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Introduction...

I like to call Machinima the poor man's filming genre, it is a style of filming that can be done with a few people with a zero dollar budget. Don't get me wrong, Machinima can be turned into an amazing art form and can provoke emotions from laughter to crying.
However, most productions fail to achieve this because the film makers fail to realize the power they have to influence thousands, to millions of people.
It sounds like a wide shot, but it is true.
[ame=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSGZOuD3kCU]YouTube - Diary of a Camper[/ame]
Diary of a camper, while being very amateur, was the first Machinima ever created and sparked a whole new film genre.
Machinima as well as any film making engine is a tool that can be used to start a revolution, don't forget that.

Where to begin...

Before even thinking about making machinima, you need to look at some of the other great machinimists and study their works.

So you want to make an action machinima, which is a movie which generally consists of no talking, and all shooting.
Take a look at how HollywoodHalo kept made a story line even with no words, by showing establishing shots and putting the master up on a pedestal evoking thoughts of power. We see the man bowing down and then walking away as the face close ups show us that this man is on a mission.
[ame=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdufTvalSeY]YouTube - Hollywood Halo - Monsters[/ame]


So you want to make a scripted short or series, where characters have voices and interact with each other in scripted events.
An obvious series comes to mind when thinking of a series. Red Vs Blue And that is for good reason, RvB is brilliantly made and keeps things fast pace and witty.
Again, watch the camera angles.
[ame=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvNeHthx3Ng]YouTube - Red Vs Blue Go Go Gadget[/ame]

Those are the two basic filming variations, master both.

Your Equipment...

If you plan to film on a console you will need a capture card, or TV tuner.
These are internal and external devices which connect your computer to your TV.
DigitalPh33r has a great video on all the information you will need to setup your capture card.
[ame=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZpBlrsJn2Q]YouTube - DigitalPh33r's Guide to Making Halo 3 Machinima: Part Two[/ame]


Pre-Production...

When going into a Machinima production it is always a good idea to have a plan set out, you should know what you are doing, who will be in your production and if it is scripted the script should be written out and distributed to all of the cast.
Of course, randomly creating videos can work in rare cases like my very own "When Games Collide"
[ame=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1adkOGhC3G0]YouTube - When Games Collide 3[/ame]
However, when comparing the When Games Collide series to my more recent planned productions I believe WGC looks rather "nooby"
BE PREPARED!

Production...

Making a Machinima requires team work and discipline. You need to have body actors who will listen to instructions, I do NOT suggest getting random people to be in your Machinima productions, they are like a chicken with their head cut off, never invite random people into a production.
As a director you need to be patient with your cast getting your ideas across is hard to do and it can take some time and a few takes to get something right.
As a cameraman, remember what was said earlier in this guide, and employ those tactics. GET MULTIPLE ANGLES OF EVER SCENE.

Post-Production...

Editing is the trickiest part of Machinima making, if the editor doesn't nail it the whole production goes to hell.
My software for editing is as follows:
Sony Vegas 8 (Editor)
Audacity (Sound Editor)
X-Fire (Voice Communication)
Cinergy (Script Writing)
MSN (Voice Recording)

Depending on what type of Machinima you plan to make you may not need some of these programs.

Wow! You are now ready to make your own Machinima!
If you have any questions, please ask!


Ryan - Director, Novus Ventus Films

i am going to get a capture card but in the meanwhile i am going to wait

nice thread

I might try this one day haha

Do not bump 1 year old threads
~CLOSED