Machinima

I've seen a good number of people who create movies that fall into this genre. First, what is machinima? Machinima is a way of creating a short film utilizing already existing game engines to create a 3D Computer Animated movie. Some of the really good ones have several different people that log onto a game server, and begin playing the different roles.

Fortunately, it doesn't really take much to play the roles. But one person acts as the camera man. One of the first, and quite a popular machinima series, was Red vs. Blue. Using the Halo game, or engine, the creators of the series managed to pull off a very entertaining movie series. Each episode was about two to five minutes in length. All scripted, then filmed, and then voiced.

So, what utilities does one use to capture in game footage for use in a machinima?

Well, after some searching, I found one such program to help in creating a machinima. Called Game Cam, this little utility can sit in the background while you play a game and record every action. This video footage can then later be taken and edited using Adobe Premier, or, if you're like me, Windows Movie Maker. I haven't reinstalled my Premier yet. And the program itself is about six years old, I don't have an updated version. Nor can I afford to get one. At any rate, I used what I had and created a small video. Keep in mind, I was testing, had no prewritten script, nor did I have camera men to follow the action. So this is pretty raw.




Sort of made with a hats off to my belated Talk Like a Pirate Day, I used the music from Pirates of the Carribean, as composed by Klaus Badelt, and the game engine of Guild Wars. Any game engine can be used, and it's very easy to do. Again, no pre production or thought went into that video, I just dove right in. Maybe I'll actually try my hand at scripting one some day.

Until then...

Keep 'em flyin'.

Arrrr, matey!

I completely forgot about this.

I should be flogged, keel hauled or forced to walk the plank.

Yesterday, September 19th, was International Talk Like a Pirate Day. The one non-holiday that should be considered a prelude to Halloween. After all, what's better than dressing up and talking like a pirate.

The pirate, in all forms of popular culture, has been a favourite of most people. Of course, it is said the natural enemy of a pirate is the ninja. The popularity of the pirate has only been solidified more with three movies, all starring Johnny Depp as the charismatic Jack Sparrow. I speak of Pirates of the Carribean. Who knew that an amusement park ride in Disneyland would create such a successful movie. But then, Disney has been noted for creating a quality product on the silver screen, as it were.

So, a happy belated Talk Like A Pirate Day to all.

Arrrr, matey.

Until next time...

Keep 'em flyin'.

The last days

For such an ominous title it really isn't that bad. I am merely speaking of the last few days of summer. Yes, this weekend will be the first official weekend of fall. As of yet, I do not have the official time that the new season will arrive. While on the one hand, observing the trees and even the temperature is not all that fall like. Yes, there is a bit of a nip in the air, and the leaves are starting to drift to the ground. But the biggest sign that autumn is come is in the early mornings.

I wake up a little after five in the morning (5:30 to be exact, after hitting my snooze button a couple of times). During July and August and even June, getting up wasn't a chore, because there in my window was the sun to greet me. This morning, however, was black. The sun was only just starting to peek over the horizon.

I noticed it yesterday. Waking up at my usual time, and taking note of the fact that the sky was a little darker. Now is around the time when I blindly look at my clock to inspect what time it actually is. The questions often run through my head "Is it only 2? Maybe 3. It can't be time to get up yet."

Even the evenings are pretty short. During the summer, I am often surprised to find that it's 10:30 and the sun is dipping below the horizon, filling the sky with vibrant colours. Now, darkness sets in around 7:30.

According to Environment Canada, the sun rose this morning at 6:47 a.m. And it will set tonight at 7:14 p.m. Temperatures are predicted to meet highs of 17 Celsius and overnight lows close to zero. Now is the time when everyone thinks of that inevitable occurrence. The first frost.

Until that happens...

Keep 'em flyin'.

Chuck Norris doesn't sleep. He waits.

I first started hearing these about two years ago. The one liner Chuck Norris jokes. Some are really lame, some are really good. And there's even a list out there of some of the ones Chuck Norris likes himself. I gathered together a few of these and decided to post them here, just because.

Some people wear Superman pajamas. Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas.

Chuck Norris doesn't stub his toes. He accidentally destroys chairs, bedframes, and sidewalks.

Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.

If, by some incredible space-time paradox, Chuck Norris would ever fight himself, he'd win. Period.

Science Fact: Roundhouse kicks are comprised primarily of an element called Chucktanium.

Chuck Norris proved that we are alone in the universe. We weren't before his first space expedition.

Superman once watched an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger. He then cried himself to sleep.

Chuck Norris doesn't step on toes. Chuck Norris steps on necks.

The movie "Delta Force" was extremely hard to make because Chuck had to downplay his abilities. The first few cuts were completely unbelievable.

Movie trivia: The movie "Invasion U.S.A." is, in fact, a documentary.

Chuck Norris does not "style" his hair. It lays perfectly in place out of sheer terror.

There is no such thing as global warming. Chuck Norris was cold, so he turned the sun up.

Chuck Norris is the only person in the world that can actually email a roundhouse kick.

Chuck Norris can set ants on fire with a magnifying glass. At night.

Earth's emergency defence plan in case of alien invasion is Chuck Norris.

Chuck Norris stared evil in the face, and it backed down

There are more of these. A lot more. I did some searching and found the Chuck Norris Facts page. It has a complete nine page list of these. Go check it out. I would list them here, but my blog entry would be huge.

Until next time...

Keep 'em flyin'.

There's no garbage truck

I came back from lunch on Friday with my co-workers, and I knew something was up. There they were, at the back, these expressions of innocence spread just a bit too much. You know, that look as though being caught while doing something and trying hard to pass it off as nothing. As it turned out, something was happening.

I liken this to the time we did some small rearranging in the back of our shop. We wanted to put in a coat rack, and after several pieces of furniture (or rather, inanimate objects that had stuff sitting on them) we had no coat rack, but things were moved. About three feet.

But this was something different.

The suggestion had been made of signage on one of our vehicles. And everything began that Friday after the paper had been uploaded to the Battleford press. I can't describe the spectacle, you would have to see it for yourself, as can be seen in the accompanying picture. Derek Ruttle, our reporter, had his truck transformed. Later in the afternoon, as some of us were tittering over the activity, Derek was told there was a garbage truck that needed to get past his truck. Upon exiting the build he at first exclaimed, "There's no garbage truck."

And then...

"My truck!"

To be certain, the small prank that was pulled will have some repercussion, but all in good fun. It's almost like a Halloween prank. Let's hope that the one's that do happen this Halloween are just as harmless.

Speaking of Halloween, spooky stories are coming up, as well as links to ghostly web sites. And as added challenge, they'll all be of local flair. If you know of any in the Lake Diefenbaker area, drop me a line at theoutlook@sasktel.net or blackbowman@gmail.com.

Until then...

Keep 'em flyin'.

Attack of the lolcat

Okay, so it isn't from our favourite kitty website. This happens to be a cat that I met while walking home from work. The friendly feline let me pet him, and then seemed to demand more. So, I decided in grand lolcat style to hold a small contest (sadly, there are no prizes except the recognition of your name on this blog and my deepest admiration). Come up with a whitty caption for said kitty, and I shall do up a lolcat type picture and post it up here in the future. I'll give a couple of weeks to get the entries in.

Until next time...

Keep 'em flyin'!

Story Tellin' Time

Well, I did say that at some point I'd post prose on here as well. See the guy to the left? I'll be writing stuff about him.

And I will. As soon as the first story I'm working on is cleaned up. A lot.

The story is all about one man and the people he meets along the way. Along the way he is seen as a hero to many. His name is Maxwell Running Cloud, and I created the persona while spending my spare time gaming (yes, I game, don't look at me like that) with a few friends. I'll usually create characters and generate an entire story and past behind them.

What's Max's deal?

Maxwell Running Cloud is First Nation, Dakota to be exact. And as a well known author once said, write what you know. I live near the Whitecap Dakota First Nation, so that is Maxwell's home. He grew up there, went off to school, became a teacher and returned to help educate future generations. But, he has had his heaping of misfortune as well.

I won't give out the full details, that would ruin the story. I'll post them up here, done up in lovely pdf formats so they can be downloaded and viewed at one's leisure. And, as well as reading of the adventures of Maxwell Running Cloud, a.k.a Hawk's Scream, I'll be posting up stories of the most important individual in his life. His cat, Zachary. So, stay tuned for stories of Cat in the Apartment and Hunters. The title Hunters actually comes from the Dido song of the same name. Lyrics to said song below.

Oh, and the game that I was playing to dream up this concept? City of Heroes.

Hunter

With one light on in one room
I know you're up when I get home
With one small step upon the stair
I know your look when I get there
If you were a king up there on your throne
Would you be wise enough to let me go
For this queen you think you own
Wants to be a hunter again
Wants to see the world alone again
To take a chance on life again
So let me go

The unread book and painful look
The tv's on, the sound is down
One long pause
Then you begin
Oh look what the cat's brought in
If you were a king up there on your throne
Would you be wise enough to let me go
For this queen you think you own
Wants to be a hunter again
Wants to see the world alone again
To take a chance on life again
So let me go
Let me leave

For the crown you've place upon my head feels too heavy now
And I don't know what to say to you but I'll smile anyhow
And all the time I'm thinking, thinking

I want to be a hunter again
Want to see the world alone again
To take a chance on life again
So let me go.

I want to be a hunter again
Want to see the world alone again
To take a chance on life again
So let me go
Let me leave.

lyrics from Hunter, as performed by Dido

The gamer lolcat

For all the gamers out there, another picture from I Can Has Cheez Burger.