Storyboarding and Script Writing

[jerichomccoy]

Hey!

And ya'll thought I forgot about ya's eh?

Heh heh, well, I have not been on the reading lists lately because so many other things have been tying me down, however, this one has not!

I want to be able to write a Sci-Fi screenplay based on the Unreal Tournament franchise. More about it www.unrealtournament3.com/ <-Here

However, I'm having a bit of trouble getting it off the ground. In order for me to get this thing going I need a story. Then from a story, a script. A script, storyboarding and concept art. From that, I can get 3D graphic artists, coders, map designers(Set Designers), etc.

So, just wondering...

Should I write down the script as if I was writing down a book, or write it down as if it was a script? Or more importantly, how would I be able to write the story down in the first place?

[JM]

I had to do some script writing for both English Writing and Studies (having to write sequels for things like American Beauty is really difficult), I found the best way was to write scripts is to write it like a book and then rewriting from that story as a script. It takes a lot longer but it gives you a good point to work from and if you need to edit out any huge plot-holes you can do it quickly without needing to change character's personalities over and over again (saves serious time when it comes to writing dialogs).

I do love the idea of making a UT movie, as long as it works out better than Doom then I'm happy. So the biggest piece of advice I can give is to hand out the script and story to as many people you know as possible. Criticism hurts like a b*tch but it gives you enough feedback to get a good demographic of those who will see your film in it's finished state.

If you need any help with it give me a buzz, I've played enough UT (all forms) in my time to out-frag most people and have a bit of writing under my belt.

[Chirugal]

Hmmm, I did a couple of scriptwriting modules the other year, and we were told to get a detailed synopsis written, with every major event from beginning to end, and then write character profiles for all the main characters, and how they react to the world and how they feel about all the other characters. After that, start to write the actual script, once you have it all totally planned out in your head.

Then again, everyone writes in different ways. It didn't really work for me because I just write what comes into my head (this is also why I'll never actually finish anything!).

Anyway, whatever happens, good luck, Jeri! And it's good to see you back.

[jerichomccoy]

Hey Innate, I tried sending you the basic outline of what I had, but your email was wrong or something.

I'll keep checking but is there another way to contact you?

Oh and Chirugal, I did start off writing it out just the way you said. For some reason with me, that works a hell of a lot better. ;D

[JM]

Try [e-mail]
I gave up on the handle a while ago, cutedarkelf was a throwback to when I was playing warhammer. It's still my active email though so I know it works.

[JM]

I've read the outline, and it's a great idea. Lack of budget or serious production facilities could be a problem, although I have seen some amazing work done in the indie field for practically nothing.

A couple of questions though.
1) are you planning to make it Live Action with CGI or just a full computer graphics film? Both have problems and benifits.
2) What sort of budget are you hoping to get and how do you collect it? if your going to make it without a decent budget it's going to take forever to put together.
3) How many people are you going to need for the entire process? Adding up all the actors, CGI developers, set designers, camera people, sound people, wardrobe, editors, coders...etc (even if it's going to be full CGI) will mean you will need a huge amount of people on the team. This is actually a way to get over the budget problem (given that they will be happy to work for pretty much nothing), this is one of the easiest parts of the process, there are thousands of geeks and nerds and just casual gamers and most of them would jump at the chance to get into making the movie.
4)How long do you want the film to be? with all those plot points it's either going to have to be a 2 1/2 hour to 3 hour film, either that or maybe put it together as a mini-series.

Publication of the film/series can wait till it's actually put together and filmed, since it's going to be an indie project (unless you get some investors) you'll be able to distribute the show however you want.

The most important question though, is have you got permission from the makers of UT to make a film of it or are you going to use the idea of UT and produce it under a different title?

[jerichomccoy]

innatemalk said:

I've read the outline, and it's a great idea. Lack of budget or serious production facilities could be a problem, although I have seen some amazing work done in the indie field for practically nothing.

Yay! At least that part is done. Now for the technical stuff.

innatemalk said:

1) are you planning to make it Live Action with CGI or just a full computer graphics film? Both have problems and benifits.

Going to use the Technology of the Unreal Engine 3 www.unrealtechnology.com/html/technology/ue30.shtml In every Unreal game(Except Unreal 2), there is an UnrealEd program that allows you to create your own maps, mods, and other doodads. Going to use that for the gloriousness

innatemalk said:

2) What sort of budget are you hoping to get and how do you collect it? if your going to make it without a decent budget it's going to take forever to put together.

Now, this is a tricky question since I'm going by fan-fare here. If the fans really want to be a part of this, then payment would not be necessary. However, if there is a position which can not be filled by just some average Gamer with little mapping knowledge, then payment to a professional will have to do... and that'll cost money. However, the people should be the only thing to spend money on (And the website to host it on). All other materials the people should have at their computer.

innatemalk said:

3) How many people are you going to need for the entire process? Adding up all the actors, CGI developers, set designers, camera people, sound people, wardrobe, editors, coders...etc (even if it's going to be full CGI) will mean you will need a huge amount of people on the team. This is actually a way to get over the budget problem (given that they will be happy to work for pretty much nothing), this is one of the easiest parts of the process, there are thousands of geeks and nerds and just casual gamers and most of them would jump at the chance to get into making the movie.

Oh yeah. Well, here's the list of what would be needed and/or necessary:

-Concept Artist
-Level Designer(Which will work here as a Set Designer)
-Modeler(They just don't model Characters, but objects as well)
-Texture Artist
-Creature Setup Technician(Implements 'bones' into the Characters so the Animators can have them move)
-Animator(Duh.)
-Programmer(If there is an object that need to move a certain way within the world, a new weapon model that needs to be implemented, or a crazy Super-Boss character that has it's own attack, Programmers will be needed)
-Project Manager (To make sure the people are in order)
-Web Designer (Have to give the public an updated look on the project right?)
-Actor/Actress (Necessary for ANY movie. At least we don't have to worry about buying them Trailers)

Although it would be nice to have specific skilled people in each of these areas, if someone can be a Texture Artist and a Level designer at the same time, then so be it. Just hope no one has to pay extra for it.

innatemalk said:

4)How long do you want the film to be? with all those plot points it's either going to have to be a 2 1/2 hour to 3 hour film, either that or maybe put it together as a mini-series.

An hour and fifty to Two hours and fifteen minutes of action. A mini-series would be good for afterwards, once I have the team together and know not just the team, but for myself that we're dedicated to making it work for an extended period of time.

innatemalk said:

Publication of the film/series can wait till it's actually put together and filmed, since it's going to be an indie project (unless you get some investors) you'll be able to distribute the show however you want.

It's a 'Machinima' in a way because it uses tools from existing stories or material in game format. For more info on what Machinima is, check here > www.machinima.com/article.php?article=430

innatemalk said:

The most important question though, is have you got permission from the makers of UT to make a film of it or are you going to use the idea of UT and produce it under a different title?

www.epicgames.com/fanart.html <--This webpage tells everything one has to know(I hope) on what to do and not do when making something concerning Epics games. For one, there is no money being gained here(Just recognition). Two, we have to make sure that if anyone sees the film, they know it is a fan-made film, not a film endorsed or produced by Epic in any way. Three, do not discriminate or use any characters within the world or worlds of Unreal and call it 'official'(Meaning we won't be able to use Malcolm, Brock, Xan, or Gorge in this film because this film takes place a little bit before UT3's story).

Of coarse, we can't call it "Unreal Tournament the movie" or something like that. It has to have a name of it's own but when people hear the name, they know it's "Unreal" ;D


So right now, it's about getting those main points of the story written down, then going into detail on each part, writing the script, getting the Concept Artist(s), establishing the website, getting all those other dudes(and dudettes) that want in, going here, going there, and then final editing process then Boom! Movie completion.

But another question you might ask is, "UT3 has not come out yet. How will we get all those things together if it is not even out yet."

When it comes out, there will be people playing with the UnrealEd more so then the actual game itself. If we can get the plot line down, the concept art, and all the other specifics, as soon as players have their hands on the UT3, we'll be able to show them exactly how everything should pan out and then we'll be even more ahead of schedule then those waiting for the game to come out before they do something.

Heh heh. Yeah.

(Then when it is completed and more people would like to join in with the Production company, Marianne, I will have to talk to you about the next project ;D )