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I sent this as a PM to all members of the VS team but I encountered some difficulties with the messaging system so I decided to just post it here, which is what I should have done in the first place.

This is more or less a draft at this point, so I'm posting it for approval/additions/alterations/suggestions/feedback. I thought about adding an introduction to explain the reasons for doing a TSVS, like a kind of "why TaleSpin" section.

I know why I want to do a TSVS, but I would like the "why TaleSpin" section to represent the feelings of many TS fans and not just my own, so I'd appreciate it if everyone could contribute their thoughts and feelings to the section. (Actually that applies to the whole mission statement. I don't see it as "my" mission statement for the VS, but rather as a representation of the desires of the majority TS fans for the VS.)





Welcome to the TaleSpin Virtual Season (TSVS) Project! The purpose of this post is to outline the intentions and goals of the project.

Creative aspects

The virtual season will:

• Be assembled from a combination of existing and original fanfiction stories.
  
  Several TS fics already exist that could be used in the VS. (To nominate a fic, go here.)
• Emulate the original series as closely as possible.
  
  Every effort will be made to produce the VS as if it was being done for Disney by Jim Magon and Mark Zaslove in order to stay as true to the original as possible.
• Preserve character dynamics.
  
• Focus mainly on the core cast. (Higher for Hire gang)
  
  While the odd episode may focus on a non-core character or group, such as the Air Pirates, Thembrians, one shot or original (fan created) characters, most episodes will focus on the Higher for Hire gang.
• Contain a broad array of types of episodes, mirroring the original series.
  
  One of the best aspects of TaleSpin is its incorporation of many different types of genres into its stories, from action adventure, to romance, to comedy, to drama and beyond. It managed to combine these genres in the perfect proportions to ensure there was always something for everyone in each episode. This wide variety of genres will be mirrored in the VS.

Some deviations are proposed, such as:

• Implementing a casual season arc.
  
  Episodes would still be relatively interchangeable within a season, however some episodes, especially multi-part episodes, would combine to create a casual season arc. Unlike a conventional series arc where nearly every episode builds to a season finale, there would be greater continuity between episodes. For example, characters would remember what had happened in previous episodes, learn from their mistakes and plan for the future... to an extent. The reset button would still be there, it just might not always be pressed.
• Using more more multi-part episodes.
  
  Not counting Plunder and Lightning, there were only two multi part episodes in the original series, (A Bad Reflection On You and For Whom The Bell Klangs). Producing more multi-part episodes would enable more complex (and epic) stories to be written.
• Allowing character relationships to evolve over time. (while preserving character dynamics)
  
  Characters would be allowed make friends and enemies, girlfriends or boyfriends, and those relationships would change and develop over several episodes.
• Aging the characters gradually.
  
  If the VS is successful enough to run for several seasons, aging the characters would create a near endless supply of interesting plot lines as they mature and take on new responsibilities and form new relationships.

Technical aspects

Since this is a fan project and not a Disney production, resources are understandably limited. Therefore, a certain flexibility in production format is necessary. There are many different formats the VS could assume, ranging from relatively simple to quite complex.

Here are some of the possible formats.

• Text with a few illustrations
  
  This is probably the most 'doable' format, and we know it can succeed because it's been done before.
• Comic book
  
  While this format would be art intensive, it would represent a good ratio of art to writing.
• Story board type video using captions instead of voice.
  
  This is obviously the most art intensive format of all. Storyboard art quality could vary significantly, from black and white rough sketches to fully colored and shaded images.

Due to human and material resource limitations, the TSVS will be produced in whatever format can be completed successfully.



I already received responses from a few VS members through PMs, so no need to repeat yourselves. PrtyWatrPrincess suggested interspersing comic pages in with the regular text of the stories, which is a good idea, because it's like having the best of both worlds.

Thanks for taking the time to help out, and I look forward to getting everyone's feedback!