Moviestorm Live is the perfect way to make your very first movie. There’s nothing at all to download, it only takes a few minutes, and it’s absolutely free.
In 2009, we gave you two styles of instant movie: Photostorm Live builds your Facebook photos into a customisable movie, and Greetingstorm Live puts your face (or a friend’s face) onto a character’s head in a movie. We’ve now combined the two into a single easy-to-use Facebook app, and added in many more new instant videos, covering birthdays, engagements, and weddings. It’s a great and unique way to preserve those memories and share them with your friends, or to send a fun birthday greeting to a youngster anywhere in the world. It’s so easy, even your mum can do it!
Will you?
And with this ring…
Happy birthday!
Once you’ve seen for yourself just how easy it can be to make a movie, you can take it to the next level with the full versions of Photostorm and Greetingstorm. They’re free too. Just download Moviestorm (yes, that’s free too!), hit Get More Content when it starts up, and grab the free expansion packs.
It’s hard to underestimate how important eyes are when you’re making a movie, especially when you get into close-up. That’s just one of the reasons why we’re so excited about this fantastic new pack created by Phil “Overman” Rice of Zarathustra Studios. Phil’s been a stalwart supporter of Moviestorm since the beginning. He’s a legend in the machinima world for his phenomenal output and his world-famous piece Male Restroom Etiquette. He’s a perfectionist, and his attention to detail is one of the things that sets his work apart from most others.
Phil’s ZS EYES #1 pack is the first commercial expansion pack for Moviestorm made by a third party. There are already a number of free mods available, and many people create mods in return for Moviestorm Points, but this really opens the doors for modders to profit financially from their work. We wish Phil the greatest success with his venture, and we’re looking forward to seeing what’s next on his agenda.
To use the pack, you’ll need Moviestorm version 1.2 or later, and a Moviestorm subscription. There’s a free version which has a small selection of these eyes in, and a full version for $7.99 which has the lot. And for an extra $2, he’ll throw in the mod workshop files which enable you to create your own custom eyes.
Thirteen realistic eye colours
Light Blue
Dark Blue
Light Brown
Dark Brown
Light Green
Dark Green
Mix: Blue and Green
Mix: Green and Brown
Amber
Golden Brown
Grey (Light)
Hazel
Violet
Six variations for each of these colours (for a total of 78 different eye possibilities)
Dilated Pupils
Beady (small) Pupils
Bloodshot
Dilated Pupils, Bloodshot
Beady Pupils, Bloodshot
Jaundiced
Twelve special effects eye types
Blind
Red (with some bloodshot)
Hot Pink
Blue Glowing “Spice” eyes, like in the movie Dune
Two types of Vampire-like eyes
Two types of Lizard-like eyes
Two types of classic Hypnosis eyes
An All Black eye (eyeball and iris)
An All White eye (eyeball and iris)
Note: this pack is not supported by Moviestorm.
If you want to make and sell Moviestorm mods, then please go right ahead. You’ll need a subscription and a copy of the Modder’s Workshop (free to subscribers). We don’t take any cut, license fee or royalty - whatever you make is yours. Tell us what you’re doing, and we’ll help spread the word.
Yes, we know there’s no sound in space, and nobody can hear you scream, but a good sci-fi movie needs good sound. Whether you’re making a retro B-movie or a modern epic, check out our latest release of 200 amazing sci-fi sound effects created by audio specialists Earcom.
It’s stuffed with all the alien, computer, robot and laser effects you need to put the finishing touches to your movie. If you need to whoosh, beep, hum or bang, this pack of royalty-free sounds is what you’re looking for. Just 1000 MSP, available now in the marketplace.
We asked you to show us your funniest and most romantic Valentine’s Day movies. As usual, you sent us some great work.
Most Romantic
Winner: (10,000 MSP) That’s Amore by Throwaxe.
The 1953 Dean Martin classic set to music. The gestures, timing and lighting were beautiful, and the ending puts a smile on your face.
Winner: (10,000 MSP) Valentine’s After The Monster Apocalypse by act3scene24.
Moviestorm comedy virtuoso Jorge Campos strikes again with this wickedly funny take on Valentine’s Day. Sharp dialogue and a great sense of timing make this a worthy winner.
As speculation grows over just how many Oscars Avatar is going to win in a few weeks’ time, we took a look around at some of the other movie competitions going. We’ve already seen Moviestorm movies taking awards in animation and machinima contests around the world, and now we’re hearing reports from users who are submitting to mainstream contests. Here’s a quick roundup of some of what’s out there.
Moviestorm Valentine’s Day Contest
This one’s run by us. All you have to do is make a Valentine’s movie. Closes February 14. More info.
Simply Scripts One Week Challenge
This is a great challenge from Moviestorm user Mike Cornetto. Write a short script on the theme of “The Dark”, and up to six will be selected and produced. Closes Friday, February 12. More info.
Collaboration Essay
Moviestorm user AngriBuddhist wants your ideas on collaboration tools for Moviestorm, and is offering a bunch of points. Closes Feb 15. More info.
Moviestorm Kids’ TV Challenge
Our most ambitious challenge yet. Create a kids’ TV show using the Fun Land pack, get it broadcast, and we’ll buy you an iMac. No closing date. More info.
eYeka
Dozens of video contests, usually sponsored by major European brands or organisation as promos. Prizes for recent contests range from a pair of customised Sennheiser headphones to €15,000 (over $15,000). More info.
MoFilm
MOFILM works with major brands, film festivals and the leading mobile associations, and they run regular contests to make promo movies. They’re currently challenging people to make a video for Walmart and it’ll be shown during the final of American Idol. There are loads of other prizes on offer too, including Walmart gift cards and Kodak cameras. Closes March 5. More info.
International Screenwriters’ Association
They maintain a good list of writing and film-making contests covering all levels from first-timers to professionals. More info.
WILDsound One-Page Screenplay Contest
They have regular contests for both screenplays and finished movies. They offer script readings with professional actors, and feedback from industry professionals. There’s a small entry fee for some categories. Right now, they’re looking for one-age screenplays. The winner gets their film made. Closes April 30. More info.
Tell us more!
If you submit a Moviestorm piece to these or any other competition, let us know. We’ll feature it on the site, promote it through Facebook, and Twitter, and get it to the widest audience we can. And if you win, we’d definitely love to hear from you!
If you know of any other competitions that would accept Moviestorm submissions, post them on our forums, on our Facebook wall, or right here, and we’ll put the word out.
And, of course, if you want to run a competition, go right ahead. Matt Martin‘s base pack contest drew some amazing entries, and it’s great to see other Moviestormers also setting up their own contests.
It’s our biggest, most ambitious challenge yet. We’ve always said that Moviestorm was good enough for making TV, and we want you to show us we’re right.
So here’s the challenge.
Make a kids’ show using our new Fun Land pack, get it shown on television, and we’ll buy you a superb top-spec 27-inch quad-core Apple iMac, like this one. It’s currently worth over £1,600 at UK prices, or $1,999 in the US!
There’s no closing date for this. The first person to get a kid’s TV show commissioned and aired by a broadcaster using Fun Land wins. It can be anywhere in the world, any language, any network. It can be long, short, comedy, educational, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t even have to be pure Moviestorm - mix in live action presenters if you want.
Are you up to it? Download Moviestorm - free, grab the pack, and show us what you can do. No - scratch that. Show the TV companies what you can do!
There’s more about the iMac we’re offering right here. (correct as of Feb 4, 2010).
27-inch: 2.66GHz iMac 2.66GHz Intel Core i5
2560 x 1440 resolution
4GB memory
1TB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics with 512MB
Lighten the mood with this fun collection of colorful characters and props, suitable for kids of all ages. Here’s the new Fun Land pack, from Chris Ollis, priced at just 100MSPs for a month’s rental, or 1000MSPs to buy outright.
These customisable animal characters can do anything other Moviestorm characters can do, so they’re compatible with all the existing props and animations. You can also mix and match them with other costumes, so you can put animal heads on people’s bodies if you want! The possibilities are, quite literally, endless.
Build cute sets with the playful furniture - and have fun painting the dots on the sofa. To complete the pack, there’s a clock you can use to teach how to tell time, and the alphabet collection is perfect for making signs or spelling out words for children’s movies.
We’re really excited to see what you do with this pack. It takes Moviestorm to a whole new set of places, and opens up completely new styles of movies.
We’ve reduced the prices on over half the packs in the Marketplace. Packs previously priced at 1300 MSPs are now just 1000 MSPs, and packs priced at 600 MSPs are now 500 MSPs. Rental prices are now 100/50 MSPs per month, or 10/5 MSPs per day.
Why? So you can get even more for your monthly sub. And, let’s be honest, it’s a whole lot easier working in nice round numbers.
But that’s not all!
To make it even easier for you, we’ve assembled several 800-point bundles. In the Marketplace, click on Ready-made bundles. Each of these bundles includes between five and ten packs, and costs 800 points to rent for a month. Next month, keep the packs you like and change the packs you’re not using any more, or just pick a whole new bundle. A bundle is all covered by your monthly subscription fee, so you’re not paying anything extra!
Available bundles include:
Police, Camera, Action!
If you’re a fan of CSI, Law & Order, or The Bill, this is the bundle you’ll need. You get cops and criminals, a police station, a cell, cop cars, plus all the props and animations required to commit robbery, deal drugs, check out the crime scene, fight blazing gun battles, and arrest the perps!
Out of this world
If you’re a science fiction fan, this what you need to get you going. It includes aliens in space suits with ray guns, flying spaceships, and space station interiors, plus special effects. You’ll also get the President, his military advisors, soldiers, and the White House, ready to respond to the threat of alien invasion, as well as a wardrobe full of extra costumes and hairstyles.
Sweet loving
If you like curling up on a sofa or snuggling up in bed with a romantic comedy or a sitcom, then this is the bundle for you. You’ll get our biggest selection of costumes and hairstyles, as well as sets for living rooms, bedrooms, and gardens. And, for those intimate conversations, a coffee shop.
Let’s rock!
Whatever your kind of music, whether you want to get your groove on, rock the joint, sing your heart out, or mellow out with some smooth sounds, you’ll find what you need in here. There’s a varied mix of musicians and instruments, including the amazing Guitar Hero Storm, dancers, a DJ booth, a recording studio, venues, and stage effects including lasers, lights, smoke, and pyros.
Scary movie
Vampires, werewolves, zombies - what makes your perfect horror movie? All of them? That’s what you get with this bundle - monsters, monsters, and more monsters! There’s also a bedroom, the perfect setting for those night-time terrors, and the special effects pack, so you can make it rainy or foggy, cast spells, wave burning torches, or blow things up.
There are only a couple of weeks to go until Valentine’s Day, so we’ve decided to help you out with that question of what to get for that special someone in your life. Make them a movie. You can even make them a movie star.
We’re giving you a whole suite of free tools and content, specially designed for creating Valentine’s Day movies.
For Facebook users, Moviestorm Live offers the quickest and easiest way to make a movie. You can do it right in your browser, and there’s nothing to download. Your movie will be finished and on its way to your Valentine within minutes!
Moviestorm Live gives you two different types of instant movie. They just take a few clicks to create, then you can share them with your Facebook friends.
Photostorm Live allows you to show off your photographs - perhaps those pics of a trip you did together, or your favorite pictures of each other? There are nine different template movies to choose from, ranging from sassy and sexy to sappy and romantic.
With Greetingstorm Live, you can put your face and your loved one’s face onto the characters. There are an amazing seventeen movies to choose from. There are cute cartoons, or you could get smoochy on the sofa. There’s even a Romeo and Juliet scene for real star-crossed lovers!
For something a little more sophisticated and creative, we’ve got two free add-ons for Moviestorm. These do the same thing as the Live apps on Facebook, but you have more customisation options, and you’ll get a higher quality movie. You’ll also get a load of extra free content that you can use in your other Moviestorm movies. There are more costumes, more animations, and flowers. You can also make your characters eat and drink - perfect for those romantic candle-lit dinners. And there’s a fabulous Romeo and Juliet set, including an amazing fantasy tower.
Choose from eight Greetingstorm movie templates and nine Photostorm movie templates to suit your mood. You could send a saucy message, or an invitation to a romantic evening out - or a wild night in! Either way, your Valentine’s sure to be impressed that you made a movie just for them.
Start up Moviestorm, hit Get More Content, and you can download Photostorm Valentine and Greetingstorm Valentine - absolutely free.
If you’re entering the Valentine’s contest, you’ll probably find something useful in here too.
In addition to the packs in the Marketplace, there are loads of mods available from other Moviestorm users. All the ones we found are free, so when you subscribe, you’ll get to use all these too. There’s no central repository for mods yet, but here are some places to look.
Machinimods.com has a big collection of mods, covering sets, costumes and more. Set the platform filter to Moviestorm to find them. There’s also a handy index in the Moviestorm modder’s forum.
Stormcraft has another large collection of mods, including shops and vehicles.
The Moviestorm wiki has links to some individual modders and their mods.
The modders’ forum is a great way to find out what’s new, and who’s building what.
And all that’s for free. 
