Discussion: Matrix Machinima Contest

I have that kind of dream a lot. To the point where I wake myself up and are halfway into the study where the computers are before I realize I was dreaming.

Which is really depressing sometimes.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

Once this contest is over, I'm gonna do some serious experimentation with the EntRagdoll command. Just imagine if Zloth's theory (PYR per joint) is right. We might be able to create custom emotes...

I already found what number determines the height of your head independent of the body, I accidentally made my head float around unmentionable levels. Pic.

I almost feel guilty - the deadline is August 10th for entries and I've barely even begun working on mine. I got the music done, I have my concept, but not quite had the concentration I did before.

I wonder if it's something about the diet - my energy's been kinda off since I started.

But I must persevere and see this through to the end! (both the diet and the video)

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

I know what you mean DR. I got a main sequence done so that I could start any effects I needed to do but since, I haven't really done anything.

I also know the feeling. My audio is mostly done but I just can't muster the umph to start with the demo-ing.

I'm having issues as well. Partly because I don't have tons of time (and therefore energy) right now, but also because it all just seems, I dunno, forced.

My personal theory on why a lot of folks are hitting a rough spot is the enforced selection of music. If I were allowed to choose my own, I think that for the idea I have, I could think of a half-dozen other pieces that would work BETTER than what I've chosen from the game, remixed or not. Grrrr.

Had this wonky nightmare last night though that my video was disqualified after I'd worked my tail off getting it done. We'll see if that was prophetically true or not.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

Yeah, the music restriction is a serious crimp in my style. Actually, my usual sequence is to work on the vid itself and do music later (unless it's a music video of course, where the vid follows the music).

I do have some of the critical spots in my entry worked out music-wise, so that keeps me from worrying about it too much. I'm actually more worried about running long on the time. I'm currently at about 5:30... Something will just have to go.

I hear ya.

I'm all over the placed with mine. Keep reshooting and changing costumes and rewriting the story.

LOL - I just checked the contest submissions page. Only one entry so far. Don'tcha just know that GrandConjurer is already planning what he's gonna do with that car...

Right now, I'm shooting for 2.5 minutes, that way I'll make it in just under 4 min........


I don't know if it's just me, but when I make a film I get all the footage shot first, then come up with a story to fit what I filmed.......*shrugs*

Guess my brain is just backwards or something.......

nope. i've done that many times!

it can work out great sometimes. but sometimes i feel though that it gets me into trouble and i start forcing a story to compensate for the almost making sense but not quite images i've shot.

My music choice is currently 3:45, but I might edit it down so that my video has a slightly faster pace to it. And I've got all my storyboarding done! I just need to really focus on shooting the footage I need (or in my case, coding certain scenes).

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

I am not even going to worry about music till later.

Right now I am trying to work my way though the Mayhem Mission I recorded over the weekend. Should have actually used it to do what I needed and now I don't want to go through 5 missions to get another one.

Mine is currently 2:45-ish. At this point I don't see it expanding much past that. Like Dark said...keep the pace up.

Geez, it's been a learning experience, even with the demo experience I racked up with 8's comic.

Todd

Hooray, I finally was able to get myself into gear! Video footage is now about 20% demorecorded, 10% video-converted. This should look way funky - I guess finally creating the right lead character helped!

I just really, really, REALLY hope I don't get disqualified on a technicality... like using titles. (As in, putting a title in the video at the beginning and captions through it.)

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

D_R, What has you worried about titles and captions? I don't recall anything in the rules like that. Did I miss something subtle?

Nah, not that I was able to find (since they say that "text" is allowed), it's just me being paranoid.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

I think titles should be fine, along with captions under the "your own ideas, language, content, images, text, graphics, animation, and other materials" line of stuff.

Heck, the titles were the easy part

Todd

BTW - I had an idea to mention the Toyota Matrix in my vid ("I caught a ride back to the mission from the Hero's Hospital with a citizen. Nice car. I think he said it was a Toyota Matrix.")

Although the rules prohibit "commercial endorsements" I thought mentioning the sponsor's product would be an exception.

It's not. I sent an email to the contest gods and they said it isn't allowed.

Just wanted to throw that out there in case anyone else had a similar idea. The last thing any of us wants to see is a good video getting disqualified on a technicality.

Thanks Star, that is good to know.

I got myself working on my video again. Converted the footage I still needed to and then had to rebuild what I had already done because the project file was corrupt.

Holy smokes Star, yeah I would have thought the same thing you did. Glad you checked.

And doc....sorry to hear about your file. But on the bright side (yes, always looking for a bright side) it cratered early enough that you've got time to rebuild. I was going to enter a video contest with my daughter and the file corrupted the date before it was due.....no hope there.

Todd

Awww, no sneaking in the old Asheron's Call "atoyot" emote?

[ QUOTE ]
And doc....sorry to hear about your file. But on the bright side (yes, always looking for a bright side) it cratered early enough that you've got time to rebuild.

[/ QUOTE ]It was only about a minute worth of footage that was placed together for that sequence. I made a low quality version though that I was using to get the effects in place so that works as a reference if I need it for some timing changes.