|
|
Post by Casey on Apr 28, 2009 22:37:35 GMT
Hello all...
So I've been really thinking over the logistics of this project, being the organized guy that I am. Now I know that no one wants to introduce unnecessary bureaucracy... least of all me. But stop and think about it: this project is HUGE. If we are really planning on doing full voice parts, sound effects, music, and a transitioned picture presentation, then we're going to HAVE to divide up the work or we won't see a chapter done for a year. And trust me, many people will lose interest if that's the case.
So in the interests of making sure that we're not biting off more than we can chew, I think we need to make "official" teams for the various sub-projects, so that people can start really focusing on their area and start producing some work. The way it seems to me is there are four distinct areas of work that need to be done: Voice, Music, Sound Effects, and Visuals.
For starters what I think we should do is determine who is going to be the "shepherd in charge" of each of these divisions and have those people talk about how they're going to proceed. These would be positions that you can expect are going to take a significant amount of time and dedication, for if any of these components falls by the wayside, then the whole project comes grinding to a halt like a giant walking robot with one bad leg.
I would also like to suggest that these four people are going to be the ones responsible for assembling and completing the finished, polished product, for if any problems are discovered when assembling the final film, those people are going to need to know how to fix them, and quickly.
So far I seem to have been spearheading the vocal quadrant, and I'm happy to continue to do so. I believe that I have the time and resources to get the voice talent coordinated, recorded, and polished. I'll talk later in this thread about the assistance that I would like to have in this department.
Sandjosieph, one of the early proponents of this project, has been leading the music side of this and I think he is well suited to be one of the four producers, because he's got a strong sense of where the final product should be heading. He's been getting assistance on the music side but I think we should talk, later in this thread, about getting an official team on that.
The sound effects, Nikita has offered to put in some effort, but Nikita, if you're out there and reading this, please post here because we never talked about the extent to which you wanted to run this side of things, and I know collecting all those SFX is going to be time consuming and difficult, especially if you have to produce some from scratch. If you're willing to be fully in charge of this, please let us know, and let's look for people to assist you!
As for the assembly of the visuals... we have NO ONE officially tagged to do this currently. I know that I could do a great job at it, and I think Sand could too, but let's be realistic: That's too much work for either one of us! I'm MORE than willing to put that into someone else's hands to free me up to focus on what I'm already doing, and I expect that Sand will feel the same way. Besides that, this is a community project, so I think we should really spread this out to as many people as want to help... assuming, of course, that they have the time and commitment.
The visuals aren't such an easy-peasy task... we would need someone who is willing to clip each of the frames in each of the pages, time them to the dialogue, use appropriate cuts and transitions when needed (or do page-panning for certain pages like full-page pictures where the action flows without frames)... If you know what I'm talking about, or you have experience with this sort of thing, and most importantly if you have the TIME and the dedication to take on this part, please step forward!
I'll probably have other thoughts throughout this thread, but let's get on the ball on this, because production for the vocal part begins in earnest next week, and production for music and sound effects could and should be already underway!
PLEASE post any and all thoughts you have, all of you. We need fresh blood and enthusiasm to keep this project rolling forward!
|
|
|
|
Post by sandjosieph on Apr 28, 2009 23:37:14 GMT
It actually may be easier if we focus on the audio parts of the project and keep the visuals on the side, especially if we do this as a read-along. That way, we don't overload ourselves.
|
|
|
|
Post by Casey on Apr 29, 2009 5:29:43 GMT
So focus on the three aspects of the audiofile, and then see if we want to add the visuals later, in case we want to make YouTube videos... that's not a bad idea.
Of course we could also take that one step further and say that, officially, we're focusing on the audio part, and if anyone wants to work on the visual part on their own, then once we get the audio done, we can see what they've been working on.
In general though I think you have a very good point. If we have to wait until the visual aspect is all coordinated and timed and stuff before we release any product, then it would be a long time before we could show off the fruits of our labors... whereas the visual component can be added on after the fact if anyone wanted to take it to that level.
So I'm on board with the idea of focusing strictly on the audio portion for the time being. I'm interested to hear what others think too.
|
|
|
|
Post by nikita on Apr 29, 2009 9:38:29 GMT
If we focus on the audio-version, it should be no problem to later add the panels *if* we keep in mind that the comic is divided into panels. I'll be happy to coordinate the sound effects, although there is a lot of community effort and no strong hierarchy in this task.  What I'm wondering about is: Who is going to put it all together? I think this is something we should decide on a by-chapter basis. I'd be willing to try one chapter maybe, but I'll not take responsibility for this for the whole project. Notice that whoever does this faces not only the problem of gluing audio files together, but also has to decide when and how loud voices, music and sounds appear. I think there may be some substantial discussion about this for each chapter as everyone has a different idea of what the result should sound like. |
|
|
|
Post by Ulysses on Apr 29, 2009 12:10:21 GMT
I'd be no good with the audio (something you can easily tell from my auditions *ahem*) but I had fun doing the visual frames. If at the moment the visuals are just a hypothetical extra then I'd be even happier to be on the team, I wouldn't feel rushed and stressed about it. I doubt I'd make a good 'shepherd' as you put it but I'd gladly be on a visuals team if we have one.
Although, I don't know how to do the page-panning thing...
|
|
|
|
Post by Casey on Apr 29, 2009 16:24:48 GMT
Nikita, my thinking was that the people who would put it all together would be you, me, and Sand, as we each bring our third of the audio track. Whomsoever is the actual one sticking them together in a program, we could just rotate on that, sure. But my thinking is that we would assemble the bits in an audio stream, then the three of us listen to it and see if the assembler missed something (like, say, a sound effect is mis-timed) until the three of us are satisfied with it.
Ulysses, as far as the visual aspect... I was thinking about what Sand and I said earlier and I am going to change my position on it slightly. The whole point of dividing up the work like we are is so that we each only have to worry about our own area. Therefore, it shouldn't be up to me or Sand whether or not someone works on the visuals. I think the audio team is going to aim to make the audio track a "finished product" and release it for everyone's enjoyment. And once we have, if you then want to take that file and put the visuals to it, PLEASE by all means do! In the end, I personally want to see this as visual+audio, but I (and Sand I assume) don't have time to focus on both things. So if you want to pick up that ball and run with it, I definitely encourage that. In fact, if I do have any time to help you I will. Let's keep this on the table, then, and kind of see where we stand once we get at least the first chapter's audio squared away.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ulysses on Apr 29, 2009 16:40:08 GMT
Oh yes, I see. I obviously need to learn to read better *blush* That's groovy, I'll stockpile comic frames in my spare time, then if it comes to it we can attach the audio to them. I like the sound of that.
|
|
|
|
Post by Casey on Apr 29, 2009 16:44:17 GMT
No no good sir, you read correctly the first time... I'm just amending my statement after further reflection.
|
|
|
|
Post by Casey on Apr 30, 2009 3:50:35 GMT
For myself on the vocal side, I'll be looking for the help of a few people. I know that in the original thread, there were a couple of folks who said they had some experience with voice coaching. My intention is to go forward with using a voice chat utility, most likely Ventrilo, to get together with the vocal talents to iron out the voice direction of the various lines. This means each of the chosen vocal talents will need to get the program (but it's free). And when we have those sessions, I would like to have a couple of people help me make suggestions and feedback on the delivery of the lines.
I'm going to eventually scour that thread for the names of those who volunteered to do that, but if any of you are reading, please go ahead and step forward.
The purpose of this thread is to assemble the three various audio teams (and if Ulysses wants to assemble a visual team, this would be the place to do that too.) Then, once we have those teams, each segment can retreat to their own production thread to coordinate, leave status updates, etc. This will make it a lot easier for people to keep track of what's going on than to just bunch it all into one thread.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ulysses on Apr 30, 2009 9:18:12 GMT
Cool, I'll jump right in then.
Visual team announcement
I am looking for:
- Someone who knows how to do page-panning, because I have no idea.
- People who like messing about in Paint/Photoshop/whatever. I only have Paint but as at this point we're only separating the frames out that's about as complicated as it needs to be.
I'd also like to know if anyone has a better way of storing the frames than I do. The ones I used for my auditions are just saved in Pictures as JPGs, using between 8 and 21 kb. Can I condense this down further? If we do the visuals there will be a lot of frames, so I want them taking up minimal space, I only have a laptop.
I'll PM people who want to sign up rather than have whole conversations here - this thread is for every team, after all, I don't want to hog it.
Currently on Visuals Team
- Ulysses - 'Shepherd', but only because I was the first to sign up. I'll happily give my seat up to someone better at organising than me.
- Miri
|
|
Miri
Full Member
Posts: 211
|
Post by Miri on Apr 30, 2009 10:58:47 GMT
Cool, I'll jump right in then. Visual team announcementI am looking for: - Someone who knows how to do page-panning, because I have no idea. - People who like messing about in Paint/Photoshop/whatever. I only have Paint but as at this point we're only separating the frames out that's about as complicated as it needs to be. I'd also like to know if anyone has a better way of storing the frames than I do. The ones I used for my auditions are just saved in Pictures as JPGs, using between 8 and 21 kb. Can I condense this down further? If we do the visuals there will be a lot of frames, so I want them taking up minimal space, I only have a laptop. I'd been separating panels already and I'd be glad to help more, assuming I'm reading this right (I have that probelm, too) - I have Paint on this comp, which is what I've been using for my auditions, and then Paintshop downstairs so I'd be able to compress them without killing them (Paint's no good for that). I have a lot of the Jones panels and almost all of the Suicide Fairies' first appearance as single panels--I've just been saving them as .png files until now. If you want me to go ahead and start splicing somewhere specific, please let me know. =) |
|
|
|
Post by Casey on Apr 30, 2009 16:40:05 GMT
Hey guys:
Irfanview.
Check it out, you'll thank me later!
(Specifically: drag to select an area, Edit:Crop Selection, Save as: maximum quality JPG. Your life will never be easier!)
P.S. Feel totally free to start a Visual Production Thread, if you haven't already (I haven't read all posts yet.)
|
|
|
|
Post by xanbcoo on Apr 30, 2009 20:02:03 GMT
For myself on the vocal side, I'll be looking for the help of a few people. I know that in the original thread, there were a couple of folks who said they had some experience with voice coaching. My intention is to go forward with using a voice chat utility, most likely Ventrilo, to get together with the vocal talents to iron out the voice direction of the various lines. This means each of the chosen vocal talents will need to get the program (but it's free). And when we have those sessions, I would like to have a couple of people help me make suggestions and feedback on the delivery of the lines. I would love to help with the audio/voice direction side, in some form. Put my name on that list. Actually, I don't know how much time I would have to actually be in charge of any specific job, but I'll gladly lend help to any one of the production teams. Also, I think it was sandjosieph who made that short example video using the robot music. What did you use for that?? |
|
|
|
Post by nikita on Apr 30, 2009 21:29:30 GMT
The Sound Effects Team.. needs some more people too. The cool thing is that you can contribute even if you don't speak english well enough to take a vocal part! We basically need people who collect sound effects for the comic by - Searching the internet or - Going outside and record sounds we need or - Modify or mix existing sounds to create new unique sound effects In particular, I'm looking for one or two people who are willing to help me with this task. Preferably someone who owns some good equipment to record sounds we can't find on the internet. We also have a thread here: gunnerkrigg.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=talk&thread=613&page=1#21519 where anybody can throw in sounds he/she has recorded or found. |
|
|
|
Post by sandjosieph on Apr 30, 2009 23:01:43 GMT
For myself on the vocal side, I'll be looking for the help of a few people. I know that in the original thread, there were a couple of folks who said they had some experience with voice coaching. My intention is to go forward with using a voice chat utility, most likely Ventrilo, to get together with the vocal talents to iron out the voice direction of the various lines. This means each of the chosen vocal talents will need to get the program (but it's free). And when we have those sessions, I would like to have a couple of people help me make suggestions and feedback on the delivery of the lines. I would love to help with the audio/voice direction side, in some form. Put my name on that list. Actually, I don't know how much time I would have to actually be in charge of any specific job, but I'll gladly lend help to any one of the production teams. Also, I think it was sandjosieph who made that short example video using the robot music. What did you use for that?? I actually used a combination of programs, one being Cakewalk's Sonar Home Studio 4 (to create the music) and Sony's Vegas Movie Studio 6.0 (to create the visuals). Also, I'm probably going to divide up the jobs of the music into two parts: One part being scene specific stuff (where the music is written specifically for the panels and pages) and basic songs that can be used repeatedly for various things. |
|
|
|
Post by sandjosieph on May 1, 2009 16:47:47 GMT
Last night, I talked with a friend who is developing his website, and he's willing to help me launch my own site, just for this project. I'm waiting for Tom's permission. We'll still probably use this forum to discuss and coordinate and use the new site to upload audio files and videos. If this goes through, I'll need a list of what the site will need.
|
|
|
|
Post by Casey on May 1, 2009 17:13:32 GMT
The effort is appreciated, Sand, but at least for my part of the project, I'm going to stick to right here. I am wary, from past experience, of spreading ourselves over more than one medium. We did that once, with a WoW guild I was in, and invariably one of the two falls into neglect, and those that only check one of the two end up missing something.
However! That being said, having simply some accessible storage space online--a place where people could upload and download files without having to mess with an FTP interface that some of our participants might not be familiar with--would be grand, and I'm all for that. Especially for the music and sound effects... you're not going to want to have to make a YouTube video for every new bit you come up with just so people can hear it.
So, something like a file tree, that shows what files have been uploaded, and makes it very easy to upload and download files, would be GREAT. However as I said, I would advise against using it for anything other than the distribution of files.
|
|
|
|
Post by sandjosieph on May 1, 2009 17:18:40 GMT
I hear ya. So a place for distributing files around among users, nothing flashy?
|
|
|
|
Post by Casey on May 1, 2009 17:26:54 GMT
Yeah, it would be great to be able to offer auditioners a place to just simply upload their audio files for their auditions. That way they don't have to learn how to use Movie Maker or whatever to upload it to YouTube, and also, we get just the audio which I think is a good thing because I would hate for someone's quality of video-making to be even subconsciously judged in a vocal audition.
If you do go through with this, I will change the info in the Auditions first post to indicate how and where to upload their audio files to the new server.
Oh, hey! Another thought. Could you see if your friend knows anything about setting up a Ventrilo server? The server version of the program is free, with a limited number of simultaneous users (I want to say it's ten) which is more than I think we'll ever have at a time.
|
|
|
|
Post by tyroney on May 8, 2009 16:36:18 GMT
I recently started a job where I'm dealing with HD filming and video production in general. I bet I could make the time, and I have useful tools at my fingertips. (sony vegas is pretty sweet, btw)
And if a server is secured, I have experience getting things like that working. (I've successfully set up three different flavors of forums, 5+ game servers, (win and linux,) oekaki site, and other stuff)
|
|
|
|
Post by Casey on May 8, 2009 16:41:25 GMT
I will point you towards Sandjosieph for the server stuff, and Ulysses for the visuals stuff! Great to have you want to be a part of this!
|
|
