TC 448 MachinimaSept. 1st

Class overview

Definition

• “Animated film making within a real-time virtual 3D environment “

– Paul Marino

• My Definition:– A video produced using a majority of

motion images captured in a video game environment

Definition Break Down

• Film making– Scenery, actors, story, editing

• 3D virtual environment– 2D also applies

• Real Time– No long render times

• Majority of images from a game– Can combine Special effects / live

action shots

Example

•Red vs Blue – Episode 1 video

Example Explained

•Uses the game Halo•The camera was another player

Example Explained

•Each character was controlled by a human

•Audio was over dubbed on top of the video

Skills Required

• Film / Video Editing• Audio Production / Editing• Special Effects

• Others include: – Writing– Storyboarding– Game Scripting / Programming– 3D modeling– Video Distribution and Presentation – Gaming Knowledge

Course Objectivies

• Learn the skills it takes to make Machinimas– Film– Storytelling– Pre and Post production– Audio – Teamwork

Get to know each other

• Introductions– Name.– Major.– Experience with Film production.– What you hope to get out of class?

Syllabus

• Time: 10:20am to 12:10pm Fridays+ 1 hour arranged

• Website: gel.msu.edu/machinima• Class Location: 242 Comm. Arts• Office: 253 Comm. Arts• Office Hours:

4:00pm – 5:00pm, on Wednesdays

12:10pm – 1:00pm, on FridaysOr otherwise arranged

Website

• Blogging– Need a blogger account– Need to email me your account name

so I can add you to the author list.

• Site will be used:– To show off work.– To talk about machinima.– A resource site to use.

Class Storage

• class.cas.msu.edu– User Name: TC448s2– Create a folder using your MSU ID

Name, from your email, in the students folder

• So mine would be (medlerbe) for example

Required Materials

• Access is what you need:– Access to games– Access to proper video capturing

software or equipment– Access to production software and

equipment

• It is required for your final project to capture footage with no water marks

Suggested Material

• Books:– 3D Game-Based Filmmaking by Paul Marino

– Machinima by Matt Kelland, Dave Morris, Dave Lloyd

• Software:– Machinimation– FRAPS

• Storage– DVDs, Flash Drives, Portable Hard

Drives

Provided Materials

• Room 242 Comm. Arts – Has Maya, 3DS Max, Photoshop,

Machinimation, Virtual Dub, DivX, Xvid, and FRAPS (free)

• Room 236 Comm. Arts – Has Final Cut Pro, Soundtrack Pro

Admin stuff

• Attendence• Academic Honesty• Work from other classes• Plagiarism • Copyright

Assignments

• Four main assignments– Sept. 8: Critique of Machinimas– Sept. 22: Preproduction and

Storyboards– Oct. 6: Individual Machinimas– Oct. 20: Group Machinimas

Grading

• 5% in class assignments• 10% Critique of Machinimas• 10% Preproduction and Storyboards• 25% Individual Machinimas• 50% Group Machinimas• (These will be broken down further

when they are assigned)