Movies and skits! (video capture, FRAPS)

[vinnyq]

Rewording to present the interesting questions first

- Are there any players interested in starting an Acting Troupe? To put on regular skits and plays? If there is, I am interested in starting a group. It won't be a guild, more like an organization that just regularly meet and organize plays, skits, etc. Sorta like an Acting Club in SoR

We can put on shows related or not related to the Ryzom Lore. We can write up short little plays or skits to act out and people can attend for viewing. Have a regular Play Night on the stage in Pyr or Arena in Matis etc.

I am even thinking of running around Pyr with my camera (the FRAPS software, if I ever learn how to use it properly) and make scripted movies.

It's possible just to have a short script, do several takes of certain scenes, move on, then later edit them all into one big movie. We can start small, like re-enacting a few Monty Python and the Holy Grail scenes

Later there can be more original player-wrote scripts for players to act out.

So, wut do y'all think? Is this a bit too ambitious?

~~~
the next bit are techies questions regarding video capture softwares
~~~

I have seen people done in-game SoR video captures, and have got pointed to FRAPS as the software to use. I have downloaded it and tested it out, and it's pretty nifty. You start the software and it runs in the background, then you start the game. The software doesn't do any video capturing until you hit a hot key (default F9) which then starts the camera rolling. There are noticable lags when it's capturing video on my system, but my system isn't that state of the art. But if you are not rolling the camera, the game runs fine.

I have a few questions for any knowledgable homins out there.

- I can only capture about 30 seconds at a time. Why is this? Is it because I am on the trial version?

- The resulting AVI files are HUGE! 30 seconds of video time = approx 500MB. Is there a way to lower the file size? Or are there compression tools out there to shrink the file?

- What software do you use to edit the movie? You know, to add effects, music, cut and edit the movie, throw in flying text, etc.

[xenofur]

for now i'll redirect you to http://www.doom9.org and stress the points that you should use virtualdub and ffdshow to compress the videos, if you want i can post a comprehensive guide later on

[vinnyq]

yes yes me want! Thanks xenofur!

[lyrah68]

That sounds fun, I noticed in the character select screens that the "toons" emote a BUNCH of stuff I have yet to figure out, I would like to know which particular emotes that those are?

On live my main character is a Fyrosian Female with most ALL tickets or spawn spots (there are a few PR's that I don't have, but with help...I could get them).

I haven't been playing much due to the fact that the game isn't FUN any more, it isn't even slightly fun, but I think having a play company in game would be TONS of fun. Could we do melodrama too? What about comedy?

[keoni]

We can start small, like re-enacting a few Monty Python and the Holy Grail scenes

What... is your name?

What... is your quest?

What... is the airspeed of a fully laden swallow?



(put me down as a definite maybe)

[xenofur]

http://sourceforge.net/project/showfile ... _id=274595 <- download ffdshow 2004 here (if you want you can also search for nightlies that have been compiled in 2005)
http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/virt ... p?download <- download virtualdub here
install both
prepare sound, preffered is mp3 format, never uncompressed wav! write down the size of the sound
plan approx. size of the video(5-15 MB per minute), substract size of the audio and write down result
run virtualdub
open the uncompressed video
Video -> Full processing mode
Video -> Compression
choose ffdshow Video Codec
click Configure
choose mode "two passes - 1st pass" in the top right
choose any encoder Encoder, my recommendation: "XviD 1"
set FOURCC appropiately (not really important)
click ok twice
File -> Save as AVI
enter filename and write it down
click ok
walk away and make a coffee or pizza, depending on your cpu
when done:
Video -> Compression
choose ffdshow Video Codec
click Configure
choose mode "two passes - 2nd pass int" in the top right
use the slider below that to set the target video size, which was written down above
click ok twice
File -> Save as AVI
enter the filename you wrote down above
click ok
walk away and make a second coffee or eat the pizza prepared above, depending on your cpu
when done:
open the video you just saved
Video -> Direct Stream Copy
Audio -> Direct Stream Copy
Audio -> Wav Audio...
choose the prepared sound file
File -> Save as AVI
enter final filename
click ok
look out your window or make another coffee depenfing on your hdd speed

that's it, show's over, video's done =)

[ambika]

That would sound like lots of fun!

I'd participate. Though, I admit, my acting is subpar. >.>

[lyrah68]

My acting isn't bad, unless gross OVER acting is counted *chuckle*. I wasn't joining to earn an award or anything, just make friends and be silly from time to time. If I happen to get in front of a camera...mores the joy!

Ham! Who me?! *guilty grin*

[ferratu]

What... is your name?

What... is your quest?

What... is the airspeed of a fully laden swallow?



(put me down as a definite maybe)

What do you mean? an african or european swallow?


What? I don't know that!

[vinnyq]

yay particpants!

Thanks xeno for the compress and sounds intruction. What about editing video softwares? And text effects?

Lyrah, Keoni, ambika, what are y'all in-game names?

I need to think a bit on how to organize the Troupe. Glad to see people wanting to particpate

I am thinking to initially meet one weekend to talk things out. Decide how we should meet up and plan rehearsals etc to fit each other schedule, and how to plan on communication. Probably just create a thread somewhere or use another forum or emails.

I think I'll just decide now and call it The Atys Traveling Troupe.