Hey, I'm quite interested in this.. (since my work concerns this sorta stuff anyway) What I do suggest first is to just have the time to write the script. Once thats done, pic a scene you want to make a test render out of. If it looks cool, do another one. And so and so forth until you're honest that you can make good looknig test footage. Then you acutally start talking about making a movie. This is what I've done on my "secret" project for the past 6 months really, writing and re writing the script. Its finally in its Storyboarding phase (which should be by now complete). So once thats complete, we'll just pick the scenes for our cgi test. And if all looks promisiong. We will begin getting all the props and clothes and stuff done.
So if you REALLY want to make a honest good movie prepared to be commited. The Director the MOST of all. He must keep the others workin on it, and not push it aside if things aren't progressing. So lets say if work starts today, then set the movie deadline for this time next year. Im not kidding. This also realieves you of a bit of stress when making the film project.
However...
I don't know How exactly it might work for a fully CGI movie. What I would suggest if that, were to be so, is to split the teams. Have one team do the ships, models backgrounds etc. Another takes care of the characters, and finaly the team that does the space battles. All under the mighty control of the Director who makes sure no one is straying too far off the script.
But all this is for nought without a script, and a eligetable Director and most important of all, the TIME AND PASSION.
So script first.
What I could put up is my now defunct Full Circle synopsis/script that won't be going anywhere. So why not just post it here for you guys, as a base or soemthing for you to think of... (Now you can see what the campaign could have been, didn't liek the ending though my self... Oh well):
PROLOGUE
The screen is black, then in the center appears “500,000 years ago…” We open up to a star filled background. A dark object appears from the lower left corner with an alien sun appearing over its horizon. We see that it’s a beautiful blue planet, quite similar to Earth. Then in either text or voice, someone speaks.
Ancient: [sad] We are the last… Our great empire, decimated by an enemy without a face nor remorse. We are pushed back to our homeworld, desperate to protect what is left of our civilization, our lives… We can see their ships… Black, jagged shapes that bring nothing but destruction, approach our birth system… We are the last of a vast empire that once spanned across the galaxy... This is our final stand… Their last obstacle… We must protect what is left our home. All that is left of our once vast fleet has been mustered to defend our system. The first ships are appearing from subspace… We are the last to protect our species…
The scene fades out and the mission begins. The briefing will take place while the player is flying in his ship.
In-game mission script
GOAL: survive.
The player is in his fighter, and is among many other ANCIENT ships. 4 Cruisers, 2 corvettes and countless fighters fill the orbit of the ANCIENT homeworld. There is constant alien communication chatter. Unrecognizable to the player.
Mek’net: [alien language] Fleet, we have contacts on the outer rim attacking the main defense line.
The is a short moment of silence.
Mek’net: [alien language] They have breached our defense line! All fighters and cruisers prepare for assault. Incoming enemies…
Moments later, space opens up in blue flares as SHIVAN fighters and bombers
Emerge from subspace, followed by 3 SHIVAN cruisers. The ANCIENT fleet attack.
Shurim 1: [alien language] Dachan, protect the fleet from those bombers. Shurim and Kara wing, follow me! Lets take out those fighters!
10 Minutes into the mission, there are still more squadrons of SHIVAN fighters and
bombers from subspace. There is constant unrecognizable alien chatter over the
comms.
Kara 2: [alien language] There’s so many of them!
Shurim 1: [alien language] Cut the chatter, concentrate on those fighters! We can’t affor-
Shurim 1 gets destroyed in mid-sentence. The mission continues, as the fleet destroys
the last SHIVAN cruiser, it looks like the tides of the battle are turning.
Mek’net: [alien language] We are registering new contacts… Four cruisers and- … What is that…?
As the battle rages on, something odd happens. The sun falls into shadow. Then from the darkness giant blazing beams rip through space, towards the homeworld. Two ANCIENT cruisers are in the path of the beams and are destroyed. The beams hit the homeworld, and the players fighter begins to violently shake.
[Cut to a cutscene]
With some sort of exiting choral or orchestral music, the Beams slice through the
homeworld, making the planet begin to collapse within itself, then suddenly explode. Giant chunks of rock hurtle into space, crashing into the ANCIENT and SHIVAN ships destroying them, along with the fighters. A group of fighters evade the hurtling rocks, however three of them finally crash into one rock or another. All that is left is one fighter [the player] who successfully evades them. Then suddenly something black and large looms in front of him and he doesen’t have time to evade. He crashes into the black hull. The screen goes black and new words appear on the screen. “January 14th, 2387. now” [Subject to change]
ACT 1: Rising Storm
Campaign Briefing by Admiral Riken
[page 1]
Good morning pilots! I can see that the leave has fattened a few of you up! Unfortunately, it is time to get back to work gentlemen. As of 0700 hours, the GTVA has declared war on the terrorist organization known as the Terran Preservation Coalition.
The GTVA symbol animation is shown.
[page 2]
The TPC was once a scientific R&D unit called ETAK-A, comprised of the GTVA’s brightest scientists. They were assigned to reverse engineer the ETAK device that was confiscated by the GTVA during the 2nd Great War from the Neo Terran Front. Most of the information surrounding the ETAK device and its following research projects is classified. However, the TPC claims to have finally deciphered the Shivan language system. Believing that their cause is for the benefit of all the GTVA, ETAK-A left the GTVA and began massing its own fleet, gathering system after system to join their cause in its beliefs of gaining a lasting peace in the galaxy!
The TPC logo is shown, then something on the ETAK device, then a map showing the systems that have joined.
[page 3]
As of 2100 hours last night, the TPC has overrun the GTVA research station at the Ross 128 star. All military and civilian crafts have been assaulted and destroyed, and the stations crew either dead or captured. No demands have been given by the TPC. We believed the fleet that attacked the Ross 128 station as the TPC’s main battle group. But 20 minutes later, we monitored large fleet mobilizations in and around the Ross 128 system. We believe their forces to be on the same scale as the NTF 20 years ago.
There is an animation on the attack on the Ross 128 station.
MISSION 1: No negotiations.
GOALS
PRIMARY: Destroy the 12 communication satellites.
SECONDARY: Destroy all fighters.
Briefing
Welcome to the 67th Vipers, pilot. We’ve heard a lot about you, so we’re expecting a lot! Make us proud.
The TPC’s takeover of the Ross 128 research base, must have really pissed the GTVA off, because they’re sending US in there to take care of it! Our first priority is to cut off the communications between the base and the massing fleets around the system. This will be a synchronized assault on the communication satellite grid.
Taking out all of the major communication satellites, will severely disrupt communications to and from the station, allowing us to start our main assault on the station.
Alpha, you will enter grid 36a. Intelligence reports that there are constant patrols by fighters around the communication grids, however the fighters are old and dated. So they should prove no problems for you. But when you enter, they will be alerted, so expect enemy reinforcements.
You’re first priority is to take out the 12 communication satellites. This is imperative! This is a synchronized assault, so there’s no room for failure. Once this is done, secure the area and take out any fighters you encounter. Good hunting!
In-game script
In the distance the 12 communications lie in wait. Circling around them in a patrol pattern are 2 groups of TPC fighters.
Command: Alright pilots, go after those communication satellites. We read two groups of enemy fighters. No mercy gentlemen…
Alpha 2: That’s affirmative command. So… You’re the new hot shot pilot eh? Well, we only got two rules at the Vipers, don’t miss, don’t die. We got a reputation to hold…
Alpha 3: Heh, don’t worry about him. That’s his way of greeting new pilots. Just keep cool and you’ll do all right.
Alpha 4: Sorry to break up the chit chat ladies, but we have company…
At this time the enemy fighters should have already been alerted to their presence and called in reinforcements. Two more enemy wings jump in. The battle ensues.
Alpha 3: Alpha 1, take care of those satellites. We’ll keep you covered.
The battle continues as Alpha 1 goes after the satellites. There might be some slight chatter between the other three GTVA fighters. When alpha 1 has destroyed half the satellites:
Command: Half way there! Keep it up!
When there are 5 satellites left a TPC cruiser emerges from subspace.
NPC cruiser: This is the TCP Warspite, stop you’re attack at once!
Alpha 4: Uh oh…
Command: This isn’t a problem, were sending in the GTD Independent. Alpha, take out the remaining satellites and fighters, then assist the Independent in taking out the Warspite.
Alpha 2: Affirmative! You heard him people, double time!
The player should complete all his objectives as well as destroy the Warspite. Then the success message appears.
Command: That’s it, the communication grid around the research station is down. Good work, you may return to base.
Alpha 2: Not bad, alpha 1… Not bad…
Alpha 3: Drinks are on me, guys!
Enter subspace.
Success debriefing
Well done! All groups report successful sorties! With the communications grid down, we have disrupted all communications to and from the station, substantially lowering the number of reinforcements we will encounter when we begin our main attack.
The appearance of the TPC cruiser is puzzling. It doesn’t seem to make sense to send a cruiser in to take care of a couple of fighters. However, you did well in destroying it. That makes one less for the TPC.
[if the secondary mission was completed]
Good work in destroying all the fighters! You proved yourself out there today. But don’t get too cocky, we’ve seen many rookies take out dozens of fighters on their first mission, only to get blown away on the next. Never forget that you’re part of a team, and not just some hot shot pilot.
Good work pilots, briefing at 0650 hours tomorrow. Until then, you got the night off. Dismissed.
F U L L C I R C L E
Campaign Timeline
ACT 1
RISING STORM
[Cutscene] Ancient monologue
M1 – Prologue
The Ancients mission.
[Cutscene] The ancient’s planet gets destroyed.
M2 – No negotiations
Where the GTVA attack the TPC communications grid.
M3 – Attack nearby fleet
Where the GTVA attack the defending fleet of the TPC on the Ross 128 star.
M4 – Attack on base
The attack on the main research base. Cleaning out the TPC. Hints of TPC superior technology. Survivors found.
M5 – Protect the Medical Ship
The TPC attack the evacuating prisoners, and medical ships. Must protect the evacuation and secure the are again.
M6 – On the offensive
The GTVA go after the surrounding TPC fleets. Basic extermination mission.
M7 – Attack on the TPC supply Routes
A tactical strike on the GTVA supply routes, more hints on TPC superior technology.
M8 – Protect the Independent
The Independent has gone under the attack from new TPC fighters. Basic protection mission.
M9 – Recon on TPC activity
A recon mission on the TPC main Fleet. Discovery of ETAK device. Scan ETAK device, Scan other ships.
(SOC MISSIONS)
M10 – Escort the TPC ETAK ship
Escorting the ETAK ship while gather valuable info.
M11 – Vasudan attack
Protect fleet from a Vasudan attack.
M12 – Discovery of artefact
The TPC discover a weird artefact, protect the salvaging operation in the asteroid field.
[Cutscene] The TPC activate they’re ETAK device, and with the help of the artifact, manage to call upon the Shivans. They appear, few at first, then with the appearance of the Cerberus, which destroyes the TPC’s main carrier and the ETAK device. Then an ominous LARGE shape appears.
M13 – Escape
Escape the TPC fleet and attack Shivans, with the information gained.
ACT 2
White Squall
(GTVA MISSIONS)
M14 – Recon on Shivan advancement
Perseus Recon mission, on Shivan fleet. Scanning the Cerberus.
M15 – Defend destroyers from shivan attack
The first attempt on the Cerberus. Protection of destroyer fleet from Shivan attack.
M16 – 1st Cerberus attack
The unsuccessful first attempt on the Cerberus. The player cannot win, must escape when destroyers are destroyed.
M17 – 2nd attempt. Taking out defending supply ships
The GTVA attack the supply ships to the Cerberus.
M18 – Bomber attack on Cerberus
Taking out the beams and engines of the Cerberus.
M19 – Destruction of Cerberus
Bomber attack on Cerberus. Destruction of Cerberus.
M20 – Parade around Earth. SURPRISE!
The GTVA parade around Earth on the destruction of the Cerberus. Thinking they’ve beaten the Shivans a third and final time. Then the Bane pops in to pay its respects, by blowing Earth, 1st command, practically everything to hell.
[Cutscene] The destruction of Earth. Awww.
Act 3
Full Circle
M21 – Evacuation
The GTVA Evacuate the Sol system. Protection of ships.
M22 – Protection of Fleet
The GTVA escape. Protect the fleet from Shivan attack.
M23 – GTVA Break up
When all goes to hell, the Vasudans leave the GTVA and the Terrans are on their own.
(SOC MISSIONS)
M24 – Recovering ETAK technology
Soc operatives go back to Ross 128 using Shivan ships, to aquire, working ETAK technology.
M25 – Infiltrate Shivan Fleet
Using ETAK technology, SOC operatives infiltrate the Shivan Fleet to scan and gather data.
M26 – Attack on Vasudan Fleet
In order to keep their cover, SOC operatives help on an attack a Vasudan Fleet.
M27 – Escape
With aquired data, the SOC operatives must escape. Should be hard.
(GTA Missions)
M28 – Deffend evacuating ships
Another defense mission,
M29 – Protect Jumpnode
Secure and protect a jumpnode for the fleet to escape.
M30 – Last Stand
The GTA put up their final defense and fight to the death. Player dies. Awww.
[Cutscene] The escaping fleet is seen, a terran monologue much like the first ancients one is heard. Then as we pan up, we see Shivan ships jumping in. THE END and Credits
