First to 8

 (Version 2)

Formula Percentage

Before I see a film or TV drama, I want to know its “formula percentage”. The lower the better because it implies originality and genuine creativity. Of course, anything that is formulaic can be automated – therefore, a research paper I would like to read is:

 

Formulaic Structures in Film and TV Screenplays and the Potential for AI-driven Automation 

 

Through a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative analysis of market success metrics with qualitative assessments of screenplay content, this study explores formulaic structures within film and TV screenplays, examining how adherence to or deviation from these formulas correlates with market success over time. By identifying key formulaic elements that have dominated screenwriting practices, the study aims to uncover patterns and trends in the evolution of narrative formulas and their impact on audience reception and commercial success. Furthermore, it investigates the feasibility of automating formulaic scriptwriting through artificial intelligence (AI), assessing whether AI can replicate the success of these formulas.

Oaty Protein Bar - recipe outline

(20g protein per bar).

 

Ingredients:

            •          Rolled Oats: Forms the base of the bar, providing complex carbohydrates for sustained energy.

            •          Protein Powder: Whey, soy, or pea protein powder to boost the protein content.

            •          Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, or pecans for crunch, healthy fats, and additional protein.

            •          Seeds: Chia seeds, flaxseeds, and pumpkin seeds for extra protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and fibre.

            •          Raisins: For natural sweetness and a chewy texture. You can also use other dried fruits like apricots or cranberries.

            •          Nut Butter: Peanut or almond butter to bind the ingredients together and add more protein and healthy fats.

            •          Honey or Maple Syrup: Natural sweeteners to enhance the taste and help bind the ingredients.

            •          Vanilla Extract: For flavour.

            •          Pinch of Salt: To enhance the overall flavour.

            •          Optional Add-ins: Dark chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for additional flavour.

 

Method:

            1.         Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, protein powder, chopped nuts, seeds, and raisins.

            2.         Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the nut butter, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. You can gently warm this mixture to make it easier to mix.

            3.         Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until everything is well coated.

            4.         Press into a Pan: Line a baking tray with parchment paper and press the mixture firmly into the tray. The thickness can be adjusted based on preference.

            5.         Chill and Set: Refrigerate for a few hours or until the mixture is firm.

            6.         Cut into Bars: Once set, cut into bars or squares and store in an airtight container.

Random Thoughts

Inspired by Flash Gordon and Brian Blessed, how about a new sport called Hang Gliding Archery where participants on hang gliders shoot at targets suspended from drones in the air?

 

How about “Footby” – combining football with rugby tackling? It’s football but players can also pick up and throw the ball. If a player is holding the ball, they can be tackled like in rugby.

 

At this stage in the story of humanity, human thinking is generally primitive, insentient of the enormous potential. To paraphrase Socrates, at least I know I’m thick.

 

I’m named after a character in a ghost story that my mum was listening to on the radio.

 

Is it normal to be expressionless despite reacting within?

Chess Alternative

Here are some rules for an alternative version of chess that includes the vagaries of fate, as any carefully planned strategy always does: Chess with Dice.

Setup:

• A standard 8x8 square grid board with alternating colours.
• A full set of chess pieces.
• A six-sided dice.

Gameplay:

The board is empty at the start of the game. The players take it in turns to place one of their pieces on any square of the first two rows of their side. No square is specific to a piece, as per standard chess.

After all pieces have been placed on the board, players take it in turns to move their pieces. For each move, a dice roll determines which piece they can use, as follows:

1 = Pawn

2 = Rook

3 = Knight

4 = Bishop

5 = Queen

6 = King

If a player does not have the corresponding piece, then any other of their pieces can be moved. If the player has a piece but can’t move it, then their move is over.

Modifications:

The set mode is decided by the players at the outset of the game.

Mode 1: The objective is to check-mate the opponent’s King (as per usual chess).

Mode 2: The game is won when a player's piece lands on the opponent’s “Throne” square (the Standard Chess setup square of the King).

Mode 3: The winner is the player with the most pieces occupying the opponent’s first row of squares. A piece cannot move or be taken when it lands on the opponent’s “Home” row. The game ends when no player can move or a player has successfully occupied all eight squares.

Game Stories

I would like to see a game show that combines mind and physicality.

A contestant is placed in the middle of the Grid, which is a labyrinth of different rooms with different challenges, contained within sections (levels).

The contestant has to escape each section of the Grid before the clock counts down.

Some challenges waylay and consume the contestant’s time. They have to decide whether to continue in that direction or find a different route to the section exit.

Failed challenges reduce the remaining time on the clock. Stop Buttons revealed for successful challenges temporarily stop the clock.

Different characters in the Grid try to help or hinder the contestant. Some of them talk to the viewer and comment on what is happening.

The Grid watches and updates the viewer.

Hang on, this sound like a horror story again.

How about a board game: Race to the Stars. Players navigate a playing board of the solar system trying to be the first to reach Alpha Centauri.

Hang on, it sound like a science fiction story – where AIs are literally operating space ships from the board game moves.

Random Thoughts

A journey of a thousand lines of code begins with a single import statement.

Deserts are giant sun mines.

Negative generalisations about a person based on demographics is bigotry.

Thinking out loud… Legislature: Lower Chamber: 1,000 randomly selected people, each serving 1 month over staggered terms. Each vote by secret ballot. Upper Chamber: 1,000 experts in their fields, appointed by Lower Chamber from independent shortlists, each serving 1 year over staggered terms. Each vote by secret ballot. The Legislature rather have the government appoints members of public committees and nominates people for honours. Government: Head of Government appointed by national election. Serves 1 year. Legislation must be approved by the Legislature. Provision to be removed from office if two thirds majority in both chambers. The HOG cannot serve consecutive terms. They have a 12 month contract to do a good job before they are out. No honours, titles, or special treatment for having the job. They are not allowed to ever monetise their position beyond the salary they are paid. National referenda required for constitutional changes. Framework: No political or private funding allowed for the HOG candidate. The most popular candidates are mandated time in the national media. No political bias allowed in the media within 1 month before the national election.

Rugby 10s - Variation

A version of Rugby Union I would like to see is: 

• 1 point for a conversion/penalty/drop kick.
• 3 points for a try.
• 10 players – remove 5 forwards, so only 3 player scrums and 2 player line-outs. 
• 10 permanent substitutions allowed.
• 4 quarters of 20 minutes, with 10 minute intervals. 

Tries are more exciting than penalties, and should have a higher relative points value than the current 5 to 3. A result where a team can score fewer tries but win the match doesn’t seem right to me.

8 player scrums are the worst, most boring part of the current game, taking ages to set and reset.

The players are currently big and chunky in order to smash their way through a congested pitch of tacklers. More space means an emphasis on speed, stamina, and skill.

More intervals and more substitutes means that a higher level of intensity can be maintained for the spectators.

Cricket has been experimenting with various formats; other sports could experiment too.

First To 8

First To 8 is played on the same 8 by 8 standard board used for Chess or Checkers.

The aim of the game is to be the first player to get 8 pieces to the other side of the board.

It is arguably at a level of strategy difficulty between Checkers (the easiest) and Chess (the hardest).

Both players have 24 regular pieces, one player has one colour and the other player another colour.

Each player places their pieces on all the squares of the first three rows nearest to them.

The players decide who has the first move of the game. Each player then takes turns to move one of their pieces.

Any piece can move to 1 of 3 different squares if available: Forwards Diagonal Left, Forwards Vertically, or Forwards Diagonal Right.

“Forwards” is moving towards the opponent’s side of the board.

A movement is completed when the player removes their hand from the piece.

Only one piece can occupy any square of the board.

If before moving, a player’s piece is Diagonally Forwards adjacent to an opponent’s piece and there is an empty square in the same direction behind the opponent’s piece, the player’s piece must move to the empty square and remove the opponent’s piece from the board.

If after taking, there is a new opportunity to “take”, then the player must take again in the same move until no longer applicable – this is known as a “multi-take” and can take up to 3 of the opponent’s pieces.

A player can not take Vertically Forwards.

The player must take if the taking opportunity is noticed by the opponent.

If there is more than one opportunity to take then the player has the option to choose which piece to use for the taking move.

The other side of the board is the first row of squares nearest to the opponent.

A piece can not move when it has reached the other side of the board.

The end of the game is when one player has a piece on all 8 squares of the other side of the board – they are the First to 8 – or the end of the game is when one player can no longer move.

The winner is the player at the end of the game with the most pieces on the other side of the board.

The differences with Checkers are:

• The aim is to move quickly to the the other side of the board – not like in Checkers which is to take all the opponent’s pieces.
• Pieces can move vertically forwards as well as diagonally forwards.
• Pieces can move on both square colours.
• There are 24 pieces per player instead of 12.
• A piece can not move when it has reached the other side of the board – there are no Kings like in Checkers.

All these differences require the players to adopt different tactics from Checkers.

https://vimeo.com/506715501