Johnn Four
Web Monkey
Joined: 12 Jan 2004 |
 Posted: Wednesday, 19 October 2005 05:39PM |
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The making of BloodSpell, the first feature length machinima using Neverwinter Nights, is a challenging undertaking, a labour of love, and at times, a rampaging hydra of wanton destruction. We begin a three part series looking at how it is all brought together. Interested in machinima? Stay tuned for an exclusive, inside look. We also have the first official BloodSpell trailer--watch it now.
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Soulflame
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
NWN 2
NWN 2: MotB
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 08 Jan 2002
From: Where dreams define the living |
Posted: Wednesday, 19 October 2005 11:32PM |
Looks very good, I liked the music a lot, nice pace for a trailer. Could be really huge. The only thing I thought felt wrong was the 'running from demons', I didn't really think that animation was realistic running (from a movie perspective anyway, it's probably hard to change from NWN)
It feels a bit like a fantasy 24 the way it's presented, I like it =:).
NB:
I watched the Quicktime version, the Windows Media Player gave a lot of static noise (maybe my outdated WMP, but I'd still thought I'd mention it).
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Hope is the one crop that can grow in any climate. |
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gpeddino
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
NWN 2
Joined: 24 Nov 2002 |
Posted: Thursday, 20 October 2005 03:05AM |
The video rocks completely, but the music was a bit disappoiting. I think something medieval and classic would fit so much better. Just my opinion, though.
But still, amazing job. Some scenes are just great.
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gpeddino
Author of "The Whisper Of Auril" and "In The Dead Of The Night" |
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neekoso
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
Joined: 24 Jan 2005 |
Posted: Thursday, 20 October 2005 03:45AM |
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Sorry but that just looks really bad. Why would someone go through all the trouble to create a project like this and then not even design decent looking clothes/armor? And whats the deal with the goofy metal music, sure it's just a trailer, but I'd guess they didn't take much time finding a composer. I'll pass. Edited By neekoso on 10/20/05 03:52 |
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The Nomad_
Game Owner
 NWN
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 |
Posted: Thursday, 20 October 2005 03:51PM |
Thanks for the comments! Soulflame, gpedino, glad you liked it! Thanks for the heads-up on the WMV problems - we're looking into them, as you can see on the site.
Our animator Justin (who I think you'll be hearing from next week) has already made growly noises about the run cycles - whilst they're great for a game, for a film we're going to need to modify them, and that'll be happening pretty soon.
The music's actually part of what we're trying to do with BloodSpell - heavy classical music is getting to be a cliche when connected to fantasy, and we're going for something altogether less establishment and more punky, reaching back to fantasy's roots with Robert E Howard and the rest of the pulp movement, as well as people like Moorcock who were involved with the birth of the punk scene. Punk's a natural fit for a fantasy action show, and we think it's a much better fit for an ultra-indie show like ours than staid old orchestral stuff.
neekoso, I'm sorry you didn't like the trailer - obviously we can't please everyone, but I'd be really interested to hear more about which costumes you felt were unconvincing, and generally why you felt it was a weak trailer.
_________________
"You have magic in your blood. When your blood is spilled, the magic comes out."
BloodSpell - feature film made in Neverwinter Nights - OUT NOW |
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gothic assassin
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR Xbox
Jade Empire
Joined: 21 May 2005 |
Posted: Thursday, 20 October 2005 03:53PM |
WHAT? How could you say that? I think the film looks awsome, yeh sure the music was a bit cheesy and offputting, but the rest looks great. Especially the little 'comedy nugget' at the end, ''You ever fought the undead? No. Run like hell'':) I personally am looking forward to it 
Oh soz i came in a bit late lol.Edited By gothic assassin on 10/20/05 15:54 |
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neekoso
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
Joined: 24 Jan 2005 |
Posted: Thursday, 20 October 2005 11:48PM |
Uhh punk? That sounds like c*ck rock, not punk. Moorcock was involved with the prog rock of Hawkwind, never realized he had anything to do with the punk movement. Why not take European classical and add world music/electronica/trip hop type vibe? Just because something is cliche doeasn't mean it can't be toyed with and combined with other forms to create something new.
As far as the armor goes, let me try and put it in a way most people will understand. Remember that DnD movie that came out a few years ago? Okay, now do you remember the recent LotR movies we all loved so much? Your stuff looks like it came from the former not the later. There is plenty of decent content out there to create a decent atmosphere with good art design.
I'm not trying to just slag you guys, my point is that if you went through all the trouble and hard work to put this together, you should have pulled out all the stops and went the extra mile and got someone to really make those two aspects shine. The music and the art design make or break a project like this.
Then again, to each his/her own. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who will love this. I'm sure I am in the minority.Edited By neekoso on 10/20/05 23:52 |
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The Nomad_
Game Owner
NWN
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 |
Posted: Friday, 21 October 2005 11:56AM |
Gotcha. Thanks for the comments - we'll think about them (and probably discuss them in our upcoming project meeting on Wednesday).
_________________
"You have magic in your blood. When your blood is spilled, the magic comes out."
BloodSpell - feature film made in Neverwinter Nights - OUT NOW |
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gpeddino
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
NWN 2
Joined: 24 Nov 2002 |
Posted: Saturday, 22 October 2005 05:29AM |
If you guys change your mind about the soundtrack, I can provide some original classical score (at least for the trailer I already have one in my mind).
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gpeddino
Author of "The Whisper Of Auril" and "In The Dead Of The Night" |
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Soulflame
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
NWN 2
NWN 2: MotB
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 08 Jan 2002
From: Where dreams define the living |
Posted: Saturday, 22 October 2005 09:34PM |
I think the whole movie is not an ordinary movie about fantasy. It's not high fantasy at all from the looks of it.
So I'd very much would oppose to a soundtrack which could be used in those traditional fantasy movies.
The soundtrack from the trailer is a refreshing break from the normal fantasy soundtracks, which suits it's original background that magic is released by spilling blood (rather then being taught or natural as in high fantasy).
I think the people are really on the right track right now and should not divert too much from that path. I'd rather this movie distinguishes itself from the mainstream then be Fantasy Movie #X+1. So this vote goes to let the music be like the trailer or at the very least different from all those other movies.
Looking at the trailer a few more times, there are two scenes where the armor seems a bit odd.
I think the cultists (in the altar scene) have a bit too plain armor. Especially the one doing the sacrifice, it looks like it should be a dark ritual, but that person doesn't look very menacing or dark to me. If it is just a local group nobody thought was important that got the girl, then the costumes are okay, otherwise, I think they'll need some more touch.
And the soldiers in full steel seems too plain. A unique type of armor for soldiers of the world (or particular city if it's split), would be better. IE there is not enough 'culture' in the plain soldier armor.
_________________
Hope is the one crop that can grow in any climate. |
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juleslawrence
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
Joined: 07 Aug 2002
From: london by sea, uk |
Posted: Monday, 24 October 2005 03:44PM |
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Interesting stuff- I particularly like the way you get eye movement on NWN's default heads. Like a few above I found the very contemporary sound of the music jarred with the feel of the piece. loved the "we fought them"... blah blah "no, we ran like hell" line.. thought your voice actors were a bit 'flat'- try making 'em sound a bit more, well, excited about it- get 'em wired on caffeine or something! Another thing was that a lot of the default lighting seemed a bit bright- there were a few pleasingly murky bits, but a lot of quite brightly lit scenes (the only one i can bring to mind was the bit with Lolth). Anyway- I hope you take these criticisms in the spirit they were intended- a bit of potential audience feedback which may, hopefully, prove useful to you. I'll certainly be watch out to see how this project progresses. |
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Edmonds10101
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
From: Yorkshire, England |
Posted: Tuesday, 25 October 2005 11:37AM |
what exactly is the song? i would love to know where i cna get it from.
Thanks,
Eddie
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Dwarves hate to be mistaken for Gnomes. Even Gnomes hate to be mistaken as Gnomes. They prefer people to think of them as small, effeminate Dwarves.
www.Zogonia.com |
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XVampireX
Joined: 17 Nov 2005 |
Posted: Thursday, 17 November 2005 12:40PM |
Hello, new to this forum, and joined mainly to comment on this project.
I've just seen the trailer, and my thoughts are:
1. The voice acting needs to feel more serious, cause it sounds silly right now, very amateur... Good voice acting should thrill people, not just "Ok, whatever you say", it should make people want to see more of the movie, more of what is going to happen next. That is definitly not something I enjoyed in the trailer. So work on it a little bit, or just the enviormental music (see below).
2. The music is ok, but hopefully, like some other people commented, it would have at least some fantasy/orchestral scores with it. Also, hopefully you did add some ambient sounds so the enviorment wouldn't look empty.
3. By the trailer I can see alot of action, is the machinima based on combat mostly? Is there any deep storyline behind it? Or just the regular cliche of "Kill the main villain", I know you mentioned Epic Fantasy similar to Lord of the Rings in one of your interviews, but LoTR was in a way different than some fantasy, it did offer more than just "Kill the main villain".
Well, that's basically it. Just work on some of the enviormental feeling and you will be good to go  I mean, that you'll improve by much. |
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