Blackhand Pictures Machinima

Myndflame review on Veil of Corruption II

2011-02-17T20:36:00.003+01:00

Myndflame wrote a really interesting review on Veil of Corruption chapter II.

So dont miss to read it on their Blog pages.

Varath

VoC II on Firemage Radio

2011-02-06T23:13:00.007+01:00

I recently got a message from Craigh Laughlin aka Craig the Patiant who's General Manager and Director of Operations for Fire Mage Radio (www.firemageradio.com). He offered me to support Veil of Corruption and the first result is this audio trailer airing till release on firemageradio.com.

Listen to the audio trailer.

Im glad to announce two interview sessions on February, 9th and February 10th with some of our voice actors and our team.

So don't miss to listen that station the next days to get recent news on Veil of Corruption.

Im really looking forward to the 11th and I'm curious about what all of you guys think.

At least I also did a 12 minute long audio summary of Veil of Corruption Chapter 1. You can watch it on YouTube.

Veil of Corruption II - Release on February 11th 2011

2011-02-06T22:56:00.009+01:00

It's finally done.

We are proud to announce the release of our feature length machinima "Veil of Corruption Chapter II".

The movie will be released on www.warcraftmovies.com (English version) and www.worldofwar.de (German version) on February, 11th 2011.

To whet your appetite for the movie take a look at our official trailer above.

Enjoy!

Recent status of Veil of Corruption II

2010-11-13T18:05:00.004+01:00

Hey there everyone,

it's been a while since we got some activity on our blog sites.

Since my team members and I were asked a lot of times about the release date of Veil of Corruption II I will try to give you a status update on our recent project.

The good news: the release date is not far away.

We've finished the German version of the movie about one month ago. We've already made the teaser trailer (not yet released but soon). We've even finished a film poster for Veil of Corruption.

As you can see we've managed a lot the last weeks. The major problem at the moment is the English voice acting. There is some delay on the voice recordings at the moment. But we are working on fixing these problems.

So we hope to get finished soon, since it is of course a lot of work to make the dub version.

I'm also sorry that I did not answere some of the offers of voice actors the last weeks. At the moment there is no further need for voice actors. So as long as this situation is not changing I will not need additional VAs.

Varath

VoC II: Voice Actor Auditions needed

2010-04-07T22:37:00.010+02:00

Hello everyone,

since about 60% of our upcoming feature length machinima "Veil of Corruption - Chapter II" is finished yet and the script translation work is complete we are looking for some skilled voice actors for English language. We have decided to do both an English and German voiced version this time since we got a huge amount of request to make also an English version of chapter two. Right now we have left some really interesting voice acting roles (some major and some minor roles).

Some facts about Veil of Corruption II:

- feature length movie (about 2 hours)
- rendered in HD ready 720p
- 88 pages script
- nearly 40 different characters with voice acting content
- part two of a trilogy

Some more information about the Veil of Corruption project

Veil of Corruption Chapter I
Title song "Rotten Soul (Lorc's Song)" to VoC II (official first trailer)

So if you like to participate in this project, here is your chance. Take a look at the character discriptions below. Pick one or more characters you think you could speak and record the sample lines. Choose either mp3 or wav format and send your audition to: audition@blackhand-machinima.de

You should do a low-noise record and avoid background noise or static noise like e.g. fan-noise or fluctuation noise. Do not use any sound-effects just record you natural voice sound. Also try to avoid pop-sounds while speaking. Use a pop-stopper or if not on-hand put your or your girlfriends nylon between the mic and your mouth :)

Here is a list of the available roles for voice acting

Male characters

Lorc

Description: Lorc is the main char of our movie. This might be the most difficult role at all. Lorc is a Tauren warrior who's has been High Warlord of the Horde and right hand of Thrall. His wife died because of a connivery within the Horde. In an act of vengeance he attacked Theramore with the Horde army because he thought the the Alliance was reliable for the murder on his wife. But he was wrong and he payed the price for his fault. He was discharged from the army and now lives a solitary life in The Barrens.

Voice acting issues: Lorc should have a warm emotional voice which is deep and rough. You should always hear a little dispair and misery in his voice because he is not over the death of his wife yet. During the development of the story he figures out who's really reliable for his wifes' death. So his voice should more and more change into something I would call "smooth rage". What I mean is that you should hear that his main target becomes vengeance.
Lorc also is the narrator of the story, so you should be able to do some voice acting as story teller.

Voice acting amount: huge

Sample lines:

" I've lost everything. I thought so. But fate forces me to
draw the sword against my beloved ones."

" What's in it for me. Why should I change anything.
(Demanding)
Tell me? I was abandoned and forgotten by everyone,
because I wanted it this way. I am a simple man, I don't have many
wishes. Just this one… I want to die, damn it."

" (tragic voice of a story teller)
Valerius. Just a few years ago, we would have bashed each
others skulls. But everything turned out differently than expected. I found a
loyal friend, with whom I sowed the seed of freedom. Alas, even he became a
victim of war. Murdered by my allies, the Forsaken. What irony. Why is he still
here, I don't know. But there are things a simple soldier isn't meant to
understand. There are things a simple soldier doesn't want to understand."

" Now that's an option. He was among the few who stood by my
side as I was expelled from Orgrimmar. And it wouldn't suprise me if he had the necessary contacts to make this work."

Thrall

Decription: There is no need for a description. The Warchief himself :)

Voice acting amount: average

Sample lines:

" That is a solely political decision Hethu, and I expect you
to respect it and act porperly. Most Forsaken completely back Varath, and
we need their support. Otherwise, the Horde would be fractured, resulting in
even more innocent casualties than even with Varath's most radical plans."

" The Horde must stay united. Without this coalition, we would
be helpless against Tehsaron's forces. That would eventually man the
destruction of our people."

Tehsaron

Description: Tehsaron is a human mage who becomes Grand Marshall of the Alliance. He's a servant of the evil power that stands behind the connivery in Veil of Corruption. His goal is power and he leads a bloody raid against the Horde's army and civil population.

Voice acting issues: His voice should be masterful and dominat as long as he's talking to subordinates. When he's talking to the few characters standing above him he is a submissive and grovelling guy. You should alway hear a small touch of rage and hatred in his voice.

Voice acting amount: average

Sample lines:

"(angry and commanding)
What are you talking about morals for. This is for the
survival of our people. Am I not paragon enough for them? I am ready to face my
enemies, by night or by day. Doesn't this suffice as incentive?"

" (sighs)
You seem to be in high spirits. Good. While I work hard here,
you can
(mocking)
relax on your throne in Undercity."

Duratol

Description: Duratol is an Orc rogue who stands close to Thrall. He is some kind of leader of Thralls personal guard.

Voice acting issues: A rough and military voice should be best.

Voice acting amount: small

Sample lines:

" Lok'tar Ogar, blood and glory, Warlord. You want to see the
Warchief?"

Marshall Greyskull

Description: Greyskull is a human warrior who falls into disgrace with Grand Marshall Tehsaron. Once he is degraded by the Grand Marshall he defects to Tehsarons' enemies.

Voice acting issues: Greyskull should have voice with a small touch of subservience. There must be also a touch of despair in his voice since he was made reliable for things he could not do but Tehsaron wanted him to do (can not reveal more yet :) )

Voice acting amount: small

Sample lines:

" Sire, I
(pauses)
I cannot murder children."

" As on the battlefields as your enemy, it is an honor to fight
at your side as well, Warchief Hethu."

Valerius

Description: Valerius once was the Grand Marshall of the Alliance but he got murdered by the undead avatar of his brother. Now he's some kind of a ghost that always appears when some kind of "good soul" is needed. He's a mysterious guy and yet no one knows why he returns in his new ghost form.

Voice acting issues: Valerius should have a warm voice like a grandfather speaking to his grandchild.

Voice acting amount: average

Sample lines:

" You are right, my friend. It changes naught. It does
not change the injustice to you, to Azeroth. It does not even change
anything about what can and will happen."

" We both got a second chance to turn the tables, my friend. We
have to take the precious opportunity the gods gave us."

Female characters

Jaina Proudmoore

Description: No description needed

Voice acting issues: A confident straight voice of a human female leader with some small...uhm...sexy touch :)

Voice acting amount: average

" Thrall and I agree that we have to find the source first.
Thus, we may have a chance of either using it's energy for our plans, or
otherwise destroy it."

" Johanna. Hurry, our friends need your help. Concentrate on my
thoughts, I will lead you the way."

Therona

Description: a female Troll Warlord (shaman) who's member of the warlord council

Voice acting issues: well, just try you best to do a cool Troll girl :)

Voice acting amount: small

" You seem to overstate yet again Varath. Yo mon, we've had
cusualties, but da Alliance will fall back again. We've gotta get dem to
negotiate again."

Others

We have also left some minor roles for Alliance soldiers who have only few lines to speak. So feel free to send your audtions for them too. Here are some sample lines.

" Quiet back there. We passed the border. Keep your
eyes open. There have been reports of increased Scourge activity in
this region."

" ...and then I said to him, you look at my wife that way
again, I'll pour that bucket over you too."

" You won't believe how 'he' looked at me."

Any questions? Feel free to contact me: audition@blackhand-machinima.de

Regards,

Varath

The Shadow of Dawn

2010-03-16T21:15:00.014+01:00

The Shadow of Dawn was our subscription to the Alienware/Blizzard machinima contest named "Rise to power". Well, we did not climb the crest at all, but we were proud to get an honorable mention on Blizzard's official contest page.

So here are the streaming and download sources for our machinima. Have fun with watching it:

Also there is an article from Michael Grey about our machinima on www.wow.com's Movie Watch:

Credits go to:

Story and Voice Acting: Hethu

Video and Sound Editing: Varath

Rise to Power

2010-01-21T23:30:00.005+01:00

There will be a short break on editing VoC II. I've decided to subscribe to the recent Blizzard Machinima Contest.

Hethu wrote a script for me and additionally did the voice acting for the movie. The will be a hard competition since I heard that honorable authors also sent in entries.

But at least there will be a bunch of new machinimas we can watch after the contest is finished. I hope we'll have a chance. I think we have a nice script and a solid story. I've done my best in editing and Hethu his best in VA. Now we have to wait for jury's decision.

Good luck to all other authors.

Veil of Corruption II: Rotten Soul (Lorc's Song)

2009-10-24T13:18:00.007+02:00

We've just released the first trailer to VoC II. It's not a classic style trailer but a music video. It shows several scenes from the movie by telling the story of Lorc, one of our main chars. It begins where the storyline of chapter I ends showing the fate of Lorc after he lost his wife and job.

We wrote and recorded a song for this video called "Rotten Soul (Lorc's Song). You can listen to this song using the widged in right top corner. If you loved the song or want to support our project you can also buy this song as mp3 from e.g. amazon or iTunes for a cheap prize.

gamona/worldofwar.de wrote an article about the movie. Take a look here (German language only)

Here is the link list to videostreams and download sources.

Looking for translator German-English

2009-09-06T20:24:00.006+02:00

We are looking for a reliable person to help us translating the German languaged screenplay of Veil of Corruption II to an English version.

Your abilities:

- good English and German language skills

- you're reliable

- you're willing to work with the free software CeltX

- you have no problem to read/know the story before the movie is released

If you're interested send an eMail in German language to varath@manusnigra.de.

Special guest on VoC II: dtbn

2009-08-26T21:27:00.007+02:00

I'm quiet proud to present a special guest on Veil of Corruption II. The machinimator dtbn agreed to my suggestion of making some action scenes for our motion picture.

dtbn is responsible for action machinimas like The Avenger, Trollbane or Assassine, so you could imagine that I was very glad to have some of his martial arts style fighting sequences in VoC II.

There will be a collaboration on setting up some of the fighting scenes at the beginning of the movie and also for the epic fights of the protagonists at the end of VoC II.

Here you can see some first screenshots of the intro scenes which were nearly finished these days.

Interview @ www.buffed.de

2009-08-08T14:40:00.003+02:00

Hey there everyone,

last week the popular and wide spread German WoW-Community-Portal www.buffed.de made an interview with me about the "Veil of Corruption-Project". There you can find some new information about the upcoming motion picture machinima "Veil of Corruption Chapter 2". Unfortunately there exists only a German language version of the interview and I have no time for a translation at the moment. Maybe I'll do this later.

Have fun with reading the interview-article.

Screenplay finished

2009-07-12T22:36:00.002+02:00

Just a few days ago our team finished the screenplay to Veil of Corruption II. It was a hard piece of work, at least we wrote 87 pages of script. At the moment the translation from the German version to the English one is in progress. This may also take us a few weeks, but we already started the voice recordings for the German version. We have about 30 different roles with voice acting content, so it will be a lot of work.

Yes you're right, this time we plan to make both English and German voice over versions.

In the meanwhile I started recording the intro and at the moment nearly 6 minutes of the movie were already done. Not much considering the fact that the whole movie will be 90+ minutes.

Keep an eye on this page to be always up-to-date on the progress of Veil of Corruption II.

Veil of Corruption II: Voice Actors German Language

2009-05-24T02:32:00.004+02:00

Sorry for the international community. This topic will be in German language, just because we're looking for voice actors in German.

Für den zweiten Teil unseres Machinima Epos "Veil of Corruption" suchen wir noch Sprecher für einige Nebenrollen und für eine Hauptrolle.

Wer nicht genau weiss, worum es sich bei VoC dreht ,bekommt hier Infos:

Veil of Corruption Teil 1

Alle weitere Infos zu der Ausschreibung findet Ihr hier:

Ausschreibung Voice Actors

Für Fragen stehen wir gerne jederzeit im oben genannten Forum zur Verfügung (keine Registrierung notwendig.)

Some advertisement - Machinima Blog

2009-04-14T23:57:00.005+02:00

Well some short news and advertisement for my other projects. In February 2009 Fal Bulon and I started a machinima blog on www.worldofwar.de, one of the biggest German community pages for World of Warcraft. This is especially for the people who were familiar with German language, but nevertheless a reason to feature it in my blog.

There you can find some intereseting articles like a review on No:Point or an interview with Johan Vågstedt.

You can find the blog here: http://wow.gamona.de/category/machinima-blogbuster/

Have fun with reading it.

Finished

2009-03-16T20:37:00.001+01:00

Max Payne Noir Undercity -Chapter 1 is finished.

Here are the sources:

gamona download and stream

All download and streaming sources on warcraftmovies.com

Feel free to rate the movie on the streaming and download sources.

#Edit: I had requests for the song I produced for my own for this movie (the disco scene song). Unfortunately it's not available in a finished version but nevertherless some of you might be interested in a download source. It's released und GNU-licence :)

Download Enemy No1 song from Max Payne Noir Undercity Chapter 1

List of reviews to Max Payne Noir Undercity

Michael Gray on MovieWatch@wowinsider

Whooper @ gamona (German)

Morphium-Film (German)

Volcano's Machinima Blog (German)

Ahearn on www.sourceradio.com (no direct link so I had to copy this one)

'I am speechless. After watching the prologue back in October, I knew this series would be special but nothing like this. The time, effort, and experience that went into making this movie was impressive. It was like watching a movie or playing a game that had been done by professional game developers. The original soundtrack from Max Payne, mixed with adrenaline rushing action scenes, and a break dancing orc, this movie is definitely a must see. Keep a look out for the next installment from Varath.'

Link to the sourceradio-stream

It's coming to an end

2009-03-09T23:11:00.001+01:00

Yes it is!

I'm going to finish the first part of my Max Payne series this month. Plenty of rendering hours lying behind me and I'm really glad that it's almost done.

At the moment I'm working on the last 5 minutes of about 25 minutes total length. I'm really really looking forward to the release and the reaction of the people. I don't know if they will hate it or like it. But there's one thing I can say for sure: this movie is something special, by one means or another :)

Some last screenshots.

New Logo

2009-02-15T23:23:00.000+01:00

While the progress on the VoC II screenplay is going on, I found some time to re-design our official logo. I made a HD-animation vid for our projects.

On top you can find a screenshot.

I'm also hard working on finishing Max Payne - Noir Undercity. I decided to make a trilogy, cause the whole original plot would end in an 90 minutes film. So episodes are a better and compact way to manage this problem. I hope I'll get finished end of winter or beginning of spring.

Veil of Corruption II - Production started

2009-01-07T19:09:00.000+01:00

Some short news from our main project.

In January 2009 we've started the editing and compositing work on Veil of Corruption Chapter II.

Some of the first scenes and the logo artworks were already done and edited.

We'll keep you up to date the next weeks in this blog.

Below you find an exclusive Screenshot from the intro. An eye reflecting the background (done with a 3D Software with over 3 hours render time ;)). It's beautiful, isn't it :)

WMO to 3D Software - A short tutorial

2008-11-08T23:17:00.001+01:00

Well it's time for a short tutorial.

The reason I wrote this tut is simple. After many hours of searching on the web I didn't find any description how to transfer the so called wmo (world map objects) into a 3D software like Blender, 3DSmax or Cinema 4D. So there must be need for this ;)

First of all one important notice. I'm no expert on 3D programming and also no professional user of 3D software. Most of my skill on these things came from learning by doing. So don't blame me for this, the goal of this tut is to reach average skilled users like me. Further don't blame me for my English, I'm not an English native speaker ;)

But: you need some experience in using 3D software and you need basic knowledge about the file types Blizz used and the way to extract them.

There may be other (better) solutions, so don't hesitate to comment or give me information about other ways of importing. I'm very interested in every other way of dealing with it.

Some theory and description:

In WoW you have several data types for the 3D objects:

- m2: this format describes all the models (e.g. charakters, mobs, etc.) you find in WoW and some further models like catapults, small buildings, etc.

- wmo (world map objects): wmo are bigger 3D models, used for big buildings, cities, dungeons, etc.

- WDT/WDL/ADT: theses files describe the maps (height maps, position of wmo's on maps, water, etc.)

- BLP: the Blizz format for textures

- MPQ: This is a package where Blizz stores all the files needed to execute WoW. On a simple point of view you can compare it with a ZIP or RAR package.

For detailed information take a look at: http://madx.dk/wowdev/wiki/index.php

There are some furthers data type used by WoW, but they are are not important for our tutorial, so I'll keep the focus on the above mentioned types.

Software

Based on the workflow to import wmo's you need several programs:

MyWarcraftStudio - This is freeware and you need the software to read the mpq packages and export the files we need

Unwrap 3D - This software converts the wmo format to a format your 3D software can read. In this case I used C4D and the wavefront-file-format (obj). This is no freeware, so you have to buy a license for Unwrap 3D.

TaylorMouse wmo to ms.-script converter: This software you need to find the paths and the names of the texture files in the mpq. There may be a better way to find out this information, but I actually didn't figure it out.

Any 3D software like Blender, C4D, 3Dsmax: In this tutorial I use C4D. Solutions in other software are not tested, but depending on the huge amount of export formats in Unwrap 3D you should find the file type you need.

So let's go:

First of all choos a model you like to import. You may want to use the WoW Model Viewer unless MyWarcraftStudio doesn't support 3D viewing for the newer Versions of WoW.

For this tutorial I chose the Altar of Storms (short: AoS) Model. This is a small model with few meshes so the workflow keeps small and useable for a tutorial. Depending on the kind of model you use, the number of steps to get finished grow up.

In the first step you have to localize the wmo of the AoS in the WoW mpq.

So open WarcraftStudio and load the common.mpq from your WoW-folder.

Inside the mpq the path to the wmo is: World/wmo/Azeroth/Buildings/

Here you find two files:

- AltarOfStorms.wmo

- AltarOfStorms_000.wmo

Export both of them to your local harddrive.

(Warcraftstudio exports the whole path structure with folders and creates the same folders you found inside the mpq on your harddrive.)

Once you've exported you can cut or copy the two mpq's to a folder of your choice. Just keep in mind, to use the same folder the wmo are in for saving the further files we need in the next steps of this tut.

Now it's time for TaylorMouse' tool.

Open the tool click on the first Button "Load WMO...." and navigate to the folder your wmo's are located.

Choose the AltarOfStorms.wmo and execute.

Now the tool creates a file named "AltarOfStorms_000.ms" in the same folder. Open the file with a text editor.

On top you'll find this:

-- TEXTURES USED --

-- DUNGEONS\TEXTURES\ROCK\MM_AOS_RUBBLE_01.TGA

-- DUNGEONS\TEXTURES\FLOOR\MM_AOS_BASE_01.TGA

-- DUNGEONS\TEXTURES\FLOOR\MM_AOS_BASE_02.TGA

-- DUNGEONS\TEXTURES\TRIM\MM_AOS_TRIM_01.TGA

-- DUNGEONS\TEXTURES\PILLAR\MM_AOS_PILLAR_01.TGA

-- DUNGEONS\TEXTURES\DECORATION\MM_AOS_SKULL_01.TGA

-- DUNGEONS\TEXTURES\DEVICES\MM_AOS_BONES_01.TGA

-- INTERFACE\GLUES\MODELS\UI_MAINMENU\DARKPORTAL_STAUE_02.TGA

-- INTERFACE\GLUES\MODELS\UI_MAINMENU\DARKPORTAL_STAUE_01.TGA

These are all the textures you need for the mesh.

Now you have to find the textures inside the WoW mpq by using MyWarcraftStudio.

Notice: Depending on what kind of model you use the textures could be in several mpq's. You have to search and locate them for yourself.

Once you've found the texture (file typ BLP) mark it by clicking and choose "Save Image" on the new window menu. Choose jpg, tga or png as file type (not BLP!).

Save the image in the same folder as the wmo's!

After exporting all the textures open Unwrap3D.

Be sure to have the wmo-plugin installed (not delivered with installation, but you can download it for free from the homepage).

Choose "Open Model" from the menu and locate the "AltarOfStorms_000.wmo".

Important: Depending on the wmo you use there will be 1-n additional wmo-files (e.g. like building_000.wmo, building_001.wmo, ..., building_00n.wmo). These files describe the different parts of the model and can be very complex.

Advice: If you want to use huge models like a whole city, take a look at every additional wmo to understand the structure and choose the parts you really need by importing them in Uwrap without textures. You can only see the meshes but I helps to understand how the building was made. Some of the wmo might be the meshes for the buildings inside. If you only need an outside view of the model you don't have to use all the wmo's. This keeps your workflow smooth and avoids useless work.

Ok, let's go on:

A new window poups up and there you find an "Texture Options" function. Choose the "AltarOfStorms.wmo". This is the basic file where the information about textures is saved.

Click import and: there it is :)

Dont' worry if you will not see any texture yet. If you want to see the textures in Unwrap you'll have to export all textures in BLP-format too or manually assign them to the materials Unwrap uses for the meshes. I won't explain how to do this, if there is need for these steps just leave a comment and I'll add this to the tut (or read the fuckin' manual ;) ).

Now it's time to export.

Choose "File Save As" and export the model in Wavefront (obj) format.

Start C4D and open the obj-file you just exported.

You'll see the untextured model now.

The last step is to assign the materials to the meshes. Here you can use the texture files (jpg, tga or png) you've already exported by using MyWarcraftStudio. C4D already has all materials in the mat-manager the only thing you have to do is, choosing the right file and assign it to the material by changing the texture per mat (the mat's names are the same like the texture file's name, so it will be easy to handle).

Once you've done this for all mats you have a full textured model in C4D.

That's it.

The workflow is a bit complex but at the moment it's the only way I know to import wmo's in C4D. I've tested a few models and everything worked fine. But there is no guarantee that it works with every model. Just try for yourself.

The tut works fine with C4D, I've not tested any other 3D software. I'm interested in experiences with e.g. 3DSmax or blender. Both programs should also work with obj files.

So if you tried this tut with any other software let me know about your experiences. Leave a comment.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and learned a bit about my way with dealing on wmo import for machinima in C4D.

If you have any questions, suggestions or criticism for improving the workflow: Let me know :)

// Varath

Blackhand Pictures Machinima

Animating models in 3D Software

2008-10-28T22:00:00.000+01:00

One of my goals for the Max Payne movie was to show some sets of new animations for WoW Models. I didn't want to be constrained by the original Blizz animations from the Modelviewer, I wanted to create new fresh looking animations for this movie. This is also some kind of experimental phase for VoC II, cause one of the great battles in this movie could be probably complete edited in a 3D animation software. This would open numerous new opportunities for e.g. camera angles and open a path to a new machinima experience.

So for the first time I started to play around with exporting and importing m2 files (the filetype Blizz uses for their models). At the moment I found no way to export the bones of the models (and of course the animations) too. So I had to play around with bones and things like this for myself. It took a couple of hours to understand the techniques but at least I found a smooth way to implement the bones and make first own animations.

Here you can see some of the results.

Max jumps sidewards with a gun ready to shoot held in front of his body:

Cleaner gets hit by the bullets in his left shoulder and turns around backwards.

Max Payne goes World of Warcraft

2008-10-28T21:50:00.000+01:00

Take a look at the prologue on www.warcraftmovies.com

Max Payne and World of Warcraft? What the hell?

Yes.
A few month ago I had the idea to make a short storyline machinima of my most favorite computer games, Max Payne and World of Warcraft. I always loved the dark film noir atmosphere of Max Payne and as an author who has experience in making WoW machinima the idea of mergin MP and WoW grew up in my head.
So the issue was how to convert Max Payne into World of Warcraft?
The answere was simple: Take the great story and voice acting of MP and fill it with pictures from World of Warcraft.
The second descision was if I should take MP 1 or MP2 as basic plot for the movie.
The answere was simple too: I personally prefer MP 2.

I started working on the machinima.

After finishing the first 10 minutes some friends of mine who never played MP didn't
really get in the story cause the didn't know the plotline/background of MP Part 1.
I needed a solution for this problem.

And what can I expect from the "prologue"?

Well according to the fact mentioned above I decided to make a short prologue to the movie.
This prologue should lead the audience who's not familiar with Max Payne into the storyline.
When I started the project I didn't really want to make a trailer or teaser trailer, but
the idea of making a prologue lead me to the idea of combining the prologue with a trailer.

So what you see here is the result.
Another goal of this short machinima, of course, is to tease the audience about the final movie.

It is not essential to watch the prologue before watching the whole movie, which will be
released this winter, but it helps to get into the story, particularly if you were not
familiar with to MP story.

Anynone who knew the story of MP will expect nothing new. I decided to stay close to the original plotline and spend more of my barely available time on the pictures and special effects.
For the first time I played around with 3D animation software and was really statisfied with the results.

I hope you enjoy this short introduction to my upcoming movie.

One important notice: This movie stands in no relationship to the upcoming motion picture of Max Payne in October 2008.
The storylne is completly different from the motion picture. This is only a fan made project.

Regards,

Varath
Blackhand Pictures Machinima

Some promotion for our raid group

2008-10-23T18:59:00.001+02:00

A couple of days ago on a boring weekend evening (my son was already in bed) I thougth about doing some promotion for our raid group on the EU Server "Der Rat von Dalaran".

Ok let's go. Within a night I cut a few scene's I shot during the raids with some landscape footage from Azeroth and Northrend.

I selected some good music from my archive and called Hethu, a friend who did already some great voice acting on Veil of Corruption.

Within one day he recorded the VA and the movie was finished.

You can take a look at warcraftmovies.com / The black pact - Raidpromo

The voice acting is in German language but I've added English subtitles.

Have fun with watching.

We need a blog...

2008-10-23T18:35:00.000+02:00

Yes well.

It is time for a blog on "Blackhand Pictures Machinima". So here it is.

A short introduction about who we are and what we do.

We are a small group of machinima fans from Germany. We all play or played World of Warcraft and about one and a half year ago we were impressed by the upcoming talents on the WoW machinima scene. We decided to start machinimating for ourselfs.

The first projects were small machinimas like PvP-movies or promotion movies for our raid.

In 2006 we wanted to do something bigger and more impressive than small videos. We decided to write a plot for full length storyline machinima. Veil of Corruption was born and in June

2008 we published the movie.

You can download or stream Veil of Corruption Chapter 1 here.

Right now we are working on the sequel to Veil of Corruption which was planned as a trilogy with a related storyline.

The team:

Several people are members of the BHP-team:

Varath: leader and video editing

Alloron: storyline and screenplay

Mahamari/Ludvera: assistance, storyline and voice acting

Khirutika: voice acting

Tehsaron: voice acting

Ineluki: voice acting

Blackeurope: storyline and World of Warcraft lore