Alina B
@froshadowing
Production & Narrative Director in Games, writers guild. Worked on X-Files, Biped, Pathfinder 2, Simpsons. Links: Co-founder @ Chosen Bun, making stealth adventure SeverLink, co-host @ BORZOI Cast. 4d workweek ❤️
I watched Sleuth (2007), not having a clue about its plot. And I don't remember the last time it was such a joy to watch anything. I was screaming!!!
Japanese was the only language I actually wanted to learn. I had multiple failed attempts over 15+ years. Decided to not give up and try again. And today I finished N5-4 level grammar. In 100 days. Alone. Very proud of myself ☺️ Consider this your cue to brag too.
Woke up yesterday to a complete redesign of an app I used daily. No new features, half of the old ones removed, bad ux on top. Instantly remembered this masterpiece.
The X-Files: Deep State finally has its own page on IMDb! Gosh, what an experience developing it. It was my first time running a writers' room, and it really paid off - our players adored the narrative. Such a shame you can't play it anymore, but thankfully there are playthroughs on YouTube.
Good comedy has to make a comeback to the movies and series. I liked WONDERfools! In an era of underlit, boring 2nd screen slop, god do I enjoy when people direct with a bit of INTENTION. And (!!!) visual comedy.
My goal this year is to get to a research conference in Japan. To fund it, I'm opening up my schedule to part-time PRODUCTION GIGS (EU) My focus is SCOPE control & COMMUNICATION. With a background in publishing - I'm also your person for pitches and rehearsals. DM me. The games I worked on:
Late to the "Solo Leveling" party! Wrote it off as simplistic, then caught myself actually gasping at my screen 3 episodes in. Animation is gorgeous. And then there's the fantasy of a world where the grind is never wasted. God, what a concept. #sololeveling
Watching epic series "In Pursuit of Jade" triggered a memory. Arvy & I once went to a spa with a dark Relaxation Room, playing epic Chinese instrumental OST with war drums. In fact very energizing. Feeling confused, I heard Arvy murmur: "I feel like dying for the great Chinese Empire right now."
Gus Fring ran a meth empire and still treated his employees better than the current state of the games industry. The bar is in hell.
I get high off competence. So for the past weeks the sponsor of my sanity has been Jujutsu Kaisen. Beyond the cool characters, style & story it's wildly funny and packed with ideas that floor me. A guy whose special ability is OVERTIME? Dragging another mage into a courtroom? You can't be serious
Today I learned that the game I spent 1 year writing as a Narrative Director was pulled from Steam by the publisher and might never come out for reasons I don't know. I departed from the team a year ago after completing my work, and now they can't tell me bc NDA. My legs are jelly
My favorite cheap trick is using "loud" words to make sure the reader is paying attention - like SNAP! This is from The Boys pilot:
And here's LOST (1x12) for you. I remember seeing their script for cold open of S2, and it literally said something like "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Season 2" -- IN THE SCRIPT! 😄 So yeah, scripts don't have to be boring.
One of the big revelations of 2025 was that a script/story doc can - and should - not only be interesting for the target audience, but also engage the team who uses them (in both TV & games); opposed to being just... technical. For example, look how Better Call Saul is leading reader's attention:
WORKING ON A GAME PITCH? I help teams prep & rehearse their pitches. I pitched the The X-Files game to FOX as my 1st project - and got it signed 10 years ago. I also worked on the receiving end as a Head of Game Publishing reading through 300+ pitches every month. DM me or >> www.alina.dev
I had a mental itch I needed to scratch. So I edited out Sean Connery spoiling what's going to happen next in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (the OG fragment follows). Feeling much better now.
Sensational conclusion: Resident Evil 4 is the best (unofficial) Indiana Jones game. It has: - hunting treasure for money - spikey ceilings - riding the wagonette - tombs and dungeons COOL