Gaming movie

[Telos]

I'm starting to do a gaming movie and I would like to hear some ideas of how to make it stand out from the growd. Usually gaming movies are just few special effects and then some audio sync with the happenings in the video but that's it. I want to do something different. I have few ideas of myself already but I''m still working them since I don't know if they are technically possible to do. I think the audio sync is very important part of the video but what means are there? I want more than just syncing the "frags" to music. I want the video to have special effects with the music and something more if you know what I mean. So basicly I'm just asking tips and suggestions. What kind of effects do you like and like to see? Thanks in advance.

[Mike Thorpe]

That's a very very broad question, and not an easy one to answer. It's like asking "how do I make a good film?"

If I'm being honest, there's a limit to how interesting a gaming movie can be, and a limit to what you can do, because obviously you can't choreograph the scenes. As tempting as it might be, don't try to dazzle people with as many different special effects as you can throw at it, but make sure you have a massively thumping soundtrack... the more obscure the better really. And syncing is important too in something like this. Try to keep the scenes as short as possible, people have a very short attention span. Don't linger on any specific scene. Personally i'd try to keep it short and snappy, under a minute maybe.

Also, if you have any in game audio commentary recorded, occasionally putting bursts of that over the top of the music would work, especially if it's an excited sounding person

Start with your second most impressive scene, and end with your most impressive scene.

Finally, all I can say is have a look at videos that other people have done, and do what the good ones have done, and avoid what the crap ones have done