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Topic: [Feedback] Resources

So, the resources system is pretty good right now, but several things have happened.

1. We realized that we had no content to post, and therefore our system was useless.

2. We realized that our system was too much like the old resources system.

So in a manner of speaking, we are looking to reach out to people in a new way. Speak to younger demographics. Make the resources truly a place people can learn exactly how to make a brickfilm.

So where do you come in?

Several places. The first of which something we're calling it the 1-2-3's of Brickfilming.

The 1-2-3's of Brickfilming will be a hand illustrated and outrageously simple guide for newcomers to the hobby. Constructed especially for people who have never even thought (or maybe even know) how to stopmotion animate something. Think of how useful this could be when telling people about your films and/or how you made them!

So what we're looking for is some feedback and collaboration. We need you to work together and come up with the bare essentials brickfilming. What is the least it will take for someone to take those first few frames and play them back? What are your 1-2-3's to get to that point? If you had to recommend ONE piece of software for your platform for a beginner, what would it be? Any equipment you'd recommend for your platform? What piece would be the best to animate for a first timer? What tips would you give them to help them succeed?

Discuss.

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

Something on how diffrent FPS makes the animation smooth or rough would be important I think.

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

I think there should be some links to Hazzat's Brick help channel on YT.

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

Dyelon wrote:

I think there should be some links to Hazzat's Brick help channel on YT.

that would be a good idea.


you should do it in categories, even with software, and cradles.

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

I have two tutorials from the 'site that shall not be mentioned' that I would like to submit for your consideration. So let me know how we go about submitting stuff.

1) One dolly shots
2) 'Radio Chatter' voice effect in audacity

I am also running my own tutorial channel on YouTube, Tutorials4Brickfilms
The first film is up there, it is all about the very basics of setting up your room/studio. Feel free to link to it if you like it.

The next films planned for my YT Tutorials are

Basic Set Lighting
Camera advice & Software advice
Lego buying advice
Basic Animation
Sets
Video Editing Advice
Audio advice & Sound Effects

These tutorials are aimed at the absolute newcomer and will have all the basics in short easy to manage films.  If these are received well, I may end up continuing the series onto more involved topics like chroma keying etc.

Last edited by Si665 (December 27, 2008 (07:34am))

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

As it's the 1-2-3's of Brickfilming, I think each number have its own title as a category.

Example:

Introduction

This would be a little Introduction to brickfilming if you do not know what it is.

1 -- Getting Your Software

This would have software for everything you need. And it should have sub categories for each type of software (eg. editing, frame capture etc.)
Example:
Scripting:

  • Software -- FREE

  • Software -- FREE

  • Software -- NOT FREE

Frame Capture:

  • Software -- FREE

  • Software -- FREE

  • Software -- NOT FREE

Editing:

  • Software -- NOT FREE

  • Software -- NOT FREE

  • Software


2 -- How to Brickfilm (Beginners)

This would have tutorials on how to brickfilm for the beginners. So it should go throw everything you need to know to begin your first brickfilm.
Example:
Tutorials

  • Tutorial #1 -- (type: audio)

  • Tutorial#2 -- (type: audio)

  • Tutorial #3 -- (type: animating)

  • Tutorial #4 -- (type: animating)


3 -- Techniques of Brickfilming

This would be for once you've got the idea of brickfilming and software and stuff. It would basically include more detailed tutorials and articles for maybe camera stands or dolly shots etc.
Example:
Tutorials

  • Tutorial #1

  • Tutorial #2

Articles:

  • Article #1

  • Article #2

Links to Other useful sites:
http://www.link.com/
http://www.link.com/
http://www.link.com/

Something like that.
What do you think?

-Steve

Last edited by Steve (December 27, 2008 (08:01am))

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

If it would be useful, I could create a guide on the different walk / runcycles.

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

I think you should contact: http://bricktrick.de/
The site is completely in german but there are many good tutorials. I think there could be a partnership or somebody could translate the tutorials.

P.S.:nice new site!

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

Can Daragh and me have our private Radio here for A.O Radio ? mini/bigsmile

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

I'm actually creating a walkcycle guide as I write this post. I suppose I could e-mail it to you, Schlaeps, and tell me if it's any good.

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

Well, if you guys want to get some free software links, you know where to go. =]

I like Steve's idea.

Windows wise, I think a good starter set up would be a webcam (9000, 4000 etc..), MonkeyJam, Virtual Dub, Axagon, and Audacity.

Linux wise, I'd say StopMotion, Kino, Rosegarden, and Audacity.

OSX wise, I'd go with iMovie, Garageband, FrameByFrame and Audacity.

Last edited by Ash (December 27, 2008 (07:44am))

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

Darkman wrote:

Can Daragh and me have our private Radio here for A.O Radio ? mini/bigsmile

-Darkman

No, I think we should go for the offical podcast of Bricksinmotion.com mini/bigsmile

-Daragh

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

StevieCollins, I think it should be even simpler than that. It should be something like:

[1] Setup (cover basic software, hardware and LEGO brick needs for only the filming process)
[2] Film (cover exactly how stopmotion works in simple terms)
[3] Playback and Edit (cover how to playback the film in that person's OS and what editing options are available. Link to more advanced things in this section for "more steps")

Think of this as almost a kids book for brickfilming. We can't overload them with ideas or dozens of software selections. We need to give the bare essentials to learn and then give them the option of exploring more if they like it.

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/Squash/D … oxmas2.jpg
Is this what you mean by hand illustrated, Schlaeps?
Sans bad handwriting of course.

Last edited by Squash (December 27, 2008 (10:44am))

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

Maybe really simple, almost xkcd style.

Schlaeps, what do you think of those software selections?

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

If possible I'd recommend leaving Axogon Composer off the list for 'beginners' software.  It's not very user-friendly, it's got bugs in it, and it's mostly meant for visual effects work anyway.  I also used it to edit my movies, but it's not really ideal for that.  Not to mention that the beta license on it makes distributing it a little sketchy.  However, I don't know of any good free editing software for the PC.

-Sméagol

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

i dont think that there is any good free editing software.
Prove me wrong.

-Donsalvatore

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

donsalvatore wrote:

i dont think that there is any good free editing software.
Prove me wrong.

-Donsalvatore

It's debatable. I could edit a film for free using Axogon or Blender, but it wouldn't be anywhere near as simple or fast as editing using Vegas or Premiere.

- Leo

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

donsalvatore wrote:

i dont think that there is any good free editing software.
Prove me wrong.

-Donsalvatore

I think there are good free alternatives that come with most systems. For instance, for a beginner on a Mac, iMovie is a great tool and comes free for them. On Windows there's Windows Movie Maker.

Nobody said that we had to offer free downloadable options (though that would be ideal).

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Re: [Feedback] Resources

I think VirtualDub is one of the best, but has a rather high learning curve. I found VideoMach to be pretty simple to learn, even if it did less than VD. I'd say the easiest for me is WMM though, because even with the often crap titles and less than precise audio lineup, when you just need to put your film together it's the most obvious to understand,  free way to do so IMO. It was what I started with.