Directing cinematography in video games - any experience?

[Chicky]

Hey how!

I have now started the final year of my degree course and have been asked to do a dissertation on a subject that is relevant to my future career. I'm really trying to jump on the bandwagon here, i want to direct those epic scripted sequences you see in the shooters, and the fantastic cutscenes you see in every FF game. Commercial gaming is becoming more and more linked with the film industry as the years pass and i really want to be on top of the competition.

Now i have a few contacts at Future Publishing, who are more than willing to share their little relevant knowledge on the subject but i figured that my good buddies at AGS would be another great place to ask!

Has anyone had any prior experience in a production team where there has been call for a cinematography director? Does anyone know of a company i could e-mail who may have some experience? Any articles/websites that you can remember that touch on the subject? Know of any really good FMV games?

I'm also toying with my final major project, i'm either going for a 20 minute short film or a short (demo length) FMV game to showcase my skills. Opinions?

Any bit of help is appreciated! It would be great if i could get an insight from some of the big names in the indie industry!

[Wonkyth]

I cant say I've played tons of Indie games, but the only one I can think of that has something remotely similar to a "Cinematic Sequence" is Cortex Command, and it's more of an awesome intro using painted images and fantastic music, really.

I have no experience in this, but I do feel that you are right about games and films drawing close with storytelling technique.
I also enjoy storyboarding various scenes from as-of-yet unmade games, and am looking forward to seeing what the pro's can do! 

[Derrick Freeland]

fmv.  FMV!!!  Way cooler than a short film any day.

As for the the cinematography director thing, here's what I would do:
(I'm like, totally an expert)

Pick a preexisting franchise that you like, and think up a cinematic sequence that takes place in that world.  Draw out a high-detail story board.  From your story board, create an animatic using Adobe ImageReady, Flash, or whatever animation program you're comfortable with.

Next, get some character models and a model for the setting (usually there's tons of fan-made stuff online depending on the franchise, and a lot of it is pretty high in quality).

Using Maya, 3dsMax, or whatever program the game was animated in (most game companies want you to take their models and modeling software to make a cinematic with) create the cinematic.

Then I would send the animatic, the story board, and the final cinematic to whatever company you're applying for as your portfolio.  And then, of course, they'll hire you because you're a mad, cinematic genius.

Also, if you fell like sticking around the adventure game world Telltale Games is hiring a cinematic artist:
http://www.telltalegames.com/company/jobs/cinematicartist