NokiMo
blackmagiccraft
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Advanced Screening: 5 Ways to Set the Mood for D&D

Hey folks,

I'm really proud of this video. It likely doesn't seem like it because there was no build, but this video was a LOT of work. I had to reshoot the thing 3 times because of failed lighting issues. It's really hard to shoot a dark video that shows candles, but isn't incredibly grainy when you don't have proper lighting or a very high quality camera. But I'm super grateful that I had the time to be able to redo it until it was usable.

If it wasn't for your help, and I wasn't able to spend more time doing this, I definitely would have just used the first really low quality take in the past. Thanks for giving me the freedom to try and get it right!

*as usual this video is "unlisted" so you can view it early. Late Thursday night it will be set to "scheduled" which means you wont be able to access it for a few hours until it goes public Friday at 12:00am*

If you want to "borrow" my Spotify playlists here they are a few of them:

Fight music (Generic battle music)
https://open.spotify.com/user/jpillipow/playlist/4LGwsDRZKNEIYMMxu6bhau

Evil Fight (For battling the most evil of villains)
https://open.spotify.com/user/jpillipow/playlist/5yP9tHuqo72faq5pXSoJxp

Town music
https://open.spotify.com/user/jpillipow/playlist/5PrCSKKbbhcDVqrH6SNhFL

Traditional Folk & Folk Metal
https://open.spotify.com/user/jpillipow/playlist/30gcbRJrAVC7dtrj9wVl1k

Dark SFX & Atmospheric (Great for dungeon delving) https://open.spotify.com/user/jpillipow/playlist/33JX1hRCi7dkBlFLbQTqB5

Electro Horror/Outrun (Great for B-Movie style horror games)
https://open.spotify.com/user/jpillipow/playlist/02gmpnRHOgg4lcOOJmv2UB

THESE ARE THE 3 LISTS I'VE CURATED SPECIFICALLY FOR MY NEW GAME - It takes place in the north, so its a collection of Scandinavian folk and dark fantasy music. All 3 lists are meant for different scenarios, but all thematically tie in together.

DAMARA (TOWN)
https://open.spotify.com/user/jpillipow/playlist/4iVJQPseWLx2DN1BkC0CMv

DAMARA (EXPLORATION/EXPOSITION) https://open.spotify.com/user/jpillipow/playlist/6Ecx0L93gNQET4VrcuMnGX

DAMARA (ENCOUNTER/FIGHT)
https://open.spotify.com/user/jpillipow/playlist/4C6Bxry2a08Z0vowpAj0UP

The Damara encounter playlists breaks my rule about not using movie/game soundtracks for music, but the music in it is so perfect I had to use it. I felt OK doing so because it's likely none of the players in my group would recognize any of it.




Advanced Screening: 5 Ways to Set the Mood for D&D

Comments

Hey Bennie, check your inbox here. You will have a link to the private BMC Fellowship facebook group. There are really no restrictions on what people can post and ask on there. General gaming questions are just as welcome as questions about making terrain.

I have been DMing for about 40 years on and off. I love your builds because they are teaching me a LOT of skills for finally doing the stuff I would have loved to do LONG ago in my games. Just pulled my 9 year old boy and 13 year old girl into playing! It has been a long time and now I have the funds to create the tiles and the scapes I always wanted. Thanks for the ideas, and I agree the most important is the atmosphere, I really like the platform you had when showing the ship build, I am going to HAVE to do that because the LED lights are a must for the dim playing environment. I have not been focusing on the atmosphere as much yet, but your video has inspired me and I will be pushing forward to do this! Super thanks and keep up the good work! On a side note, is there a forum I can ask some questions on gameplay that you may be able to give some of your wisdom on? We are always learning and looking for great ideas and answers. Again, thanks and keep going!

Bennie Holcomb

Yea, the light suggestion has the caveat of don't dim the lights if it causes you to not be able to read your sheets. I don't make mine dark, there is still a light fixture right over the table that is low, it's more that I try and make sure the rest of the room is dark, so that all the focus is on the table. For example if you game in the dining room, turn off the lights in the kitchen and living room if they are visible and just keep the dining room light on.

Great stuff! Though, my players and I are nearing 50 and if I dim the lights even a little, we'll all be blinded for 2d4 hours. :) I have a cat that one of my players hates and he often rubs (only) on his legs. I will be sure to keep the cat out next time. Great advice.


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