Erez Henya
Well-known member
Looks like one of the the largest productions in the history of DVXuser is happening right here right now.
"Halo - Operation Chastity" - fan film production blog
- Thread starter troopercooper
- Start date
Looks like one of the the largest productions in the history of DVXuser is happening right here right now.
Nektonic
Veteran
Yeah trooper, I don't understand why they had to have $200 million. I don't know if you have followed the news about Stuart Beattie's Halo trilogy scripts that he wrote on his free time, but he seems to have a good idea... base the first film on the first of the Halo novels "The Fall of Reach", which would work as an origin story and not need as massive of a budget. Then the next two films could add a bit more of that Halo spectacle we all love. I think that would be a pretty good way to go. As long as at least the first film has a contained story I think it could work.
Just the simple fact that an A-list screenwriter is sacrificing his free time to write an entire trilogy for no pay and at the possible threat of being called out for copyright infringement, should be a good sign to Hollywood to get their heads out of their arses and make the movie already!!!!!!!!!!! There is a huge fanbase out there waiting for it, possibly equal to that of other popular series like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Harry Potter. Plus, if the marketing was good, I bet they'd bring in a whole army of new fans to see the film... those that like action/adventure, sci-fi fans, all the Battlestar Galactica fans, etc.
I think the perfect time for the big budget Halo film to come out would've been this fall, when Halo 3: ODST releases. Since Hollywood has obviously missed that opportunity, they could try to tie it in with the release of a 4th Halo game (which I don't doubt will happen sometime in the next 2-3 years, maybe on the next Xbox console).
Just the simple fact that an A-list screenwriter is sacrificing his free time to write an entire trilogy for no pay and at the possible threat of being called out for copyright infringement, should be a good sign to Hollywood to get their heads out of their arses and make the movie already!!!!!!!!!!! There is a huge fanbase out there waiting for it, possibly equal to that of other popular series like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Harry Potter. Plus, if the marketing was good, I bet they'd bring in a whole army of new fans to see the film... those that like action/adventure, sci-fi fans, all the Battlestar Galactica fans, etc.
I think the perfect time for the big budget Halo film to come out would've been this fall, when Halo 3: ODST releases. Since Hollywood has obviously missed that opportunity, they could try to tie it in with the release of a 4th Halo game (which I don't doubt will happen sometime in the next 2-3 years, maybe on the next Xbox console).
troopercooper
Active member
Agree totally - though I don't think Fall of Reach is the best place to start. I have always envisioned a series of six Halo movies, which START at the actual Fall of Reach and for the most part exclude the stories and fates of the other Spartans, and only minor referential back story to the presence of the Arbiter:
Fall of Reach -> the near-firing of the rings.
Escape from the Flood -> Arrival at Cairo station
Defence of Cairo station -> the death of Regret
High Charity -> Battle of Kenya (never seen)
Defence of the Crow's Nest -> The Ark
Stopping Truth -> The End.
Meanwhile, back in Chastityland:
Fall of Reach -> the near-firing of the rings.
Escape from the Flood -> Arrival at Cairo station
Defence of Cairo station -> the death of Regret
High Charity -> Battle of Kenya (never seen)
Defence of the Crow's Nest -> The Ark
Stopping Truth -> The End.
Meanwhile, back in Chastityland:
Erez Henya
Well-known member
No way. I was wondering what could be improved from the original draft, but now I know.
Can you give a short description of what's going on there? in what stage of the battle is it?
*in God's voice* Let a new saga rise!
I'm certainly looking forward to see the impact of our film!
troopercooper
Active member
Well, I will give the blurbs for all the concept art so far, in chronological order:
"Panorama - Concept art - morning rises over an Argentinian valley as marksman Corporal Westwood and spotter Private Savage watch Covenant anti-aircraft positions way behind enemy lines. Above, the UNSC Hope Springs Eternal heads to the field of battle as two Pelicans are fired upon far below it. The operation the Recon squad on the ground were moving in support of apparently started early..."
"Warthog - Concept Art - The remnants of Lieutenant Ashton's Recon platoon have regrouped and, unable to be extracted due to force commitments elsewhere, are forced to march overnight to get to Kilo Firebase, held by the 29th Marine Reserves. Their sentry, seeing movement ahead through the trees, calls his squad to a halt and to cut the lights. Something is out there."
"Night Watch - Concept Art - Ashton's platoon, still reeling from their previous encounter, take up position to rest for the night. They are only 8 miles from their own lines, and 10 from Kilo Firebase. PFC Winters is manning the comms, no doubt emailing home as usual, while Corporal Westwood cooks up some soup, his sniper rifle already set up on some sandbags. Savage looks out the window, while Foster uses his helmet for a pillow. Bougherra walks the line outside."
"Pelican Down - Concept Art - two Pelicans are shot down during Operation Chastity, with Ashton's Recon Marines of the 267th Marine Regiment moving to protect the injured Marines of the 29th Marine Reserves."
"Panorama - Concept art - morning rises over an Argentinian valley as marksman Corporal Westwood and spotter Private Savage watch Covenant anti-aircraft positions way behind enemy lines. Above, the UNSC Hope Springs Eternal heads to the field of battle as two Pelicans are fired upon far below it. The operation the Recon squad on the ground were moving in support of apparently started early..."
"Warthog - Concept Art - The remnants of Lieutenant Ashton's Recon platoon have regrouped and, unable to be extracted due to force commitments elsewhere, are forced to march overnight to get to Kilo Firebase, held by the 29th Marine Reserves. Their sentry, seeing movement ahead through the trees, calls his squad to a halt and to cut the lights. Something is out there."
"Night Watch - Concept Art - Ashton's platoon, still reeling from their previous encounter, take up position to rest for the night. They are only 8 miles from their own lines, and 10 from Kilo Firebase. PFC Winters is manning the comms, no doubt emailing home as usual, while Corporal Westwood cooks up some soup, his sniper rifle already set up on some sandbags. Savage looks out the window, while Foster uses his helmet for a pillow. Bougherra walks the line outside."
"Pelican Down - Concept Art - two Pelicans are shot down during Operation Chastity, with Ashton's Recon Marines of the 267th Marine Regiment moving to protect the injured Marines of the 29th Marine Reserves."
dougspice
Veteran
I have a question about the involvement about the prop shops. How much of their involvement was based on a prior relationship? Are these guys you know, or did you just cold call people and start talking up your project? How much of their willingness to help was based in "OMG Halo is rad"?
I'm curious because I'm trying to get some other sci-fi projects off the ground that require some awesome props, but this isn't based on any existing franchise. I'm not yet to the stage of contacting people about them, but I'm getting there and I'd like to develop a game plan for getting everybody as excited as possible.
I'm curious because I'm trying to get some other sci-fi projects off the ground that require some awesome props, but this isn't based on any existing franchise. I'm not yet to the stage of contacting people about them, but I'm getting there and I'd like to develop a game plan for getting everybody as excited as possible.
troopercooper
Active member
Of the props guys I have on board, only one I knew prior to this project kicking off - Matt Worsdell, who I was already close friends with and who I contracted to build the prototypes and moulds for my guns. We also helped collaborate with Spat Oktan on the production "Trenches":
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3277294/
(as an aside, that production just got me my first IMDB credit - hells yes!)
I was introduced to my armour maker and prop builder here in the UK, Ed Woodward, through my friend Stuart Bray (who has offered assistance on the prosthetics side). Stuart used to work at our prosthetics studio and was working with Ed over at a theatre doing relief carvings. Ed is a massive Halo fan, and his revelation of this to Stuart (he was asking best options on making a Master Chief costume) was complete chance, so I'm very thankful it happened! We met up for dinner, talked over a few things, and he was on board instantly.
Now, Daniel over at Props Studios who is building my Warthog - that was a complete shot out of the blue. I had seen his propwork at an art exhibition back in February 2008, and I knew he had done the UK promotional custom Herbie VW Beetles for Disney when the Lindsay Lohan movie came out. Dropped him an email on the off-chance he may want to assist after a mate reminded me of his work, telling him about the project and telling him about what we were looking to achieve. Within three emails, plans were already under way. Yet another thing I am thankful for!
It must be said, having the backing of the Halo franchise for this fan project has made an awful lot of things possible that may not have otherwise been possible, or at the very least may have cost more. c_c; But, there is one fundamental thing underpinning all prop builders. And that is a desire to create. If you have a fantastic concept, and you can sell it to those creative types, then they will do it for you. Money may or may not come into it but they will want to be creative and achieve, the same way all crew from runners to directors do.
If you fancy, drop me a line in PM and we can talk about the intricacies and so on a little more, and perhaps I can advise you on a few people you might want to talk to. While I will not say I am an expert on anything, I do at least have a few good connections.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3277294/
(as an aside, that production just got me my first IMDB credit - hells yes!)
I was introduced to my armour maker and prop builder here in the UK, Ed Woodward, through my friend Stuart Bray (who has offered assistance on the prosthetics side). Stuart used to work at our prosthetics studio and was working with Ed over at a theatre doing relief carvings. Ed is a massive Halo fan, and his revelation of this to Stuart (he was asking best options on making a Master Chief costume) was complete chance, so I'm very thankful it happened! We met up for dinner, talked over a few things, and he was on board instantly.
Now, Daniel over at Props Studios who is building my Warthog - that was a complete shot out of the blue. I had seen his propwork at an art exhibition back in February 2008, and I knew he had done the UK promotional custom Herbie VW Beetles for Disney when the Lindsay Lohan movie came out. Dropped him an email on the off-chance he may want to assist after a mate reminded me of his work, telling him about the project and telling him about what we were looking to achieve. Within three emails, plans were already under way. Yet another thing I am thankful for!
It must be said, having the backing of the Halo franchise for this fan project has made an awful lot of things possible that may not have otherwise been possible, or at the very least may have cost more. c_c; But, there is one fundamental thing underpinning all prop builders. And that is a desire to create. If you have a fantastic concept, and you can sell it to those creative types, then they will do it for you. Money may or may not come into it but they will want to be creative and achieve, the same way all crew from runners to directors do.
If you fancy, drop me a line in PM and we can talk about the intricacies and so on a little more, and perhaps I can advise you on a few people you might want to talk to. While I will not say I am an expert on anything, I do at least have a few good connections.
RobbieDuck
New member
Hello I've been seeing bits and pices of your project at Halo.bungie.org and I must say that I am verry excited to see some of your finished props and maybe even some test shots if you happen to post any test shots ahah... and I gotta say I am loving the concept art. night watch is by far my favorite. I'm in my first year of college studying graphic design so If you need any design work done just let me know 
Keep up the good work :thumbup:
sincerely Robbie Duck
Keep up the good work :thumbup:sincerely Robbie Duck
troopercooper
Active member
Thanks for the kind words Robbie!
troopercooper
Active member
Sierra-062 drags a concussed PFC Winters from an industrial building in the wartorn Las Armas weapons factory. His comrades fight desperately to give him enough time, and the Spartan seems to have come through.
troopercooper
Active member
Sorry for the removal of the images - those have been pulled for copyright issues, and will go back up once our NEW WEBSITE is live! 
Now, with an absense of any true updates, I thought I'd take this moment to discuss prop construction. It's one of those relaxing things you can do completely at your leisure, and when it comes to shooting, the props you make can really give flavour to a scene. In my case, I've been faffing with laptops!
I bought a job lot of broken Panasonic Toughbooks from a local supplier - £10 each, nice little laptops that already have that rugged "military" look. Decided to do a spray test on one with Krylon OD paint - which do you think looks better? Bare metal or OD?
Now, with an absense of any true updates, I thought I'd take this moment to discuss prop construction. It's one of those relaxing things you can do completely at your leisure, and when it comes to shooting, the props you make can really give flavour to a scene. In my case, I've been faffing with laptops!
I bought a job lot of broken Panasonic Toughbooks from a local supplier - £10 each, nice little laptops that already have that rugged "military" look. Decided to do a spray test on one with Krylon OD paint - which do you think looks better? Bare metal or OD?
RobbieDuck
New member
I think the painted one looks way better if you did the hole thing like that then weathered them with scratches so you could see some metal they'd look awesome
Erez Henya
Well-known member
I wasn't sure at first. The authentic scratch marks look perfect, they would add a true history and depth to the film.
Colour-wise, I agree with Robbie, the sprayed one looks way better indeed! My concern is the ability of reproducing such scratches and other heavy-use marks. If you were to drag them on a gravel road for instance, you'd get the original colour back in some spots...
So it's a question is whether it's possible to recreate the marks after the spraying. If not, the original ones look very good still!
Edit: these are EXCELLENT props!!! such a bargain!
Colour-wise, I agree with Robbie, the sprayed one looks way better indeed! My concern is the ability of reproducing such scratches and other heavy-use marks. If you were to drag them on a gravel road for instance, you'd get the original colour back in some spots...
So it's a question is whether it's possible to recreate the marks after the spraying. If not, the original ones look very good still!
Edit: these are EXCELLENT props!!! such a bargain!
Nektonic
Veteran
I agree, the scratches look awesome and really sell the idea that these things have been through hell, but since these are going to be military field equipment that the marines are going to be carrying, I'd expect them to be duller and darker so as to blend in with either a forest or urban environment. Silver seems too loud a color for military gear.
They do have the look and feel of the heavy duty and utilitarian futuristic Halo military look. The little antennae at the top is a nice touch too. They also remind me of the little laptops that Hicks uses in Aliens to arm and monitor the sentry guns from the director's cut of the film.
troopercooper
Active member
The GRiDcase computers used in Aliens are wonderful pieces of kit - when these came by courier I looked at them and just thought "yes - these are GRiDs". Only these run Windows 98!
RobbieDuck
New member
windows 98 was a sweet system ussed it half my life do they still work?
Nektonic
Veteran
Are you serious? I saw your pics and thought they just resembled the ones in Aliens. I didn't know they were basically the same case. But now that I've had a second look they do look pretty much like the same thing as far as I remember.
Darn it now I want one...... and a Pulse Rifle too.
Andrew Brinkhaus
Veteran
Good to know.
