[C22] Filet
08-23-2005, 02:33 PM
I don't claim to be the know-it-all on movie making but here are some great tips and tricks to pumping out a successful production. Fell free to add your own tips.
1. Recording Programs - For capturing your BFrecorded file, FRAPS (http://www.fraps.com) is by far the best. Plunk down $30.00 and purchase a lifetime copy and do away with the 30 sec. cap and the FRAPS url at the top of the screen. It's worth it.
2. Production Programs - For the best editing, do away with windows movie maker and get professional with Adobe Premiere Pro (http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/main.html) or Sony Vegas Video 6 (http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/products/showproduct.asp?PID=965). Both these links have complete tutorials on how to use the programs and demo versions to download. Too expensive? Be resourceful and get your little pirate hands (or hook) on a copy without forking over the big bucks, el cheapo!
3. HUD Off - Never record with your Hud (Heads Up Display) on. Press ~ in game and type 'renderer.drawHud 0' to turn off. Type 'renderer.drawHud 1' to turn back on.
4. Name Tag Removal - name tags have no place in your final production. The best way to record without tags is simply run your BFrecorded file in game and never hit the Space bar. This starts the toggle feature which lets you follow individual players around. If you are making a movie, you know what you need to film in advance. If you really need to follow a character around, where possible you can crop the video in post production for close up shots, but not recommended.
5. Smooth Camera Movement - Before you start recording, go to your common key binds in BF2's main menu and change W,A,S,D to your joystick. This will let you come in tight for some amazing shots/angles instead of the quick in, out, left and right that you get with W,A,S,D.
6. Story Line - Map out what you want to do before you start. It's easy to lose sight of your project. Watch what others have done and do your best to imporve. You won't get kudos for 'trying your best', people want entertainment.
7. Sound - In game sound is a must. Feel free to add additional audio such as explosions, voice-overs and music (all can be done with Sony Vegas Video and Adobe Premiere Pro) but remember that Rammstein blaring in your ears may actually trigger the viewer to hate your video long before the opening credits finish.
8. Credits - You are not fooling anyone by rolling fancy titles across the screen such as 'Art Director' or 'Producer'. Simply add the relevant info that a viewer would have questions about. Cast, music, web site/email address, programs used to create your video and so on. Leave your ego at the door.
9. Video Compression - DivX (http://www.divx.com/), Adobe Premiere Pro and Sony Vegas Video both have rendering/compression modes to create a smaller, easy to download version of your video. A 60 minute download of your redundant Stunts video will ruin your chances for repeat viewers. Don't go to far though where your video is as low-grade as European meat, stick with 640x480 or 720x480 resolution.
EXTRAS - Memorable movies for the gaming community have elements such as dramatic well timed music, funny renditions of other movies or in-game possibilites that are displayed in 'Stunts' movies that have never been seen. Your mom and clan mates will tell you that you did a good job no matter what so use your better judgement and let's see those soon-to-be classics.
1. Recording Programs - For capturing your BFrecorded file, FRAPS (http://www.fraps.com) is by far the best. Plunk down $30.00 and purchase a lifetime copy and do away with the 30 sec. cap and the FRAPS url at the top of the screen. It's worth it.
2. Production Programs - For the best editing, do away with windows movie maker and get professional with Adobe Premiere Pro (http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/main.html) or Sony Vegas Video 6 (http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/products/showproduct.asp?PID=965). Both these links have complete tutorials on how to use the programs and demo versions to download. Too expensive? Be resourceful and get your little pirate hands (or hook) on a copy without forking over the big bucks, el cheapo!
3. HUD Off - Never record with your Hud (Heads Up Display) on. Press ~ in game and type 'renderer.drawHud 0' to turn off. Type 'renderer.drawHud 1' to turn back on.
4. Name Tag Removal - name tags have no place in your final production. The best way to record without tags is simply run your BFrecorded file in game and never hit the Space bar. This starts the toggle feature which lets you follow individual players around. If you are making a movie, you know what you need to film in advance. If you really need to follow a character around, where possible you can crop the video in post production for close up shots, but not recommended.
5. Smooth Camera Movement - Before you start recording, go to your common key binds in BF2's main menu and change W,A,S,D to your joystick. This will let you come in tight for some amazing shots/angles instead of the quick in, out, left and right that you get with W,A,S,D.
6. Story Line - Map out what you want to do before you start. It's easy to lose sight of your project. Watch what others have done and do your best to imporve. You won't get kudos for 'trying your best', people want entertainment.
7. Sound - In game sound is a must. Feel free to add additional audio such as explosions, voice-overs and music (all can be done with Sony Vegas Video and Adobe Premiere Pro) but remember that Rammstein blaring in your ears may actually trigger the viewer to hate your video long before the opening credits finish.
8. Credits - You are not fooling anyone by rolling fancy titles across the screen such as 'Art Director' or 'Producer'. Simply add the relevant info that a viewer would have questions about. Cast, music, web site/email address, programs used to create your video and so on. Leave your ego at the door.
9. Video Compression - DivX (http://www.divx.com/), Adobe Premiere Pro and Sony Vegas Video both have rendering/compression modes to create a smaller, easy to download version of your video. A 60 minute download of your redundant Stunts video will ruin your chances for repeat viewers. Don't go to far though where your video is as low-grade as European meat, stick with 640x480 or 720x480 resolution.
EXTRAS - Memorable movies for the gaming community have elements such as dramatic well timed music, funny renditions of other movies or in-game possibilites that are displayed in 'Stunts' movies that have never been seen. Your mom and clan mates will tell you that you did a good job no matter what so use your better judgement and let's see those soon-to-be classics.