Develop 2009: Arran Green, of SCEE’s Creative Services Group, took us behind the scenes of Killzone 2’s opening cinematic, and revealed how different creative teams collaborate on first-party projects worldwide
Trailers can have a profound effect in getting your message across to consumers. They summarise actions, people, emotions and locations in one neat linear package. And the trailers for SCEE titles, such as Heavenly Sword, EyePet, SingStar, MotorStorm, Resistance 2, Buzz!, Heavy Rain and Killzone 2, are no slouch when it comes to conveying genre or spectacle.
During the Develop conference, Arran Green, senior video designer at SCEE’s Creative Services Group, shared two case studies examining how he and his team work to create trailers and cinematics for SCEE titles. The first was a quick ‘making of’ video showing the ‘Resistance: Retribution – Shattered Stone’ trailer. He explained that several teams (in different time zones) had to correspond in order to complete the project. Sony’s marketing teams were also involved, with producers reediting videos for promotional needs.
The majority of Green’s discussion was about Killzone 2’s opening cinematic and the enormous amount of time, creative talent and money that went in to make it. Ideas for the cinematic were originally pitched as graphic novel-like concept art. The Creative Services Group approached Guerrilla Games about the project, pitching it to them with a rough film that drew on the series’ wartime atmosphere and setup the continuing story.
With the developers onboard, the next step was to recruit external specialists to assist with the project. To guide their external partners they created a short, black & white previsualisation video – complete with live action performances – to give them some idea of what the final outcome should look like. Teams from the USA and Europe were briefed on the project. Premade assets from the early stages of Killzone 2’s development (circa 2005, judging from the video extract that was shown) were used to pitch the idea to SCEE execs.
Having successfully gained approve from the higher-ups, they were given the go-ahead to produce the full cinematic for the game. The budget was split into smaller chunks, with some going towards trailers and TV spots. However, Green commented that the marketing people and other stakeholders always have their demands which must be acknowledged. The communication process was constantly ongoing on throughout the project. Regular meetings were held to solve problems, check that individual deadlines were being met, and ensure the project was on schedule.
The production took nine months in total and was one of the largest projects undertaken by the Creative Services Group. The result was one slick cinematic, completed on time and on budget. Green and the team at Creative Service Group continue to produce stunning videos that captivate viewers.
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Aaron Lee
