Hi folks!
I'm back after a long absence from the site.
The first part of a new photo story is now online. It's called Borrowed Time and I made it with The Sims 2.
You can see the first part at:
Emma's Stories in the BigCloset Gallery
I'll be adding to it each day until its finished. I'm not sure of the schedule yet or how to best let people know about it. Ideas welcome. I never was much good at publicity.
I hope people like it and I'm looking forward to lots of feedback!
Emma
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This story is 95 words long.
Comments
Borrowed Time
Welcome back, Emma!
I like what you've done so far. If i'm allowed a minor suggestion - instead of the lengthy introductions I'd add a more standard comic-style format with a narrator making explanations and intros as necessary.
Aardvark
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Mahatma Gandhi
Thanks!
Thanks. Always good to get feedback from you.
The format I went for suits the sort of 'TV movie' look I have in mind for the series. Whether it works for people or not I don't know. I've never done anything with images before so I guess I'll make mistakes.
The complete story is over 100 images so maybe one frame each to establish the characters isn't too bad?
I haven't done the same thing in the second story (yes, it's already written) because they're the same characters.
Thanks again for commenting. I need more feedback because this all new ground for me!
Emma
I'm loving this...
Image No.85 seems a good point to comment again.
I'm loving this. I never realised that the Sims could be used like this, and I might run out and get a copy. However, I suspect it's not as easy as it looks in Emma's hands.
I love the story, and the way in which some of the details are left to the viewer's imagination (How Paul acheives his transformation for example... latex mask? Nu-Gen bodysuit? Medallion Of Zulo?). It's interesting that "Sara" is already planning to imprison her sleeping double. Does every house in the US have a soundproofed cell in the basement? :-)
The only nit I'd pick is that I have to ration myself to checking the updates every few days, or the drip-feed gets too frustrating. It's like watching a suspense movie three frames at a time...
Best wishes, Andrea
Best wishes, Andrea.
Long time no see ;O)
Good to see you haven't dropped off the edge of the world, Emma. You've chosen an unusual format and I'll follow the story's progress with interest.
Like Aardvark, I found the introductions a bit confusing at the start and found I'd forgotten the characters before the story began. Of course it could just be advancing senility, but ...? This must be a first - agreeing with Aardvark, lol.
Geoff
Yep, still clinging on to tha
Yep, still clinging on to that old edge of the world.
Thanks for your comment. Looks like another thumbs down for the intro. Oh well!
On the bright? side there's another 180 images to go in the first 2 stories and there may be a third.
Emma
Senility? Eh, What?
Agreeing with the long-snouted termite lover? Geoff, welcome to the light! (I'd try to avoid those long, dark tunnels in the future.) ;)
Aardvark
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Mahatma Gandhi
Amazing stuff.
This picture story is off to a great start. I thought The Sims was a computer game, and never realised it could be used in this way. It seems very creative.
Best wishes, Andrea
Best wishes, Andrea.
Thanks
Thanks!
You can also make movies with The Sims 2 but that would have taken way longer and needed voice actors etc. It's too much hassle right now though I wouldn't rule out trying it.
The photos let people use their imagination as well to fill things in.
Emma
Borrowed Time
Through picture #29.
Sara has a really fine pair of legs.
Paul is creepy in his boxers.
Can't wait to find out how Paul steps into her life.
I'll be looking for more, Emma!
Aardvark
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Mahatma Gandhi
There's more to come!
Don't worry, it gets creepier!
Especially in Episode 4 when ... Sorry you'll have to wait for that. But I might be willing to send the trailers to anyone kind enough to email me (subtle hint!)
Emma
Behind the scenes...
The "Behind The Scenes" mockumentary sequence is hilarious and very well done. The "sensitive" new age bonsai-growing actor especially just totally cracked me up. Brilliant!
Best wishes, Andrea.
Best wishes, Andrea.
Behind The Scenes
I really appreciated your Behind the Scenes look. You get an incredible amount of mileage from the figures and sets. Once you get into it, the general lack of facial expressions just washes over you like a chosen style of an artist.
The most important thing is the story, something you have a demonstrated talent for, not if a wrist is turned just so or if the shadow of a figure matches the house perfectly. Keep on what you're doing, Emma. This is setting up to be quite enjoyable indeed.
Aardvark
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Mahatma Gandhi
Had a word with the actors ...
Thanks once again aardvark!
I threatened to lock the whole cast in the basement unless they gave me a less wooden performance. So I think you'll see their expressions improve in later episodes.
Mind you if this was actually on TV you'd expect to see some bad acting ...
Emma
Something Borrowed, something blue
I think I like where this is headed. "Sara" is rapidly getting herself in hot water. Can't wait to see how she explains the day lost to Sara when she wakes up.
Naturally, I'd like to see more, but I understand that I live in the sidereal universe, and must wait my turn like everyone else. Incidently, these pictures are just made to be captioned - er, commented upon.
Aardvark
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Mahatma Gandhi
It's going to get way more complicated ...
Hmmm? Is that's what's going to happen? And I have another 5 Episodes at least that make up a pretty involved story arc. I can't say any more just yet or the studio execs will be upset but there's an obvious conclusion to be drawn ...
I noticed your comments, wondered who'd been there when I saw the little red stars. I guess I should have known hehe.
Emma
Borrowed
The plot thickens...
I wouldn't worry about the lack of comments too much. Without seeing a major part of the story, it's a bit hard to comment on several frames a day. I do like the way you've taken the time to make this a genuine "experience" with the incredible amount of background pics and documents.
Did Dr. Moriarty have a brother?
Emma SMITH? Come on!
Anyway, you are getting an incredible amount of hits.
Aardvark
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Mahatma Gandhi
Thanks once more
Episode 1 is really an introduction to the characters and situation. The plot gets thicker as we go along. I've tried to make it all hang together logically.
I take your point on the comments. The number I've had is very much in line with my text stories. My hope is as this is a bit different it might trigger a different set of people to respond.
As you've seen I uploaded a stack of documents yesterday and more wallpaper images. The documents are a good way to add depth without slowing down the main story.
And BTW if anyone has spare wallpaper captions or a talent for Sims 2 fashion or house design I'd be interested to hear from you.
Emma
Geeze! You know how to make a girl feel good...
Dr. Moriarty's brother?!
Since the nefarious Professor died in the 1890's, you're suggesting that Emma's a bit *ahem* mature, aren't you?
Great-great-grand-daughter perhaps?
Best wishes, Andrea
Best wishes, Andrea.
I'm not related to Moriarty
Only just noticed the brother comment. Hmmm. Aaardvark's seen pictures of me as well. How could he get that wrong?
And I can confirm I was born later than 1890. I'm not connected to the Moriarty family, though I have read his rather interesting little treatise on the Binomial Theroem.
Emma
Moriarty
Dash it all!
How can anyone infer from my comment that the svelte and attractive Emma be Moriarty's brother? Harumph! It appears that I must be more precise. I should have merely inquired if the infamous Moriarty, or a brother or sister with the same dark twisted bent, had produced descendants with a penchant for the keyboard and 3D software, which we know the original Moriarty had because of an episode on Star Trek TNG. Ahem!
Aardvark
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Mahatma Gandhi
Ah, trying flattery now?
Yep, that should work!
Emma
Borrowed
Through picture #69:
It's heating up. I didn't expect the action with "Sara" and Mike, but two Sims characters never looked so good together. Kudos on 620.jpg, the scene where they kiss - I know how hard it is to pose a believable kiss. Now if you could just remove Sara's Vulcan Death Grip from Mike's shoulder. ;)
Aardvark
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Mahatma Gandhi
Actually ...
I'm a Red Dwarf fan so it's an Ionian Nerve Grip (Series 6: Legion): "That's not an Ionian Nerve Grip! That's smashing me over the head with a vase! There's no such thing as an Ionian Nerve Grip!"
I can't take credit for the posing. I just make them interact and capture the results. Expressions and postures are limited to what the game engine provides. You can make this go a long way though with the right camera angles.
The main thing I'm regretting now is giving it such a slow start. It might have been better to open with lots of action and have this as a flashback. Oh well, plenty of action to come!
Emma
Secret Lives Album
Through picture #82 on Secret Lives:
I'm still here every day checking in. The story is moving along - not as fast as I'd like (what comic strip does?) - but getting there. Paul/Sara is a rather cold-blooded character and I'm feeling pretty sorry for poor Sara. I hope she has a satellite dish in the basement and a well-stocked fridge with plenty of ice cream to eat during those depressing times.
I'm seriously toying with the idea of making Unity a strip, and have been busy making sets and hitting the books, learning (and relearning in some cases) some of these 3D programs. If I commit to do it, then I'll have you to thank for the inspiration. :)
Aardvark
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
Mahatma Gandhi
Re: Secret Lives Album
Yeah he's not very sympathetic. The guy's amoral and will do anything to get what he wants. The real Sara has a lot of spirit though and she won't keep sitting around for very long.
The pacing of the first two episodes is a bit slow. This is when I was learning how to balance the words with the pictures and it also contains a lot of setup. Things pick up a lot from Episode 3, which is also when the real story gets going. I think we'll be into Episode 3 by the middle of next week.
Hope the Unity thing works out!
Emma
Brilliant work Emma
It's a bit like Single White She-Male....... Hehe!
It took some time to get used to the sims and the lack of props, but once the story got going I forgot all about it!
Can't wait for the next one!