Sunday, October 23, 2011

My apologies

Hi everyone, it's been a long time hasn't it?

So this is one reason why I have entitled this blog 'My apologies' ... I'm sorry for being away for so long, and now for some explaining ...

Well it's been a mixture of things really, computer problems, then Internet problems, a very busy life, etc!  But my computer has been a problem, and so I've had to make some pretty drastic decisions that I know won't be popular.  Yes, I've decided to put 'Pleasantview' on hold, possibly forever????  I really don't have the space on my computer for everything I need and something had to go.  I think I can hear many of you shouting abuse as I write this, it was a tough decision, but one that I had to make.  In truth, I have lost a little inspiration for it and as a creator, this is not good.  I think I am more interested in working with sims 3 at the moment.

I guess it came down to sims 2 or sims 3, my computer can only have one of them.  I enjoy sims 3 for the game play and so that was what helped me to decide.  I know many 'Pleasantview' fans will be disappointed, and I apologise sincerely. However, I have saved all of my game data so that if, in the future, I decide to complete the series it will be available to continue with.  I have mentioned in the past how I am writing 'Pleasantview - the novel' based on my series.  This is still in the works, so I am hopeful that fans will be happy to read them to find out what happened.  I will announce the availability of the novel on my blog when it is ready.

And what of 'Sunset Valley'?  Well it is definitely still in the works.  I have recently started filming it again, now that my computer is fully functional, so yes, this series will be continuing.  I have also started a new blog based on my game play, it is called 'Heather's Life' and it is based on the in-game experiences of Heather Crosby of Riverview.  It's a simple blog that won't take much time for me to write or you to read ;)

So that's it, my confession.  Once again I am very sorry for any disappointment that my decision has caused.  Thank you for watching 'Pleasantview' and for supporting me with your comments.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

The first episode of 'Sunset Valley' now showing!

I have released the first episode to my new series, 'Sunset Valley'.  This episode is called 'Restless' it features the Goths, Claire Ursine, the Frio brothers and the Bachelors, and it also has some cameo appearances by other well known characters.  It is currently available on youtube and at my site.  I uploaded this to youtube first because it is the first episode, with future episodes I will be releasing it on my site first then youtube a week later, as is my practice with Pleasantview.



So why have I decided to make a series about Sunset Valley?  I have really enjoyed making my Pleasantview soap opera and increasingly as I played my sims 3 game I kept thinking how good it would look in a machinima series.  The characters in Sunset Valley are quite fleshed out and there is a good mix of relationships: allies and arch rivals - which makes for good storytelling.  As with Pleasantview, this is my take on Sunset Valley, although some story lines will be a little predictable, other may not ;)

This series will go over three seasons only.  The plot is much more contained than my Pleasantview plot (which will go for five seasons or longer).  This is partly because I first wrote it as a movie, I had wanted it to be a one off feature film, but this would be too time-consuming and long, so I decided to cut it into 3 seasons. I think it is better this way too as I can put more detail into each episode (which suits my style).

Many people have asked me if I am continuing with Pleasantview, of course I am :D  I love making Pleasantview episodes and I will probably continue it beyond the five seasons I have written, so stay tuned to that too ;)

I hope you enjoy this first episode of Sunset Valley and please let me know what you think :)

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Sunset Valley!

Hi everyone :)

I'd just like to announce that I am in the process of making a new series based on the sims 3 neighbourhood 'Sunset Valley'.  In the interest of promoting our forum 'A Sim's Tale' I have realeased all detailed information there, so please click here to learn more :)

... and for all those Pleasantview fans, I am still working on Pleasantview and probably will be for years to come ;)

Monday, January 24, 2011

New Release - Pleasantview 3.7!

Ladies and gentlemen I present to you my longest ever piece of machinima - Pleasantview 3.7 "First Snow"!  Yes it goes for a whopping 18mins, 36 seconds!  No wonder these episodes are taking me such a long time.  Here's some pics -





As always this episode will only be available on my site for a while - probably until the weekend when I will upload it to youtube.  However there will be a catch.  The episode on my site will remain uncut, but the episode I put on to youtube will be cut down to the 15min youtube limit.  I will be making available two sizes of the original - a medium and an extra large, extra quality version - available for download.  BUT, there's more!  I've included an 'extras' element to my site, so be sure to check it out if you just can't get enough Pleasantview ;)

*EDIT*  I have already uploaded it to youtube as I wanted to see if I could upload the entire thing and it worked!  So yes, you're welcome to view it on youtube now, uncut.

*WARNING - SPOILERS FOLLOW*

So what do you think?  Firstly Dustin and Gordon both did their best to "legitimise" their job, but it looks as though Brandi might put a stop to Dustin's prospering crime career anyway.  Angela was very pleased that her little plan seemed to work, but do you think it really will?  I have included her full diary entry on my site under 'Extras' so be sure to check it out if you want to know more.

This episode took me quite a long time to make, but I enjoyed it.  I hope you enjoy it too :)


Saturday, January 15, 2011

A new year ...

Happy new year everyone!  Soon I'll be announcing the release of a new episode of 'Pleasantview'.  Yes, episode 3.7 "First Snow" is well and truly in production and I hope to have it released in 1-2 weeks.


This episode will feature the Brokes, the Pleasants, the Oldies and the Burbs, there'll also be a brief encounter with the notorious Gordon King.  Some of you have formulated some ideas about what will occur in 3.7, and indeed some theories are correct ;)  I can't wait to release this ep, it's been fun to work on and I think it will be one of my favourites.

I'll also be releasing a new website to coincide with the release of 3.7.  As a result you will not see the poster above on my current website as I am not going to spend time updating it.  My new look website will be more sophisticated (I hope) and all vids will be working - I know a number of people have complained about Pleasantview 1.4, it's not streaming all the way through, so I'll have everything up to scratch in a week or two.