Divinity: Original Sin 2 Bullshittery - Update #9

Hey there folks. Another update. Very nearly done! Of the three major components remaining:

• Cinematic 1/2 - Animation was mildly blocked, but about to begin in earnest.
• Cinematic 2/2 - Complete! (with the exception of some particle effects)
• Extra ending scenes - Complete!

So the last remaining section to edit is Cinematic 1/2. I have all the scenes I need, courtesy of BewBewDingo. And animation can begin. I'm merely hampered by my own indecision, to be honest.

I needed to make the final choice of narrator. Something I've been hesitant to do, since it's going to be difficult to change my mind later. I have numerous samples from actors/actresses. I just need to decide whether to pick a final one, or keep searching. Thank you to those who have provided some test audience feedback on those first samples, it's very helpful.

On Cinematic 2/2, the destruction of the Merryweather, everything is looking good. The whole thing is edited end-to-end. BewBewDingo has been very helpful in plugging the 9 second gap I mentioned previously. A section of the timeline that had no clear transition between ship and underwater segment, without a very ham-fisted fade to black.

She's given me multiple smaller scene assets, involving Voidwoken tentacles pushing through the hull, or sails buckling in the storm, and deck planks splitting open and seawater rushing in. (also, minor lol - Patreon is giving me a content warning for typing the word "tentacle").

I've also been going through some online sound libraries and purchasing a few effects to help with the transition. Things like wood splitting, or waves crashing. To generally replicate the sounds of a ship breaking around the camera. It does a much better job of hiding the fade to black.

The last remaining thing in cinematic 2 is the particle effects, like bubbles. I was correct to worry about those. The render time jumps to the point that spot-rendering the footage is unfeasible. I'll need to put them in piecemeal, and then check them on the overnight renders. Little adjustments as I go over the next few days.

On the Extra Ending Scenes, work on those has been completed this weekend. Cutting and keyframing 2 additional minutes in Saheila's cave (an important elf character). It's a much better ending for the episode, I think. And is quality-assured and ready to go!

So now my task is to fully edit Cinematic 1/2. And I expect by this Wednesday or Thursday I should be wrapping up. Or at least applying some very final touches. Again, assuming I've made a final decision on the choice of narrator :S

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend.