Captain's Festive Blog: Merry Christmas to All!

Brief drop in whilst my venison is percolating to wish all the readers of Captain's Blog a Happy and Fun Festive season and a prosperous and inventive New Year!  May 2011 bring all that you desire!


Until the festivities are done for another year, fare thee well and have a safe and joyous holiday season!

Captain's Blog: Odyssey Season Two

Yes; I finally sat down tonight and had some time to start blocking out scenes for Odyssey Season Two!

A year after Season One wrapped (in which I've done a ton of things I never imagined doing this time last year; writing my own stuff, a coupla scripts for others, advising on a couple more, voice-acting, being honoured to be a part of Team WarTechnica in the 48hr Machinima contest, presenting at MachinimaExpo (thanks to Kate and Ricky for approaching me on that one!) and even singing (yes, you read that right!  Let's just say a certain someone talked me into a couple of renditions for a certain movie that's being worked on right now; not saying any more til the time is right, or it might scare people away from watching it!); I'd have never thought I'd have done half that lot this time last year!

So, at last, with a little free time not being taken up with either work (mad time with the state of play with the economy in the UK and the recently announced government cut-backs), working on eventually moving the family back to the "Old Stompin' Grounds" where I originally hail from, trying to keep my social life afloat (actually, make that trying to HAVE a social life!) and odds and ends for others, I actually fired up TM "in anger" for the first time in ages and blocked out the first page of Episode One.

A little rusty from not looking at it for a while (other than the presentation for the Expo), it took me a while to remember the controls for one thing!  A good hour's work netted me about a minute of footage, so I guess that means Odyssey Season Two is GO for launch at long last!

More dribble when I get some more time to sit down and type it!

Captain's Blog: Enigma Season Three Finale and Thoughts on Writing for Others

A fan of sci-fi?  Not seen Enigma previously?  Have you been living in a hole for the last 3 years?!? :)

The season finale of Enigma is now available for viewing on TMUnderground and Vimeo; I heartily suggest you go and watch it.

And ignore the fact that I may have had a finger or two in the writing of the script...

It seems soo long ago that Uber and I spoke about the script, bashing ideas about and firing drafts back and forth.

Writing for others is something that some scriptwriters (especially in the 3d animation field) are sometimes reticent about doing; very few seem to really do it.  Whether this is due to the fact that people aren't confident in their own writing abilities, are overly sensitive to suggestions and comments from others on their written work or just too parochial about their "babies", I don't know.

But I find it refreshing.

Why?

Because it forces you to work within a different set of constraints; it's not so easy to churn out a tale using characters or a universe that someone else has created and knows more about than you do.  It's not simple to get inside the heads of characters created (and having had life breathed into) by others, and cause them to issue dialogue that is different to the way you write.  And it's certainly strange to change how you construct or work on a script to fit a different set of criteria.

But it's highly enjoyable, challenging and ultimately a lot of fun to do so.

I've been lucky enough to work as a collaborator on several scripts, and to write a few now where the ultimate directorship of the finished movie lies in the hands of another.  I won't lie; it's not simple to begin with (Chris62 will tell you that in regard to our War of the Worlds project! :)), but it's an immensely useful learning experience to see how to change your approach to work in a different way.

And, the biggest learning experience of the whole thing?  Learning to let go and let the director do it ultimately how THEY are going to shoot it.  In the case of Enigma, Uber has been doing this for 3-4 years now, and knows how he's going to structure and shoot the scenes; I'm not going to be so stupid as to try and tell him how to shoot certain things he KNOWS how to do in the right way to make it "Enigma".  I might write a scene with some overall "snapshot" notes to show what I'm trying to achieve with the sequence, but once that script goes to the director, it's in his or her hands how they want to "get it done".

Equally, from Uber's perspective, he's written an Odyssey episode by referring closely to previously established characters and situations (and come up with a corking episode that I'm itching to get stuck into, incidentally, but that's another story!) but the actual structure of the script he's left to me to figure out as far as possible, allowing me to shoot it how I want without trying to bog me down in specifics.

In the case of The Nobbit (which I had a hand in along with Gabe and Biggstrek), I advised on lines here and there and some various bits and pieces but once again, it's Gabe's job as director to structure it how and where he's going to shoot it.  Trying to get all anal about the process is losing sight of what a collaboration is all about.

After the learning experience of WotW (where I freely admit I got very picky to begin with about how certain things were to be done, and Chris (bless his cottons) kindly slapped me into place and told me (in the best possible way) to get off his back and let him get on with it!), I learned the biggest thing about writing for others:-

You have to trust that the director you're writing for will do the best job they can to get the script shot.

It might not look exactly how you imagined it (but let's be honest, here; how often does that happen, even with your OWN scripts??), but they will do it justice (or, in a lot of cases, make it even better than you thought possible!)

My advice?  If you're going to work with someone as a scriptwriter, don't give your script to the first bod to turn up and ask for it; go with your gut, or work specifically with people you KNOW will do a good job of turning your "baby" into a visual feast.

To do it any other way is doing a MAJOR disservice to your creative abilities.

Captain's Blog: Odyssey Season Two Episode One script finally mailed out!

Yes, I know... it's taken me months to get it done, but it's winged its way out to the cast at loooooong last, so maybe I can finally get started on Season Two :)

Captain's Blog: The 2010 Ollies Award Show Download

Thanks to Mr Ken White, proprietor and all-round master of TMOA, the 2010 Ollies Show download is now available here for those who missed the live version.

Enjoy and once again, massive thanks to Reallusion, Moviestorm, CeltX and the independant iClone developers who supported the awards this year with their prize donations.

Captain's Blog: The 2010 Ollies Film & Community Award Winners

The 2010 Ollies Film and Community Award Winners

BEST PICTURE DEATH IN VENICE (by ChatNoir Studios)  

BEST MOVIE or SERIES DIRECTOR CHAT NOIR STUDIOS (KateLee and SherwinLiu)

BEST ACTOR in a LEADING ROLE K4OWNZALL

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOVIE OR SERIES K4OWNZALL

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOVIE OR SERIES VICTORIA ELECTA

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOVIE OR SERIES SISCH  

MOST OUTSTANDING TMU NEWCOMER KV  

MOST OUTSTANDING SCREENWRITER KATE LEE
 
BEST COMPOSER FOR A MOVIE OR SERIES SHERWIN LIU

BEST DRAMA MOVIE OR SERIES TRIBUTE (by RIK VARGARD)  

BEST COMEDY MOVIE OR SERIES THE EX FILES (by BIGGSTREK)  

BEST WESTERN MOVIE OR SERIES DEADLY BULLET (by MACWEMYSS)

BEST ROMANCE MOVIE OR SERIES DENIAL (by MACWEMYSS)

BEST SCI-FI MOVIE OR SERIES SOLAR FREYR (by ALLPOINT)

BEST ACTION MOVIE OR SERIES Voyages of the Sojourner: Parts 1-3 (by ANIMATECHNICA)

BEST ARTHOUSE MOVIE OR SERIES INCUBUS (by CHAT NOIR STUDIOS)

BEST FANTASY MOVIE OR SERIES THE BARD: ACTS 1&2 (by ANIMATECHNICA)

BEST HORROR MOVIE OR SERIES A NIGHTMARE IN HELL (by LAVIV42)  

BEST MUSICAL MOVIE OR SERIES J-HARD'S CHRISTMAS ALBUM (by ACT3SCENE24)

BEST WAR MOVIE OR SERIES SHADOWS OF THE PAST (by HARB40)  

BEST MYSTERY MOVIE OR SERIES DEATH IN VENICE (by CHAT NOIR STUDIOS) 

BEST TRAILER FOR A SERIES OR MOVIE THE NOBBIT TRAILER (by ANIMATECHNICA)

BEST SOUNDTRACK FOR A MOVIE OR SERIES DEATH IN VENICE (by ChatNoir)  

BEST SOUND EDITING IN A MOVIE OR SERIES CQ: Blackstar Rising (by K4OWNZALL)

BEST SOUND DESIGN IN A MOVIE OR SERIES CQ:Blackstar Rising (by K4OWNZALL)

BEST SET USE IN A MACHINIMA MOVIE OR SERIES Hybris (by SamyHouse) 

BEST COSTUME OR MAKEUP IN A MACHINIMA MOVIE OR SERIES Voyages of the Sojourner (by Animatechnica)  

MOST OUTSTANDING SPECIAL EFFECTS IN A MOVIE OR SERIES The Calling (by JosephKW)  

MOST OUTSTANDING MODDER FOR A MACHINIMA ENGINE MikeDBoing  

BEST MACHINIMATOGRAPHY IN A MOVIE OR SERIES The Bard (by AnimaTechnica)

BEST SHORT FORM FILM OR EPISODE Family Values (by Macwemyss)  

BEST LONG FORM FILM OR EPISODE Death in Venice (by Chat Noir Studios)  

BEST "THE MOVIES" FILM OR SERIES Tribute (by RikVargard)  

BEST "MOVIESTORM" FILM OR SERIES Incubus (by ChatNoir)

BEST "ICLONE" FILM OR SERIES The Bard (by AnimaTechnica) 

BEST "ANYMATION" FILM OR SERIES Incubus (by ChatNoir)

BEST SINGLE SCREENPLAY FOR A FILM OR SERIES Tribute (by JosephKW)  

BEST SUBTITLED FILM OR SERIES Clout: Part 1 (by Tumac)  

BEST NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE FILM OR SERIES A Nightmare in Hell (by Laviv42)

BEST LIVE ACTION FILM OR SERIES Cinderblock Dreams (by Nick Blacketer)

BEST PR CAMPAIGN FOR A FILM OR SERIES CQ: Blackstar Rising (by K4OWNZALL)

BEST MOVIE/EPISODE POSTER CQ: Blackstar Rising (by K4OWNZALL)

MOST HELPFUL COMMUNITY MEMBER Chris62  

MOST ENTERTAINING GUEST ON A TMOA RADIO SHOW K4Ownzall (The Ken and Roger Show)  

THE "THONG DE ROGER" AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TMU 2010 Ken

Captain's Blog: The 2010 Ollies Technical Award Winners

1: BEST SOUNDTRACK FOR A MOVIE OR SERIES
Death in Venice (ChatNoir)
Tribute (RikVargard)
Incubus (ChatNoir)

WINNER: DEATH IN VENICE (by ChatNoir)

2: BEST SOUND EDITING IN A MOVIE OR SERIES
Incubus (ChatNoir)
CQ: Blackstar Rising (K4)
The Calling (JosephKW)

WINNER: CQ: Blackstar Rising (by K4OWNZALL)

3: BEST SOUND DESIGN IN A MOVIE OR SERIES
CQ:Blackstar Rising (K4)
A Nightmare in Hell (Laviv42)
Voyages of the Sojourner (Ricky Grove)

WINNER: CQ:Blackstar Rising (by K4OWNZALL)

4: BEST CUSTOM MOD FOR A MACHINIMA MOVIE OR SERIES
CLEAR WINNER: Castle Greyskull by BudBundysMullet

5: BEST MOD/SET USE IN A MACHINIMA MOVIE OR SERIES
Hybris (SamyHouse)
Solar Freyr (allpoint)

WINNER: Hybris (by SamyHouse)

6: BEST COSTUME OR MAKEUP IN A MACHINIMA MOVIE OR SERIES
Hybris (Samyhouse)
Voyages of the Sojourner (Animatechnica)
Grayskull (Rage)

WINNER: Voyages of the Sojourner (by Animatechnica)

7: MOST OUTSTANDING SPECIAL EFFECTS IN A MOVIE OR SERIES
A Nightmare in Hell (Laviv42)
The Calling (JosephKW)
Voyages of the Sojourner (Animatechnica)

WINNER: The Calling (by JosephKW)

8: MOST OUTSTANDING MODDER FOR A MACHINIMA ENGINE
MikeDBoing
Warlord
SexyMaria

WINNER: MikeDBoing

9: BEST MACHINIMATOGRAPHY IN A MOVIE OR SERIES
Elegy to the Mind (Reepicheep)
Denial (Macwemyss)
The Bard (AnimaTechnica)

WINNER: The Bard (by AnimaTechnica)

The Film and Community Awards will be announced on the 2010 Ollies Special tomorrow night (in the place of the Roger and Ken Show).

Captain's Blog: The 2010 Ollies: Technical Awards on The Weekly Look this Saturday!

On this Saturday's The Weekly Look (October 16), the 2010 Technical Ollies will be announced.  Tune in to find out who has won the following awards!

1: BEST SOUNDTRACK FOR A MOVIE OR SERIES

2: BEST SOUND EDITING IN A MOVIE OR SERIES

3: BEST SOUND DESIGN IN A MOVIE OR SERIES

4: BEST CUSTOM MOD FOR A MACHINIMA MOVIE OR SERIES

5: BEST MOD/SET USE IN A MACHINIMA MOVIE OR SERIES

6: BEST COSTUME OR MAKEUP IN A MACHINIMA MOVIE OR SERIES

7: MOST OUTSTANDING SPECIAL EFFECTS IN A MOVIE OR SERIES

8: MOST OUTSTANDING MODDER FOR A MACHINIMA ENGINE

9: BEST MACHINIMATOGRAPHY IN A MOVIE OR SERIES

Thanks to Chris62 and Smokstir for donating half their show to allow us to do this; cheers, chaps!

Captain's Blog: The 2010 TMUnderground Ollie Awards

This year, we are splitting the awards into two seperate categories:-

On Saturday 16 October, we will be announcing the Technical Awards (sound, vision, etc) on The Weekly Look TMOA Radio Show (thanks to Chris62 for allowing us to displace the second half of his show!).

On Sunday 17 October is the full Film and Community Awards, on the Roger & Ken Show on TMOA Radio.

Who will win?  Be there for the machinima event of the year to find out!

Captain's Blog: Countdown to the End of the Ollies Voting Phase

Yup, the time is nearly over to get your votes in for the 2010 Ollie Awards!

14 hours and 30 minutes from now (at midnight, UK time 30 September), the Voting Phase ends for this year, so make sure you get your votes in in time!

Captain's Blog: The 48hr Machinima Contest

Team WarTechnica (Gabe, Mike, Cathy, Mel, Per, Alley and myself) won Best Editing and Best Sound Effects for SB1070 (see below), which is pretty damned good going for iClone's inaugral outing at the 48hr!

Team Insomaniacs' entry ("Beyond Sundown") is a brilliant piece of MS work (as is to be expected with Jorge, Groucho and Goofparade in the team!)

A great turn out for this year and some excellent movies were turned in; another good year for Machinima, it appears!