Adventures in Dating Ep. 8 “Signals” has been released. In this episode you learn more about Eugene and his relationship with Emma, and Nate and Ellen have dinner while Ryan is away on business. As I’ve mentioned in the previous post about something unusual, you should have noticed other unusual things in this episode. Some of you were able to guess correctly- I did create a new hack which I was able to use and test during the shooting of this episode. I need to work on it some more and further test it but I will be releasing it in a couple weeks on MTS2. I’ll make an announcement here where it’s released so keep an eye out. Back to the episode, I hope you enjoy it; I think it may be my personal favorite so far but what I like and dislike is not always the same as the audience. I’ve added a few custom content items from this episode to the Custom Content page of AinD under Talent as well as screenshots on Backstage. As always, thanks goes out to my cast without whom this would not be possible:
Carisa
Andre
Overman
Scapino
Artcgrrl
Dave
Ok, now for the proverbial warning- please watch the movie before reading further as the following contains spoilers. So in watching this episode, which scene do you think was the hardest to shoot? If you guessed the scene where Eugene is pushing for more in their relationship, you’re right. That scene was such a big pain to shoot because thought bubbles and hearts appear in the interaction I used despite the showHeadlines cheat being on- which, by the way, was the love talk available on the sectional booth. This also brings me to another issue I had to deal with- I had to put the sims on the sectional booth and move the booths onto the couch perfectly so they continued to interact (at one point I didn’t space them correctly and their two bodies merged over one another- it was quite funny). This required me to also create an invisible recolor for this. Anyway, it was the most time consuming scene and it only lasts 15 seconds! I have to say though that Jixs’ voiceover in that scene is mighty sexy (holy cow sexy) and totally worth it…whew! The scene prior of Emma and Eugene making out was really fun to shoot. Have you guys ever watched the Sims make out in slow motion? Well I did and the animations are so awkward- their mouths hang open in a weird way and their parts bleed through (e.g. hand touching the back, noses crossing). It was certainly strange so I had to really shoot in many different angles before settling on the ones in the scene. I don’t know about you but I really enjoyed editing and watching that scene because it’s so sexy. I had to really hold back and not have the scenes last too long as well as cut some. Overall though, my favorite scene is the train scene at the end. I won’t bore some of you with the details though so I’ll talk more about that in the production notes for those interested.

Just read AID8 and am BLOWN AWAY. Wow! Not only is the story great (holy cow is right about Jixs! I could watch that scene over and over!) but the photography is sensational. How on earth did you do the train? Thanks so much for such wonderful entertainment!
hehe, i couldn’t agree more about Jixs’s voice. before this episode, i hope that Ellen and Ryan would solve their problem and be happy again, but after watching this, I think she should deserved a man like Nate. The thing he said just make him a better man for her. All you guys did a wonderful job on the acting, especially Artcgrrl and Dave, you voice sound so natural, i actually fall for you guys.
How on earth did you do the train??:dunno: exactly. anyway, another great piece decorgal, way to go. i must say tho’, i had kinda been rooting for Eugene, ‘cuz I have a soft spot for South African guys, (they’re even better in real life!:razz:) but now…
I think her perfect soulmate is…Elijah. it makes perfect sense now. I can see his crusty old anti-monogamous facade crumbling against Emma’s charm and wit, (which,by the way, you did a wonderful job developing!). Not to mention he reminds me of her old flame Ben, and I’m not banking on him ‘cuz he’s been out of the pic just too long. And i’m of course rooting for Emma and her commitments…even tho’ i assume holding back to a voice like Eugene’s would be mad-crazy. haha. oh and with ellen, i have to say, i hadn’t rele paid much attention to her dilemma before but now i rele see thru her pain, believ it or not..thru nate’s eyes.
Sorry for the rant but it’s midnight and i’m at my most fertile creatively.
Cheers!
D
Wow Judy, your work on these movies is so amazing that one forgets what actually is and isn’t possible with the Sims. You make it look so easy. I’m glad I’m not the only one blown away by the train scene. As usual, your custom content was fantastic. Great work!
Holy crap, that was…Brilliant. Sexy. Emotional. I’ll be leaving a full review elsewhere, but for now I’ll just say that I’ve been particularly anxious for this episode ever since you released that sneak peak, and wow, this episode really lived up to the hype. Brilliant work on that hack of yours, I too noticed something different about the animations the first time I saw the sneak peak clip, and it’s working out wonderfully – how awesome is it to see sims being more restrained in those serious scenes?
And yes, those scenes with Emma and Eugene…wow. Well-done.
Great conversation scene between Emma and Elijah, too. And of course, beautifully sweet scene between Ellen and Nate that leaves you torn about what you’d want to happen next. Part of what sold all those scenes for me were (apart from the great actions you captured from your characters) the vocal performances – you guys are all sounding better and better with each episode, keep it up!!
OMG! That was the Brilliant! I really love this episode. I love the scence with Emma and Eugene. Very Sexy. And the train scence was awesome. How did you do that? Marvous! One scence did bother me a little and that was the scence were Emma see Elijah on the street. The way the mouths moved were great. But the sim looked very still. Maybe it’s just me. But it was great!
OMG!! :eek: I know you probably get VERY tired of hearing this, but this was awesome! Words cannot described how stunned I am right now. (I feel as frozen as the Sims with the lipsynced voice..)
:razz:
Anyway, this is just me, but I loved the Elijah’s room. :grin: The big screen TV, the hitech computer, the CD/DVD racks,.. But that’s just my “hitech” point of view.
Now, about the train scene.. WHOA! :eek: Talk about custom content. I know you probably get tired of hearing this, but you are an INSPIRATION! :grin: You push the level for Sims2 directors everywhere, which could be viewed as good or bad. :wink:
wow, that was the best episode thus far! every scene was perfect. i couldn’t help but blush during the love talk scene between Emma and Eugene. every character just has great chemistry with one another.
Woah… that was a great episode. I love AinD so very much
:grin:
… and I love Jixs’ voice too.
This was truly the best one thus far:rofl:. I would however like to see a bit more drama in some of the scenes but that might get harder to do with the Sims. I cant wait to see what happens next, especially with Nate. I have a probably obvious conclusion which is that you built the train as a set and created green screen to put behind the windows. Next you shot “plates” for outside the window. Then in your movie editor (Vegas) you pieced it together. Simple yet Can look pretty bad when not done incorrectly.
You did it again. WOW! I mean, you can definitely capture a lot of emotion from scene to scene.
I was definitely impressed with the Emma and Eugene scene. It was so hot I had to take off my sweater. You are so right, SEXY all the way. And I even laughed, “so you’re a virgin.” I repeated the scene more than 5 times to watch it again. I laughed even harder the second time.
I laughed in this episode more than all the others especially with Emma and Elijah … ‘incontinence’ … that was great material. You’re a genius! :sheep:
Lastly, I promise my last comment … Ellen breaks my heart. That last scene … I wanted Ellen to just jump over the table and just kiss Nate. Those things he said; man … that was so deep. I cried a little bit – ok, so I’m emotional – but that was so close to home for me; so real and touching.
I can’t wait for the next episode. I’m dying to know everything!! What a cliffhanger … :eek:
In conclusion … GREAT JOB!
:heart: Simnamin
Oh, man…you’ve done it again, Decorgal. Impeccable job on the sets and characters. You never cease to amaze me with your talent. I’ll be on the edge of my seat for the next episode!
That was incredible! The makeout scene, the train, the facial expressions – your new hack makes this series even better than before! I completely forgot I was watching sims, especially when looking at Emma and Ellen’s faces during emotional moments. I never knew sims had so many different facial expressions. The video is so wonderful that I almost forgot to comment on the story. I think it’s amazing how you fit a compelling and complex story into these short episodes. I look forward to new episodes of AinD like I look forward to new episodes of my favorite TV shows. Congratulations on another unbelievable episode! :rose:
Awesome. I loves Eugene the character…certainly a sexy person I must agree. Well I loved this episode the best. Certainly put some things into light. Hope you are having fun. And let me know if you ever need some help okay? xoxoxo cutesavvy8:heart:
Awesome job, D! Awesome! ^__~*:giggle:
I wanted to leave one other comment. Your characterization of Nate is so tender. He is the one person is the whole series that I think is really going to be hurt, and he’s the the one person with the most honor, the strongest, truest (is that a word?) character. I see no way out for him. His expression when Ellen walked away down the street, you captured it perfectly. I’d pick him over Ryan any day.
Hey Beth … I definitely agree with you.
To answer people’s question about the train scene, it was done with chroma keying (i.e. green screen – in my case, pink screen)…one shot for the interior and another for the passing scenery. I also doubled the interior shot and lowered the opacity to create a reflection.Thanks for watching folks. :grin:
Jixs voice is very very sexy in that scene which also happens to be my favourite in this episode. You did an amazing job with the train scene.
Another great piece.
see i was right about the train scene :wink:
My fave as well :wink: The hack made all the difference. I also loved the last sene. So sad and sweet, nice choice of music too.
I just want you to know that I am thankful for the work that you do. Also I am afraid that I will forget to comment. The download takes about six hours for me to download on my dail-up. Needless to say that is why I comment first. :grin:
Wow I am amazed. That train scene is wow! Not only that but Eugene/Jixs wow that voice in that scene with Emma was hot. I am so rooting for those two and also for Nate and El. Ryan and her are no longer clicking, somethings you got to realize is over. Ryan is over. Move on to Nate, he is a better man.
Oh my gosh Hev- you watch this series on dial up? :eek: Now, that’s what I call a fan.
Yep, Decorgal. I have download every single one of yours. I am just waiting for a six hour period to download it. Since I read the introduction on AinD site, I decided to download the first one and have been hooked ever since. For some reason, Emma reminds me of my own relationships with men. She is almost exactly like me. That is why I watch, plus you are a wonderful director and all your story lines are so realistic. :grin:
Omg, Decorgal ! You did an amazing job, AGAIN. This episode was absolutely the best. I loved the train scene and Eugene’s voice…OMG. Awesome. The scene between Emma and Eugene was so sexy. You really got talent!
Ok now i think you should post a blog or put something in the AinD Backstage about your process in making an episode. How you cast the voices Etc…:grin: Its not so much for help, It would be interesting to learn how something like this is done.
The process of putting AinD together is on backstage- that’s what the production notes are.
I agree guys about Eugene’s voice… I about died when he sent me the lines and I heard it first!
Great work Judes…
I finally got a chance to catch up on my AiD viewing.
Your work in pulling out the right moment from your ‘actors’ is above impressive.
I got it downloaded and loved it.
The Eugene & Emma scene was sexy yet, not too sexy. :wink: But I just don’t know if Eugene is the right guy for Emma. I am kinda thinking that Ben is going to come back into her life. But then again I don’t know. I don’t think it will be Elijah. They both would have to change way to much for it to suit them. I think they will become good friends instead. As far as Ellen goes, I am thinking there may be a divorce in the future & a possibility of a romance between her & Nate. You are doing a wonderful job, especially if I can not figure it out, which I normally can within a few minutes of watching something.
So I thought that this was the best AinD episode yet! I was so amazed at the facial expressions that you managede to capture! It was awesome! (Have you noticed that I’ve filled this comment with annoying exclaminatory sentences?) Anyway I thought the script was PERFECT as well. I loved how Nate was so honest with Ellen about their relationship and how he listened to his morals. Kudos to you!
I think this is my most favorite episode of them all. It was wonderful and I love how you use all the hacks to make the scenes come to together like they did. BRAVO!
Wow, I really enjoyed all of the episodes, but especially the last one, it’s brlliant!
Wow, Im speechless! I Really hope Ellen hooks up with nate. How freggin hot would that be! Like a secret affair. Between they have it all! Anyway. I Love watching AID its pretty awesome! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! =]
I Give this episode
:star::star::star::star:
5/5
My fav episode so far.
I just wanted to say that I think this episode is probably the best of the series so far! The scene with Emma and Eugene was amazing and the train scene was superb! However did you do that?
Bravo!!:star:
I am new to your movies and I am very pleased at what I have seen.. It looks like I’m watching a good sitcom on tv… I can not wait for next episodes to come.. You have made a fan out of me.. I will keep watch… Thank you for your time and all whom has worked with you.. You guys are wonderful
Wow – I can’t believe I’m never come across this series until now! Fabulous work Decorgal, I actually just sat here and watched the whole lot of episodes :grin:.I love your characterisation, sets, script – by far one of the most realistic series I’ve watched. And your lip-syncing is PERFECT.
All the episodes have been awesome, and I think this one may be my fave. The scene with Emma and Eugene was done so well, and ditto with the Ellen and Nate scene. Oh and the train scene looked fab. I can’t wait for the next episode!
I really enjoyed this movie. It is great. The characters are wonderful and beautifully done as well as the lip sync. It has made me laugh, and it has made me cry, yes literally. I really feel El’s pain. It just brings tears to my eyes everytime I watch it. Someone needs to slap Ryan and wake him up, but then I really feel that Nate is the man El needs to be with. I think Emma should be a lot more understanding of her sister’s problem. After all you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.. same with Ryan.. she can talk to him until she is blue in the face.. if he’s not willing to work on their problems, there’s no working it out. El will eventually have a big life changing decision to make. I really don’t see Ryan straightening up anytime soon. With Emma, I feel the man she has been having these dreams about may come back into her life at some point. Emma and Eugene as a couple, na.. They just seem as different as night and day. Emma and Eligha, they have attraction, but want different things and have different views. I would say the past love she has been dreaming about. I guess overall my fave characters would have to be El and Nate. The intimate scene between Emma and Eugene was beautiful, but I favor Nate over Eugene. I also identify with Emma as she continues her search for her soulmate as I have searched for mine. Like her she is getting older and is ready to settle down. I am older and divorced with two kids, the age where most men don’t want you. I identify with El because her pain is mine, I know what she seeks. I can’t wait for the next episode.
great clip!