Tag Archives: Machinima

Working for the Weekend

Well, not really. The weird thing about this episode is that we actually can’t film during the weekends this month. That means that we’ve acted like real people the last few Saturdays instead of horrid, slobbering cave trolls slaving over PC’s. Typically, our shooting schedule revolves around Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday filming, but due to some out-of-town trips and things called “jobs”, we haven’t been able to.

The goods news is that despite it all, we’re nearly done filming the episode, which means we’re one step closer to its release. As always, I’d love to give you guys a date on when you’ll see it, but any number of factors can affect the timing, so I don’t want you to think of me as a dirty liar. I mean, I am one (though not as big as Nick), but I don’t want you thinking of me like that nonetheless.

While there’s mostly good news to report, I do have to say that there won’t be a character bio this week. I’m not one to make excuses, but my only free night to write it was kind of my wedding anniversary. Slightly more important. They’ll be back next week.

To make up for it, I brought screenshots. Enjoy.

Screenie04 Screenie05 Screenie06

I would also like to remind everyone that the Themetacular Challenge is still ongoing, and will be ending soon. Remember, you don’t have to do The Leet World theme song exactly the same. Change the chords and the arrangement if you like, make it your own, make it different. We take creativity and nom it.

EDIT: We’re extending the contest until May 19th. We have some amazing entries, so be creative and don’t just do the song exactly the same. You don’t have to use Jace’s vocals if you don’t want. You can make it country, hip-hop, whatever floats your boat. Just be creative! If you feel like you want to resubmit based on that rule and you’ve already entered, you have a free pass to send one more back in.

New Outtakes

So it’s been a pretty cool weekend. Daniel and Nick went to see Jace and a bunch of other friends from college while I stayed home and played tons of GTA IV. We also released our new Halo 3 short, The GunStop Way, which has been received well. While a lot of it is exaggeration, I still found it crazy how many people have apparently had similar experiences with the unnamed video game retailer.

A lot of folks have also been asking about the voice of GunFly. That’s Ty. You’ve heard his voice before in Episodes 9, 11 and 12 of The Leet World.

Here for your enjoyment is a new sampling of our audible screw-ups. Our rule of thumb is that we like to release audio outtakes for every two episodes, simply because one episode wouldn’t provide enough material to produce something worthwhile. Even though Episode 11 didn’t have much dialogue, Episode 12 more than made up for it. It seems the extra time in the booth can give a man a taste of closet fever.

How bad is the fever? You’ll just have to listen and find out. Right-click and select “save as” to download.

http://www.smoothfewfilms.com/extras/tlwouttakespart6.mp3

More filming tonight. An Episode 13 update is coming in the near future.

The GunStop Way

Ever needed a weapon desperately, only to be told by the retailer that you couldn’t buy one without a pre-order? Or perhaps you keep wondering where all of the mom-and-pop gun and ammo stores went to? Then perhaps you’re familiar with GunStop, the dominant weapons retailer on XBox Live. This is a short filmed with the Halo 3 engine. For all you gamers that have had the pleasure of dealing with the store that is being parodied in this video, we trust that you can relate to some of the experiences inside.

To download, right click and then select “Save As”.
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Click here to digg it!

As with our other shorts, this isn’t the place for Episode Thirteen discussion. There will be more news coming soon.

Enjoy!

Chet: Living Extra Hard

I can’t write this update and not talk about Grand Theft Auto IV, which so far is turning out to be nearly as good as all the reviews have depicted it. I’ve got to say I’m surprised that none of the coverage I’ve read has mentioned the slightly clunky controls. While they don’t detract from the overall greatness of the game, they do deserve to be noted.

Needless to say, I attended the midnight launch the other night with Daniel and Kerry. There’s something magical about standing in line with other nerds. It reminded me of every other midnight gaming event I’ve stumbled through, and while I briefly felt shame, I know that I’d wait in line again for that PS2, Wii, etc.

On the subject of midnight launches, our Halo short arrives later this week. You’ll understand that transition once you’ve seen it.

As promised, a new challenger enters the ring with his bio this week. Switching back to the Counter-Terrorists, we’ll be taking a look at the life of Chet.

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House Cleaning

So today we knocked a big chunk of filming for Episode Thirteen out of the park, claiming it as our property in celebration not unlike a young boy named Stephen once did. Yes, there was some collective Smooth Few Films squatting. Maybe one of the least problems-free days in our short history of production.

Nick upgraded the “camera” computer that we use to film the show, complete with an 8800 GT. Needless to say, our characters are colorful and smooth and it definitely enhances the look of everything. I even brought some screenshots to prove it.

The Interrogation. T3h RIVAR Delegation

Pretty nice, eh? In case you guys haven’t been around, a lot went down the last two weeks. I’ve put together a list of some important posts to make it easier to navigate.

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Montrose: Second Fiddle

Well, now that Episode Twelve has come and gone, things are really starting to gather steam on our end. I know that you guys will be upset when the season is done in two episodes, but for us, it’s a goal that we’re trying to hit and a pretty cool accomplishment. We feel like we’ve told a fun story so far and we’re looking forward to how it’s going to wrap up.

The next month is pretty packed: as of now, we’re planning to bring a new short (maybe two), Episode Thirteen, a new podcast and lots of other cool features. I think you guys will enjoy what we’ve got cooking. But then again, we’re terrible at planning and like an antithesis to Ian Malcolm’s “Life finds a way” speech in Jurassic Park, things tend to find a way to kick us as far as our production schedule goes. That’s when life shows up and hisses at us and blinds us with its black gooey saliva of eye-pain.

Naturally, I assumed that releasing an episode would override any desire to read the next character bio, but clearly, you people are addicted. So, as planned, here’s this week’s installment of The Leet World character bios: Montrose.

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Duels, Fates and Phantoms

We now proudly present to you dudes and dudettes that visit our site, Episode 12 of The Leet World, “Attack of the Noob“. Once you watch it, you’ll realize that I wasn’t kidding when I said this one was going to be a big one. Mondo big.

After this, there will be just two more episodes before the end of the season, making for a total of 14 episodes. Season 2 will resume in the Fall along with our insanity and lack of a social life. But don’t worry, over the next few weeks we’re going to start talking about our summer plans, and what kinds of cool stuff you can expect. The plans may or may not involve lollerskates.

Downloadable versions and YouTube will be up in the morning.

Enjoy! And remember to click here to digg it.

A Disturbance in the Force

Soon, thousands of refresh buttons will cry out in terror…

That’s because Episode Twelve hits tonight (Monday) or tomorrow morning (Tuesday). Nick and Daniel put in a monster day yesterday to plow through most of the episode, and we’re on the home stretch. We’ll do whatever we can to make sure that you dudes are watching it tonight, but the empire knows we’re coming, and we are just a small rebel squadron.

Give Han more time — he won’t let you down.

Eye Candy

Episode Twelve is coming within a week. Unfortunately, I can’t give any more details than that, but it’s on its way and ready to be watched. If you haven’t had a chance, get to reading Leeroy’s Bio and find out more about your favorite nerd. Some brand new screenies:

Trickeration Eye of the Tiger. Rawr. COMPUDAR!1!

While Daniel and Nick are working their post-production surgery on Episode Twelve, I’m busy putting together (writing, building in Forge, etc) our next Halo short. Here are some early screenies of the location, from the new map “Blackout”.

Moonlit Night Mystery Door

What’s behind the mystery door? Lulz, of course.

Leeroy: A Nerd’s Path

Nick was out of town for the weekend, Daniel had work and I was sick as a dog, but all-in-all, great things still happened on the progress of Episode Twelve. Daniel and I put in an 8 hour day on Saturday and made some stuff happen. There will be some more news in a few days about when you can expect the episode, so I’m sure you’re all ready to hear that. This episode is a big one, that’s for sure.

Also, today’s Daniel’s birthday. He’s old. Not really.

Like I said before, I was pleased with how everyone responded to Ahmad’s Biography last week. Hopefully, this week will be no different. Our next stop on the biography tour is Leeroy.

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