Watch the making of Halo 3: ODST live-action short

by Randy Nelson { Sep 30th 2009 at 3:45PM }

Like us, you've probably been wondering what sort of work (apart from directing people in costumes and laying on the special effects) went into Microsoft's now-legendary Halo 3: ODST live-action short, "The Life." Its creators must have anticipated our curiosity because they've put together a short-but-sweet behind the scenes video, which includes a rough cut of a scene that didn't make it into the final production.

The micro-documentary also reveals some surprising trivia about the shoot, including the fact that the opening funeral scene was shot inside the cooling tower of an operating nuclear power plant. Oh, and the battle sequence? They filmed it at the bottom of a coal strip-mine. Really? We could have swarn it was New Mombasa.

Tags: behind-the-scenes, bungie, halo, halo-3-odst, making-of, microsoft, odst, video

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Katana Master @ Sep 30th 2009 3:50PM

That's pretty awesome.

Storm Eagle [Resident Capcom Megafan] @ Sep 30th 2009 4:06PM

That was great. Now why can't we get a full length movie?

Also, @Captain Planet

I would like to apply for the Planeteer Position of

Storm Eagle: Planeteer | Power of Storm Tornado

Thanks.

Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 30th 2009 4:50PM

Dear Storm Eagle,

Thank you for your interest in the Planeteer Foundation. We at the Planeteer Foundation are always on the lookout for noble citizens who are constantly fighting for the good of the Earth.

I have been watching you for quite some time and am excited to offer you an exclusive Power. This Power is very special and has taken a considerable amount of time to craft...

I dub thee:

Storm Eagle [Planeteer | Power of Being Captain Planet's Best Friend]

Yes this Power may be daunting and I will understand if you do not accept. I do however have an alternative Power for you, should you choose to accept it:

Storm Eagle [Planeteer | Power of Phoenix Wright]

Spartan [Planeteer | Power of Sunshine & Lollipops] @ Sep 30th 2009 6:20PM

Cap'n

How many planeteers are therer now?
And when do we get to meet that fine-ass Gaia

Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Oct 1st 2009 11:34AM

Our numbers are great my friend...

Spartan [Planeteer | Power of Sunshine & Lollipops]

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi]

XBL: xGeneral DEATHx PSN: Deeth82 [Planeteer | Power of General Hostility and Angst]

PedoJokerBear [Planeteer | Power of Gall Bladder]

R [Planeteers | Power of Penile Pulse]

Peter Molyneux [Planeteer | Power of Inspiration, Ingenuity & General Bullshitery]

Michael T [Planeteer | Power of Mr. T]

Alton Brown [Planeteer | Power of Dueling Banjos]

CTC XBL-supapaypamawio [Planeteer | Power of the Anti-Fanboy Bitch Slap]

Leroy_Rocktopus [Planeteer: Power of Asian Disability]

AsherR [Planeteer | Power of The Hoff]

Gaia is off limits BTW...that 'tang is mine.

protofunc @ Oct 1st 2009 3:05PM

This foundation of planeteerology. I want to be in it. When is the application period?

roger @ Oct 2nd 2009 3:00PM

If they really want to Convey the Halo Universe then they should have bright colors and immaculate uniforms since nothing in Halo gets dirty. Vote me down, but the kiddy color palette is what they do.

Strike Man @ Sep 30th 2009 3:58PM

"Sworn". ;)

Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 30th 2009 3:58PM

This dance has gone on too long, please everyone, just IGNORE him and hit that little "!" button.

Your pal,
Captain Planet

Phillip @ Sep 30th 2009 4:00PM

...um... wow, someone with a different opinion than the millions of dribbling Halo fans across the world? (myself included :-)

person guy @ Sep 30th 2009 4:06PM

LOL at captinprotonx XD

PR0F3TA (PSN - PROPHETA) @ Sep 30th 2009 4:08PM

Sony should have hired Microsoft to do their marketing pre-slim. cuz damn, they sure know how to sell something

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Sep 30th 2009 4:09PM

clearly Phillip, you dont frequent the comments often

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Sep 30th 2009 4:09PM

No Lucas, he's a sony fanboy. Well, he's a sony fanboy/ troll, but mostly a troll

LucasTheSmashGod @ Sep 30th 2009 4:11PM

My bad...either way I don't see what's wrong with with he posted...its not causing me to go on fire or something....

Vidikron @ Sep 30th 2009 4:14PM

Is LucasTheSmashGod sprinkles? Multi-part name, private profile, slams against Joystiq, and a dig at Uncharted. All the signs are there.

Vidikron @ Sep 30th 2009 4:18PM

Honest question... why do you continually use the same tells with each new account? Do you enjoy the notoriety or something? Because it seems like you would last longer if you didn't give yourself away so quickly.

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Sep 30th 2009 4:18PM

His profile was just created today, so i say the shoe fits. That and the ridiculous idea that joystiq is PS3 leaning, when just about every PS3 fanboy raves the opposite.

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Sep 30th 2009 4:23PM

I expected this video to mention it but they didn't. Although they did say that the characters were hungarian and of course the language they spoke as well, the singing in the full video was actually Welsh.

james @ Sep 30th 2009 4:27PM

WTF? that brute was actually a costume? FUCK it was done well. i thought it was cg.

Anemos @ Sep 30th 2009 4:51PM

Way to kiss ass. -_______-

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Sep 30th 2009 5:54PM

way to suck ass

xnifex @ Sep 30th 2009 7:36PM

I thought the same (reply to OP, not other replies)

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Sep 30th 2009 4:28PM

I have no idea how you could believe that, you definitely dont listen to the podcast if you think that

Vidikron @ Sep 30th 2009 4:29PM

I'm not saying you have to change yourself, but simple things like your account name format. There are plenty of fanboys on Joystiq, but most last longer than you. It's your history that keeps you on the shorter leash, so I would think that simple things like a change in your account name format would keep you around longer. And, of course, stopping using a phrases like "holier than thou" and accusing Joystiq of bias all the time wouldn't hurt either.

Headgear782 @ Sep 30th 2009 4:35PM

That would be awesome to get one of those ODST costumes

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Sep 30th 2009 4:42PM

i was thinking the same thing. There's a fan group that's basically the Halo equivalent to Star Wars' 501st, the fan group that creates their own costumes based on the bad guys in star wars and do charity events. The Halo one is called the 405th and unlike the 501st they actually sell some of the armor they make. Their website's been down for awhile but if it gets up you might be able to find one. Some are almost as high quality as the ones in this video

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Sep 30th 2009 4:39PM

If you dont listen to the podcast why do you so vehemently assert joystiq is pro sony? That's like saying Star Wars is the worst film franchise ever with only having watched Episode 1. Despite what you may think, very, very little of the writers actual opinions shine through in the posts, the podcast is literally filled with depressed sigh after depressed sigh at stuff like the psp go, PSN, and advertising. Something which, in almost every podcast post, PS3 fanboys flip out about