Ticonderoga: An Original Universe Series

[Jimi James]

Well here it is. I'm sure some of you, hopefully at least one person, heard me going on about some sort of online series, and figured I'd eventually get around to posting a recruitment thread. So this is it.

I'm sure you're asking why it took so long to get one started? Well that's a story for some other time, but for now all I'll say is that it's time to get some more people involved in this.

So take a look. I know it's sort of long, but I had a lot to say.

The Project:

Ticonderoga: An Original Universe, Online Series

What's that mean?

It means that we're doing something that to date, few have tried. We're creating an original science fiction universe; live action space opera series. While we're all amateur's here, we're aiming to create a production that can rival those you see on TV and film through amazing story telling, by producing low budget live action episodes that will air online, and then be released on DVD at a later time. We're aiming for a short 13 episode season, however for the moment we're focusing on the first six episodes. The first four episodes will each be approximately 15 minutes in length, with episodes 5 & 6, being 30 minutes each. It's our hope, or goal rather that if these first six episodes are successful, the second half of the season will contain full hour long episodes.

The Universe: Not wanting to give too much away, I can tell you that the series will follow the exploits of six characters set against each other on apposing sides of a Civil War that is raging across our solar system in the late Twenty-First Century. We're consciously looking at all the different space operas and various science fiction series that have come before us, and crafting our series to tell a story that we feel is unique in scope and execution.

Our Production Team:

Our production team currently has 8 active members, which include:

Me: Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, concept artist, and jack off all trades.

Four concept arts, one of which serves as our Chief Interwebs Guy...that's an official title.

Two writers/editors (both of which are only part time),

And a creative consultant. --everyone needs someone to bounce ideas off of, and since are writing department is still relatively small, anyone that wants to put forward an idea is welcome. I can't promise it will be used, but I'll at least listen to it.

The Current State of Production:

We're currently in a sate of early preproduction until the beginning of 2008 when the project will really begin to pick up steam. At this point, we're nailing down the details of the Universe and the stories we want to tell there in.

Six of the first season one episodes (currently our primary focus) have all been started and two of those episodes have been completed up to the first draft stage. Though as some things have recently changed, (it's really an evolving process at this point) we're going to have to go back and change a few things.

What We're Looking For:

People with 3d model making & animation skills to build and animate the models of the visual effects that will help to define our universe.

Concept artists that can take my (and others) rough sketches or ideas and turn them into semi-detailed plans for the 3d artists to use when we get to the point of building models.

Graphic artists who can create custom graphics of all kinds; such as images for web sites, forum banners, advertisements, stylized images of ships, characters mission patches, ship patches and lots of other things I have floating around in my head...

A third and perhaps fourth part time writer. I have a very good idea where the story is going already and have much of it planned out. As I said, we already have the first six episodes started. So while there may be some opportunities to introduce your own story elements, (particularly since several main characters and most of the secondary characters have yet to be developed) you will basically be writing my story.
Experience in writing it the screenplay format is preferred if not required.

In most all cases, I'll want to see some example of your work.

Compensation:

Let's get down to brass tacks. There's no money in this and for the time being no one is going to be getting paid...if ever. Currently everyone involved is working on a volunteer basis. It is my hope and a secondary goal that this project will eventually become financially viable through advertising and the sale of DVD's.
This of course all depends on how well we're received once we begin airing episodes and there is every chance that the project could utterly fail. While we're certainly going for gold here, we're not so delusional that we believe it's going to be a cakewalk and success if any will just fall into our laps. We're following a very strict hope for the best, but prepare for the worst mind set. That's why that while every involved takes this project very seriously, everyone is also working on a volunteer basis. No one is quitting their day jobs for this thing...except for me, but then this is what I do, and that's a story for another time.

So what we can offer you however is exposure, which every artist wants/needs/enjoys, and a chance to be involved in something that certainly has the potential to be amazing if handled correctly. This is also an opportunity for an artist to showcase his or her talents to an audience that might not have otherwise seen them and to potentially add a film credit to your resume. Let's face it, everyone has to start somewhere.

Our Website:

Ticonderoga

Ok so for right now it's just a blog, but that's about all we need at the moment since we don't even have anything to show. We do have a web developer however who will be working on a site in to not too distant future.

We have concept art. Some of which can be found here: http://www.scifi-meshes.com/forums/2...ort-craft.html

It should be noted that our story and design ethic has evolved somewhat since then, so not all of that is entirely accurate anymore. Needless to say, we also just lost our VFX supervisor who made those nifty concept models posted in both links above, so we're down to zero 3d artists now.

Conclusion:

What I'm getting at here is that you won't be stepping into this with the entire weight of the series resting on your shoulders. In fact we are entirely open to accepting as much or as little help as you want to provide. If you don't want to join full time, but might like to contribute a piece of work to the series, then that would be cool with us.

It's my belief (and I could be wrong about this) that often people don't want to get involved in huge projects like this because they don't want to get tied down to one thing or are worried that it will eat up all their time. Then when they want to leave there's all kinds of weirdness. Well this is meant to avoid such weirdness. Come on board to contribute your one thing, and when you're done if you still want out, then we'll part on amicable terms and leave it at that.

So I hope that you all give us a look.

Anyone interested should feel free to send me a PM or an Email at TiconderogaSeries @ gmail.com (remove the spaces)

[TheGreatRaja]

very interesting. Nice to see someone doing something at least semi original rather than another 'Fan Film'
Granted with that said you are going to have to walk the hard line. You project will forever be compared to those that came before it. I see already line could be drawn between it and BSG and Wing Commander. But any time you put a carrier in the depths of space that will happen
Good Luck on your project

If you're looking for a script writer I might be able to help

[Jimi James]

Yeah, we're definitely looking for some more script writers. If you cold send me an example of something you've written, that would be great.

And I totally get what you're saying about being compared to other space opera type stories. Which is why we're currently undergoing somewhat of a shift. I'm redesigning the Tico to be more of a pure battleship, rather then my original plan of going with a straight Carrier. Like you said, the Carrier in space has already been done.

There still is a carrier in the story however, as part of the Battle Group. The main carrier will be a background ship and most likely, none of the story will take place there. It also serves more of an escort carrier role, in that it carriers Marine Fighters and Transports.

The fighters (Rapiers) it carries though will be far less prominent then one would normally expect in this type of story. Also to set us apart, our fighters won't be used for space combat. They're designed primarily as a ground support fighters to aid combat forces on a planets surface. They can operate and fight in space if they have to, but they're totally outclassed by their Colonial counterparts. Basically, our fighters are more like Apache Helicopters, then F-14's. During any given episode, you'll be much more likely to see a Rapier in an atmosphere then in space.

I could probably keep going on, but I don't want to go and give everything away.

[Jimi James]

I'm bumping this up, to let people know that we're still looking for a number of artists; including concept artists, graphic artists, and 3d artists.

And here is a little something extra; a concept pic of the Rapier class fighter.
*Note; the attached pic is still a WIP.

I should also add that we're taking a much more relaxed stance towards production. While we would like to be able to produce some grand space opera, we're just not at the stage of being able to do that. So for the time being, we're aiming towards smaller short films; 5-15 minutes in length and hopefully, this will make the work load easier on everyone.

So if your would like to see your work on screen in a film format, are in anyway inclined towards any of the many aspects of film production, and are looking for a project to help you gain some experience; then consider Joining Ticonderoga.

Ticonderoga Blog It basically just news and updates on our progress right now, which is about all we'll need until later, so for right now we're not focusing on a dedicated website. We do have a web designer however, so we're in luck there.

[Lagit01]

hi im new here and never realsed a film but i was wondering before i say anything comiting how will the acting be done.
will it be like a machinima, an anim style or something completly diferent?

[Jimi James]

We'll be using live actors; which is to say our shorts will feature a small handful of people (local actors) in a real world environment that will be made to look like whatever sci-fi location we need it to be.

[Emballage]

Hello,
Personally, I had been working independently on my own original concept (including earth thousands of years from now evilly invading the protagonists peaceful home planet) but I realized, firstly my idea was pathetic, secondly it was impossible to accomplish myself.
Your concepts are from my perspective very appealing and quite what I imagine the future human spacecraft to look.
I am a fairly experienced modeler (blender) and would be happy to help,
I should mention, I am new to this community

I could send some examples of my work if your interested (no really polished or finished work)

[Jimi James]

Well first let me say, welcome to SFM. Secondly, I'll send you a PM with some info about the project.

[Jimi James]

Would it be possible to get this thread changed to reflect the new name of this project: War Beyond the World's End?

Thanks in advance.

[Jimi James]

We're sending out the recruitment call again.

For anyone possibly looking to get involved in a long term project, gain more experience working with a team of people, and/or work you can add to your resume; we're still looking for a few writers and artists.

In terms of artists, we're looking more for concept artists, 3-D artists, and graphic artists; specifically people who can make things like banners, large backgrounds, and custom designed logos.

So come on board and have a hand in creating a whole new universe. And if anyone has any sort of questions, feel free to ask; either here in this thread, or by sending me an email at: warbeyond.theseries@gmail.com