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Defenitive Film Making Thread - Techniques, Resources and Discussion

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Mr.Annoying:
Welcome to the Definitive Film Making Thread, this was created to cover all topics related to film-making in Blockland, such as techniques, essential add-ons, software, and the process of filming from start to finish.

The Basics
There are the five steps you should take when starting out as a film-maker.
Step 1. Gather these resources: A screen recorder, video editor, and a purchased copy of Blockland (you'll need the purchased version to access add-ons.)

Step 2. Download these specific add-ons (they can all be found on the Blockland Forums, or Blockland Glass):

* Script_FilmMode
Hides your HUD (Tool menu, chat, paint menu, bricks, etc.) to remove distractions from the frame. Can be toggled by keybinds.
* Client_NewtonianCamera (Optional)
Smoothes camera movements, allowing for organic motion. Can be toggled by keybinds.
* Server_ControlPlayer
Allows you to improve the composition of your videos by positioning your admin camera wherever you need, and entering the command "/controlplayer" in chat.
* Script_HoldToTalk
Mimics chat animation on command, making lip-syncing characters easier. Activates via keybind.
Step 3. Begin getting used to using key binds for actions, and challenge your ability to portray emotion through your avatar. You can do this on your own server, or during a rehearsal.

Step 4. Trial and error. Use your developed skill set to create your own videos. Don't stress about quality or professionalism early on, everyone has to start somewhere.

Step 5 (optional.) Do collaborations whenever the opportunity arises. It's a great way to develop your skills, meet other film makers, and develop a portfolio. Just be sure that the crew you're working with credits you for your work.

Resources
A collection of commonly used add-ons that make film-making easier.
* Filmbots by Whirlwind: https://blocklandglass.com/addons/addon.php?id=274
* New Duplicator by Ze Blote: https://blocklandglass.com/addons/addon.php?id=562
* Hatmod by Mr.NoBody: https://blocklandglass.com/addons/addon.php?id=1232
* Film HUD (in place of Film Mode): http://orbs.daprogs.com/rtb/forum.returntoblockland.com/dlm/viewFile5cb1.html
* Event Bind Action by Nul: https://blocklandglass.com/addons/addon.php?id=309
Previously Mentioned:

* Newtonian Camera by Port: https://forum.blockland.us/index.php?topic=260986.0
* Control Player by Port: https://forum.blockland.us/index.php?topic=204285.0

Tutorials
A compilation of player-created tutorials.
I've wrangled up a playlist on my YouTube channel dedicated to video-making tutorials. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLij1vdT5DpVzrk4QlE3xzZk3ksCdYnweT
Some of the videos in this may be antiquated, although considering the popularity of older Blockland clients and the B4v21 mod, maybe if you're going for a classic  2007 - 2010 style of machinima, they may serve food-for-thought. Each video series offers different tips, created by different people with different mindsets; therefor you may want to watch multiple videos to get a wider range of information, and if you're still curious you should continue searching for more tutorials.

Film Clans
Creating and joining film clans.
A film clan is a collection of people who all collaborate under the same title, and work on projects as a team. Each film clan is different, sometimes a clan is created just to produce one project or series, and other film clans may form in the spur of a moment. There aren't many concrete rules as to how a film clan needs to be run, what quantifies a film clan, or what indicates that it is successful. These are all subjective, and can vary from clan to clan.

When joining a film clan, it's important to consult the leader(s) to see what their goals, expectations, and methods are. For example: If you're an aspiring, determined film maker who takes film-making seriously, it's best not to join a layed-back film clan where the crew works at their own pace and decides their own goals - and vice versa.

If you plan to create a film clan, you should start out small and work your way up to larger projects. It's best create a video by any means available to demonstrate your capabilities. Utilizing communication services is important to organizing a clan, such as The Blockland Forums, or any instant-messaging program that suites you (Discord is the most popular.) Advertising your film clan should be done anyway you see fit. You'll see many clan leaders advertise on the Clan Discussion section of Blockland Forums, with film clans added to the mix. You can also advertise by word of mouth and watermarking your videos.

Here are a general collection of film clans with open admissions, found both on the forums and through Discord. Listed alphabetically. [Check back later, more will be compiled.]

* BLC: https://discord.gg/9WFCkQM
* Blockbusters: https://discord.gg/f7ve9XZ
*
*
* FAQs
As questions arise, and are frequently asked, they will be addressed here.[/list][/list][/list]

Filipe:
You should add Script_Filmbots in the add-ons list, it allows you to record your movements and then it's replayed as a bot, you can do as many as you want and it can be very useful for when you don't have enough players to join your server, here's a video I made by solely using bots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTPqbKkXdi0

This video was also made with just Filmbots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyznRrfdgN4

Mr.Annoying:

--- Quote from: Filipe on April 30, 2021, 06:00:37 PM ---You should add Script_Filmbots in the add-ons list, it allows you to record your movements and then it's replayed as a bot, you can do as many as you want and it can be very useful for when you don't have enough players to join your server, here's a video I made by solely using bots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTPqbKkXdi0

This video was also made with just Filmbots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyznRrfdgN4

--- End quote ---

Great suggestion! I plan to expand this list and gradually transition from the basics, to the complex (hence why I have dividers to separate topics) and I will definitely add FilmBots down the line. This thread is in its' infancy right now.

Biqus:
What do you use to record blockland

Mr.Annoying:
I use SimpleScreenRecorder, it's a Linux-native program.

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