12 replies to this topic

[Unluccy]

Okay, here is the deal. I'm thinking about making a small short film set in the Battletech universe, using CGI and 2D animation (for characters in their cockpits). Nothing fancy, just a small Mech battle, about 2-3 minutes or something similar. I already created this little proof-of-concept, which I posted in the art forum:



I've finished many live-action and CGI projects, so the film creation process is not much of a problem. The thing is, I do not know enough about the Battletech lore to make something that is at least vaguely canonical. So in order to achieve some kind of canonicity I'm reaching out to the community!


The overall set-up would have to be this:

A small convoy protected by two lightly armed Mechs travels through a desert (or a similarly easy-to-make terrain). One of the Mechwarrios picks up a signal from some ruins (or beyond a hill or something, definetely a seperate location, could also be a lake or something). He tells his comrade to march on with the convoy, while he checks out the signal. When he reaches his destination he is surprised by a more heavily armed enemy and after a heated battle, killed. The last shot shows the superior Mech on a hill overlooking the convoy, ready to engage...


Things to consider:

• One or two of the Mechs (the defenders or the attacker) have to be a Timberwolf/Madcat, as I have already modeled it. The second one can basically be any Mech that fits and I will create it.
  
• I do not care who the combatants are. IS vs IS, Clan vs Clan or IS vs Clan does not matter to me, as long as it's canon-ish.
  
• Date, name of the planet, name of the combatants, etc. would be appreciated.
  
• The story can be a short story which I adapt, or already something screenplay-ish. Does not really matter for such a short film.
  
• There can be some dialogue (the protagnoist telling the other pilot that he will look for the signal, as well as talking to himself maybe, but not much)

So, is anyone interested in helping out? Obviously, full credit will be given.

[Adridos]

I'd suggest you try to recreate the first ever encounter IS forces had with Clans.
Tukayid is also an option, but highly unoriginal.

[Bluey]

Invasion of Sommerset maybe ?

[Unluccy]

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I'd suggest you try to recreate the first ever encounter IS forces had with Clans.

Thanks, that is actually an idea I had in mind, but again, I don't know enough and cannot gather enough from the sources I know to make that faithful to the backstory. I guess it would make sense that this could be one of the first encounters and noone ever got to know about it, since all IS units involved in it died.

But again, I definetely need help from someone to fill in the details, such as planet, date, names, involved mechs and vehicles, what have
you.

Quote

Invasion of Sommerset maybe ?

Same thing here. I'm somewhat of a Battletech noob, so that's why I ask for help. If you have more ideas about that, please elaborate! I'm all ears (or eyes).

[Bluey]

There you go start by watching these, I bet they will give great ideas to you

Edited by Bluey, 30 June 2012 - 01:55 PM.

[Adridos]

Well, probably the encounter on The Rock should be good.

It is interesting, it's one of the first documented attacks, it involves a twist, a known mercenary unit and it's the place where Timber Wolf got it's IS name, the "Mad Cat".

So?

[Unluccy]

@Bluey: Thanks, but I'm looking for a collaboration. I don't think I'll suddenly understand the whole BT universe by watching the kids TV show. Again, I know the broad strokes, but I need help with the overall story and details. I'm basically offering to film someone's short story, so I hope it doesn't seem like I'm trying to make someone work for me for free or something in that vain...

@Adridos:

Quote

Well, probably the encounter on The Rock should be good.

It is interesting, it's one of the first documented attacks, it involves a twist, a known mercenary unit and it's the place where Timber Wolf got it's IS name, the "Mad Cat".

Yeah, I read up on that a few days ago. Sounds pretty good to me, even though the other Mech(s?) involved aren't necessarily my favorite. If you could write a whole short story about that (filling in the details I mentioned) and the scope doesn't exceed what I mentioned in my original post, it would sound great to me.

Or something more random, not as heavily bound to canon lore....

[Adridos]

Sadly, all I can do is give you a basic good idea. I'm not such a good writer and don't have the resources to do justice to the encounter. Someone with better lore knowledge will have to do it.

Good luck.

Edited by Adridos, 30 June 2012 - 02:46 PM.

[Unluccy]

Well, then thanks for the good idea!

I've only started this a few hours ago, so I don't give up hope quite yet.

[Davoke]

I'd say use the Dragon and Hunchback as defenders, since both have cleaner lines than most mechs, and fit the time period.

[SuomiWarder]

Unluccy. It occurs to me that a tale in the Periphery after the Smoke Jaguars got wiped out and some went bandit fits your story board. A harsh, not well populated planet that employs wheeled convoys of importance. Light escort of only two mechs and a raider that is a clan Mech.

I could write up a scenario or two for you in a few days if you are interested. I have some minor notice as a B Tech fanfic writer so you can count on my details being correct.

Either post here, or pm to my profile and let me know if there are any other visual elements you have in the can that you'd like to use. (Vehicle models, weatehr effects or whatever).

Edited by SuomiWarder, 30 June 2012 - 07:48 PM.

[Unluccy]

That sounds great, SuomiWarder! I'm going to send you a PM!

[RogueSpear]

More fic from Warder? Hell yes!