Fallout
12-10-12, 08:25 AM
Ok boys and girls, here's the deelio.
What is the film?
The film is a short video (5 mins approx) to promote my game and secure funding for it. The video is pretty important because if successful it guarantees me work for the next 9ish months! The majority of the video will be game footage with a voice over from me, but there are interview sections with 'extras' and that's where you lot come in! The game is a tongue in cheek ultra violent game show romp with a cheeky commentator voice over. The film will reflect this feel with an amusing script and silly scenes from the extras to keep it all light hearted.
When is it getting done?
Ideally, it needs to be completed in 2-3 weeks. So lets aim for the end of the month.
Where will it be filmed?
I'm about to start scouting locations, but it will be in and around the GM zone.
Required Characters
- Random 1
- Random 2
- Off Screen Hand
- Bert the Cleaner
- Overly Excited Gamer
- Randy McBane
- Lovely Assistant
- Starving Artist
- Arena Builder
- Pyro
- Fireman
- Ninja
- Soldier
- A bunch of random killers
- Fancy dress fools
Most of these roles can be done by the same people. This is how I see the ideal scenario:
- Randy McBane is a unique actor because he's a well defined character
- The two people who play Two Randoms can also play various disguised people like the ninja and soldier or anyone wearing a costume. That will separate them enough from the two nodding randoms.
- One additional person could play individual characters like Bert the Cleaner and the Starving Artist so we don't see the same faces too often.
- Anyone else can join in, but I think I'll be lucky to get 4 actors so that's what I'm aiming for!
1. Two Randoms
There are two scenes were two people simply look at each other, nod and then look back at the camera. They're simply quick few second scenes where they're responding to the following questions (which are at different points in the script):
"Do you remember old skool top down arcade games like Super Smash TV? Well our mission is to bring that awesome playability back to you with a modern feel and 10 times the depraved madness. Sound good so far?"
And
“What a guy! So, you still with me?"
They just provide mild comedy relief. I'm asking the audience these questions and you're playing 2 audience members responding with a nod. A half interesting facial expression would be useful. EASY ROLES!
2. Off Screen Hand
Easiest roll of all. After I say "Gain glory, satisfy the audience and most importantly of all, earn a big fat massive wedge of cash." someone off screen hands me a tenner. A pair of marigolds or fluffy gloves may have to be warn!
3. Bert the Cleaner
After my line: "We showed neither compassion for our enemies, nor consideration for the arena cleaner Bert." we cut to bert, a bloke with a mop and bucket in overalls looking disgruntled. No dialogue. Just a dress up and look upset role. Easy peasy!
4. Overly Excited Gamer
After my line: "Then during a particular bout of crazed self commentary along the lines of ... " we cut to the crazed gamer. He is someone lost in the moment, imagining themselves in the game, shouting at the screen like you do. You'll be dressed up to look as bad ass as possible, and have to stand there simulating a berserker hip firing rampage, killing people left and right with a gun. The line:
“YEAAH! YEAAHH! GET SOME!! GET SOME!!”
The scene only lasts a few seconds. The more nam like and stalone-ish the better. I wish we could get a prop m60 or equivalent.
5. Randy McBane - Commentator
This is the biggest part (apart from my limelight hogging, obviously!). Randy is the game commentator and is voice acted by an American radio DJ. He's proper deep and brash, like an American football commentator. He's an ex arena veteran so pretty hard in his retirement! The right person for this would:
- be at least medium/average build (not skinny or short)
- be confident enough to perform animated body language during the lines
- be able to do a half decent job at lip syncing
All the lines are pre-recorded by the voice actor. Randy will be required to lip sync to these lines, but will have the benefit of a microphone he can hold up and obscure his mouth with. This will hide any imperfections in the performance!
Optional Additional:
Lovely assistant eye candy to hang off Randy McBane's arm as he talks. Someone capable of at least subtle posing and smiling. Easy peasy. Clothing quantity as little as she's comfortable with. I'm happy with bikini, dress or even jeans + t-shirt.
6. Starving Artist
Another piece of urine role. After I say: "If you back our project we’ll actually be able to pay out artists, and once they can afford to feed themselves they might actually do some work." we cut to a scene of an artist. He's holding an empty tin of dog food and a fork and looks up with surprise as if he's just been caught. No special outfit required. Easy!
7. Arena Builder
After I say: "Unlimited levels are at your finger tips! There’s no MODing knowledge required. Just access it from the game menu and build your own arena of death in minutes." we cut to a scene in a large empty industrial room. This character is implying he's just build this whole room. He stands there, arms out wide and shouts:
"I MADE THIS ONE!" with a big happy grin on his face. No special outfit.
8. Pyro and Fireman
These guys are part of a slightly longer scene. After I say the line: "We got the obligatory assault rifle in there, then a grenade launcher to test explosions, and also the flame thrower because we really like setting stuff on fire." this scene begins.
We cut to someone trying to set fire to a piece of paper with a lighter. They're failing miserable as the lighter won't work. After about 20 attempts for comedy pause value it finally lights. Once the paper is burning the fireman turns up with a glass of water, throws it over the paper and says "STOP IT."
Pyro can be dressed normally. Some sort of lab coat or overalls or just a hi-vis would make the fireman seem more official.
9. Ninja and Soldier
As I describe a game mode which hasn't yet been made, we'll have a short scene on screen. I say:
"Ninja Assassins: ninjas vs soldiers in a dark arena. Ninjas can see in the dark and run about hacking down soldiers with katanas and death stars, while soldiers can only see a small area of light around them, but obviously have more powerful weaponry."
The ninja will appear first. A close up on the shoulders/head. Wearing a balaclava (preferably with just eye whole), he squints menacingly, rolls up the balaclava to his nose, takes a bite of a carrot (see in the dark reference), rolls it back down, then slinks off camera.
We then cut to the solider. His roll is to hold a flashlight which doesn't work. Smacking it with his hand to try and get it to turn on and generally looking scared as he's about to be killed by a ninja who has just eaten carrots!
These two rolls require more acting than you might think, so personalityless or shy best not apply.
10. Random Killers
There are a few scenes where random killers appear behind me as I'm talking, stabbing each other, kicking each other etc. in melodramatic play fighting style. One scene will be in slow motion with one guy in fast motion running around stabbing, tickling, pushing slow motion people over. No dialogue, just dressing up in combat clothing and being silly with weapons in the background.
11. Fancy Dress Fools
For the power-ups description section, I will rattle through a list of random power-ups. A scene where a load of people in fancy dress are very quickly scrolled through (like half a second each) could be fun to super impose over the top of this, even if the fancy dress hardly relates to the power-ups.
So that's the lot. I'll create another thread for required props and objects. Please get posting if you're willing to play these roles and who you think you may be suitable for!
What is the film?
The film is a short video (5 mins approx) to promote my game and secure funding for it. The video is pretty important because if successful it guarantees me work for the next 9ish months! The majority of the video will be game footage with a voice over from me, but there are interview sections with 'extras' and that's where you lot come in! The game is a tongue in cheek ultra violent game show romp with a cheeky commentator voice over. The film will reflect this feel with an amusing script and silly scenes from the extras to keep it all light hearted.
When is it getting done?
Ideally, it needs to be completed in 2-3 weeks. So lets aim for the end of the month.
Where will it be filmed?
I'm about to start scouting locations, but it will be in and around the GM zone.
Required Characters
- Random 1
- Random 2
- Off Screen Hand
- Bert the Cleaner
- Overly Excited Gamer
- Randy McBane
- Lovely Assistant
- Starving Artist
- Arena Builder
- Pyro
- Fireman
- Ninja
- Soldier
- A bunch of random killers
- Fancy dress fools
Most of these roles can be done by the same people. This is how I see the ideal scenario:
- Randy McBane is a unique actor because he's a well defined character
- The two people who play Two Randoms can also play various disguised people like the ninja and soldier or anyone wearing a costume. That will separate them enough from the two nodding randoms.
- One additional person could play individual characters like Bert the Cleaner and the Starving Artist so we don't see the same faces too often.
- Anyone else can join in, but I think I'll be lucky to get 4 actors so that's what I'm aiming for!
1. Two Randoms
There are two scenes were two people simply look at each other, nod and then look back at the camera. They're simply quick few second scenes where they're responding to the following questions (which are at different points in the script):
"Do you remember old skool top down arcade games like Super Smash TV? Well our mission is to bring that awesome playability back to you with a modern feel and 10 times the depraved madness. Sound good so far?"
And
“What a guy! So, you still with me?"
They just provide mild comedy relief. I'm asking the audience these questions and you're playing 2 audience members responding with a nod. A half interesting facial expression would be useful. EASY ROLES!
2. Off Screen Hand
Easiest roll of all. After I say "Gain glory, satisfy the audience and most importantly of all, earn a big fat massive wedge of cash." someone off screen hands me a tenner. A pair of marigolds or fluffy gloves may have to be warn!
3. Bert the Cleaner
After my line: "We showed neither compassion for our enemies, nor consideration for the arena cleaner Bert." we cut to bert, a bloke with a mop and bucket in overalls looking disgruntled. No dialogue. Just a dress up and look upset role. Easy peasy!
4. Overly Excited Gamer
After my line: "Then during a particular bout of crazed self commentary along the lines of ... " we cut to the crazed gamer. He is someone lost in the moment, imagining themselves in the game, shouting at the screen like you do. You'll be dressed up to look as bad ass as possible, and have to stand there simulating a berserker hip firing rampage, killing people left and right with a gun. The line:
“YEAAH! YEAAHH! GET SOME!! GET SOME!!”
The scene only lasts a few seconds. The more nam like and stalone-ish the better. I wish we could get a prop m60 or equivalent.
5. Randy McBane - Commentator
This is the biggest part (apart from my limelight hogging, obviously!). Randy is the game commentator and is voice acted by an American radio DJ. He's proper deep and brash, like an American football commentator. He's an ex arena veteran so pretty hard in his retirement! The right person for this would:
- be at least medium/average build (not skinny or short)
- be confident enough to perform animated body language during the lines
- be able to do a half decent job at lip syncing
All the lines are pre-recorded by the voice actor. Randy will be required to lip sync to these lines, but will have the benefit of a microphone he can hold up and obscure his mouth with. This will hide any imperfections in the performance!
Optional Additional:
Lovely assistant eye candy to hang off Randy McBane's arm as he talks. Someone capable of at least subtle posing and smiling. Easy peasy. Clothing quantity as little as she's comfortable with. I'm happy with bikini, dress or even jeans + t-shirt.
6. Starving Artist
Another piece of urine role. After I say: "If you back our project we’ll actually be able to pay out artists, and once they can afford to feed themselves they might actually do some work." we cut to a scene of an artist. He's holding an empty tin of dog food and a fork and looks up with surprise as if he's just been caught. No special outfit required. Easy!
7. Arena Builder
After I say: "Unlimited levels are at your finger tips! There’s no MODing knowledge required. Just access it from the game menu and build your own arena of death in minutes." we cut to a scene in a large empty industrial room. This character is implying he's just build this whole room. He stands there, arms out wide and shouts:
"I MADE THIS ONE!" with a big happy grin on his face. No special outfit.
8. Pyro and Fireman
These guys are part of a slightly longer scene. After I say the line: "We got the obligatory assault rifle in there, then a grenade launcher to test explosions, and also the flame thrower because we really like setting stuff on fire." this scene begins.
We cut to someone trying to set fire to a piece of paper with a lighter. They're failing miserable as the lighter won't work. After about 20 attempts for comedy pause value it finally lights. Once the paper is burning the fireman turns up with a glass of water, throws it over the paper and says "STOP IT."
Pyro can be dressed normally. Some sort of lab coat or overalls or just a hi-vis would make the fireman seem more official.
9. Ninja and Soldier
As I describe a game mode which hasn't yet been made, we'll have a short scene on screen. I say:
"Ninja Assassins: ninjas vs soldiers in a dark arena. Ninjas can see in the dark and run about hacking down soldiers with katanas and death stars, while soldiers can only see a small area of light around them, but obviously have more powerful weaponry."
The ninja will appear first. A close up on the shoulders/head. Wearing a balaclava (preferably with just eye whole), he squints menacingly, rolls up the balaclava to his nose, takes a bite of a carrot (see in the dark reference), rolls it back down, then slinks off camera.
We then cut to the solider. His roll is to hold a flashlight which doesn't work. Smacking it with his hand to try and get it to turn on and generally looking scared as he's about to be killed by a ninja who has just eaten carrots!
These two rolls require more acting than you might think, so personalityless or shy best not apply.
10. Random Killers
There are a few scenes where random killers appear behind me as I'm talking, stabbing each other, kicking each other etc. in melodramatic play fighting style. One scene will be in slow motion with one guy in fast motion running around stabbing, tickling, pushing slow motion people over. No dialogue, just dressing up in combat clothing and being silly with weapons in the background.
11. Fancy Dress Fools
For the power-ups description section, I will rattle through a list of random power-ups. A scene where a load of people in fancy dress are very quickly scrolled through (like half a second each) could be fun to super impose over the top of this, even if the fancy dress hardly relates to the power-ups.
So that's the lot. I'll create another thread for required props and objects. Please get posting if you're willing to play these roles and who you think you may be suitable for!