starwatcher: Western windmill, clouds in background, trees around base. (Default)
[personal profile] starwatcher
 
Thanks to [personal profile] andrewducker on my friends page, I was treated to The Women Who Ran Genghis Khan’s Empire. The sub-heading reads, "From fighting in the army to managing the kingdom, women were key players in every aspect of the Mongol Empire."

Large portions of the ancient world seem to have treated women as second-class citizens, subject to men's rules and expectations. It's interesting to read about a very different system, and think about Andromache and Quynh being part of that culture for a few dozen years, or even a generation or two. I thought some of you might also enjoy delving in.

Maybe there's even a fic idea in there for someone...
 
starwatcher: Western windmill, clouds in background, trees around base. (Default)
[personal profile] starwatcher
.

No major changes; the dialogue and actions didn't get rewritten when we wern't looking. But this time I tried to really focus on the "edges" -- who was doing what while the characters center-stage were doing their thing -- and added that information. (Can't believe how much I missed the first few times!) I also [b] added some descriptions, and more complete descriptions of some actions, [c] made some corrections to the sequencing of speech / description in dialogue, [d] included Andy's Russian phrase to the pilot, and [e] made some general grammar / word-choice edits. (I'm very picky about such things.) About 2,700 more words.

I... don't think I'm finished. (Copley's boards, check the fight scenes again.) But I don't want to spam this comm, and enough is enough. From now on, I'll note the date of the most recent updates at the top of my transcript master post and in the notes to the AO3 version; if you have need of a "latest version", check back there occasionally to see if there's anything new.

Anyway, same as the last time -- all the versions of my transcript are where I left them, but have been updated. If you access the transcript online, nothing changes. But if you download and save a copy on your own computer, or copy it to a word-processing program to manipulate to your satisfaction, you may want to go grab the latest version.

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starwatcher: Western windmill, clouds in background, trees around base. (Default)
[personal profile] starwatcher
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So, I've spent the afternoon link-hopping around Tumblr, following Old Guard meta. (Which isn't easy because I have only the teeniest clue how to "work" Tumblr.) But I found this great resource to share -- a Google Doc full of links to Tumblr-users' meta and/or informational posts about all things Old Guard. If you're interested, here it is --

Google doc of Old Guard Resources via Tumblr user with-my-murder-flute.

Copy of the index page, so you can see what's available. )

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starwatcher: Western windmill, clouds in background, trees around base. (Default)
[personal profile] starwatcher
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No worries -- the transcripts are still where I left them. HOWEVER, I've edited them rather extensively -- fixed a bunch of typos, (including one place where I called Nile, Andy *facepalm*), and added new material -- two songs, and a list of clippings / pictures shown on Copley's bulletin board as the end credits played.

If you bookmark / read online, your access hasn't changed. BUT if you tend to download and save on your HD, or if you copy to a document, you'll want to go back and get the revised (improved!) version.


EDIT: My brain has left the building. IF you've saved the versions with ITALICS descriptions... I discovered (thank goodness!) that I reposted the old version instead of the new one. So if you grabbed what I told you was the "new" one... not so much. NOW the correct version is posted, so grab it again if you need. I apologize; I guess I'm still punch-drunk. I also just found -- after re-reading this thing four times -- the sentence, "He asses two women..." I fixed it (sees), but I didn't used to have dyslexia. I think I just need to declare myself non compos mentis.


I've also put up two new reading versions. (I just can't resist tinkering.)


Red names, black dialogue, blue descriptions, all regular font.

Bold red names, regular black dialogue, regular blue descriptions.

I added the new links to the master post, so that's still the best link to share.

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starwatcher: Western windmill, clouds in background, trees around base. (Default)
[personal profile] starwatcher
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After almost two weeks of obsessive-compulsive behavior, the transcript I've been working on is ready to be shared.

For now, it will be in my fic journal, because AO3 doesn't seem to allow non-breaking spaces or colored font. (The HTML codes claim that colored font is possible, but I couldn't make it work.)

Anyway, I put it up in four different "styles", because different people find different font variations easier or harder to read.


EDIT I put up a post at AO3, so that more people would have access to my transcripts, but a kind comment told me that an all-links post was against the rules, and that just adding description to a dialogue-only transcript probably wouldn't be considered transformative enough. (Excuse me?! I'd argue about that conclusion if it ever came up.)

But, okay. I made a master post with all the transcript-version links; that's probably the best one to bookmark and/or pass on in other places. I also made some title art to put on the post at AO3. Hopefully, it won't get slapped down, now.



MY APOLOGIES. It has been brought to my attention that high-contrast font is not to everyone's taste. Fortunately, I never delete my coded docs, and it was easy enough to strip out the red. So, now those styles are available in no-red versions as well.

The Old Guard Transcript In eight "styles" --

Bold dialogue, descriptions in regular font.

Regular dialogue, descriptions in italics font.

Regular dialogue, descriptions in small font.

Plain - dialogue and descriptions in regular font.



Bold dialogue, descriptions in regular font, no red.

Regular dialogue, descriptions in italics font, no red.

Plain - dialogue and descriptions in regular font, no red.

Regular dialogue, descriptions in small font, no red.


I didn't do it alone. My most heartfelt thanks go to the people who helped me with the technical aspects, and/or subjects of which I have insufficient knowledge. Especially, [personal profile] castalie gave me the French and Italian phrases (and translations) where the transcript said only, ‘Booker speaks French’, or ‘Nicky speaks Italian’. Bah! Also, [personal profile] raine gave me invaluable information about weapons, the plane, and the training Nile has as a U.S Marine, and [personal profile] lyssie cleared up a not-really-very-tricky plot point that completely eluded me. I felt so dumb, and appreciate her graciously answering such an obvious question.


That said, as obsessively careful as I tried to be, I may well have missed something, or misinterpreted something, or have something that's just plain wrong. If you see anything, feel free to tell me, either here or on the transcript posts. I'd really appreciate it; I want this transcript to be as accurate as possible, and I appreciate any help you care to offer.

And that's all for now. Feel free to share the links to these transcripts in any forum, community, mailing list, tumblr, or journal that follows The Old Guard.

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srin: (Merlin book)
[personal profile] srin
I came across this article yesterday, discussing a new non-fiction book which seems very relevant to some of our interests!

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/aug/13/looted-landmarks-notre-dame-big-ben-st-marks-east-stealing-from-the-saracens

Here is an excerpt:

"It is not only the twin towers and rose window that have their origins in the Middle East, she pointed out, but also the ribbed vaults, pointed arches and even the recipe for stained glass windows. Gothic architecture as we know it owes much more to Arab and Islamic heritage than it does to the rampaging Goths. “I was astonished at the reaction,” says Darke. “I thought more people knew, but there seems to be this great gulf of ignorance about the history of cultural appropriation. Against a backdrop of rising Islamophobia, I thought it was about time someone straightened out the narrative.”

And so she has, with Stealing from the Saracens, an exhilarating, meticulously researched book that sheds light on centuries of borrowing, tracing the roots of Europe’s major buildings – from the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey to Chartres cathedral and St Mark’s basilica in Venice – back to their Middle Eastern precedents. It is as much a story of political power, wealth and fashion as it is of religious belief, with tales of looting Crusaders, fashion-conscious bishops and globe-trotting merchants discovering new styles and techniques and bringing them home."

I can just imagine Nile seeing this and being all excited to talk to Joe and Nicky about it. Joe feels very vindicated. "Finally someone acknowledges it, I've only been saying this for about eight hundred years!" Nicky is like, "Nile, could you get us a copy of this book please, I think it will be useful the next time we need to have A Conversation with a tour guide." Meanwhile Andy is like "Never go to a museum with these two, they are insufferable," but then she remembers how Nile reacted to the Rodin and goes "Actually, you know what, you should absolutely go to a museum with these two, you'll probably love it."
beren_writes: Nicky and Joe from The Old Guard (Nicky)
[personal profile] beren_writes
Didn't spot this in here, so thought I would post it even though most of the info can be gleaned from other sources. This is a transcript of the narration from the vid the Netflix twitter account posted of The Old Guard through their history with screen caps of the character's title screens.

Crosses fingers that the cuts and formatting work because I had forgotten what editing in DW was like ;D

Video link: https://twitter.com/i/status/1283476427631976449

The Old Guard Through History - Vid Transcript

5000 BCE - shown on screen timeline

Early in the fifth millennium BC a group of raiders swept west across the steppes.

One would never die.

In myth and legend, she is known as Amdromache the Scythian.

Read more... )
staranise: The ruins of Ceauşescu's palace: glass from a broken window joins the wreckage on an elaborate marble floor. ([story] Fortune's fool)
[personal profile] staranise
Hi everybody! This movie has eaten my brain, and what better way to celebrate a new source of gay smut than... do a week and a half of historical research.

Meta: Historical research on the Siege of Jerusalem during the First Crusade (2232 words) by staranise
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Old Guard (Movie 2020), The Old Guard (Comics)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death
Relationships: Joe | Yusuf Al-Kaysani/Nicky | Nicolo di Genova
Characters: Joe | Yusuf Al-Kaysani
Additional Tags: Historical Research, Meta, Islamic Perspectives of the Crusades
Summary:

Posting my research notes on Islamic history and politics leading up the First Crusade, to answer the question, "Why the hell was Joe there?"

Reader, I am left with as many questions as I have answers, and if you want to email me PDFs with greater historical detail PLEASE DO.



My PDF Wishlist:

  • Muslim, Jewish, or Eastern Christian narratives of the Siege of Jerusalem and surrounding events
  • Information on Eastern Christian monasteries and religious orders in 11th century Jerusalem
  • Islamic military history, especially about the composition of the Fatimid army in the 11th century
  • Tunisian history about the cultural and religious makeup of 11th century Ifriqya
  • Information about Islamic trade and culture in the 11th and 12th century Mediterranean

If you can provide resources for any of these, please drop a comment or email me at staranise [at] cherisaan [dot] net
evewithanapple: a woman of genius | <lj user="evewithanapple"</lj> (guard | serving something beyond me)
[personal profile] evewithanapple
Pursuant to the language beta post, I was thinking it would be good for us to have a hub where people can ask for history/culture resources for fic-writing. Need to pick someone's brain about Scythian society? Gender/sexuality norms in medieval Jerusalem? Backgrounder on English witch trials which were absolutely not happening in 1750, what the hell Netflix? Ask here!

Personally, I can provide resources on sexuality in medieval Catholicism and witch trials, so feel free to hit me up for that!
xenakis: (Default)
[personal profile] xenakis
So friends, here we are again: a new fandom with an international/multilingual cast (ah, the good old days of Inception!).

A lot of fics I’ve been reading are using bits and pieces of various languages, so I thought it might not be a bad idea to have some place where writers can ask for translation betas, and multilingual fans can offer their help!

Italian and Arabic seem to be the main focus right now, but we have all the places and times in history to explore! Of course, if you happen to have a PhD in Medieval Ligurian, I’m sure your gonna make a lot of friends here ;)

In the meantime, I’m offering my services for French (so hit me with your Booker backstory fics!).
siria: (Default)
[personal profile] siria
I've written up a short primer to Joe and Nicky's backstory, particularly with regards to the Crusades, from the perspective of a medieval historian.

You can find it over here at my DW, or here on Tumblr.

(ETA: Now with an addendum on medieval sexuality, on DW and on Tumblr)
theladyscribe: still image from The Adventures of Prince Achmed; archer aiming in profile (shot to the heart)
[personal profile] theladyscribe
I watched the movie last week and immediately went on a Nicky/Joe-related research spiral because that's just how I roll I guess. I've put together an annotated bibliography on the medieval Mediterranean world with links to about 30 (mostly) academic articles.

You can find it at my personal DW.

Feel free to send me additional articles if you have any!
silverr: abstract art of pink and purple swirls on a black background (Default)
[personal profile] silverr
 I've made some notes about the differences between the movie and volume 1 of the comic!

Notes under the cut. These were things I noticed while reading; comment with things I've missed. Small differences that were equivalent -- e.g., the room in Sudan has a videocamera on a table, rather than surveillance cameras on the walls -- I didn't note. 

Movie and Comic comparison details by issue ).
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Also, I grabbed a few fun screencaps while I was reading the comic: if any icon makers want to perform their magic on them, DM me and I'll get a ZIP file to you via GoogleDocs, Discord, or email.
_
goodbyebird: Maggie Gyllenhaal is smiling at you. (STOCK Maggie thinks you're awesome)
[personal profile] goodbyebird
You can post your request below. Helpful details to include: )

If you're willing to beta, clicking the bell icon at the bottom of the post will allow you to track it and be notified of new comments.
extrapenguin: Northern lights in blue and purple above black horizon. (Default)
[personal profile] extrapenguin
The Netflix twitter account has character intros up! The lowdown:

Andromache the Scythian (Andy)
Born Western Asian Steppes, 5th millennium BCE
First death ca. 4700 BCE (so she's 6700 years old, about)
Revolutionary, bounty hunter, soldier
Favorite weapon: labrys
Speaks all languages
Worshipped as a god once

Nile Freeman
Born Chicago, 1994
Marine Corporal
Speaks English, Spanish, French
Has a mother and a brother, plus a dead dad who was also in the Marines

Nicolo di Genova (Nicky)
Born Genoa, Italy, 1069
First death: 1099 (the Crusades)
Former priest
Combat style: Italian longsword, trained sniper
Speaks Italian, Arabic, Romanche
He and Joe killed each other a couple of times, like true soulmates

Yusuf al-Kaysani (Joe)
Born the Maghrib, North Africa, 1066
First death: 1099 (The Crusades)
Merchant, artist
Combat style: swordsman, tahtib
Speaks Persian, Arabic, Italian
He and Nicky killed each other a couple of times, like true soulmates

Sebastien le Livre (Booker)
Born Marseille, France, 17th of May 1770
First death: December 1812
Forger, army deserter
Combat style: jiu-jitsu, whatever works
Speaks French, Italian, Greek
Andy's de facto right-hand man

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the_old_guard: The Old Guard. Andy in a black t-shirt, wearing shades and carrying a backpack. (Default)
We're not meant to be alone.

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