Holovid Feedback

[Tbone]

FINAL Version

[Fuse]

Love the video in general and the voiceover words. Not liking the voice at all, though. Way too over the top dramatic and too drawn out on some words.

[Adad]

I think it's done pretty well.

That being said, I don't like it. Voice is cheesey. I don't like the idea of in-game footage that in no way actually represents us. I don't like the idea in general of it being more like a game/movie trailer than a message to the potential from us... I know it will take a long time (but the challenge will too still) but I prefer the idea of Loki's original art if he's willing to sink some real time into it.

[Tbone]

People seem to not like the voice over. I was going for a movie trailer feel, with the deep announcer voice. Cheesy? Yes. But also epic. I dunno, I usually hate my voice, but I like the announcer voice in this one.

[Tbone]

I prefer the idea of Loki's original art if he's willing to sink some real time into it.

I'm really backtracking on that idea. After putting together a demo myself and seeing how bad it is, I realized how hard it is to make still images interesting in video. The holo timeline is using a method of separating the foreground and background to create depth and movement. The process is extremely tedious, and I think, even if we figured out how to mimic the effect, the end result would be far less quality than their holovids and even the video I've put together using game footage.

I understand the footage is something everyone has seen before and doesn't quite capture our vibe. However that's really the only footage I had to work with and will have to work with for at least a few months.

Remember this video comes after they've completed the challenge, so it isn't standing alone. I'll try a different version with just my regular voice later tonight when I get off work.

[Anamodiel]

When I was going through most of the recruitment threads on the SWTOR forums, I found that a lot of them had videos that used much of the same footage that you're using and used many of the same platitudes that we're using and a voice-over telling you about the clan. None of them made me want to join their clan; on the contrary, I was turned off by them because I saw that as a very poor recruitment tool.

We need to set ourselves apart from the crowd, and a video like this doesn't do that. I know that we have the Challenge to back it up, but everything we create should be of a high enough quality that it could stand on its own if it had to. The video at the beginning of the www.thefuriousangels.com could easily stand on it's own, even though it has the website in the background to back it up. Everything we make breaks the mold; this movie follows the mold and, I believe, is the type of recruitment tool that we shouldn't emulate.

Furthermore, you're correct in pointing out that the video is the last step before the recruitment process; that will be the last impression that they have of us before they decide whether to apply to join our clan. Sure, we have an excellent Challenge, but if our finale isn't something striking, it will have fallen flat.

If Loki can bring some cool looking art to the table, achieving the Holonet effect wouldn't be very hard at all. I'm positive that either Adad or Enoch, along Tbone as the script-writer, should be able to create a stellar production that leaves a final, lasting impression that "seals the deal" for any applicant who may have been the least hesitant.

[Tbone]

Seems I'm out outvoted. I'll scrap the footage project then. Using the still images put me to sleep, and I felt a more action-oriented video would build the whole thing to a climax rather than flatline after an already subdued part of the challenge.

To be honest, I have not seen any videos that use game footage - only CGI stuff, which is why I went with the footage I did. I would love to see some of the videos you are refering to.

If we are going to try the homemade images route, we are going to need around 25-30 unique images, with background separate than the foreground and at least half of those containing a frame to be animated to. I'd still like to try and maintain the more action-driven vibe for now with the new script. The old one just pit me to sleep.

[Tbone]

Ok, I went ahead and re-recorded the voiceover and adjusted volume levels of the sound fx. New feedback please.

[Fuse]

Maybe I don't remember the first one, but I think that's worse.
IMO, It still seems too slow and "....yes...this...is...a...script..." robot-like.

[NoCry]

Personally I quite like it. It might be because I am on an iPhone but is the resolution ok? It was a little blocky for me.

[Tbone]

*throws video out window*

[Tbone]

Updated again with more balance in sound.

[Lits]

just a suggestion: instead of outwardly naming the classes, perhaps you could make it a little more lyric and immersive:

ie - instead of "smugglers" maybe "former dregs of society" or "former outlaws"

etc...

Just to keep it from being 1-dimensional gametalk and lean more towards really biting into the story.

[Enoch]

Ooooh, I really like Lits idea. Also, pace yourself a little bit Tbone. Are you narrating to the video or editing the video to your voiceover? I think the latter might help to make sure your speaking pacing is less forced.

[Tbone]

I did the latter with a different VO, but no one liked the "movie announcer", so I re-recorded it with my natural voice but had to keep the same pace since the entire video had already been edited for the other VO.

I really don't think we are going to get anything good until we can film our own content. Until then it is just awkwardly trying to fit footage into a theme.