Player Video Commemorates City of Heroes Lore

Once again Very Good and awesome work

Valor

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When you wake up seek the courage and strength to do the right thing.
Decide that this will be another day in which you Walk The Talk.

MA #14724 Operation: Discredit @American Valor
Sentinel Of Liberty SG

Okay, I JUST got home from work so now I can see everyone's responses (stupid filters at work block the forums so I couldn't come on here). So here's one post to address the six pages of posts here!

First off:

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to everyone who has been praising the video (and to Lighthouse for the original post!). Your responses are EXACTLY the kind I was hoping to get (not just the positive thing, but the chills and the "ooh wow" factor). That tells me I hit the emotional tone I was going for.

Second:

Yes, Dark_Respite is female. Very much so.

Third:

I love my new intro, too, and barring messing with filters or whatnot to make it look more stylized, that's the official Samuraiko Productions intro for all my future videos.

Fourth:

I am going for the car, fear not. However, there are a lot of other great CoX videographers who are going for it, too. Don't ignore their efforts just in favor of mine - I want the best person to win. If it happens to be me, fantastic. If I win, show, or place, I'd be thrilled.

Fifth:

Re: NCNorCal hiring me. Those of you on here who are lobbying for the devs to add me to the roster aren't the only ones who think that. But the devs know where to find me if they ever change their minds.

Sixth:

What some call 'fluff' and I call my 'credits' are there for a reason. After a long, protacted, and UGLY online battle after several people swiped videos of mine and were entering them into AMV contests (and in at least one instance, winning them with MY work), every single video of mine has credits on them. (There is currently ONE exception, and ONLY one - the CoX video I did for the P.E.R.C. contest because to have my credits in it would have disqualified me.) I credit most people with the ability of being able to click just a bit further in on the Play bar to skip ahead, or to stop watching when they see my end credits start. FOR THE RECORD, my end credits are 39 seconds long (the part where the music starts and the pan-down shot of the scroll and ink and the relevant text). My opening credits vary depending on whether I'm incorporating the NCSoft, Cryptic, and SP logos into the music or not. And my credits exist for a reason - I want people to know EXACTLY what goes into any video I make - what music, what footage, who helped me, all of it. If you ever go see a film that doesn't have credits on the end, the filmmaker either did it all him/herself, or s/he's a selfish twit who doesn't acknowledge sources.

As for lengthening the video, I'm constrained by the music I use - although, thanks to some wildly unexpected generosity from one of my fans, I was able to invest in Sony AcidPro, and will soon be composing my OWN music, which means I can add/edit it as needed.

Seventh:

I use the following programs: the /demorecord feature, Notepad, Zloth's Demo Player, FRAPS, Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum, Adobe PhotoShop, Creative Smart Recorder, Nero Wave Editor/Sony SoundForge.

And in closing:

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN. I well and truly mean it. There are times when I sit at my desk working on a video and occasionally succumb to moments of depression and despair, and think to myself, "Why the hell am I knocking myself out on this video?" Then I get responses like yours and know why. And it keeps me going for the next one. Thank you.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko

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Oh yeah, one more thing:

YOUTUBE VERSION IS AVAILABLE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY6g0G93LtM

For those of you who do not want to download the high res version off the Samuraiko Productions website...

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

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Yay! Thank you!


and WOW!



also, I would like to request maybe a short film at some point?

something with some plot!

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Wavicle, Energy/Energy Blaster, dinged 50 in Issue 4, summer of 2005.
@Wavicle, mostly on the Justice server.

I've always loved videos. Can't wait to see more. Rock on Triumph!!!

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[ QUOTE ]
Yay! Thank you!
and WOW!
also, I would like to request maybe a short film at some point?
something with some plot!

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, my current YouTube limitation is 10 minutes unless I apply for Director's status.

Second... I'm always up for pushing my limits. Any ideas? Suggestions? If I were going to do a short film about the world of CoX, what it should be?

Hmmmmm... maybe I'll sponsor a contest of my own - make a suggestion for a short film (something game-related, not just highlighting an SG or somesuch), and the winning entry gets to have their idea made into a 10-minute film by Samuraiko Productions.

No, that's not arrogant sounding at all...

And I agree - long live Triumph, home of the Sinclair Syndicate and some of the coolest players I've had the pleasure of knowing.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

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[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Yay! Thank you!
and WOW!
also, I would like to request maybe a short film at some point?
something with some plot!

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, my current YouTube limitation is 10 minutes unless I apply for Director's status.

Second... I'm always up for pushing my limits. Any ideas? Suggestions? If I were going to do a short film about the world of CoX, what it should be?

Hmmmmm... maybe I'll sponsor a contest of my own - make a suggestion for a short film (something game-related, not just highlighting an SG or somesuch), and the winning entry gets to have their idea made into a 10-minute film by Samuraiko Productions.

No, that's not arrogant sounding at all...

And I agree - long live Triumph, home of the Sinclair Syndicate and some of the coolest players I've had the pleasure of knowing.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

[/ QUOTE ]


Ok, well, first off, I would love to see a fast paced retelling of one of the more interesting story arcs or TFs.



Secondly, YOU SHOULD DO THAT CONTEST OMG!!!

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Wavicle, Energy/Energy Blaster, dinged 50 in Issue 4, summer of 2005.
@Wavicle, mostly on the Justice server.

[ QUOTE ]

Well, my current YouTube limitation is 10 minutes unless I apply for Director's status.


[/ QUOTE ]Last I knew, Director status was just a setting. Things could have changed since I put my account to that but I don't know.

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[ QUOTE ]
Oh yeah, one more thing:

YOUTUBE VERSION IS AVAILABLE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY6g0G93LtM

For those of you who do not want to download the high res version off the Samuraiko Productions website...

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

[/ QUOTE ]

For the lazy, here's the embeded version

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MY6g0G93LtM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MY6g0G93LtM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

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Lighthouse
Community Relations Manager

If you have a specific in game, account, tech or billing problem please contact our Customer Support team via The Knowledge Base "Ask A Question" page.

You're right - I just found out that they removed the 10-minute exemption for directors. Which means that:

a) the short film has to be under 10 minutes max,
b) it's posted as a two parter, or
c) it's only made available in high resolution on my website for download

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

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[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Oh yeah, one more thing:

YOUTUBE VERSION IS AVAILABLE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY6g0G93LtM

For those of you who do not want to download the high res version off the Samuraiko Productions website...

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

[/ QUOTE ]

For the lazy, here's the embeded version


[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks, Lighthouse... always looking out for me. :P

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

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Really nice...so is Incarnate the theme of the next Issue?

More post-50 content, nice =)

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Questions about the game, either side? /t @Neuronia or @Neuronium, with your queries!
168760: A Death in the Gish. 3 missions, 1-14. Easy to solo.
Infinity Villains
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[ QUOTE ]
What some call 'fluff' and I call my 'credits' are there for a reason.

[/ QUOTE ]

In my opinion, this needs no explanation.

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I went and watched the video again. What a fun little thing to watch. Really gets me pumped for I13!

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Playstation 3 - XBox 360 - Wii - PSP

Remember kids, crack is whack!

Samuel_Tow: Your avatar is... I think I like it

Makes me want to hunt down one of those books.

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I enjoyed the books. Wish there were more.

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Playstation 3 - XBox 360 - Wii - PSP

Remember kids, crack is whack!

Samuel_Tow: Your avatar is... I think I like it

Hey DR, I got an idea for ya!

I've remarked a few times about the credits, and i can tell you've gotten tired of explaining away your reasons for adding the credits in. I respect your desire to maintain ownership of and credit for your work, so that's not what I'm arguing against...

However, you do KNOW that REMOVING 39 seconds of video is probably the simplest thing one can do when editing a video, right? Tossing those in is not going to stop someone from copying the video, splicing out what they don't want, and using the rest. Therefore, prevention of theft as your primary motivation for those credits is illogical. (I r vulkan lolz)

I suggest using a watermark. Something a little transparent and unobtrusive (probably a symbol instead of words so the viewer isn't tempted to read it), but it's THERE and would be a LOT harder to remove without butchering the video. Then ending credits just to say you made it and who else helped, without the need to credit "total war" twice.

Just a thought.

Oh, and btw... this video was AWESOME. I mean it. I'm not trying to sugar-coat after the fact here or anything, I mean it. Great work as always =)

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-STEELE =)


Allied to all sides so that no matter what, I'll come out on top!
Oh, and Crimson demands you play this arc-> Twisted Knives (MA Arc #397769)

I like it, but being generous, a full 3rd of the video is intro and credits.

I am apparently not the first person to comment on this though.

It's not critical obviously, but just feels excessive to have tacked onto an otherwise 2 minute video.

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I really liked the Video. Liked the credits too. Then again I almost aways stick around at the end o movies too watch them roll by there too. Hey! Sometimes there's extras. You never know... Besides clearly they took work and artistic choices are made and displayed.

Also, Loved the Bab 5 vids. Oh such a fun series....

Clearly have good taste.

BRAVO!!

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I love your stuff! Keep up the good work!

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Damn... that was awesome.

The storytelling and all out flow of the video was excellent. The story really came across, not to mention the "power manifestation" section was just amazing; the ressurecting soldier, the woman bursting into flames, the guy levitating cars (still trying to figure out how you pulled off that one ).

Something people didnt seem to talk about alot so far in this thread was the voice acting. I just want to give a quick props to that cause it's one of the things that really came out and "got me". The interaction between Stephan and Marcus was spot on, and their voices just sounded great, what I would imagine LR and States would sound like.

Keep up the good work!

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Totally blew me away, that was crazy awesome.

[ QUOTE ]
Something people didnt seem to talk about alot so far in this thread was the voice acting. I just want to give a quick props to that cause it's one of the things that really came out and "got me". The interaction between Stephan and Marcus was spot on, and their voices just sounded great, what I would imagine LR and States would sound like.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed.

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The Dark Blade
"I've felt your mouse on me before, you perv...." - Troy Hickman
Paragon Wiki

Wow, your demos just keep getting better and better. I look forward to seeing your next work!

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[ QUOTE ]
I suggest using a watermark. Something a little transparent and unobtrusive (probably a symbol instead of words so the viewer isn't tempted to read it), but it's THERE and would be a LOT harder to remove without butchering the video.

[/ QUOTE ]

A very interesting suggestion - way back when I first started doing videos, I didn't have a logo. Now I do. If I can figure out how to insert one in such a fashion that it doesn't obviously distract, I will certainly give it a go. I will also see about revamping my end credits (I still intend to keep them there, but I promise, I will see if I can tool them down).

The opening credits however (NCSoft's, Cryptic, and especially mine) are staying as-is.

[ QUOTE ]
... not to mention the "power manifestation" section was just amazing; the ressurecting soldier, the woman bursting into flames, the guy levitating cars (still trying to figure out how you pulled off that one ).

Something people didnt seem to talk about alot so far in this thread was the voice acting. I just want to give a quick props to that cause it's one of the things that really came out and "got me". The interaction between Stephan and Marcus was spot on, and their voices just sounded great, what I would imagine LR and States would sound like.

Keep up the good work!

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: the levitating cars... work, my friend. Lots and lots of work. And original coding. And the audacity to try it in the first place.

Re: the voice acting... @Dust Raven (one of my best friends) and @Bloodspeaker2 (hubby, and former Mr. Rogue Isles-Liberty!) both had a lot of fun voicing Marcus and Stefan, and regretted my video wasn't longer because they'd have liked to do more. Both of them (in fact, all five of us voicing) are avid role-players and GMs (Game Masters, Storytellers, Dungeon Masters, whatever you might call someone who RUNS the game), and are very good at using their voices to convey a scene. Hubby in particular is fantastic at it - people call him "Sound Effects Man" because he really does have this knack for using his voice for performance and for mimicry. I personally think he'd have made a terrific professional voice actor, but oh well. I hardly had to do any modification at all to the recordings of his voice, save deepening it just a tad and adding the echo effect - that deep, raspy laugh of Recluse's at the end is pretty much all him.

Quick amusing story about the voice acting from the guys... I recorded @Dust Raven first, so that John (my husband) would know the timing against which he'd have to say "We've become gods, Marcus." So DR sits next to me at the computer, puts on the headset/mike, I cue him to tell him to start, and he does a take of, "My God..."

John, sitting at HIS computer (and playing COH with the sound off while we're working), without looking up, immediately follows that with, "... it's full of stars!"

And all three of us promptly lose it laughing, thus ruining the take.

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

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Just adding my WOW to everyone elses.

That was a really great video!!!!

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