The Gallifrey Film Society Presents....

(Sorry - need to blow the dust off a bit)

Hello there! I'm becky_monster and you have been chosen to write one of my requests for the 2017 round of yuletide

I would say look around but... best not to! I've not been around for an awful long while - however, I am on Twitter as 'becky_monster' where I talk about movies and generally re-tweet a heck of a lot - usually more interesting and informed folk than me. However - below should be enough for you to get started and have fun with your story.

All I ask is that you have fun writing this story - if you had fun creating it, I will surely love it!

If you are here because you're a pinch-hitting superstar or something I've said urged you into writing a treat then - you are utterly AWESOME and I hope that you gets lots of kudos for that.

Now I've said that - I've asked for:

Y tu mamá también (2001)
Gravity (2013)
Star Trek: Discovery(2017)
Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Before I get into the business of why I love each of my nominations, a word from our sponsors regarding things I like and Do Not Like. I'll start with the Do Not Like list - it's shorter.

Do Not Like - Character death, kink, humiliation, partner betrayal, character bashing (especially women characters) porn minus plot, dark themes. Fluffy monster is so *fluffy* you're gonna die (Despicable Me quote ftw!)

Now for the Likes list - Plot, character-led stories, friendships, alternative realities where one thing changes, different povs, hugs/cuddling, women characters being awesome and competent, teams equaling families, happy(ish) endings, conversations, films, kisses, laughter, humour, science, Space, exploration, nerdiness, teamwork, adventures, slice of life, dancing, joy, life...
With luck that's enough to get your bunnies fed and a story started...

On with the show!

Y Tu Mama Tambien
If you do decide to give my twitter a read through, you will find out that I adore movies and I am crackers about Star Wars. Add in being a slasher for the last 25 years and you have a recipe for... something!

I originally saw this film on DVD about 2003/4 and fell in love with it pretty much immediately. Everytime I saw one of the actors turn up in a film, I would remember that penultimate scene (you know the one!) with great fondness and carry on with whatever I was doing.

So - yeah, as well as being one of my favourite films of 2016 - Rogue One has a hell of a lot to answer for! Especially as it got me to borrow this from a library and re-watch it. Of note - this is one of Felicity Jones' favourite films too.

I had forgotten not only how delightful this film was and how heartbreaking the ending was (in fact I am sure I never picked up on the seemingly random mention of a friend who is in a same sex relationship, on first watch) I adored the boys' friendship and how Luisa knew exactly what was going on and in the end, I think she knew/hoped that the boys would realise as well.

So! Story ideas: Give the boys a second chance! Perhaps in this universe, perhaps in another one (a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away? I'm just sayin...;p) Or a what if - what if they had realised and decided to make a go of it? Write whatever pleases you!

Singin' In the Rain (1952)
Cards on the table - there are very few perfect films in this mad world of ours - this? Is one of them.

Tell a story of the growing relationship between Kathy and Cosmo as the movie progresses. How Don hopes that they will get on and that perhaps he can keep both of them in his life. Would I say that Cosmo and Don were an item? It's very possible. If you want to take this on a romantic/sexual turn - be my guest. I'd love a triad story as much as a gen story. Write whatever works for you!

Gravity (2013)
This was one of my favourite films of 2013 and my love for it was re-ignited when I was fortunate to see it again, on a big screen during the summer this year.

I'm a sucker for SF and anything space related, so it was kind of a no brainer that I would like this movie. I just didn't expect to emotionally connect so damn hard with this 'simple' tale of surviving against all the odds to the point where I cried so damn much at one scene that I was physically shaking. If you've seen the movie, you'll know the scene - where Ryan asks Matt to pass a message along to Sarah for her... (wipes face... damn you Cuarón!).

(Quick! - story ideas before I completely lose the plot!). Ahem! As I've already stated, I love stories that feature different POVs, so tell me about Mission Control, the voice we hear in Huston - who is he, what's he (and the rest of NASA) going through as Ryan is fighting to get home. Tell me of the events of Gravity from their pov. What's happening here on good ol Terra Firma? After all, NASA hasn't lost anyone in space before the events of this movie (The 'Columbia' tragedy happened upon re-entry to Earth's atmosphere and 'Challenger' happened just after take off) that's going to have an effect on well... everyone!.

What happens to Ryan after the movie? She's going to be a very changed woman - after she's done the 'impossible', how's she doing? what's she doing? I'd like to think she's coping with the glare - especially as the press will be (literally) digging through her life...

Very random idea here: I was fortunate to visit Arlington cemetry in DC, in 2014. The memorials to the crews of Challenger and Columbia moved me to tears - how will 'Explorer' be remembered? (yes, these were cut and pastaed from a previous year - but I still love these ideas!)

Star Trek: Discovery (2017)
As much as I am a die hard Star Wars nut, I have always loved Star Trek too.

So while Trek and I may have parted the ways for nearly 20 years (blame Babylon 5!) I have always had a soft spot for the show. So when a new series stated that they had cast Michelle Yeoh as a Captain, I might have let out a war whoop (I may have had a crush on Yeoh since she flattened a whole room of bad guys in a Bond movie - I won't tell if you won't!) it had my full attention. So when they added Doug Jones (Guillermo Del Toro's go to creature actor) to the cast - I knew I had to watch this.

As of writing - I haven't seen the 3rd episode, but I adored the first two and wanted to see more of the relationships between these three. The warm mentorship/friendship of Georgiou and Burnham; that Georgiou knows she has good people under her in Burnham and Saru (despite their 'squabbling') and that they respect each other.

So - a 'normal' day on the office fic? The three of them discussing a mission - just write what pleases you - that the three of them are there and interacting (no character assassinations please!) that would be awesome!

Again, I say, have fun and I am sure I will enjoy it!

Hello there! I'm becky_monster and you are an awesome person as you are (I hope!) going to be writing for me as part of the 2015 round of yuletide.

Before I get onto the nitty gritty of requests etc, I just want to say one thing. Ahem...

All I ask is that you have fun writing your story. If you had fun, then it will show and I will love it. That's a promise. As much as I love getting fic written in fandoms that I love, for Yuletide, I love the creation aspect just as much as getting more fic to read. If that's the same for you - we're going to be aokay.

If you are here because you're a pinch-hitting superstar or something I've said urged you into writing a treat then - you are utterly AWESOME and I hope that you gets lots of kudos for that.

Now I've said that - I've asked for:

Sunshine (2007)

The Matrix (Movies)

Solar System (Anthropomorphic) and

Some Like It Hot (1959)

Before I get into the business of why I love each of my nominations, a word from our sponsors regarding things I like and Do Not Like. I'll start with the Do Not Like list - it's shorter.

Do Not Like - Character death, kink, humiliation, partner betrayal, character bashing (especially women characters) porn minus plot, dark themes. Fluffy monster is so *fluffy* you're gonna die (Despicable Me quote ftw!)

Now for the Likes list - Plot, character-led stories, friendships, alternative realities where one thing changes, different povs, hugs/cuddling, women characters being awesome and competent, teams equaling families, happy(ish) endings, conversations, films, kisses, laughter, humour, science, Space, exploration, nerdiness, teamwork, adventures, slice of life, dancing, joy, life...

I would say to have a look around my LJ but it's been one of *those* years when I have been anywhere but here. Even so, still have a nosey - I ain't changed that much;) also the following might be helpful:

AO3 - Beckymonster

Twitter - becky_monster

Tumblr - Movie-Watching-Monster (mainly because somebody beat me to 'Beckymonster' or variants of;))

So on with the show!

The Matrix (movies)
Characters - Trinity, Morpheus, The Oracle, Neo/Thomas Anderson
I utterly adore this film and (unpopular opinion ahoy!) love the sequels too. As the character list chosen reflects the first film, please feel free to concentrate on that, oh most awesome writer, if that's your heart's desire. If you'd like to bring in the sequels too - go right ahead! I won't say no;)

I've loved this movie since I first saw it in 1999 - I saw it again at the cinema last year (2014) and it still is utterly wonderful. I adore the Wachowskis (although I haven't had a chance to watch Sense8 yet), and love their way of looking at things.

Okay - ideas! Is now a good time to note that Trinity is one of my all-time favourite lady characters ever? Yes? Good! So long as Trinity is front and centre, I'm good;)

Ideas for considering - what if Trinity was 'The One' instead of Neo? How would have the film played out instead? Meetings between her and the Oracle (who was always awesome, in either body) perhaps? Her relationship with Morpheus - she tells Neo (towards the end of the first film) that he means more to her than he does to Neo, I've always seen this as non-romantic but there are ties that bind these two. What was her life like while she was still plugged into the Matrix?
What was her training like with Morpheus once she was freed?

Or conversely - throw all of that out of a window and go with some world building. Why did the Machines choose the end of the 20th Century? Do something with the idea of 'residual self image'...

In short - as Morpheus would say 'free your mind'!


Sunshine (2007)
Characters - Robert Capa, Corazon, Cassie, Mace
This is my perenial request - I ask for it now for two reasons. One - I'm too bloody minded to give up. Two - I live in hope that this might be *the* year I finally get fic about this wonderful film!

So - I would lovelovelove to see Corazon and Cassie being awesome and good friends as well as having a Bechdel Test passing conversation. There were at least two opportunities where this could have happened but didn’t.

I also adore Capa and Mace – we shall not discuss the crush the size of a small *moon* that I have on Cillian Murphy, nor that I’ll quite happily watch Chris Evans in nearly *anything* and have done. Ditto Michelle Yeoh, who I have loved since she wiped the floor with the bad guys back in Tomorrow Never Dies.

Other ideas - How do they deal with things like touch hunger and lonliness and being a long way from home? What are their coping mechanisms?

Or give me a what if - what if they hadn't found the Icarus I - completed their mission and returned home. They've saved the solar system - now what? How do they adjust to real life and to the fact that they're (regarded by everybody else as) heroes?
If you'd like to draw correlations between these guys and the astronauts of the Apollo missions, knock yourself out. I'm a bit of space nerd, so it would be quite wonderful to read.

As I have already stated - I love this little film and would love to read all the fix-its and 'happy-ish endings' for Icarus II's crew.

Or again - if you want to go off on a real tanget - what if the Icarus II was sentient?


Solar System (Anthropomorphic)
Characters - Earth, Pluto, New Horizons, Charon

Cards on the table - this is one of those fandoms that I always looked at in the tags list and would go 'Really?!' before thinking that it would be both awesome to write and read crack of the highest order about the little system we call home. This is my first year of asking for fic for this fandom as the New Horizons mission and it's results are just too good to pass up...

Poor Pluto - how must it feel to be 'kicked' out of the 'family' by that SOB Earth... only for Earth to send New Horizons out to see it as it did this year. How does Pluto feel about this?

And what about the names Earth has given it? It gets all the doom and gloom (mostly) while Charon gets the nerdy ones (see - io9 - We're Actively Creating the Geekiest World in the Universe) - what's their opinions on this?

Honestly, that two of the greatest lady characters in Film SF (Princess Leia and Ellen Ripley) are being used to (possibly) name parts of Charon is one of the best things I've heard all year.

In short - go nuts;) Be as mad as you like here. It's the one fandom that practically begs for it!


Some Like It Hot (1959)
Characters - Osgood Fielding III, Jerry 'Daphne'

Let me preface by saying that this film is one of my all time favourite films EVAR! It's up there with Star Wars, Beauty and The Beast ('91), Casablanca, Raiders of the Lost Ark, etc. as being one of my knock 'em down favourites. So, whatever you do is good.

Needless to say, that last line is one of the best (if not the best) closing lines in film.

And yet... what happens next? What happens to Osgood and Jerry/Daphne? Do they go they try to make something of what they had? After all, they seemed to be having a fine ol' time on their date - so there is a spark. So what do they do with it? If they do make something of it - how does it pan out? I'd like to think that they'd make it but what do I know?

Also - if you want to talk more about that date - please feel free. Dancing is always a good thing in my book. Go - have fun with this one.


And there you have it! The main thing to keep in mind, dear yuletide writer, is have fun and enjoy crafting your story. Whatever it is, I'm sure I'm going to have fun reading it!

So, if like me, you want to watch it a thousand times, you can. If you tear up at that moment at 1:57, like I did...



Roll on 18/12! I'll bring the tea, you bring the awesome!

*Ahem*

Is this thing still on? Bit dusty around here but nothing that a feather duster (and possibly a lightsabre) couldn't fix.

I've no idea what my presence is going to be like... yuletide is coming, so I am *hoping* to be around for that (my SEVENTH time around... that can't be right?!) who knows... I might even get my Sunshine fic...

And meat might fly etc.

Anyhow - how are you guys?

(Note - I started writing this early as it usually takes me forever to try and form a letter that *may* pass for coherent. I finished it just before nominations opened, so don't mind the time stamp!)

Oh crikey, this has come around again quick...

Hello! I'm Beckymonster, your recipient for this round of yuletide... or that rather strange soul with the bizarre requests, one of which has 'inspired' you!

How are you? I hope this letter finds you well. Can I just start off by saying that you are an awesome person with impeccable taste! How do I know this? You have volunteered to write in one of the teeny fandoms that we both love. Ergo - awesome.

Just before we get to the nitty-gritty, just be aware that whatever you write, so long as you've enjoyed it's crafting, I am bound to enjoy it too. So, no pressure on you;)

And if you're here because you are a pinch-hitting superstar - then the above goes for you with bells on.

So, my fandoms, for 2014 are: Sunshine (2007), The Lego Movie (2014), The Matrix (1999) and Gravity (2013)

If you're curious, since this is not my first yuletide (it's my 5th - ai me!;)) - you can find my previous Yuletide letters here: 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 - so you can have an idea what you're letting yourself in for;)

This is the point where I usually invite you to have a nosey around my lj to see what makes me tick but as I have been monster non-grata this year - that's a bit redundant. Needless to say that I love and adore movies and science fiction and whatever you write will also be loved more than cake.

If you do need a few pointers regarding likes and dislikes the following, I hope, may be useful:

Likes - Plot, character-led stories, friendships, alternative realities where one thing changes, different povs, hugs/cuddling, women characters being awesome and competent, teams equaling families, happy(ish) endings, conversations/banter, films, kisses, laughter, humour, science, teamwork, adventures, slice of life, dancing, joy, life...

Dislikes - I like a lot of things but there are a few hard and fast things I Do Not Like. They are:
Character death, kink, humiliation, partner betrayal, character bashing (especially women characters) porn minus plot, dark themes. Fluffy monster is so *fluffy* you're gonna die (Despicable Me quote ftw!). Yes, I do shed terribly - getting all that fluff out of the carpet is moider!

Ratings - go with what feels right for the story. I trust you, dear writer, so long as it's consensual, sensual and emotionally engaging I am *there*.

I hope that the above is intel enough for you to get cracking. Don't forget that OPTIONAL DETAILS ARE OPTIONAL - I've waffled on about what I love about these films and thrown numerous plot bunnies left right and centre and yet if you have an idea burning deep inside - go for it. So long as you enjoy what you write, I'm going to love it too.

( Collapse )

I hope this is useful to you but if you'd like more details - ask a hippo for help, be more than happy to fill in the gaps.

And again, thank you

Despite evidence to the possible contrary... I'm still here!

I don't know what else to say (other than the cat is trying to help me type this!) but I'd thought I'd at least say *something* as proof of liff.

Also as it's getting to that time of year again (yay! Yuletide!) so, with luck, this might not be a one off...

( Collapse )

A nice, friendly reminder from the Pan Pacific Defence Corp, helpfully pinched from Tumblr...



Answers on a postcard as to how he makes tweed look as sexy as all get out...

Yes, I'm doing mini_wrimo again. Still 100 words a day - mainly because on some days (like yesterday!) getting over that magical triple figure goal is an achievement in itself!

Still, I'm over 1,000 words for the month so far, so that registers as a win!

* * *

There have been movies watched. I want to discuss one of them but as it doesn't open until this weekend in the US, I shall keep stumn. If you can work out what I mean and want to discuss it already - drop me a line.

And I will talk about the films I saw at the London Film Festival at some point!

* * *

So, that's me - how are you guys?

The use John Murphy's 'Sunshine' (Adagio in D Minor) as one of the pieces to soundtrack this is on a par with Lux Aeterna for the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Needless to say, that's as coherent as I've managed to be where this trailer has been concerned. I've been stoked for this film since the first *big* casting news was announced but this was like being given a very big cake with a large side order of Ben and Jerry's. We're talking Pacific Rim/ Prometheus levels of flail.

So say it with me now... IS IT MAY YET?! HOW ABOUT NOW!