TheDigitalSet Community Forums - Machinima Discussion

throwin' around some ideas

jammyroolz — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:56:30 GMT

I got bored and came up with a very rough idea for a movie.

It starts with a guy that works within the government.(secrete group or something along those lines) He is a pretty ordinary guy nothing to special about him. He notices his friend that works with him has been acting really paranoid latley and asks him about it.(can't really think of anything good for this part) His friend ends up committing 'suicide'. It was really a murder by the black suits(agents) because he found out things about the government and people in the government he wasn't suppose to know. (I'm thinking he finds like a classified file or something) now our main character goes to his apartment to help the dead guys family clean it out. He finds the file the agents have been looking for(it could either be this or he cleans out the friends office and finds it) within it he finds a note written by his friend telling him the truth about everyhing. But where do you go for help when the bad guys are the ones who control everything?

this is just a vauge idea for a movie or even series
any opinions,criticism,help would be great

thanks everyone!

What will Reach Machinima look like?

Paul_Shelley — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:58:09 GMT

We have all seen the unique culture of Halo CE, Halo 2 and Halo 3 machinima. The popularity of different types/generas/styles have been unique. My question is what do you think will arise due to the release of Reach?

Personally I believe the comedy genera will still be the most popular machinima but with the ease of Forge 2.0 and the expanse of Forge World along with resources of Firefight 2.0 more action drama series will be attempted/be successful.

The Reach Machinima Bandwagon

NovaPow — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:09:35 GMT

So, I've been really really thinking a whole lot about Halo: Reach, with it being about a week away. Now, of course, with me being a Machinimator, I can't help but wonder what I'm going to come up with using it.
I mean, it's got the epic Forge that I'm sure is going to help out Machinima-wise, along with the already-great features from Halo 3. Some of you may also be familiar with my Halo: CE series The Big City. I've been recently thinking of swapping it over to Reach upon release.

My idea was to make The Big City Episode 1.5 or something like that. The episode's events will be immediately after the events of episode one (as in you could watch them back-to-back and not tell there was a split). It would follow Leon heading to the cryo lab, however he's stopped by some city police or something. They lead him to a "detour" (as they call it). He drives through the tunnel and finds everyone going into some building. He basically goes into the building and it's got some sort of teleporter of some sort. Long-story-short, he ends up on some Halo: Reach Map and meets up with Gregory (and Klumpo) where they later head to the cryo lab.

Then episode two picks up where I had planned it to, inside the cryo lab.

Of course, the idea of him getting into Reach is very subject to, and most likely will change. That was just some rough idea that popped into my head.
The point being: They go to Halo: Reach and will be there from then on out in the series if I go through with this plan.

The only reasons I was sticking with Halo CE was because, for one it's less seen and helps it stick out more. Halo: Reach Machinima is going to have a lot of people making it shortly thereafter its release. Making it in Reach could either make or brake the series. Either people will be like zOMG!! REACH MACHIZMOS!! MSUT WATSCH!! or they'll just skim over it, not even noticing it.
The second reason I was using Halo CE was because of the modding capabilities. However, with Forge so beefed out, I can actually make my own maps rather than being limited to the maps at halomaps.org (I tried to learn CE map making... Not my thing, I'll just leave it at that).

However, my view count really isn't a priority. I'm making the series because I love filmmaking and I have fun making these screwed up stories with fictional characters. Though I don't want it to get immediately tossed aside and barely get any views at all. I'd have to work extra hard to make it stand out above the rest, which I intend to try to do.

If I were to make this decision, I probably wouldn't make the final choice till a few days after finally getting my hands on Reach, so that I may for myself experience Forge, how armor works, weapon lowering, take a look at the maps and what I have to work with, and all that. However I'd like to get a good idea of what I'm doing for when that time comes.

TLDR - SHOULD I MAKE THE BIG CITY IN HALO:REACH?

halo 3 machinima trailer [The Other Side]

oO Tate Xx — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:26:23 GMT

Please gimme your thoughts

Halo Reach Trailer: LITERAL

imSuck — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 06:17:13 GMT

I don't know if this was posted already, I searched but who knows if it was posted in the deepest darkest bowels of the Reach discussion thread, so I don't really care screw you I hate you. Here you go.

DOG TAGS!

One Script, Many Angles (Virtual Flicks Machinima Contest)

Gassy Mexican — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:58:42 GMT

Well, I figured I'd let you guys know about this lil contest we got going on over at VirtualFlicks.net

Quote:

The first part is a script writing contest. Write a script no more then 3 pages long and send it in to us at virtualflicks@gmail.com
When you send the script to us in the subject put 'One Script Many Angles_YourUsername'.
Our staff will review all the scripts and choose our favorite one. Each page of a normal script format is roughly 1 minute so we are looking at roughly a 4 minute machinima (5 min max).

The second part.
You must make a machinima using the script of choice. Our main theme for this particular contest is seeing how people go about working on the same script from different point of views. Any engine can be used, and I personally love the idea as it is almost a social experiment as well, and should provide some extremely interesting results.

The deadline for the script portion of the contest is September 7th. The prize for winning the script portion is having your script turned into a machinima. The prize for winning the director portion of the contest is either a $60 game of your choice, or $60 in cash.

Please keep in mind when writing scripts that multiple engines will be used by contestants. Keep the script fairly open ended so that people are not forced to use a certain engine because of the story. We will be keeping this in mind while judging the scripts.

Once the script portion of the contest is over we will announce a deadline for the machinima portion.

Have fun and go to town!

I know this may be a little late notice for the writing portion of the contest, but hey you can still give it a shot.....besides there is always the actual directing/making the machinima portion for the script chosen.

Hopefully some of you guys will choose to participate in some aspect of the contest. It should be fun, and make for some interesting results (Plus there's always the prize).

**Refer to the original thread on VF to ask questions about the contest/ see if your question has already been answered (or just pm/ask me here...spose that'll work too)**

Just How Far Machinima Has Come?

Panda — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 00:39:50 GMT

Today I went on my tour over at Tribeca Flashpoint here in Chicago and they discussed the three day "orientation" process. Day one cosists of us getting our ID badges, introduced, and any other regularities you'd expect. Day two consists of putting us into production teams and imminently having us start a twenty-four (or was it forty-eight?) project. From there, what we're to do is create a machinima and then I believe have them screened. I wonder what game we'll be using; my guess is Team Fortress 2.

I am not sure about anyone else, but I never expected machinima to move beyond the Internet; I also thought it was something considerably... dead.

The extent of how much of a life machinima.com fans have.

Cory — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:16:57 GMT

Now, I know you guys will say "that's just machinima.com for you" but I have never seen such a loser in my life.

This one single person commented on my machinima on machinima.com saying it blows or something, right? So then I reply saying thanks lol. And he replys saying all this shit like "faggot, cunt, douchebag, bitch, bastard, faggot again" lol. So I reply saying ok, I'm done talking to you, bye. He comments over the next three days once like every few hours on my video. he continues and I say, dude, stop it's annoying having you spam my comments box (I even blocked him yet it kept showing me his replies). So finally he stops then he messages me on Skype. His Skype is like "kamikazimime" and he sends me this-

http://cheezburger.com/View/3758369280

and says "FYI"

and I ignore it. Thinking it's some kid joking, cause anyone who is serious doesn't go out of there way to make something so dumb about a video they don't like. lol. But nope, he was serious. And then I look at his info or whatever, like the 'whats happening with me' type thing on skype. It says "AWOL sucks ass. Kill yourself NewScape." and I'm thinking. Ok, this kid really needs to give it a rest. I say to him, hey, what's your problem dude, you don't like it, so what? He says "Your videos suck" and I said, ok what have you made? "nothing" so I said, then where do you get off calling other peoples videos bad. Technically your worse then me cause your portfolio consists of NOTHING. And then the troll continues contradicting me. He says "yeah, I see you don't like commenting back on youtube" and I say, wait your that fucking troll that was continuesly commenting to me on youtube??" and he says yes. So then I go about saying get a life, go outside, I get paid to make videos and your some loser subscribed to machinima.com, trolling on EVERYONE's videos. So I block him after this before the troll can even reply. So then I look at his youtube channel and realize that his history only consists of "THIS SUCKS!" and "FUCK YOU this BLOWS!!!!" Also, he has comments on his wall with people replying to him saying wow troll and all that stuff.

I just wanted to share because I have never seen someone go so far out of there way to bash on a persons video that they didn't like.

The end.

Voice actors very much needed to work on various projects

SketchingJohn — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:46:51 GMT

My new production group, JHS Filmography, is looking for talented and mature voice actors to work on various projects. Before you submit your demo reel, (as a reply below) please take a look at the requirments below.

Requirments:

You have a good mic.
You can easily recieve scripts that are written in Microsoft Word.
You can easily record lines into your computer.
You can easily send the recorded lines to the editor.
You are mature, and have the ability to work with others.
You have the ability to join calls on skype.

Preferred:

You have a mature sounding voice.
You have experience with voice acting.

How to apply:
Submit a post that looks somewhat like this:

Name:
Age:
Microphone:
Experience:
Demo Reel:

Anyways, I am looking forward to hearing some voices, and I will be happy to look at each and every one of the demo reels.

Trailer: CRESCENT - HALO 3 Machinima (One V.I.D.)

AOR3LARRY — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:36:14 GMT

Hey guys

Here's a trailer for my machinima, a One V.I.D. deal where I shot the machinima and completed it in a day. I'll show it later tonight or something.

CRESCENT trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3RUZzeWKoI

Audio quality got a little fucked up in media encoder. Oh well.

New! Infinitum Official Trailer

Finitum Productions — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 05:03:31 GMT

After several time extensions and technical delays, Finitum Productions is proud to present the official Infinitum Trailer. We assure you this trailer has a lot more kick. If you have not seen the Teaser, we highly suggest you do prior to the trailer as it sets up the story a bit. Below are links to the Teaser, Trailer, and Poster.

__________________________________________________ ____________________

Watch the Official Trailer
Watch the Teaser
See the Poster
__________________________________________________ ____________________

We said we would reveal the story when the official trailer was released. So we shall.

It is November 1, 2552. SPARTAN-117 left Earth about a week ago aboard In Amber Clad. Meanwhile, hope begins to slowly dwindle among the people on Earth. Despite SPARTAN-117's progress, it is not enough; for ONI that is. The Office of Naval Intelligence in response constructs the Episilon Facility to conduct research and develop weapons that outperform the Covenant's. There is one problem: it is too late. While ONI is already taking advantage of the technology gathered from the Covenant, there is not enough time to reengineer, develop, and produce. Without definite word from In Amber Clad about what lies ahead, the human race is nearing the edge of extermination.

ONI readily forms Omega Team which are comprised of Spartan III's and a Spartan II. Due to recent development and successful testing, ONI presents Omega Team with a device to travel through time. Omega Team must travel back to the past to retrieve Covenant weaponry and technology. It is not that easy, however, as time paradoxes and timeline divergences must not happen. Being discovered by the Covenant would lead to the end of mankind; however, if Omega Team is successful, humanity will not see their extermination by the hands of the Covenant.

We know that is a handful to take in; it is for the writer too. We wish we could reveal more detail and explanation; however, that is the job for the Infinitum series. We know of the many machinimas that turn to mush whenever they tie their writing/story into Bungie's Halo universe. Finitum Productions knows of the risk and criticism that may follow. But we are taking that risk and diving into it because we want to; we think this story is worth sharing to the community.

Now that we have all of the serious business aside, I shall conclude this thread. PLEASE COMMENT. Seriously, we read every comment; it helps us become a better production group. Whether you praise, trash, criticize, or constructively criticize, we want to hear your opinion. And last but not least, please share this with your friends if you enjoyed it or if you hated it and want to show your buddies how bad it was :cool: . We would really like to get this series publicized. See you soon.

Ahh the good old days

Raptree Hirros — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 09:37:15 GMT

Just the memories of f**king up a video and making it into a blooper, this movie was for my Glitches 2, which when glitches 1 came out people loved it, but we never finished 2 :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPOV9GYi71k

I will voice act

aldude3 — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 03:00:54 GMT

I am aldude3 and if you need a voice actor just tell me and i will help you out and i am trying to be a voice actor myself.I will do voice demos but you must tell me whaat you are looking for and my scheduale is very busy. I am 15 and i am more likly to be in the comedic roles

Need a Writer

SketchingJohn — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 01:36:46 GMT

Hello everybody,

I have made machinima independently before, but I like writing it a whole lot better. They always have said if you like doing something, it adds to the quality of what you're doing. So, I have been writing for eight years, I have a ton of scripts in my portfolio if you would like to see, and I am a perfectionist when it comes to working. So, if you ever need a screenplay/script for your machinima, film, or whatever, my e-mail is skepticalmetalarts@live.com.

Thanks, and I look forward to working with you!

- John

New Halo 3 Machinima: Infinitum Teaser

Finitum Productions — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 04:30:37 GMT

This is a project that has finally been put in gear. Below is the link to the teaser and we hope you enjoy it. Currently, an official trailer is in the works and is set for a release date of 8.12.10. Until then, we would rather wait to fill you in on the story when we post the trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM8ZTFtIdBQ

Feedback is gladly welcome as well as criticism about how we could improve. Finitum Productions really wants to get this short film known so please share it with your friends if it is to your liking. Below is our official movie poster.

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxv1ltS

Finitum Productions

New Host Website for your machinima groups..."Escaped Visions" read for more info...

ion katulyst — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 01:02:55 GMT

ESCAPED VISIONS

no longer a machinima site... its now a gfx collab dept.

MachiniCast Awards Update

ukilledkenny7 — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:50:37 GMT

Just wanted to let everyone know that the MachiniCast Awards is still in progress. I dealt with a computer crash as well as me being in a very hectic time in my life right now. We hoped to have the award video completed by the last week of July. Instead, it will be released in mid August. Thank you for your patience.

This is the 2nd year of the award show and we still consider it to be in its beta stages. By next year we will have a much more definite plan on the best way to accomplish our goals. We believe next year we will be able to have the video released 1-2 weeks after the voting period has ended. This will create a much more clean and concise award period. Thank you for baring with us and showing us tremendous support.

Since our site (CommunityGamer.com) is not ready for launch yet (as we are still working on making the best site possible), the video will not be released on CommunityGamer.com but instead on CommunityGamer's YouTube page.

After the award show has been released, we will be working with our sponsors as well as the entire machinima community to share our vision and ambitions for the future of the MachiniCast Awards.

Special thanks to ODST Sarge and our sponsor VirtualFlicks.net for helping us get through our computer crash crisis.

Mac Capture Card Suggestions Needed

ukilledkenny7 — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 03:40:06 GMT

I'm looking for a Mac external capture card. I'm somewhat limited on money and want to spend $200 or less. I have a Macbook Pro.

Please give suggestions.

Best Ways to Start a Group

NovaPow — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:03:44 GMT

For the freaking longest time I've been thinking of starting my own Machinima group, but I just cannot think of where to start.

A while ago, me and a friend started something called "Aqua Drop Media", which lasted for about three days.
My friend made MW2 commentaries, and I made Machinima. I thought that those two could go on the same Channel, along with eventually other things (I was thinking of flash animations, live action shorts, etc.).
However, I quickly realized my plans were unorganized and flawed, and politely told the guy I was cutting it off.

Anyway, I'm back to the drawing board for ideas, and I'd like some advice.
I have a few main questions:

1. What's the best way to recruit members? Recruit friends that you already know, or recruit complete strangers that you don't know personally, though they are good at the position you need them for?
Example: A guy you've known for a while and you trust makes less than good Machinima versus some guy you just met, but he makes pretty good stuff.

2. What's the best method of uploading? Should each member of the group know the password to the YouTube account and upload whenever they want, or should they upload their videos to MediaFire, have someone (like me) download them and then upload to the Channel?

3. What videos should go on the Channel? Should the members upload their videos to both their personal channels and the production group's channels, or what? IMO, it's asking too much of someone with 500 subscribers (since when recruiting, the size of their audience does come to mind) to abandon their Channel and go for a different one. I know I wouldn't do that, as a Machinimator myself.

4. How many members should you have? Most groups I've seen with much past 10 members crumble due to unorganization. The better ones that I've seen usually have less than five (such as DotSwoof, for instance) real members.

5. What kind of things should go on a Channel? Can Machinima collide with other things like Flash Animations and live action shorts?

6. How much should the members work with each other? I'm usually a solo worker, meaning I direct, write, and edit. I occasionally get people to revise/critique my scripts, but other than that, the only help I get is mainly from actors. It'd be a bit weird for me, personally to have a co-director or anything, which makes me wonder - Why be in a production group if you're just going to make videos solo? Should production groups just be more so of a showcase of the members' videos?

Those are my top questions which come to mind.
I would like to get a production group going, but if I were to do so I want to do it right so it isn't just another Aqua Drop Media.

Thank you for reading and for your time.
Any advice is welcome, even if it doesn't directly pertain to any of the above questions.

The Original Soundtrack Concept

ukilledkenny7 — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 16:13:00 GMT

The original soundtrack concept for machinima is retarded. I appreciate an original soundtrack as much as the next guy . . . however, what is with people not wanting to violate copyright? Machinima is founded on copyright violation. We use other people's creations (game engines) to create our own work of art. Back in the day all machinimas (from groups like SnowGlobe, 3rd and Long, HH, etc) used to have recognizable music, which to me was much more interesting.

Original soundtracks are awesome too, I just don't like it when groups find themselves superior for using an original soundtrack. I've met people that act like they are more professional because they don't violate copyright, when in fact they do. If you want to be that "copyright free" kiddo, then make real life movies.

DISCUSS.

Retirement from Machinima

halosavior007 — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:15:42 GMT

Well guys, it's been a good three years from me but it's time I announced a retirement from machinima. I have released....10 machinimas in my career and only 3 I like, it's a shame I could never make one that appealed to a greater audience. I'm not totally gone on the idea of machinima, but being in the directors chair isn't fun to me and i've decided to announce a retirement just to say I had fun.

If anyone is curious about work I did here's my channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/deloreanowner

I'm moving into dubbing and voice work very quickly, I'm better at it at any rate than as a machinima director. I am going to be in about 4 machinimas this summer (at the least) so you'll still see me make an impression somewhere.

I'm just sad I couldn't find the mental determination to continue, and need to walk away from it for now. I'm still willing to help someone else, but the planning and doing multiple aspects is no longer something I can do with a smile. It's merely work for me.

So hopefully in the few pieces of work I made I appealed to some of you, and hopefully i'll change my mind and do another machinima someday. I knew machinima lost my interest when I started pumping out these dubs I have been doing for the past few weeks. I knew it even more when my writing started to be considered for books on Create a Space rather than as a machinima.

So with sadness I am in retirement, permanently? Nah, I COULD come back. But i'll still be involved with anyone who needs me as a voice actor, writer, body actor or music composer.

Otherwise, thanks for all the critique.

HD PVR Suggestions

Tawpgun — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:38:16 GMT

So I got an HD PVR today, and the best quality I could come up with was this.

The stills look great, but there's a lot of blurring during motion scenes. Is there anyway to fix this? I use Vegas to render. And the Arcsoft thing to capture. Dp you guys have any tips and tricks on how to improve quality?

Lowering weapons question

scrappy — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:56:11 GMT

I've looked for an answer online to this question but couldn't find it.

After doing the button combo to lower the weapon how do you raise it and then lower it again without having to do the combo again.

Tommy did it in his apology vid at :55. I asked him but not expecting an answer.

Anybody know?

Spartan M619/MCurly's Halo Reach Beta Montage

Shad — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:11:15 GMT

I just found this, I find this guy hilarious.

Pinnacle studio... HELP!!!

IMS halogonian — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 04:20:32 GMT

keep in mind that i don't really know where this thread should be...

I capture with Pinnacle Studio 10 and i am having some tech trouble.

Whenever i open up pinnacle Studios 10, it will:

1: load the program
2: tells me that previously pinnacle did not properly lose... would you like to continue on current project or start a new one
( i click one)
3: pauses for a brief moment... then closes
4: claims that "the application has unexpectedly quit". then asks me if i want to send an error report about what just happened

i don't know if anyone out there, in the tubes of the internet, uses pinnacle to capture... however if they do (or if that simply have any ideas about how to solve this problem) please do tell.

Ps: have already done some basic trouble shooting but please say whatever comes into your head

thank you very much

-IMS halogonian

kinda awesome song

IMS halogonian — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:35:14 GMT

I would really love to see someone do something (machinima related) with this....
i don't know what....
i don't know who....

but someone has to have an idea ^_^

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbSZl...eature=related

MachinimaTrailers

NovaPow — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:34:00 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/user/MachinimaTrailer

In case you haven't heard yet, Machinima.com has made a new Channel called MachinimaTrailer.
This was supposedly made to clear up movie/game trailers and such from the other Channels, since people started complaining about not being able to find Machinima on Machinima's Channel.

Really, though, I don't believe it for a second. I'm sure they will still post trailers to all of their Channels (especially the 'Machinima' Channel, which they treat as their own personal sandbox nowadays).
I've unsubscribed from all of the Machinima Channels a while back, so I don't really know.

However, I just glanced over at the Machinima (not Respawn or Sports or anything) Channel, and found this:

So, let's take a look, shall we?
There's two game trailers, two Respawn videos, one non-machinima show, and one Machinima...
1/6 of those videos was a Machinima. I (and most likely most of you) don't consider All Your History to be a Machinima, since it really doesn't have a plot or anything.
And even if you consider it Machinima, that's still 2/6 (1/3), which is still pretty bad.

And if you go to MachinimaTrailer, it says that the Channel has been around since May.
Machinima.com can't use that excuse We're giving Machinima, MachinimaRespawn, and MachinimaSports fans a taste of MachinimaTrailers..
We've gotten our taste, and metaphorically speaking, it was sour.

I thought it was pretty sad that they got so out of hand with uploading trailers that they have to make a whole new Channel just for it.
But even after making a new Channel, they still spam it up on all of their other Channels.

So, discuss.