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The Sims™ 3 Community Blog

: March 2012

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Sims International Film Festival!

You may be asking who am I and what is SIFF? Fortunately for you I can answer both! I am Kazee169, one of the newest Moderators at Simatography and long-time player of The Sims games. This season I took over the promotional thread here at The Sims 3 forums for SIFF. And I must say this has been an experience of a lifetime! I am also the creator of the most recent venue for the Red Carpet photo shoots, Red Carpet Venue. With the Red Carpet Venue, I was wanted to bring that city look to the red carpet. I do plan to eventually do the interior so it can be a fully usable venue, I kept it simple for first release so that even those with not so up to date computers could still have a beautiful new space to take their photos. So for now, enjoy the exterior, and soon you will be able to enjoy a space built for Showtime.

SIFF is short for the Sims International Film Festival that is presented twice a year (March and September 15th) by Simatography.webs.com. Sims Machinima has been around for a long time now, and has only gotten better with the ever changing interactions and expansions that comes with The Sims games. So how did a film festival using Machinema come about? A long-time fan of Toronto International Films Festivals had one thought: How can I run a machinema challenge that would grab attention? And now thanks to Minraed and her question we have an amazing community of Machinema creations that are modeled after her love of the Toronto Festivals. It isn't just about making a good film, it's about learning and meeting others and making your imagination come to life.

You may have run into some of the amazing creators, some maybe not but here are some examples of what SIFF has seen over the years, and the people behind it.

Staff past and present have been a big part of SIFF. Some that are still making videos and have since the first season are Minraed, SylentWhysper, SSProductions and Bzanna. Other recent staff members who have contributed are AAshleySEG, JinjaNinja and myself. I think each of these members are obvious at being big contributors, I want to focus on the not so obvious talent that has been seen in the past.

For instance 1st place best film winner LilMSims with “Magic and Dark Hearts” brought a world of magic and revenge to SIFF in Spring 2011. Then there is the forever memorable "Woohooium" commercial by MeestorMark67, which has found its way to those who keep up with The Sims YouTube channel and got Best Ad and Promo Fall 2010. If you happen to have run into Liam on occasion you will appreciate his feature in a music video that gets you to giggle with "Hero" by 1molly360, which holds its place in the Best General Admissions Films of Spring 2010.

This season will be a tough one, with fantastic entries that push the limits and new people getting involved and bringing in their own feel to the festival. You can see it all at the Simatography YouTube page, or keep up to date with us on Facebook as well.

Not only are there videos for SIFF but also photo challenges and star reporting that are just as important. Every season there is a new poster challenge, which becomes the official poster for the season and is used to promote the festival. We really have fun with the red carpet photos and magazines, like Rising Stars magazine and the newest fun read The Exposer. SIFF isn't just for machinema creators, it is for anyone who wants to be creative and have fun. This season Anches brought us "Red Carpet Story-Telling" which is a photo story about stars on the Red Carpet and a prime example that you don't have to do machinema to get in on the fun.

Before I go I would like to encourage anyone and everyone to participate, whether experienced or not, SIFF is for everyone. I feel a bit overwhelmed at times with the amazing talent, and my own inexperience in machinema. I like to stick to the more artistic side with the photo challenges but still manage to play around with video just for the fun of it. If you are interested but have little to no experience, don't be intimidated. Just jump right in and have fun!

03:48 PM

03/27/12

Posted by: kazee169

Categories: Machinima Special Guest Community Creations Community Spotlights

Feedback Request: Future Stuff Packs

Hello Simmers!

My name is Jennifer Lane - some of you know me as SimGuruJenn - and I’m one of the producers on The Sims 3.

The Sims community has shared so many cool ideas for new Expansion and Stuff packs over the years and I’m here to ask for your help again! The team has been brainstorming possible future Stuff Packs and we have a few ideas to share and get your opinions on.

Because you’re honorary developers today, I am obliged to tell you the same thing I tell the team when we brainstorm: “Any, all, or none of these ideas may be part of a future product.” Now that we have that out of the way, take a look at the options and vote for your favorite. The poll is here

OPTION 1: The Sims 3 Storytelling Stuff
With the Sims 3 Storytelling Stuff pack, you’ll always be ready to set the stage, host a costume party and play with tons of décor, furnishings and clothing from several different themes. Build a secret Superhero hideout, a nefarious villain’s lair or use the included pre-built lots. Deck out your home in Sci-Fi gear, giddy up in your own western backdrop or scare your neighbors when you dress as a scary monster!

OPTION 2: The Sims 3 Sports Stuff
The Sims 3 Sports Stuff will have you cheering for your favorite team! Score souvenirs and trophies to deck out your home, dress in cool sports uniforms, and host an outrageous tailgate party. And with the latest in workout wear, equipment and body paint, you’ll be ready for the pros.

OPTION 3: The Sims 3 Party Stuff
Hang the streamers and blow up some balloons because it’s party time! With The Sims 3 Party Stuff, you’ll be the hostess with the most(est) when you plan a perfect dinner party, prepare a gorgeous wedding or even host a casual TV night with your BFFs. Grab some cake, set the buffet table and call your friends. It will be a night you’ll never forget!

OPTION 4: The Sims 3 Teen Stuff
With The Sims 3 Teen Stuff you’ll have the freshest room on the block and the totes trendiest clothes for you teen Sims. And you’ll be dressed and ready for your next social event whether it’s prom night, girls’ night out or even cheering for the home team. From cool posters to funky bedroom furniture, you’ll be ready, set, and go.

OPTION 5: The Sims 3 Decades Stuff
From Hipsters to Hippies, you’ll be groovy with the retro fashions and furniture from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Shagrugs, big hair and plaid shirts are fer sure to inspire your Sims to relive yesterday. Like, totally. Grab your boom box, watch your favorite show on a console TV, or cook dinner with an avocado-colored stove. The Sims 3 Decades Stuff is Da Bomb!

Jenn Lane (SimGuruJenn)

10:52 PM

03/23/12

Posted by: SimGuruJenn

Categories: PC/Mac Game Stuff Pack

Try to Understand, He's a Magic Man

Norman McLaren once said that “animation is not the art of drawings that move, but the art of movements that are drawn.” While many of us animators in the game industry have moved away from the blue pencils and peg bars of our predecessors, observation and reference is still a major part of our workflows. The Sims is a game where we are trying to make little collections of polygons feel like living people with lives, hopes, dreams and fears, so it’s crucial for the animators to understand the reality of something before we can exaggerate it and make it part of The Sims world.

In The Sims 3 Showtime, your Sims will make their rise to fame in the new world of Starlight Shores and become the star headliners in town. One of the new active careers they can choose is to become a magician. From basic street illusions to full-on ‘can I have a volunteer from the audience’ style extravaganza, the magician allows your Sims to amaze the crowd with their prestidigitation as they progress from small local venues to huge sold-out arena shows.

In order to make our magician Sims feel like ‘the real deal,’ we elicited the help of local magic-man Dan Paulus. We admired his special blend of comedy and magic and thought it would mesh perfectly with the zany world of The Sims. Dan was able to give us a private magic show in which we picked up some great tips of the trade. Ultimately, our team was able to come out of the experience with much more than we had expected.

Some of the team, participating in a bit of up-close table magic.

It’s important to note something here, (and we’re sure Dan would appreciate the caveat) no secrets were revealed in the show. In fact, we didn’t want to know the cloak and dagger of it, and made that clear from the beginning. We didn’t want Dan to break the old adage that a magician never reveals his tricks. What we focused on, however, was his movements, showmanship (flourishes, poses and misdirection) and all that makes a magician’s performance memorable.

Dan delivered that and much more. We enjoyed his awesome show of course, but we also got some fascinating insights. Dan’s career spans a variety of levels from birthday parties to consulting for Emmy-nominated television programs, it’s kind of similar to the career experience your Sims will have in The Sims 3 Showtime. Dan also taught us about magician’s code, their proper handling of live animals and about the interactions of magicians with fans and their peers. I should note many teams found Dan’s information useful, not just our animation team, but all who attended, including modelers, producers and designers. Everyone took copious notes to help them understand how a professional prestidigitator operates.

Dan's volunteer from the audience, eyeing an innocent piece of rope with suspicion.

The entire experience was really positive for all of us and we’re sure the magic acts in The Sims 3 Showtime are much more awesome now as a result. Thanks to Dan Paulus for his performance and wisdom, and of course, thanks to all our fans for continuing to support our efforts to create the best life simulator in the world. Enjoy the show!

07:56 PM

03/20/12

Posted by: SimGuruYokley

Categories: Special Guest PC/Mac Game Expansion Pack

Box of Danger Screenshot Caption Fun!

Somehow I don’t think he meant to do that. We invited our Facebook fans to share their funniest captions. Here are some of our favorites that were shared!

That moment when you realize you left your cell phone in your pocket.

I hope my clothes dont shrivle up.... this is dry clean only!!!!

Why did I have them super glue the door shut?

Sooo...anybody wanna help me now?!?

No more beans before a show, no more beans before a show!!

Hurry! Quit without saving!

Okay, okay, I know there's a word to get out of this...What is it? Alakazam? Tada? Oh, I know, HELP!

I will now pretend that I do NOT need air!!

It's going to stop, right? RIGHT?

If your lifeguard duties were as good as your singing, a lot of people would be drowning.

I guess i'm NOT related to Harry Houndini.

Secretary, you signed up the details of my insurance right?