CNCNZ.com LiveWire - October 2008

[Sonic 295]

After a long break, some changes and general tidy ups the CNCNZ.com LiveWire has returned with a fresh new episode for October 2008. I've jumped into the hot seat as the host for this one. If you recall LiveWire is "unscripted, unplanned, unrehearsed". Its a quick fast paced show covering selected topics and general updates about CNCNZ.com and the C&C Community. In this edition we cover the Red Alert 3 release, what happened to Tiberium Legos, there's a Roundtable recap and preview, RA2CE contest promo, C&C3DE contest winners, C&C Live and Renegade X. Simply click on the image below to watch the latest episode.

 

Please keep in mind that I don't any own any professional recording equipment, or fancy software, so LiveWire is always a work in progress. I'm not a TV presenter either but I feel I've done my best to keep it moving along. Basically I'll be using the LiveWire to bring you guys up to date on various subjects in video form rather than massive walls of text.

 

[Banshee 28]

Unplanned, with that power point presentation in the screen? I doubt...

 

 

Nonetheless, that's was nice buddy. I've noticed you were a bit nervous, I'd probably be nervous in your place as well, but I think you'll get over it with experience.

[Saracen 16]

Nicely done! More professional than how Zee done it, and well presented too. Indeed, nerves will disappear and it will come out a little better as time goes on. I'd really try and press for something to amplify your voice a little more though, and although not too much of a worry, perhaps having a little more light to compensate for the slight darkness. Nevertheless, no discredit to Zee, but you've nailed the format to a higher standard than he has in the past!

 

Many thanks for the shout out as well mate. I wasn't expecting that at all. That meant a lot to hear you say that.

[Sonic 295]

Ok so its somewhat planned, I have the notes in front of me, plus the pics on the display behind me But everything I said was all adlibbing, notice the "ummms" every so often. I try not to say it but just slips in there. My notes consisted of "RT recap/preview" or "RA3 re-date". Yeah I will admit you can detect a slight touch of nerves in my voice, like I said I'm no presenter, I've never done anything like this before.

 

I noticed the lighting goes a tad dark at some spots, I decide to use the natural light in the room, its the quietest part of the house actually. Wouldn't know it the sun disappeared. I also noticed the HM2 BG music is bit to quiet.

 

All up total time I spent on it was about 3 hours on off, the longest part was making the display images. Recording was two done takes, final editing took about 15 mins. I never wanted to get back to the 20+ hour mammoth jobs that Zee and I were do earlier this year.

 

I never had an issue with the way Zee presented them.

[recover 2]

Well done.

The music got a bit loud in the end though, so it was a bit difficult to hear what you said...

Also, I didn't get any audio when trying to watch it embedded here at cncnz.

[Sonic 295]

Also, I didn't get any audio when trying to watch it embedded here at cncnz.

The one here http://www.cncnz.com/features/livewire/

Audio is working for me.

 

I'll improve the background music levels in the next one.

[Overcow 0]

Finally, I wonder where the show went. Good job Sonic!

[sith_wampa 6]

I was just looking at the old Livewires yesterday.

 

GJ. Only problem I had was your voice was soft.

[G0NE2W4R 0]

This isn't bad at all. But there is still some improvements; the major ones would be a better lighting and speak up a little bit, I can barely hear you (or maybe it's just me). I think the LiveWire would be better if it was actually planned, scripted, and rehearsed. I liked how the news was covered up and I don't blame you for being nervous, it's normal. Overall this LiveWire was pretty nice, I would give it a 8/10. And thanks for bringing LiveWire back.

[Johnnyxp64 20]

This isn't bad at all. But there is still some improvements; the major ones would be a better lighting and speak up a little bit, I can barely hear you (or maybe it's just me). I think the LiveWire would be better if it was actually planned, scripted, and rehearsed. I liked how the news was covered up and I don't blame you for being nervous, it's normal. Overall this LiveWire was pretty nice, I would give it a 8/10. And thanks for bringing LiveWire back.

 

 

i share exactly the same feeling, and thoughts, i am sure Sonic if you try to improve those few things our friend mentioned above, and add more images or videos playing on our screen at the same time, you have nothing to jelous from C&C tv

 

keep up

[TheBlackOut 7]

Just a film critique from me. If you're going to sit in the same spot in the future, might I recommend the left? That way it doesn't cast a shadow over anything in the video. For some reason when I came back to this video later in the day (saw half earlier this morning but had to leave), the shadow was just really annoying to me. Maybe it's me or I have some weird film pet-peeve.

 

Another film thing is lighting... I guess you had the window open? The lighting seemed to change from bright to dark... way too dark at some points. 4:40 to 5:00 was the best, it was bright and I could see your whole face and room. 5:40 to ~6:30 was horribly dark. I'd recommend turning your light or something, that way it isn't vacilitating through out the video.

[G0NE2W4R 0]

I recommend that videos should be done with good video editing tools (that way we can fix our lighting problem). But we got to understand that a Websmaster and Video Editor are 2 completely different jobs. Sure Sonic can get professional software and tools, but he's a Webmaster. It's a bad idea to have one person do both (but yet Sonic is a trooper! He does good on both fields).Having one person dedicated to CNCNZ videos would be the best outcome I say.

[Sonic 295]

I think the LiveWire would be better if it was actually planned, scripted, and rehearsed.

When first started them back Jan/Feb/March it was taking many hours to put together and 8-10 minute show. I would spend about 2 days planning, scripting and designing stuff, send it all to Zee then he would spend another 2 days recording, editing and re-recording. It was getting to frustrating. Go back and look at the Feb show then you will see the massive shift to the new revised format in the March/April show.

 

Just a film critique from me. If you're going to sit in the same spot in the future, might I recommend the left? That way it doesn't cast a shadow over anything in the video. For some reason when I came back to this video later in the day (saw half earlier this morning but had to leave), the shadow was just really annoying to me. Maybe it's me or I have some weird film pet-peeve.

 

Another film thing is lighting... I guess you had the window open? The lighting seemed to change from bright to dark... way too dark at some points. 4:40 to 5:00 was the best, it was bright and I could see your whole face and room. 5:40 to ~6:30 was horribly dark. I'd recommend turning your light or something, that way it isn't vacilitating through out the video.

Like I said I will be sure to check the lighting for the next one. I just got unlucky this time.

 

I recommend that videos should be done with good video editing tools

All I have is Windows Movie Maker, not the greatest to work with. The best tools cost lots of money and there is no way I would spend a fortune on such software. Unless some can recommend some other software that's free.

[TheBlackOut 7]

Google yields Avidemux... Looks alright, maybe better than WMM.

 

If you ever run into extra cash, my recommendation is the Sony Vegas family of products. I have a copy because my Uncle (Shocking, I didn't torrent it!) is some sort of video editor and gave me a copy to **** around with since my mom told him I make some videos. It gives you a pretty good amount of options, effects, etc.

[Gben 20]

GJ Sonic... lighting and voice levels aside.

 

It's nice to see the fearless leader, and strange to not hear some over-hyped American voice talking about things I love.

Loved the powerpoint presentation, it added a nice professional touch.

 

(I use Adobe Premiere, but I'm happy to reccomend Vegas. But I think media player is fine for what we're doing. Perhaps when the hit counters starts boiling over, you should reconsider, but for now it's fine.)

 

GJ again.

[Sonic 295]

It's nice to see the fearless leader, and strange to not hear some over-hyped American voice talking about things I love.

Loved the powerpoint presentation, it added a nice professional touch.

Its not really a PowerPoint presentation thing, they are actually 1280 x 800 PNG images displaying in Windows Media Centre. I have the Laptop down just below the camera, what you don't see in video is the cable running into the TV which is showing a cloned version of what's displayed on the Laptop.

[recover 2]

When I make my videos I use Avisynth to edit the video, but it's very close to a programming language and everything is done in text, so it might not be the easiest program to master.

Avisynth is free.

[sith_wampa 6]

Its not really a PowerPoint presentation thing, they are actually 1280 x 800 PNG images displaying in Windows Media Centre. I have the Laptop down just below the camera, what you don't see in video is the cable running into the TV which is showing a cloned version of what's displayed on the Laptop.

You're so crafty.

[CCHyper 3]

You did good Sonic, like Bansh said, you could see you where a little nervous at times, but you did a better job than i could

 

Also seeing my vectors getting put to good use