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Before we knew Armanus as the 'take no prisoners' mod that he is today, we knew him as the creator of Attack of the Sims, a prize-winning entry to the Sims99 1st Anniversary contest! One of the judges in this contest said of this film, "It's just damned fantastic!"
Sims99: What was your reaction to finding out that your film was chosen above all of the others as 'the best' for that month?
Armanus: My own experiences were the biggest inspiration. Before I made this, I had done a lot of experimental movies and was about halfway through "The Game of Life", and I had my fair share of frustrations. Sometimes it seemed the sims were out to sabotage my movie, and I thought I would take that, mix some Matrix into it, add a pinch of the wonderful help and insight I got here, and it became a movie I'm quite proud of, and one I think a lot of Sims movie-makers can identify with.
Sims99: What was the most difficult shot or moment in your movie?
Armanus: Just about all of the scenes with Carisa vs. the rebel sims. The Carisa sim would always walk off on me right in the middle of a shot, and I'd have to reset everything. Yes, I did have the free will off, but it was Carisa!
Sims99: How long was production time on this movie from start to finish?
Armanus: I started it on January 8th, and submitted it two days before the deadline. I don't remember what that date was lol! Let's say three weeks.
Sims99: What is your favorite scene in this movie?
Armanus: I would have to say the scene where the metal music kicks in, the house is on fire and the sims are cheering, and Bob's reaction to the whole thing. I tried to make the movie seems relaxed and a kind-of cheesy movie-making documentary up to that point, when the true story comes in with a bang and kicks it into high gear! I just love the dynamic.
Sims99: Do you have a funny production story about this movie?
Armanus: Do you mean other then the Carisa sim ignoring the fact that I had free will turned off?
Actually the funny story occurs after I had finished the movie and before I submitted it. I was worried that people would not find the humor in the movie all that funny, so I had my wife watch it so I could gauge her reaction. I knew she wouldn't get all the references, but she would have to laugh at the rapping bunnies, right?
She watched the whole thing, never moved or made a sound. She looked at me and said “It's very cute, hon.” My jaw about hit the floor! Cute!? I thought for sure that this was going to tank bad, and no one would ever watch my movies. But the reaction has been extremely positive, so at least I got to stick my tongue out at her!
Sims99: Is there anything you would change about this movie, or were you 100% satisfied with the outcome?
Armanus: I doubt anyone is ever 100% satisfied with their movies, it eventually becomes a case of getting it good enough and forcing yourself to walk away from it!
My first cut of the movie was almost 13 minutes long, and there wasn't anything I was willing to get rid of, so I had about one day to get it down to the 10 minute time limit. I was literally cutting scenes down a frame at a time in order to get it all to fit!
When I was done with that I submitted it, and once I decided to rewatch it I noticed some of my computer effects looked a little off, I would have liked to fix that. Other then that I am pretty satisfied with how it turned out.
Sims99: What future movie projects can we expect to see from you in 2007?
Armanus: Right now I'm working on a new comedy, and after that I plan on doing a 5-part series and then maybe a continuing series. I have a few other ideas as well, so I guess it'll all depend on where I feel like going when the time comes.
Sims99: Do you have some advice for new filmmakers?
Armanus: Remember the basics (walls up, ceilings, no thought/conversation bubbles or plumbbobs), experiment with the camera and sim animations, be yourself and try ideas that are outside the norm. Look for as much feedback as you can get. Take the positives for encouragement, take the negatives and turn them into positives by learning from your mistakes. Ignore rude comments. Everyone has their own opinions, accept the ones that work for you and never the ones that go against your own tastes. But most importantly, always try your best and never, ever give up!
Sims99: What was your favorite movie(s) featured on sims99 in 2006?
Armanus: Wow, there were so many. I think the two I enjoyed the most were "The Crow" by CrystalWitchery, "Helena" by JayDee, and "The Blob" by Luigi_Maniac…they were all such monumental accomplishments!
Sims99: Of your OWN movies, which is your favorite and why?
Armanus: By far "Love You To Death". It is the most complex and emotional movie I have ever made, and most definitely the best looking! Although it hasn't gotten the reaction my last two have, I'm very proud of it.
Sims99: Of your OWN movies, is there one you dislike or would have done differently and why?
Armanus: I like all of my movies. If I disliked them no one would ever see them! The only things I don't like about my first two movies is the graphical quality and slowdown issues. It would've been nice if I had my new PC when I was making those!
Sims99: What do you like to see in a machinima movie?
Armanus: An original story mainly. There are so many genres that are overdone, and I love the freshness of something inspired and original. High quality is definitely preferred, and if it is subtitled I like to be able to read the subtitles without it being rushed.
Let me add that there seems to be a big hype lately about using effects. Effects are always nice, but they need to fulfill a purpose. If a movie is filled with effects that don't enhance the story or move the story forward, then they aren't of any use. Telling an interesting story effectively is key.
Sims99: What are your thoughts on the future of machinima in general?
Armanus: I think for the next few years we will see more game developers make games that are machinima-friendly, and over time machinima will start getting some serious mainstream attention. I think someday we will see a machinima TV series or Theatrical movie, but I think that's a few years away yet.
Sims99: How did you get started making machinima?
Armanus: I was reading the FYI section of an issue of "Popular Science" and it was about machinima. I was really excited about the concept, since I'm a storyteller at heart, and went online to do some investigating. I was going to start making movies using Half-Life 2, but then I discovered Sims 2 machinima and this site, and the rest is history.
Sims99: Do you see machinima as having big-screen potential in the future?
Armanus: Definitely. Once game graphics reach the level of animated movies (which I think could be reached in the next 5 years) and game developers or modders make their respective programming sophisticated enough, I think film studios will find it more cost-effective to use machinima then animate a movie in the traditional style. Why animate each frame when the game animates and renders for you, and you can direct it all in real-time? It's just the next logical step.
Sims99: What are your other hobbies besides making machinima?
Armanus: I play guitar and write songs, I'm writing a novel as well....let's see. I'm an avid gamer (video games, board games, roleplaying games, card games, name it lol) and watch a lot of movies! I also read a lot, and go to a lot of concerts.
Sims99: Tell us something about yourself that's plausible, but untrue, and something that's unbelievable, but true.
Armanus: I once saw a UFO, and I am in a movie that was once circulated to all of the elementary schools in Wisconsin.
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