Shadowrun Shortfilm-Series, (where else to post...?) Options

[Scribbler]

Hi, I'm a longtime lurker. I only got to play 2nd ed. once back in '99, but was hooked right away.
Collected both SR and ED novels in two languages, and own a few source books too.
Love the site, with all the data, smack-talk, and humor.

Now to business:

Reading Shadowrun just isn't enough anymore! I want a movie, however I think a series would suit the setting better.
Something with a wide story arc. Many different runner-teams working towards a shrouded goal.
Each team gets a couple of episodes allotted, and sometimes there's cross-pollination. Having a fixed cast would not work here. Maybe the anchor could be semi-rigid. A fixer telling the story, perhaps an exec, or a retired runner reminiscing. Maybe even a dragon (like Wyrm Talk).

Hollywood and major producers would just screw this sort of thing up. This can only be achieved by fans.

As it happens, I'm a member at a board that collaboratively produces movies covering Zero- to Low-Budget with surprisingly good quality.
Wreck-a-Movie are the folks that brought you the parody 'Star Wreck - In the Pirkinning', and the upcoming 'Iron Sky' with the evil Nazi's attacking Earth from their base on the dark-side of the Moon. There are quite a few productions that have been completed (music videos, animations, horror) and new ones keep popping up (someone even started an Opera!).

I mainly contribute in the form of constructive criticism, hard to find detailed information, and anything else I can think of. But I don't think I'm quite ready to start my own production. No matter how much I'd like a SR-Film.

With this dedicated community, I bet there are some fans willing to take a look at Wreck-a-Movie, and let's see what we can accomplish!

How would you go about making, say, a Shadowrun TV-Series?
What subjects would you cover?
What would you like to see in such a series?
Can you think of any important questions that I missed?

[Xahn Borealis]

If you wanna see a Shadowrun film, there's always http://www.shadowrunmovie.com/accueil_en.php

[Xahn Borealis]

While I remember, I actually came up with a good intro for something like this a while back. It went something like this:

Some facility corridor. Pitch black. Some of the shadows shift and fade into nothingness. A different room, with a woman lying in a medical bed. She is startled awake when the door opens silently. Three shadows slink into the room, and as they approach into the light, resolve into three humanoid shapes. She says, "How did you get in without setting off the alarms?"

One shadow steps into the light, revealing pointed ears. He says, "[her name], Mr Johnson wishes to make your acquaintance."

Then cut to credits or whatever. What do you think?

[Banaticus]

A Shadowrun movie like this Street Fighter movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2ZXSzaUIBQ
I would so go see that in the movie theaters.

[Mardegun]

A Shadowrun movie like this Street Fighter movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2ZXSzaUIBQ
I would so go see that in the movie theaters.

Great quality

[Scribbler]

Thanks for sharing those videos with me! Both are awesome in their own ways!

@ Xahn Borealis: I think it sounds good. I'm imagining a 2060-era hospital room, computers, general Sci-Fi feel.
The shadows are of non-human proportions. (slim, bulky, large, short, whatever) Given the right background details this would be an excellent intro that can grab the viewers attention without giving away too much of the story.
It could either be an intro, a teaser, or a preview for next episode.

In fact she could have been one of the previous stories supporting characters, has been wounded, and evacuated to the hospital. And the next story revolves around her. (Has anyone seen the movie 'Slacker'? -sort of like that, but way better)
EDIT: You should join, and post your idea. (Link at bottom)


I really do think that the series should deal with many different runner teams. If I want to see the same three people for several seasons I can watch the crap available on TV.

You know, I think I'll start a Production on Wreck-a-Movie.
Don't know whether I'll be able to ever film it, but I think it's important to start involving the community into at least developing ideas for this. Once it's established, someone might be able to pick up after me or even take over if necessary. (Busy life)

EDIT: Here's the link to the production: http://www.wreckamovie.com/runners

Other interesting WAM film:
The Wreck-a-Movie Production titled 'Griffin' deals with cyber-crime. It's going to be a 6-part webTV-series. Preview video at link.

This post has been edited by Scribbler: May 22 2010, 03:27 AM

[Xahn Borealis]

@ Xahn Borealis: I think it sounds good. I'm imagining a 2060-era hospital room, computers, general Sci-Fi feel.
The shadows are of non-human proportions. (slim, bulky, large, short, whatever) Given the right background details this would be an excellent intro that can grab the viewers attention without giving away too much of the story.
It could either be an intro, a teaser, or a preview for next episode.

That's exactly what I was going for. I thought that the shadow that talks would have pointed ears, and my thought was that the Mr Johnson quote would let both the woman and the viewers know that they were shadowrunners. I intended it to be maybe a trailer and then pre-credits intro.

[Xahn Borealis]

EDIT: You should join, and post your idea. (Link at bottom)

You know, I think I will. Chances are, RL won't let me and we'll come to blows, but the consequences be damned!

(God, that was corny)

[Xahn Borealis]

What's happened to the Wreck-a-Movie production? It's gone to some generic 'what i've always wanted to see' prod now.

Never mind. Found the new one. Here it is: http://www.wreckamovie.com/shadowfiles

This post has been edited by Xahn Borealis: May 29 2010, 02:58 PM

[SkepticInc]

I've got an idea. If someone were to go about making a Blender production and put all of the rigged figures, backgrounds, buildings, etc into CC, someone else could eventually take the stack of figures and build an online gaming tool where the players and GM can use 3D representations for their battlemaps. There isn't software available yet to allow the Blender battlemap to be easily made by someone with no skills with Blender, but that's the best part about the Internet: book it, and they will come.

[McCummhail]

Tossed into the ring on there.

[kxU]

that street fighter short was sick (IMG:style_emoticons/default/love.gif)

[Xahn Borealis]

If we can even touch the quality of that film, we will have succeeded.

[Sharkman]

Howdy, I joined the Wreckamovie project as Michael Frantz.
I posted a quick hello but I thought I would do the same here.

I am an amateur filmographer and videographer in Chesapeak, Virginia.
You can see my latest and largest project work here: www.towerofgames.com
Its in three parts but I did burn it in a quality dvd as well.

Its a comedy commercial for the game store I am a part owner of.

Regardless I put it here to at least give a reference point to my experience level.

I would love to help out with this project.

My experience in a nutshell:

I have directed, edited, and produced 1 22 minute production.
I have composited about 30 smaller video productions for commercial basis.
I own all of my own equipment, Cameras, Lights, mics, green screens, etc...
I am skilled at a moderate level with Adobe After Effects, Sony Vegas, Trapcode and have invested thousands of dollars in equipment and time as an amateur.

Hope I contribute something to the project.

Thanks,

[Garou]

As can i. I am worked as professional editor for a few years, and i also own a nice Mac computer who operates on Final Cut Studio 3. So, as long as we stick to SD formats, we can even work on different continents. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Xahn Borealis]

Well, excellent cameras, editors, director, etc. means nothing without actors... Or a script for that matter (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I'd better get working.....

[McCummhail]

Well, excellent cameras, editors, director, etc. means nothing without actors... Or a script for that matter (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I'd better get working.....

got a scenario or premise that you wanted to work from?

[Xahn Borealis]

I think the best info is at the top of this thread and on the production page on Wreckamovie.