October 2009 “CE United presents: 20 Questions with Mad Villager.” Get to know the guy inside the Spartan armor as well as the man who runs Mad Villager Films and gives us his Mad Thoughts of the Day.
For those who don’t know who Mad Villager is he runs Mad Villager Films which is a site that makes Machinima but this is no ordinary Machinima. So read the interview to find out what he does and get to know him.
Question 1:
What is your favorite Halo Machinima to watch? I just noticed someone posted this question to you on your FAQ page before I wrote this question oh well I’m still asking it
Mad Villager
--I’m currently finding Rooster Teeth’s “RedVsBlue”’s weekly installments to be captivating. Aside from that, “Matchmaking” by Darkspire Films was a favorite of mine.
My Response:
Cool ya I used to watch Red Vs. Blue back during Halo 1 and Halo 2 days. My favorite episode was the one on Battle Creek and I think there were a lot of clones and they were like “We must protect this house.” I stopped watching during Halo 2 where the bomb blew up on Sidewinder.
I do enjoy watching their PSA or their special short clips. I probably should get back into watching them but with all the community stuff I spend my time keeping up with I would spend hours and hours on the internet just with Halo stuff.
Question 2:
What was the thing that got you interested in Machinima, I know you said on your site “What did I get when I combined my hobbies of film and gaming into one? Why, Machinima, of course!”
Is that how it really happened or was it something else that got you into making Machinima?
Mad Villager
--It was a combination of things, really. It was just over a year ago, and I had just started watching machinima frequently. I had always been a fan of Red Vs Blue, but at the time I had found even more series to watch. Smooth Few Films was finishing up Season 1 of “The Leet World”, Halo 3 machinima was booming, and I found myself inspired to join this innovative story telling process.
The final factor that inspired me to make machinima was Jon CJG’s “Deus Ex Machinia”. Though it wasn’t his favorite work, the drama created within the series was unparalleled. I had wanted to make films that evoked real emotion, even if it wasn’t via drama. One thing led to another, and my love of filmmaking eventually merged with my love of gaming.
My Response:
I wish I could say I combined my two interests of video games and writing into these interviews but that is not the case. Although I think my love of watching Conan may have helped a little in the decision. Thats cool I just wish knew how to use editing software and hardware to make cool videos but I’m not. :(
Question 3:
So I take it you are a fan of acronyms seeing how you use them now and then in your Machinima titles, like MTOTD (Mad Thought of the Day) and Mad Map Tours or (MMT)?
Mad Villager
-I definitely love my acronyms. “Mad Thought of The Day” was just an idea I had one day. However, after the second episode, I thought, “Hey, this could be MY thing!”. I just think its worthwhile to take advantage of my gamertag.
My Response:
I grew to love acronyms over the past few years because of an internship. My favorite acronym to date is the CEUGWAOCC which stands for (CE United Gauss Warthog Accuracy Obstacle Course Challenge). It was a little contest CE United held in the beginning of this year. Sadly it didn’t go as well as I thought I personal think I made it too hard.
If anyone would like to download it just click here (http://www.bungie.net/Online/Halo3UserContentDetails.aspx?h3fileid=66305739) and for anyone who downloads it to try it I am sorry in advance. You might need to get REALLY close to your TV to see all the targets.
Question 4:
You say on your FAQ page that you don’t work on my videos on a set schedule. Well then I guess that won’t work for a question how about, how far along is Mad Thought of The Day Episode 5.
Mad Villager
--Part of why my videos aren’t on a set schedule is because I’m a busy college student. I’m busy with theatre and film at my university, and when I get back to my dorm I have other things on my plate (gaming with my friends, spending time with my girlfriend, partying, sometimes homework). I rarely have time to sit down and create a machinima that I’d be proud of.
With that said, MTOTD- EP:5 is still in pre-production. I have the script written, a good third of the lines recorded, but no video files have been made.Yet.
My Response:
That is understandable school work is important to any of you procrastinators or younger people reading this what are you doing reading this shouldn’t you do your homework lol just kidding finish reading this then do your homework. Seriously though that is great that you focus on your school work first. I am a MASSIVE procrastinator when it comes to school work.
As for MTOTD Episode 5 I can’t wait to watch it.
Question 5:
Can you give us a hint at what your dramatic Machinima titled Inquisitor is going to be about?
Mad Villager
--Surely. “Inquisitor” will be a plot-based machinima focusing on a single protagonist. Expect it to be dark. Expect it to be different. Expect it to be new.
My Response:
Sweet expect me to watch it I can’t wait.
Question 6:
Will you be using ODST for future Machinima?
Mad Villager
--Halo 3: ODST is an interesting medium for machinima. Theater mode exists, but during play one will have to worry about NPCs coming up and ruining the shot. It would be difficult within Firefight, but I have experimented with making short machinima within campaign mode.
My Response:
Cool I think ODST Machinima would be fun to watch. For the sake of Bungie Pro Video Clips I wish you could record clips in campaign and Firefight of ODST because there would be some really cool clips from the community.
Question 7:
I noticed on your Map Map Tour videos of the first 3 mythic maps you only did 2 of them, did I miss a video or something or did you just not get around to doing a tour of assembly.
Mad Villager
--“Mad Map Tour: Episode 4” was planned to be a tour of Assembly. I had been swamped with college work at the time of production, so I had to set my priorities straight and focus on school. When I had time to do the tour of Assembly, there were already many, many videos regarding the Mythic Maps circulating the internet. I found it to be counter-productive to create a new video at that point for Assembly, a map that had been out for nearly a month and that most Halo 3 players were already getting used to.
My Response:
Understandable
Question 8:
That being said do you plan on eventually doing video tours of all the Halo 3 maps or at least the last 3 mythic maps.
Mad Villager
--I’m planning on doing video tours for the last 3 Mythic Maps, but perhaps in a different style than before. More of a light-hearted, comedic approach is what I’m looking at.
My Response:
That would be cool I think that is what drew me to your Machinima you did a different take on what people were used to seeing. A comedic tour would be fun and helpful.
Question 9:
Do you have plans to give tours of the firefight maps or maybe some firefight tip videos?
Mad Villager
--Time allowing, I want to make some comedic ‘tour’ videos of the firefight maps.
My Response:
That would be helpful as well seeing how I have not had a lot of time to play a lot of Firefight. Oh one little tip for people who play on Last Exit while in a ghost and you see a red garage door opening up and you see the blue shield door thing. Do not boost into that blue door you have been warned.
Question 10:
What is your favorite thing about making Machinima and what is your least favorite thing about making Machinima?
Mad Villager
-Oh machinima…it’s a love // hate type of thing with me. I absolutely love the finished product, seeing these characters in 3D space seemingly ‘talk’ to us and themselves, but I loathe recording the footage. It takes roughly an hour to record a minute of footage. If I find that the shot doesn’t flow well with the continuity of the rest of the film, I’ll have to reshoot. That’s the main pain.
My Response:
I can imagine having to reshoot scenes over and over that would suck.
Question 11:
My favorite question to ask. What’s your Halo History, how long have you been playing Halo and what got you into Halo?
Mad Villager
I’ve been playing Halo since around Winter of 2005. I was a Playstation 2 owner, but I kept hearing about this Xbox game called “Halo”. I didn’t purchase an Xbox at first because of the bulky controller and because there were no games that interested me on that platform. However, it was Christmas time and I figured I might as well buy an Xbox and Halo at the same time to try it out.
After playing Halo 2 for perhaps, 10 minutes, I knew I found a new game to love. Unfortunately, though, I hadn’t played the first game, so after finishing Halo 2, I purchased Halo: CE. I was blown away at what I had missed.
Halo keeps me interested partially because of it’s fiction, but also because of the multiplayer aspect. Whenever I have time, I jump unto Xbox Live to play with my group of friends. We were a clan in the Halo 2 days, but now we’re just a group of guys and gals with nothing better to do than to mess around on Halo.
My Response:
At least you went back and finished Halo: CE you would be surprised how many people I talk to who started playing Halo when Halo 2 came out and they never went back to play Halo 1.
As for the clan I know what that’s all about CE United up until May of this year was a clan but here we are now doing 20 question interviews and uploading video clips daily.
Also I would personal thank Microsoft for making a smaller Xbox controller for people with smaller hands.
Question 12:
What is your favorite Halo map of all time?
Mad Villager
-Of all time? Seriously? Hmm. I don’t know if I can answer that. I’d have to break it down by each game.
Halo: Combat Evolved: Battle Creek wins it for me on that game.
Halo 2: Coagulation. So many memories of custom games.
Halo 3: The Pit. It’s a perfect map!
Halo 3: ODST: I’m truly fond of both Alpha Site and Crater
My Response:
As for me
Halo: CE – Blood Gulch. Massive 3 hour games on this map at LAN parties.
Halo 2: I would have to say a three way tie with (Turf, Ivory Tower and Beaver Creek) Just both fun maps.
Halo 3: Ghost Town or Longshore. Do I have to say why people should just love these two maps without question.
Halo 3 ODST: Last Exit. This is just the first firefight map I spent a lot of time on by myself.
Question 13:
If you could change one thing about Halo 3 or ODST what would it be?
Mad Villager
-Were it up to me, I would have given the AR a longer range. Bungie designed it to be a better ‘starting weapon’ for multiplayer than the SMG was for Halo 2. Unfortunately, the AR is of little to no use other than ‘spray and pray”. Perhaps a combination of the Halo 3 AR and the H3:ODST SMG would make the AR a viable weapon for multiplayer gameplay.
My Response:
As for me currently if I could change anything about the Halo games it would be the LAG in ODST. Hmm or maybe its just me and my internet connection I did currently switch provider but while I play Halo 3 there is no lag. :(
Question 14:
What is your favorite Halo weapon to use?
Mad Villager
-Without question, the Spartan Laser is my favorite Halo weapon to use. Ever since I picked it up during the Halo 3 Beta, I knew I had found my calling. On matchmaking, I’m our team’s designated vehicle killer. I’ve got 3000+ Laser kills recorded on Bungie.net, and I believe I was within the top 60 for laser kills worldwide, based on HaloCharts. Pew pew pew.
My Response:
Wow Pew Pew is right 3558 as of this week yikes remind me to watch out if I see you with a laser.
See I loved the Splazer in the beta and thought that was going to be my new weapon vise in H3. When it actually came out to me it just didn’t feel right compared to the beta, then I switch from Laser to Hammer then finally to the all POWERFUL BRUTE SHOT.
Question 15:
What is your favorite thing about the Halo Community?
Mad Villager
-The Halo Community shares this common love for a video game that is rich in backstory. Whether it be for the UNSC or the Covenant, I find myself drawn to the fiction behind Halo. With that being said, I thoroughly enjoy the fan-fiction made for this universe, especially the stories made through machinima.
My Response:
Oh ya the stories people come up with Machinima are so funny and interesting depending on which ones you watch same with the comics as well. Ever since CEU changed from a clan site to a community content provider I have become so much more familiar with the community I love. I just wish everyone could keep up with the community, people don’t know what they are missing out on by not keeping up with community news. Hopefully Halo Waypoint will fix that.
Question 16:
What are some other Halo sites you visit on a daily or regular basis?
Mad Villager
-I frequent my fellow clanmate // friend’s site, TheRunningRiot.com. It’s a Halo community blog and Podcast. Aside from that, I’m always on Bungie.net, HBO, Machinima.com, TheDigitalSet.com, and MLGPro.com.
My Response:
Oh ya I know all about The Running Riot I love that podcast ever since I started watching it I have not missed an episode. Currently I think I hold the record for highest backstage pass appearances you may have to check with the man who runs it all Kete to verify that but I’m sure I have the record.
Question 17:
This is a new question I want to try out on you if you don’t mind.
What is 1 suggestion you could give me to make these interviews better, anything at all.
This is the first time I’m asking this question so I hope you don’t mind being the guinea pig.
Mad Villager
-Hmm, this was unexpected. A suggestion for making these interviews better would be to (perhaps) record them via podcast style. Use the audio files to then make a machinima – interview.
My Response:
That’s good I want these interviews to be exciting for the people who read them as well as the people I interview. Hmm I really like your suggestion that would be pretty cool, an interview that was recorded in Machinima style. I would love to do that but like I said earlier I don’t have the software or hardware to make Machinima as well as the knowledge to make Machinima.
Also another thing stopping me from doing a podcast goes back to the whole thing about what you said about being original. I noticed there wasn’t anyone doing 20 question interviews in the Halo community. Also I don’t think people would enjoy listening to me blab on in a Machinima or podcast. See I have what you call a voice not suitable for on air things some people just have great speaking voices sadly I was not blessed with one.
Question 18:
Have you made any other Machinima or is Halo 3 the first time you made machinima?
Mad Villager
-My machinima started within the Halo engine. I would say I’m experience within this engine, but then again I’m always open to any new filmmaking technique that develops.
My Response:
I think you are doing a great job with the Halo Machinima keep-em coming I want more.
Question 19:
Do you have any suggestions for people who are thinking about making machinima but can’t get it off the ground for some reason?
Mad Villager
-Don’t procrastinate; trust your instinct; be original.
My Response:
Hmm so if I wanted to start this pre recorded Macinima interview idea I would be 1 for 3. Seeing how I procrastinate and can never go with my first decision but the good thing is I would be original HA.
Question 20:
If you don’t mind I have a suggestion / request if you make any more Mad Map Tour videos. Would you ever mention weapon spawn times, I think that would be very helpful. I have not timed a weapon spawn since Halo 2. I only time the power ups in Halo 3.
Mad Villager
-Ah! I did not think of that. I will be sure to incorporate that into the map tours when I get back to them.
-Thank you very much.
My Response:
Sounds good I will look forward to it. I miss timing weapons I used to time weapons on Relic all the time.
Thanks again Mad Villager for doing this interview with me I must say I love your Machinima I look forward to seeing some new stuff.
Mad Villager
Thank you very much.
If you would like to find out more about Mad Villager and his sweet Machinima just head on over to his site http://madvillagerfilms.wordpress.com/ and be on the look out for his future work Inquisitor and his Mad Thought of The Day episode #5 all coming soon after he finishes his school work and on that note you people who are in school should go start you school work right now.
See you all next month. When I will be interviewing BS Angel AKA Hawty Mcbloggy it should be a very fun interview.
Long Live CE United.
-Willy-