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Aspenfox

Aspenfox

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If you're replying to me I was talking about "CamStudio" Not Camtasia Studio :P ... People seem to get the two mixed up all the time but they're actually two completely different recording programs. >.< CamStudio is free, there's not a trial of it, and it doesn't have a watermark at the top. I use it all the time and i'm pretty satisfied with it.

02-Feb-2010 23:02:35

Beagle Boy

Beagle Boy

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@logdotzip - For some reason I can't upload in .AVI format but .MP4 works fine, and HD. :D Also, Adobe Premiere Pro said it was 30.00 seconds, YouTube says 31.00 :P So I just shaved it down to 29.24 seconds, hopefully YouTube sees it as 30.00!

02-Feb-2010 23:07:15

Logdotzip
Dec Member 2020

Logdotzip

Posts: 1,051 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
I thought I would go ahead and add some tips (Well, a LOT) to the thread that everyone can use. Hopefully a Jmod monitoring the thread can link this, as well as the tips Chiszle put earlier, on the front page.

Audio Tips -
1 - Adding voice to text is very important in Machinima-making today. Most computers should already come with their own voice recording option, however some video editors have some built-in with more features. A very excellent audio recorder is "Audacity", which is free. I don't know if it works for Macs, sorry! This program is great for recording with a low file size, yet maintains a high quality. You can remove noise (grainy static-y sounds), change pitch, volume, even splice together clips or add them to one another.
2 - There is only so much noise cancelling in an audio recorder can do. If it's important to you, you may want to spend the pocket change for a good microphone / headset. You can get some good noise-cancelling, high quality headsets for about 20 american dollars.
3 - Depending on what type of video you're doing, try to use music with little or no spoken word with it, as that can sometimes interrupt the dialogue of the video you are working on. If you're doing an RSMV however, the lyrics in the song are an obvious choice. Although it would be interesting to see an RSMV with no lyrics, it might actually be an RSMV I like for once!
4 - Most video editing programs can speed up or slow down the length of a clip, as well as pitch. However, DON'T go overboard! - You may think your chipmunk voice is cute, but it gets old verrrryyy fast. Slowing down a short audio clip can more often times than not cause a nasty distortion that takes away from the overall quality of the clip. If you find yourself running out of accents to use, grab a friend and have them send you some clips! Most instant messaging programs allow for audio clips to be recorded in the program so you get immediate feedback on how the clip sounds.

02-Feb-2010 23:24:38 - Last edited on 03-Feb-2010 02:05:17 by Logdotzip

Logdotzip
Dec Member 2020

Logdotzip

Posts: 1,051 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
..continued from the previous post..
5 - It's very important to make sure the music you're using or plan to use will not be removed. Viacom and Warner Music Group (WMG) are infamous for promptly muting and removing any property owned by their label, this including music. It may be worth your time to just type the name of the band, group, or artist that plays the song you plan to use on a site like W*kipedia. From there you will find out that group's record label, which can help you determine if it belongs to WMG or not. I do, however, recommend you instead use non-copyrighted music for your music instead. Get in the habit of it, too, that way muted audio won't be something you have to worry about. If you make RSMVs, you're pretty much out of luck on this one.
Recording Tips -
1 - There are many good video recording programs. Among the most used are Hypercam2, Camtasia, and Fraps. Hypercam2 is free, but the overall quality of the recording is very lacking, and a watermark is placed in the corner of your recording (Which you can crop out, though). Camtasia and Fraps both cost money, however Camtasia offers a 30 - Day free trial for all their software, including the video recorder. Fraps provides fullscreen recording with the least system use, and the highest quality. However, and it is a big however, the file sizes are ENORMOUS, you can ONLY record the entire game, and the free version I believe can only record 30 second clips at a time, and places a small watermark at the top of your recording. You may want to look into CamStudio. (TY Aspenfoxx)
2 - Depending on your level of dedication, you may find it better to record in-game without using text, and adding it in yourself. This isn't for everyone however. Adding your own text in is not the best choice, because, to put it bluntly, most videos I see with added text in, they all look horrible. Honestly, if you suck at it, stay away from it. It REALLY takes away from the video. I'll go more into adding text later.

02-Feb-2010 23:24:54 - Last edited on 02-Feb-2010 23:28:43 by Logdotzip

Logdotzip
Dec Member 2020

Logdotzip

Posts: 1,051 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
..continued from the previous post..
3 - Try to only have open windows you absolutely need, typically only the Runescape game and your recording program. The less things you have open, the more resources you have free to use and record with. This will reduce recording lag for most computers.
4 - Try to maintain a camera angle that doesn't move. Make your actors move instead. Which also means, as often as you can, have someone dress up as you to act, instead of you doing it. This prevents the camera from moving. The Orb of Oculus is perfect for this.
5 - Closeups add a nice touch to any Machinima. The Orb of Oculus allows for great closeups, however there are still the old, unconventional methods of closeups, like at Mudskipper's point for example. Sometimes those work better than the Oculus. Be Creative!
Editing Tips -
1 - BE SUBTLE. The editing should NOT be what your video is about. Editing should COMPLEMENT the video, it should enhance it, not be it. Trust me, Super intense white glows, swirrled images, Pan/Cropping the scene to hell, Color Gradients, etc. look HORRIBLE if done improperly. Unfortunately, most people edit improperly, throwing on effect after effect until you're not even sure whether you're watching a Runescape video, or having an acid trip. Less is more, more is less.
2 - When adding in your own text, instead of using the in-game font, please for the love of everyone, at the very least use the proper font! It seems a lot of people use the RS chatbox font, which is... well... what is in the chatbox. The font that appears over players head is a lot bolder. To get proper RS fonts, "Deretythe" on Youtube has download links to them. (Make sure to run an antivirus scan, just to be sure! Although they were safe downloads for me.) Once you've done that, take pride in the text. Make it consistant, place it properly, when your character moves, make sure to move the text with it. Timing is everything, make the text appear as the line is said.

02-Feb-2010 23:25:09 - Last edited on 03-Feb-2010 02:05:03 by Logdotzip

Logdotzip
Dec Member 2020

Logdotzip

Posts: 1,051 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
..continued from the previous post..
3 - A lot of Machinima makers take advantage of the obvious lack on a language filter when they upload their content to Youtube. Let me tell you, if you need to use foul language to be funny, then you are not funny. Just because the opportunity is there, doesn't mean you HAVE to take it. Foul language typically takes away from the video, unless used in proper context. Keep in mind, Youtube's age policy is loosely enforced (as is Runescape's), so just remember, there may be children watching your videos. Be responsible, and set a good example.
4 - Make use of your POH to Chroma-Key (GreenScreen) yourself and others. Set your ground decoration to off, go to your house, assuming it's not in Pollnivneach, and record what you need to on the green background. When you open it up in a program like Sony Vegas, drag an instance of Chroma Key on the clip, and adjust the sliders as you need to until all the green is gone. If you're wearing items that are green, you may run into some problems. You have also have somewhat of a Bluescreen at Mudskipper's point to use if your outfit contains green.
5 - Be Original! No one wants to see the same junk rehashed over and over and over!


Anyways I hope these tips helped some of you, and I hope a Jmod can refer back to these posts on the initial page's "Notice Board"
Thanks everyone! And keep on churning out the Machinimas!

02-Feb-2010 23:25:41 - Last edited on 02-Feb-2010 23:31:15 by Logdotzip

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