October 7th Update

I have been dreading making this post. The Blade has been going slowly for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to: Lack of time to get the guys together to film, and the best animator a guy could ask for (Mcdoogleh/Nabsuh, of course) is also working on Prophecy (among other things). As of now, The Blade is on hold. I wish there was some good news.







The infection is coming...

May 20th Update

I promised an update by Tuesday, and here it is. Nothing awesome like a view of the script (which isn't that interesting, I suppose). Instead, I have the first of what I hope is to be many small interviews with my crew. First up is James McKinney. This interview is short, light-hearted, and consists of questions like what's your name, what's your favorite part of working on it, etc. A more serious one may or may not follow, but I hope that one will. This should give anyone who watches it a look into the people behind The Blade.


Please note that this video is Youtube, and will not be up for a short time. When it is, however, it should appear above.

May 12 Update

It's good to be writing an update after these many long months (just over two, I believe). First, I'm going to explain why there has not been an update. Simply, there has not been anything to update. Until last night. Unfortunately, my internet connection was messed up (Comcast sucks, avoid it if you can) and I couldn't post. Just what is this piece of information? The final draft of the script has been completed. Now, this is not to say I have been filming without a script. This final draft is just a polishing of the dialogue and addition of scenes. For example, in the first draft, Commander Trey Smith's job of evacuating a Colonel didn't flow well. Now, however, it fits in quite well.

That's about it for this update, but expect one by next Tuesday. I'm going to try to update a little more often, and get The Blade out as soon as possible. Now, to finish things off, I'll throw in a small shot of the script:

February First Update

Well, first I'd like to say sorry for the lack of updates, and I hope you all had a great Holiday Season (even if it was over a month ago). I have promised something for tonight, and even though it's the second of February where I am, it's still the first in parts of the world, so it's all good. I don't have a teaser pic, or a crew pic, or any other little things like that. Instead, I have http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXdVxVQ1Vac. It's youtube this time around, instead of good ol' mythica.org. Which brings me to another point.

As everyone reading no doubt knows, mythica.org is going down at the end of the month, meaning I have no reason to upload there anymore. This is a blow to the community, and mythica will never be forgotten.

Now, I will have the video above actually on the site in the morning, but I don't have time now. And when I figure out how to work this series of tubes called the "Interwebz", I will even be able to offer a download. So until then, enjoy the new trailer, and see you next update!

UPDATE: Due to a misunderstanding (mostly my fault, unfortunately) the guy who made the music that I used in the latest trailer has requested that it be taken down. I have done so, meaning the link is useless. I will be replacing the music and putting it back up soon.

The Blade- CGI Update!

I guess I better do a CGI Update, I am WAY over due to do one...

Anyway, for people wondering what is going on in the CGI world for me, I have begun to add Post Processing effects after my film (Explained to me by the Halo Unyielding 2 Editor Guru, TMRiddle.)

Allow me to explain the process, that I go through-




This, is the original CGI Shot, and I run multiple angles of the same scene to great effect. However, after I am done editing and setting up the sound (Sound for the CGI will always be done by me :P, except for when my cat sits on my kybard...), I apply some special effects that work for me (And also make my stuff look better). In the end Process, I end up with this-



Same shot, but WAAAAY Kooler!

I don't use the same post processing effects in all my films, in some cases I apply different ones that work out for the CGI.

To finish, I'll put up a final CGI Shot. Post Processing was applied ;)...


P.S- I didnt anti-anialise the last shot XD, so sue me if you have to!

Sup! Sorry for the long time span!

Hey guys, its me the CGI guy for The Blade, I'll go ahead and explain where the hell I have been :P.

1. I was working on one of my other projects, fortunatly I have completed the CGI scenes for the episodes that need it and now I am spending my time working on the blade!

2. Now, today I would have something nice up for you guys, however I was quite sick and ummm, I kinda screwed up on the scene which is a slight delay in the overall process.

3. Finally, all of my time now shall be dedicated to the blade unless some other project pops up 0_o, and that is a 50/50 chance, but just know that I'll be working on the blade now.

When I get something done, I'll put up a WIP. But I have also been learning alot so I can make the CGI all the better for the audience!

Until another update from me or Aglor, have a happy new year!

December 8th Update

Hey, there everyone. It's been almost a month since the last update, and not much has changed. Very little has been filmed, as my crew has been busy, and all that remains are big scenes. Speaking of which, this upcoming Saturday I will be filming one of these scenes online. If anyone wants to help out, either leave a comment on here or one of the sites I'm posting this on, or email me at aglor123@gmail.com. Thanks to anyone that decides to help out. It won't take long to do, but it'll help me out quite a bit. Just remember that I'm still filming in Halo 2, so you'll need a copy of that. I think I may finally get my animation guy back (I have my fingers crossed) since the first episode of Prophecy is finally up. That's about it for this week.

November 9th Update

Hey everyone. Aglor here again with a few small updates. First, progress on The Blade is going smoothly. More filming will be completed tomorrow at about noon (some of you may notice me or my crew playing Halo 2 and, you'll know why). Last week, a scene that has been quite difficult to get has been completed, involving a ghost and Trey Smith jumping onto it from above.

Also, the masterminds here behind The Blade are working on putting together a little gift for the people who have been following production. Sort of a thank you for paying attention to us. Nothing big, but it'll do. You'll have to wait a few days until I get all of the details figured out to see what I'm talking about.

At my last talk with our brilliant Master of Animation, there isn't anything new, really. So, no CG Update just yet. Sorry, I know that the CG is one of the big draws for people, if only because it looks shiny. I can, however show you a special little bonus for an upcoming project that will of course be involved in The Blade and adding to the story, tying it in with the... well, if I finished that sentence, I'd have to kill you. Just take a look:

Oh, and because I feel guilty about not giving away a teaser picture actually from The Blade in awhile, here's this. It's a picture of two members of my crew, whose names I'm not giving away until I get there okay. On the TV, you can see where we filmed the scene that gave us so much trouble. I'll be in the next crew pic, so you can finally see who has been writing these bloody updates. Enjoy, everyone!

It's all over!

Well, it's over. The Blade, after being in production for the past year and a half, has...


...Finally gotten back on track! The crew of The Blade has been on vacation playing Halo 3 for the past few weeks, and that vacation ended (for most of us, at least) last Friday. On Sunday, filming resumed, and some great warthog/ghost footage was captured. More filming will be done this Saturday, and there's more! At my last check, The Blade is the last Halo 2 machinima in production! Now, I'm not 100% sure about that, but until I find another machinima, or someone tells me otherwise (send this information to aglor123@gmail.com), I will continue to call The Blade the last of Halo 2 machinima, and the last of an era. Quite a title, don't you think?

The REAL final August Update

Hey, just the CGI guy here, with a little teaser ;)
HEV pods anyone?

Final August Update!

And I'm back! Haven't updated in a little while, but I'm here now! First, a little info about why I haven't updated. Lightning hit my house or something, and my computer fried. After swapping out the hard drives (this computer is so slow!) I finally got back to The Blade. For tonight's update, I'll answer some questions, show off a bit of art I made for the storyline, and toss in a small bio of one of the characters. Read on, and enjoy!



First up, the questions. These are from Spartan 501 on the Codex Forums. Why the Codex, you ask? Because they're special, that's why. Okay, on to the Q&A.

1. How soon will the blade be done? I'm shooting for September 25 to have filming done, but no exact date has been set.


2. Can you give us any hints to the storyline? Well, not really. It might ruin the effect of seeing the movie. However, I can give you the background on one of the characters (see below).


3. This one is for Mcdoogleh: What is the status of the CGI? (Answered by our good ol' CG guy) Since I am redoing ALL of the CGI, I have gotten one scene redone XD. But don't worry, it will be done quicker XD.

So, now that that is out of the way, we can move on to my bit of art.

Pretty awsome, huh? I think so, at least. Anyway, on to the bio. Which character will it be? Trey Smith, Alpha, the High General, maybe even Nom Sut-Dun. Who is it? Drum roll, please.

It is Commander Corona! So far you guys have heard nothing of Commander James Corona, an ODST and old friend of our main hero, Trey Smith. But here he is, or at least his biography. What I can reveal, at least.

Name: Commander James Martin Corona

Born: October 6, 2518

Death: N/A

Early History: Commander James Martin Corona was born October 6, 2518 to John and Jackie Corona (deceased). At the age of six, James began his schooling at the Shaw Acadamy. He graduated from the Academy in 2536 at the age of 18. His parents are killed by Covenant forces while vacationing on the planet Rayon, provoking James to join the United Nations Space Command Navy.

Military History: James Corona rose in rank quickly, after several engagements with Covenant forces, and Human rebels. He left the Navy after reaching the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He then joined his childhood friend Commander Trey Smith in the United Nations Space Command Special Operations Branch (seal above) in 2542. Corona served with Smith on several occasions, the last of which was on New London. During an operation on New London, Corona was wounded and hospitalized. He left the Service one year later in 2547 and rejoined the Navy. He fought in several more battles, and achieved the rank of Commander. He is currently stationed on the planet Yarous VII in the Theleta System, operations commander of the forces in Victoria City and under the direct command of Colonel George Lock.

That's all for this update. If anyone has any more questions they want answered in the next update, either post them on the Codex forums in The Blade topic, or send them to Aglor123@gmail.com with a subject line reading "The Blade Questions". Any questions are welcome, so don't hesitate to ask if you want to know something.

Hooray!

Good news! I have sorted 90% of the CGI objects and presets for The Blade! And, to show the progress, here is the Frigate Nostradamus finished!

CG Update

Here is the image of FFG-132, Nostradamus.





Enjoy!

CG: Update

While creating CGI for The Blade, I thought I might release some pics and a teaser vid ;). These ships, are from the blade, and I have some specs on them XD


UNSC- Dawn Under Heaven:
The Dawn Under Heaven is one of ten UNSC Type S Halcyons that has stealth sensors and has enough power to take out 3 covenant frigates by itself. Dawn Under Heaven was also upgraded with honeycombed Titanium A and having a total of 40 archer pods which fire 5 archer missiles at a time when running at top power. The ship is quite manuoeverable in combat situations. She is currently under the command of Captain Diez, a capable captain who was well known for saving Admiral Jason Sonic during Harvest.


UNSC- Marathon Tempest:
The Marathon Tempest is one of the top UNSC Cruisers in the fleet. Currently stationed in Theleta System. It is also carries the leader of operations in the system, known as Admiral Blair. He has stationed the tempest here until he has completed his operation here.

UNSC Frigate- FFG 132- Nostradamus:
The Nostradamus is the Marathon Tempest's escort, converted into a screening ship which covers the more powerful warships in the fleet. The current head of the ship is Commander. Jamerson, a commander who fought in harvest.

And to finish, here is a small vid I have done for the blade XD.

BOARDED
Video sent by Gundam114

NOTE- BTW, I will finish the other images later.

August 11 Update

Wow, it's been awile. The last update was, what, almost a month ago? This is another small one, nothing special. We got some filming done, but it was all reshooting footage I didn't like. I hate ramps now. 15 takes to walk down one of those blue ramps on Midship is just too much. I'll never walk up a ramp again. Anyway, to make this update a little more interesting, I'll toss in a few more teaser pics. Enjoy.

JULY 14 UPDATE

Hey, Aglor here with a small update. This was a fine Saturday afternoon, perfect for sleeping late into the day, but the crew of The Blade did not get this luxury. At 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time, my crew (consisting of me and a friend for today) began work on The Blade. We managed to get roughly 10% of the total filming completed, although I would like to reshoot several points. So, to celebrate The Blade's filming being resumed, I will release a teaser picture to the public. Enjoy.