8baller

Ex thanks for the clarifications....and for keeping an eye on things.

Todd

Another update from gametrailers:

They responded to my last email basically stating what was said previously (not the big "NO- one person") but the "we prefer one person but if you have all your documentation approved by them then they may be able to swing it through."

And on the use of MovieStorm...or other like software. You have to get written proof from the software rep/owner..etc that their models can be used for commercial use. Here's the clip:

"Per the MovieStorm, if any assets from this software show up in the video, i.e "models" etc we will need written confirmation from the software rep or proof in their documentation that it can be used for commercial purposes/ profit. "

Hope that helps. It definately clarifies.

Todd

Thanks for the info/update Star.

Fingers are crossed they make a good decision

Very nice job! Dude, submit it anyhow, let them draw the line, not you.

Nice edits.

Todd

How sad is it that at this point I'm waiting/expecting another curve ball to be thrown our way?

Todd

I just sent them an email summarizing some of the confusion going on over here with a suggestion to post a FAQ and link to it off the contest page. That way at least we'd stop asking the same questions over and over and there would be one answer to refer to.

Just stating again...cause I know how much work we're all putting into this and I'd hate to see it go to waste...here's some of the facts as it stands right now:
1. their answer to me was about as crystal clear as it gets regarding other voice actors. "NO- one person"

2. There are currently 4 (I believe) 'entries' posted on the gametrailers site but only 2 made it to the actual contest page as official entries. The ones that didn't make it had mulitple voice actors and/or copyrighted material (I know I heard the Nokia ringtone in there)

3. We've got no way to get ahold of these folks for a quick answer and there's only six days left.

You guys do what you feel is best. I'm still holding on to my file with my voice actors as a 'plan b' just in case things get turned around, but my 'plan a' is...well a little watered down. I'll probably post both before all is said and done.

Todd

That was the exact cut-and-paste reply.

I like the OTHER answer much better (with release forms and such). I don't know if this person was in a hurry....because unlike most of the other replies I've seen the responses weren't even in complete sentences...or maybe the person was just tired of answering these types of questions.

Keep in mind they replied to my email I sent this morning...but answering questions I sent 2 weeks ago! AS if they had my old email pulled up and didn't bother to read the new one. Example: this morning I SPECIFICALLY asked about MovieStorm to which they didn't reply at all.

It may have something to do with the fact that I mentioned that I had sent 3 emails without any response. I dunno.

What bugs me the most about this is that either they have mulitple people answering questions....and differently...or they just aren't clear on the rules themselves. Going back and asking about the demorecord stuff is yet another example of this.

It's too late in the process to be changing their minds on this stuff.

My current plan....is to voice all the actors myself. Which blows....but I've had my answer from the officials.

Be sure that if any of the final 5 have multiple voice actors in them they'll be getting a fun email from me. I had 3 other actors that did a knock out job! I'm also looking at keeping the 'correct' version for later release depending on how things go.

On the up side....I always wanted to be cast as 8 Baller. (that's about the best up side I could come up with).

Todd

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Can you briefly explain demoediting for the people that enforce the rules please?

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Explain to them that it is the scripting language BUILT INTO City of Heroes specifically for making your own videos and screenshots.

...and if that don't fly...oh my...

...Silent film anyone?...

And we can't even use any ragtime music

[ QUOTE ]
well, chances are that if anyone with voice actors is a finalist, they would ask for the release forms from your actors giving all right to you...

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The Official response I got, was a very clear no other voice actors, they must all be done by the person creating the movie.

In regards to the other posted 'entries'. It might be worth noting that only 2 of the 4 or 5 are listed on the contest page. The others (not listed) have the following 'problems' if you want to call it that....

One very clearly has 2 voices...a guy and a girl. And another has the Nokia ringtone which is definately copyrighted...and an external sound FX (not found in CoX). That could be the reason they never made it to the contest page as an entry.

...and the 2 that made it to the contest page are both voiced with one voice...and a computer generated (not modified) voice. Of course that brings up another question...does a computer generated voice count as an external SFX? Heck who the @#$% knows.

LOL if you REAALLY wanted to get stupid about the rules. One of the entries....the Matrix Wireless one...is all out company promotion. Seems there's a cellphone wireless company called "Matrix Wireless" in India.......I hate lawyers.

Heck....the way entries are going...they may not need to NARROW down to 5 finalists....they may be lucky to get 5 qualified entries.

Todd

[ QUOTE ]
If I get approved, I'll pass along the form I used for my Performance Release.

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According to the reply they sent me...getting approved isn't even an option.

It was about as straight forward as you can get.

This is starting to raise up higher and higher on the "suck-o-meter".

Already tried the phone numbers from the website...one number goes directly to a voicemail that basically doesn't exist..."the member is no longer a subscriber". The other is leave a voice mail only.

This may explain why there's only been one entry so far. There may have been dozens that have been submitted and only that one made it past the legal section.

Let me close the box a little tighter. Try to follow this sequence of events.

I emailed them 2 weeks ago....then about a week ago....then this morning. I finally got a response. Get this...they responded to my morning email...with the answers to questions I sent 2 weeks ago. Yeah, it was a fun read.

Anyhow....to the point...the very sharp point...here's their reply:

1. Confirming that the NCSoft Logo is ok to use in the movie. YES

2. Confirming that it's ok to have other people help record voices in the movie (so that all the voices don't sound like versions of the same person). NO- one person

3. Confirming that it's ok to have "title graphics", "extra animations", "extra FXs" as long as they were all
created totally by me. YES

4. Question/Confirmation that a 720x480 dimension .avi or .mpg that has a file size of under 200M would be fine as a submission. YES

5. Confirming that it IS ok to have....stuff blowing up...
destruction/violence (no blood), as long as it is within the realm of the City of Heroes/Villains game. YES

6. Quesiton, are credits ok...for the voice actors etc as long we're not listing a commercial entity/company. YES

Yeah, so.....wow. I'm currently in a replanning phase. The NO to voice actors...is...huh....interesting. Dang it, and I had good folks too.

Hmmmmm......a bit wheels off here. Less than a week to go and we could be back to the drawing board.

I wonder if those "machinima experts" they speak of in the rules are the same people giving support?

Todd

Vegas is more focused around video editing (with plenty of compositing thrown in), while After Effects is more designed for compositing....sort of a video Photoshop...although I've known people to produce entire videos in After Effects.

Like most things, it's whatever works best for you.

And Doc it sounds like you've got at least a simple temporary solution...stop running all the other apps

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I'm wondering if all video makers have as much self doubt as this lot does. (including me) Buck up, folks! You'll all do great!

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I find myself going through phases...."Ok, this may just work."...10 minutes later..."I'm never gonna finish"

What's "WeGame avis"?

And sorry to hear about the crashes. My very limited tech advice is...restart...not super helpful.

Todd

I made me a teaser poster

Infinite Dark - Teaser

Todd

As much as I WANTED to be cast as 8 Baller in my movie...my wife said I made a much better villain.

My impression of a big bad guy

I hate being the bad guy...

Todd

I don't see a problem....I'm with Star. That's exactly what I picture Fusionette sounding like.

[ QUOTE ]
Moviestorm/Antics/IClone are tools like Photoshop. You own everything you make using Photoshop. Like that awesome digital spray-paint graffiti thingie you did --you just don't own the digital spay-paint can you used to make it with.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I feel the same way about the above statement...but then again I feel the same way about Acid and royalty free music loops and they shot that one down early with a great big shot gun

....lawyers...

Todd

Hmmmmm.....fine print on MovieStorm and most likely Antics and other machinima software. MovieStorm's EULA states that the user has a 'license' to the software, which includes all the models/sets/props.

I'm not positive on this but I believe license is not ownership which could cause a problem with the contest.

Anyone have any other or more specific rulings on this?

Todd

Wow.....kick butt. Thanks Knight I was going with 'no' to be safe...and because of the "can't use music loops to create your own music" message they gave out early on.

Nice clarification.

Todd

Anybody given any thought as to the actual final resolution they're going to create these at. The ONLY rule we have...or guidance for that matter...is less than 200M. I'm preeeeettty darn sure I'm not going to get anywhere near 200M in my 3:20 clip.

I'll speak out first...I'm going standard rez TV 720 x 480. Either an MPEG or AVI format. Avi may be a little more standard.

Todd