth noting that both of their instruments are wind instruments. We know that the both of them struggle to stop themselves from rambling, so their best interactions are during band, they do not have to worry about finding the right words because they literally cannot talk.

According to the Duffer Brothers, Robin and Vickie have chemistry. Rovickie endgame - next please!

Number 2: Steve and Nancy

Let’s be so fr they are not getting back together.

This post is one of many arguments as to why they should not and will not become a couple again in s5.

I said “next, please!”

Number 3: Will and Mike

Stay with me, now.

Small throwaway scene? Maybe, yeah, but i’ll add that the exact frame Will sings here is the thumbnail for this episode.

Do with that information what you will.

In this scene, Mike is making a plan to find El by getting help from Suzie. Will is the only one who picks up on Mikes plan, and sings the Never-ending Story theme to remind the others who haven’t yet picked up on it. Basic example of show don’t tell.

Contrary to Steve and Nancy, Will sings because Mike and him are already in harmony. They’re on the same page about “Utah” meaning “Suzie”.

This is one of the many examples in season 4 alone where Mike and Will do not need to communicate with words to pick up what the other puts down.

You could say that these two have quite a good rhythm, their interactions seem to flow seamlessly, and when they don’t ( *cough* airport reunion) it sticks out like a sore thumb.

I cant find a clip of the scene I can link here, but think of that scene where they’re formatting a lie for Suzie in her room as to why they need these coordinates, and it’s complete improv and such a natural flowing lie despite the fact they’ve never discussed it before.

And if we’re defining chemistry as a measure of emotional connection, well, which two characters have the most heart-to-heart, ‘lethal dose of emotion’ interactions this season?

yeah…quite a few more than average.

And that’s just season four! Mike and Will share emotionally intimate moments like these throughout the seasons.

So, will we get to see some more musical interactions this next season? If we do, i’ll place my bets on these two getting fed a version of our Chemistry Test.

Love to hear other people’s thoughts!

Oooh this is inspiring me to write some poetry about Mike's love for Will and how El feels like a momentary placeholder after Will disappeared

The Cyrano Trope & Byler

The byler painting lie is such a clear example of a literary trope where a character receives some form of courtship that makes them feel "in love", however the character does not know the true identity of WHO they got it from. 

This trope has a full fledged name called "Playing Cyrano". It comes from a famous french play from 1897 about a character named Cyrano, who felt that the love of his life, Roxane, would never love him back because he was not good looking enough. Still, he tries to find the courage to convey his love to Roxane through a love letter (think~ painting) and this is what happens: 

(link to full article)

Will is the one "playing Cyrano" here for El, as a means to make Mike happy, help Mike and El's relationship, and also to secretly convey his own feelings for Mike in the process. 

This trope very obviously ends with Roxane (Mike) falling for Cyrano (Will) upon learning the true identity behind the letters (painting/van speech). 

And it's also precisely why Mike makes the expressions he makes at Will in the van; why his eyes shine with awe, why he takes breathless gulps as Will speaks, the whole nine yards. 

I've spent a long time wondering why Finn Wolfhard acted the way he did in the van scene (the expressions he makes are VERY distinct and emotive, he was given clear acting directions for it), and this is the most concrete reason why: The writers/directors here were trying to show us how Mike is perceiving Will's gift and words, and what it's making Mike feel. The van scene is not ONLY about Will, but about Mike's feelings too!!!

Mike's expressions in the van scene clearly tell the audience that he feels like he's falling in love all over again. It's giving him hope for his relationship with El. It's making him forget about his insecurities with her, and making him feel needed and loved. 

And the obvious catch here is that it's all Will doing that. Not El. And that's the missing piece to how they're going to segue into byler in season 5. 

--------- 

Beyond Stranger Things, obviously the idea of 'Playing Cyrano' has been adapted for literally over a hundred of years, into hundreds of stories, cementing it as a trope in romance plotlines. Here are just a few other examples:

Ben and Beverly from It

Ben gives Beverly a poem, but she thinks it's from Bill and ends up with Bill in the first movie. In the second movie she learns who the poem is really from and rightfully ends up with Ben.

Olivia and Sebastian from She's the Man

Olivia quickly falls for Sebastian while reading a sheet of song lyrics he wrote. But she thinks the lyrics are written by his twin who is disguised as Sebastian at the time. She spends most of the movie chasing after his twin, but eventually finds out the truth and ends up with Sebastian. 

Ellie and Aster from The Half Of It

Ellie agrees to help a jock named Paul write letters to his crush Aster. Ellie is in love with Aster and communicates it through the letters under Paul's name. This helps Paul and Aster's relationship a lot and they begin to date. Eventually Aster finds out the real person behind the letters, which leads to Ellie and Aster ending up together.

I especially love how the Cyrano trope is used in this story, because it shows how easily the trope can be molded to fit the queer perspective: in the original, Cyrano believes his love will never be reciprocated because he's not attractive enough. While in the Half of It, Ellie believes her love will never be reciprocated because of her gender.

Otis and Maeve from Sex Education 

Otis plays Cyrano for Jackson who is hooking up with Maeve at the time. Otis is in love with Maeve and knows everything about her, and essentially meshes with her perfectly. But he's too insecure to confess to her. Meanwhile, Jackson doesn't mesh with Maeve super well, and gets Otis to play Cyrano (eg. Otis telling Jackson Maeve's favourite books) . Maeve and Jackson end things when she finds out the truth about Otis's involvement, and her/Otis are the main couple of this series. 

---------

Overall the moral behind Cyrano's story is about how love at first sight is foolish and that appearances are not the basis of true love. 

Reading about this trope struck me with the thought that maybe this is why the writers forcibly shoved El and Mike into the love at first sight trope— even when it doesn't totally fit Mike's behaviour or words in S1E2 (after he sees El the first time, he does not behave like someone "in love" at all and plans to send her away). 

In most cases of the Cyrano trope, the love that exists between the "wrong" pairing is mainly based off of physical appearance and cyrano's masked courtship. There is little else holding them together. So by writing Mike declare that it was "love at first sight", it makes me question the whole basis of his love for El and how superficial it might be. I mean sorry Mike, how did you know you loved her the moment you saw her? You didn't even know anything about her. Meanwhile there's an undeniable depth to byler's bond— their friendship deepened and evolved over the course of many years, and it's anything but superficial.

(Side note: this trope sometimes involves Cyrano actively aiding the other love interest -Christian/El- but sometimes does not. In byler's case it does not. Will does not directly plan with El to woo Mike, and instead uses her name to an unknowing Mike to help their relationship. This trope can be executed a million different ways, but the main point is: the one in Roxane's role doesn't know who is causing their feelings of love)

I know this is an invincible reference but I’ve never actually seen it. it’s just a little funny imo

Anyway I’ve started writing it. I might make it a full video or smth (I have NEVER made a video b4 much less a video essay but I’m sure it’s easy [🫡] and totally not complicated or hard) but!!! Anyway I’m working on it and if anyone wants to donate their secret knowledge abt the game pls drop ur knowledge in my inbox and PLEASE include a source!!

One of these days I’m gonna crack and make a full essay on DREAMBBQ bc it’s just such an interesting game that I’d love to dissect and pull apart and maybe even find a meaning along the way (ik it’s surreal and that part of surrealism is its loss of meaning but as an enjoyer of content I would like to find some meaning in the work, canon or not!!!)