Neo Geo (2011) short film status - Release on Feb. 16th!

[PCEngineFX]

- February 15, 2011, 08:41:20 PM

Neo Geo: Bigger Badder Better (2011 Short Film, HD 720p)

Prepare yourself to experience the biggest, baddest arcade game console ever to be released for the consumer market! Showcasing the sleek design of the hardware, legendary character artwork, and the games that crushed the competition, "Neo Geo: Bigger Badder Better" is a cinematic tribute to SNK's 24-bit arcade powerhouse.

https://web.archive.org/../joystiq.com/../neo-geo-tribute-film... (Original, has comments)
https://www.engadget.com/2011-02-15-neo-geo-tribute-film-is-bigger-badder-better.html (Working 2021 link)

Joystiq (now engadget) broke the video early but here is my official blurb:

Neo Geo: Bigger Badder Better (2011 Short Film, HD 720p)

Prepare yourself to experience the biggest, baddest arcade game console ever to be released for the consumer market! Showcasing the sleek design of the hardware, legendary character artwork, and the games that crushed the competition, "Neo Geo: Bigger Badder Better" is a cinematic tribute to SNK's 24-bit arcade powerhouse.

Direction, creation and cinematography by Aaron Nanto
Cameras:
- Canon 5D Mark II & Sony FX-1
Camera Rig:
- Kessler Pocket Dolly camera rig w/ORACLE motion control system
Lenses:
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/1.2L USM
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
- Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye
Lighting:
- Lowel 750w Tota Softbox
Production Duration:
- Start: 5.2010
- End: 2.2011

I am very happy to announce that work is wrapping up as I speak for my upcoming Neo Geo short film and is planned to be released online on the evening of the 16th.  Links will be posted here once online.

Stills from the final film:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcenginefx/5440559223/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcenginefx/5440577391/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcenginefx/5441182074/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcenginefx/5440582979/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcenginefx/5441188264/


https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcenginefx/5440595497/

To fans of the Neo Geo:

I am posting to ask for your help and advice for a new tribute film I am working on for the Neo Geo system.  If you haven't seen what I've done with the NEC consoles, please take a look at the following to get a feel for my shooting style and cinematography.

Remembrance: A NEC Console Legacy Film

The NEC PC-FX: A Retrospect

TurboExpress: A Momento

Now that you've seen what I've done for the NEC consoles, I'm branching out to other systems and I'd love to do the Neo Geo next.  I personally own the Neo Geo CD (top loader) unit & CD games and I just sourced a Neo Geo AES to include in the film as well.  What I would like in terms of feedback from any Neo Geo fan is what games you would love to see featured in the film.  I wish to include as much gameplay footage as possible (similar to my PC-FX Retrospect film) but for time considerations can only feature up to 15 games and I want them to be the games that really capture the essence of what the Neo Geo is all about.

Please feel free to post here or even email me at removed with any thoughts, comments or suggestions on what you would think would make a proper Neo Geo tribute film.  Thanks everyone!

-Aaron

PS:  I have been trying to post this over where I should be asking this: www.neo-geo.com with no success.  Shawn (the webmaster) has approved my account (multiple times) but I am still unable to get this posted in their General Discussion forums.  If anyone has an account over there and could post this up that would be wonderful as I really would like to hear what the Geo community has to say before I start production on the film.

[Joe Redifer]

The Neo Geo forums?  **shudder**  Maybe because it has a link it can't be posted (the forum probably thinks its spam).  They are pretty special over there.  Anyway, I'll send you an e-mail.

[PCEngineFX]

When I posted the thread it told me that the message was waiting mod approval however hasn't gone through for days.  That's why I contacted Shawn directly to approve my account (considering who I am, I figured he would be happy to grant me posting privileges, which he did).  But I'm still having issues posting :\

[Joe Redifer]

Ah.  You have zero posts, yes? That means you probably are in a pool of new users whose posts (or threads) have to be approved (spam prevention measure).  Can you post in an existing thread?  Likely they are checking, but see no new threads to approve.  They probably have something set wrong in the administrator control panel.  Ask to have your usergroup changed to whatever the normal one is.  It'll only take him a few seconds and you don't have to worry about making x amount of approved posts before getting bumped into that usergroup automatically by the forum.

Personally, I like to have a question and answer scheme set up for new registrants to avoid spam (and keep those who know nothing about the system out).  But whatever floats their boat...

[rag-time4]

My favorite Neo Geo games are Fatal Fury 1, Nam 1975, and Ninja Combat!

[TR0N]

Long as ya throw in magician lord for the video pcfx i'll aprove it.

Btw for not being to post yet at ng.com the approval process,has become stricter over the years.

[PCEngineFX]

Magician Lord will most likely be the only phyical AES cart in the film so your wish is granted

I have also posted over at NGFL which the people over there have started sending me feedback.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

One vote here for including Twinkle Star Sprites.

[JoshTurboTrollX]

Magician Lord, Rage of the Dragons, KOF 95, Real Bout Special FF, Matrimelee, Baseball Stars Prof, Metal Slug (duh), and just for kickers I'd say Neo Bomberman!  ;)

[RoyVegas]

and just for kickers I'd say Neo Bomberman!  ;)

WIN!

[SignOfZeta]

To a lot of people "what the Neo Geo is all about" is King of Monsters 1, 3 Count Bout, and Art of Fighting 1 since they bought an AES instead of a MVS and that's all they can afford. Your video, IMO, should de-emphesise the flea market ghetto and focus on the really awesome stuff:

Blazing Star
Rage of Dragons
Real Bout 2
Magical Drop 3
Samshow 2/4
Shock Troopers 1/2
Twinkle Star Sprites
KOF 98/99/2000/2002/2003
Last Blade 2
Metal Slug (take your pick, my favorite is X)
Waku Waku 7
Super Baseball 2020 (one of the few $10 games I still love)

[WoodyXP]

I'd love to see a Neo Geo tribute.  On top of what everybody has suggested I'd like to see Garou: MOTW in there.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

... and just for kickers I'd say Neo Bomberman!  ;)

Hell yeah!  For Mr. Nanto, there's probably a law mandating its inclusion.

[PCEngineFX]

Haha....I don't want to appear biased by adding Neo Bomberman in there   We'll see which games make the cut.

What is everyone's opinion on adding Neo Geo Pocket in there as well?  Should it be included with the AES & CD unit or have it's own film?

[SignOfZeta]

It should have its own film. I have a lot of opinions on the NGP, as does Exodus, so be sure to solicit input for that one.

UPDATE: I forgot about Garou. That one is a must. Neo Bomberman however...isn't very good. Its not bad or anything, it just doesn't really kick very much ass. The graphics aren't really any better than they were on the "lesser" systems (worse, in some cases) and its only two players.

[rag-time4]

Haha....I don't want to appear biased by adding Neo Bomberman in there   We'll see which games make the cut.

What is everyone's opinion on adding Neo Geo Pocket in there as well?  Should it be included with the AES & CD unit or have it's own film?

If you don't show a little bias in your vid I'll be personally hurt and disappointed!!

[Joe Redifer]

Zeta reminded me... I still need to pick up King of Fighters 1, but I haven't seen it around for a long time.  I don't care about 3 Count Bout or Art of Fighting 1.  I have Art of Fighting 1 on the PC Engine Arcade Card CD thingy and it is way more powerful than the NeoGeo version.

Shock Troopers is pretty awesome.  I have that for my AES.  **waits**

[Tatsujin]

I can't believe that the word "Last Resort" isn't dropped in here not one time?!

[TR0N]

Magician Lord will most likely be the only phyical AES cart in the film so your wish is granted

I have also posted over at NGFL which the people over there have started sending me feedback.

Cool as most mention waku waku 7,twinkle starsprites and windjammers wouldn't hurt either.

[_Paul]

When I think of Neo Geo, I think of games like Magician Lord, Viewpoint, Last Resort, Windjammers.

And NGP should have its own, yes.

[PCEngineFX]

The AES system I bought for the film just arrived today!

aaronnanto.smugmug.com/photos/872305332_8kj2w-X3.jpg

[Joe Redifer]

Sweet!  I am jealous of that box!

[SNKNostalgia]

A lot of the classics are great on the Neo Geo to me, but some aged rather poorly. Some of the well known ones as mentioned, including Fatal Fury 1 are still enjoyable. I still think Fatal Fury 1 is an important entry out of the fighting games on the Neo, even though it's dated and the controls are sluggish.

My personal favorites, roughly are:

Nam 1975
Last Resort
Fatal Fury 1 and Special
Baseball Stars 2
Samurai Shodown 2
KOF 95/96/97  (I like the story scenes and overall presentation, what can I say.)
Art of Fighting 3
Last Blade 1
Shock Troopers 1
Real Bout Fatal Fury Special and Real Bout 2  (It is a tie with these two. RBS would be the best to mention though)
Metal Slug 3  (Say what you will about it being long, but this one just had the most action and fun to me. I like 1, 2, X and 3)
Mark of The Wolves

Notice I don't mention Playmore released titles,  . Yep, didn't really like the new SNK after 2000 that much. Even though, most of the games I don't like from then on, I feel that Rage of The Dragons, KOF 2002 and Matrimelee are pretty decent games. Still, they just don't compare to the original SNK company made games to me.

A good way to go about it would be to pick 1 of each category out of the classics, and 1 of each category out of later releases from maybe 1996-200X. The games changed a lot in the mid-late 90s compared to the games released in the first couple of years. We went from classic arcade to more of in depth and slightly more complicated arcade games. Similar to the transition of arcade games ported on the Genesis and then to the Saturn.

Keep in mind that each fighting game series to me, is a different category when it comes to the Neo Geo. So you got Art of Fighting, Fatal Fury, Samurai Shodown, KOF, Last Blade, World Heroes and Savage Reign even. Then there are the single titles like Gowcaizer, Mark of The Wolves, Rage of The Dragons, etc... I guess, just pick favorites out of each series and then a few single titles that are most liked when it comes to fighting games.

A good list to use would be:

Nam 1975
Magician Lord
Super Sidekicks 1-3 - pick which one
Baseball Stars 1 or 2
Last Resort
King of The Monsters 1 or 2
Sengoku 1 or 2
Fatal Fury 1
AOF 1 or 2
Samurai Shodown 1 or 2
Top Hunter or Spinmaster
KOF 94 and 98
Magical Drop or Puzzle Bobble games - pick which one
Metal Slug 1, 2, X or 3
Shock Troopers 1
World Heroes 1 or 2
Ninja Masters
Last Blade 1
Real Bout Special
Mark of The Wolves

This is just a rough list I would go by. I don't know too much about the puzzle, racing and sports games all that much. I only own a few from each of those categories, but not one puzzle game for some reason.

[SignOfZeta]

The AES system I bought for the film just arrived today!

I hope you bought it just to take pictures of because its going to take several thousand dollars to accumulate all the software we've been talking about here if you are buying AES versions.

[PCEngineFX]

Very early teaser trailer for my upcoming Neo Geo (2010) film. Featuring some of my new camera hardware to be used for the production and one surprise shot at the end   I'm still waiting for enough $$$$ to get my motion control system but things are coming together...

[Mathius]

Hey Aaron! That was me (TheMathius78) who replied on your Neo Geo trailer on You-Tube about getting an AES exactly (more or less) when you started this project. I know you've been asking the guys over at Neo-Geo.com (I am a member there too) for suggestions. They all can be extremely harsh in their criticisms, but please don't let them discourage you. Make the film the way you want to. You have to be satisfied with it, not us.

But here is my two cents....


Back in the 90s I remember when the Neo Geo AES first debuted. It was the biggest, baddest console ever to be released. I couldn't believe it. It tore to shreds every console that got in its way. The only console that ever came close to competing with it was our beloved little PC Engine, and it's Arcade Card. The Neo Geo was in your face! And that, I believe, would be the best route to take as far as presentation. I am sure this idea has already been suggested, but just add my name to that bowl. One member on the Neo forums likened the NEC Remembrance vids to a funeral, and in some ways they are a little depressing. Don't get me wrong, I love those videos. But, the Neo deserves an "In Your Face" style. Turn that sh#t up to 11 brother!

Good luck, Aaron. You have my full support.

[Tatsujin]

cool vid and equip, but couldn't see any neogeo yet

[Mathius]

cool vid and equip, but couldn't see any neogeo yet

When you do it'll be shock and awe! ;)

[Joe Redifer]

I still have the letter that the SNK Game Lord Chad Okada wrote to me if you want to use that in the video as a dramatic reading over the visuals.  It basically proclaims that Neo Geo is the Real Deal and that everyone else is a goddamn loser.

[blueraven]

Very early teaser trailer for my upcoming Neo Geo (2010) film. Featuring some of my new camera hardware to be used for the production and one surprise shot at the end   I'm still waiting for enough $$$$ to get my motion control system but things are coming together...

Great job on the mis en sciene. I especially like the operatic accent on the tripod. Very Badass

[PCEngineFX]

I've still not locked down the music I wish to use for the Neo Geo segment due to the fact that I do wish to make this a more in-your-face piece however I'm going for a powerful/epic feel with a short segment for history thrown in. 

At this point, the project will most likely be very short - under 3 mins, to facilitate faster cuts - so don't expect anything as long as say my PC-FX film.

I can't wait to get this project done - the amount of flack I've gotten already is surprising to say the least and I've not even CREATED anything yet.  I'm going to try my best to please the Neo Geo community with something never-before-done in a tribute video, but there are people out there who can't stand me getting artsy-fartsy with "their" consoles and think I'm going to make the Geo film feel like a funeral (like I was EVER going to go that route with the Geo!).

[Mathius]

I've still not locked down the music I wish to use for the Neo Geo segment due to the fact that I do wish to make this a more in-your-face piece however I'm going for a powerful/epic feel with a short segment for history thrown in. 

At this point, the project will most likely be very short - under 3 mins, to facilitate faster cuts - so don't expect anything as long as say my PC-FX film.

I can't wait to get this project done - the amount of flack I've gotten already is surprising to say the least and I've not even CREATED anything yet.  I'm going to try my best to please the Neo Geo community with something never-before-done in a tribute video, but there are people out there who can't stand me getting artsy-fartsy with "their" consoles and think I'm going to make the Geo film feel like a funeral (like I was EVER going to go that route with the Geo!).

Like I said in my previous post, don't let those guys at NG.com get in your head. They love their drama over there, and have alienated many fine people in the process. I figured out how to handle myself over there, and you will too. Just make the film you want to make, and if the old vets over there don't like it then they can make their own films. Probably won't happen though. Your right! They don't own this great console SNK gave us. Give it a tribute that only PCFX can. I have faith in you.

[Joe Redifer]

Ha!  That makes me want to make my own Neo Geo short that ends with the system sitting by a gravestone and then text appears on the screen "Neo Geo: it never even had a chance to live".  Then I'd sit back and watch the fireworks.

[PCEngineFX]

Oh please do...I'd love to see that Joe!  Make sure to use really depressing music

All kidding aside, I really sincerely hope the Geo community will enjoy the film once it is done.  I love filmmaking and only have the best of intentions for the project, but if people hate it...so be it (they can make their own tribute!).

[Mathius]

Ha!  That makes me want to make my own Neo Geo short that ends with the system sitting by a gravestone and then text appears on the screen "Neo Geo: it never even had a chance to live".  Then I'd sit back and watch the fireworks.

Heh, they'd probably gear up for full scale war. 

[Mathius]

How's the project coming along, Aaron? Hope the few who are very cynical over at NG didn't make you lose any motivation. I'm rooting for you, man!

[PCEngineFX]

How's the project coming along, Aaron? Hope the few who are very cynical over at NG didn't make you lose any motivation. I'm rooting for you, man!

Oh it is still on - the plan is to make it short and sweet... it will only be about 2mins, in the style of a movie trailer.  I pretty much know now how I will be shooting my scenes and how it will look, but I'm waiting to purchase the last piece of my motion control camera dolly system (still saving up for it....it costs $1,000).  Most likely start production in early Aug.

[Tatsujin]

Since I'm now an AES owner as well (lol), I will be even more looking FWD to see your work Aaron

[Mathius]

Since I'm now an AES owner as well (lol), I will be even more looking FWD to see your work Aaron

Welcome, brother.

How's the project coming along, Aaron? Hope the few who are very cynical over at NG didn't make you lose any motivation. I'm rooting for you, man!

Oh it is still on - the plan is to make it short and sweet... it will only be about 2mins, in the style of a movie trailer.  I pretty much know now how I will be shooting my scenes and how it will look, but I'm waiting to purchase the last piece of my motion control camera dolly system (still saving up for it....it costs $1,000).  Most likely start production in early Aug.

One minty copy of Magical Chase should clear that up. Er, did you sell that one during the auctions last year?

[PCEngineFX]

Yah, sold my sealed Magical Chase on July 4, 2009 for $2,901.01.

[Mathius]

Yah, sold my sealed Magical Chase on July 4, 2009 for $2,901.01.

I thought you might have, but I couldn't remember.

Hey Tats, you should come join us over at Neo-Geo.com. There are a lot of cool people over there despite what's been said, and I think you would fit in nicely. Hope to see you there.

[PCEngineFX]

Production on the short film has officially started.  I'm working on the title sequence right now which has a quick 3D SNK logo fly-in, as well as a "neo geo"-like re-design of my own logo.  After that is complete, it's off to start filming the first live-action sequence.

[Mathius]

Cool! Good luck!

[PCEngineFX]

After a delay in working on the film (got WAY too busy with real paying gigs I have resumed production on my yet-to-be-titled Neo Geo short.  I have a bunch of Neo Geo items which are coming to me right now from Europe & Japan for the shoot, and I am setting up the first live-action scene now for filming.  Below is a taste of what the first scene will involve...

aaronnanto.smugmug.com/photos/1034907822_pWwNT-L.jpg

[Mathius]

Awesome! I was wondering if the project was still in production.

[PCEngineFX]

FINALLY will be filming the 2nd scene with the hardware (AES, MVS & Neo Geo CD units) starting tomorrow.  Here is a shot of the rig I am setting up for motorized lighting which will be moving while I shoot the hardware.

aaronnanto.smugmug.com/photos/1104649439_hy4PD-XL.jpg

[Tatsujin]

cool

[SignOfZeta]

Interesting. What sort of MVS will you be shooting? A US cab or a Candy or...?

[Frank_fjs]

My AES is cleaner!

[Tatsujin]

The AES itself looks quite clean, its box not so.