How is the animation done in Family Secrets?
Family Secrets is produced in a medium referred to as machinema - the creation of animation videos by means of computer games. Family Secrets is produced using EA Game's popular PC Game franchise The Sims 2.
In the early days of Sims 2 machinema, most machinema produced where music videos or subtitled videos. Thanks to the great work and efforts of custom content creators, machinema has moved into the world of "talkies". These videos make use of voice overs done by both amateur and professional voice artists. Family Secrets is produced as a "talkie" series.
In the early days of Sims 2 machinema, most machinema produced where music videos or subtitled videos. Thanks to the great work and efforts of custom content creators, machinema has moved into the world of "talkies". These videos make use of voice overs done by both amateur and professional voice artists. Family Secrets is produced as a "talkie" series.
Production
Production of a machinema series can be a lengthy and time-consuming process. Extensive planning and patience is required due to the limitations imposed by the environment, in this case The Sims 2. Different machinema directors have different methods for producing their machinema. Some directors complete all video before adding audio. Others complete each scene before starting on the next. Family Secrets is produced using the latter method.
Production on Family Secrets is done in the following stages:
Stage 1: Voice Actors
Voice actors are a vital part of Family Secrets - they are the ones that give life to the characters. Family Secrets has a regular cast of seven main characters, who are joined throughout the series by several minor characters.
Voice actors receive their script for each episode several months before production on an episode starts. This alleviates pressure on both the cast and production, should there be any delays in completing the voice overs.
Once the voice overs are completed, it is reviewed for quality to ensure there are no excessive background noise or that the quality is of a high standard. Audio files are sometimes "scrubbed" (a process by which excessive background noise is removed and the quality of the audio is enhanced). On occasion, voice actors are requested to re-record certain parts to obtain better quality recordings.
Stage 2: Pre-Production
Pre-production (or "Prep") entails the set up of each scene, ensuring the characters (in this case, the Sims) are on the lot (referring to the "household" used to record the particular scene), that the lot is appropriately decorated and that any items required for interactions are placed on the lot. For a series, it is also important to ensure continuity between scenes; characters should wear the same clothing if different scenes (shot individually) take place on the same day.
Stage 3: Production
Each scene for the episode is recorded and edited sequentially. The voice actor's recording of the dialogue determines the length of interaction the character is to perform. Their interpretation of the dialogue is also an indication of their characters' mood and reactions in the scene. Each action is recorded to correspond with the recorded dialogue.
Once recording of the scene is completed, sound effects and background sounds are added. The scene is then rendered (video and audio combined into a single file).
Stage 4: Post-Production
In Post-Production (or "Post"), all the scenes for the episodes are combined to form the episode. A recap (short clips from previous episodes) is added as a reminder to viewers of previous events that impact or influence events in this episode. Transitions between scenes and music is added to the episode. Lastly, opening and closing credits are added. The episode is then rendered, ready for release.
Stage 5: Release
The Family Secrets website is put into "Maintenance Mode". This is an exciting moment for both fans and production as this signals that a new episode is about to be released. While in "maintenance mode", the completed episode is uploaded to a hosting site, a new page is created for the new episode and a brief synopsis is added to the list of episodes. Once all these updates have been done, subscribers to the website receive an e-mail announcing the release of the next exciting episode of Family Secrets and an announcement is made on a select number of affiliate sites.
Production on Family Secrets is done in the following stages:
Stage 1: Voice Actors
Voice actors are a vital part of Family Secrets - they are the ones that give life to the characters. Family Secrets has a regular cast of seven main characters, who are joined throughout the series by several minor characters.
Voice actors receive their script for each episode several months before production on an episode starts. This alleviates pressure on both the cast and production, should there be any delays in completing the voice overs.
Once the voice overs are completed, it is reviewed for quality to ensure there are no excessive background noise or that the quality is of a high standard. Audio files are sometimes "scrubbed" (a process by which excessive background noise is removed and the quality of the audio is enhanced). On occasion, voice actors are requested to re-record certain parts to obtain better quality recordings.
Stage 2: Pre-Production
Pre-production (or "Prep") entails the set up of each scene, ensuring the characters (in this case, the Sims) are on the lot (referring to the "household" used to record the particular scene), that the lot is appropriately decorated and that any items required for interactions are placed on the lot. For a series, it is also important to ensure continuity between scenes; characters should wear the same clothing if different scenes (shot individually) take place on the same day.
Stage 3: Production
Each scene for the episode is recorded and edited sequentially. The voice actor's recording of the dialogue determines the length of interaction the character is to perform. Their interpretation of the dialogue is also an indication of their characters' mood and reactions in the scene. Each action is recorded to correspond with the recorded dialogue.
Once recording of the scene is completed, sound effects and background sounds are added. The scene is then rendered (video and audio combined into a single file).
Stage 4: Post-Production
In Post-Production (or "Post"), all the scenes for the episodes are combined to form the episode. A recap (short clips from previous episodes) is added as a reminder to viewers of previous events that impact or influence events in this episode. Transitions between scenes and music is added to the episode. Lastly, opening and closing credits are added. The episode is then rendered, ready for release.
Stage 5: Release
The Family Secrets website is put into "Maintenance Mode". This is an exciting moment for both fans and production as this signals that a new episode is about to be released. While in "maintenance mode", the completed episode is uploaded to a hosting site, a new page is created for the new episode and a brief synopsis is added to the list of episodes. Once all these updates have been done, subscribers to the website receive an e-mail announcing the release of the next exciting episode of Family Secrets and an announcement is made on a select number of affiliate sites.