Escape From City 17: A Live-Action Half-Life 2 Film

[Andy Chalk]

Escape From City 17: A Live-Action Half-Life 2 Film

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Independent filmmakers the Purchase Brothers have released the first episode of a live-action short film series based on Valve's Half-Life 2 [http://half-life2.com/] called Escape From City 17, and the results are nothing short of spectacular.

The project began as a "spec commercial" to test different kinds of post-production techniques, but grew from there into a multi-part series of shorts. DailyGameNews [http://dailygamesnews.com/2009/02/video-half-life-2-short-film-escape.html] says it was filmed "guerrilla style with no money, no time, no crew [and] no script." Amazingly, the first two episodes were created on a budget of $500. Maybe Uwe Boll should give these guys a call.

Escape From City 17 can be viewed at YouTube [http://www.purchasebrothers.com/Purchase-Brothers-v2-hl.html]. Needless to say, we'll be watching for part two.



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[Mstrswrd]

Now, I have to ask you, why would we want Uwe Boll to get his grubby little hands on these guys? He'll taint them and the awesomeness they have.

 

[HobbesMkii]

That's sweet. Although the clips of the Headcrab zombies seem a little goofy. But then again, $500!

 

[the_tramp]

Zombies looked a bit weird, but eagerly awaiting the next instalment. Does anyone know why their website isn't working?

 

[Volucer]

Now, if they can make that with only $500 between 2 episodes, imagine what Hollywood (working very closely with Valve so nothing goes wrong) could do.

 

[Unusual_Bulge]

Awesome. I think some of the mixing of CGI with live action has been done really well, especially when you consider the budget. When I think of all the horrible mixing I've seen in some Hollywood films, it's all rather impressive.

 

[dcheppy]

I don't think this could be considered fair use. Does anybody know why this isn't copyright infringement? Did they get Valve's permission, or will this disappear as soon as Valve's lawyers get around to writing a C&D.

A real shame if it does. Let's hope Valve is cool with this.

 

[Bored Tomatoe]

That was surprisingly good.

 

[dalek sec]

Now, I have to ask you, why would we want Uwe Boll to get his grubby little hands on these guys? He'll taint them and the awesomeness they have.

Yeah really, that's the person you never ever want to call to work on any kind of movie because he will ruin it.

 

[luckshot]

awesome

 

[Haliwali]

Now, if they can make that with only $500 between 2 episodes, imagine what Hollywood (working very closely with Valve so nothing goes wrong) could do.

NO! Keep Hollywood away from these men, what they are doing must not be tainted.

 

[smithy1234]

Website account for these guys was suspended

 

[Uncompetative]

Better than the game.

 

[RebelRising]

I. Am. Speechless.

$500 budget! This stuff is insane; even from the five minute I saw, this trumps most Hollywood action films. As an independent project, I'm, just...wow.

 

[meatloaf231]

Wow, on such a small budget, that was amazing.

 

[The_Prophet]

I. Am. Speechless.

$500 budget! This stuff is insane; even from the five minute I saw, this trumps most Hollywood action films. As an independent project, I'm, just...wow.

I'll definitely second that.

 

[gmer412]

Wow. It's incredible what people can do with enough sheer determination. That was seriously hollywood quality.

 

[whyarecarrots]

I don't think this could be considered fair use. Does anybody know why this isn't copyright infringement? Did they get Valve's permission, or will this disappear as soon as Valve's lawyers get around to writing a C&D.

A real shame if it does. Let's hope Valve is cool with this.

I get the feeling that they will be fine with it: they've been very accepting of modders for their games, and this is effectively free-advertising for them: the amount of publicity this thing has got already is just staggering.

Valve just isn't the sort of company I can see having a problem with this: such a shame the same can't happen with Damnatus (a warhammer 40k fan-film that can't be released because of problems with German copyright laws...)

edit: And I realise this may sound like a ludicrous idea, but could we get this on the Escapist somehow

 

[Zetona]

That is just amazingly well done for $500. This is how any Hollywood adaptation of Half-Life should run. Don't follow Freeman's story; his mystique could be ruined. (Though if glimpses of Freeman are shown, I say Robert Downey Jr. looks a lot like the man.)

 

[BillBarilko]

Give this crew a Micheal Bay budget. In spite of the weak acting and Blair Witch camera work, this still kicks ass. Can't wait for part 2.