I recently bought this game, and it's the second time I'm playing it. I haven't played it for very long, but I lost the interesert pretty fast. I just think it seems too simple and too little advanced. In the start of the game, I wasn't even making movies, I was just clicking and dragging a finished script into a box called "Shoot movie". Then I had to wait for "5 years" or something to get the Custom Script Writer. I had to go through, in my opinion, a lot of rubbish to get it, and I thought "finally".

The thing is, if I've already unlocked the main part of this game, I'm kinda disappointed. I really don't see how I can make the slightest amusing movies with this tool. There are way too few moves in the list, and the only thing I manage to do is add a lot of random, weird moves. I also don't know how to add my own music, sound effects, and subtitles. In other words, my "movies" are just pointless and crappy.

And I also wonder, is it really not possible to have more than 5 actors in one movie? This also kinda limits the possibilites...

I really like the concept of this game, but I guess I'm a noob and everything just seem so boring right now. I hope some of you advanced players can help me!

First off, Welcome to The Movies and moviemaking.  We always like when new people find the program and join our community.

The tycoon mode does have it's limitations but it does serve a purpose, it gives you the basics of how to set up  a movie studio and produce a film.  Most of us only 'played' the tycoon mode for a very short time until we understood what each builing and set was useful for.

The sandbox mode is where you can really achieve the full potential of the program.  Producing entertaining films is the main reason we use this tool.  Yes, it does take a little time and patience to learn how to do most things.  Read through the forums, especially New Members Please Read  and The Movies Help Thread, post questions if you can't find the answers you want, visit TMU for finished films and to upload your own, visit the modding sites like 8eyedbaby and DCMF (Directors Cut Modding Foundry) along with other sites to get extra props, sets, music and knowldege.  Visit the forums at TMU, listen to TMOA (The Movies On Air) by downloading the radio toolbar. 

Don't let your initial fustrations stop you from enjoying this moviemaking tool.

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Come see my work on TMU

http://www.tmunderground.com/Harb40

Thank you very much! I guess I was too impatient, I should read some more, those threads look very useful. I noticed there was info there about sounds, subtitles and music, but I'm not sure about max. number of actors in a movie?

I tried the Sandbox mode the last time I was playing, and this made it possible to skip the opening and go straight to business. But I could only start in 1960, and I have the feeling I don't have everything I'm supposed to have yet. Is the sandbox mode similiar to the tycoon mode as in you have to pass through years and win prices etc to unlock stuff? Will I unlock more moves, costumes and other stuff by playing in sandbox mode?

I'm going to start a new game in sandbox mode now, and see if the game gets less frustrating.

PhoenixW2k:

I tried the Sandbox mode the last time I was playing, and this made it possible to skip the opening and go straight to business. But I could only start in 1960, and I have the feeling I don't have everything I'm supposed to have yet. Is the sandbox mode similiar to the tycoon mode as in you have to pass through years and win prices etc to unlock stuff? Will I unlock more moves, costumes and other stuff by playing in sandbox mode?

No.  Sandbox mode will only allow you to use the sets and extras that were unlocked during tycoon mode.  Look on 8eyedbaby, DCMF, FraasMovies and other sites to find mods that will unlock these things for you.

As for how many actors per scene, this is pretty much set by set and scene.  This can be bypassed using the bluescreen sets and using animated actor props.  You can also use creative camera angles to make it look like there are more actors than there really are.  As you progress, you will learn some tricks on your own and also take what is offerred in the forums.  There are many tutorial threeads out there on how to do different things from amking your own overlays to how to use the blue/greenscreens to creative editing in post production.

luck and feel free to ask questions here and over at the other sites.  You will find alot of answers at DCMF and TMU also.

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Come see my work on TMU

http://www.tmunderground.com/Harb40

Use an unlocking ini as described here. If you don't have Stunts and Effects, just don't bother adding the STUNTRANKPRIZE bits.

That should let you do what you need to do in Sandbox mode. If I was you, I'd go have a look at the movies made on TMU. You might get an idea how to cut your movies together better. If you're not sure how certain scenes have been done, you can ask either here or better at the TMU site, which is geared towards the movie making aspect.

You're probably a little confused why the game is set up how it is. It's because the movie making part of The Movies was never really the 'real game'. The Movies is a Hollywood tycoon simulator, like Rollercoaster Tycoon, or Theme Hospital, with challenges and goals to meet. It just so happens it's got easy to use movie making software attached. And yeah, always best to do your movie making in Sandbox mode.
You'll have a building called 'Post Production' where you can cut scenes, add music, sound effects, voices, fades etc.

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The only thing worse than beating a dead horse is betting on one.

New film about the third Reich - http://enemynumberone.my1.ru