baron-soosdon
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WoW Moviewatch: Unlimited Escapism vol. 4
From the creative mind of Baron Soosdon comes the season one finale of his Unlimited Escapism series, volume 4. While there may be, in his own words, no plot and no point, there are stunning visuals and a great soundtrack for your viewing pleasure. If you're looking for tons of special effects, though, you may not enjoy it, as he wanted to keep it simple. However, if you're looking for a cameo of Olibith, he has you covered.In his blog, he states that 2008 will bring two or three more Unlimited Escapisms and then the series will be finished. Baron also mentions changes that we can expect in his video format, as he is switching to h.264 encoding. Here's to a new year, Baron-style!Previously on Moviewatch...
CoX Issue 11 videos: Samuraiko Productions
Professionally-made trailers and videos are designed to dazzle and to glow. More and more, however, fan-made videos are achieving the same level of quality and professionalism, and are shaping up into astounding works of art in their own right. As our own Moo Money noted, machinima artists such as Baron Soosdon are looked up to because their work is incredibly evocative and remarkably well-crafted.In that vein, the head of Samuraiko Productions has been striving for -- and, from what I've seen, achieving -- top-notch quality in all of her work. Her latest piece, an homage to NCsoft's Issue 11 expansion for the City of Heroes/City of Villains properties, continues her path in the quest for perfection. The music is well-chosen, the transitions are seamless, the text and graphic overlays are layered perfectly ... my only complaint is that it wasn't long enough. Although I'm unable to embed the video here due to the artist's request, it is available for viewing on both You Tube and the Samuraiko Productions web site. Be prepared for buffering the first time you play it off the web site, but the level of detail in the non-compressed production is well worth the wait.
Cinemassively: Limited Escapism - To Cure a Hangover
When an orc wakes up with a horrible hangover and no booze in sight, he heads for the video store. The clerk begins showing him a series of movies, some hits and some misses. This Machinima has it all - guns, anime girls, tentacles, music, and murlocs.BaronSoosdon has done it again! With voice acting by Nyhm & Olibith, and creative use of World of Warcraft and Unreal Tournament 2004, it's no surprise that this movie won first prize in the comedy category of the Fabled Few contest. My personal favorite mini-clip was "Unlimited Escapism - Liberation." What was your favorite moment?
Baron Soosdon: "I will make a plot-line movie someday"
SugarChick at Warcraft Chicks had a nice chat with Baron Soosdon, the machinimaker (did I just make that term up?) who's put together such machinima classics as Sin City Azeroth and I'm So Sick. He talks about the best way to view his films (by downloading-- YouTube, while easy, just doesn't have the quality he calls for), where his name came from (a guild inside joke about his character's name and a Baron Geddon raid), and the way he puts his films together.He says that he's gotten a little bit of flak for not having a lot of traditional plots or scripts-- his Unlimited Escapism series, he says, will never have a plot to it, and he likes it that way. He also says, however, that he does plan to make a "plot-line movie" at some point, but he wants it to be extremely high quality, both in terms of filmmaking, writing, and voice actors. Soosdon's stuff is terrific even as disjointed as it is, but a more traditional plot-based film from him would definitely be interesting to see.But he says he's not giving up on the freeform stuff, and thank goodness for that. The Baron's definitely a one-of-a-kind machinimaker (there's that made-up word again), and it's cool to hear directly from the man himself.
Cinemassively: I'm So Sick
There's definitely a hierarchy in the Machinima world. For example, I personally get all fangirl over people that do community-related activities, like Hugh Hancock or Phil Rice. They, however, rave about guys like Baron Soosdon.Baron created this music video based on a song, of the same name, by Flyleaf and Legion of Doom. He used Unreal Tournament 2004, Half-Life 2, and World of Warcraft for the backgrounds, but the characters themselves are from WoW. The editing in this video is absolutely superb. The visuals are top notch, showing off stunning scenery and little tricks like depth of field.Did I mention that it's just one of a ton of outstanding movies he's made in WoW and other mediums? Yep, he's just that good. You can read more about how he made it on his blog.
Baron Soosdon talks about TFH
For those of you who are fans of Baron Soosdon -- those of you, who am I kidding? -- for those of us who are fans of Baron Soosdon, his blog on Friday gave us a peek into his creative process. He sat down to discuss the making of his Halloween machinima The Fifth Horseman. The inspiration for the film, he says came quite soon after the Halloween machinima contest was announced. He had been thinking of creating something dark, based on psychological thriller and horror movies. Of the rushed feel of the film, he says that inspiration to finish did not come until late in the project, and can be reflected in the final product.I have always been curious about exactly how movies like this are made. Baron mentions that he filmed most of this piece in game, with only partial usage of the model viewer at the end. Therefore he considers this a very simplistic film technology-wise, and that simplicity comes through in the atmosphere and mood. It's also interesting to note that is considering redoing this movie, perhaps adding film noir narration. I would love to see this, because as beautiful as this film was, it felt disjointed in parts and I wasn't sure where it was going. Giving some narration to it might give it the focus it was missing.
WoW Moviewatch: The Fifth Horseman
WarcraftMovies ran a Halloween Machinima contest this year. Baron Soosdon of I'm So Sick and Unlimited Escapism fame came in second place with this horrific tale of corruption and mayhem.The Baron has been criticized in the past for lack of narrative. This time, he created a film that followed one man's journey into the heart of darkness, and the terrifying consequences. It's on the bloody side, so if you don't like slasher flicks, I wouldn't recommend viewing this one.As usual, avoid the embedded stream for Baron movies and check out the Stage 6 link for high quality picture.Previously on Moviewatch....
WoW Moviewatch: Petite Nikita
Baron Soosdon's latest Unlimited Escapism, Vol 0 was a whopping 13:37 long. It's non-narrative style wasn't to everyone's taste. Those who didn't watch through the whole piece may have missed the real star of the show: a female gnome, rendered in 3-D guns ablazing.Fear not. The Baron has pulled out just that section and cut it together into one, short :42 piece. Behold Petite Nikita in all her compact, but lethal glory.Oh yes, as with most Baron Soosdon's movies, I recommend the high quality Stage6 Stream over the YouTube embedded link above. Much of the pleasure of watching the Baron's movies comes from appreciating the visual style.Previously on Moviewatch....
WoW Moviewatch: Fury Trailer
What Machinimist can do with the World of Warcraft engine constantly amazes me. From Baron Soosdon's surreal flights of fancy to Stone Falcon's hilarious Snacky's Journal the bar just keeps getting higher. And the creative minds at Seksi Productions just raised the bar again.Tired of seeing Machinima stories being either comedy or drama, they set out to make an Action film. Though the film is still being made, they have released this trailer that gives you a glimpse of what they have in mind. And I have to tell you, I love what I see.Previously on Moviewatch....
WoW Moviewatch: Unlimited Escapism Vol. 0
Baron Soosdon is at it again. His fourth installment of Unlimited Escapism is just as surreal and mind-bending as the first three. I'm not sure how many video games he integrated into this Trance-driven, fast-paced, editorial whip-saw of a Machinima film. But who's counting anyway when you have burning Murlocs, raid bosses on acid and a 3-D Ninja Assassin Gnome using John Woo super slo-mo moves to plow bullets into an emo Night Elf?For once, I can recommend watching the embedded link for a Baron film. He found a streaming site that puts out very high quality video. If that's not your speed, you can go to the WarcraftMovies page for this film.Previously on Moviewatch...
WoW Moviewatch: Unlimted Escapism vol 0 Trailer 2
After the success of Unlimited Escapism 1, 2 & 3 as well as I'm So Sick how does master Machinimist Baron Soosdon top himself? With Unlimited Escapism Vol 0 of course. His latest Machinima piece is almost done, but he didn't want to leave his loyal viewers waiting so he cranked out a new Trailer for it.DO NOT click the You Tube embedded link above. It doesn't do justice to the surreal beauty of the mind-bending visuals. Instead, go to the Warcraft Movies page for the trailer and click on the Stage6 stream. It's like having widescreen HD on your monitor. The YouTube link is like watching a VHS copied one too many times.The final movie is due sometime next week.Previously on Moviewatch...
Wallpaper available from I'm So Sick machinima
Baron Soosdon's Warcraft music video "I'm So Sick" is one of the most visually stunning Machinima films we have had the pleasure of spotlighting. His use of various filters and colorization effects as well as his eye for composition and movement has set the standard for this fledgling art form.Which is why I was excited to discover that he has made not 1, but 12 wallpapers from "I'm So Sick." And every one of them are direct captures from the video. You can see the quality of his work in the shot above that features Animia Everfrost, the lead singer of his music video. Head on over to his site to grab the free pack of all 12 wallpapers.
WoW Moviewatch: Racecraft
This music video by Baron Soosdon is for all those who ever wondered what it might be like to participate in the races held between gnomes and goblins at the Mirage raceway in the Shimmering Flats. It's particularly timely in light of the new Engineering flying mount that will be coming out soon. Is this about what it will look like? Surely some players would be interested in the Goblin-engineered land mount featured here as well, if only they were making that for players too.For those who are interested in a higher-quality version (which I recommend), this video is also available on Stage 6.Previously on WoW Moviewatch...
WoW Moviewatch: NetherVale
Baron Soosdon has done it again. After the exquisite Sin City Azeroth and the trippy Unlimited Escapism, he has taken stunning visuals one step further. A player sent him modded files of Netherstorm and Stranglethorn Vale melded together into one big, purple, pulsating, crystalline jungle of psychedelic beauty and the Baron has filmed it for us.Don't bother looking for a plot or a PvP technique. This video is about two vastly different worlds colliding. And I'm glad they did.Now get back to finishing that music video for L70 Etc you've been slaving over, Baron. Your public awaits.Previously on WoW Moviewatch...
WoW Moviewatch: Sunday Break
The original video this is paying homage to is a machinima by Dopefish. Baron Soosdon has taken that original exploration concept in hand and with Snoman's updated model-work, provides us with an interesting machinima full of beautiful music and lovely dark imagery. While I've no idea if it was intended, the imagery makes me think of the upcoming Wrath of the Lich King expansion. (I hope it looks half that cool!) In any case, hats off to Baron Soosdon, Snoman, and Dopefish for their combined ideas that give us this lovely Sunday Break to enjoy!
WoW Moviewatch: The Barrens Biohazard
The fascinating things about Baron Soosdon's machinima is the way he tells us an entire story with images and editing rather than pages of dialog. (And I cannot hope to sum up the story being told -- take a look for yourself!) It's different than many of the pieces of machinima we post, but I think no less entertaining for it.Previously on Moviewatch...
WoW Moviewatch: LOL, Lightwell
I don't think I ever really understood the How to Paladin videos. I tended to watch them with a sort of morbid fascination, trying to glean some comprehension of their purpose and meaning -- obviously crucial to my understanding of the Paladin class. However, for Baron Soosdon's tribute to the series (seen above!), I can safely say has nothing whatsoever to teach you about the Priest class. It is, however, entertaining in the same way the original How to Paladin videos are.Previously on Moviewatch...
