I am reaching out for help here. I am a filmmaker who currently has been making Machinimas (films using video game engines). Recently I have been making a series called Out of Service using Gears of War 2. I'd like to expand what I can do in this genre of filmmaking by using a game engine that can do more.

When searching for tutorials, I really have a hard time finding anything that can help in this area. I know it is possible to do all of the things I want to do, but it seems there are very little resources to teach me how to do it.

I would love to learn the complex in and outs of modding and animating with this engine, but the truth is I need to only learn a few specific things. I've gotten down map-making. Now what I need to learn is how to make characters move where I tell them to go, and be able to do simple animations, motions, and dialog (I don't even need the lips to sync properly). Because this is film, I don't need to worry too much about triggering events properly or timing them in the environment. I also don't need factions or enemies. I can create a multitude of small mods that have my characters doing basic, singular actions and I can cut together a scene I want.

I guess what I'm asking is if anyone knows of a specific tutorial that will teach me how to do these things properly, or if anyone would be willing to teach me or write out the details of creating characters animations to this purpose. If anyone actually wants to do the latter option I couldn't even begin to describe how grateful I'd be.

Check out http://geck.gamesas.com/index.php/Category:Packages and http://geck.gamesas.com/index.php/Category:Scripting. All the "complex" stuff that you want to do you're likely going to have to be familiar with scripting to do; I'm sure someone with more experience with complex NPC interaction will be more helpful.

Thanks for the help. I've actually already read those articles. The G.E.C.K. Wiki is very useful in areas where you are familiar with the editor already. But for something that I don't even know how to implement on a basic level it means little to me.

And as for scripting, I was hoping I could learn to film without having to script. Someone more experienced may tell me that this is impossible, but I was hoping that since I can break up each shot into each individual action I would never have to time more than 3 actors at once. In this way, I could just use simple walk, wait, and do action commands.

Well you might be able to with just AI packages, like I said I've never tried to use them to do "complex" stuff (anything more then go here, patrol etc.).

Have you checked out the http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/cat.php?id=56 category? There are many mods that can add NPC movements to the game.

Thanks! I'll definitely be checking that out!