In truth, I first bought the PC Copy of TF2 for a sole purpose: Machinima.
Well, Valve kinda murdered that because TF2 was just too damn fun on it's own. But, with the recent Free-To-Play update, I've decided that, with my time as a hardcore Team Fortress Player winding down, I'd finally live out my original dreams and create the machinima I always wanted.
I've been kicking around this idea for a machinima video for several months now, and I've decided to finally get off my ass and do something with it. Granted, it couldn't be done without things like the Replay update to make it possible, nor would it suffice without a small community to act and edit it.
Which brings me to my next point: I need actors. Approximately one for each class and some extras if other things come up, so around 10 and some backups. If you'd like to help act in the machinima, PM me or post it here and I'll add you to a list. Be sure to include your SteamID so I can add you as a friend and we can all coordinate effectively. Now that TF2 is free, there isn't much of an excuse not to help, . The actual parts are straightforward, mostly shooting and dieing, no voice acting. The magic will be in the editing and music.
Second: I need a server. I don't really have the money to pay for one, and listen servers don't support Replay, so my other option would be to try and convince someone to vacate and allow me to use their server for a certain amount of time.
[b]EDIT:[/b] Jessecar96 has been kind enough to donate a server for us to use for filming. Many thanks to Jessecar!
Server name: Jessecar96's Server 1
IP: 173.2.43.69
Third: All the shooting will be done using the Replay System, with post-production being done in Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.
Who's interested?
Actors:
-Markntosh (SteamID: Markntosh)
-Jrex (StemID: Jrex101)
-Raze (SteamID: RazeAvenged)
-Gstroyer (SteamID: Gstroy)
-Mafia Broccoli (SteamID: MafiaBroccoli)
-xX-ShockBoss-Xx (SteamID: xX-Shadow-Xx)
-THE_inFAMOUS-GUY (SteamID: Corrupt Dog)
-Bentley (brunakor)
-Xereno (SteamID: Cmdrcuddles)
-Atlascore (SteamID: frenchfriez)
-Rebi (SteamID: DrRebi)
-Penguin-Man (SteamID: Groovu)
-Stealthy Meatloaf (SteamID: stealthymeatloaf)
-Swiket (SteamID: swiket)
-Be Polite (SteamID: SirBobTheGreat)
-ifaux (SteamID: pantydiver)
-peaceful guy (SteamID: hazzahardie)
-Speed Of Dark (SteamID: ileftclickbaddies)
-MrDestroyer (SteamID: Cream Gravy!)
-thespoof (SteamID: thespoof)
-Raptor_S (SteamID: Rock n' Raptor)
-Amplified31 (SteamID: AmplifiedElloGovenor)
-Cosmicmeet (steamID:cosmicmeet)
-Bryceanater (SteamID:bryceanater)
-Alex (IRL Friend) (SteamID: =]ZT[=Shaolin
-Listed: 25. That's plenty, time to get this show on the road.
-In Group: 18. Whoever hasn't join the group, MESSAGE ME.
A Steam Group has been set up, called "Apollo Films Crew" (Uncreative, I know). Join it so we can keep this whole thing organized and well managed.
Current plans are to take time on Wednesday and Thursday to film the required scenes. What would the best time(s) for everyone? I'm thinking sometime after lunch, around 1:30 - 3:00. I'm allowing a full hour and a half because, in truth, I have no idea how long this will take. It's pretty straightforward stuff, but I plan to do a lot of reshooting for security and any issues that might creep up.
If you can't make it, need to leave early, or will arrive late, I would greatly appreciate a message letting me know, so I can keep track of who all will be involved and where everyone will be. Resource management and organization will be the most confusing and problematic of making this machinima.
I'm open to acting... but what is the Machinima?
[QUOTE=Clovernoodle;30711014]I'm open to acting... but what is the Machinima?[/QUOTE]
The machinima itself is straightforward fighting and shooting, but I'm putting a lot of emphasis on the death and destruction part of it. It isn't a frag vid, nor fanciful interpretations of the best way to kill somebody.
The plan is to edit it together and and utilize music in such a way that the mood created by the editing/sound contrasts heavily with the video itself to the point where it breaks the stylized reality of Team Fortress, disillusioning the audience a bit. It's really an experiment, to be honest, but it's an idea I've been fond of and is on my Team Fortress Bucket List, so to speak.
To be clear: There will be no voicework, only digital puppetry.
[QUOTE=Markntosh;30711093]
To be clear: There will be no voicework, only digital puppetry.[/QUOTE]
Sounds like fun!
Sounds like fun, I may be available.
I'm in if you have any spots open.
Sounds fun. I'll, just leave this here
SteamID: Rebi (should be first person up)
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/id/DrRebi[/url]
Sure, I'd like to contribute to something.
Groov
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/id/Groovu[/url]
I'll help. What time zone are you speaking in, Markntosh?
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/id/swiket[/url]
Hey, I'm in, as long as I can be there when you're filming.
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/id/SirBobTheGreat/[/url]
Also, I like shooting things. Removing heads in the process, notably.
[QUOTE=Swiket;30711414]I'll help. What time zone are you speaking in, Markntosh?
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/id/swiket[/url][/QUOTE]
Eastern time.
Sounds good. 99% sure I can make it.
Me me me me me!
[editline]26th June 2011[/editline]
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/id/pantydiver[/url]
I'd love to help.
[url]http://steamcommunity.com/id/hazzahardie[/url]
Sounds interesting.
Think there's still a spot for lil' old me?
I'm in if I'm not busy when you are making it.
Yah, that'll do for actors, methinks.
Oh good me and Markntosh are in the same time zone! That works out good with the server
I went ahead and invited some of you to the "Apollo Films Crew" (uncreative, I know). The rest of you, I'm waiting on confirmation of friendship with me so I can add you.
Hmm, it seems filming has yet to begin and I've already hit a bit of a snag.
Although I can playback replays and demos with my choice of a host_framerate variable, and therefore can slow down the progression of the game itself during the replay, it ignores this convar when it renders the video, outputting the rendered files at host_framerate 0.
The replay update seems to have broken or at the least somehow changed the demo smoother, so it's not an option.
The only workaround I've found would be to watch the replay in the replay editor with host_framerate set to what I want it to be, and use startmovie and endmovie to write a video as I watch. Unfortunately, that means crap quality because it's not actually rendering anything, just showing me what I already see in-game and in-game quality, meaning no motion blur or any such goodies.
Does anybody know a way to force TF2 to render replays in slow motion? Normally I use the host_framerate and host_timescale convars to change the pace of the game.
Currently exploring the possibility of importing .dems into Source Filmmaker. Pray that the .dem format hasn't changed so drastically that it isn't supported by an engine build 4 years old.
If worse comes to worse and I can't find a way to render it in slow motion, I'll have to film it in slow motion. Boring? Unfortunately. Time-consuming? Yes, but that's why I'm allotting an hour and a half to do this.
Also can you post announcements in the group for when you'll be doing it, because I'm in a different time zone, so you know.
Copy/Paste from group announcements:
First off, just a reminder we're going to be filming tomorrow on Jessecar96's server. IP is provided in the event information.
It's going down at 1:30pm, Eastern Time. That's 12:30 Central time, 11:30 Mountain time, 10:30 Pacific time. If you live outside the US, the timezone table is here:
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Zones[/url]
I would prefer actors remove any unusual or distracting hats or miscellaneous items. Simple stuff like a tossle cap is fine, but no horrific headsplitters or festive trees or anything, use common sense. You're not supposed to stand out or be identifiable, so don't try to be, that's what the credits are for. Yes, I'll include you all in credits. Weapons shouldn't, but follow the same common sense.
Might be a good idea to fire up and connect to the server early to make sure you aren't having any connection or other issues. Early is on time, on time is late, all that.
There might be a bit of waiting around for some of you, as I won't need everyone at once and I might have to gather thoughts for what and where to film next. Not a big deal, and I won't get on to you for browsing around using shift+tab if you're not actively acting.
It's currently set to run until 3:00pm Eastern time, but it most likely won't run that late. I'm getting a lot of separate, short, unrelated clips, and I've provided plenty of time to overshoot.
If you cannot make it to filming, or are going to be late or leave early, just let me know so I can plan around it.
See y'all on the server.
[editline]28th June 2011[/editline]
IF you have not been added to the group, add me as a friend and send me a message over Steam and I'll add you tonight.
You added the other time zones.
Nice.
Does it require a certain age and or mic, seems interesting and I'd like to give it a shot. I'll add you (my Steam name is xxncxx)
[editline]28th June 2011[/editline]
Oh, it seems I'm late. :smith:
I would love to help, am I late?
I think we are. Damnit.
We are left alone.
Let's create a Rock band and get some pussy.
In all honesty, we've got about the right amount of people, but you're all still welcome to come. I'll need some small-scale and large-scale battle shots.
[editline]28th June 2011[/editline]
No ages or mics are necessary, just follow what I have to say.
Okay :unsmith:, could you accept my friend request and invite me to the group so I don't forget?
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