Eden Visuals - Art . Media . Life

Any last words?

2008-05-22T19:52:00.007-05:00

I could go into a big long story, and waste most of yawls time. But I'm just going to get straight to the point.

For now I am going to stop making Machinima. This might come as a sudden shock, as to all the hype that I have been doing for SOURCE. But here in the past week I have noticed something:

I am going though an extremly big change in my life, probably the biggest. At the end of the summer I am moving out of my little suburban town in Arkansas, over a thousand miles away to another Nation (Canada). Where I will live for a year with my girlfriend Kate, before we begin our journey called life in NYC.

Right now, I have other priorities I must get in-line. Things that are far more important, far more stressful, and far more complicated, and I can't have the thought of Machinima lingering in the back of my head adding to that fire.

So effective as of now, I am through with Machinima. Eden will still function as a company, but all current projects (including SOURCE and HAVEN) are going to be put on hold indefinitely.

This might be my last update for a while. I will still be active as an Admin over at HaloGrid.com, but for right now my place is with myself, and her. This isn't over, not by a long shot.

Thanks for everything!

- Cody

Two new intros!

2008-05-12T13:56:00.010-05:00

I've had a lot on my plate within the last few weeks. Not only the production for SOURCE (which by the way is coming along GREAT, should be done within the week)

Anyway, a few weeks ago I got an email from a Mr. David Shields. He requested if I could possibly make him a few intros. One intro for his film company - DMS ENTERTAINMENT LTD. and another for the mother production company - Studio32.

As noted I was in the process of producing SOURCE. So to me, these intros feel more rushed than some of the previous because of that. I used a basic tutorial for the base of the intro (something I don't do often) then I made my own adjustments to that tutorial, taking things out, adding things in... giving it my own style and flare. Enjoy.

Studio32 - Intro

-------------------

DMS ENTERTAINMENT LTD - Intro

And the winner is... Par Avion!

2008-05-06T22:13:00.011-05:00

As you might know Par Avion was my submission to the GamingTV.us "Laughs for Cash" contest. Today the winners were announced, and shockingly Par Avion took home first place.

From what I heard, it was an extremly close race between tavishhill2003 (the creator of VULVA - which took 2nd) and I.

Along with Tavish, there was some extremly stiff and talented competition in the contest. Such as Darkspire Films, Treeskunk Productions, and Hellhawk.

To me, all the videos were outrageously hilarious, and it was a great honor to be mentioned with such great talent of the likes. I had an amazing time participating in the contest, and I would like to thank the good guys over at GTV and Second Foundation for putting this amazing show on for us.

You can watch the GTV Awards Ceremony VIA the link below:

- Laughs for Cash Awards Ceremony

Alone with the world watching.

2008-05-04T21:55:00.002-05:00

Half way there.

April showers bring May videos?

2008-05-02T01:44:00.008-05:00

SOURCE is well into production, and I hope to have the first episode completed by May 9th. Once the first episode is complete I will begin production on the second episode which should take another week. After both episodes are complete I will release episode I, and start production on episode III.

As you can see, episode I has been appropriately dubbed "Pilot". Look forward to the release of SOURCE: Episode I "Pilot" in hopefully two weeks.

Business as usual.

2008-04-28T20:02:00.005-05:00

Few things to note here - Last night I began production on SOURCE. I decided to start a few days earlier than schedule implied just because I can't wait any longer. I WANT TO GET THIS OUT!

Also Twilkey, an Admin over at GamingTV.us has contacted me with interest for me to design an intro for Someday-Night Grifball. As well as a new logo, I happily accepted this proposal, so that adds to my list of Eden Created Content that I have been working on.

I've also been playing a ton of the Metal Gear Online Beta, as well as Grand Theft Auto 4. I must say... both in there own ways are truly revolutionary to video gaming. To sum it up their both a couple of beautiful games, I must say.

This weekend I will continue with SOURCE and hope to get it out by next weekend.

Keyword: Hope

All flash and no bang.

2008-04-22T23:16:00.005-05:00

Well I have been designing a lot of group intros for various people here lately. So I figured I would create a section for me to put them all into one location. Currently I am designing 3 more creations for a certain film company. So those should be added soon.

Check them out on the side panel - under Eden Created Content!

Acronyms... they make shit epic!

2008-04-20T21:14:00.005-05:00

Well guys, I've got some news for you. The Beta for Metal Gear Online goes live in a few days, and Grand Theft Auto 4 is only 2 weeks away. This means one thing to you. My life for the next couple weeks will revolve around the MGO Beta, and after that - for at least a few days around GTA 4.

SOURCE will resume filming on May 1st. Hopefully be complete within a week or so.

Par Avion - The Directors Cut

2008-04-20T00:53:00.003-05:00

Hey guys, just wanted to mention that I have released the Directors Cut Edition for Par Avion - which features a commentary track by me. Also wanted to say that tomorrow I will have an update containing news about SOURCE.

Par Avion: Commentary

Par Avion - GTV Contest Entry

2008-04-14T19:12:00.007-05:00

Par Avion is my entry for GamingTV: Laughs for Cash Competition. Par Avion is French for "By Air". I chose that title for the ironic meaning that it portrays to the film.

Description: I didn't really give the main character a name... actually I think I should probably do that. Hmm... it needs to be something epic/hardcore....how 'bout Ziek. Yeah that sounds good.

Ziek and his friends are playing online in a match on Guardian, when all the sudden the opposing team drops in a mysterious item. Ziek then picks up the item, only to be teleported against his will to various dimensions in the Halo Universe.

Noted: This is my first ever attempt at Comedy as Director, and I must say... I prefer Drama/Suspense. Also all the voices were done by Me alone.

Disclaimer: Par Avion is a spoof of many other machinamas. I respect each machinima and the director alike that I portrayed in this video. I chose these pieces of work, because of the talent and popularity behind them. It was all in good fun, if you get mad then you can kiss my ass 'cause you have no sense of humor.

I want to thank every single person that helped in the making of this movie. I can't name every person off because the list is too long. But I want to give a special shout-out to Otaconn, and BlindingEclipse because there contribution stood out over the rest! Thanks for pulling the the late hours and putting up with me guys!

Download

Eden in the AM (again)

2008-04-09T02:58:00.002-05:00

Just another quick update before I hit the sack. Production has resumed on the Laughs for Cash contest entry, and it's well on track to being completed. I'm sure the next update that I have for you guys will be the video itself. Also I am highly anticipating the Metal Gear Solid 4 Online Beta released! Just thought I would throw that in there.

Sneezons Greetings!

2008-04-03T01:02:00.007-05:00

Just a quick update for you guys. It's allergy season, and for those that do not know.. . I have SEVERE allergies. The past few days, I have been nothing but working, sneezing, and laying in bed. Kate has been giving me TLC, but that only gets me physically so far.

The point of me telling you this, is that it has hindered the movie making process a bit. I've been taking medication to slow it, but as of now I am trying to stay rested.

Here in the next couple days I will rest up more, plan and organize what I can for the rest of the GTV Comedy (which by the way has a name now - Par Avion) Then after that I should start to build an immunity to most of the allergies that are causing me to become a crazed raccoon in heat.

What a week!

2008-03-28T20:21:00.009-05:00

I know lame-ass picture right! I was in a hurry to post this so I just whipped it up...

Today filming and production began for SOURCE. The first good bit of filming I was able to do alone in system link, provided the extra controllers (plus thanks to the smart people at Bungie... it's the only way for me to lower my weapon). I will not need any third party help from other people, until the next filming session. I have not set a date in stone for the next filming session as of yet, but I am really pushing for tomorrow (the 29th).

Production went well, the only trouble I had was with my capture card not wanting to encode the codecs correctly, but after about 30 minutes of wresting with it, restarting my computer and 10 cans of Mt. Dew later it finally wanted to cooperate with me. So, once I have decided on a set date for the MEAT as I call it of the episode... I will make a post. Until then, try to be on tomorrow night.

I guess it's time to official announce that I will be entering into the GTV: "Laughs for Cash" competition. It's a Halo 3 Comedy Machinima Contest with over 200 dollars in prizes. The deadline is in April, and filming and production began this week on the project. We are about half way at this point, and plan to hit the deadline with days to spare. Swing by GTV to read more about the contest.

Probable cause... righhht!

2008-03-24T23:33:00.009-05:00

As of tonight (3/24/08) production and filming for SOURCE was to commence. BUT due to unexpected flaws in scheduling it did not. I could go into great detail of why it didn't, but I will spare you the trouble.

In short, I went out for a night on the town with some friends. I was expecting to be home around 10 o'clock CST to begin filming for episode one of SOURCE. Well... we ended up driving about an hour and a half away from my house (got into a bit of trouble with law) and I did not walk through my front door till about 11:30pm.

I apologize to those who were expecting to take part in the filming tonight, and I promise you that if I tell you a date and time for the next session it will be kept. You have my word.

Speaking of which, filming will officially start on Friday - March 28th. The reason for it being four days from now, is because I do have one MAJOR machinima project in mind in the near future. One that can possibly earn me some cash. You will know about that within the week. All I can say is that it will be based around Comedy - a first for me. That should be finished withing a few days, nothing big. But something that could be potentially worthy of due credit. Like I said you will know more about that in full coming this Friday.

And thus it begins!

2008-03-16T21:15:00.007-05:00

Well everyone I have returned from my trip from Canada and it was absolutly amazing! But I'm going to get straight to the point of this post.

Now that I am back, it's time for Eden to start production on two of (in my mind) the best projects that will ever come from us.

Those projects are HAVEN and SOURCE. The way this will work is this:

I have purchased some brand new editing software for my computer, in the next week I will be installing all of it. The cast for SOURCE is already chosen, the script is already laid out and written and starting on March 23 production will commence.

SOURCE is going to be the first ever series from Eden and it's going to be filmed in 3 video segments with a video being released for every two that are filmed. Season 1 is planned to have about 10 episodes minimum. This is to help consistency and production that comes from Eden.

After the first 5 episodes are released for SOURCE it will then go on a mid-season break, during this break production for HAVEN will commence. HAVEN should take no less than a few weeks to a month to produce and release. Once that is complete then production on the final 5 episodes on SOURCE will begin.

Most of you have a general idea of what HAVEN is about, or maybe you don't. Either way, you know something. Whether it be the style of the cinematography, or the characters name, RIVER. The same can not be said about SOURCE.

I don't want to give to much away, but I can tell you this: SOURCE is going to be a (sorta) blending of the TV show LOST and THE MATRIX TRILOGY. The reason I say sorta, is because it's not a rip in any way what so ever of either LOST or THE MATRIX. The only reason I even mention the two, is to give you a general sense of things when it comes to certain elements of the series.

You will be following the story of MATTHEW VAIL, as he awakens in a place most of us should be familiar with, but never actually expecting it to be real. You follow him as well as 4 others as they try to figure out how they got to this place, why they are there, how to survive, and more importantly, what they are trying to survive through.

SOURCE is a mystery wrapped in suspense, and action. With a little comedy and terror thrown in. It's going to be the biggest production in terms of length and size for me, but unlike my last series LEGENDARY, I now know what I am up against, and am prepared for it. The first episode is scheduled to release in April of 2008 so be ready.

I created two Promo-Posters for SOURCE as well. On one poster you see VAIL, and on the other is SAM - somebody that you will come to know within the first episode of the show. The inspiration for these posters came from both the Iron Man promo-posters and both the transformer promos.

Promo Link - MATTHEW VAIL

Promo Link - SAM

Coming this April

2008-02-24T11:09:00.009-06:00

As mentioned in the last article, I am currently working on a new series. At the time the name was still in question. Well as you can see I have decided on a name "SOURCE".

The name has several significant meanings to the show, but it looks like you are going to have to wait until April to figure those meanings out. =)

What I can tell you, is the way production will take place. Procrastination takes a major roll in Machinima production (mainly because it's a lot of people's hobbies and not jobs. Free time isn't always "free" if you know what I mean) So to help ease this burden, I am going to film and edit three episodes for every one that I release. In other words, for every one episode that comes out you have the ease of mind knowing that two more episodes are finished as well, and will be released shortly after.

So again, April looks to be like a interesting, and hopefully entertaining month for us and you alike.

Haven & The [Working Title] Series

2008-02-21T11:31:00.009-06:00

I'm sure most of you are wondering when Haven is going to come out. Well as it stands right now, there is only 13! more days until I leave to go visit my girlfriend Kate in Canada! (which by the way if you haven't noticed, she is the one who designed the hot new background for the site!)

It was always my intention to start production back up on Haven once I returned from Canada. My trip will last from March 5th - 14th. The week of my return I plan to purchase some new editing software that will give Haven (as well as future movies) the exact look that I am wanting. Once this software is purchased I can begin the advanced editing stages of the movie. So look for a release hopefully sometime in April.

However I have used the downtime that I have had while not working on Haven to do some script writing and brain storming on a new series that I have been working on. I don't want to give to much detail away at this time because it's still in early development and as you can see I haven't even chosen a title for it. But what I can tell you is this - It's going to be unlike anything else out there.

Machinima is becoming quite advance since Halo 3 and people are getting very original with their ideas. When I create a movie I try to be original as possible (example being the first Haven Teaser, before that the video camera effect had not been tried) and this series is going to be no different. I assure you of that.

So be prepared, and be ready! Because it looks like April is going to be a HUGE! month for us here at Eden Visuals and I hope you enjoy it as much as we will!

2.14.08

2008-02-15T22:56:00.020-06:00

So as you all know yesterday was Valentines Day - regrettably I had to work all day. So when I came home the first thing I did was call my girlfriend Kate and she tells me that she made me a picture (just so you know Kate and I share a long distance relationship so gifts and such are pretty limited)

Below is a shrinked down version of the amazing graphic that she made me! It's beautiful (just like her) and it's pretty clear that she has surpassed me in the graphic design department.

Some of you guys are probably wondering what I got her...Well I thought long and hard on what to come up with - finally settling with an idea.

I made her a little video using Halo to depict the images. Kate loves the Soccerball in Halo 3, she gives the damn thing more attention then me half the time. So I thought this video was suitable and hopefully it would get a giggle or two out of her. Which it did! The video also features Kate's bestfriend, and a really good friend of mine, Ryan. Enjoy

- Download Kate's Full Picture

- Stream Cody's Video

Eden Visuals and Fathom D.C.E.

2008-02-02T07:12:00.000-06:00

Well guys, BIG NEWS. I have come to the decision to branch out from the Halo Machinima world, and broaden my horizons. With this choice I have decided to change the name of Eden Pictures to Eden Visuals. Pictures applies mainly to movie production. My new horizons are going to consist of Graphic Design, Photography, Machinima, Video Editing, Video Producing, Voice Acting, and of course Film Making. With new editing software coming in my near future, be prepared for some amazing stuff to come your way.

Also in this post I bring you the incredibly delayed Director's Cut Edition for Fathom. It features commentary by yours truly, and tells some details on how the film came together from SodaGod and I's perspective.

Fathom: The Director's Cut

My show is on!

2008-02-02T07:06:00.001-06:00

The good guys over at GamingTV.us thought they would be kind enough to bless me with my own Mogulus Channel, to showcase all my machinima!

A Mogulus Channel basically (for those who are wondering) is a beta Internet TV service that utilizes Flash. It is 100% Live, and whatever channel you choose the content plays 24/7.

To watch my channel simply click this link and to view the write up over at GTV click here. You can also find it on the side bar under “Media”.

Thanks a bundle guys!

All the lights and sound!

2008-01-02T18:30:00.000-06:00

Second Foundations has submitted their 2007 Halo Community Awards, and Hemisphere is nominated for “Best Action/Drama” Click here to go vote for it! I just wish that when I made Hemisphere I had the skills and knowledge that I have today, that would have made it so much better.

(the fact that it was rushed for the AMC Contest didn’t help my cause much)

Also don’t forget to vote for HaloGrid’s Affinity Machinima Challange for “Best Contest”

Mryankees1237: Minitage

2007-12-21T22:30:00.001-06:00

This was Yankees and I's initial entry to the Ziddio: Call to Arms Gameplay Contest, but because Ziddio closed down contest entries 2 days before the deadline that they said entries would be allowed (Dec 21st) this video did not make the contest.

When submitted the video is compressed to a LQ format (much like YouTube) which is the reason the video is rendered in low quality instead of HQ. (I will not be rendering a HQ version)

I would like you all to know that editing gameplay is not my particular thing. I like to stick with scripted based films, and not montage style videos. The object of this video was to utilize Bungie's saved film feature properly, and show off all the neat angles that you could get. [Credit] All the beautiful music used in this video was created by my good friend Zukan.

Haven's 2nd Teaser Released!

2007-12-14T02:51:00.000-06:00

Haven is my entry to the Ziddio: Director's Cut Machinima Contest. Much has changed in the time the first teaser was posted for Haven. Not only has the cinematic style and storyline seen a brand new make-over. But if you have not noticed from the screen-shot, Haven is now being produced in Halo 3. Enjoy.