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This topic has moved here: Subject: Halo 2 video making F.A.Q
  • Subject: Halo 2 video making F.A.Q
Subject: Halo 2 video making F.A.Q
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NOTE: I found this information on the xbox forums, so i put it posted it here, i thought it would be a good read for people that wants to record.

What do I need to get started?

Well, first off, you will need to purchase something to capture video with. You can choose from digital cameras to capture cards. It really depends on where your X-Box/360 is stationed. If you are no where near your computer I suggest getting a camera that allows you to record from your xbox/television directly into your camera. The Sony MiniDV is just one of many different types of cameras you can purchase, and they are quite expensive. So before purchasing one, make sure that your current camera doesn't support input recording already, that way you can save hundreds of dollars.

Even though a DV camera has the best image quality you can get it costs a lot of money, and if you don't have the money right now, you can settle to buy a capture card. There are two types of capture cards you can purchase: internal and external. The internal capture card is placed in a PCI slot in your computer PC. Here is an example of a internal capture card: Sabrent Video Capture. Also, make sure your computer, X-Box, and television is extremely close together. I recommend the internal capture card to those who aren’t worried about unhooking their cables. These capture cards range in from 20.00 - 150.00 US dollars.

Can't afford a DV camera? Don't want to open your computer and take the chance of damaging it by installing the internal capture device? Then I suggest getting a external capture card. I use the Dazzle 80, and it was a great investment, in my opinion. It's easy to use and not so much of a hassle to connect or disconnect. You simply connect it through a 2.0 USB port (you can use a 1.1 USB port but the quality is not as great). You can choose other types of Dazzle devices as well. Dazzle 85, Dazzle 90, and the Dazzle 150. Prices range from 50.00 - 130.00 US Dollars. The Dazzle capture card also comes with free editing software. Something I will get into in a minute.

[Edited on 05.25.2007 10:48 AM PDT]

  • 05.25.2007 10:36 AM PDT
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Okay, I got a capture card, but now how do I watch what I'm doing on the television set and record at the same time?

This part is simple, but involves more money. Take a trip down to your nearest game store and purchase one of these: X-Box High Definition AV Pack. It cost 20.00 US Dollars and comes with the double-sided s-video connection and double sided male-male composite connectors. After that you will want to head over to Radio Shack and pick up 2 Y-Splitters for your audio connections. You will also need two extra audio composite cables and one separate video composite cable. When you have everything you need then set it up!

But I don't know how to set it up...

Don't know how to set it up? Okay, first open up your High defin... lets cut to the chase... 1.Connect your High definition AV connector into your X-Box. 2. Connect both of the Y-Splitters into the audio ports of the HD AV connector. 3. Plug in the right connections from the AV connector to the capture card unit... (AV)White to (CC)white, (AV)red to (CC)red and (AV)s-video to (CC)s-video... you get it right? Then connect the composite video cable to the yellow ports on both the HD AV connector and your TV. Do the same with the audio connections, except connect them onto the y-splitters, (Y-SP)White to (TV)white, (Y-SP)red to (TV)red. After that you should be set. Now your prepared to record anything that happens on your favorite game... Halo2!

  • 05.25.2007 10:41 AM PDT
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Software

Don't worry, software won't cost you any money unless you want to really get into the mach making business. There are quite a lot of video and audio editing programs out there to use. Here is a list of editing programs that maybe used to edit sound and video. I'll try to find the prices as well.

Program Audio Video Price
Windows Movie Maker | * | * | Free
Pinnacle Studio 9 | * | * | Free with Dazzle capture Cards - Upgrade 20$ (US)
Pinnacle Studio 10 | * | * | 70.00 - 130.00 US Dollars
Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 | * | * | 100.00 US Dollars
Adobe Audition | * | | 350.00 US Dollars
Sony Vegas | * | * | 450.00

There are more editing programs out there but I wont list them all. All of the editors with the abstract in both video and audio can edit sound, but very little. The best thing to edit sound with is Adobe Audition. It takes time to learn, and it's a great investment... Mind I say, there are alternative ways of getting some of these programs, but I don't think I'm allowed to say.

w00t I recorded a clip from a super awesome battle I had on Big Team Battle!!

That’s good... but one thing, who are you recording for? I'm sure it's fun to record games you play, but wouldn't it be more fun to actually record something you did and show it to the world?! I think so... Well then lets start recording something others will enjoy watching.

  • 05.25.2007 10:43 AM PDT
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Machinima

A machinima basically a video made with characters in a video game. Many fans like to create machinimas and host it online for others to watch, enjoy, and comment on. Be aware though, not everyone will like what you have made! The best way to create a excellent machinimas is to find some people who also like creating videos. Make a group or a clan of people and give each other jobs. If you think that you're okay without a machinima clan then forget about making videos. Without a group of some sort, you won't be very organized and whenever you want to record, your friends may not want to help or be on to record with you. So there’s key 1. Another thing is to actually make a script. I personally think that 99.9% of the Halo2 community doesn't like machs that aren't scripted. It makes the movie messy and sometimes leads the movie into not making sense. So remember - make a script, review it, ask for opinions from your fellow clan mates, and edit it. Do that as much as want until you feel like the script is ready. Another tip is, don't stand for goofing off. Set times for breaks and messing around. If you see a person goofing off while you're trying to record, tell them to stop or to leave. Time is a valuable thing, and if you want to get the mach right, you are going to need all the time in the world. So keep in mind:
1. Become organized. Create a clan and maybe a website. You can create a website free at Freewebs.com . It's a great way to keep your clan intact with each other.
2. Create a script, ask for others opinions, and edit until you feel it's finalized. Also don't make things as you go, no one likes watching unscripted machs.
3. Time is valuable. Don't waste time by goofing around. Instead make break times were you guys can goof around.

Montages

A montage is basically a bunch of clips from recorded games tied with music and special effects. The only thing with these clips is that they contain the best, most unbelievable, kills you have gotten. This means no scope snipes across the map, across the map sticks, killamanjaros with a single battle rifle, combos, weird vehicle kills... basically things that people don't usually see or do while playing Halo 2. Make sure to keep the clips with the music. If they aren’t together then it will make the montage look bad. Don't overdo it with special effects or no one will like it. Make sure there arn't scenes with you dieing in them, it makes you look bad as a player. Remember, montages are all about your skill in Halo 2 and showing that you die multiple times isn't a good way to show how good you are on this game. Also, choose music that people will like and understand. No one wants to listen to some Asian song while watching you fight in Team Slayer. So remember.
1. Make the clips short, and have things that people usually don't see in game play. This doesn't include modders and cheaters. No one wants to see that.
2. Keep the clips with the beat. If something big happens in the music, try putting something big from the clips. It will give the viewer a good feeling when watching.
3. Don't overdo your montage with special effects. Keep the special effects low but add enough to keep the viewer interested.
4. Dieing is a big no. Don't show yourself dieing because it will look bad. I'm sure all of us seen the scoreboard at least 1,000 times. We don't need to see it in your montage. Remember montages are for you to show what type of player you are.
5. Choose a song that everyone can understand. I learned that the hard way...

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I have everything you need, I think I'm ready for movie making, except for one thing. How do I take off the reticule and display?

Ok, I can tell you seriously want to make a machinima! Good. Anyways, there is one way of getting the reticule off your screen, and there is one way of getting your whole HUD off your television set. The first way is quite simple and it doesn't involve buying anything for your X-Box. First make this game type:

Oddball - Movie
Starting Weapon: Plasma Pistol
Secondary Weapon: None
Oddball Icon: OFF when dropped
Score to win: None
Weapons on Map: Your Choice

I recommend you call it Movie, so if someone joins they will automatically detect that your making a movie. It also serves as a warning. "We are making a movie, if your not needed you may be booted". After you finish making the game type, make a custom game. Choose any map you want and play. When you are in game, hold the plasma pistol trigger until it's fully charged. Go over the oddball and press (X). *Don't let go of the trigger button or you wont drop the oddball and plasma pistol* If you did it right the oddball and the plasma pistol should drop. Be careful because if you run over a weapon you will automatically pick it up. You may also need to jump backwards when you drop the plasma pistol and oddball or you may pick one of them up again. Doing it this way will not remove your shield and radar. This is where you need to crop it, and I will get into that in the editing section.

The second way of doing this will cost you some of your hard earned cash. It's called... *gasp* Action Replay 30.00 US Dollars. You can pick it up at any video game store. *Action Replay will not get you banned. Bungie used to ban people because there was a hack that allowed you to auto reload on the game. The second update deleted the problem, and the auto reloading glitch does not work and will not work ever again* First you will need to head over to codejunkies.com and find a HUD less game type. There are many of them but you should look for the a Team slayer one. You can find two types of modified game types. One is where you don't start with any weapons but your HUD is still on (Basically the oddball one), and another that allows you to start with no weapons, no radar, and no shield display. But be warned, if you pick up a weapon and then switch to another weapon, the display HUD will freeze. You might notice a pistol reticule when you’re holding a rocket launcher. It's an easy fix... kill yourself. Cameraman isn't supposed to have a weapon anyways... Some people might have trouble getting the file onto their action replay, so I guess I will help with that too.

Action Replay File Transfer

1. Download the correct HUD less save and save it to your desktop. (DO NOT UNZIP THE FILE)
2. Make sure your AR is connected to your computer. Open up Action Replay.
3. Drag the HUD less save from your desktop into your memory section.
4. Disconnect AR and connect it to your X-Box controller.
5. Copy the HUD less save from the AR onto your X-Box Hard Drive

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  • 05.25.2007 10:45 AM PDT
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Editing, Voices, Music

You thought recording and watching what you were recording was cool? That was only half the fun... The real fun is the editing! Editing your video is where the movie making magic begins. Gather all your clips and watch them. Make sure there aren’t any obvious flaws. What I mean by flaws is like when you have someone who wasn't supposed to be on stage, and he accidentally appear on stage in the background. It doesn't just make the movie look bad, but it also makes the director and actors look bad. Put them in the order you want them to be viewed. Make sure to get your story across.

But what’s a story without voices? Some machinimas have subtitles, but it really isn't fun reading subtitles instead of enjoying the movie, right? Well in my opinion, I don't think so. For voices it's best to record through a microphone connected to your computer. Using voice-overs through X-Box Live can actually kill your movie and make your audience feel that your movie is a joke. I know I wouldn't want that... Besides, if you record through a computer microphone, you will be able to edit the voices with Adobe Audition or any other sound editor you've found. Make sure that the voice fits the character description though. You don't want Little Billy voice acting over X-Box Live, when he has the role of a monster from the lakes of Japan right?

Music is a big thing in most machinimas. Music is used to set the mood in the video. If something is scary, you'll probably begin to hear soft creepy music. If something is funny, you will usually hear some fast up to beat music. So choose your music wisely. Find some music that doesn't have words in it. Sometimes, if someone is singing, it kills the mood (I also learned this the hard way). You can usually find wordless music by orchestras, just search for a piece you might think you like, and if you think it goes with your video, then try it out.

Ok, I understand... One more thing though. I hate pinnacle! It lags and takes to long to load, but it is the only thing I have that will crop the shields, grenades, and radar out of my machinima. What should I do?

That’s not true actually... You have an alternative way of cropping your video without using Pinnacle Studios! Just use Windows Movie Maker. It's quite complicated so follow along carefully.

You will need to find the size or resolution of your video. When you do go to paint in your programs and make a blank picture with the size of your video. Then paint it all black. After that you will need to save the picture and open the notepad. Copy and paste this in it:

<TransitionsAndEffects Version="1.0">
<Transitions>
<TransitionDLL guid="{DE75D012-7A65-11D2-8CEA-00A0C9441E20}">
<Transition name="A Letterbox" iconid="22">
<Param name="MaskNum" value="22" />
<Param name="Progress" value="0.45" />
</Transition>
</TransitionDLL>
</Transitions>
</TransitionsAndEffects>

See the part in bold? That is the size of the video... you will need to experiment with it before you get the actual size, have fun doing that . When your done save it as a .XML in C:\Program Files\Movie Maker\Shared\AddOnTFX. If you can't find the folder "AddOnTFX" then create one. Now when you open Windows Movie Maker look under transitions and you can find the little two bars that block out the shielding, radar, and grenade count box.

Remember that black picture that you skillfully colored? Drag that into your collections bar and then drag it into the timeline. Make sure it is at the beginning of your video. Also, make sure that your video is completed. Make the picture as long as your video. Drag the video so it comes over the Black Box picture. Then just add the "A Letterbox" transition on it. Congratulations your movie is cropped.

You might start of with a bad video, but just keep trying and you will be able to improve on your video skills. The more videos you make, the better you will become. Keep in mind, instead of shooting down other's opinions on your video, learn to accept them and reflect on them. Maybe you will learn something from your audience as well.

  • 05.25.2007 10:46 AM PDT