WatchmenComicMovie.com Forum

I like how you think, Infinity.

EDIT: I just realized that if I'm going to encourage this sort of thing, I should explain how I did it.

First of all, everyone involved is going to need a Skype account. Second, they'll need microphones. That won't be a problem for Mac users. Third, they'll need some program that records sound. QuickTime Pro will do the job, but I'd personally recommend a freeware program called Audacity. Fourth, they'll need accounts on a file hosting site, such as MediaFire or MegaUpload. Oh, and they'll also need headphones or earbuds of some kind.

Here's how it works: 1) Everyone puts on headphones. 2) Open a Skype conference call at the arranged date and time. 3) Start recording. 4) Play the movie on mute and talk about it.

Skype will convey your voice to the other commentators while Audacity records what you say. If done properly, then all of the commentators will have separate tracks for their own voices. The tracks are then uploaded onto the file hosting site of choice and links are sent to a single person in the group. This person then assembles the tracks into a single mp3 (again, this can be done in QuickTime Pro or Audacity).

The end result is much higher quality than would be accomplished simply by recording on Skype. In the best case scenario, it'll sound like you're in the same room.

A shout-out to my buddy Ray at 2P START! for teaching me that trick.

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This is truly a madhouse. And I'm the lunatic running it. I've spent three years wondering if I should be proud or ashamed.

TBH I was quite relieved when we finished the commentary, even at under 40 minutes. I don't know about Curi, TMD, DDC or anyone else, but I for one wouldn't be able to last 3 hours 6 minutes!

So my thinking is perhaps it could be split up into segments (maybe around 30 mins), with different members on each. Curi and DDC could lend consistency by doing 2 or 3 in a row?

So it could go like

First 30 min: Curi + Member1 + Member2
Second: Curi + Member3 + Member4
Third: Curi + Member5 + Member6
--then there's a bridge like "Over to you DDC" "Thanks Curi"
Fourth: DDC + Member7 + Member8
Fifth: DDC + Member9 + Member10
Sixth: DDC + Member11 + Member12
Seventh: DDC + Curi

Perhaps people could return to do a second or even a third, e.g. Member9 could be the same person as Member1... "And in this segment we welcome back Member1...."

Apart from avoiding too long recording sessions, and representing a wide range of the fanbase, another benefit would be that the audience (though let's face it, that'd be us!) wouldn't have to watch all 3 hours 6 minutes in one go but would have convenient places to pause it and continue at another time...

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That's a good idea. It could also work in a less organized manner. We could have people do it, and if someone wanted to stop, they could say pause, and everyone would pause the movie, and say cut to their mike. Then when we bring all the tracks together, the person combing them all, will know where to splice the tracks in Audacity. Or each person could cut their own tracks before handing them to one person to splice.

Preferably we could be more organized and use AYB's plan, since that would be a bit smoother, but in case that level of organization isn't set-up, this could suffice as a back-up plan.

However, I think we should merge all the segments together. I guess we could offer it in segments, but it's a lot harder to keep track of all the URLS of the uploads. I paused my movie a lot when listening to the UTH commentary, but when I needed to go to a certain section I just wrote down (in notepad) at what time did the video pause at, and at what point did the commentary pause at.

I like the idea of splitting it up.

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Mexicano Al Grito De Guerra

I've made a visual companion to the commentary (Maximum Movie Mode!!) for those who don't own ToBF/UtH or those who can't be bothered to download the mp3. I think it's a good watch
YouTube's limit is stopping me uploading it all at once, but you can watch Pt1 here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YFtPtys8n0

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Very cool! Thanks!

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My unofficial and offical work-> http://www.youtube.com/movieboyandco

I told him to do that!

Very cool. It's nice to hear your voices. Very international vibe too.

Movie Dude, you sounded a bit nervous at the start.

I'd be useless at this sort of thing. I'd be making bad jokes and a lot of awkward pauses.

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"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

That you did
It's all uploaded now...

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4


Oh I think I would've caused my fair share of them were Curi not really good at putting it back on track

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Haha, I was!

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My unofficial and offical work-> http://www.youtube.com/movieboyandco

I noticed the pace of the conversation seemed to slow down quite a bit towards the end there. It sounded like you three were running out of things to say. That isn't meant as a criticism, I'd imagine it would be difficult to keep the conversation going that long, especially if it was maybe a little awkward as you three only really know each other online. Was this the first time you guys talked to each other (Beyond the regular typing and sending messages)?

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"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

Yes it was. Aside from the occasional chat with them on Facebook, this was the first time I'd spoken with either of them outside the forum. Additionally, it's worth noting that the conversation was made even more awkward by the fact that we're really communicating via Skype, so we were constantly struggling with the sound quality.

Fortunately, I don't think the commentary was too badly affected. All I really wanted was a recording of three comic book fans, passionate and well-versed about Watchmen, getting together and talking about the movie and graphic novel we love. In that regard, I think it was a complete success.

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This is truly a madhouse. And I'm the lunatic running it. I've spent three years wondering if I should be proud or ashamed.

Absolutely.

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Mexicano Al Grito De Guerra

I'd still love to hear a fan commentary for the Director's Cut.

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"Computer unnecessary."

Oh hey, I'm gonna watch these!


I'd be making a lot of awkward jokes and bad pauses.

............................

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"The world is a fine place and worth fighting for." I agree with the second part.

"There's a cello in your house now."

[NOTE: Another spambot taken down. --"Curiosity Inc."]

I'm glad you liked it, Mr Wang. We enjoyed making it.

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I liked the part where you dissected the inner complexities of orc/troll relations.

Also, I notice that both of these spam bots appear to be of Asian descent.

I was trying to think of something funny to say about that, but it's odd enough in itself.

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"The world is a fine place and worth fighting for." I agree with the second part.

"There's a cello in your house now."