Battlestar Fan Film is done!...

[Charybdis]

Hi everyone,

I'm here to make the announcement that my short little Battlestar Fan Film is done and ready for viewing.

I wrote up a short little story and interspersed my live action footage with some footage from the original series. It all makes up what I am calling a "mini-episode."

My online group is called the Battlestar Callisto, so the title of the episode is called Battlestar Callisto: Planet of No Return.

It's not the greatest since it's my first foray into doing this, but I hope it stirs the filmmakers out there to really try and start doing Battlestar films. I am going to start work on another one shortly.

If anyone who has Battlestar uniforms lives in the Carolinas area (Tennessee, Virginia, etc.), please let me know and we can maybe get together to involve more people in the next one...

Here is the link to the download section of our website. The file is 23.3MB and the ep runs 5:31. You can also download individual scenes and credits.

http://www.battlestarcallisto.net/downloads.htm


Let me know what you think!

[Sept17th]

Wow, your that DUDE! We have been discussing your film and although all the comments aren’t pretty including some of my own the over whelming theme is…GOOD FOR YOU!

You stepped up and DID SOMETHING while the rest of us for various reasons are still just talking. Bottom line you look like you where enjoying your self and we look forward to more.

Here is the thread about your film: http://www.cylon.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4055

:salute:

[Charybdis]

Hey everyone,

thanks for the link over to Cylon.org. Nothing too harsh was said, and hey, I know that it's a short little thing set in my backyard!!! But the critiques were taken to heart and hopefully the next one will be a bit better...

now to explaining what happened in what you saw:

1) helmet: well, this is a short story. I had one. I sold one. I don't have one now. That's why I am not wearing one. I'm not sure if anyone would have shipped me their helmet so I can wear it on one day's shooting. BUT, I have ordered a new one and hopefully in a couple of months, I WILL be wearing a lighted BSG helmet in the next film!

2) camera angles: I tried to get some variation, but my yard has a very defined foliage line and in order to get the movement aspect of travelling right to left, the shots seemed pretty much the same. I will try to get better camera angles next time. I was just using one camera. However, I do have access to several others, so perhaps a two or three camera effort next time!

3) voices: Yes, I was contacting people onboard the Callisto, and the thought of adding a voice answering back did come up, but the schedule and the timing just did not allow me to do it for this one. Not to mention I had very limited audio tracks on the program I was using. Got a new one of those too. Definitely next time...

4) credits: this short film was a tribute to all my friends onboard the Callisto with me. Therefore, I dubbed it a mini-episode of what could have been if they named the show Battlestar Callisto, therefore I included many of my friends from the RPG in the credits. None of them live too close to me nor have full Colonial uniforms, so using them would be kind of hard. However, we are working on a plan for next time!

5) Skiffy footage: I goofed on this one. I thought that I could not use the DVD's due to copyright protection so I began using the skiffy footage for the opening credits. However, if you look closely, all the scenes in the rest of the show are from the DVDs.

THe hardest part is coming up with storylines that use only one person and have to use existing footage from the series. NOt to mention decent places to shoot the stuff. Not an easy thing to do!

But, I just hoped that it can inspire some to do more work in this vein...

[julix]

I liked that..........very good job!!! To do it yourself amazing :salute: Good for you :) I am going to link it over at laurette's site :)

[gmd3d]

I liked what I saw and respect the effort you put into the film.. as TBC pointed out you did it .. way to go.. :)

[oldwardaggit]

Hey that was awesome. I look forward to more of it and it's great to finally see something like this get off the ground. Keep up the great work. :)

OWD

[Compass]

I liked the cargo ship at the beginning.

I think that this movie is a promising start, especially for the visuals and scenery. The next step is a longer movie with more characters and a more complex plot.

[Charybdis]

Thanks everyone! I am going to try my hand at working on a larger production, and I have bought materials to build my own viper cockpit! Wish me luck!!!

[Gemini1999]

Thanks everyone! I am going to try my hand at working on a larger production, and I have bought materials to build my own viper cockpit! Wish me luck!!!

Best of luck!

Oh, and we want pictures when it's done!

Best,
Bryan

[julix]

good luck! :)

[Titon]

Hey Al! Great work man.

Like Sept. said you at least went out and did something.

:)

[martok2112]

A great first effort, Charybdis.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:salute:

Respectfully,
Martok2112

[Charybdis]

Is there anyone here who would be willing to put together a small poster for the Callisto mini-ep?

[shugotenshi]

Thanks for the link.

[shugotenshi]

BTW Charybdis, I'm going to post this at SOL as well for comments as well.

http://battlestargalactica-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1378

[Charybdis]

THanks, Shugo, I appreciate it and all who have commented...

[gpdesigner]

I downloaded the zip file . . . can't play them, I am on a Mac. I have the windows media player, but the files must be in some format just native for PC's or something . . .
I am sure the video rocked . . . . :thumbsup:

T

[CmdrCain]

I'm here to make the announcement that my short little Battlestar Fan Film is done and ready for viewing.


Great effort there, Charybdis. Glad to see some BSG fanfilm work getting off the ground.


If anyone who has Battlestar uniforms lives in the Carolinas area (Tennessee, Virginia, etc.), please let me know and we can maybe get together to involve more people in the next one...

I live in South Carolina and would love to help out with a BSG film. I don't have a uniform, but I might be able to get one...or else improvise something!

[TwoBrainedCylon]

Compliments to you. A good effort and, as best I know, the first live action BSG fanfilm ever. Great work. I have a firm saying: "Anyone who finishes a fanfilm should be sainted."

Congrats.


Sandy

[shugotenshi]

I liked it for the most part. The only problems I had was the colonel flying his viper without a helmet, and the absence of a voice responding to him over the comlink.

Good job. :thumbsup:

[julix]

Compliments to you. A good effort and, as best I know, the first live action BSG fanfilm ever. Great work. I have a firm saying: "Anyone who finishes a fanfilm should be sainted."

Congrats.


Sandy

so, Charybdis the "saint" ;)

[Charybdis]

St. Charybdis! I could live with that :)

As for the viper helmet: I' ve got my little hands on one right now and it's being built as we speak. Should be ready for the next film!!

A little slower on the viper cockpit. The main box is constructed and I am now working on the main engine nacelle behind the canopy. One of the side nacelles is done.

It's nothing much. Like I said, I am trying to build a forced perspective cockpit viewed from the front. I' ve always wanted to try this since I was a little kid. Here goes nothing...

[Sept17th]

I'm really gonna have to try and work in a cameo for you in my film.

[AlternityOrange]

I just got the chance to finish watching this. My hat is definitely off to you sir! It might not win any independant film awards but you got it done. I've been working on fan films of my own for two years now that I sometimes think will never be completed so I concur with knighthood bestowing on any who manage to finish. What program did you use to edit?

[shugotenshi]

St. Charybdis! I could live with that :)

As for the viper helmet: I' ve got my little hands on one right now and it's being built as we speak. Should be ready for the next film!!

A little slower on the viper cockpit. The main box is constructed and I am now working on the main engine nacelle behind the canopy. One of the side nacelles is done.

It's nothing much. Like I said, I am trying to build a forced perspective cockpit viewed from the front. I' ve always wanted to try this since I was a little kid. Here goes nothing...

Looking forward to it. :thumbsup:

[chooch]

nice!i liked it! i have plans for a multi sci fi universe mega comic saga that mixes dr who, all eras of trek, BOTH galacticas(via they are alternate universe versions who meet) and star wars.

http://www.choochcomics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32

thats the preview page of my 3d comic website

www.choochcomics.com is the main, click forums and view the pages under current issues -WARNING!- sex and nudity in the comics.

[Charybdis]

Hey everyone,

As some of the pictures I have posted recently indicate (my avatar for example), I have finished working on the viper cockpit. I am just waiting on the lights for my helmet and once that is done, I will begin the next episode of the Battlestar Callisto mini-ep projects I am doing!

I have written a short script for the episode, tentatively titled "Ensign Annie." It will be a space-based episode in that the whole thing takes place in the vipers and will feature another person (Ens. Annie)...

Updates as they become available...

[oldwardaggit]

Hey everyone,

As some of the pictures I have posted recently indicate (my avatar for example), I have finished working on the viper cockpit. I am just waiting on the lights for my helmet and once that is done, I will begin the next episode of the Battlestar Callisto mini-ep projects I am doing!

I have written a short script for the episode, tentatively titled "Ensign Annie." It will be a space-based episode in that the whole thing takes place in the vipers and will feature another person (Ens. Annie)...

Updates as they become available...

Hey once again that's awesome.
I don't know much about CGI but it seems that if you had a blue screen in the background of the viper and a blue screen to stand in front of, then a CGI artest should be able to have you standing anywhere or flying anywhere. Then the possibilities would be endless and a full episode would be possible but I'm not sure how much work would be involved in the CGI. All I know is that I could do the sound for it easy if need be.

Keep up the great work. :)
OWD

[julix]

Great News!!!!! :salute:

[ernie90125]

Charydbis,

This is fantastic news.....best of luck....

I know that the Hidden Frontier stuff has got the attention of Paramount and actors (Koenig is making a guest appearance in a similar show)....perhaps with enough of this sort of stuff we could get the attention of Universal ?

Please keep us updated..........

[Charybdis]

I am getting the chroma key stuff on my computer so I will be experimenting with flying in space, hopefully, it will look good, if not, well, there's always closeups!!

My helmet lights come in this week! Production on the next mini-ep will probably begin next weekend...stay tuned...

[ernie90125]

Will you also be re-shooting your first fanfilm, to include the helmet and background of space...or leaving it as it is ?

Another suggestion would be to also have an full length version of your fanfilms for download, rather than having them in chunks. Whilst helpful for modem users, having both would be better for us broadband users...and easier to download and view...

You doing this is sooo cool.......

[Callipygian]

Hats off to you, sir. Great work, and not a bad acting job, either. You must be having a lot of fun with this. Looking forward to more!

Calli

[Ethan]

I just watched it.

FABULOUS!

I hope someday I can contribute to work like that . . .

Ethan

:salute:

[Charybdis]

Hey everyone, thanks!! Yes, it is the GREATEST fun to do these things! I finally get to pretend that I'm on set shooting Battlestar Galactica stuff!

I got my helmet lights yesterday and the helmet is finished!

I do not have any plans to re-shoot the original episode (Planet of No Return), but who knows? I might just give it a try eventually.

I am already thinking of the episode 3! Whoa, too much on the plate.

I want to start shooting episode 2 this Saturday on the 27th anniversary of BSG...

[paganize]

Great work!

[paganize]

it just occured to me that if enough FanFilms get generated, it wouldn't be too hard to set up a peercast internet TV station, showing fanfilms 'round the clock. could even potentially generate enough advertising revenue to be self-supporting, bandwidth wise.
Hmmm.
I feel my long dormant Entrepreneurial Spirit rousing sluggishly.....

[martok2112]

Hey everyone, thanks!! Yes, it is the GREATEST fun to do these things! I finally get to pretend that I'm on set shooting Battlestar Galactica stuff!

I got my helmet lights yesterday and the helmet is finished!

I do not have any plans to re-shoot the original episode (Planet of No Return), but who knows? I might just give it a try eventually.

I am already thinking of the episode 3! Whoa, too much on the plate.

I want to start shooting episode 2 this Saturday on the 27th anniversary of BSG...

Charybdis, would you be interested in collaborating on a mini-fanfilm?

I am thinking up some stories in my head...and of course, soon I shall have my Galactica miniatures :D

Inquisitively,
Martok2112 :salute:

[spiderr987]

I just now saw this! Wow! This is the first fan film I've seen since TROOPERS! That was supercool! Way to keep the spirit of BSG alive! You're actually doing something about it and it's all positive! ...again... CONGRATS! :thumbsup: :salute:

[Charybdis]

OK, fanfilm update 9.30.05:

My new BSG fanfilm is finished!! The Battlestar Callisto mini-ep is called "Ensign Annie" and takes place in the universe created in the Battlestar Callisto RPG that can be found at: http://bscallisto.proboards20.com

The new viper cockpit is utilized and the finished viper pilot's helmet is also featured. In the story, Col. Charybdis is to escort a young Ensign Annie from the Galactica to the training academy aboard the Callisto. However, the smooth flight has some dangerous surprises!

BUT, I have a problem. Our Callisto website is having trouble and there is no way I can get the file to the site. I am looking for a place to host my mini-ep at least for a temporary time so people can have the chance to see it. If anyone has any help to offer, I would appreciate it.

The file is 135 MB and the episode runs 7:05...I can mail you a disc if you need me too...

[TwoBrainedCylon]

I'll host it under the AllGalactica.com server.

E-mail me and we'll work out the details.


Sandy

[Titon]

Al, sorry i didn't get back to you sooner!

I've been kind of busy as you can see. I'd also be very proud to host the file here if you need us to.

Just let me know

WHoops!

Did see you post Sandy, let me know AL if you need to have it hosted.

Don

[Charybdis]

I guess the more places the merrier. what do you all need me to do? I can't send it via email since the files are too large, but if you want, I can mail it to you both on disc. If you could send me your addy's I can get it in the mail by Monday...

[TwoBrainedCylon]

The best thing I can think of for the moment is to ICQ it over to me.

Failing that, burning it on a CD might be the best.

Failing that, we'll try to work out some FTP setup.


Sandy

[Sept17th]

Will we be seeing the next episode soon?

[Titon]

Jon, Al sent me a disk but the 7 minute episode was well over 130 meg in size. He's reduced it to roughly 18 meg's in size and i'll be uploading it hopefully today.

:)

[ernie90125]

I too hope to see this new episode too......

Also, Charybdis....would you allow your fanfilms to be pictured, reviewed and linked to on my new BSG fanfilms website ?

I'm hoping to make it the focal point for all BSG fanfilms, as at the moment they are spread all over the 'net....

I'm not a film-maker or CGI artist myself, but I want to contribute...this is my way of doing so.....

[martok2112]

I am anxious to see this. Keep it up, Charybdis. :salute:

[Charybdis]

Hi everyone,

Yes, I give permission to link to the fanfilms, they are for everyone to enjoy afterall, even if the acting is not that great! But, hey, I'm not a professional filmmaker, just a person who loves BSG and wants to do fun stuff!!

Sandy and Don, when you get it uploaded, just let us know the link to it! I can't wait to see what you all think of it.

[Charybdis]

Fan Film 3 update 10.18.05:

I know this is coming fast and furious since ep 2 is not even out yet, but good news! I have already filmed some of my parts for Callisto mini-ep 3! The new episode calls for some shots in the viper and some in another location. All the viper shots are done and some editing is underway.

I don't know when I will be able to do the other shooting since I might need some special set dressings. More info later...

[julix]

cool :cool: let us know............