Hey guys, I would like to take a minute to tell you about my machinima series.
My Studio is CleverBox Pictures, and I live and breathe machinima with The Sims 3.
So far, I am producing a series called "Alone". It centers around a young girl who is down on her luck, stuck in an abusive relationship with her brutal boyfriend, head over heels for another man, and top it all off, her eldery Grandmother with whom she lives with, is in bad health. Soon, she discovers a supernatural element to her life, and things get even more complicated, or do they?
It is currently on it's 8th episode, and has been running since April 2011. This is the Official Website - http://cleverbox.thesimshub.com/blog/
Here are some links to the episodes:
Alone - Episode 1 - "Pilot" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNweh1dQB-U


Alone - Episode 2 - "Alone In Question" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Qw5ShrbAM


Alone - Episode 3 - "Alone In My Dreams" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aICwnCxLWU8


Alone - Episode 4 - "Alone In The Past" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysb1pzjuAVs


Alone - Episode 5 - "Alone In The Flames" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_N-UY5wnaU


Alone - Episode 6 - "Alone In The Heist" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB8bdDrjq2k


Alone - Episode 7 - "Alone at Journey's End: Part 1"


Alone - Episode 8 - "Alone at Journey's End: Part 2"


I recommend watching the episodes in 720p HD for optimal quality.
I welcome any criticism, good or bad (just please don't be mean for the sake of it). I'm still learning, just like everyone else is.

Follow Us on Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/CleverBoxPics
Subscribe to us on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/user/CleverboxPi ... ature=mhee

Thank you for giving me your time.

Oh god. This looks great. I want to take some time to view these and jinjaninja's videos. They look great!

Wow, I had no idea you had machinima out! I'll check these out tomorrow too! :)

L30J Magazine rates this "5/5 STARS!"... anyways... this is really good...

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

Wow. Just Wow.
I don't know how I missed this before, but I just sat and watched every episode so far. I was hooked - and that doesn't normally happen for me - particularly with machinima, very few have done that for me before.

I'll start by saying that this is the very first machinima I have seen which is this type of genre. Youtube is literally flooded with a 'friends' type plot series going on everywhere. So props to you for making this really original.

I also loved the amount of detail that went into the sets and effects you had going on. I only started watching in HD at episode 5 and really noticed the difference. The effects you have are just perfect, I noticed you had a few pull focus' and also the over the shoulder shots had an out of focus shoulder, and often times the backdrops were out of focus to put emphasis on the speaker, so that was great attention to detail. How'd you do that? Were you also using a lighting bloom on certain shots or actual in game lighting? Because the lighting was nice too.

I also really liked the effects you used for all the supernatural/fire parts, what program were you using for these?

I'll also quickly say that your voice actors are top notch, a lot of the time I prefer subtitled machinima because voice actors aren't always that great, but then I find myself just reading the subtitles rather than enjoying the machinima, so well done for getting some great VA's there.

There was only one mistake/continuity error that I noticed, which I'm sure you're probably already aware of but I thought I'd point it out anyway - When the characters were in the bathroom in the jewellery store and Gill said 'I've never teleported with someone else before', she had - in an earlier episode she teleported that girl out of the burning apartment.

All in all, a really great machinima series and I can't wait for the final parts!
And is your last name really Simms? Because that's pretty Ironic if it is ;)

So many kind words, I don't know where to start. Thank you so much.

Firstly, thanks for the compliments in regards to the story, I have been writing it since 2008 and haven't found the right outlet for it until The Sims 3 came along.

The quality of the video is down to the settings I've used to capture the video in-game, which is in full HD, something The Sims 3's default format doesn't capture. Also, the out of focus shots are done by filming many different elements and compositing them together in either my video editing software or standalone effects software. (I know what you're thinking, this must take forever, and yes it does, but I love it.)

I'm really happy you liked the voice actors I am using as they are hard to come by these days, and to find ones that are so willing to put in the effort is rare, so props to them for contributing.

The continuity error is completely down to me, although in a way it might not be an error. Jill teleported the girl from the burning apartment in a state of adrenaline and panic, and I think it was her fight or flight mode kicking in. Although in reality, I actually wrote those episodes out of order, and sometimes these things happen.

The two part season finale is due for release in the next few weeks, and I hope you will tune in and enjoy it! Many questions are answers and a couple of new ones raised.

If you want to know any more about the series, I have created an Official Website for it - http://cleverbox.thesimshub.com

Thanks everyone, I'm so glad the series has had a welcome reception at SnootySims.

Just checked out the website! It looks pretty professional actually! I love the set design images, Did you actually make them as sets or did you just make seperate houses/lots?

I just watched the Pilot. Sorry I'm a bit late But that was REALLY good and I can't wait to find time to watch the others! These must take forever!

Episode 7 has been released. :) Check original post.

Episode 8 is out now! Watch the epic conclusion to Season One! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eio3h6zs ... plpp_video

Just watched the final two parts. AMAZING!

Just to let you know, Season 2 has begun!


Season 2 Episode 1 - Alone, Four Months On (HD)



Season 2 Episode 2 - Alone in Love (HD)


Hope you guys enjoy.

Jonny I absolutely love your series!! Do you mind me asking what type of movie-making programs you use? How did you make most of the scenes so dark? Just curious!

I'm so glad you like it! I use an array of different programs to put episodes together. These include After Effects, Sony Vegas, and a few others!

You're welcome! Keep going with it :D I kinda figured you were using Adobe After Effects lol. I only use Sony Vegas Pro 11 so far You have a lot of talent!

Season 2, Episode 3 is OUT NOW! Check it out:



The mysterious Mrs X puts her devilish plan into action while Jill attempts to help a Mother whose children have turned against her, resulting in a terrifying fight for survival.

Also guys, check out the Facebook page and "like" us for behind the scenes action! - http://www.facebook.com/CleverBoxPictures

Thanks!

AGH! NEED TO WATCH THE NEW EPISODES!!! :3

Just watched the first episode of the new series! I loved it and I'm already hooked! I had to remind/remember quickly the plot as it had been a while, but I got straight into it really quickly. I noticed the soundtrack a lot more this time round for some reason (Maybe because I noticed "Sail" by Awolnation - and I love this song! haha) and as usual everything else was perfection! It's amazing that there is such thing as a machinima that genuinely grips me and makes me want to watch on to the next episodes straight away!

Season 2, Episode 4 has been released: