Christmas season updates

Trade Secrets
I've written the script for the first episode, which is finally what I'm hoping for. On the second draft now, rewriting and editing it into shape. Considering I plan to write the whole show in advance, this may be awhile before real production starts.

Dead Letters Episode One
Although I still am waiting on voice actors (shame on you, if you're reading this), I've been lipsyncing what lines I can. Hopefully I can animate the episode over Christmas break if I get the voice overs.

We need to go deeper.......three dimensional characters aren't enough!

Not all that much work on Dead Letters has been completed these past couple weeks. I've been doing some writing for Trade Secrets, namely - character bios.

Some may call it overkill, but I take writing pretty seriously, and am almost finished the last of my 2000+ word character biographies.

Once I'm finished that, pre-writing will go on, but I'll shift focus back to Dead Letters a bit.

Progress is being made

Things are moving along fairly well with Dead Letters....and Trade Secrets.

So far, we've got a final script nailed down for DL Episode 1, and the set design is almost complete - looking nice. Here's a little teaser of Myronn's room



Additionally, work is starting to gain momentum on Trade Secrets. I am in the process of casting, planning, and writing.

Directing Two Chapters of Dead Letters

Dead Letters is an upcoming prequel miniseries to Unexpected.

Scott Parsons and Myronn Garnet, two unremarkable students at BCIT, are drawn into the war and become the unlikely figureheads of the revolution. But when Scott is put into a coma during a key battle, Myronn will have to chose between saving Scott or forsaking the rebellion.

Much of the show will be created in the Source engine, so I will be directing some of the episodes. Work has already begun on set design, and this will be my next major project before Trade Secrets.

RELEASE (Collaborative) Unexpected Chapter 6: "Procedures"

Here's the newest installment of Unexpected, a series by my group, for which I am Director of Cinematography.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYvHNpH3zl0

Dat camerawork!

RELEASE - That Old Lighthouse

Well, after a few weeks in the lineup, here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLws7i3h2vo

By Randomjack
Starring Aaron Smithee and Holy Junkie

There's something oddly endearing about that old lighthouse.

Lighthouse, sometime this week.

Well, for about a week now, lighthouse has been in the machinima.com pipeline. Currently, I hear it's scheduled in for sometime this week. I'll post it up when its out.

Lighthouse, finished and waiting

Well, Lighthouse is done. As in, I have it rendered on my hard drive done. The only thing that remains is waiting on a couple final tweaks and then putting it in the pipeline.

Lighthouse, in editing

I filmed lighthouse yesterday, and am currently hard at work editing it. Some time off school really helped there. Anyway, I'll show you a couple shots from the set, in beautiful 720p. Considering how much fun that was, I need to film stuff more often.


The master scene. First thing i filmed that day, and one of my personal favorites


One of the potential posters for the movie, which I used as a shot in the final instead. Sometimes that Lighthouse gives me Shutter Island flashbacks.


This one took the most effort, not in-game but in after effects. As you may notice, I've added a depth of field effect via masking. It's even better in the video version, as there are dynamic effects.

Keep an eye out for it, this should be coming soon.

Pics, because it is happening

Well, progress is picking back up. Currently, most of my tangible work goes toward That Old
Lighthouse, but Reunion and Reporter are still being written.

Slow week

Well, last week i didnt Reach my production goals. I cant say I've made any real progress, but now I'm starting to return to machinima, with lines ready for Walk in the Park and That Old Lighthouse.

That Old Lighthouse, on the horizon

Well, I've finally got enough lines ready to make one of my projects. Of course, this lines up the very day summer ends for me. Oh well, expect That Old Lighthouse sometime

Slow going, but steady

Here's just a quick update.

I finished writing the first draft of reporter last night, its 33 pages long. Right now, I'm editing and perfecting it before production.

Also, Robert Merritt of Euphoria Films just showed me the rough cut of Borealis, a short which I was cinematographer on. Despite some deviations from my plans, it turned out very well, and I look forward to it's release.

I'm considering jumping on the xbox bandwagon (Reach fever, of course) which would open alot of machinima doors for me.

For That Old Lighthouse, I've casted Aaron Smithee, one of my voice actors from TS.

Honestly, things are going slow, that's about it. Time to start school.

Progress Update

Well, as of late I haven't got as much done as I'd like. However, things should pick up soon. Here's where I am at with all my projects. Also, some of these have lame working titles, please forgive me. Prepare for an info dump!

Trade Secrets - Currently, I'm just finalizing the script before sending it off to voice actors. In addition to myself, I will be having a few other trusted writers looking over it. Casting is also being finished up.

A Walk in the Park - Here, I am waiting for one of the cast members to get around to his lines. Once I have received all the voice overs, there is nothing stopping me from animating and completing it.

Reunion - Because of the length of this project outline, I am going to divide it into parts (rather than have a feature length film). Trying to get it split up nicely and getting feedback on what to improve before actually writing it. When it is produced, the segments will all be made before release, ensuring a consistent stream.

Reporter - Working off the plot synopsis, I have been writing this for a little while now. It's currently about twelve pages and in the neighborhood of halfway written.

That Old Lighthouse - A little side project, this is what I work on when everything else is held up. Here, I'm trying to find a couple of voice actors, and having some success. I encourage you to check out the very nice effects my friend Sieabah did on the poster, in the gallery section.

Unexpected Chapter 8 - I will be doing this as my fourth cinematography project.

So there you have it. That's my present status on every major machinima I am working on! To be honest, this is as much for my information as yours - it helps to write it all down neatly.

Casting/Script Editing

Just approached Kaicm, a very good voice actor, about playing the lead role.

Got a few more roles to firm up, still. Currently I'm finalizing the script and looking for more voice actors

Trade Secrets, coming.....sometime

I thought about Trade Secrets for a long time this summer. Considering the ridiculous time and effort with very little to show so far, I was considering abandoning it. However, I eventually decided that if I came back, better planned, more focused, and more committed, I could still pull it off. While it may take awhile (i wont lie, I've started from scratch) you can probably expect this to happen sooner. Much of my delay before came from being new to source, as well as just getting distracted and scattered.

Too long, didn't read - Trade Secrets is back in business, and should be much more efficient.

Currently, I am polishing up the new pilot script, casting three of the main roles (feel free to apply), and even starting faceposer work on parts.

Back to the Mines!

Well, I finally resolved my faceposer issues. Now, I am ready to start up work again.

I just did a good bit of animating on Walk in the Park. Also, I am in the process of writing two halo machinimas, one about an hour long, which I will direct under Daemon Productions.

Sorry for the lack of updates but with no machinima capability there was very little to report.

Anyway, I've also joined the Virtualflicks.net review team, so keep an eye out for my critiques - there will be two each week from me.

Finally, I have added a new page to the website. Because I do a great amount of collaboration lately, the 'other projects' page was created to show off my work on other films. I don't think any are released but they are all well on the way.

SDK is all messed up

Well, guess I won't be working on my short either.

The source sdk is being majorly messed up by some bad updates on valve's part. As of now, hammer doesnt work in ep1, and faceposer wont open in either.....

Lovely

IMPORTANT: Trade Secrets is Shelved

Well, I've been mulling this over for some time now.

Trade Secrets is a truly massive project. Between custom sets, long episodes, and all of source's buggeries, it takes forever. It always had, however recently it has been wearing me down more than usual.

Mainly, due to the extreme amount of work (>1 year) with few results, I'm just starting to get a bit overwhelmed. This is NOT to say that Trade Secrets wont happen. I am shelving - not cancelling - it. This pretty much means I'm going to keep it safe in a binder somewhere, and come back to it when I'm ready.

If I were to continue now, not only would my slow pace continue (wont lie to you, I've done almost nothing for it in the last two weeks) but the quality would plummet, as it becomes a chore.

I am not taking a break from machinimation as a whole, and will be exploring some shorts and small projects in the meantime. I just need a break from the crushingly huge project that this show can be. When i come back, I will be refreshed and interested in it again.

I will keep posting machinima updates on this site, mainly at my other ventures.

Have your say!

Read the video's description. Feedback will help me with Trade Secrets. Trying to sort out a voice acting worry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5nuNCD52HM

Started work again

Im back to trade secrets. Although i will admit im playing it again, (still saving all of them, will never harvest) it will be in moderation, and i will ensure i work on trade secrets as well.

Sympathy for Connor

Apparently a recent update to the orange box has massively messed up the sdk.

My friend Connor Saxe, director of freelancer, is pretty much set to wait it out, not to mention everyone else on ep2. Doesnt affect me because I've always stuck to episode one (cough - all ep2 has is more trees and grass). Anyway, I'm pretty sure you read this site, so this ones for you














I even took that screenshot myself

Progress, at last!

Yesterday has been the first day of substantial progress in some time.
I have finally casted Tyson Porten as Damien. Now, with only one vacant role, (which someone will audition for in a few weeks time when they are availible) things can get moving.

Here's a much overdue screenshot from the set.Also, sorry to deceive you but ive changed model for damien. Gman was just a bit too old....and pasty for my taste. Note, they may have demonic eyes, because these are just prop characters for now

Still hunting

Havent really had much to say lately, because i havent had much going on. Following several voice disapointments, i posted a thread on voice acting alliance forums, as well as virtualflicks.

If youre interested, here it is
http://virtualflicks.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=476

Hopefully things can get moving again. Ive just been doing some storyboarding and writing

Making a new intro sequence

Things are crawling along, as I hunt for voice actors. Some sucess in that field so far.

Anyway, I've been working on a revamped version of the intro credits sequence, mainly because its a fun thing to work on and doesnt require voices.

Promised to occasionally share behind scenes stuff, so heres a storyboard for part of it i made last night. It's pretty rough but you get the idea.

Additions, or an overhaul?

I've recently been working on the added parts to Trade Secrets EP1, comprised of both remade scenes and entirely new bits. The additions are finally capped off at about 10 pages of material (keep in mind, this is celtx, which makes everything three times longer)

These additions look great and should make a big difference in the release. That being said, it may be a while.

Currently, casting has kept things slow, becaues the rewrites introduce characters that werent going to be around yet.

Looking at casting

Currently I am seeking out voice actors for Damien Blacklaw (who due to a rewrite is in the first episode) and the Client (who i have a guy for but am considering recasting)

If you yourself, or somebody you know, would be a solid, reliable voice actor for either a strange mysterious businessman or a corrupt ceo, feel free to offer

The big important post

Well, this one may come as a real letdown.

Trade Secrets Episode One is delayed for approx. 1 month. I'm finished it, ready to release.

However, it isnt as good as I want it to be, and it isnt good enough to show all of you yet. Dont worry, I'm not redoing the whole thing*, just a couple extra bits that will add alot to the final cut. To be specific, I am entirely redoing two scenes from scratch, and adding three relatively short ones. If it works out these will make for a much better premiere, and it will be worth the wait.

You've waited this long. Trust me, you will be glad you waited this extra month

*probably

A glance at Episode 2

Unrelated to ep1, but as I'm bored, I've already started making sets and scenes for the next episode. Here's a couple screens from my newest set (4 days of work, counting lighting) - Tom Winsford (Daniel's Boss) Building and Parking lot

PICS
http://www.shareimages.com/image.php?38663-pZSel5egk6esk5.Ylg-cd_winsfordext0000.jpg

http://www.shareimages.com/image.php?38662-pZSel5egk6esk5.Ylg-cd_winsfordext0001.jpg

Music Recieved

Just got the score from John. Alot of its looking pretty good. Working out which scenes to use it for.

Trailer soon

At this moment, the premiere trailer for Trade Secrets is being finalized. It will be out some time soon, people

Set designing away

As of now im waiting on music. In the meantime I'm going between making sets for the next eps, and watching the awesome Breaking Bad marathon that's on. Can't wait for the next season

Music on the way

I just sent a copy of the episode to sir john arsiten for music composing. Looking forward to seeing what he comes up with

Finished....well.....almost

I am looking at a nice, brain-explosion worthy, 13 minute long wmv file. Can you guess what it is?

Within the next few days I will go over it, then send it off for music.

I'll leave you with a teaser. The episode name is:

People I meet in restaraunt bathrooms

not like that, youre sick!

Don't you just hate video rendering?

Well, after three days of nothing but premiere rendering, I finally got all my scenes to work. I was having an issue in which the render would crash at 40% under every circumstance. I still dont know what the problem was, but I found the exact clip at which this happened and got rid of it. I didnt really care for that shot anyway.

What this means to you guys - I am ready to go through prerelease critiques and then music composing from John. I am pretty much finished my end of this.

So close....almost there

As I write this I am putting the scenes of Trade Secrets Episode One together and adding transitions. Things are almost ready. After this, I'll need a week or so to get pre-release feedback and music composing, from the lovely John Arsiten.

Then, its ready for release. Trailer will come out before then

Poster

Here's the official, new and improved poster for Trade Secrets. I've had this for a while but just thought to put it up.

Also, I've started storyboarding the trailer, so you can expect that in the near future.

Edited scene 7...out of 8

Finished editing scene seven, one of the most important ones, and visually my personal favorite.

Here are a few screenshots to check out.

Editing Away

I'm working away at the editing. Scenes 3,4,5,6 and most of the intro are done, out of 8 scenes total. Most of the remaining are small.

Getting there, folks

Back on Track

Finally fixed my editing issues. Forgot to mention those but for the past few days I've been having lots of trouble.

I had recorded my video in the xvid codec, which turns out to be awful for editing.
Note to source machinimators - dont use xvid!

Anyway, finished scene 3's editing today, learned about multi camera editing, and got some nice results.

Editing in progress

Well, I've filmed that last scene and it looks pretty nice. As of now, I have begun editing the footage, and have so far done two scenes.

Animating the final scene

Well, my voice actor for the main character's boss has sent in his lines, and theyre looking great. I just started animating the last scene.

Things are coming together

One Scene Left

I've been filming alot and theres only a single scene left to finish and then I've got nothing left but editing.

The only scene i havent filmed I cant because the actor hasnt gotten his lines in.

Expect a trailer soon

Filming Away

I'm currently mostly in the filming part of the process, with the animation just about wrapped up.

Been shifting between gmod and half life, not sure which I like filming in better. Having some issues though. The source recorder seems to enjoy wrecking the odd clip with a green tinge, and the game crashes on about every 6th shot.

Working away at it, though. Looking really nice so far.

Website Active

Considering some of the interest I've seen in Trade Secrets lately, and the amount of time it's been taking to produce, I decided to set up a website for it.

I will include progress updates, episode releases, behind the scenes features, and whatever else comes to mind.