Basic Matinee Sequence

The Task

I was required to produce a custom made UT2004 playable level. The level had to have a museum theme to it while making it as interesting as possible within the 2:30 minute time limit given. This level then be demonstrated to the University class. The purpose of this task was so that we, the students, could lean and understand how to make Videos within UnrealEd using these techniques:

Scene Manager Actors Interpolation points Actions
Linear & Bezier paths Sub Actions Look At Actor
Cut Scenes Simple Triggers

This is the video of the Level and Camera work I created:



What was Learnt

Looking back at the task, I was able to learn the techniques on how to make videos within the UnrealEd and have a basic understanding on how to use the tools. To begin with I had trouble understanding how to just add simple actions such and “Actions” and “Interpolation points” because every time I did, UnrealEd would crash. Even now I never knew why this would be the case, but I solved the problem by just taking a day or two away from the task and get my mind off my frustrations with this problem. I then studied the Matinee chapter in the “Mastering Unreal Technology: The Art of Level Design” book. The book gave clear instructions on how to implement the techniques above, and made the hard work placing the cameras in an interesting way.

The first rooms I tried making camera techniques with, Forest and Ice, I think the camera work is very basic. I think it’s under stable though considering these were the first time I was getting the matinee tools working and didn’t want to risk trying new camera angles/techniques out in fear of it not working and crashing UnrealEd. That said I think they look fine, the forest room in particular. I think with the Ice level I could have made better use of the camera angles. The first shot seems to move too fast and there is too much focus on the ice sculpture compared to the forest room where the shots were more evenly spread out.

The other rooms, War and Desert, I gained a bit more confidents with the tool set and felt I could put more camera skills a bit more here. This is made clear with the War room as there are more interesting shots being used here. Close up of the vehicles and more snappy angles were made here. I also used Bezier paths in these rooms too. The only problem I had with all of these movies I created were the transitions from each shot. When adding the Sub Actions to help create the Cut Scenes, they need a short delay before changing to the next shot, otherwise UnrealEd would crash. So if I were to go back and edit the level today, this would be the main problem I would like to change to the movies.