((WARNING! 24 HOUR SET APPROACHING!))
((I apologize in advance for the crappy organization; I ran out of time, couldn't find good colors, couldn't get it to Align right...))
(( The Producer ))==========
(No Image Available)
(( Biography ))==========
Just one of many, the exact origin of The Producer's race is lost to history. They exist as light formed and 'hardened' into a physical shape reminiscent of humanoids through some unknown technology, and rarely show themselves to others without the chance to benefit their end goal: recording great events and feats of daring do throughout the multiverse.
Indeed, the producers use their technology to hide at the scene of climactic battles and stirring speeches, gut-wrenching drama and horror, heart-warming romance, knee-slapping comedics, anything that could conceivably entertain or be of interest. They adore such moments of triumph and failure, collecting and 'enhancing' events for the viewing pleasure of 'the audience', whom even less is known about than the producers. The producers themselves are even unsure as to what they look and act like, only able to determine what they enjoy by some vague sense they refer to as 'ratings'.
As a race, the producers are theorized to have been created for the above purpose by the audience, due to the single-mindedness they show in pursuit of their goal. That said, when the cameras are off and little is happening, they usually display an enthusiastic and friendly demeanor as well as a firm interest in whomever they're speaking to. They also, in general, might interfere in a 'scene' when their humanity or conscience enters in. Tragedy sells, and starting drama or otherwise subtly manipulating events to create drama or move a plot line along isn't unheard of, but ultimately the producers (and the audience) prefer a happy ending.
Our titular producer, known as Producer #1066 or 'Jerry' as he's taken up for convenience, is a little less shy than his peers. He happily involves himself with people to offer his aid in exchange for the promise of exciting footage and the permission of those he films (something most of his kind are less interested in, though mostly for the sake of 'verisimilitude'). Sadly, despite his high ranking, he gets little respect from his peers- he is very much the 'Ed Wood' of the group.
(( Appearance ))==========
The Producer (as he will be referred to from here on) is fairly lacking in presence. A somewhat muscular male build, dark gray body, chiseled jaw, and the standard lack of defining physical features (such as eyes or a mouth) of his kind. He wears a neat blue suit and tie with a film reel badge affixed to his lapel.
(( Stats ))==========
(( 8.0 ))=====(( Traction ))
(( 7.0 ))=====(( Jumps ))
(( 7.0 ))=====(( Size ))
(( 6.5 ))=====(( Ground Speed ))
(( 6.0 ))=====(( Weight ))
(( 6.0 ))=====(( Air Speed ))
(( 5.5 ))=====((
Fall Speed ))
The Producer is graced with a decent set of stats- a bit large and heavy, but not to the point it becomes a liability, and somewhat fleet of foot. His hitbox is relatively similar to Snake's. Of note is his ability to hover when the jump button is held in midair, letting him move in any direction at his normal aerial speed for up to 2 seconds total between leaving the ground and touching it again.
There's nothing not to like about his framework, so it's too bad he doesn't do much with it. The Producer doesn't do his fighting directly, preferring to act upon his foes as little as possible. Of course, he's not above 'editing' a situation for maximum dramatic impact or to prod the stars along to a 'proper' ending.
(( Mechanic: Projectors ))==========
Upon match start and each respawn, The Producer is accompanied by a floating mechanical device at all times. It is a simple transparent sphere about the same size as Kirby's body, set atop a circular base stylized after a film reel, with an upside-down pyramid-shaped bottom hanging from it roughly half the size of the rest of the object. A film-like pattern and color decorates the bottom piece.
Though called a 'Projector', that is only one of its uses; it can record 3-dimensional images with great accuracy, modify footage, and even (as the name implies) project a solid hologram that can interact with physical objects. The projector has 20% stamina, and when destroyed or 'set' by The Producer's Neutral Special, is replaced 5 seconds after by another projector. One that follows The Producer will always stay half its own width from him, on the side he currently faces, and all are immune to knockback and hitstun. Upon being KOed, The Producer's projectors seem to malfunction and self destruct, no longer having a being to feed off of to continue working.
Whenever a move refers to a projector's range, it means an area centered around the projector out to 1.5 Battlefield Platforms away. This also has an effect on how The Producer controls his projectors. If within this range, only the projector(s) whose range he's in is utilized. If not in any projector's range, all of them immediately follow his command. This can be a bit bothersome, but danger in inherent in the job and 'death' simply means a new body tomorrow to try again- getting that perfect shot, the perfect story, is worth it.
The range of no more than three 'Set' projectors may overlap at any time. If attempting to set a projector in a position that would violate this rule, nothing happens- it merely moves in as if to set itself, then returns to the producer's side, causing some very minor lag.
(( Special Moves ))==========
(( Neutral Special ))=====(( Set Projector ))
A tap of the special button and a gesture from The Producer causes the projector to embed itself in the background- anchoring itself the the platform or the very air itself as though it were a backdrop. A 'Set' projector remains safely out of harm's way when left to its own devices, merely recording the events that play out in its range. However, when called upon for the purpose of one of The Producer's moves, it extends itself slightly into the foreground to act out its role- leaving it vulnerable to attack for as long as the move is in effect.
The Producer is also free to reclaim a Set projector by using this input again while in front of it, carrying it like an item. He can choose to throw it (where it will anchor to whatever spot it lands or hits something), or simply set it with yet another press of the special button. Setting and retrieving projectors takes almost no time at all, and considering how you plan to arrange them is an important part to The Producer's playstyle.
(( Side Special ))=====(( Replay ))
Besides capturing footage from the match, projectors are also capable of recognizing truly shining moments of ability and character from those it observes, and keeps an easy access list of clips for use in a trailer or highlight reel- which they can also display on command. When a character (be they friend or foe, one or many) uses one or more moves within the range of a projector, the projector records them as a 5-second or shorter clip from start to finish.
Replay creates a holographic projection of that character, which proceeds to act out every moment of that time period- and any enemy unfortunate enough to get in its way will find it very, very solid. The hologram does the exact same amount of damage, with the exact same amount of lag and reach and positioning and secondary effects, as the moves it is copying. It can play this clip as many times as The Producer inputs the attack, though inputting it before the clip is finished causes a short pause before the projector restarts it.
Each projector will store up to three clips at once, starting with the first three 5 second periods of attacks, then replacing the clip that recorded the lowest total damage when a clip with higher total damage is recorded. The exception to this is Special Moves- a character's Special Moves are counted as dealing an additional 15% damage for the purposes of this ability, which values flash and climactic scenes of pragmatism.
Replay rotates through those clips each time The Producer uses this move. If a given projector has nothing recorded, it merely does nothing. There is a very brief delay between the input and the replay, caused by the projector leaning into the foreground/warming up first, and a similar delay at the end if a second input isn't applied.
With a complete lack of directly offensive moves and few means of self defense, copying a foe's KO moves with the projectors and properly arranging them for maximum effect becomes The Producer's only real means of fighting. Replays do not need to fulfill whatever condition the original move might have had (a projector on the ground can create a Replay of an Aerial move, for example), only needing to have had it happen within their range. The soul exceptions are Final Smashes, which the projector can never truly replicate, merely record for later deep in its databanks.
(( Down Special ))=====(( Edit Out ))
Just like a projector can create images, it can use its projections to hide things as well. Nothing ruins a take more than a boom mike or other piece of equipment slipping onto the scene after all, especially when your actors aren't supposed to take notice.
Edit Out causes the projectors to hum loudly for a second, then seemingly fade, taking any of their creations and stray items within their range with them. They're not gone, merely hidden away until The Producer inputs Edit Out again, unable to interact with objects or be interacted with. They still act normally while hidden, it just lacks any effect.
This allows The Producer to keep his cameras hidden away while they record, allowing them to pick up on things their unaware targets normally wouldn't do while watched, or provide a surprise reappearance that'll surely be a blockbuster hit with the masses.
(( Up Special ))=====(( Interrupt Program ))
If ever in danger or just looking to make a snappy entrance, The Producer can invoke his right to interrupt a program in progress or sacrifice equipment to remain on the scene. The Producer vanishes in a blitz of static, which is then projected from the nearest Set projector, destroying it in the process. While a major setback depending on the circumstance, The Producer's constant influx of replacements means he can stick around for much longer than his opponents would like- vital for getting in those good shots.
(( Smash Moves ))==========
(( Down Smash ))=====(( Cast Extra ))
It's not all big name actors or long stretches of meaningfully developed characters- protagonists and antagonists don't live in a vacuum, and many are only driven to action through the effects or existence of others. Besides, it's not feasible for every single person to show off their extensive backstories and character motivations in a single movie or episode.
Enter the 'extra'. By using his Down Smash, The Producer creates a series of humanoids covered head to toe in lime green spandex from each of his projectors. These extras have stats similar to The Producer's, but with only a few basic and easily spammed low damage melee attacks. They are an aggressive nuisance that will chase any character who gets within range of the projector sustaining it with gusto, and recovers from hitstun fairly quickly.
The trick to these members of the extended cast is their longevity- they last as long as needed for the scene. In this case, that means they have an unrivaled amount of stamina- infinite. They suffer no lasting damage and can take an endless beating no matter how much pain it should inflict. Instead, the extra has a simple Achilles heel: the projectors themselves.
Besides the obvious route of destroying the projector- harder than it seems, unfortunately, due to the extra's tendency to get in the way- knocking the extra out of the limited range of the projector instantly removes it from the picture. Its exact weight depends on charge time, with a full charge creating extras only slightly less heavy than The Producer himself, and minimal charge granting them weight akin to Mr. Game and Watch.
Simple enough with its low weight and single mindedness, but it often requires a Special or Smash attack to accomplish in a hurry- which will be caught on camera without fail. Notably, an extra's attacks do not count towards a Replay's total damage- they're too unimportant, though they can still show up in the shot with the proper stars. Using the Down Special again dismisses existing extras.
(( Side Smash ))=====(( Advertisements ))
As loathsome as he finds them, The Producer knows that money from advertisements is vital to keep afloat. Not only do they interrupt his creations, they have the audacity to place themselves inside his very works- something he rebels against in an indirect but very blunt manner. His Side Smash introduces a plain, rectangular hologram within the area of a projector, further from the projector itself and larger in size depending on the charge, going off in the direction held after the attack's activation.
Advertisements are no impediment to Extras and The Producer themselves, but serve as solid walls to opponents. Each has anywhere between 10~25% stamina, requiring a thorough bit of (very satisfying) vandalism to break through. Besides serving as another obstacle that tempts the opponent into using their stronger attacks, it can be used to trap an opponent within a projector's range and limit their ability to evade replays and Extras.
More so, when The Producer or an Extra is knocked into the advertisement by an attack or other source of knockback, it cuts the speed in which the former is sent flying in half and acts as a solid barrier that halts the latter, improving their longevity at the cost of 5% damage to the advert itself. Each projector can display 3 advertisements at once, with new advertisements replacing the oldest (which begins to flicker and turn transparent to alert The Producer as to which is getting the boot).
(( Up Smash ))=====(( Off Air ))
Sometimes the equipment needs a break, or you need to double check everything is running correctly, or you need to try turning it off and back on again. Naturally, this can lead to some issues if the machine is attempting to do something, say, important in the middle of this. Though in the case that someone is forced to improvise with what's at hand, the line between 'bug' and 'feature' tends to blur.
Off Air fills the entirety of the projector's range with static, similar to a television tuned to a channel that has no programming to run at that time and thus is sending no signal. Characters and even the various projector-created effects are clearly seen through the electric fog, but the hail of static has some effects on them. Their movements become choppy and slowed, taking roughly twice as long to get through each action, be it passing through or using an attack.
Not only does this slow foes down and encourage them to use stronger attacks against whatever's in their way to expedite the process, it draws out replays and the attacks of extras- meaning their damaging hitboxes are out for that much longer. A longer charge equals a longer duration, lasting anywhere from 2.5~5 seconds. Repeating the input ends ongoing effects early.
(( Standard Moves ))==========
(( Neutral A(erial) ))=====(( Editing Mode ))
Pressing A simply switches between 'Editing Modes', aka the applications of his standard attack (singular, as he has essentially only one direction A input for both his ground and air game at any given time).
The Producer has two 'Editing Modes', represented by a symbol next to his stocks. 'Rotate', which he starts with, is represented by an arrow that loops back on itself to create a circle, while 'Reposition' is represented by four arrows connected at their base and pointing in different directions. The switch itself does nothing but change the modes, and is signified only by a soft 'click' and the symbol changing. It carries no lag or delay, and can even be used when The Producer is suffering hitstun.
(( Directional A(erial) ))=====(( Rotate ))
Pressing A and a direction while Rotate is the current Editing Mode causes the affected projectors to spin in place- rotating their image around to any facing in a full 360 degrees. Pre-existing replays, advertisements, and extras are rotated as well- a replay of an opponent attacking towards the right side of the screen instead becomes a replay of them standing in midair with their back to the ground and aiming the attack upwards, for example. This is the quickest way to create a barrage of attacks from various directions, or otherwise capitalize on overlap.
(( Directional A(erial) ))=====(( Reposition ))
Contrastingly, Reposition keeps the projections upright- but the projector itself leans this way or that. As a result, the range of the projector is shifted over in that direction by up to 3/4ths a Battlefield Platform. A simple process that can cause foes to lose track of the danger. Note that Reposition cannot move the projector's ranges so that they would violate the three-overlapping-a-space maximum.
(( Grab Game ))==========
(( Grab ))=====(( Preparations ))
With a finger snap, the producer seizes the opponent or an extra in a column of light produced from a nearby projector. Preparations is a grab with moderate lag, a shorter than normal duration, and a somewhat specific range to it that makes it awkward to use in a fight. Note that The Producer is not stunned if the foe breaks free, but the delay means the opponent will be able to escape any potential chain grabs, and The Producer has no damaging throws, so there's little purpose anyways.
(( Pummel ))=====(( Release ))
Pressing A just dismisses the light column, dropping the opponent on their rear. This ends with The Producer having a frame advantage over the foe, though not enough to guarantee a free grab on them. Still, something helpful if playing defensively or trying to set up a replay, or if you grabbed the wrong target.
(( Forward Throw ))=====(( Prop ))
The character's hand (or mouth, or whatever they use to hold items) is pried open, a random prop placed into it. The prop is always a long and thin bludgeon, with the same hitbox and statistics regardless of form. 7% damage and light knockback on a hit, done with moderately quick swings.
The prop remains bound to the character or extra until they leave the range of the projector that produced the grab, granting a more effective moveset to the latter or robbing the former of theirs so you can outgun them with replays or set up more problems for them in the meantime.
(( Down Throw ))=====(( Costume ))
While post-production editing, green screens, and computer generated imagery are all long established tools for The Producers, sometimes there's just no beating a good practical effect. Sadly The Producer doesn't have any, so everyone will just have to shoot around an 'okay' effect instead.
The Producer summons a costume or an overabundance of make up onto the grabbed character/extra, usually themed to the stage. The costume seems to be more than just a cheap rubber suit, however- while worn, it grants the wearer all around modestly improved statistics and increases the damage and knockback of attacks by roughly 1/4th. Like the prop, a costume only lasts so long as the character remains within range of the projector that provides it. Strengthen extras, entice foes with a power boost, and guarantee replays are bigger and badder than the norm.
(( Back Throw ))=====(( POV Camera ))
Stepping up to the held character/extra, The Producer politely brushes them off- planting a camera on them in the same motion. In the case of the extra, it's rather obviously strapped to their 'face', while characters are only tipped off by the faint glint from somewhere on their person.
The camera remains on the recipient until they are hit, at which point it falls off and fades away. While active, the camera acts to support the projectors- not creating anything like the projectors, but allowing things from them like Extras to exist outside of their range so long as they remain within half a Battlefield Platform of the person wearing the camera (or if that person is themselves). It can similarly record events that happen within that range and send them to the nearest projector, assuming they fit the criteria to replace any existing footage.
(( Up Throw ))=====(( Places ))
With a beckoning gesture as a signal, the projector lifts the held character up slightly. The Producer may then move the character in any direction at a rate akin to his own aerial movement speed for the remainder of the grab duration. A simple means to move an opponent into harm's way or an extra out of harm's way.
(( Final Smash! ))==========
==========(( Celebrity Imitation ))
While having a person act out their true story on screen sounds like a dream to would-be stars, the fact is that having a true story doesn't make you a good actor. Instead, trained professionals are called in to handle the job to the best of their abilities.
The Producer's Final Smash fills him with confidence and mirth, earning a fatherly chuckle and a snap of his fingers. From the respawn platforms beam in... the competition?
No, these Celebrity Imitations are not the other characters. For starters, their stats are all slightly worse in each area. Their costumes, while effective at a range, have noticeable flaws on close examination. They have the same effective moveset and average AI, but otherwise, these knockoffs are only at home on the silver screen- not an actual brawl.
That said, the sheer swing of numbers is not to be underestimated. Each imitation has a single stock and must be KOed normally before he/she is removed from the stage (their stocks and damage percent not displayed due to lack of space on-screen). More than that is a 'flaw' in their AI that is actually a genuine problem in the long run- the imitations happily show off their big special moves and smashes in range of a projector (or several!), granting The Producer access to perfectly good recreations of those moves as place holders.
Whether the opponent KOs the imitations quickly (displaying their moves anyways) or suffers through them, giving them ample time to grandstand, it's a win-win situation for The Producer.
==========(( Strategy: The Cutting Room Floor ))
So what's to take away from this? It's obvious, really. The Producer simply wants to record Brawl's cast of fabulous heroes and villains at their best, and eagerly prods them into doing just that for the sake of art. Everything in his moveset revolves around recording, using, and modifying their signature moves into an epic battle scene.
Most of it is self explanatory- micromanage your projectors, keeping them safe when not in use and utilizing overlap and movement of different areas to create multilayer hitboxes to cover the stage. Keep at a safe distance, using the projector that is sticking with you as a last ditch protection strategy if they manage to get around your various obstacles and safely through each projector.
Many moves cancel a previous use upon re-applying the input, meaning with how ordering your projectors work you can switch between patterns of on/off projectors easily. Picking up an active projector and carrying it around serves both to organize the battlefield and provide you with various defenses and deterrence against stronger enemy attacks. How your movie comes together is very much up to your own skill and imagination.
==========(( Extra Mode: Production ))
That's not all there is to The Producer, though! The projectors aren't primarily tools to defend The Producer, but to record the action. After each battle with the producer, footage from the match from the point of view of every recording device on the field (and the main SSB camera itself) are temporarily saved until a certain amount of time elapses since their creation or too much footage is saved to store it all, in which case the oldest is removed first. The player can choose to save bits and pieces or directly delete the footage at any time.
Production Mode is more than just gathering footage, though. You can also edit it together. Add in dialogue, using text or voice acting. Place filters over scenes for a black and white noir, a night time meeting, a heartfelt sunrise, or more. Change the soundtrack to any number of the series' memorable pieces. Edit costumes onto Extras to fit them into the scene, and if you perverse and dark heart wishes it, splice in some advertisements to boot.
When all that's done, you may share your B-movie Amateur Machinima Masterpiece with your friends! Make Producer #1066 (Jerry to his friends) proud!
==========(( Extra: Mirror Match Film Festival ))
With their only 'direct' attacks being to summon Extras- who are hardly KO-capable juggernauts- a mirror match between multiple Producers seems like an exercise in futility. Normally, that would be the case. However, The Producer has little reason to take center stage himself, especially when there's no potential 'stars' around- let alone two of his kind! The rare occasion they would do this is for a rare bit of competition.
Naturally, they don't fight themselves, but using the aid of proxies. In a fight of all Producers, each Producer chooses a single other character to have fight in the battle as a 'teammate'. That teammate (either the real deal or a Celebrity Imitation akin to the Final Smash's with its stats buffed to match the genuine article, which can be chosen the same way alt costumes are) will fight as a CPU ally, ignoring each Producer so long as at least one other non-Producer opponent remains in play, and respawning endlessly until their partner Producer is defeated (though with a 10 second delay between each of their own respawns).
The Producers then use these teammates as a 'pool' from which to draw replays from, and attempt to construct the best 'movie' to blow each other out of the arena. All in good fun, of course...
==========(( Other Extras ))
(( Costume Editing ))=====(( Million Strong ))
There's more than one Producer, naturally- millions, in fact. And who says you should be limited to filling the shoes of #1066 all the time? You can create a number of custom alternate costumes for The Producer, from changing suit shape and color, or gender, or 'hair' style, or physique- all within a limited and fair amount to what can be changed about The Producer's hitbox without opening the door to obvious exploits. You can even change their badge and the decorations of the projectors!
Further customization can be done with the Extras- dressing them in cheap costumes that reference the series the current stage is from, or any number of possible graphics. The Up Smash's animation can be chosen from a long series of different 'snow' patterns, or utilize actual TV test patterns. Advertisements are the most editable. While by default they tend to advertise something relevant to the series the stage is from or to Smash Brothers itself, personalized advertisements or personal favorites may be chosen as well.
==========(( End Credits ))
A one day set, and it likely shows. The Producer was an idea I got into my head and had the strong urge to put together, resulting a fairly minimalistic but high concept character, rarities for me and all the more reason I wanted to give it a shot as I work on editing Marin (a set I love and consider my best so far, but very much bloated and basic in concept, likeable or not).
The extras- as in the section and not the summons- were mostly a last minute addition and the first and foremost one was heavily inspired by one of Junahu's most popular sets. It was simply an idea and opportunity that seemed too perfect to pass up, given the nature of the character.
The character themselves (or himself) is very flat and undefined, made up in the same span of time I was making this set, for the set. Marin had several months to think out, so naturally she's a bit more filled out, but I think The Producer could be something very interesting if explored further... too bad I ran out of time, and stuck to a strict time limit. Made it by less than a minute.