I've never tried anything like that but I would say, start writing down ideas and find one you like. Then start writing a story outline thing. After your story gets put together try to find the best game/medium to fit with your story or just the one easiest to use.
I don't think I'm qualified to give advice but thats how I would start. :)
First of all, first thought needs to be story. You need an idea of something. From that initial idea, form the script.
Once you have the script, think of what game would do best. Also be sure to note facets of the game that are positive and negative. One negative for most of the games, is that unless you know how, lip syncing will be almost impossible to pull of. That is one positive for Halo, most characters wear helmets. However know the limitations of the engine as well.
Once you decide the game, think of the map/levels to use, and then if a Forge type tool exist, use it to edit the map to how you need. Once that is done, get your cast members together. I suggest using local friends/actors. If you use people from the net, you are going to get variance in audio quality, depending on the mics or bit rate levels the others are using. By using local people, you can get with them and record using the same set up for everyone. Then, when recording, follow some simple rules.
1. Make sure your AC is off, as well as any fans. 2. Make sure when recording, to ask everyone else around you to be quiet as possible. Mics will pick up AC sounds, other people, and even outside noise like traffic. 3. I will suggest finding a way to record your audio to a camera. This way, if your audio capture program crashes, you wont lose everything you just recorded.
Dont try to record the entire script in game from start to finish. Break it up into chunks. This way, if you make a mistake, you can just redo a small scene and not have to replay the entire thing. Also, keep a stop watch running and make timecode notes for scenes. This way, say you spend 10 minutes getting the acting right, you don't have to wonder. I've heard Burnie say they mark with crouches. Example:
Take 1: 05:00 Grif crouches 1 time... Bad take. Take 2: 07:32 Simmons crouches twice.. Good take.
If you are using multiple teams, record with one team at a time when not doing a big battle scene. This way, no worrying about other team being on map and forget to be hidden.
If using Halo, I would not "record clips". I would capture the video from the theater mode directly. Your editing program might desync the audio from the game (Premiere does this to me). You will have to become creative to fix. I will suggest getting a loop of audio (5 or so minutes) of maps you use with no one running or firing weapons for a clean source of ambient background sound. Just layer this in with the audio, and adjust volume to be barely audible, but there. Might even be an idea to try to get some clean gun sounds, car sounds, etc.. this way, if something happens, you can add them in post, or even reuse them for other projects.
Remember, just acting it out is one part.. you will need to do a lot of post work to it. Don't let the work load be a discourage. It's just a part of the film-making process.
One other thing that you will also have to consider is cost. Unless you already have a capture card and/or editing program, the price can be up there when you are getting started. Personally, I use a Dazzle Digital Video Creator capture card, which comes with fairly nice editing/capturing software (Pinnacle Studio Ultimate HD). They definetly get the job done, and you can most certainly do a lot worse in terms of tech. But make sure that whatever you get will fit in with the setup that you are planning on.
im thinking of making a Machinima comedy/action series using some sort of HD Capture Card, two PS3's (one for spilt screen actions and movements and the other for recording) and i was wondering how i could remove the HUD from spectator mode in MW3 and/or Halo Reach. I also use Adobe Premeire Effects 9 and was hoping if anyone has anything to add orhelp me with :) oh and im 15 with only $80 on hand :(
I dont know of a way in MW3. In Reach, play a just use theatre mode, with the free cam. To lower guns, start a local lan game, or a single player game (in multiplayer map), and there is a button sequence to press that depends on the controller mode you are using. More info @ : www.readyuplive.com/showthread.php/5857-How-to-Lo...
For reach, best to play a game with an extra character (a director charcter) and act the small scene out (film small segments, not full episode/story), and then record it from the theater mode's playback.
Disadvantaged are that if you find you made a mistake when viewing the playback, you need to re film the part.. Advantages: You can get awesome RVB type looks. Camera can be repositioned for explosions, you can find alternate and better angles, the shots end up not needing to be cropped in anyway to lose any HUD element.
I will say, it is hard at first, but once you get into a rhythm, it will get easier, and you may find ways that work for you that might not work for someone else.
alright :) thanks tuxedojerich. I didn't wanna do Halo only because it's not as original due to RvB already doing it but i will try it :) first i have to buy an xbox tho :( and of course sbatkk that'd be sweet! :D
Great advice! I've just been asked by a website to help them make a machinima, I'm the only person they know who has a capture card and they asked me to visit this site as RvB (just finished season 9 btw) is easily one of the best. I was going to ask what your work flow is like for colour correction? Assuming of course you're not using the in-engine stuff from Halo Reach's Forge
Great advice! I've just been asked by a website to help them make a machinima, I'm the only person they know who has a capture card and they asked me to visit this site as RvB (just finished season 9 btw) is easily one of the best. I was going to ask what your work flow is like for colour correction? Assuming of course you're not using the in-engine stuff from Halo Reach's Forge
I've never used color correction, nor do I know much about it. I will defer to checking to see if either FreddieW (facerocker.com) or Andrew Kramer (videocopilot.net) has any good tutorials on color correction.
