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After absorbing a galaxy worth of 40k content out there over many years, I decided to give it a shot myself, started in Dec last year. My first piece took 5 months (The Forge World), adaptation of Abomination by Stephen Duxbury - he kindly helped me during the process reviewing each chapter as I went along too. Spurred on by that I decided I'd like to continue down the 'illustrated' audiobook route, as while I'm a big fan of animation I'd like to concentrate on content that can be absorbed without having to look at a screen, stuff you can listen to in bed, on the bus or while painting etc... plus, I have no interest in getting into animation (I know my limits). It goes without saying that I'm a total novice but improving quickly, I've learned the basics of video editing, sound editing and image editing and just starting to get the hang of it. I dont have many friends into 40k in my circle so literally joined Dakka today hoping to find anyone that might have some ideas or suggestions on other 40k content, ideally that hasn't be published before. To save rambling on it probably makes more sense to show you my work so far.

~45min Short story - NSFM



7min on the the creation of a Plague Marine - took about a month to make.



Feel free to be as critical/brutal as you like, I won't be offended and will use any criticism constructively to help myself improve.

I'm working on a budget of $0 and an old PC, the music and sound effects I scrape from the internet (with permission) and edit. I have zero art skills so have to mash together the best images I can using heretical AI then spend hours and hours tidying up the junk it generally spits out. If anyone was interested in collaborating on the images with some 'real artwork' I'd be more than happy to give that a go. I can do pretty much everything else myself including the construction of the narration. So that's it really, I love putting this stuff together so if there's anyone out there with some ideas on content, short stories to bring to life or any other narratives please reply, I'll consider everything.

thanks

I giving your latest one a watch.

First thought is Wilbot, it’s not unique so discoverability is not so good. Assuming you do want to grow, you may want to consider a change.

Ai image isn’t great as well, Think a marine had his head on incorrectly.

Would be way cool if you did minis instead, if you can’t do art.
But, Since you’re doing audio book style, an artist should probably be your first expense.

Is that you doing the voice? Since it’s good for starting out.
Are you doing the script as well? It’s not bad.

Overall I would consider it a good start.

Thanks Apple fox,
You hit the nail on the head, it's new ideas and suggestions I'm looking for, more so from a content perspective that I can bring to life. I only really have AI as an option for images, so until someone else has any interest I'm pretty much stuck with it and I wouldn't want to just copy+paste other peoples artwork. Thanks again for the input and encouragement, appreciated!

If you're looking for content ideas, I would LOVE to see more development of the Age of Apostasy.

If the Horus Heresy is the Origin Story of Marines and CSM, then the Age of Apostasy works as the Origin Story for Sisters, Inquisition (Hereticus in Particular) and Ecclesiarchy.

Remember the the Age of Apostasy actually includes two periods- The Reign of Blood (Under Goge Vandire) and the Plague of Unbelief (Under Cardinal Bucharis).

I'd love to see conversions representing the six Matron Saints of the Major Orders- like Primarch centrepiece models for Saint Katherine, Saint Dominica etc.. Or even images that may rpresent them. Conversions for Goge Vandire and Cardinal Bucharis would be cool too.

Information about how each was Martyred, when the Order in their name was founded and which major convent it belongs to, etc..

That's damn good suggestion, already reading up. Certainly a lot of depth to explore, the Plague of Unbelief particularly.

If you can't be bothered to pay artists, you shouldn't be using art. Don't use AI art.

 Kanluwen wrote:
If you can't be bothered to pay artists, you shouldn't be using art. Don't use AI art.

Sorry you feel that way but it's not simply a question of being bothered, I don't have the funds to pay any artist Ive seen so far on Fiverr, certainly not for 40+ images which I'd need for a short story. I would far rather collaborate with 'real artists' as I said in my post than use AI. Not using AI at all seems a little harsh when many professional digital artists are already using it, seems like another tool in the box, bit like a calculator? Anyway, it's not my preference, just my only option... in the short term and I'm not in total disagreement with you and thank for taking the time to respond

 WilBot wrote:

 Kanluwen wrote:
If you can't be bothered to pay artists, you shouldn't be using art. Don't use AI art.

Not using AI at all seems a little harsh when many professional digital artists are already using it, seems like another tool in the box, bit like a calculator?

No, it's really not as simple as that.

Maybe your channel could be about drawing your own 40K themed art. You come up with a scene from a bit of story you want to talk about and turn it into a picture or something.
( If you do, don't forget to put watermarks in so your art wont be easily stolen. Spiky bits is notorious for making money on other peoples artwork and models without permission of the artists. ) Can't draw? Learn and walk people through the process as you do the thing, it's just more content.
I know people like to watch other people paint and draw, it's a thing on youtube anyway. Could be something there.

 warhead01 wrote:

 WilBot wrote:

 Kanluwen wrote:
If you can't be bothered to pay artists, you shouldn't be using art. Don't use AI art.

Not using AI at all seems a little harsh when many professional digital artists are already using it, seems like another tool in the box, bit like a calculator?

No, it's really not as simple as that.

Maybe your channel could be about drawing your own 40K themed art. You come up with a scene from a bit of story you want to talk about and turn it into a picture or something.
( If you do, don't forget to put watermarks in so your art wont be easily stolen. Spiky bits is notorious for making money on other peoples artwork and models without permission of the artists. ) Can't draw? Learn and walk people through the process as you do the thing, it's just more content.
I know people like to watch other people paint and draw, it's a thing on youtube anyway. Could be something there.

Another great suggestion but didn't honestly think I'd end up explaining this.. I have Familial Tremor, it's not a particularly rare neurological disorder as far as I'm aware. The upshot is means I cant paint or draw, well I can paint walls with a roller or paintbrush but my tremors wont allow me to do any sort of details. Myself and my brother have had it since we were born. Was on meds at school but it didnt work much and wore off over time. So, didn't want to really go here but hey. Thats why I can't draw. My school friends used to paint the details on my minis after I did the base coat It's frustrating seeing all the amazing painting and artwork out there and having ideas of my own but not physically able to do it. I guess if AI is so frowned upon I'm at bit of a dead end, it had given me hope. Thanks very much for your suggestion nonetheless appreciated!

 WilBot wrote:

 Kanluwen wrote:
If you can't be bothered to pay artists, you shouldn't be using art. Don't use AI art.

Sorry you feel that way but it's not simply a question of being bothered, I don't have the funds to pay any artist Ive seen so far on Fiverr, certainly not for 40+ images which I'd need for a short story. I would far rather collaborate with 'real artists' as I said in my post than use AI. Not using AI at all seems a little harsh when many professional digital artists are already using it, seems like another tool in the box, bit like a calculator? Anyway, it's not my preference, just my only option... in the short term and I'm not in total disagreement with you and thank for taking the time to respond

Don't let it get you down. The first thing you're going to learn is no matter what you do, people on the internet are going to come after you over something. AI is a pretty polarizing topic now a days and it certainly has both it's pros and cons. It sounds like you've really thought this through, so do what's best for you and your work. There's certainly a subset of the fandom that seems to just imagine that everyone has loads of money and/or time to just throw around (you see it a lot in people who refuse to play against those with unpainted armies), but as someone else who's just about to try and break into the youtube scene, it's a heck of an upfront investment.

I wish you the best of luck.

 Tawnis wrote:

 WilBot wrote:

 Kanluwen wrote:
If you can't be bothered to pay artists, you shouldn't be using art. Don't use AI art.

Sorry you feel that way but it's not simply a question of being bothered, I don't have the funds to pay any artist Ive seen so far on Fiverr, certainly not for 40+ images which I'd need for a short story. I would far rather collaborate with 'real artists' as I said in my post than use AI. Not using AI at all seems a little harsh when many professional digital artists are already using it, seems like another tool in the box, bit like a calculator? Anyway, it's not my preference, just my only option... in the short term and I'm not in total disagreement with you and thank for taking the time to respond

Don't let it get you down. The first thing you're going to learn is no matter what you do, people on the internet are going to come after you over something. AI is a pretty polarizing topic now a days and it certainly has both it's pros and cons. It sounds like you've really thought this through, so do what's best for you and your work. There's certainly a subset of the fandom that seems to just imagine that everyone has loads of money and/or time to just throw around (you see it a lot in people who refuse to play against those with unpainted armies), but as someone else who's just about to try and break into the youtube scene, it's a heck of an upfront investment.

I wish you the best of luck.

Thanks for that, means a lot, without going into details. I have very low expectations and simply love creating, it takes me away from the day to day. I've seen a lot in Dakka already in a short time that's very inspiring both in content and creativity. Just being realistic right now and starting this journey with what I have and making whatever improvements I can as I go. Thanks greatly for the encouragement !

WilBot wrote:I only really have AI as an option for images, so until someone else has any interest I'm pretty much stuck with it and I wouldn't want to just copy+paste other peoples artwork.

That's just what AI does - just on a massive scale.

Sorry, but if I see AI "art", I won't engage with it. Do with that as you will.

 Sgt_Smudge wrote:

WilBot wrote:I only really have AI as an option for images, so until someone else has any interest I'm pretty much stuck with it and I wouldn't want to just copy+paste other peoples artwork.

That's just what AI does - just on a massive scale.

Sorry, but if I see AI "art", I won't engage with it. Do with that as you will.

Thanks firstly. Wasn't really looking to debate AI, just hopefully get some suggestions on content, great stories, characters etc... I'd prefer to use real artwork (if I was physically capable) or pay someone to create it if I had the funds. If it's of any consequence I do try to replicate 'realism', no one else's art or art style whatsoever. Unless I had a photo studio, models, a huge costume budget, props and have the time to manage such a project I don't see how I would be able to create photorealistic images efficiently otherwise? Ultra/Photorealistic artists charge many thousands for a single piece of work and even then they paint what they like, rather than commissioned work. From the hundreds of videos I've watched over the years the vast majority just copy paste existing 40k artwork from google image searches without any credit to the artists.

Relating to your point "Sorry, but if I see AI "art", I won't engage with it."

My focus is the narration, audio, music, story... Images can be ignored altogether if they upset or annoy.
From original post:
I'd like to concentrate on content that can be absorbed without having to look at a screen, stuff you can listen to in bed, on the bus or while painting etc...

It would be cool if you could listen to The Forge World and offer your critique. I would really appreciate any suggestion or criticism that helps me to improve.
https://youtu.be/gR50ksvTPMk?si=ZDnxqwr14Y5GeQdb The ending is worth the grind IMHO.
If not, cool also. I appreciate your opinion regardless.

Since your focused on narration I would focus on that, It’s actually pretty common for Narrative channels to use an Avatar as a stand in for the speaker.

I would also encourage you to talk to some artists about using their work in your project. There are a a lot who are happy if it’s done correctly.

I myself would rather see one great piece of art than 5 Ai generated ones.

I think it’s your biggest place of improvement.

YouTube also likes good intro and ending.
Don’t be afraid of asking for likes and subscribe for more. It really helps.

Apple fox wrote:
Since your focused on narration I would focus on that, It’s actually pretty common for Narrative channels to use an Avatar as a stand in for the speaker.

I would also encourage you to talk to some artists about using their work in your project. There are a a lot who are happy if it’s done correctly.
I myself would rather see one great piece of art than 5 Ai generated ones.
I think it’s your biggest place of improvement.

YouTube also likes good intro and ending.
Don’t be afraid of asking for likes and subscribe for more. It really helps.

Will take all of that onboard, thanks again. Good point regarding likes and subscription too, something else I hadn't considered.
cheers!

Weird idea.

Ok, so you want to use ai art. You've mentioned learning video editing but how about animation? By which I mean like animation over a back ground not like more complicated animation we all enjoy today.

I'd recently seen some Hammer and Bolter "reviews" which weren't really reviews.

Hamer and Bolter reminded me of this ancient Masters of the Universe stuff from the early 80's that I had on tape as a kid. I hated it at the time because I wanted to watch cartoons but ended up with this animated story book.

Look up and maybe skim the Goldenbook Masters of the universe. You can find that on youtube now.

It's lowest budget animation.

My thought is that you can take a picture with a little action as a back ground and animate a small bit of action over the top of that.
Granted something like NightCafe will let you make a picture and "animate" it just a smidge.

Adding your own work over an ai picture could be an opening you're looking for as far as how the ai art is received.

Which leads to building your community, for engagement and fan submissions of which maybe you could animate over in that same way as you might do over your own.

In the end it's all about the engagement you get with your viewers. Clicks for money or whatever.

I do "ai' art on NightCafe*. I don't love it but I also don't hate it. It was an easy way to make avatars for roll20. Later I got the idea to try to make pictures that look like old Poladoid pictures from the 70's and 80's.

I do think there's some stuff out there that's very clever, I think it is panovissions 70, 1950's sci fi stuff but themed for movies like aliens or Starwars. It's clever enough to be interesting. I think people are also doing 40K.
I don't care for the stuff that screams ai or "Pixar" that people easily produce on these sites.


As ai is a contentious thing I would say just be as unique with how you use it as you can.


Hope this was useful.


* you can find my shlock there under warhead01 if you wish too.

Thanks for taking the time with that response warhead01. A lot to condense and some very good points and suggestions.

I checked this out, while it's amusing nostalgia I see what you mean with regards to basic 'animation' . It's more the format I'm trying to replicate more so because my primary focus is the narration, sounds and hopefully appealing/engaging storylines.




Fortunately I've received a number of great suggestions here now, I certainly came to the right place.
cheers!