"ConFlicKtest [Casual @ Uncletopia]" [Video @ Team Fortress YTChannel]

ConFlicKtest

 

Additional video info

Demo date range: 2022-04-02 – 2023-02-16
Demo curation range: ~2023/04/23 – 2023/04/24 (sorted further from fragtype subfolder, basic sort previously done from amalgamation unsorted demos)
Demo rendering range: 2023/04/24 – 2023/03/30
Project editing range: 2023/04/25 – 2023/05/02
Video publish date: 2023/05/02
Server: Uncletopia (AU)
Music used: Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire sountrack: "Contest!", "Result Announcement!", and "Failure"

Overview

Some channel absence info from Q&A:

"What inspired you to come back?" — Thebigdb7

Coming back with a with relatively easier frag type to edit (compared to more complex huntsman shots or combo pyro), should make it easier to tackle harder frag videos that may require more thought for their direction.

Crosshair in post

More camera angles than usual, each shot at least has more than one addition camera angle shot. Maybe it just felt right to add that many more alternate shots for the video.

Rendered the demos without a crosshair - I instead edit it back in when needed on screen in HitFilm. Can make crosshair less distracting while having it visible when it matters more. Not sure if I forgot about the main crosshair back in the caber bomber video, or thought it was too distracting/not needed for the video. Also added a "kill" effect in the middle of the crosshair for more (visual) feedback. Not sure if I want to try and figure out how to do this so the HUD does it automatically currently. Speaking of HUDs, I will update my demo HL1 style HUD on gamebanana. I had to redo many elements because Lawena crashed a while ago. Make sure to backup your work. And also timer + objectives shown to add more context to the clips.

Changed the default dB/audio peak loudness to -6dB instead of previous 0dB on this channel. Better level baseline audio level for youtube. Youtube automatically reduces the volume of your video if it's too loud, may result in undesired further compression of audio + unintended/inconsistent loudness. This website seems to recommend -12dB – -20dB, this video mentions something about LUFs which I can't see in hitfilm – not too sure about a more ideal level but I think at least -6dB for now is better. This video maybe slightly less loud than the last videos, but hopefully more consistent with most other youtube videos on the platform.

I seem to like making references to things, especially video games and music. Probably to show appreciation as they helped me in life (vague but that's the gist).

References

• 

  0:02 – HITMAN 2 picture in picture window + sound, i worked on my HITMAN channel a little to just get some videos out and to work on something else other than TF2. I was looking for interesting ways to edit in the alternate camera angle and I recently played some hitman, so why not.

  To get the sound, I chose a quiet map: Hawke's Bay. I walked into camera a few times for reference and recorded the sound with Audacity and run a noise removal effect to make the sound more clean.

• 

  The greenscreen was unused (see here)
  

  0:09 – Jojo's Bizarre Adventure battle tendency anime opening + Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity. I've rewatched the JJBA anime for about the 3rd time and when watching some lore videos, come across a rotoscope JJBA-themed animation based on Jamiroquai's Virtual Insanity music video. I ended up playing that music video over and over again. I was under the weather at the time, so it stuck with me more, something nice to listen to and liked the topic of virtual insanity, makes me think of the interesting impact/effects of internet/technology on us – how far will we go?, etc.

  Then I made a reference to that distinctive pose using SFM, rendered it twice: once for the matte, once for the animation (learn the princple here). I then added the "angle" theme on top of it with hand scissors to add on to the pose to represent the angles, with JJBA part 2 opening style visual patterns/outlines. The empty freezecam felt like it needed more, so I came up with this bizzare eyecatch thing to add to the "angle" theme.1:21 – JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Eyes of Heaven stage gimmick manga panel effect. Recently I binged on some JJBA:EoH character interactions and eventually ended up watching a "stage secrets" video. I liked the effect. I couldn't find the exact service bell sound, so I found a similar one.
  

• 1:21 – JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Eyes of Heaven stage gimmick manga panel effect. Recently I binged on some JJBA:EoH character interactions and eventually ended up watching a "stage secrets" video. I liked the effect. I couldn't find the exact service bell sound, so I found a similar one.

Title

Pokémon contest + flick = ConFlicKtest, "conflict" wordplay + capitilization to help separate the "flick" part to make it more prominent. Though these video title feel corny, probably still beats "flick frag video 2".

Credits screen

Since I recently set up a support/donation method for my channel(s) for what could become a full-time career, I added a reward to add supporters' names in the credits. I've seen a many other channels do it, now it's my turn. In terms of rewards for my support page, it's basically credits + some WIP screenshots I wouldn't otherwise post normally, with the main thing being supporting my work. time to get in the drivers seat, will see where this takes me.

When looking for reference to draw unown, came across this clip of some pokemon anime (that i'm not familiar with) - it's chopped up and hard to follow, but it seemed that the unown had some sort of shapeshifting ability there, so I hinted at the unown being on of those angle graphics here to bring the video slightly more together – that and I wanted to use the original variant of the shiny unown I drew somewhere.

Added some footage of player characters walking, made them walk on grass, chroma key + mask with keyframed movement. While getting that footage, decided to add Birch too - he had a certain quote.

 

Thanks to Luis Zuno for the tutorial/code

I wanted to make a tiled scrolling background, to further mimic the pokemon contest - the results screen. I couldn't find an effect in time for HitFilm to do this so I used Godot to do it for me, with the help of this tutorial. I have used gamemaker (basic understanding of game coding) in the past but I won't really use it unless i need to open an old project for some reason, trying to keep subscription softwares to a minimum in my life – free open-source software or perpetual license software are much more appealing to me. After following the tutorial, I adjusted the viewport settings of the Godot project to match the video's 1440p resolution and then record the scrolling background with OBS.

Music choice

Since I was doing another flick frag video, naturally I look back to the last one that was done for reference. What if I could add upon the previous music choice/theme? "flicky snappy" used music of Littleroot Town (high pitched audio warning) - the starting location for Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald - to reflect less experience/carefreeness. Now more experienced (but always learn), looking to use a track featured in a later part of the game but since I played the game, it was easier to make the choice and it felt right. "Contest!". Now the video is like a "pokemon contest" with me trying to gain appeal of the audience (and probably the scout in the outro as the judge if you want to go that far).

As usual, clip alignment favors/follows the music, with the point of a kill being lined up with a song beat. Makes the music/whole video feel more impactful/flowy – the music is part of the heart of the videos after all. It can get too jarring/unnatural if aligned in too consistent intervals, but could be something you're looking for a certain direction of a video.

Thanks to sites like Zophar's Domain for hosting retro videogame soundtracks, making them more easily available for all.

Thumbnail

Used SFM to render a sniper doing a mouse flick on the mouse like I do physically. Also below the right hand is a razer huntsman, a model which happened to be on the SFM workshop. I happen to use one too (although no macros, synapse broken for me). Adding some elements of reality, including my gaming posture (minus the standing).

On top of this, wanted to show an angle in some way. At first thought of simple angle drawing, but didn't seem enough. Then crossed my mind - the unown. Very differently/inorganically shaped compared to most pokemon. The A unown worked to represent an angle, representing the angles of the flicks. I made it shiny to represent rarity of getting clips and made it red to match the red sniper in the thumbnail (set at the second dustbowl clip). Used Krita.

First version of thumbnail (canon shiny unown colors)

In contrast to "flicky snappy"'s whimsical nature, this may show some growth/experience gained over time, now going as far to be in a "pokemon contest", which comes later in the game when you have progressed a fair bit. Put second tier/super cool contest medal because the clips look "cool" (and don't match the other categories) but not too high a rank, as there's still much more to show.

 

Post-mortem

At 1:10, I killed a player named "magikarp" – since the video had a pokemon "theme" to it, it would've been a nice detail to put a little magikarp somewhere in that clip, an additional detail but not really needed, but I like to put little things like that when I can, tieing things together.

I did do something like this in the video for a certain player – 1 obvious edit and 1 more subtle edit.

Pinned comments

2023-05-16: Small Angry Crab — camera perspective appreciation
2023-05-02: My initial pinned comment, support link

Demo/clip info

0:00 2022-09-20 [2] | cp_dustbowl | TTFAF we wait for the flick (killtrade)
0:11 2022-07-24 | cp_metalworks| Parallel pursuit
0:19 2022-06-07 | cp_steel | Busy demoman trade
0:27 2022-08-16 | pl_upward | Flare slap
0:38 2022-08-26 | pl_barnblitz | Invisiflicker
0:54 2022-09-12 | plr_pipeline | Family flick
1:02 2022-09-20 [1] | cp_dustbowl | Huntsman defenders vs bonk scout
1:15 2023-02-16 | koth_king | Unfair mini-lobby duel exeggcution

Extended credits 

• Ding Ding Small Bell by JohnsonBrandEditing — pixabay
• Checkboard pattern — pixabay
• TF2 Coloured Mice by Craftosaur — SFM workshop
• Sketchfab - Razer Huntsman by snrnsrk5, ported by NeoLin & -✯『TheJoJoFan』✯- — SFM workshop
• Pokémon gen3 HM disc sprite
• Pokémon Ruby Version - Credits
• KnowZero's channel (pyro at end)
  

See also

• "flicky snappy" blogpost (prequel to this)
• Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire - Master Rank Cool Contest — TheShaqDukes
• Pokemon Cries - #201 Unown — Sailor Neptune
• Pokémon Contest (Bulbapedia article)
• Unown (Pokémon) (Bulbapedia article)
• Virtual Insanity (Remastered) (Audio only, "full version")
• How to set the right audio levels for YouTube
  

Annoying design - Steam's Hardware Survey

TL;DR: Press Alt-F4 to close this window as fast as possible

• This may be a non-issue to most, I just don't like this kind of design (inefficient).
• Sometimes Steam gives you this window asking you to do a survey.
• By default it selects "yes" (opt-in default design I don't like, too presumptuous).
• Since it selects "yes" by default, the "cancel" button is disabled (on top of the "x" button being disabled too), making it less straight forward to close the window. On top of that, you must choose an option - closing steam won't remove the window, it will pop up again when you open Steam again.
• One of the last things I thought of doing was pressing "Alt+F4" — the grey "x" on the top right misled me into thinking that wouldn't work at first glance.
  
• Even though this is a small/non-issue, I don't like this precedent. Something about designing software less about user in control/opt-in default stuff. Something about making your PC experience more obstructive/inefficient instead of using your computer.
  
• What can a seemingly small design design issue indicate in the world at large/world of web design? Whose best interests are being served?
• Don't know if this post will do much, but maybe step forward in doing things that matter more
  

Survey window that occasionally pops up

Where the "next" button leads you, your choice, although nudged

This should at be the default option

Suggestions for Steam to incentivize surveys without being exploitative/obstructive:

• have the option no as default, or have the "cancel" button and "x" button enabled at all times, the user should be in control, not the other way around
• don't have the survey popup at all, put it inside that megaphone icon thing next to the notifications on the main Steam window
  
• offer steam points, it's not real money
• offer steam account balance or some item drop, if you really want many results (limit to trustworthy accounts/steam level requirement to reduce bot farms)

Blog management/migration

moved tf2 stuff here, centralize blog stuff so easier to document many topics in one place

still needs streamline, tags, etc.

tags good for categorization, choose according to interests

YouTube partner updated terms, revenue clawback? + future revenue talk, alternatives maybe

Warning: more research/perspective needed, but want to bring it up
probably more disorganized thoughts than a well-thought out information article

2023-01-14

Saw video in subscription feed:
Video: "Don't sign Youtube's new money-stealing TOS before watching this!" by Louis Rossmann

 made curious, went to youtube "studio" page

New YTPP terms (⬆️ Right click > Open in new tab ⬆️)
Plain text version of updated terms

• Is YouTube giving themselves too much power again?
• Power to withhold money like this, unfair/inconsistent enforcement of policies become worse? Financial censorship? (esp. non-mainstream news/opinions)
• No time limit on when "charge back" happens, error or not?
• Would accepting this mean saying "yes, I'm ok with this, I will enable this behavior"?
• Making videos for advertisers, not people anymore? Extent of business?
  
• Did YouTube reach out to creators for their opinion? (don't know)
• Was fine with YouTube taking their 45% cut of the ad money on the channel, now they might get 0% (excluding copyright claimed videos)
• Are the smaller creators getting the short end again?
  
• Not sure about remaining partner, was just a bonus anyway. Maybe not worth trouble, just use alternate funding method but need to research, need neutral/decent payment processor too (not paypal).
  
• Whatever happens, want do made good video without the thought of catering to advertisers (want the video more organic, less constrained by red tape things). This will happen regardless of whatever YouTube wants to do with their platform.
  
• Consistent video schedule so far out of the question, minimum some donation thing (not restricted to recurring payment), no obligation to pay/pay regularly, even watching not monetized video is big
• Regardless of funding amount, make videos probably at slow rate (hard to tell but so far shown slow)
• Diversify revenue, use other skills like music or art, put up donation link wherever
  
• Keep all videos saved just in case, keep alternatives in mind (even though YouTube is very big)
  
• YouTube fails: copyright something, unfair stuff again, creative suppression, etc.
  
• Channels removed: copyright or something? if and when politics?

What now? Figuring stuff out. Seeing own capacity. Trying to resist complacency, such as questioning these terms for monetization, compliance may mean bad consequences for all creators in future.

email of this thing (Jul 10 decision expdate)

If can't upload often, will at least will try stay updated. Learn more, make more informed decisions in future.

Shoutout to Louis Rossmann for reading the terms and making a video.

Links:

Changes to YouTube Partner Program terms

YouTube's Community Guidelines

Plain text version of updated terms

in the rare chance you see this (to [redacted]) (updated)

Update 2023-01-09: can't take anymore, need to change pfp now (the workaround of superimposing other stuff on top stopped working)

yes, 1 month instead of "few" months. rather want to be accurate but alas (learning more about saying stuff vs doing the thing). the need to express self via pfp grew and now overpower.

in retrospect, these actions to remember this person, even though a stranger, weren't so insignificant.
tributes can not only be for the person for, but also for the one making it.

time to move on but moving on doesn't necessarily mean you forget. remember experience, learn, life is contrast, be a (good (definition varies)) presence? learn to live with self? try to understand instead of repulsed by your reflection.

don't really have specific advice for this, things happen, people different, hidden reasons
best to be positive (or at least neutral) presence in something, live meaning/purpose, maintain your health

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sonder#Noun

 

2022-12-07:

(would rather do this farewell thing private but didn't have chance to, so gave self chance, even if intended person not read)

bing soy was (still) hesitant too, and like you, in spite of that, leap of faith to express self

seeking connection, especially deeper after being disconnected for so long, no sugarcoat, painful. maybe one day not, maybe never, keep flowing

make most of whatever, no forcing do this, to that, when ready you will

in honor of short but impactful time touching timelines, will play few chess games (not really into chess) and get ass hiney kicked (and so it did) + few months of pfp, won't let you forgotten so easily

door will be left open, may be harder to re-add if name different future

parting gifts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INweVPEQHDo 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR4TDBXebWc

 

until next time

public servers are private, leave (Φ)

to what extent do you push away non-friends (strangers) from playing with you?

what's the distinction between someone wanting to play in a server and someone impeding on your time with your friend?

what did you expect when joining a public server?

will you kick them/leave server to play with no-one so you can enjoy your time with your friend?

is it easier to dismiss others in the virtual space?

🥔

keep trying to find a place where you can belong in the world, if it doesn't work, at least feel some belonging to yourself, be good or be good at something

find a way to live with yourself in spite of chronic rejection – do something of value. example: questioning and philosophizing the nature of social interactions in multiplayer videogames and their cascading effects in the real world, while attempting to give life advice gives. if that gives you some sort of solace, then good, consider doing it again, you might get good at it, and if not, that experience can carry over to your next venture

make sure you keep educated about mental health, one of the biggest factors that affects you in every aspect of life. your mind and body adapt to stress, some better than others, some not so much.

if you find yourself fortunate to have to opportunity to connect with people, try your best. don't be too hard on yourself because it isn't helpful to you. if you connect, good. if not, then rest and try a new approach/go elsewhere

you can't take the responsibility of everyone's behavior/mistakes, it's not healthy

you will least you have deduced what people you aren't compatible with, not everyone is going to like you

put your life in order, at least try. start with cleaning/organizing your room (or affairs) as your room can possibly be a manifestation of your mind, reflecting your life. doing this may make you more qualified about talking about others' affairs because you will have taken the steps to put the work in to solve a very hard task. become a problem solver. life is not only dealing with problems but how you deal with them. would life have no purpose with no problems to solve?

humans and their social interactions, unfortunately and/or fortunately one of them

 

"I solve problems."
— Engineer Team Fortress 2

https://philosiblog.com/2011/03/19/the-character-of-a-man/
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2011/10/28/judge-character/

SC: Tksday

Video link

Made within day not worry about committing too much and getting out of groove main project,

Not too big on festivities, but this time, why not, show simple thanks
in video form to you (audience), sooner than later. Beginning of new
journey. Much work to do.

A main project take long time, maybe not as long in future when XP gained
from subsequent productions (making stuff before dying of old age is
good idea).

Taking on smaller projects/uploads on occasion to decrease
single-project burnout.
Initially didn't feel like doing this since will delay a main project
but more delay may be caused from (more) burnout, a big demotivator.
Water flow, crash.
most of any bing soy videos should be "thanks" anyway (making video for
people to "enjoy", not just thanks alone). blog seems preferable for more long winded things

Used SFM to make a gameplay-style video.

Made traditional (non-digital) drawing, more personal touch, not too hard/serious that would never be done.

Was originally going to end with a classic cliff-hanger thing but wanted to add more. A second part.

Making second part, was going to be something about both players dead. When doing a camera zoom out, reminded of a Breaking Bad scene. Don't want to spoil, (click here for scene SPOILER WARNING). Then this second part bled into first part, put dancing boombox demoman, inspired by magmablock's "Dismantling Detriment" SFM film (this part) (watched it many years ago, even before watched Breaking Bad) that references Breaking Bad as well (was initially putting that boombox demoman there as an "explanation" for the background music but realized (again) am too doing Breaking Bad reference with this boombox demoman too). Learned from this comment about the nature of the boombox demoman's animation and it's based on the conga taunt, with tweaking of course.
In retrospect, would've slowed down the animation to make the demoman "bob" to the song's BPM as a nice touch, more aesthetically pleasing, but you could interpret this as the demoman being very excited or affected by a substance other than alcohol (can include self-generated adrenaline caused by the nice music which he may find more pleasing than the usual person).
You may notice a looping error in the boombox demoman animation at the end, but instead of get too mad at that and reupload, it's a small mistake, learn from it. It also shows some human error and that this was indeed made in a day. Now it can be considered part of the "charm" of the video.
Still would rather not have that mistake present.

Linking/continuity examples (improving on this):

• crow: eating some meat first part, then eating turkey from gibbed blu demo, turkey from healthkit Bing Soy huntsman sniper gave to blu demo to ensure a fair duel
  
• demoman: blu team, song lyric "my baby blue" on zoomed in shot of gibbed blu demo
• boombox demo: sound filter + panning effects to simulate distance walls affecting sound, goes from muddy to clear implying he ran down stairs to play the music for us to hear clearly for the last shot 

Credits based on Breaking Bad credits, used a screenshot to make it accurate.
Vince Gilligan, Bing Soy - replaced first 2 letters for first and last names respectively.
Thank Andethson - based on Hank Anderson from Detroit: Become Human. Spelt it in a way to simulate a lisp to obfuscate/add humorous value.
In retrospect, should've put "Thank Schrader" to reference Breaking Bad character "Hank Schrader" but too late, can't be reuploading for every small thing, otherwise nothing may get done.

Title: thanksday ➡️ tyday ➡️ tday ➡️ Tksday
A more unique/slightly obscure way to say thanksgiving day.

Be on the lookout for "easter eggs", usually put them somewhere sometimes obvious, sometimes not.
Want to retain/leave some of the "magic"/"wonder" of them for viewer.

🎵 Music:

Badfinger - Baby Blue