The Dark -- Progress - Print Topic

I'm going to make this thread my home base for the production of The Dark.   Check this thread if you have any questions about how far along with the production we are, or for any questions you might have about each of the episodes.

GENERAL LOG
--Still missing some of the  voice acting.
--All scripts in Pre Production.
--One for the Road on Hold.
--The Environmentalist in Production.
--First Edit of Issues Done
--Issues posted.
--First Edit of The Environmentalist done.
--Environmentalist posted.
--First Edit of It Gazes Back done.
--It Gazes Back posted.
--First Edit of One for the Road done.
--One for the Road posted.
--The Killing Gene in production.
--The Killing Gene posted.

Following this post there will be a post for each of the episodes.

The Dark

Written by
Steve McDonell

Cast List:
Darcy - 30, American, Male, Played by Alex Fraser (Received)
Leila - 30, American, Female, Played by Beth Alcorn
Brian Dark - 26, American, Male, Played by Charley Brummeler (Received)
Camera Man - Male, Played by Steve McDonnell (Received)
Cornetto - Played by Michael Cornetto
Jack- 29, American, Male, Played by Jorge Campos
Tash - 30, American, Female, Played by Stina (Received)

-- Shelved

Issues

Written by
P. Cook

DR. CRUOR 35, Swedish, Female, Played by Pia (Received)
CORNELIA 55, American, Female, Played by Lucinda McNary (Received)
JOE CARTER 38, American, Male, Played by Jorge Campos (Received)
MICHELLE 26, American, Female, Played by Beth Alcorn (Received)

--Complete

The Faceless

Written by
Richard Kinsella

Cast List:
Richard (30-35). Male Ethnicity: White. Accent: Any, Played by Jorge Campos (Received) (*Watch for this performance)
Michelle (30-35) Male Ethnicity/Accent: Any, Played by Beth Alcorn
Faceless Hag (60-70). Male Ethnicity: Any. Accent: Neutral. Played by Pia.
Bobby (20-25) Male , Played by Jorge Campos (Received)
Police Officer (45-50). Male Ethnicity: White. Accent: Any, Played by Michael Cornetto

--Pre Production
--Waiting for voices.

The Killing Gene

Written by
Tim Ratcliffe

CAST LIST
Edgar - Male, 50s, American, non-specific accent, Played by Jack Bullock (Received)
David Sullivan - Male, 40s, American, educated accent, Played by Jorge Campos
News Anchor - Male, 30s, American, educated accent, Played by Mike Shelton (Received)
Homeless Guy - Male, 60s, American, non-specific accent, Played by Jorge Campos
Recorded Voice - Female, American , late 30's, Played by Crystal

--Complete

The Environmentalist

Written by
James Williams

Cast List:
Jeanine Schaefer : 17, female, Australian, Played by Beth Alcorn (Received) (*Watch for this performance)
Tracy: 17, female, Played by Carly (Received)
Masked Man (The Environmentalist): 42, Male, Australian, Played by Kilian Lippa (Received)
Operator: 30's, Male, Australian, Played by Tommo (Received)

--Complete

It Gazes Back

Written by
Jon Barton

Cast List:
BEN - Male 30s, English, Played by Paul Firmin (Received) (*Watch for this performance)
SIMON - Male 30s, English, Played by Graeme Taylor (Received) (*Watch for this performance)
JAKE - Male 30s, English, Played by Matt Kelland
MOTHER - Female 30s, English, Played by Caroline Coxon

--Complete

One For The Road

Written by
Cameron Mitchell

Cast List:
Bill - Male 30's, standard non-regional American accent, Played by Jorge Campos (Received)
Luke -  Male, American, 50's, gruff voice, Played by Marty Cook (Received)
Annie- Female, American , late 30's, Played by Tera Whitten (Received)
Man/Satan:  Male, standard American accent, mid-fifties, Played by Mefune Akira  (Received)
Anchorman:  Male, standard American accent, 40's, Played by Mike Shelton (Received)
Roach - Male, mid-twenties, American, country twang, Played by Don Boose

-- Complete

An offer of services rather than a question, but should any roles require an English accent and you're in need, then I am happy to read any parts.

Might be quite cool to include a few willing SSers.

Andrew

Sure Andrew, send me a short voice sample. I'm thinking of doing It Gazes Back with English accents so if you read some of that it would be a good test.

Quoted from Grandma Bear

you don't want me to do the Doc?

I'm waiting for your cast list. You need to send me one.

Michael, I sent you a cast list in Word.doc a few days ago. It wass attached to the email. If you can't read it I can re-send it or put it in another format.

Quoted from jwent6688

Michael, I sent you a cast list in Word.doc a few days ago. It wass attached to the email. If you can't read it I can re-send it or put it in another format.

You certainly did and it has now been updated. The benefits of having this thread.

This has been updated with the latest progress.

Still waiting on one cast list and looking for cast - so those of you who wanted to get voice samples to me should do so because once that last cast list is in I'm going to cast the remaining roles.

Updated with latest status and cast changes.

Writers please make sure I am on the same page as you expect in regards to your episode. And please send in those screenplay contracts if you haven't already. Cheers.

Just a quick note here. I just found out the Moviestorm is planning to release 3D support within 1-2 months. So it looks like some or all of these may be releases as 3D videos.

Cast list updated. A reminder that if you want to give voice acting a go then now is the time to send me that voice sample.

Cheers,

Michael

Five of the scripts were sent out today for voice acting.

Six scripts are out for voice acting.  The seventh is rewritten but still confirming this will be the rewrite to use.  Many of the voices are coming in and from the looks of things One for the Road may be the first of the scripts produced.

Have been working out the sets and I'm pretty sure I've got things covered now, not built, but I at least know how I'm going to approach them.  There were lots of technical sorts of obstacles which made me have to change my approach several times.  The remaining item I need to figure out is how I'm going to do the window and wall for The Environmentalist.

I did figure out how I was going to do the Faceless faces.  Here's a sneak peak.

Quoted from mcornetto

That looks pretty awesome Michael. Great stuff!

Looks great michael. Fired up that Beth is playing Jeanine in mine. You got her working overtime on this series. Will be good fun to see the finished product.

How'd you find all these people for the voices? Maybe let us know after all is said and done. Like to thank them.

A very interesting development - Machinima.com series bought by Fox.

http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/214901/fox-orders-machinima-series-you-know-like-for-tv/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GameProNews+%28GamePro.com+Daily+News%29

One for the Road is officially in production. The cast wants to say high.

That looks great Michael. Can't wait to see it.

Wow, the gang's all here. That does look great. The clarity is amazing. That's some good-lookin' corn. Quite a set of threads on Satan. And he's flashin' the finger horns, no less.

Bill arrives at the diner...

Making the diner has been quite a chore and has really been holding me up. It's a completely custom addition to Moviestorm that I created for this movie. Since this is where most of the video happens, hopefully, tomorrow, I can start adding some of the voices even though the set isn't quite decorated yet.

Michael

Looks great Michael. Actually, was exactly how I picured it in my head when I read "One For The Road".

Yep, that's pretty close to how I pictured it, too.

Quoted from mcornetto

Bill arrives at the diner...

Making the diner has been quite a chore and has really been holding me up. It's a completely custom addition to Moviestorm that I created for this movie. Since this is where most of the video happens, hopefully, tomorrow, I can start adding some of the voices even though the set isn't quite decorated yet.

Michael

Dude, I know that diner. I found it on Google 3D Warehouse a few weeks back. I think I still have it saved even. Is that where you found it? If not, then it's pretty much identical.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=d6ff80bb35d6cc26bbc3a7eaa113eb8&prevstart=0

Everything comes from sketchup and the 3d warehouse. The one you found was used as the base for this diner. However, I made a lot of modifications to it. Sliced out huge chunks. It's one quarter the size that it was. Plus I had to fit the seats and the stools so that they would import into Moviestorm and be useable. It's still custom and I still had to build it - I WISH I could have used it as it was would have saved me lots of time.

EDIT: Have started to stick the voices in. Looks good.

Between being ultra busy at work and trying to promote my YouTube channel (which is really important and you'll see why soon) I haven't gotten all that much accomplished on this for the past couple of weeks.

I have up to the time when Satan enters the diner together and at this point I have to jiggle some of the timing.  I'm also not sure I want to continue with the diner as one prop because it makes Moviestorm act a bit weird and causes it to slow down very quickly (MS always does the slow down thing but it usually takes a bit of abuse first).  Maybe I have the patience for that, maybe not.  You'll know if I tell you I carved it up.

Anyway, ready to move forward on this, this week.  Sorry for the short delay.

Michael

Michael, don't have a youtube account yet, I will create one today. Subscrobe to CG amd scar tissue films. Least I could do.

James

Back on track this weekend after the very successful Computer Girl TV Channel subscription drive.

350 subscribers
750 friends

The first section is blocked, voiced and the shots are there.  There is still some problems with the diner modification.  I'm getting weird results when the characters are viewed through the diner windows.  They all look like they are having bad hair days.  I'm not going to play with it right now and if it comes down to the wire and I haven't been able to fix it, I just change the shots.

Working on the anchor.  A lot of greenscreen and layer work there.  Getting through it and hopefully in the next couple of days I should have that finished.   That just plays on the TV.

Speaking of which I had to find something CC licensed to put in the TV as a background show -  Home Improvement requires a paid license.   So I found an episode of the Beverly Hillbillies - a Halloween episode.  Hopefully that will work.

Anyway, that's the progress report.

Finished the Anchor piece and decided to use it as the first official promo for the series.

Here it is.

Got me through the haircut issues.  Well, I had to split the diner in two and it didn't really correct the problem but it corrected that shot.

Blocked and set dialog for up until Satan enters - so getting close to halfway through.

Did some test renders and Moviestorm kept bombing and I was really panicking because I'm getting frustrated with the diner and I was blaming that.   But it turns out it was a performance hack that I was using and I've removed the hack and things render again.

This is going to look very good but it's been a lot of work.   Mostly because I have to make so many things for it.   Like I'll probably need to make salt and pepper shakers and napkin holders because I can't find any of them already modeled.  And I can't imagine a diner that doesn't have such things.

The other films should be much quicker because I don't have to make as much and I've gone through a lot of the learning curve I needed to go through. But I can't start the other films anyway because I don't have complete sets of voices.   Anyone know how to make volunteers get their voices in. ;-)

Anyway, things are plugging along and hopefully the worst of the diner problems are over.

Mike,

This project is really looking great! I can't wait to see the finished product.

Are you going to be selling the movie when it's done?

I, for one, think you should be compensated for all your hard work, and the money you put into this.

I also think it would be a treasured keepsake of all the wounderfully talented people here at simplyscripts.

Let me know.

Cindy

Quoted from mcornetto

Anyone know how to make volunteers get their voices in. ;-)

Set a date and let them know you will have to find other volunteers after that. Then while you are waiting, see if anyone out there is willing to get it done also by that date. You might even indicate to the first volunteer that you're soliciting extra help for the role and whoever gets it in first gets in the picture. Might come off as cold, but if you want a deadline, that's what I got.

I can help with the voices maybe Michael? Not sure how my accenting is but I could do something small to help out.

Got a couple of more voices in which gave me some complete (or complete enough) sets. That pushes either Issues or The Environmentalist into production next. Looking forward to both of them so it's hard to say which one I'll pick.

Michael

I was always the one to get picked last for dodgeball in gym class, I'm used to it.

Got through another tricky section of the diner scene. I'm now in a section where there is mostly conversation so that shouldn't be so trying to do. The big issue with this script is that there are so many characters on screen at the same time, so whenever one of them reacts the rest have to as well.

So instead of doing two sets of actions, you end up doing five.

Tested some of the OFTR footage in the editor and it seems like I may need to get a redo on one of the voices (not yours Pia). I just can't seem to get it to sound like the rest of them - it sounds a bit tinny to me.

I cut up most of the voices for Issues - only the Dr to go.

The Dr is in. Started on Issues today. Issues will be B&W with red cut-outs. Here's the cast.

Oh, and I found some of the music I want to use for One for the Road - which is a tough one all around.

I want to use this for the opening but I may have to contact the performers to see if they'll let me have commercial rights - otherwise I might find something else.

http://www.archive.org/details/waltz_for_bill

And this when things get a bit weird.

http://www.archive.org/details/ImprovisedFiddleTune110608-1j.f.ArcherViolin

And then there's some other music by this guy that I'll probably use.

http://www.archive.org/details/ArcherFiddleRecordingsOf2008sounfRe-mixedCollection

Music for Issues was easy using the music located here

http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/index.html?keywords=041&Search=Search

Music for The Environmentalist is a bit more tricky.

I definitely want it Christmas themed. I was looking for Metal Carols and I actually found a few but they were in French or Spanish and that was kind of weird. But then I decided I wanted to use Digideroo carols because it fits in with the whole Aussie theme of the piece. Can't find any of those. So if any of you can find either of these things - let me know.

I might use something from this weird guy.

http://www.archive.org/details/NoelPortersHolidayCollection

I like track 2

Or this one had some interesting moody anti-christmas music.

http://www.archive.org/details/okk060dark

But I would prefer to find the metal or the digideroo.

Here's one of the pieces of music I'm trying to get for The Environmentalist.

The stills look great, Michael.

Don't really like that Darkmass 2008 track. Sounds tribal.

Really like the vid track you posted. Especially the solo piano rif before they begin to sing. Has a nice chill to it.

Although, the thunder and rain in the BG kind defeat the snowy location. I don't think anyone would mind. Looking forward to it.

James

Is this Christmas music? I have no speakers on the temp computer here.

Nup Mike, wasn't Christmas music. Finding digerderoo Xmas music is impossible.

Got about halfway through Issues this weekend.

I had to make the Dr older because she was too pretty as a youngster.

I decided to give the Red Cut Out stuff a try but it didn't work well in Moviestorm and there's no way to adjust what you want cut out. Tried it in my video editor as well and that had different but no better results. Will check out more post production software to see if any of it can do the cut out, otherwise we are just going b&w.

So did a test of the b&w. It's a rough cut of the intro and first scene of Issues. I have it password protected on vimeo and the password is : thedark

http://www.vimeo.com/13426965

I think the overall production style works pretty well as it is, what about you?

Michael

Good work Michael. The one crash of thunder overwhelmed the dialogue at that point. I couldn't hear what was said. Other then that. Good production so far.

Pia, love that sexy voice.

James

This is looking great, Michael. Looking forward to seeing the finished films.

Really good. What I would suggest is probably fix the lady since she looked like a guy to me.

Hey guys thanks for giving it a watch.

James, yep aware of that, this is only a rough test.

Ripley, she's supposed to not be pretty so I guess that was achieved.

Wow, good stuff, Michael!  It looks fantastic as is. The b/w works well with the storm effects.

Yeah, nice voiceover Pia! And the guy has a cool voice too.

The whole concept looks as good as any video game cut scene.

If you need any more voice for anything, Michael, let me know. I might be able to do a passable UK accent. I could even try a New Jersey one, as i have talked like that before when driving around the States - our RV had Jersey plates so we used to pretend we were from there!   'Hey, you from New Joisey? Gimme a dollar'...

Quoted from mcornetto

Ripley, she's supposed to not be pretty so I guess that was achieved.

I guess I need to get laid more often. I would tear that shit up.

James

Here's some screenshots with a new sleeker look and red cut out. This is likely the final look.

On the music front the Death Metal people are difficult to deal with. I have a prospect that's interested in doing music for the soundtrack but we'll have to see how it goes. Ask around if you know people in metal bands.

Cheers.

That looks great Michael!

Hope it works out great! I tried not to sound like a dork, but I'm no actress. :)

Nearly through with the production part of Issues. Then it will go into post. Issues has all of it's assets so I should be able to piece it together rather quickly once the time comes to do so. (I would have finished it today if I didn't have to edit the Lloyd interview - which took five hours. Not that I'm complaining it was a good show and Pia did a great job)

Next up for production will be The Environmentalist, which has a couple of interesting challenges. I did however get permission to use the Dark Metal Carol of the Bells as part of the soundtrack and some leads to other Dark Metal Christmas carols. So at the very least it should have excellent voice work and a great soundtrack.

Anyway, that's what I've been up to.

Quoted from mcornetto

Pretty much finished up production on issues.  Just a little more fiddling about with the emotions of the puppets and it will be ready to render then finally in post-production.

The funny thing I'm learning is it takes much longer to produce a drama using Moviestorm than it does to produce a comedy.  The reason, I think, is that the puppets need to act a lot more for a drama (which means many more gestures and actions need to be added) where in a comedy the most important thing is the timing of the lines.

I started on The Environmentalist.  Here's the cast.  I'm using Moviestorm 1.4., the new version, so I have a bunch of new looking characters.  Onto cutting up voices.

Looks great Michael. Almost want to rewrite the script a little based on that scene. You will be the first, and probably the only, to produce one of my scripts.

Either way, looking forward to it.

James

That looks really great!!

Can't wait to see them all.

A lesson about not using abbreviations in your scripts.

The line was

TRACY (V.O.)
OMG, you are such a tramp!

And it was read like this

Every single take.

Michael, That's exactly how i thought it would sound. Not "Oh My God". "OMG" is used a good deal. Even heard it in films recently. Remember, when I first wrote this, Jeanine was 14.

I thought she was just gonna say "Omg". That would have been atrocious. Your call as director. But, I think it works.

James

Oh, ok. If that's what you thought. I'll include it as is but it sounds bizarre to me.

I've never heard anyone said OMG before either.

People will say O-M-G to either sound cool, or because they feel like saying "Oh my God" is a little blasphemous. I've definitely heard it along with W-T-F, said exactly that way. W-T-F even gets augmented with phonic pronunciations to be said Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot, so the letter thing isn't as uncommon as you might think.

Well I guess I've heard TGIF, so even though it sounds strange to me I'll use it as it is. Funny that I didn't even realise it until I started cutting the voices. I listened to that part a couple of times before I cut it.

Michael,

I think the writer meant: OMG! You are such a tramp!

I've heard the OMG before, but not the you are such a tramp. :-)

People usually say the OMG with an !

Here's a promo I did for Issues...

The first edit of Issues is done!

Waiting for some comments from the cast and then I do a final edit, add Titles and credits and it should be ready to go in November.

Working on the set for The Environmentalist. You guys should know by now how much I LOVE doing that. It's coming along well though, just finished the kitchen today. Thank goodness there was a mod for a do it yourself kitchen so I didn't have to make a refrigerator.

Also managed to get some music for The Killing Gene. Dreams gone Bad, Defeat, Blinded and Liberation from http://www.myspace.com/misopmusic

Michael,

How many more are there to produce before we can see them?

I'm dyin' here! Anxious to see my friends works on the screen. :-)

Cindy

Issues will go up in November.
The Environmentalist in December.
It Gazes Back in January.

I'm still waiting for voices for the others so I can't really say which would be next. Whichever I get the voices for first probably.

And I'm sorry they are taking as long as they are but I had a crazy year at work and I didn't anticipate that I would be doing two podcasts on top of this.

Here's what I plan to have as titles. I don't feel 100% happy with it but it took two days to finish. Let me know what you think - this will play in front of every episode.

Also, Issues had it's final edit and it now just waiting for titles and credits.  Credits are easy - the title is above.   I didn't think I could improve Issues that much on the final edit, but I think I did.  I dig what I did with the ending of it but you'll have to wait and see.

The mods for the Environmentalist are done.  I even have cool frosty window - special thanks to one of the developers at Moviestorm who explained how to do it.  Really looking forward to putting this together, the set is nearly ready for it just a few more touchups and I can start sticking in the puppet and the voices.

EDIT: And I'm really freaking out atm because this place is Berlin Germany keep pursuing me for a job.  A permanent job.  I'm very tempted.

I think it looks really good. Can't wait to see them all. ;D

Congrats on the job offer.

Cindy

Excellent animation. Awful music. Need something a little more ominous and flowing, IMO.

Do you really need titles? I mean, obviously you need 'THE DARK' - but do you need the minute of animation beforehand? Isn't that quite long for a eight / nine minute film? I actually like the music, but couldn't you chop it down to the ten-odd seconds you have at the end of the promos? To take some College Humor videos as an example, they only last a handful of seconds. Same with Fewdio.

I like it as a stand-alone piece of animation, but I don't like it as the titles. That's obviously just one person's opinion, though. It's completely your decision.

(P.S. Please don't decide not to produce my script now... :) )

(P.P.S. Congrats on the offer! If it's good, go - Berlin's awesome.)

I think it needs titles of some sort. It's a series so it needs some sort of preface to join them together. I'm not too crazy about that version of the titles. I cut it down and got rid of the hand painted effect, added a couple of extra cut type things. I'm uploading the newer version now.

Things are going well.  The first episode, Issues has been uploaded and should premiere some time in the next week or so.  Looking forward to seeing what you all think.

Been working hard on the Environmentalist.  Can still use a bit more music because one of the pieces I was looking at fell through.  Turns out there were multiple bands that had the same name and I can't find the one that will accept ownership of the song.   So if anyone knows of any metal chirstmas carols then please pass on the info.  Actually if any of you have some music you would like me to consider for the soundtracks of any of these episodes, then please let me know.  It's good exposure.

I'm about half-way through The Environmentalist, just spent a couple of days trying to get the Bedroom scene just right.  Had to jump through a lot of hoops doing it but here's a pic of what it will look like.

Michael,

That looks awesome! I didn't even write the bodies into the script because I didn't think you could do them at the time. Very impressed. You're getting good with that stufff....

James

EDIT: BTW, whatever happened to Cam's One For The Road? THought you did that first. Don't see a release date for it..

I got this piece of music to use for The Environmentalist.

Still looking for more.

Quoted from jwent6688

EDIT: BTW, whatever happened to Cam's One For The Road? THought you did that first. Don't see a release date for it..

I'm waiting for a VO that needed to be redone. Plus there's still a bit that needs to be done on the set. It's was a bit frustrating that it ended up being the first I worked on because I really didn't know enough about modding at the time. By the time I get back to it, I should have a lot more experience under my belt and I shouldn't be freaking each time I hit something difficult.

Like for this, I had to alter the characters skins to get blood stains on them. I was scared shitless about doing it, had to download a bunch of software because they are in a strange format. But the really tricky part is the woman lying on the bed in the wrong direction. That was impossible, unless you figure out how to do it.

OFTR sort of scheduled for Feb but we'll see because I rather be ready to do a great job than do something I'm not quite ready for and I'm sure Cam would prefer that as well.

Saw on FB you'd uploaded 'Issues'...have they still not added it to Youtube yet? The anticipation is killing me!

They still haven't added it to YouTube. I'll wait until Thursday in Aus and if they still haven't added it then I'll upload it to my YouTube account. I'm a bit concerned about Machinima because there have been some complaints among the directors about them taking up to a month to post videos. That really isn't going to work for me. So, if I distribute myself, we would get fewer views but they would be quality views.

Quoted from mcornetto

What's the difference between Youtube and a Youtube Account?

When Machinima distributes they distribute to their YouTube channel (or account).   They have well over 1,000,000 subscribers so you get like 4,000 views the first day and then more as time goes on.  I supplement that by embedding and posting elsewhere and generate about 1,000 or so extra views.

The trouble with the Machinima views is that many are from kids looking for gaming videos so they immediately don't like the video and leave nasty comments.  In a way this is good because controversy generates views - as a matter of fact starting a controversy on your own video is a recommended (but sneaky) way to generate more viewers.

If I post myself, to my own channel (account) then the views are the ones I can generate, so somewhere like 1000 or so views.  However, they will all pretty much be people who want to see the video so therefore of better quality.

Hope that explains the question you were asking.

Cheers MC,

I tohught I might have been missing out on millions of views because I was just putting into my own account and not on Youtube "proper" somehow.

Well the first episode Issue is up and available

http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-collaborate/m-1289432653/

Remember to tell people to watch it. <---Really important assignment.

Plugging away at getting The Environmentalist done. Trying to contact this museo down in Chile for his Insane Jingle Bells. He hasn't responded so I just translated my request via google into spanish. I'm hoping he doesn't send me a green cat.

I did get this piece of music from Coffin Fuck.

<object width="640" height="385">

It isn't my favourite piece of music but it's creepy and would be good for generating fear and tension.

Promo for the Environmentalist

The Environmentalist is done.

Just a few touch-up and the credits then I'll wrap it up and send it off to Machinima.

It's good stuff. You'll like it.

Shadow creature? Maybe.

Check out the Moviestorm blog for an entry on The Dark. Matt Kelland was very kind to post one and on my Birthday no less. Thanks Matt.

http://www.moviestormblog.com/index.php/moviestormblog/comments/the_dark/

That's really cool Michael. And on your bd too!

I want to see all of them. Btw, for those who don't know, but read the OWC scripts from that time The Ass Spider is being produced too. It's been retitled The Toilet Bug. ;D

Good work Michael,

Meh, I got called out for the Scream ripoff again. Didn't anyone ever see When A Stranger Calls? I ripped more from that IMO.

Btw, happy belated B-day good sir.

James

Promo for It Gazes Back

Plugging away at One for the Road. Decided I was going to redo what I already did so that I could use the Moviestorm 1.4 heads which display emotion better than the old ones. Got about 99% of the props modded. And decided that I was going to approach the look of this a bit differently than I did the last time. So here's a test of the new look.

I still have to work a bit on the framing because of the way the hand held filter works.

I decided to go hand held with this because I think it will increase the dramatic tension. Not much happens for most of the script so this will keep the viewer occupied. Anyway, that's what I've been up to.

Wow! The Dark just got chosen as the Best Production in Moviestorm for December by the Storm Hour.

Quoted from mcornetto

Wow! The Dark just got chosen as the Best Production in Moviestorm for December by the Storm Hour.

This is really good news, Michael. It is such a wonderful challenge to work in this kind of medium and to really put that effort in. People often don't know of all of the tedious work that goes on; so let's just say, it really is deserved and for everyone, I raise my glass of coffee (for now). Maybe later it will be something with a little more kick.

Sandra

That's awesome Michael!!!!

I have been really impressed with your work on the series too.

Great news!!!!

Quoted from mcornetto

Wow! The Dark just got chosen as the Best Production in Moviestorm for December by the Storm Hour.

Congrats, Michael. ;D

They are pretty awesome to watch. ;D
Glad they took notice.

Cindy

Well congrats MC, have to mimic the others. At this pace I can see your work being chosen for a few more "Best Production In Moviestrom."

Great stuff...

Ghostie

Quoted from mcornetto

Wow! The Dark just got chosen as the Best Production in Moviestorm for December by the Storm Hour.

FANTASTIC!
Congratulations, Michael.
That's really great to be recognized for your fantastic work.

(Maybe the wiener nay-sayers can bugger-off now.)

Great job Michael, Wait til they get a load of "One For The Road". Was my fave script by far. Glad you saved it for last. Or, almost last.

Anyway, glad to see your hard work and fine direction recognized. May be time to pick up the camera my friend.

James

Quoted from jwent6688

Great job Michael, Wait til they get a load of "One For The Road". Was my fave script by far. Glad you saved it for last. Or, almost last.

Unless I'm completely wrong, there's still The Killing Gene, The Faceless and stevie's spoof The Dark to come as well. So Cam's will be pretty much in the middle.

Great to see you getting recognition, Michael. Hopefully the views will continue to increase, too.

Quoted from JonnyBoy

Unless I'm completely wrong, there's still The Killing Gene, The Faceless and stevie's spoof The Dark to come as well. So Cam's will be pretty much in the middle.

Its been so long I forgot how many. I thought even Ass Spider was going into production here. Either way, I look forward to any and all...

James

I wouldn't normally ask this but do me a favour guys.

Go join this forum and give this guy a hard time.

http://virtualflicks.net/forum/index.php?/topic/6555-daemon-reviews-the-dark-it-gazes-back/

While I don't mind some crit this guy went way too far.  Not only that he is another Machinima.Com director so it's kind of like bashing your teammate.

I checked with the other directors and they say he's done this to other Machinima.com directors as well.

Quoted from mcornetto

Ha! You found it.

I read this a while back after googling "The Dark: It Gazes Back", nearly sent you the link but didn't know what you'd make of it.

I don't mind it, really. He's entitled to his opinion, and while I disagree with it he actually makes a lucid, fairly well-constructed account of his opinion. He does probably take it too far, but it's just one guy's viewpoint and he is ulitmately just an Internet critic posting on an obscure messageboard. I did 'favourite' the link once I'd read it, though; hopefully in a few years' time, when with a bit (a lot) of luck I might have made some progress with this whole 'writing' lark, I can send him a little message saying: "Hey, I'm the moron that wrote the script for that film you reviewed. Thanks for watching...how are your shitty Halo videos doing nowadays?"

I don't care about the crit even if he was abusive with it. But I don't like that this guy is another Machinima.com director and he bashing Machinima.com distributed films.

I don't know enough about Machinima to argue with the guy, unfortunately.

But from looking over his stuff, it just seems like a bunch of Halo stuff.

That is what he is gloating about?

At least you are bringing something original to the table as opposed to a bunch of goofy fan-boy sh*t.

I hope somebody else has the knowledge-base to point that out t out to him.

Damn, that guy's one big fucking A-Hole, huh? Unreal. Shame to read that.

Quoted from Dreamscale

Damn, that guy's one big fucking A-Hole, huh? Unreal. Shame to read that.

It's just some jerk who bashes on other videos because of his own inadequacies - at least that's what the Machinima.com directors have been telling me and it seems to fit. So, I'm not too concerned about the crit and it's mostly about the engine anyway. Just don't like that he's bashing videos from the same distributor that distributes his films. I think that's not ethical.

It's also a very mean spirited review that goes out of its way to be mean. He seems to think he's a real comedic genius, and obviously gets off by slinging insults.

Why did he choose your production to jump on, though. Why so critical of the entire Computer Girl production thing?

Very lame and WEAK!!!!

It's because of Moviestorm...

I read his blog. I love a good fight. amped up for it. Though Phil's poster on the other thread pretty much sums it up. Meh, I'd still like to take a few pokes at his story critique. I don't know anything about machinima to go there. Probably be a day or two. Today was my B-day. I'm... going to bed. And party is tomorrow.

Less braincells = better argument.

James

I feel like I got my point across in the thread and to the person who wrote the review so I'm cool it's all sorted. And James, if you're looking the pick a fight - The Environmentalist wasn't safe either

http://virtualflicks.net/forum/index.php?/topic/4977-bad-machinima/page__view__findpost__p__83216

Have a look at the spoilers in this post.

(And btw Jon, did you notice how many extra views we got from that event?)

Well, I was fine about it until I just found out they banned me from the forum (or maybe not could just be that the site is down).

They did ban me. They apparently think I'm someone else.

Huh? What did you do to get banned? Did you pull a John C?

That guy over there seems like the "Balt" for our site haha.

Some like him and think he is funny, some think he is a dick.

Try re-framing in that perspective, Cornetto, and see if the whole episode ticks you off a bit less.

And what is with that site? Is there anybody there that has anything to show but Halo fan work?

Quoted from bert

Hey, - Hey, Hey! !ה-ה

Don't diss Balt!!! ;D

I haven't been to the site, but I think some people are just that "way". Not Balt though.
He's sugar and cream to me.

Sandra