TOPIC: Video

I was wondering if you guys ever took a video of a group (perhaps a gm test run) going through the dungeon. I have an ardent desire to show my friends that I am not simply insane and that they should come with me to gencon this year for the sole purpose of going to true dungeon, in order to do that a video is requisite, so, if you happen to have one that you might put up for download, I'd be much obliged.
James P.

We have tried to take video, but the lighting always kills it. Perhaps this year we can do a run with the partially up so we can get it on film. It would be nice to look at in our old age.

We have tried night vision but that really does not work either. Sorry.

set it up again, and do a run through at higher light, sell the tape on the site, Id buy it

It's amazing what can be seen with 1600 speed regular photos. Is there the equivalent for video?

The problem with selling the video at the con is some people would buy it Thursday to prep for their run through on Saturday. Not really fair to everyone. Also we don't set this whole thing up until we get to the con. That make reproducing the video in quantity an issue.

if you could get past the lighting issue you could sell last year's video at this years con (ie this year's video at next year's con)

This would also work for selling last year's map of the dungeon - but these things can also be sold online a few days after the CON so that everyone is still hot for that dungeon detail.

Way I see it there is a big interest in riddle reveal - why not sell something that covers this???

I would buy both a video and a module of the dungeon if they were avaialble.

Gary

I think he's on to something.

Do a module on the dungeon! Full blown map of course and a step by step room by room walkthrough etc...

And a video! Release it AFTER the Con, so people who are JONESING for details have a complete, "This is How it was Done"!

You could start the video with Initial dungeon design (tape meetings, and do interviews with the TD people) and component building in your home area. Next would be the actual set up at the CON (showing off as many volunteers as you can! FACE time! LOL ) Then you lead into some tavern time showing all the excited "adventurers" buying tokens and rumor mongering. Also including on the spot interviews with people before they go in, AND interviews AFTER they come out! Then you head into the "Ready Room" where people practice what they need to practice... THEN you do a run through of the whole dungeon with your own crew to show how it's done. After that, more GENCON footage and interviews, ending with a return home, and a final word from your TD personnel.

You'd make a killing! An absolute killing! Heck, you could sell the module and video individually, OR as a package deal... WOOT!

Ya know, after thinking about this, I personally would buy OTHER ones' that I didn't go to, like SoCal!!! I'd be dying to know what it looked like etc... I think you'd really really really make a mint on this!

Assuming the 'lighting issue' could be resolved effectively, this really would be a very neat idea. Any AV experts among our pool of volunteers??

The other idea that came to mind while reading this thread were "in action" photos. I know they have been discussed before. It could be quick in-game digital stills of groups in rooms or pre-game at the inn. They could be taken digitally and printed on demand (sold) via a computer set-up for a few bucks.

A comparison are the amusement park ride photos or event photos. Certainly not a bank-buster, but perhaps a neat add on. Now how does one do that in a manner that does not ruin the atmosphere??

I think all it takes is a good quality laser printer and some photo paper...then a computer, digital camera - maybe two memory sticks...maybe frames to slide the photo paper into...etc.

Gary

The problem with film is that it loves (and needs) massive amounts of light. For standard film, you actually need a little more light then the normal human eye needs. Thats why most cameras have those really annoying and totally useless lights attached. I would suggest during set up a trial run with the house lights up. Some creative 'stage' lighting, that you can move from room to room to customize the levels with shading (to deal with the house lights up) can help to give it the dark 'look' (ie blues and greens, or even reds for evil hues).

I'm not a lighting designer, but I am a lighting operator for theatre and know more then a few lighting designers who have worked with film as well. I can poke around and see if I can get some suggestions from them. But I'd say do a recording in a "controlled" lighting environment with some of the volunteers playing the players. If nothing else you could get some good 'commercial' footage that way.

By training, I am a lighting designer and have worked both stage and film. Part of the problem is finding time to do it once the dungeon is up. we'll get it right one of these years.