Merman - A Roadside Attraction

Here is a new experimental film. http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u9/MRJproductions/?action=view¤t=Merman-ARoadsideAttraction.flv

This is a strange little tale told in a former Tombstone establishment. (Be forewarned that traditional Saloon paintings over the bar are present in the film.)

I decided to try out using backdrops for the walls. I also modded images onto Simple Props in order to make some new furniture items such as counters and display cases. I was also inspired by beta tester Tom who had a very interesting film called the Toy Box on his site. It wasn?t a Moviestorm product but it made interesting use of Crazy Talk for giving speech to inanimate objects. I am amazed how Moviestorm melds with other programs making it a very powerful but simple piece of software.

I am very interested in seeing the use of backdrops that Lucindamc123 has been talking about. I was impressed with the good use Matt showed early on which showed the excellent use of backdrops.

Each new Moviestorm version gets better and better.

You have a surreal sense of humour MrJoyce! I'm not sure if it is that you are more used to the program, or if the program itself has improved but I noticed much more smoothness in the animations (I noticed it myself in my latest piece and am asking myself the same question)

That was kind'a creepy! Loved it! I'm still trying to figure out that greenish statue at the end. I seen it move. I know I did.

*throws bottle of whisky away*

No more for me.

great - love the audio!

Nice use of backdrops and simple props, worked quite well.

I'm deciding that was a good one. BRAVO!

revdoug

Very good, MRJoyce! (Almost sounds like stories told in a Douglas, AZ hotel!)
Thanks!

Thank you for the comments. MS certainly emulates the film process very well. This is the first time I've found a program or use of hardware which really allows me to spin out ideas.

Fulkster wrote:

Very good, MRJoyce! (Almost sounds like stories told in a Douglas, AZ hotel!)
Thanks!

Fulkster, I figured the Merman was staying in the Birdcage basement way too long. Though it could be said I spent a bit too much time over at the Crystal Palace Saloon as well.

kkffoo wrote:

I'm not sure if it is that you are more used to the program, or if the program itself has improved but I noticed much more smoothness in the animations (I noticed it myself in my latest piece and am asking myself the same question)

Kkffoo, the animations do seem much smoother. I haven't spent much time with all of the Gestures and Moods which I think will add to the look as well. Each one of these short films were designed to test out some production solutions for a bigger project I have in mind. They may look surreal, but there is a mad purpose behind them. Can't wait until we have uneven terrain to work with.

reptor7 wrote:

I'm still trying to figure out that greenish statue at the end. I seen it move. I know I did.

Reptor7, you did see it move. I applied Crazy Talk to it and composed the aninmatiobn over the scene. I thought the Cthulhu statue needed to see the light of day.

A big thanks to Tom for his inspiration.

Checked out the Crazy Talk site. Very cool!

Hey surreal is a good thing!

Very cool movie. I loved it!

It looks like Cthulhu is the one singing and wistling the song LOL

I'll have to take a look at that Crazy Talk thing.

OK, this doesn't really have a lot to do with this particular film, but while watching this one, a question came to mind ...

Knowing your background, Mr. Joyce, I'm wondering if you have a preference of one medium over the other ... live action production vs machinima ... and other than the obvious, are there huge differences between the two when it comes to production ... is film making by any other medium still film making?

Kheri wrote:

OK, this doesn't really have a lot to do with this particular film, but while watching this one, a question came to mind ...

Knowing your background, Mr. Joyce, I'm wondering if you have a preference of one medium over the other ... live action production vs machinima ... and other than the obvious, are there huge differences between the two when it comes to production ... is film making by any other medium still film making?

Kheri,

Having done traditional film making since 1974, I would say for myself that in general - film making is still film making. My viewpoint is from that of the physical production of a motion picture. What is missing in machinima is the need for the assistance or hiring of a large group of people to make your film (for an anti-social or maybe anti-Hollywood type like myself this is a good thing). Also what is missing is the need to budget the project.

All the other disciplines I have used are still part of the process.
Some may argue that Machinima (at least in the form Moviestorm is presenting) is not the same as a movie production. But I can reflect on the hundreds of projects I have supervised and produced that no two of them were the same in all ways. But they all require in broad terms: an idea, a script, a schedule, preparation (sets, costumes, casting, etc), execution of the production (lighting, acting, cameras, effects, sound, etc.), post production (lab work, editing, visual effects, ADR sound, music, etc.) and finally distribution.

As I said budgeting the project (at least for myself) is not a step I have to take in machinima. But I refer to hardcore film budgeting and include the financing and accounting in that term.

I retired from Hollywood film making when it became apparent that the combination of my age and a physical disability made me not a "desireable" Line Producer to the younger studio executives. (Not an uncommon problem for the journeyman film industry workers of today.)

My expertise in the past was putting together the physical pieces of a production (crew, director, budgets, sets, cast,etc) and guiding them to an end result. Normally I either shared or had the Final Cut responsibility for the product I delivered.

Now with Moviestorm and other machinima tools, I hold all the cards (if I choose) and I find it very interesting and somewhat humbling to try to do the work I hired others to do for me. But it is a grand learning process. I don't expect to be an Orson Welles, but I can at least make product which interests me.

So in answer to your question, if you consider that a program like Moviestorm can fill the "production" needs for your project and that the prep and post can be done with already established programs, all you need is some talent or dream to allow you to experience the film making process. What you may be missing are the monetary costs (to a lesser degree) and the insane harping of studio executives whose last job may have been running a clothing business. I have always wanted to be a painter with a canvas, brushes, paints and a subject I wanted to create. Maybe this is it in machinima.

Great commentary Mr. Joyce.

I've noticed (from watching the different test movies made) that there is a lot of talent here. I feel lucky to be here.

Having people who are or have been in the business will set the bar higher but will also help me get better at movie making.
I'm looking forward to get comments on my future projects.

Thank you Toriel,

And I haven't anything against TMO, but it is refreshing to interact with a more mature group of people here, as you have noted before. Moviestorm is a tool just like After Effects, Avid, Maya, 3DS and the rest. A real tool that is capable of great things. We just have to find it's voice.

Making a film whether live or in machinima is a big undertaking and those who venture into it's waters should be complimented for doing so.

I look forward to your future work.