I came across this video on YouTube entitled Escape From City 17, based around the Half Life 2 computer game which was a pretty big release a few years back. I was such a fan I even bought the special DVD edition that came with the Half Life 2 logo on a black t-shirt.
So what’s Escape From City 17 about you ask? The Escape From City 17 short film series is an adaptation based on the Half Life computer game saga by Valve Corporation. Originally envisioned as a project to test out numerous post production techniques, as well as a spec commercial, it ballooned into a multi part series. Filmed guerilla style with no money, no time, no crew, no script, the first two episodes were made from beginning to end on a budget of $500.
For a $500 budget, I found the result pretty decent. I especially like how they integrated sound effects from the game and the way they did the blood spatter, it looks pretty much like it was lifted right out of the game. I’ll be keeping my eye out for the future films. Check it out here: Escape From City 17 – Part One. Don’t forget to press the watch in HD button to see it in the best quality!
This article was posted on March 4, 2009 at 9:59 am | Filed in general | 3 comments have been made.
WillMarch 11 at 3:10 pm
If they ever make a fully fledged Half Life movie, these guys should do it. Head crabs FTW! Also…how great would the Portal gun be in film if they pulled it off.
WillMarch 11 at 3:11 pm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30109689@N03/sets/72157612758626401/
RadMarch 12 at 10:07 am
Man, that portal gun is sick!
A Half Life movie would be pretty good I reckon, providing they followed similar principles to what these guys are doing with the short films.