Lesson 1: What you will need to make a Machinima

Step 1: The very first thing that your going to need to start your Machinima is a gaming consol. Whether you use a NES, Gamecube, PS2, or Xbox 360 it doesn't matter! For what im discusing here any system with an RCA connection will work (RCA are the Yellow, White, and Red cables that connect to your TV).

Step 2: Once you have your gaming consol ready to go the next thing you will need is a means of capturing the video. There is a lot of debate over which capturing devices are the best, but in the end it comes down to you. Do you want to record it HD and have a high budget? If so the Hauppauge HD PVR is a great choice, although it goes retail for about $199.00. Or do you just want to record gameplay for fun with friends? If so Dazzle Carture card Products are great when on a low budget (This product comes with editing software)!

These two means of capturing video are the two product which most gamers go for. Although with that said there are still many other ways to capture video! These ways will noth work for all computers and video cameras, you will have to do your own research to find it out.

One simple way which cost nothing is to plug the RCA cables directly into your computer, depending on your graphics card and compture, results will vary. Another simple way which is extremely cheap if you already own a desent video camra is to route your RCA into a mini-plug (Use an RCA to Mini wire), Then plug the mini into your Camras AV input. Once this is done connect your camra to your computer via Firewire or USB.



Link-Dazzle Capture card http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Dazzle/



Link-Hauppauge HD PVR http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hdpvr.html



Step 3: Most likely the most important part of your Machinima! An editing software! Thoughout my life I've used many different editing softwares from Windows Movie Maker to Adobe Premiere Pro! If you have no money Windows Movie Maker gets the job done, but i highly HIGHLY recommend upgrading to at least Pinnacle Studios. These programs vary in price so much its hard to give an exact price but Pinnacle Studios starts at $49.99 while Adobe Premier Pro starts at $800 +!!! If your serious about video editing you may have to bite the bullet on the high price of Adobe Premiere Pro, its extremely worth it in the long run!



Pinnacle Studios http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Home+Video/Studio+Family/



Adobe Premiere http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/



Step 4: Find friends to help with your Machinima, whether they're actors or story writers, all help is good!! Once you've got your story idea worked out, write out a script and send it to everyone who is acting (This makes life a lot easier! Facebook inbox's work well for sharing the script).

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at halovideos@live.ca I will do my best to answer everyones questions quickly and effectively.

Once again thanks for reading, Checkout my channel to see what I've done