From Booze To Bruises - Production Thread!

[Howitzer]

Well, I figured it was time to bring the production over the the TMU world as well as the old TMO thread. So here goes!

http://i35.tinypic.com/34dsrqg.jpg


Julian is a guy with a problem. He likes a drink. So much so that it's become the centre of his life as well as the cause of many of his problems. What's his answer? Drink the pain away.
However, a chance encounter with a new friend offers him a chance for change. Nothing can go wrong! ... or so it seems...

With the superb voice talents of:

Pookashells
Dark_Lucia
OD-Ork-Boy
Joseph KW
Sparky1512
Bezzer36
BiggsTrek
Rposhard
BlazeLeeDragon
SnakeEater42
Ellis07
Sexy_Gal
and Howitzer

Script Assistance by: TheBiz
Posters by: Elbowlow
Written & Directed by: Howitzer

In this thread I'll be keeping you all up to date with the goings on, developements, setbacks, progress and any funny stories to do with the production of what is to be Howitzer Films biggest production EVER!

The progress so far:
- MODs are pretty much chosen and working, I've had a few problems but it seems ok for now. (This is my first production with actual Mods, so fingers crossed!)
- Lines are still arriving, most are now in.
- A Trailer is being toyed with.
- Overlays and such are being created (majority complete, however I am experimenting with a more presentable/interesting form).
- Release date? Still unknown but expected this Autumn.

Thanks for all of your support!
Howie.

[Ellis07]

It's great to see that you're expanding your production to TMU!
Really going to keep track of this movie and make sure you keep us posted.
So until then, happy movie-making fella'.

[Nukester]

It's great to see you migrating this project to TMU Howy!! looking forward to more updates soon!

[Dulci]

That's a large cast!

[Carver]

Cool stuff Howie, looking forward to it. Such a brilliant cast.

[Nero]

This has been in production for a while now (i can talk :P) any updates Howie ?

[Howitzer]

Cool stuff Howie, looking forward to it. Such a brilliant cast.

Oh my goodness!
So sorry -

Also featuring YamiMarik as Borris

(Did you get a script?)


That's a large cast!

It is! And I'm lucky and honoured to be working with them all :)


This has been in production for a while now (i can talk :P) any updates Howie ?

Haha, it has - I was having some trouble with getting mods working (ended up having to re-install the game) but, being more selective and careful, I've just about overcome this now.

A trailer is in production, and I'm awaiting some more lines aswell.
I'll have some more screenshots etc when that's got further on.

Howie.

[Carver]

Oh my goodness!
So sorry -

Also featuring YamiMarik as Borris

(Did you get a script?)Howie.

Ah thats what was missing, I looked at it and thought something wasn't right but I couldn't remember at the time. Yes I think I have the script, do you need my lines ASAP?

[Howitzer]

Ah thats what was missing, I looked at it and thought something wasn't right but I couldn't remember at the time. Yes I think I have the script, do you need my lines ASAP?

Not urgent ASAP no, but as I'm doing the trailer it would be great to have a line or two to select from :)

Cheers!
Howie.

[Howitzer]

UPDATE:

Good news! OD-Ork-Boy and Dark_Lucia have their lines in and I've been working very hard on clipping etc to make it all done and ready.

As a result, I have produced a short Radio Trailer - The very first glimpse into the atmosphere and style of the movie! Listen out for it on TMOA!

Cheers!
Howie.

[BiggsTrek]

Oh, that'll be cool, Howi. Will listen out for it.

:)

[Carver]

Recording my lines right now Howie, should be coming in an email after awhile ;)

[Howitzer]

BIG NEWS!!

After careful thought the decision has been made that From Booze To Bruises will be completely outside edited.

That's right; since seeing some of the amazing work of TMU directors, many of which used advanced outside editing techniques I have decided to invest in the technology myself (as I am planning a number of Live Action movies aswell).
Currently the favourite I'll be getting will be Magix Movie Edit Pro 14 Plus.

This means a number of things for this movie;

- The movie itself should look smoother, more professional, and with better sound - giving an overall much improved final product.
It should also help me avoid encountering sync problems and the such.

- Production may be slightly delayed as I firstly have to wait for it to arrive and then get myself used to the basics - however I believe that it will be worth it and give much more quality to compliment the hard work of all those who have done so much for me towards this movie!

- This will be a TMU only movie! That's right, I will be moving my movies away from TMO and becoming a more founded TMU member - I will also wait a significant amount of time before posting the movie anywhere else! (A little boost to the community on my part from gaining the interest of my friends into TMU)

Shooting has begun in ernest with a couple of scenes already set to be used. I will have to practice a little using in game PP to get the lip syncing going but that's about it so far.

Please feel free to let me know your thoughts/suggestions!

Cheers,
Howie.

[Killian]

Ahhh, another convert to our growing army of outside editor people... :)

OE really is the way forward for TM, in my opinion. It takes a little getting used to, but you will soon wonder how the hell you ever managed to cope with the restrictions TM alone put on you.

Your project can only be improved by the switch, Howie; you will be able to fix dodgy shots, correct sound levels, add effects and do tons more stuff that TM alone can't provide.

Welcome to the world of expanded horizons; FBTB can only look, sound and be sharper with OE; good luck with it, and enjoy your conversion to the Light Side :)

[BiggsTrek]

Good decision, Howi. Should make life a lot more fun, interesting and ultimately more rewarding as a result.

Best of luck with it!

:)

[Howitzer]

Thanks for the support guys!
I have to say I'm very excited about the possabilities - There's alot more I'll be able to do to meet the vision I have as a director.

I may use a small arty script I have been working on as a quick sort of 'tester' for the editing before delving into this feature, but we'll see how things go.

I did decide to get Magix in the end, I can't wait to get started! So don't worry, FBtB will be on top of my list of things to do :D

Howie.

[thebiz]

Heard the radio ad on the download today. Having read the script it's great to hear voices with the lines. The ad was excellent. Cant wait to see it Howie.

[Howitzer]

Thanks Biz! Glad you liked the ad :)
I agree, hearing the voices really brings everything to life and I'm especially happy with the real grittiness of it all (I hope the ad conveyed that well - there was more I'd have liked to include but didn't have the content at the time). I'm glad that you helped me out with the dialogue too, it did make it sound much more believable.

Mini Update:

I've received the software finally and have read through most of the manual and am familiarizing myself with what it can do. Just a matter of actual practice now.

(Hopefully I'll have this all sorted and released before I move out at the end of November!)

Cheers!
Howie.

[Ellis07]

That's good to hear, Howie!
Best of luck and I hope it goes well with your 'outside editing'. But wow, Howie, you've shocked me - never thought you would be 'into' outside editing. Ok, I'll shut up now!
Lookin' forward to it!

[Howitzer]

I know! To be honest neither did I but after looking into it in more detail and seeing what it can produce I'm being converted haha.

Mini Update:

-Necessary mods are completely installed tested and working.
-All Starmaker actors are completed and imported.
-Scene02 AMM completed.

[Howitzer]

A Slightly Overdue Update:

- ALL VOs ARE NOW COMPLETE!!
That's right, everyone has completed and sent their lines! They've done a truly terrific job and I'm sure you'll all appreciate their talents and hard work as much as I do.

- Progress is slow
Unfortunately due to shortages of free time filming progress is slow, but moving none the less. With my moving house within this month production is set to remain slow I'm afraid. But don't fret! I am determined to have this completed as soon as I can and to the best possible standard I can acheive.

I'd like to thank everybody for their patience and continuing support :)

Howie.

[Howitzer]

SPANNER IN THE WORKS!!!

Unfortunately I'm having severe computer problems! (detailed below if you think you could help :S)
This could mean that I lose ALL data on my hard drive - In which case I will have to gather VOs from my stored e-mails (and contact some to resend those I don't have - if they have them!) as well as all the necessary mods and start from , well, filming again.
I truly hope that I manage to save everything (there's alot of sentimental personal stuff I'd be losing too) as it would be saddening (as well as frustrating) to have to begin over...

So, until I get further news... fingers crossed eh? :S
-------------------------------------------------------

If you can help with the below please PM me! :)
I get an error message when switching on (white text on black) saying could not start up as 'system32' is missing or corrupt. It suggests I start up again with the install disc (which I was never supplied with - the OS, Windows XP Home, came built in).
I can't go into safe mode for the same reason.
I do have the option of system recovery or even formatting but this will have me lose everything! (going back to factory settings etc)
Is there anything I can do? Is there a way to get the data off the disk (even if I have to plug it into another PC) before recovering/formatting?
I'm trying to get hold of a WinXP Home startup disc with no luck so far (bloody comet/pc world etc didn't include the actual discs with the bloody machines!).

It occured when I tried to turn it on Monday afternoon. That very morning it had been absolutely fine. It was clean, had been recently scanned and had active anti-virus/firewall etc. Random!

Pleeeaaase help - any suggestions welcome!

----------------------------------------------
Howie

[RJANACONDA]

Keep us posted howie!

[The Maverick]

I fear for this project Howie Mandel. I just hope that sometime in the future it will be released instead of it being cancelled.

[Howitzer]

Thanks for the concern everyone :)

I've had some advice from some incredibly helpful people on (cheers Ken!) and off TMU which I shall be trying when I have the chance.

As this will take a short while and Kattie (aka Sexy_Gal) and I are due to move into our own flat in the next few weeks this project has been put on unforseen hold until I can sit down and get everything going once more.

I know that this project has so far been quite a dissappointment and that it appears to be heading down the OGUG route (Sorry Fred ;) ) but I guarantee that this movie will be released, so don't worry about that!

[BiggsTrek]

Hope you get your problems worked out, Howi. 'Cause I want to see the film!

And best of luck to you and Sexy_Gal!

:tt1:

[Uber]

This may or may not help,

But;

Put your windows cd into the drive then reboot, when given the chance, open the console and change your boot sequence to tell the computer to load from the cd rather than the hard drive. If it works, it should give you the option to install windows or repair... hopefully it works.

[Howitzer]

and 158 days later...

That's right everyone;
I hereby declare production of "From Booze To Bruises" officially re-opened!
:biggrin: :thumbup1:

A new hard drive, a new OS, a new superfast bradband, a new wireless network and a whole new flat and town later... Howitzer films is up and running once more! So, here's the situation:

The Voices:
Through the magic of Gmail I've managed to recover about 90% of all the VOs that had so much hard work poured into them.
However, there are one or two actors I'll be getting in touch with to ask about re-sending, if they have the files, or if they would concider re-recording.

The Directing:
Obviously I'm having to start from scratch (re-installing the game!) unfortunately. I hope that it won't take to long, however, as I have a pretty clear picture in my head of what I'm striving for. However, if creativity strikes me once more who knows what can happen!
Oh, and this film is still planned to be edited together using 'Magix'.

The Custom Content:
Mods are something I'm going to have to go on the prowel for once again. I think I remember hearing a site or two were down but I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it. Any useful links to sites with unlocked items/actions/scenes and new sets etc would be VERY welcome :)

Music:
OK, so I've lost all the custom music I had planned to use for this production. But I fear not; I have an incredible list of (admittedly copywrite) music that I'm going to have in place until I can find any possible original replacements for them whilest in post-production. If anyone whose been following this movies progress thinks they could do a good job on a track or two please feel free to contact me.


Well, I think that about sums it up. I wish to thank everybody who has continued to support me in my absence and I look forward to working again with the community! (oh, and I'm pretty much open to do VOs again should anyone need me :))

Cheers,
Howie.

[Fospherous]

Woopee!!!! :clap:

Glad to know you're back in business!
Good luck with the rest of the production! :)

[Killian]

Woot; nice one, Howie! Glad to see you've returned to the fold at last :)

[Hotwax]

Huzzah! Good to hear you're back on track with the film. :cool

[Carver]

Alright! Glad to hear the great news, Howie! Very much looking forward to this film :D

[Howitzer]

Thanks everyone :)

FIRST UPDATE SINCE PRODUCTION RE-BOOT: :P

It's been a busy weekend! Much of it has been tracking down all the mods that I'd planned to use, good ol' long term memory & google search. It was good to find that little link section down the left hand side of this very site! (albeit a little late haha!) Thanks to those who helped me track down a couple of bits. I have compiled a rather long list... I better leave time for all the credits in the movie lol.

Another large job I performed was the selecting, trimming and cleaning of over a hundred lines of dialogue. It was most deffinately worth it though and I felt great satisfaction on hearing the final cuts of some absolutely wonderful voice acting by some incredibly talented actors.
Still a few lines to come but for now work is able to progress without any problems :) Some good news is that the ever willing Pookashells has agreed to once again perform the rather large and challenging role of our lead, Julian :thumbup:

The final part was the most difficult for me. I created my first scene from the movie.
Well, in reallity it's from about half way through but hey, it was simple and god knows I needed the practice! MAGIX is a very... 'interesting' program. Does anyone else find it frustratingly glitchy/jerky? It is a rather tempramental tool but, after the hard graft, it seems to have paid off :)
Even though by my standards its far from perfect. I'd go so far as to say that, although more restricted, I may have done a better job in TMs PP. But still... practice makes perfect eh :P I may even go back and re-film it as I get better.

Still, that's enough for now I think. So from me; thanks for reading and keep a lookout for more updates!

Howie.

[cecil_evans]

i've been waiting for a while now for this movie to come out. it's good to hear you're back on track, howitzer.

[josephkw]

Welcome back, Howie! Definitely let us know when you release this long-awaited film. Best of luck in recovering your lost data. And yes, I also find Magix to be temperamental at times.

[timothy_richmond_3]

I am so very glad you're back Howie, and still working on your film, even after all those setbacks! Hooray! Let's hope for a smooth sailing this time. :)

[Nero]

Glad to see this is back on track

[RJANACONDA]

thats right the dancing lion iz back!!!

feel free to halla at your boy if you need anything vos muisc what ever. although i am busy i will help if i can.

[Orky]

All aboard the w00t train!

- Orky

[Howitzer]

Cheers everyone! :D

Things are going a little slow production-wise. Unfortunately I'm not particularly adept in the ways of Magix as I'd hoped. As a result I'll be producing the bulk of the movie in-game and then just touching it up in Magix. Still, as I go along I'm sure to pick up some more skills -I'm sure they'll com in useful in future productions.

At the moment I'm having most fun with music selection. Lots to do yet, I have to whittle a few exerpts from a list 2 sides of A5 long!

More updates to come! :)

Howie.

[Howitzer]

Just to say after having Downloaded and listened to the latest Ken and Roger Show; This production isn't dead!
The time and effort of all those kind and talented voice actors has not been wasted!!

Magix testing continues, music selection is pretty much getting there and, once I have the lines from the last core cast member, production will be in full motion with trailers, screenees and what-not :P

So hang in there! :D

Howie.

[Carver]

Great news, Howie! I have been looking forward to this every since I was given to script to record my lines. Can't wait.

[BeatyBeaks]

Hey Howitzer. I've got your depressing movie song done.

I'll e-mail it to you.


~BeatyBeaks :alucard:

[Ellis07]

I'm glad you're still in the works with this movie - can't wait, Howie.

[Howitzer]

Thanks guys!
Messaged you Beaty ;)

However, a large snag has occured!

Unfortunately the very talented Pookashells has had to pull out of the lead role of Julian James...

As you might have guessed this has left a big hole in production!!
And so:
--------------------------------------------
CASTING CALL!

I need the LEAD filled.
The character's name is Julian James. He is a down and out depresive alcoholic in a marriage gone sour.
I must warn the role is very large! (around 70 lines if I remember rightly)

I really have no preference in accent (indeed I have purposely cast a range of accents to keep in with slightly unconventional undertones) but the voice should sound anywhere in late 20s-40s.

The ability to sound slightly drunk and depressed (without going OTT) is also important.

Sample lines could be:

JULIAN: (Getting wound up) I went for a drink. What, is that illegal now? Listen, we’ve had our bust ups in the past, but I love Vanessa. So if you’re suggesting that I had something to do with this…!

or

JULIAN: You were there for me. Of course I was grateful. But hey, I paid for the privilege. And it’s the same for all those other guys out there.

Please be aware that there are rare occasions where minor swearing is involved.
------------------------------------------------------------

If you think you'd like to help out please fell free to contact me!

In the mean time I'll look around to see if I can find any other choice actors I'd like to ask just in case.

Other production areas are continuing as usual :)

Many thanks!
Howie.

[Fospherous]

I've sent mine in ;)

[Howitzer]

Great News!

Production can once again resume with some wonderful new additions to the cast!

The very difficult role of Julian will be performed by:
Rogue

There is also an extra addition (to take over from a small part I was doing myself) in the form of:

TFoster as the Barman.

I'm flattered that there's still so much interest in this project, especially with all the hiccups along the way.
Thankyou Everybody for your continued support :) It really keeps me going!

Howie.

[Rogue (Flat Earth)]

Personally I was honored to do it :)

Always a pleasure to serve, Howie


'sides, it was fun doing Julian... not easy... but fun :angel:

[Howitzer]

This movie's going to be the death of me!

No trumpets, no massive advertising and no over-excitement this time round lol... But yes, you've guessed it, I'm on this project again - for the last time now. I'm gonna get this doen if it means I'm old and crumbly when I do.

So why is it up again this time? Well, it's actually pretty good news;

- My old PC is fixed and up and running (parallel to my new system).
- The Movies is installed, working and tested on the old machine (yay!).
- Tracked down my back-up disc so I have All VOs and Mods.
- I now have experience with Magix! (which will help speed things along).

So the plan?
As I don't actually have to collect anything more in terms of VOs, mods, music etc I can jump straight in.

1) Filming will be done in TM and recorded with Fraps for higher quality (if the PC can handle it, else I'll use the Hi-Def export mod I was kindly given by Sisch).

2) The exported footage will be transferred to New system for Editing and finishing etc :) (everything will be backed up as I go).

3) Release. I'm not giving a date, for obvious reasons :wheelchair:

I am more confident this time round as:
a) I'm not planning any holidays, moving etc
b) I've fixed and tested everything so am not expecting any failures.
c) I'm broke - so won't get distracted by going out or buying new games haha.

So, there you have it. I will update again when I think there is valuable news.
I won't be working on any trailers or anything until production is almost complete - that way when you see one you know it's actually gonna happen soon lol!

Thanks everyone for continued support on this :flowers:

[Rogue (Flat Earth)]

Alright! :punk:

Lemme know if you need any help :):57:

[Carver]

Epic. Looking forward to seeing this film finally launch.

[FallenThomas]

Almost two years in the making too! Well, I'm definitely going to see the end result. :001_smile:

[Howitzer]

Almost two years in the making too! Well, I'm definitely going to see the end result. :001_smile:

lol, wonder if it beats the record of Overground Underground? :3:

It has been a long time yes - unfortunately it probably wont look like 2 years worth of awesomeness, but I hope the extra planning will help :001_tongue:

[Kinte (PlayhouseProductions)]

another good looking movie great cast cant wait to check it out

[Howitzer]

I've dug out the old Audio Trailer that was aired on TMOA and uploaded it to TMU. You can see (well, hear) it here (http://www.tmunderground.com/watch/01feb739b06c399e9cd9/From-Booze-To-Bruises---Original-Audio-Trailer).

It's pre-Rogue so still has Pookashells in the credits and vocals and also I don't have credits for the music as I lost the files long ago - however the last track was from 'Gunshy' (found on www.newgrounds.com).

I shall work on an updated version and a full trailer in future. But this is a taster of the style for now :)

[wackyal3000]

lol, wonder if it beats the record of Overground Underground? :3:

Well we were at 2 and a half so you're nearly there. :D

Looking forward to this Howie. Keep at it!

[Howitzer]

Just a quick update to say that filming has passed a new point. This film has got further now than it has managed before! lol

So, yep, production carries on slowly and surely :)