WoW Moviewatch: The Craft of War: BLIND
by Michael Gray 
Dec 26th 2008 at 12:00PM
Let's take a small break from the holiday festivities for something absolutely spectacular. Percula posted The Craft of War: BLIND on Vimeo, claiming that it's only the second creative work he's ever publically shared. I can't imagine what reams of work he must have privately, because I found this movie to be incredibly astounding.
There's no dialogue, but BLIND didn't need it. You can imagine a storyline, filling in the holes from the tropes and memes as you watch an expert assassin working her way through Stormwind. This is some of the best action footage I've seen from WoW graphics. The movements are believable and complex, the fights are well paced. Percula says if the response is postiive enough, he'll follow-up with more. I can't imagine anything but postive response to this movie. Even the soundtrack was spot-on, expertly pacing the aerobatics and ninja skills. Definitely take the time to check out BLIND, and let Percula know what you think. We'd really like to see more.
If you have any suggestions for WoW Moviewatch, you can mail them to us at machinima AT wowinsider DOT com.
Previously on Moviewatch ...
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, WoW Moviewatch
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)
Mike Dec 26th 2008 12:16PM
Absolutely Awesome!! More!! More!! More!!
Varkelen Dec 26th 2008 12:14PM
Wow. That is some of the best work I've ever seen from how the models moved to the way everything synced up. You didn't have anything that looked like it didn't belong there. Very well done.
If Percula makes more, the only thing I would advise is be VERY picky with your voiceactors, as that would be the only thing that could even put a dent in the awesome already there.
VERY WELL DONE!
Blackthorn Dec 26th 2008 3:23PM
The animation in this was on par with the Wrath Gate cinematic, very impressed.
I say get this guy a job at blizz!
Josho Jan 2nd 2009 5:56PM
Just...holy...shit...
That was some of the best animation I've seen in a machinima ever! Winwinwinwin!
The movement, the action, the music wasn't too bad.
Although the Lady Prestor could have used some acting lessons :P
Lol.
hydrakana Jan 17th 2009 4:31AM
This video was fantastic.
The people who complain about the music are the same clowns who always put heavy metal music with their vids. At least this is original.
Arsvent Jan 31st 2009 9:43AM
WOW!!!!! That was BETTER then the wrath gate cinematic! What did he use to shot that? How did he get the models to move like that? I would LOVE to see more of his work this guy needs to be hired by Blizz THAT WAS AMAZING!
woca Dec 26th 2008 12:14PM
the music was awful, i just didnt want to watch the whole thing with that shit on
joerendous Dec 26th 2008 9:09PM
AWESOME MOVIE!
albeit, i do concur that the music -was-totally out of place. it put a totally different tone to the film. although, i think it made the action sequences more energetic and fun.
it certainly goes to show how strong an impact music has on setting up a scene.
kev_dogg Dec 27th 2008 6:48AM
I'll have to admit, the music seemed out of place at first... but the pacing of the music with the action made it for me. With the assassin being female it fit, and was something different; rather than your generic "medieval horns and violins" its an upbeat hip-hop-ish pop gig. just gave it a different flavor.. and not neccessarily a bad one.
Over all it was very well done and I'd like to see more.
Derick Dec 29th 2008 9:57PM
I enjoyed the music. The parts where the soldiers were wandering around looking for her, it would have been incredibly boring without it.
Whispered Jan 15th 2009 4:31PM
Well unfortunately thats the problem with music in general. There is not a single piece of music that the generalized masses would ever agree on.
Personally the song fits the tone and in a wierd way completes the story. The director would be hard pressed to repeat the story and tone by putting in Bullet for my Valentine or George Straight.
Perculo this was Awesome would love to hear and watch some more of your work! (Possibly you and Blizzard can work together on a small movie project) Heres hoping!
Deacon Dec 26th 2008 12:18PM
Movie: A+
Music: F- complete fail.
Why do people ALWAYS have to put some crappy music in their films? I couldn't even finish the entire movie without muting the sound.
Max Jan 3rd 2009 12:23AM
It wasn't exactly something that I would listen to in my free time... but it matched the movie. It was by no means horrible.
A+++
Trogula Dec 26th 2008 12:18PM
Damn, that was a hot video. Easily on one of the best I've ever see.
Saleheim Dec 26th 2008 12:23PM
Very nicely done but the music damages it. Would have been incredible with the right soundtrack.
ChiperSoft Dec 26th 2008 12:30PM
I agree, the music wasn't appropriate for the subject matter.
And there is NO WAY this was rendered in the wow engine, he extracted the models and did it in a real animation app. No amount of rotoscoping and photoshop tricks can make the engine animate like this. Character movements are smooth and continuous, precise in their placement.
Amazing video tho, I'd love to see more stuff like this.
ChiperSoft Dec 26th 2008 12:36PM
Now that I've finished the video, I have to say I LOVE the story. The idea of Matthias Shaw dueling with another assassin is awesome enough, but then you put in the Lady Prestor story line and it just makes this epic. Awesome reveal with the wings like that.
Wyldephyre Dec 26th 2008 12:31PM
Absolutely brilliant.
Keep them coming, but don't get over confident in your abilities. Always try to improve, even if it is good, if you do it again, it will just be the same.
10/10
Kimusabi Dec 26th 2008 12:32PM
I have to say, the music wasn't the best however the action and movie it's self was truly magnificent.
I would definitely put this in the positive side compared with some of the movies I've seen.
Thiosion Dec 26th 2008 12:42PM
Holy GOD that was AMAZING. I would pay money to see more of that.