Thursday, May 28, 2009

For ChaosD1

This is a post for my friend ChaosD1 from the That Guy With The Glasses forums. I realized my replay was WAAAAAAY too long for a normal PM. So I posted it here.

His letter to me was this:

Since you do seem to be the most active, sane and helpful poster/contributor of the site...

I was wondering how you went about making the scripts for your videos. Do you do them in movie script format, or do you do like Yahtzee and Linkara, where you basically just write out a review, and then read it aloud to the camera.

I was thinking about approaching the latter format, but I felt it might turn out sounding unnatural, as well as not being able to properly mark the places where I wish to add certain footage. (Although I've been repeatedly told I talk exactly like I type. Typos and everything.)

I guess what I'm saying is... I need a foothold on where to start, and was wondering where you place your "ground level."

My idea has, and is being actively done (probably better) by a guy on Youtube already, (Hooray for my procrastination gene.) but that doesn't mean I'm not willing to give it a shot. I didn't pay for Fraps for nothing.

Am I rambling again? I always seem to do that...


(laughs) No problems.

You know, I was thinking of putting up a video on how I do my videos so people can see... kinda' like a 'CRIBS' episode.

But lemme write this down. At the end of this message is my latest script. Don't let it out until I have posted the video, but have a look at my video when I post it next week. Then compare what I did to what the script is like. Maybe that will help you.

First I choose a game. Sounds simple enough, but it's really difficult. Not only do I have to like the game, but I have to have played it a lot before and have to have something I want to say about it.

Why do I like it? Key points. What specifically do I think of the graphics? Are there any difficult parts that I think could be out or are just fine?

Then I start on a script. I write it in a way that looks like a movie in my head. I usually have an idea by this time.

Then I go over the script over and over and over and over until I feel good about it.
*Was there anything that's repetitive?
*Is there anything misspelled? (even though I'm reading it... it helps)
*Does the script make sense?
*Does it flow well?
*Is there enough to keep interest?

Then I start filming the game scenes. I hook up my (then Dazzle) to the computer and TV in the computer room and play for about 30-45 minutes. I look at my script while I do this. Is there anything in my script that I need to specifically show? Then I mark that out in the script on my computer in gray background (to show that I have done it).

Why so much footage? I want to show more than just the first level. I want to show a wide variety of things. Maybe I need to show things that you only see in later levels. Maybe I play and I find something cool along the way that I forgot about... that way I can add it to my script.

Then I put it into Final Cut Pro.

Then I set up my cameras. What angles do I want for this video? I usually do a straight on and a 90 degree shot... to mix it up and keep it interesting. I have these marked on my script in bold,

Now I have my script on my laptop and put it in front of me. I used to (before the laptop) print out the whole script and have a Sharpie right next to me. I would tape every page to the table just under the camera and then get up and flip it as I needed it.

Those were my cue cards. Printed out in BIG 40 point type. Anything said on camera was bold. Anything said off-screen was not. But now that I have the laptop, I just place it to the side.

Then I position, white-balance, and focus the camera. Every. Single. Time. I don't know what might have happened before, but EVERY shot is different. Always be prepared.

Then I hit the record button, take my place, and start reading.

Note that I haven't memorized the script? But it's in my head... so I know what I want to say, I just need cues.

So I will look at the script, memorize a sentence or two, and then look at the camera and speak. Then I FREEZE! Have my eyes be the only things that move, look at the script, read another line... OH this one I do part on camera and part off... at the word "buzz" (or something)... so I look back at the camera and start reading again and when I hit the word buzz I can look straight at my script and read everything.

Remember, I know what I want to say... I've worked it over and over. I know how I want to sound. Just do it that way.

Then I take all that footage (usually 30 minutes or so... because I never hit stop even when the phone rings, when the dogs are noisy upstairs, or I flub a line or want to re-do it. This way I have several takes.

Then onto the computer and onto Final Cut Pro.

Then it's just editing. Cutting out pauses and mixing them together. That just takes skill. I have made 12 YCPT videos, 1 PPC video, 4 Ludus videos (my first videos), and 1 rock video (for the Infendo contest) and so I have learned what sounds good and what does not over the montha and months of doing this. Now, it's just your computer skills.

So that's how I do my videos. I hope that helped you. ALWAYS feel free to ask questions. I wouldn't have gotten this far without my best mate Max (Shuuki) who knew the tech and gave good ideas for angles and shots.

If there's anything confusing here, let me know and I will try to clarify it when I do my "How I Do This" video when I shoot this latest video.

Cheers,
JewWario


**********************
SCRIPT
**********************


JUSTIN: (takes off reading glasses and puts down newspaper)Hello, and welcome to a new season of You can play this.

You know, Some of you thought that I go into too much detail in my reviews. So, for those of you out there who like fast straightforward reviews, here you go.

(Speeded up beginning)
(Justin as Deter speaking Sweedish)

J: Meurke meurke braugh (Very very good) Buy it.

(speeded up ending)

J: And now, for the rest of you...

YOU CAN PLAY THIS!


J: (holding paper) See this? This is the list of games I planned on doing this season. Now, watch. (tears it up) Yup. There. Know why I did that? Because I got so many good suggestions for games that I decided to make this whole season user-suggested.

So, we're going to start off this season with a suggestion made by 'retromanpresents', and one of my personal favorite games: Pop'n Music.

Pop'n Music originally came out in the arcades in Japan in 1998 and then onto consoles for the Dreamcast and Playstation 1. From there it has spawned several sequels and add-ons and is now onto its 14th version on the PS2.

Now to play it you need a special controller. You can play it with the normal controller, but it's much more difficult when you start playing the higher levels.

(Justin as Deter)

J: The controls are like bongos.

(Regular Justin)

J: … … ...

(gameplay)

Even if you are color-blind, and I have some friends that are, you can easily play this game as not only are the buttons arranged by color, but are in order from left to right.

Navigating the menus is super-simple as you just use the buttons to back and forth and up and down the options.

(back to Justin)

And of course there is the infectuous music. Each version brings a wide range of various tunes (gameplay) from J-Pop, to Russian Pop, K-Dance, and even Neo Folk Rock.

And there are different characters to represent each genre. They all have their own style and their own animations. The art style is not realistic, but cartoonish and light.

(back to Justin)

Now gameplay is much like a mixture between playing a kettle drum, piano, and bongos. (gameplay) You can start off at a low setting, and, as you get gradually better, you can increase the number of buttons you can use.

Now, navigating the menu will not be challenging at all since all the menus and sub-menus are in English. Many of the menu explanations, mini-games, and special areas are in Japanese... but this game is playable without those extras, so feel free to pass them over.

(back to Justin)

Now some of the more difficult songs will place the pop'n characters very close together. It may not seem the correct move, but the best way to play these is to speed the song up.

(gameplay)

You'll soon figure out the best speed for each song as you play. The way to get to those controls is to press both yellow buttons at this screen. When you have changed the options to your liking, press the red button to start the song.

(Justin)

Now, let me stop here for just a second and address something.

Now, some of you have asked me why I don't review bad games. Well, I'm about to.

You see, in 2008 X-Box live came out with an American version of Pop'n called Be-- (starts to throw up in mouth) Beat 'n Gr--- (same thing but takes a drink of water) Wow. Excuse me... Beat'n Groovy.

(gameplay)

And wow is it bad. I mean, look at what they did to my precious pop'n characters!

Why Americans insist on changing Japanese things to reflect an American ideal, I have no clue. The games are fine the way they are.

They took out the two main characters for crying out loud! My bunny girl... and my kitty girl.

(Justin)

KITTY! (glee)

(gameplay)

Now, while the gameplay is just like pop'n, the music is nowhere near as good as the worst pop'n music song.

So while I will tell you to go out and give this version a try if you must, I will in the same breath tell you to give this one a pass and just import a pop'n game.

(Justin)

So... as we wrap things up... let's enjoy one of my favorite songs. “Scotland” “Dream Parfait” from Pop'n Music 11.

(gameplay)

Audience – Music game enthusiasts will get the most out of this game, but that's not to say that there isn't something for everyone else. If you like hitting buttons and listening to groovy J-Pop, then this is the perfect game for you

Difficulty – With lots of songs for all levels of play, you can definitely grow with this game. Earlier versions are, however, more difficult as Konami was really getting the feel for the genre.

Graphics – Kiddy graphics make this not too spectacular to watch, but it's a music game. You should be concentrating on the game, not on graphics in the background.

Language Difficulty – 1 out of 5 – Even with Japanese extras in each game, I think that this is one game series that can be played by anyone and everyone without any difficulty.

Controls – The controls are basic and simple. As you play longer and get better, the controls will become second nature and you'll see patterns that you didn't see before.

Replayability – With infectuous songs for every version, this is one title you will play over and over and over and over....

Cost – The first games on the Playstation and Dreamcast don't run that much. You can purchase these for fairly cheap. The Playstation 2 games run a bit more, but nothing that isn't affordable. Konami Best versions are even cheaper.

(Justin)

Now out of all the versions, I think that Pop'n Music 11 is my favorite version and the one that I would recommend beginners start with. It's got a great set of music and

Also, if you're interested in making a controller for these games, check out my own pop'n music controller builds.

And as always, thanks for watching. And be sure to leave comments about what you thought of this episode, or of other games you might like to see me play in the future.

(Justin waves)

(cut to Justin in Deter clothes)

Now is the part of You Can Play This where we dance.

(music starts)
(people dancing)
(credits)

You Can Play This!

Starring
JewWario

Written and directed by
JewWario

Sweedish Consultant
Santa Luchia

Edited by
Two Poor Sods

Episode 2.1
'Pop'n Music'

Pop'n Music 1-14
© Konami
1998-2009

Music:
Funk Fujiyama
© Kome Kome Club

K-Dance
From Pop'n 10
© Konami

Scotland
From Pop'n 11
© Konami

Neo Folk Rock
From Pop'n 11
© Konami

Elegoth
From Pop'n 11
© Konami

(credits cut off suddenly)
(funny thing here)
(credits end)
Fin

Friday, May 22, 2009

That Guy With The Glasses

I'm happy to be a part of the Blistered Thumbs group on That Guy With The Glasses.

If you're a new visitor, feel free to comment at their forum HERE or on the comments area below this post.

YOU CAN PLAY THIS!