TRUxHAVENx
02-23-2008, 11:25 PM
Okay so I have put together a few montages, some for fun other for more serious purposes. I do not claim to be an expert so please don't email me with questions about compression or format as I probly don't know. These are just some things that I think about before I plan a montage. They may or may not work for you.
Step 1 - Get Ur Junk
a. Hardware
Okay so you have decided you are gonna capture your gameplay and make an amazing video!! Well how do you do it? There are many options when it comes to video capturing on your computer. A capture card, also called TV tuners is what you need. There are internal cards and external boxes. What system output options you have can limit what cards you buy. If you use S-video on a regular basis and like it, look for a CC that can handle s-video. I am not aware of any HDMI cards but I'm sure they exsist. How the box/card connects to your computer may also be a purchasing factor, internal, firewire, and USB all require certain ports so make sure you have the ones for the card you like. I personally use an Elgato Eye TV 250 USB 2.0 Tuner box.
b. Software
Most CC's will come with their own software but their are some options available online aswell that can access the data stream coming in from your CC.
c. Cables
Make sure you have the necessary cables and such. I used to have my 360 set up on a 12" screen just so it could reach my computer, try to avoid this. Set it up so you can play your best in your normal spot, but still be able to record.
Step 2 - Planning
This may be my OCD coming through but b4 I make a video I like to think of different directions I could go with it. Do I want to try to have a definite begining and end, almost storylike or do I just want straight killing for 4 min. If it is a multi player video consider how I can transition b/t players smoothly. I play the game for an hour or so and consider what would make a good video in relation to the game play. Halo for instance seems to look really good slowed down in spots, while other games look good sped up. In my experience these details can make the difference b/t a good video and a bad one.
Step 3 - Record
a. Let'r Rip.
RECORD ON THE HIGHEST QUALITY, its better to lose quality when you are done then before you begin. You have to understand that you must be recording all the time. If your card has a remote included with it its fine to stop recording during lobbies but you better be recording when the action starts. To many times to count have I stopped recording only to forget to start it up again and I miss an amazing string of kills. Open up your HD cause the data is gonna pile up. OH and don't rush it. It can be overwhelming looking at 10 hours of footage that you know only contains 30 min of useable material but hey, it is worth it in the end.
b. Style
Try recording stylistic bits that may add to the artistic part of your vid...remember art is good. Mix your weapons up, you may not like the shotgun but someone will and seeing their favorite weapon mow some fools down will make them happy...happy is good!!
Step 4 - Edit
a. Rough
Get out your favorite editing program, movie maker, imovie, premier, or final cut to mention just a few. Start cutting your giant clips down. Split them up with sizeable time (2s-4s) before and after the kill. Try to include multi kills as best as often as you can. If their is a big gap (10s-20s) inbetween kills thats okay, keep the entire set. You can speed the middle part up later.
b. Smooth
Take the clips you have roughed out and put them on the timeline and begin to mold them...see art is important. Make them something fun that keeps the watchers attention. Make an intro using some of those unique clips you shot earlier. Use titles and get creative. **PET PEEVE** Okay this is just me but I hate ingame sound in a montage, to me it seems dumb and removes me from the viewing experience**
c. Music
I have been told Rap is a no-no, but I like it so I use it. I have in the past used rock, blues and even classical. Use music that matches in your eyes with the gameplay. Listen to the song you pick a few times over and see if there are any parts you can sync with some of the video. It always looks cool.
Step 5 - Finish
a. Export
You want to save your file in a format that is compatible with the site or sites you will use. Try to save at least one copy as a very high quality copy that you will keep.
b. Pick a site
There are lots to choose from but here are ones I use and like.
http://www.geevee.com
http://www.youtube.com
http://www.wegame.com
http://gameroom.mlgpro.com
http://www.mythica.org
Use mythica if u plan on linking to your video and do not care about stats regarding watchers. Such as a forum signature or something like that. They offer very high quality and are very reliable in my experience.
I hope you enjoy making your montage. Again I am not a professional, I do not claim to be an expert I just like doing it in my spare time. I get many suggestions that I put use for the next video!! I look forward to seeing your videos.
Now heres one of mine. This is not my best work by far but saying that Please vote for this video!! Just click "LIKE IT" It's part of a contest and I would really appreciate the support, sign up is really really quick on this site. All help is greatly appreciated. I have been told that you have too register and then vote for the vote to count, so tack on an extra 15 seconds. And you can just click skip for the referal screen
TRU xHAVENx COD4 MONTAGE (http://www.wegame.com/watch/TRU_xHAVENx_COD_Killz/)
Thanks for readin!!
Step 1 - Get Ur Junk
a. Hardware
Okay so you have decided you are gonna capture your gameplay and make an amazing video!! Well how do you do it? There are many options when it comes to video capturing on your computer. A capture card, also called TV tuners is what you need. There are internal cards and external boxes. What system output options you have can limit what cards you buy. If you use S-video on a regular basis and like it, look for a CC that can handle s-video. I am not aware of any HDMI cards but I'm sure they exsist. How the box/card connects to your computer may also be a purchasing factor, internal, firewire, and USB all require certain ports so make sure you have the ones for the card you like. I personally use an Elgato Eye TV 250 USB 2.0 Tuner box.
b. Software
Most CC's will come with their own software but their are some options available online aswell that can access the data stream coming in from your CC.
c. Cables
Make sure you have the necessary cables and such. I used to have my 360 set up on a 12" screen just so it could reach my computer, try to avoid this. Set it up so you can play your best in your normal spot, but still be able to record.
Step 2 - Planning
This may be my OCD coming through but b4 I make a video I like to think of different directions I could go with it. Do I want to try to have a definite begining and end, almost storylike or do I just want straight killing for 4 min. If it is a multi player video consider how I can transition b/t players smoothly. I play the game for an hour or so and consider what would make a good video in relation to the game play. Halo for instance seems to look really good slowed down in spots, while other games look good sped up. In my experience these details can make the difference b/t a good video and a bad one.
Step 3 - Record
a. Let'r Rip.
RECORD ON THE HIGHEST QUALITY, its better to lose quality when you are done then before you begin. You have to understand that you must be recording all the time. If your card has a remote included with it its fine to stop recording during lobbies but you better be recording when the action starts. To many times to count have I stopped recording only to forget to start it up again and I miss an amazing string of kills. Open up your HD cause the data is gonna pile up. OH and don't rush it. It can be overwhelming looking at 10 hours of footage that you know only contains 30 min of useable material but hey, it is worth it in the end.
b. Style
Try recording stylistic bits that may add to the artistic part of your vid...remember art is good. Mix your weapons up, you may not like the shotgun but someone will and seeing their favorite weapon mow some fools down will make them happy...happy is good!!
Step 4 - Edit
a. Rough
Get out your favorite editing program, movie maker, imovie, premier, or final cut to mention just a few. Start cutting your giant clips down. Split them up with sizeable time (2s-4s) before and after the kill. Try to include multi kills as best as often as you can. If their is a big gap (10s-20s) inbetween kills thats okay, keep the entire set. You can speed the middle part up later.
b. Smooth
Take the clips you have roughed out and put them on the timeline and begin to mold them...see art is important. Make them something fun that keeps the watchers attention. Make an intro using some of those unique clips you shot earlier. Use titles and get creative. **PET PEEVE** Okay this is just me but I hate ingame sound in a montage, to me it seems dumb and removes me from the viewing experience**
c. Music
I have been told Rap is a no-no, but I like it so I use it. I have in the past used rock, blues and even classical. Use music that matches in your eyes with the gameplay. Listen to the song you pick a few times over and see if there are any parts you can sync with some of the video. It always looks cool.
Step 5 - Finish
a. Export
You want to save your file in a format that is compatible with the site or sites you will use. Try to save at least one copy as a very high quality copy that you will keep.
b. Pick a site
There are lots to choose from but here are ones I use and like.
http://www.geevee.com
http://www.youtube.com
http://www.wegame.com
http://gameroom.mlgpro.com
http://www.mythica.org
Use mythica if u plan on linking to your video and do not care about stats regarding watchers. Such as a forum signature or something like that. They offer very high quality and are very reliable in my experience.
I hope you enjoy making your montage. Again I am not a professional, I do not claim to be an expert I just like doing it in my spare time. I get many suggestions that I put use for the next video!! I look forward to seeing your videos.
Now heres one of mine. This is not my best work by far but saying that Please vote for this video!! Just click "LIKE IT" It's part of a contest and I would really appreciate the support, sign up is really really quick on this site. All help is greatly appreciated. I have been told that you have too register and then vote for the vote to count, so tack on an extra 15 seconds. And you can just click skip for the referal screen
TRU xHAVENx COD4 MONTAGE (http://www.wegame.com/watch/TRU_xHAVENx_COD_Killz/)
Thanks for readin!!