Star Wars Trivia Slides in Pre-Production

[gamephoenix 89]

Hello all,

 

As the James Bond project is getting close to completion I'm not wasting any time preparing for the Fusion upgrade to the old Star Wars LeitMotif deck. I'm hoping to at least have episodes 4,5,& 6 released by the time the new film hits theaters; so there's no time to waste.

 

Here is what I've put together so far as an initial set of templates. Chanced are these will go though a number of changes by the time file decks are released.

 

 

We've been talking about redoing Star Wars for over a year now and one of our goals has always been to make the deck glow stick compatible. I guess this is my initial approach to the goal. Only Multiple choice questions would be compatible for glow sticks.

 

The Question and Answer slide I came up with so far is derived from the menu system used on the Complete Collection Blu-ray. The center screen shot would changes as the Questions and Answers changed. The font used on all these slides so far is that used at the beginning of the films for the Long time ago... and story crawl.

 

That's all I have for now if anyone has any suggestions or comments I'd be happy to hear them.

[cirkator 8]

Love the idea with the sabers :-)

[japes 24]

Love the glow stick idea.  I had never heard of that idea until the post someone did in the forum and thought it was the coolest idea.

 

Only issue is that the Answer 4 is hard to read with the similar colors.

Edited September 20, 2015 by japes
color issue

[gamephoenix 89]

That's true Japes I tried to go with the most common glow stick colors I'll have to revisit that.

Edited September 20, 2015 by gamephoenix

[gamephoenix 89]

Looks like pink or purple are the two most common I could substitute.

[japes 24]

Or you could change the text colors.  The last one definitely is a no for me. I can't tell a difference between 1 and 4

White text with a black stroke may work.

[gamephoenix 89]

1 is blue 4 is purple the one b4 it is 4 =pink. Neither are official lightsaber colors, although Mace Windu used purple it was a request Samuel Jackson made to Lucas. SO Pink it is. I'd change the text color but I really want to stay as true to the crawl with blue question and yellow answer as I can.

Polargeek noted that the lightsaber glow extends past the hilt so that will be my next fix.

[gamephoenix 89]

OK so fixed the lightsabers glowing past the hilt, and brightened them up a bit. Also was told they were backwards, as they they are suppose to be white in the middle, though making them white in the middle makes the text harder to read which does they opposite of what they are there for. So that's pretty much out. Here is the latest update, the start background will probably be replace next along with a logo change and who knows what else.

 

 

 

We've been talking about a lot of possibilities one being having a landscape background for each themed question. Such as a Hoth background for questions about Hoth. Not sure how we'll work that out as of yet,

 

[gamephoenix 89]

So I'm thinking we need a list of websites with really high quality HD Star Wars artwork, planet backdrops and landscapes. If anyone would like to reference them here that would be very helpful.

[gamephoenix 89]

Still playing around with the Multiple choice. Found a star field I like for questions that may call for a space scene. Threw in a nice render of the death star.

And the interior of a ship, grated this is quick and dirty just for an idea... What do you think Ragnarok?

[gamephoenix 89]

And Droids in the Desert. Alright anyway I think everyone gets the idea. This one is using only direct screenshots from the film. C3PO is a render from a later scene but still in the desert so the lighting is close anyway. Some have suggested using enviorment shots from other sources like video games and 3rd party art which I did  the 1st tow shots. Both the Death Star and Vader are 3rd party art.  The Storm trooper is 3rd party art and the door is a screenshot from the movie. I think as much as possible I'd like to keep all the graphic straight from the films to ensure a true Star Wars feel. What's everyone's thoughts on this?

[cirkator 8]

Sounds good to me. :-)

Thank you for putting so much thought and effort into this!

[gamephoenix 89]

Your Welcome cirkator! I figure Star Wars is kinda the holy grail of Sci-fi so want to keep it as true as possible, and even more thought. I played around with the sabers again because on such a real backdrop they look a bit cartoonish. These are about as real as I can make them. Ans for good measure I'll shot them on a bright and dark environment...

 

 

IMO this Multiple Choice slide is good to go, the only question in my mind is there enough contrast to read the answers with the saber middles white? Any thoughts?

[cirkator 8]

Looking definitely better, but you raised a valid question.

Maybe you can write something longer than "answer 1" so we can get a feeling for it.

[japes 24]

Your Welcome cirkator! I figure Star Wars is kinda the holy grail of Sci-fi so want to keep it as true as possible, and even more thought. I played around with the sabers again because on such a real backdrop they look a bit cartoonish. These are about as real as I can make them. Ans for good measure I'll shot them on a bright and dark environment...

 

 

IMO this Multiple Choice slide is good to go, the only question in my mind is there enough contrast to read the answers with the saber middles white? Any thoughts?

The sand background washes out the colors but the black background with these colors is not hard to read at all.  I'm even wondering if your original #4 with the yellow saber would be ok with the white center.  Feel free to post that option up and I will give it a test run.

 

#1, 2, & 3 look excellent here in this last star filled version.

Edited September 22, 2015 by japes

[gamephoenix 89]

Alright here is an actual Question with a Yellow sabre.

[cirkator 8]

To be honest, I find the answers a little bit hard to read. Not impossible, but in the heat of the moment, they wouldn't be easy to read on the first glimpse. And after all, I have to beat my friends in the trivia game :-D

[gamephoenix 89]

OK another round of changes. Thanks for eveyone's input I think the slides will turn out a lot better than they would have if not for the observations.

 

Changed the #'s 1-4 to roman numeral

Changed roman numerals to 100% opacity and added white outer glow

Added a grey outer glow to the Question layer (had only a drop shadow before

Added color outer glows to the answer layers

 

 

 

 

[gamephoenix 89]

Made a change to Answer 1 text layer, darker color of blue outline

[cirkator 8]

Looks waay better. The sand themed is very good. The dark one, not really sure what to do with that. The green and yellow saber are still "hard" to read. Im trying to think of a way to make it more readable but the only thing i can come up with is make the sabers darker. But you mentioned you want to stay true to the saber colors. Not sure if that would even make it better....

If its just me who is "complaining" than release them as is. Maybe i should get my vision checked

[japes 24]

Made a change to Answer 1 text layer, darker color of blue outline

Looks good to my color challenged eyes.  The Green outline for answer 2 could probably use the same treatment that you did for number 1 and go a darker shade of green.  I think that should ease cirkator's concerns.  

[GoofyJeff 8]

Just my opinion, but if you're going for a "real as possible" feel, I would go back to the purple saber for Answer IV, if for no other reason than we haven't seen a yellow saber on screen in the films (yet?).

Otherwise, great job!

Edited September 22, 2015 by GoofyJeff

[gamephoenix 89]

Just my opinion, but if you're going for a "real as possible" feel, I would go back to the purple saber for Answer IV, if for no other reason than we haven't seen a yellow saber on screen in the films (yet?).

Otherwise, great job!

Yeah I agree with that, Purple really is not an official color either, as it was a concession made for Samuel Jackson. Japes, being color blind said he could not distinguish the purple from the blue previously. I'd like to hear from him again though since these answer layers have gone through a number of changes since then. 

 

Anyone know if there are if there are any new lightsaber colors in episode 7?

Never mind I missed his reply, so a darker color for the green answer is next on my list.

Edited September 23, 2015 by gamephoenix

[gamephoenix 89]

Darkened Green, Red & Yellow Answer layers. I even put a bit extra on Yellow.

Going to play around with Q&A next. I have a few friends experimenting with it some hopefully between us we figure out some neat stuff to do with it.

Alright so I had an thought and reversed the size and spread glow setting on the sabers and I think they look a bit better. Hopefully it did not effect legibility.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 23, 2015 by gamephoenix

[cirkator 8]

Just found this picture on reddit

[gamephoenix 89]

Thanks for supplying that. I think i'm going to bypass the sabre debate since using the only other sabre color in the movies is not the best thing for the community. Think I need to start focusing on the Q&A template. I'm trying to do sdome pretty advanced stuff not sure I'm completely Qualified but we'll see if I can get some help along the way.

 

So as I said before I'm trying to base Q&A on the BD menu system which is kinda like a hologram scheme. So far I have 5 possible holograms come up and will probably only use two or at most three at a time. And I can do any combination there of. So here are the examples right now...

 

 

So we get a few weird effects sometimes with bleed through I think sometimes this can be good and sometime bad and I'll have to make that a case by case determination. But the large backdrop can be changed out for each slide as well. An depending which holograms I bring up that will determine where the Logo goes for that slide, unless I forego the logo.

 

Any thoughts?

 

 

 

Edited September 23, 2015 by gamephoenix

[japes 24]

 

I know it may take a significant revamp but there is always the option to go with three choices since the three most widely available Glow Sticks are Blue, Green and Red which do correspond to the Saber colors.  I don't think I've actually seen a purple glow stick. 

 

I did find this on a science site...

These are some fluorescent dyes that may be added to light sticks to release colored light:

Blue	9,10-diphenylanthracene
Green	9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene
Yellow	1-chloro-9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene Rubrene
Orange	5,12-bis(phenylethynyl)-naphthacene Rhodamine 6G
Red	Rhodamine B

[gamephoenix 89]

I know it may take a significant revamp but there is always the option to go with three choices since the three most widely available Glow Sticks are Blue, Green and Red which do correspond to the Saber colors.  I don't think I've actually seen a purple glow stick. 

 

I did find this on a science site...

These are some fluorescent dyes that may be added to light sticks to release colored light:

Blue	9,10-diphenylanthracene
Green	9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene
Yellow	1-chloro-9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene Rubrene
Orange	5,12-bis(phenylethynyl)-naphthacene Rhodamine 6G
Red	Rhodamine B

I already have over 1,000 questions written for the 6 films from the LeitMotif series so I think I'll stick with the four answers. Thanks for the info Japes. Not sure how they are made just saw a picture. I'd rather have a small discontinuity than alienate a portion of  the community; and Samuel Jackson can suck it  

 

But honestly I think were stuck in a loop on the sabers and need to move on. After all at a minimum episodes 4,5, & 6 need to be completed before December 18th.

 

 

Edited September 23, 2015 by gamephoenix

[gamephoenix 89]

Still playing around figuring it out. No matter what I do there is going to be a bleed through from the large back wall hologram but I think this looks a lot better, and more of a hologram feel. The back wall layer was previously set to the blending option of exclusion, in this screenshot it is set to Lighten.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 23, 2015 by gamephoenix

[gamephoenix 89]

and just so everyone can see with the question and answer

 

 

[polargeek 44]

Me likey - yes I feel like talking like a 3 year old

[japes 24]

I already have over 1,000 questions written for the 6 films from the LeitMotif series so I think I'll stick with the four answers. Thanks for the info Japes. Not sure how they are made just saw a picture.

Yeah I figured as much...and I didn't say it was a good option just an option.  I completely understand.

 

 

 

 

I'd rather have a small discontinuity than alienate a portion of  the community; and Samuel Jackson can suck it  

 As one of the color challenged individuals that may have been alienated I really do appreciate the trouble you go through to help.

[gamephoenix 89]

 

Yeah I figured as much...and I didn't say it was a good option just an option.  I completely understand.

 

 

 

 As one of the color challenged individuals that may have been alienated I really do appreciate the trouble you go through to help.

Sorry if I jumped down anyone's throats just was expecting to hear some feedback about the Q&A template I stayed up all night building.I am really excited about how it's turning out so far. Any opinions are welcome.

[japes 24]

I didn't sense any jumping down of anyone's throat so no problem here.

As for the Q&A.  I really don't have much to say on this since I'm kind of iffy on it but I don't have any suggestions that I think would improve it.  I generally don't like to give any negatives unless I can offer a suggestion to help because then it just seems like I'm complaining and not helping.  If I can think of anything and have time I'll definitely let you know.  I'm more excited about these than any of the others as my whole family will enjoy these.

[gamephoenix 89]

Appreciate the honesty, I'd rather know it's not a hit now than when I've released them and have to redo 500+ slides because I was on the wrong track. I'll put together a real example with images that relate to the question early in the morning. That may give people a better idea how this concept works.

 

If not this scheme has some really nice trivia movie potential as all these place holders can be green screened for live footage.

 

 

[gamephoenix 89]

OK so I put together a question with the template. I'm kinda questioning it now LOL. I think I'll keep looking for another solution but keep working on it all the same. So here it is includes two visual clues slide. The best way to get a feel for it is the click on the first slide image and arrow through. Just an FYI the CinemaVision add-on supports multiple clues...

 

 

 

 

Edited September 24, 2015 by gamephoenix

[gamephoenix 89]

If anyone wants to know what the heck I was basing this crazy slide off of here is a video of the BD menu system...

 

[gamephoenix 89]

OK so here is an idea that I think looks pretty good. Maybe a little busy? I reverse the font use for Question and Answer, and add a screen shot with a slight overlapping of the character to give it a bit of a 3D pop effect. I also added the Star Wars yellow frame which I knew I really wanted to use in some way from the old LeitMotif deck.

[japes 24]

I really like the Star Wars frame.  It looks like you are trying to eke the answer off the image but I think if you see the image during the question and the answer fades in over the image it will look fine.  Just give it a sizable glow outside to frame it and help it stand out.  I do like this direction.

[gamephoenix 89]

I really like the Star Wars frame.  It looks like you are trying to eke the answer off the image but I think if you see the image during the question and the answer fades in over the image it will look fine.  Just give it a sizable glow outside to frame it and help it stand out.  I do like this direction.

Very good sir yeah I dropped the line down a couple rows for this one. Your right probably unnecessary.  Also there is a glow on the answer, and the question are a bit counter inturitive. Both layers have a drop shadow and a glow, only in black and very small capacity. This acts as a mask against the backdrop. Here is an example of with ans w/o the glow & backdrop...

 

 

And just for gigile the answer moved up...

 

The only problem I see with the screen shot is it may get in the way of seeing something behind on occasion. for those times I can either reverse the image or forgo the screenshot.

 

And just to tear down all the elements here is an example with no screenshot then with no character...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 24, 2015 by gamephoenix

[japes 24]

I like it with the screenshot and character and think we just use backgrounds that don't have anything that will be missed.  You can always alternate sides with the character/Screenshot if the background is more interesting on the right side.

The answer looks much better here.  As I mentioned you get the full impact of the background when just the question is there so your eyes can stroll around the scenery but then when the answer comes up your eyes focus in on that before the transition to the next slide.  

If you wouldn't mind could you try one more option bringing the answer up even more and doing an exaggerated mask that blurs out the background behind the answer.  I'm at work or I could show you what I mean but I am picturing sort of an extremely wide Stroke that has opacity to it so that it doesn't just block out the background completely.

[gamephoenix 89]

I like it with the screenshot and character and think we just use backgrounds that don't have anything that will be missed.  You can always alternate sides with the character/Screenshot if the background is more interesting on the right side.

The answer looks much better here.  As I mentioned you get the full impact of the background when just the question is there so your eyes can stroll around the scenery but then when the answer comes up your eyes focus in on that before the transition to the next slide.  

If you wouldn't mind could you try one more option bringing the answer up even more and doing an exaggerated mask that blurs out the background behind the answer.  I'm at work or I could show you what I mean but I am picturing sort of an extremely wide Stroke that has opacity to it so that it doesn't just block out the background completely.

Alright that gives me some perspective on the screenshot and character. I did play around with the letter masking again last night, didn't seem to make a breakthroughs but several variations. I'll try and replicate a few for you in the next hour or two. And we have another concern on the sabaer blades, this time being wider glow spread than real ones. I originally went a bit over in width to accommodate covering more of the font area but I'll shrink them to a realistic width and see how everyone feels about it. So basically another half dozen screens will be posted in the next few hours :).

[gamephoenix 89]

Ok so on to thje Saber mod experiments. I think this is to scale with the hilt and glow correct me if I'm wrong and you may need to download it and zoom in to really tell. I know I did when modding it

 

 

I like it with the screenshot and character and think we just use backgrounds that don't have anything that will be missed.  You can always alternate sides with the character/Screenshot if the background is more interesting on the right side.

The answer looks much better here.  As I mentioned you get the full impact of the background when just the question is there so your eyes can stroll around the scenery but then when the answer comes up your eyes focus in on that before the transition to the next slide.  

If you wouldn't mind could you try one more option bringing the answer up even more and doing an exaggerated mask that blurs out the background behind the answer.  I'm at work or I could show you what I mean but I am picturing sort of an extremely wide Stroke that has opacity to it so that it doesn't just block out the background completely.

So here is Mod 2 making all the elements including the hilt as large as possible w/o moving the text layer and then shortening the blade again.

[gamephoenix 89]

OK mod 4 slightly move the answer layers and scale the sabers ever more

And finally it was suggested that everyone knows what a lightsaber is, so do we really need to see the hilt?

 

And so here it is original size with new glow properties no hilt

[gamephoenix 89]

and here are a four sabers no hilt...

 

 

 

And finally I had one of the green sabler layers shut off and I added another glow layer to red to boost it so it looks more like the others

 

[gamephoenix 89]

And finally to Japes question about playing with the Question layers masking properties.I did do one mask which I borrowed from another set for some reason I havn't messed with using semi transparent masks before so I may call on some help to get the right shape and look down if we go that way. I did a barrage of them as well and here they all are...

 

 

[japes 24]

And finally to Japes question about playing with the Question layers masking properties.I did do one mask which I borrowed from another set for some reason I havn't messed with using semi transparent masks before so I may call on some help to get the right shape and look down if we go that way. I did a barrage of them as well and here they all are...

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sorry I guess I should have been more clear.  I think the question was fine as you had it originally.  I was thinking more of the answer coming up in one of the above two choices with the Answer just left as you had it before...sort of to draw your eyes to the answer when it fades in.

[gamephoenix 89]

I'm sorry I guess I should have been more clear.  I think the question was fine as you had it originally.  I was thinking more of the answer coming up in one of the above two choices with the Answer just left as you had it before...sort of to draw your eyes to the answer when it fades in.

Nope I just misread it my eyes were probably pretty messed up after all those saber redos. I'll get playwith a glowing answer in a few. Whats your take on the sabers Japes? Are you PK not seeing the hilts?

[gamephoenix 89]

Alright that gives me some perspective on the screenshot and character. I did play around with the letter masking again last night, didn't seem to make a breakthroughs but several variations. I'll try and replicate a few for you in the next hour or two. And we have another concern on the sabaer blades, this time being wider glow spread than real ones. I originally went a bit over in width to accommodate covering more of the font area but I'll shrink them to a realistic width and see how everyone feels about it. So basically another half dozen screens will be posted in the next few hours :).

OK here are a couple examples of using a glow on the answer in a over blown way. One so over glowed it washed out the answer a bit so I did a outline.

 

Here they are, this on both sand and space and a black screen...

[japes 24]

OK here are a couple examples of using a glow on the answer in a over blown way. One so over glowed it washed out the answer a bit so I did a outline.

 

Here they are, this on both sand and space and a black screen...

 

 

I think I am fine without seeing the Hilts...everyone knows what they represent and if they don't they won't be getting any of these questions right anyway...

The solid black black one looks a little off for some reason so definitely the stars for that one.  On the desert scene Both of these work well I think.  Maybe post one of these without the answer so I can flip back and forth to see the effect of the transition.

Also If you are up to it maybe try this last one with a dark glow/shadow with the same exaggerated proportions.  If it smokes out the background a little it's ok I just would like to see the transition effect.

Sorry for asking so much.