ISSUE INSIDE
a world of wonder
Contents
Contributors
welcome
8
what is steampunk?
11
Shutterbugs Showcase
12
Mood Lighting
32
World Review
40
Get Set
44
Making Magic
46
In Character
52
Set Design Tips
58
SIFF ISSUE including winners announced 65
photo by FredBrenny TSR cover artwork by Minraed
Editor
Minraed Arzhel Staff Contributors
FA Productions MysteryJack JN Kazee Guest Contributors
Lady Fairchilde
official host of SIFF http://simatography.webs.com
As always, SIFF is an exciting time around the Simatography community. The SIFF Buzz is our way of getting as many different Sims3 creative minds involved in the artistic extravaganza as possible. This year we saw more newcomers than ever and a record number of submissions. Thank you to all who participated. Another big thank you to The Sims3 gurus who have continued to support and praise our efforts and those of our artists. Last, but not least, thank you to all of the content, pose, animation and mod creators - without who we would be at a loss. You are the wish-granters who make it all possible for us to express our dreams. Enjoy our magazine, and don’t forget to look for the SIFF winners, announced in the SIFF section towards the end of this issue. As you can probably tell, the theme this time around is Steampunk. Enjoy and keep on creating!
Minraed Arzhel
ad by Kazee
Steampunk can perhaps be described as Victorianinspired industrialized science fiction - most famously attributed to the literary workings of Jules Verne and H.G.Wells - though the phrase itself was not coined until the 1980’s. Steampunk, as a genre and culture, is embodied most notably by it’s fascination with gears and goggles, dirigibles and other such mechanical wonderments. Steampunk fashion is an entire world unto itself, encompassing a diverse range of styles that might be described as neo-vintage, Victorian punk or cybercouture to name just a few. The Sims3 community seems to have had a surge of Steampunk creations of late so we couldn’t resist bringing it out as this issue’s theme. We hope you will find yourself as inspired as we have.
Shutterbugs is the name we use for the creative collective of Sims3 photographers, or “simtographers” in our community. Personally, I feel that these artists are underexposed and under-appreciated so we are using this opportunity to showcase what really is just a token collection of the amazing, awe-inspiring, and utterly incredible photography that is on display in our photo gallery. Unfortunately it is impossible to showcase everyone or every great photo, so you’ll have to drop by to have a look for yourself at what lurks in our galleries.
photo by Ruth Ivette
Evil Twins by Ka
1940 Glam by kate
Evil twins by dem
ate
meter
Army of elves by ausagi
fantasy pics by ausagi
In photography perspective refers to the relative placement of objects in a photo, or to the camera angle and field of depth used to produce unique and interesting effects. We discovered some great examples of interesting perspective in our galleries.
photo by Toxxik Error
two photos by Crimsyn Chin
photo above by memeku photo below by Ubasti
photo by Ubasti
by ruth ivette
by Jadedcat
above by Memeku - below by Kenji
by Crinsyn chin
above by Demeter - below by rhapsody
By Minraed and Midnight
Many of you will know the star quality simtography created by Norbert - also known as Midnight - who creates his signature colourful and eye-popping photos using no content outside of EA. Here are a few tips from this master simtographer about lighting‌ The secret to setting the stage for a vivid photo is in the lighting. Most of the best photos are created using the invisible lighting seen here as large white squares - this is what it looks like in build mode, but it magically disappears leaving nothing but bright light to make your photos pop. Another trick for added lighting and effects is the fog emitter. I apologize for not getting into detail here, but ask around and people will surely be able to lead you to some great fog emitter tutorials to help you add neat effects to your photos and machinima. Find both of these using the cheat code testingcheatsenabled true then buydebug then look in your buyable objects under a tab marked with a ? A final recommendation for some neat effects and lighting is the Party FX machine found in the Party section of Entertainment in buy mode. It came with the Late Night expansion pack. Norbert used it here for additional fire.
Use the invisible for all When shootinglighting photos of your don’t modeling and indoors, relyshots on the their star qualities will shine.
regular indoor lighting.
Even an indoor photo whereifthe indoor Youwhen willproducing always get better effects you use lighting the seems to be good enough you will still find that invisible lighting invisible lighting from the buydebug menu. can really make the details pop out of the page.
Good lighting is the key to giving your Sims3 photos that WOW factor!
Explore cool sky lighting effects with Outdoor Lighting Tweaks mod from Mod the Sims. Click HERE
photo by SmokyTopaz
photo by Minraed
Daytime photos outdoors have horrible shadows avoid this by creating your outdoor set indoors. Build a very large room around your set and drop the walls to hide them for the photos. This way you can see the outdoor scenery but you can control the lighting because the lights are actually indoors.
Overall, just explore and experiment with many types of lights. You never know what you might discover.
photo by Midnight
Welcome to the world of Fratres, a stunning new steampunk-themed worl that is sure to amaze with its magical architecture and whimsical history The island contains four tombs, each dedicated to a different element with new items especially created for Fratres. If you choose to, you can explore these tombs and unlock the secrets to this mysterious land! If exploration is not for you, then you can play one of the many families, each with their own unique storyline!
This world is the first ever collaboration of it’s kind at The Sims Resource involving dozens of TSR featured artists including creators, builders and composers who have put their creative minds together to present a world full of new items and elements to spark your imagination. It is truly a world of wonder with unique features never seen before in other worlds such as an offshore dive bar, mystical mountain top castles and more.
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watch the magical teaser for Fratres now on Youtube http://youtu.be/bEdaL6HZVJA
Coming Soon
beverage machine by Garden of Shadows
Steampunk Accessories build and buy set Mod The Sims by Lisen
Roderick Kitchen by
Left - various items by Cemre at TSR Right - Morrisay Dining by Angela TSR
phonograph and more at The Sims 3 Store
Find these and more great items to help you create the perfect Steampunk themed set. steampunk scooter by wintermutei1 munsters model T Ford by Ihawk07 both at Mod The Sims
y Sim_Man123 at TSR
Art Nouveau by Shino and KCR at TSR
photo edit by Nanami
With a growing number of Simatography members experimenting with photo editing and manipulation using their Sims3 images we simply had to showcase some of the amazing creativity we are seeing in our galleries.
D&G ad by Ruth Ivette
Inner Animal by Demeter
background pic by JadedCat
above by JadedCat below by Kenji
background photo by Ruth Ivette
Every good actor must learn to get in character for a role costume and wardrobe are vital to this. To get in character for your next Steampunk role or scene be sure to include some of the vital elements of this eclectic style such as goggles, rivets, worn leather and fabrics, salvaged militaria and a general Neo-Victorian aesthetic.
photos and costume design by Lady Fairchilde
words by Minraed
You can find all of at The S
these wardrobe items Sims 3 Store
CONTENTS
ARTISTICDIRECTORS Executive Director Minraed Arzhel Senior Directors
playbill
68
Red Carpet with Felicity Éclair
Sylent Whysper administration
72
SSProductions
SIFF Posters
88
tech support
SIFF Stories
92
Kazee
Winner’s Annouced
96
JN
The Exposer special edition
public relations
104
video surveillance
Who Are Machinima Masters? Machinima Masters, newly named this year to replace the previously titled Featured Machinima Makers, are the SIFF contributors who have a great deal of machinima experience and who have previously proven their machinima making skills. They are selected for their excellence and mastery of essential machinima making skills such as camera, editing, sound, story telling, wardrobe and set design. Being invited or selected as a Machinima Master is an honour in itself. Machinima Masters are those who inspire us all and who’s talent’s often leave us breathless with awe. We are honoured to have such talented film makers participating in SIFF and inspiring newcomers to reach for the stars!
POSTER
Challenge The first challenge to kick off the SIFF season each round is the poster creation challenge. Many of our talented members participated and here are the results.
Congratulations and Thank You to - Ruth Ivette
and two amazing runners-up by AAshleySEG and FA Productions with a special thanks to everyone who entered
FILM POSTERS Each film maker is encouraged to create a promotional poster for their film - yet another way for our talented members to get involved in the SIFF Buzz. You will see the winning posters throughought this publication. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to each of the other contributing artists.
and the win
Selection of winners at SIFF come in two phase
SIFF Staff Picks These are selected through a process of nomination and voting among the SIFF Staff to recognize our official appreciation of the amazing talent showcased at SIFF. These also include the Special Recognition awards which are meant to recognize those who are not featured in other staff pick awards but who demonstrated a specific talent we felt is worth noting.
Best Overall Film This is selected from all submissions that have not been selected for Masters of Machinima. It is the submission that demonstrates great talent in overall machinima skills and is likely someone on their way to becoming a Master of Machinima themselves.
Best New Film Maker Selected based on the criteria of having five or fewer Sims3 machinima creations and having not participated in SIFF in previous years. It is someone that we feel is showing great potential for a brand new film maker.
nners are...
es - SIFF staff picks and Viewer’s Choice Polls.
Viewer’s Choice These are selected through a process of open polls where all fans and viewer’s have a chance to show their support and vote for their personal faves
Best Film Trailer Best Film - top three Best Music Video - top three Best of the Masters Best Short Best Staff Film
magazine rack by dons123 @TSR