The City Scoop! ~Front Page~ February 8, 2008
By
Ex_Libris,
Posted on: 2008-02-08 13:26 in Announcements
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Hi everyone, it's me, Belle! I hope everyone enjoyed my article about Overbrook. I got one response to my history question. The question was this: Which four badges were given for visiting the original four exploration markers in Faultline? Mekkanos sent me the right answers, which are Apex, Faultless Mystic, Newsman (and now, Newswoman too!), and Undammed. Congratulations Mekkanos, you win the grand prize of...Well, I don't really have a grand prize, except to say yay, so yay Mekkanos! I've gotten a few requests this week to talk about the history of the area known today as Eden. Eden was originally known as Woodvale, and to understand the zone, you have to know a little bit about the history of Crey Industries and a group of environmentalists who swore to fight the pollution they created through whatever means they could. Almost two decades ago, a pharmaceutical company named Crey Biotech moved from Switzerland to Paragon City. The head of Crey, Clarissa van Dorn, quickly turned the small drug company into the industrial giant Crey Industries that we all know today. In spite of its size, Crey seemed to be an ecologically sound company, operating without incident in the Venice area of the city for many years. However, a promising young biochemist named Hamidon Pasalima didn't agree. Hamidon was dedicated to environmental causes, and he was working on creating substances that could rapidly transform environmental disaster areas back into natural habitats. They say he was right on the verge of a breakthrough! One day, though, he suddenly disappeared. Eventually, authorities found that to pursue his ideals and fight Crey, Hamidon had joined an environmental terrorist organization called Fauna First. They resorted to such measures as bombing companies and organizations they thought were a threat to the ecosystem, and even turned on Hamidon's former employer, the Paragon Technical Institute. In 2002, in the most devastating way possible, Paragon City discovered that although Crey claimed to be ecologically responsible, they actually had a huge warehouse of dangerous chemicals stored in the Venice industrial district. During the Rikti Invasion, the warehouse was destroyed, releasing the chemicals into the air and waters of Venice. Some conspiracy theorists say that it wasn't the Rikti that destroyed the warehouse, but that Fauna First took advantage of the distraction of the invaders to launch their boldest attack yet and maybe even steal some chemicals they needed.
I don't necessarily believe that, but whatever the cause, the results are indisputable. The place is uninhabitable by the citizens of Paragon City, and all manner of strange and dangerous creatures now call the area home. Crey claims that its own security forces have the area under control, but many doubt it and now refer to the area as Crey's Folly. | Shortly after that, the small community of Woodvale, also largely destroyed and evacuated during the Rikti War, seemed to respond with an equal and opposite reaction to the disaster. Within a very short time, heroes noticed that the area was overrun with new vegetation, vegetation that grew so thick and with unnatural speed that getting to the other side was extremely difficult. In the distance, one can see tall spires of stone reaching to the sky. What purpose they serve, no one really knows. Many heroes have ventured out there are reported heavy encounters with the Devouring Earth, and more than a few have had to be mediported back to the hospital as a result.
The reports of exactly what is happening in the area are sketchy. It's suspected that the core members of the Fauna First organization, including Hamidon Pasalima, have secluded themselves west of the old Woodvale community, now called Eden, and that their bizarre experiments have resulted in the Devouring Earth. Some say they even used the power of an earth control hero named The Woodsman to overrun the area, killing him in the process, and that his spirit still waits at the tallest rock spire in Eden for heroes to fight against the Devouring Earth and rescue his friends that are still being held. It's a really sad story, and I hope some intrepid heroes will seek him out! The Devouring Earth seem to be trying to push eastward into Founders' Falls while the heroes try to hold them off. Only the most powerful of heroes dare to venture past Woodvale now, and the Devouring Earth have been spotted as far west as Venice and as far north as Independence Port and Talos Island. Lately, there has been a lot of attention in the White Plains area and the Rikti mothership, but I hope the heroes don't forget about Woodvale or the immense challenge that lies beyond!
I'll end this week with a question about the city's history. This one might take some research! There is a plaque in Eden that commemorates the sacrifice of Galaxy Girl defending Paragon City against the Rikti, using the last of her strength to heal Ms. Liberty so that she could regroup with the Freedom Phalanx. The city zone she was defending was renamed to Galaxy City to recognize her bravery and selflessness. What was the original name of Galaxy City before they renamed it in her honor? If you know the answer, or you just want to say hello, send me a message. Until next time, byeee! |
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Valentines Recipe SpecialValentines Day falls on a Thursday this year, so I am going to do my Valentines Day cooking special this week you have time to prepare for that special man or lady in your life (or something to cook just because). As promised, I am going to keep the recipes simple because I know most of you don't want to be in the kitchen for hours on end. Please note these are still healthy choice recipes. If you want the nutritional information, please PM me. First things first, though. I was browsing the forums one day eating a piece of chocolate when I received a PM. It came from Plagued Soul on the Liberty Server, and he said, "We all know that gamer guys arent the best with the ladies, and some out there need all the help they can get. This is the best dessert that a man can make for a lady that loves chocolate." Thanks Plagued Soul, and here is your recipe! |
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Mmm, yum! That looks so yummy. Thanks, again! Now you can do dinner, lunch, or even breakfast for your special someone. I will give you ideas for all three meals. Whichever you decide to do, I am sure it will be great! | ||
BreakfastIf you want to add a side to these recipes, hashbrowns would go great! | |||
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Lunch | |||
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Dinner | ||||
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Don't Forget To Eat Your Veggies!These are some ideas for side dishes to go with your main meat dishes above! | ||||
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I hope you enjoy these recipes! I will see you next week for desserts. Feedback is always welcome. Happy Valentines Day! ~Mistress Noire | |||
Letter from the EditorHey Readers! I used to be a pretty big advocate for the demolition of all things Valentine's Day. I'm not so much anymore, and it's not because I'm seeing somebody. I can understand and respect feelings of the anti- and pro- side of this time of year. There are so many reasons that we should be thankful for romance. Regardless of if we're with the one we love, like or adore, or if we're single, romance plays a big part of culture. Lets review some classic comic couples: Catwoman and Batman. Lois Lane and Clark Kent. Mary Jane and Spiderman (or Gwen Stacy, if you insist). Archangel and Psylocke. Or even the complete romantic ruckus of X-Men: Jean Grey, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, Gambit, Emma Frost, etc. What a mess! I can't even keep up with who was with who in that situation anymore. For those of you who are going to be alone this Valentine's Day and may be feeling down, here's my favorite cure: Cookie dough (indulgence!). I hope you all have a wonderful February 14th! Dirtwolf | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Edition 35 of The City Scoop a publication for Supers by Supers!
If you have ever wanted to see the sights or capture them on film, this issue is full of advice. Check out the City Traveler, and guides on video capture from two of our community members.
If you have any concerns regarding the content of the Scoop please feel free to direct your comments via PM to Lighthouse or Ex Libris.
If you would like to do a feature article, have an event covered, or join "The City Scoop" team please PM Dirtwolf, Snow_Globe, or Pants_Stealer
If you or someone you know should be considered for Behind the Mask Teldon or Encounters please contact MrsAlphaOne
If you need some Advice contact Lady_Athyna or would like to Ask The X contact LiquidX
Discussion on the latest edition of "The City Scoop" is located here.
The City Scoop
Rare Solar Radiation Storm Predicted to Occur Again
By
Evitron
Scientists have predicted that the solar radiation storm, which doubles the
experience and influence/infamy received, is poised to happen yet again on
February 8th through the 10th.
The event, which the heroes and villains have begun to call Double XP Weekend,
is a rare event that occurs every once in a blue moon. The event itself is when
the moon lines up correctly with the sun to intensify certain radiation that
effectively doubles the amount of experience and money gained when fighting
enemies.
As one could imagine, this event is one of the most celebrated in Paragon City
and the Rogue Isles, ranking up there with the Winter and Halloween events. As
such, Paragon and the Isles become filled to the brim with super-powered
beings, both new and old. Even heroes and villains who havent been seen for
weeks are known to show up for the amazing event.
So people of Paragon City, get ready! With the surplus of superheroes, the
chance youre going to get mugged will stay the same, but the chance that
youre going to get saved is way up! People of the Rogue Isles, you may just
want to stay in this weekend. Trust me on that.
The Top Ten
Things to do After Double XP weekend
By
Rastafari_Man
Okay. First off, the Scoop goes up on Friday. If youre reading this before
the Double XP event is over, I just have to say: GO! It's DOUBLE XP! This will
STILL BE HERE MONDAY! Honest. Go. It's okay. You can go. Are you still here?
WHY!? Come on man!
Number 10: Immediately post asking when the NEXT Double XP
weekend will be.
Number 9: Regret not getting more time on whatever toon you
log in next.
Number 8: Catch up on your showers.
Number 7: Check into Rehab for XP addiction.
Number 6: Slip into a nice warm and cozy coma.
Number 5: Slip into a nice warm and cozy shower.
Number 4: Seriously, go bathe!
Number 3: Plan road trip to Michigan to turn in all those
Mountain Dew bottles and cans for ten cents on the head! Oh yeah, we're TOTALLY
ripping you off, Michigan! We've only got like ten bucks in Connecticut, but
youre gonna be hooking us up with MISTA JACKSON!
Number 2: Turn all those empty pizza boxes in one AWESOME
fort!
AND The Number ONE thing to do after DOUBLE XP Weekend is...Soap
+ Water + You
Vol. I, Issue XXXV
February 8th, 2008
This Issue:
The Top Ten
Toons on Film
The City Traveler
Food and Recipes
Bonus Recipe
Letter from the Editor
Tanks by ebony-chan
& LordHannu
TOONS ON FILM
by Michelle Travis aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite
Video editing, like any other creative endeavor, is equal parts craft, art, and
the desire to have fun. But how do you start? Unfortunately, it's not as easy
as picking up a pencil and doodling your favorite toon in the margins of your
college algebra notes. With a little planning, some time, and a really cool
idea, a City of Heroes/City of Villains video is quite possible!
Will it happen overnight? Not unless you're willing to forego things like food,
sleep, and the hygienic habits that make you acceptable in public. The fastest
video I ever created for CoX was completed in four days from start to finish.
I've been making videos for almost five years now, though, so I've got an
advantage.
First things first: you need an idea. What is your video going to be about? Is
it the story of your toon? Your villain group fighting the not-so-good fight?
Or how about highlighting the latest issue for the game? Maybe you want to
prove why Necro/Dark Masterminds are the only REAL character build in the game.
Or maybe you've heard some fantastic song and thought, "Wow, that'd make a
fricking awesome video!" Get your concept in your head, and the rest will
follow.
Case in point: I've done three videos now based on releases for the gameone for
Issue 10, two for Issue 11. I had the ideas first, and then I figured out how
to create them. I've also begun work on two separate commercials for
supergroups, have completed one music video, and have begun work on two
others.
WHAT'S THE 'REST'?
You've got your uber-cool idea. Great. Now, my usual method is to pick out the
music or audio accompaniment to said idea next. Make a list of music that you
might want to use. Even if you don't choose any of them, you can see the trends
of what type of music you're imagining for your video. On the other hand, you
might already have the perfect song picked out (like the theme song of your
supergroup or toon), and you're ready to move on.
Case in point: my Issue 10 Rikti Invasion video, right from the get-go, was
going to need something big, alien-sounding, with more than a little menace,
and extremely intense. My Issue 11 teaser needed something fast-paced, almost
ticking like a clock. By comparison, one of my anime videos (available on
YouTube) came about because I'd heard the song first, and then had the
idea for the video. Whatever works.
MOVING RIGHT ALONG
Concept idea: check. Music idea: check. Next up on the roster: scenes. You can
either base them on the lyrics of whatever song you might be choosing or use
the rise-and-fall of an instrumental piece to give you ideas. If your music is
100% in-your-face action, then you're going to want to see your toon stomping
on the foes of your choice. I like making outlines with time codes (or using
lyrics as the reference markers) to know what scenes go where.
Go for some variety. Yes, Nova is a cool attack, but three minutes of your toon
using the same move over and over again does not make a good video. Different
zones, different attacks, motion versus stillness, all of these things make
your video more compelling. Also, try messing with camera angles. (This is
really easyjust hold down the Page Up button on your keyboard and move your
mouse. Voila, camera angles!) Experiment! But be sensiblepracticing changing
camera angles while fighting Lusca is not a good idea. That's what the Hellions
in the Atlas Park parking lot are for, in my opinion. Get the hang of it there,
then go out and fight.
Case in point: my latest COH video was done to Blue Man Group's "Time to Start."
Thanks to the lyrics, I knew I was going to need to show my toons (or other
people's toons or NPCs) following along with the instructions of the song.
BUT HOW DO I GET THOSE SCENES?
Here is where you have two options. (By the way, there's no "right" way or
"wrong" waypick the one that you feel most comfortable with.)
Option one: using the nifty in-game feature known as demorecording. In a
nutshell, let's say your favorite hero is about to join a group that's going to
do something spiffyfight a Giant Monster, do battle in the Arena, whatever.
You want to immortalize your moment of glory. All you need to do is type
/demorecord [filename], replacing [filename] with whatever you want to call the
file. My preference is something like KRJoRikti. This way, I know at a glance
that the setting is Kings Row, the toon in question is my favorite en/en
blaster Johanna Sinclair (she's on Triumph, by the way), and she's taking part
in a Rikti invasion. Your preference may vary.
Option two: for the slightly more ambitious (and perfectionist) folks, you can
code a demo file from scratch. To this end, I highly recommend Scuzzbopper's
fantastic site, which has more info than you can shake a Nemesis staff at.
Choose your map, models, FX, weapons, emotes, and start coding. However, it's
not quite as easy as I make it sound. I recommend the guide created by
Zloth (available on the COH forums), which has several other handy links. And
for an absolutely brilliant example of a video created in this
fashion, I cannot praise Vertical Studios' "Night Prayers" (available on
YouTube) highly enough.
My preference for scenesI use a bit of both. I run around in-game, getting
scenes that I want to use. Sometimes I leave them as is, other times I open the
demo file and change a few things around. (If you've seen the "Time to Start"
video, this is how I have Lord Recluse jumping up and down like he's moshing at
a concert.)
Case in point: on almost every North American server, back when the Rikti were
invading, the minute the skies went dark, a message would go out over the
broadcast - "Okay, everyone, look coolI'm filming this!" And immediately
following that announcement, I would start demorecording the invasion and the
battles. Once they were over, I'd stop recording. Until the next invasion...
Note: Demorecording is not without its flaws. First of all, for
some unknown reason, demorecords will occasionally be saved incorrectly, which
means they won't load. I could write a whole separate article on fixing them.
For this reason, if it's really important, record the scene twice if
possible. Second, since customizable weapons came out in Issue 11, demorecords
will not always play them back correctly, so you may need to learn just enough
editing to remove the customization. The developers are aware of this. It's
just a question of whether or not they'll fix it. We can only hope so. Mmy
katana scrapper looks really stupid waving her arms at an opponent.
I'VE GOT THEM! NOW WHAT?
rogress! You've got your scenes demorecorded...but you can't just open Windows
Media Player and watch them. You'll need to convert them from text code to a
video file. You'll need a recorder. FRAPS is one of the most popular screen
capturing programs out there, it's dirt simple to use, and for the most part,
it's free. All you need to do is use a demo player (I use Zloth's), and use
FRAPS to record the demo as a video file! (Word of advice: spend the $37 and
register the program. First of all, it removes the five minute recording limit,
and second, it gets rid of the FRAPS URL at the top of the screen.)
You'll need to record each demo file one at a time, which is not that big of a
deal. Also, if the demos are reasonably short (or your memory is good), you can
record only the segments you want saved as a video file. Name your demofiles
accordingly so you know what they are. And make your life simple by putting
them all in one place so you know where to find them.
THE FUN PART
You've got your scenes saved as video files. Your character's coolness
committed to video. You've got your music, whatever it might be. But you're not
done yet...
Now you've reached one of the most important steps yet: editing.
You'll need a video editing program, such as Windows Movie Maker (which I don't
recommend, but at least it's free), Adobe Premiere, or my own personal
favorite, Sony Vegas. What these programs allow you to do is import in your
video and music files to create a project.
First off, get your music into the project. Why? Because this is usually your
best reference for your videopart timeline, part inspiration. And it tells you
just how long you have to tell your story. Unless you're using Wagner's full
"Ring" cycle, you've got usually two to six minutes for your video.
Now, start adding the footage you've recorded into the project. Depending on the
program you're using, you can trim it, slow it down, run it backwards, or add a
filter to it. Special effects are cool, but don't overload your video with
them. You want people to admire your toon's coolness, not go into an epileptic
fit because you've added thirteen color filters to the footage. The best
special effects are the ones you barely notice in the grand scheme of things.
Most programs are drag-and-drop. Get the footage into the project, then move it
around to synch up as you need it to.
Now, repeat after me. Save often! Again. Save often!
You do not want to have to explain to the cops why you threw your
computer off your balcony after you spent sixteen hours straight working on
your video only to have the power go out and lose all your work. So save
often.
Stop and watch your project every now and again. Get some fresh ideas, or try
moving things around. See what new concepts might spring up as you go. It may
be that while the footage you shot earlier was okay and all of a sudden you get
an absolutely killer idea on how to highlight your toon. Go back into the game,
demorecord it (or write the code), film it, and bring it in!
Case in point: for the Issue 10 Rikti Invasion trailer, I recorded over 100
separate Rikti invasions in almost every city zone in the game. I even had
other people record them and send me footage of their toons kicking Rikti tail.
The end result was a ton of viable footage that allowed me to pick and choose
the absolute coolest scenes. However, it wasn't until I started adding text to
the video (more on that next) that I had a fantastic idea for a segment...so I
had to jump back into the game. Do you know, despite it being an Invasion
weekend, I had to wait six full hours for the Rikti to invade Skyway?
All because I needed one five-second shot. But it paid off because I was able
to capture footage of a Rikti drop ship bombing the Legrange medical center as
it flew overhead.
Tanks by Juggertha
A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA
In the great tradition of coming attractions everywhere, a little helpful
dramatic text can add that something extra to your video. Whether it's your
video's opening titles/closing titles, or just some helpful dramatic phrasing,
you might want to add a line or two to your trailer. But don't go too crazy,
unless you want them to focus more on reading your video than watching it.
Case in point: My Issue 11 teaser has several items of text, used to indicate
major events in the CoX timeline, and peaking with two particular
phrases"Winter 2007 Everything Changes" and "Get Ready to REMAKE History." The
Issue 10 trailer also has several text hits (No Retreat, No Surrender, No
Mercy) to build dramatic emphasis.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Now you've got everything in your project. Terrific. Watch the whole thing from
start to finish. If you've got a somewhat slower computer (or one that's a
resource hog), I recommend saving the project as an actual video file and
watching it. Watch the whole thing from start to finish. Does it flow? Does it
have all the scenes that you wanted? Does it convey what you want it to convey?
If not, open the project again and get back to work. Make sure you take the
following into consideration:
1) Pacing. Too slow, and it will drag. Too fast, and people will go, "Huh?" Make
sure you're not jumping from one scene to another if you're trying to tell a
story.
2) Quality. All too often, I've seen videos that were fantastically edited, but
the sound quality of the audio file was absolutely atrocious. Use a good
quality mp3 or WMA file for your sound. And always double-check the volume
settings.
3) Transitions. Depending on your program, you have options for how one clip
moves into another. Make sure these are clean, and either sharp or subtle as
necessary for your video.
4) Titles. Opening and closing credits are almost always a good idea. Every
video of mine contains the Samuraiko Productions opening and closing credits
(in one form or another)the opening credits with my production info, and the
closing credits with info on the video and its source material (and usually a
dedication). In fact, I keep separate project files just for these so I can
customize them as necessary for each video, and then attach them to the
project.
Case in point: The Issue 10 Rikti Invasion trailer starts out with several video
hits. The scene opens with no transition and fades to black, synched to the
hits in the music. It's not until later in the video that there are no fades
between scenes, when everything is coming at the viewer so fast that there's no
need to use them.
DONE AT LAST!
You're finished! Save your video in the file format of your choice. I personally
recommend WMVs because the quality is good and the file sizes aren't larger
than the gross national product of Burma. The other popular choice is AVI, but
it's all a matter of preference.
Now, depending on if/how you want to share your video, and especially if the
file is big, you'll want to save it two separate ways: one high quality
version, and one low quality version. I only save a high quality one, but then
again, I host the video on my own website. I use YouTube to make the low
quality versions available.
Be proud! You've finished your first video!