Star Trek: Specter

[tnpir4002]

Alright guys, it's time for y'all to help me make a decision

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rep_tnmjJ7s

I've posted a proposed alternate title sequence for Specter. As the video's caption says, I like this approach better because it lets me work in the entire cast instead of just some, plus it introduces us to the Voyager theme which will be reprised numerous times throughout the movie. Using this would mean restructuring Act I so that this appears before the prologue, which would then move directly to "5 Years Later / Mellis II." To me this feels more like how a Trek movie should start than the other format.

Yet, I like the other format too because it's faster-paced and we can keep the structure of Act I exactly the way it is. The drawback is we can't show the entire cast because the TMP/TFF mix isn't long enough, and I think that lengthening it as is would slow things down too much.

I'm asking for feedback on which of the two title sequences you like better? (Acknowledging that while it looks cool, I can't use any of the graphics from the VOY title sequence as seen in the final casting call, so that option is out entirely I'm afraid)

 

[tnpir4002]

Hey everyone! Scene 50A, "Death and Life," is up! You won't want to miss this one, this is the scene that tells us what we're supposed to have learned through this whole adventure. I like to think this is a very compelling scene, but that's up to you, the viewers, to decide! Have a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw8-7MHj76s

 

[Barbreader]

Super, it's been adding to my viewing-in-order list, vis: http://startrekreviewed.blogspot.com/2009/06/94.html

I want to clarify my earlier remark. I was not telling you to either cut or make the story longer. If you feel everything is necessary, and it SHOULD be 2.5-3 hours long, then editing might be to make it into a two-part or 3-part story, i.e. bite sized pieces. I was not saying HOW to edit it, only that most people can improve their own work by editing.

I am currently working on a Sci Fi story (not Trek, and not fantasy, it's sci fi that hasn't forgotten it's science). First draft, 22 pages. Cut by my own edits to 18.5 pages. After comments, it was both cut AND ADDED TO, so that the new version is 20 pages. Sometimes something can be too spare rather than too long. You have to be sure people are seeing everything you intend to convey. In my case, I was much too brief in my description of the life of the people in the town, and folks ignored my few comments about how the down was broken down and poor, so I had to beef up my description.

 

[tnpir4002]

@Barb: it's alright, I got your meaning the first time around! It's interesting to note that the plot we're seeing now evolved from a story plot that called for a 42-minute TV-length episode, but along the way the script got rewritten to add a bunch of things in (stuff like Ensign Hargrove's visit, the EMH's report right after it, etc.) to help develop the characters. People have said several times that this crew, despite all having one voice, has grown on them, so I can only take that to mean those added character moments were successful.

I do plan to try and trim some of the early technical dialogue since only some of it is relevant; some is blind guessing, and some of it is just plain wrong. I've already rewritten that crew briefing right after "Cosmic Castaway," and there may be more--once I finish the movie (which may happen this week), I'm going to sit down and watch it, and look for things that I think can be trimmed.

(Certain forces seem to want me to trim some of the exterior transitional shots, but I've pretty much decided that's not going to happen.)

 

[tnpir4002]

Next one's up folks: Scene 50B, "Captain's Log" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqaDAHmFoZ4

After this, there's the epilogue and end credits, and then, guess what...we're done!!!

 

[tnpir4002]

All that leaves us is the three-part finale! I'm starting on the first third of it tonight, but I'm going to wait to post it until all of it's finished (just trust me, it'll be easier for all of us that way). Be patient, the finale of Star Trek Specter is coming soon! Be ready because this is going to be good!

 

[Barbreader]

I'm excited! Is the next step editing or audio?

 

[tnpir4002]

Editing first--I have my eye on a few things that may need to be redone, which would impact the scripts for the actors, so I want the movie to be absolutely perfect before I bring the voice cast in.

 

[Barbreader]

Cool!

 

[tnpir4002]

Alright folks, the epilogue is up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K99FB9sh6X8

Now all that's missing is the quick flashback that ties everything together plus the credits, and Specter will be done! Forgive the half-rendered backgrounds, but I was in something of a hurry to get this piece up for all to see.

That flashback sequence should go quick, so I expect that within 24 hours this project will AT LAST be complete! After that, on to editing, then VOs, and then...who knows?

 

[Gul Re'jal]

I can't wait for the final "product"

 

[Barbreader]

OK, my listing of your 'draft' video is up: http://startrekreviewed.blogspot.com/2009/06/94.html (Same time, same channel...)

By the way, how did you learn to do this type of detailed animation? Did you take a course, get a whole degree in it, read a book, ... I have been "talking" to somebody who is learning animation, and I know of two places online that teach 'flash' animation, but that is a very poor substitute for they exciting work I am seeing you do, vis: http://www.trekunited.com/community/index.php?showtopic=20167 . If there were someplace I could send this fellow to learn serious animation like yours, I'd love to give him the option.

 

[fleetcaptain]

Wouldn't let me see the credits. Is it still up?

 

[tnpir4002]

@fleetcaptain: credits are not up yet We've got one little piece left before we get to the credits!

 

[tnpir4002]

@barb: I wish I could help, but I'm entirely self-taught, so formal learning resources aren't something I can really help with. The best advice I can offer is to head over to the DAZ'3D website and join their discussion boards. BryceTalk and 3D WIPs are full of threads by new artists just beginning to make their mark. The new version of Bryce has some amazing new capabilities, so it's a perfect time to join up and start animating!

 

[Barbreader]

Thank you! It's such an enormous task!

 

[tnpir4002]

Alright folks, the thrilling and emotional finale of the movie is up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho-ivxyLJg0

 

[fleetcaptain]

I actually ment title instead of credits. Was kind of sleepy at the time I said it. I tried to watch it from your page on tube but wasn't even playing.

 

[Barbreader]

Does that replace 50A-51? I'm confused! Tell me (by name or number) which scenes this replaces, because I've clearly already seen some of this. Oy!

 

[tnpir4002]

I just noticed a discrepancy in the titles I have up, so I'm going to make sure I get this letter-perfect (I'd been up for 18 hours when I named it so that's why):

Specter v11 v2 Scenes 50-51: "Finale / A Single Decision" replaces Specter v11 v2 Scene 51: "Epilogue" but nothing else. The beginning of the longer clip includes a "clean" version of the epilogue, with fully rendered background plates and such.