Cinematography

This section covers the game’s cinematic scenes, including examples from internal files used in their creation and details of the development process.

This can be extracted from the game with the help of BG3 Modders Multitool or Parser.

Astarion

When asked about the process of writing cinematic scenes for BG3, Stephen Rooney, Astarion's main writer, responded:

_{(...) You write the line, (...) it gets recorded, it gets mocapped. You have to kind of give people instructions for mocap. It comes back, you're talking to the cinematic artist because they need to know how the scene is meant to play out.}

_{Sometimes stuff is sent back (...) for re-records. (...) It definitely changes how you go about approaching writing dialogue and (...) how you approach (...) crafting any scene. Because you have to be so much more aware of "okay, these are the things that can happen in cinematics and these are things that can't realistically happen in cinematics". And you have to be (...) much more aware of like, okay if the character is going to pick something up here, that is going to make this scene X times more expensive rather than if they just [waving his arms] (...)}

_{You narrow your focus basically, you become a bit more restricted in the things that you feel that you can do and you can’t do. But it also means that when you’re crafting the scene and you’re thinking, okay I’m actually going to able to show this, this isn’t just going to be something that’s going to be told... The audience is going to see this look, this expression on their face or whatever... It very literally brings the camera from way up here (...) and it gives you that an intimacy that you could never otherwise craft.}

Conclusion of the romance line with Astarion

The full internal game script is in the file: CAMP_Astarion_SD_ROM_BlackMassAftermath.lsj

Ascended Astarion:

Fade to black and fade in as Astarion takes TAV into another section of the camp/a quiet secluded place. The player character is naked and vulnerable before him.

Both Astarion and player character are naked. The player character stands at the foot of the bed. They look slightly to their left as Astarion approaches them from behind. He kisses the player character on the left side of their neck... then roughly pushes them down onto the bed. The player character is now bent over at the edge of the bed. Sex begins. They both stand facing each other. They gaze lovingly at one another (Note: They are both naked. Construction anim used for standing)

Astarion leads Tav away to a secluded place. They both undress and Astarion pushes the player character to the bed. The sex is wild and animalistic. (Note: While the sex is not very explicit, it is important to show suggestions of movements... such as thrusting, action/reactions of ecstasy, etc.)

Tav kneels before Astarion. This should be covered by the kneeling attitude, Astarion stands proud before the Player. He is powerful. He is free

Astarion places both hands on the player character's shoulders and pushes them down. They both tumble to the ground, him landing on top of the player character. Astarion gazes down at them and is savouring the moment. The player character looks back at him in anticipation (building tension here).

Rough:

Astarion clutches the player character's neck in his hand and grins, squeezing before biting them. Astarion's right hand shoots up quickly, grabbing the player character's neck. Locking eyes with them, he starts to squeeze their neck; the player character squirms a bit, gasping for breath. They're enjoying it. Astarion then releases the player character's neck, leaning over to bare his fangs and bite into the player character's neck. After a while, he stops and raises his head. (Note: Astarion is still on top of the player character, his body shifted slightly to the side (the player character's right) so he has room to take their neck and do all the bloodsucking).

Gentle:

Astarion takes the player character's hand, kisses the top of it, then turns it over and starts to bite their wrist. Astarion reaches down, takes their hand with his right hand. He brings the hand up to his lips. He kisses it gently, tenderly. Then looking at the player character, he turns their hand over to expose the wrist. He takes a bite. The player character stares at Astarion while feasting, enjoying the sensation. After a while, he stops and raises his head. (Note: Astarion is still lying on top of the player character)

(Show camera up top angle shot of the player character's face to hide the fact that Astarion could either be feeding from their wrist or neck)

Spawn Astarion:

Shot of the graveyard to set the scene. (Question: Do we need to show actual graveyard, or just Astarion and Player emerging from bushes somewhere?)

The player character and Astarion are walking into graveyard. They stop as they reach their intended destination. Astarion walks up to a gravestone covered in ivy and filth. It is old, cracked, and neglected. He reaches up and tears away the weeds.

Astarion bends over (is the gravestone high enough for him to bend over to interact?) and reaches out with both hands to clear away the ivy.

He straightens up once he is done, dusting off his hands as he does so.

Underneath, we can see the inscription: \r\n|Astarion Ancunín: 229 268 DRI (Observations: likely needs old gravestone prop with his name).

Possible to use ivy plant to cover prop? How tall is gravestone? Does Astarion need to squat/crouch down or bend over to interact with gravestone? Rustle of leaves being jostled. Nocturnal sounds, crickets in the bushes. Old gravestone prop with Astarion's name. No longer covered in ivy.

Looking at the inscription on his grave Astarion takes out Cazador's dagger and starts carving into the stone, although we cannot see what he is carving.

When he is done, the camera angle reverses and we see he has roughly cut a new inscription into the stone.

The inscription now reads | Astarion Ancunín: 229 268 DR 468 DR

Scraping of metal against stone as Astarion carves. Nocturnal sounds, crickets in the bushes

Astarion kneels down. He produces a dagger with his right hand. He then leans over towards the gravestone. His left hand touches the top of the gravestone while his right hand starts carving onto its surface. (Note: Astarion starts off standing. Then he kneels down) The player character stands back and watches. Astarion sits back on his heels. He stows away the dagger (right hand) then both hands rest loosely onto his lap. He remains in silent contemplation. (Note: Astarion is still kneeling down) The player character stands back and watches. They understand this is a solemn moment. Astarion sits back, looking at his gravestone, saying nothing. He is in a moment of deep reflection. Astarion is still kneeling down. He stares thoughtfully at his gravestone. The player character approaches Astarion and stops, standing to his right. They look at him... and then at the gravestone.

Astarion stares at his grave, quietly contemplating his life/unlife The player character bends over and plucks a flower. They straighten up (Flower picking action happens a bit offscreen) They then approach the grave (standing at Astarion's right) reverentially place said flower (with their right hand) onto the grave. They straighten back up to standing pose. The player character kneels down to Astarion's right. They loosely place both hands onto their lap. Both of them are now kneeling.

Turning to the player character, taking their hands in his for a moment. Astarion shuffles his knees, turning right so that he is now facing the Player. The player character shuffles and turns to the left to mirror him. Astarion leans over, reaches out to take both of the player character's hand in his. He does so lovingly, tenderly...with a hint of seduction. Astarion releases the player character's hands. They are still kneeling down together. Astarion kisses the player character, taking them in his arms. They fall to the ground. Kissing continues. Astarion leans forward, kisses the player character. He stops kissing, then playfully pushes the player character so they fall backwards onto the ground. Astarion follows suit... gets on top of the player character and continues kissing them. Nocturnal sounds, crickets in the bushes. Rustle of dry leaves and dirt as the lovebirds begin their passionate romp. Fade to black. Sex sounds. (Note: Maybe camera pans up before fading to black with the dulcet symphony of sex) Nocturnal sounds, crickets, punctuated by sex.

Astarion Romance's Evil Ending

The ending where the player chooses to Dominate the Elder Brain and is in a romance with Astarion. END_BrainBattle_FinalDecision_Nested_EvilAvatar.lsj

The player is seated on their throne atop the Netherbrain after having seized control. Their companions, if present, stand nearby, enthralled/dominated.

The player stands and gazes down at the city. Psionic energy pulsates from them, like a signal. The Netherbrain starts to descend.

Down on street level. Various Baldurians cower or stand ready to defend themselves from Mind Flayers. They grimace, awaiting the final assault... ... but it does not come. The Mind Flayers no longer attack, but keep the survivors surrounded, watching and waiting. The Baldurians look up in terror and awe as a huge shadow falls.

The source of the shadow - the Netherbrain - descends towards the streets, blotting out the sun. Baldurians cringe in fear.

Hope that it’s possible to have more smoke/fire in the first establishing shot, enthralled companions eyes glowing.

Huge cloud of dust while the brain descend and parts as it start to reveal the companions/player. Enthralled companion eyes glow. Player eyes glow as he exercise his psionic power, making everyone kneel with Waves of Psionic power wash over the civilians.

Might not need a huge psionic pulse on netherbrain, feels like a simple one on player with their eyes glowing might be sufficient.

The Netherbrain's descent slows as it nears street level. Damaged buildings tremble, and a great cloud of dust fills the air. The watching Mind Flayers part ranks. From the dust cloud – – The Enthralled Companions stride forth. They clear a path to the Baldurians like an honour guard. A final figure floats downwards as the dust settles. The Player. Psionics pulse outwards from the player. All those around them, including Enthralled Companions, kneel. All save for Love Interest Astarion, if present. He approaches the player's side.

- Draw Astarion into a kiss.

[Vampire Lord Astarion] The avatar just kissed you. You're marvelling at the big, evil future you two have ahead of you.

The player steps away from their love interest walks amongst the masses. They look around, considering what to do next...

- 'Ours'? Force Astarion to kneel along with the rest. All bow to you now.

Companion crushed by psionic power forcing them to kneel, eyes also enthralled.

The player's psionics pummel Astarion. He just about manages to force a look of shock and betrayal onto his face before he's forced onto his knees in supplication.

[Vampire Lord Astarion] The player's betrayed Astarion, using their psionic powers to force him to kneel. They're making him a slave all over again, and Astarion's fighting as hard as he can to resist. The final word "please" is a tiny whimper/whisper as the last piece of hope fades away.

Origin Astarion's Evil Ending

Astarion's evil ending, in which he plunges the city into darkness and gives it over to his vampire spawn. END_BrainBattle_FinalDecision_Nested_EvilAstarion.lsj

Astarion stands proud with arms raised by side, taking a deep breath before becoming engulfed in light. He walks forward amongst the kneeling crowd.

Astarion surveys the wreckage of the street, the overawed, kneeling crowd.

As he passes, his body begins to shine from within. People watch, rapt.

Walking forward still - Astarion surverys his people, his body burning as they are rapt with awe. He looks down on them.

Astarion stops walking and embraces his ascension to Sun King. The crowd is enamoured. An NPC reaches out to Astarion, who appears like a messiah. The Nobleman is watching.

Astarion's body now blazes like the noonday sun. He has become the Sun King of the city, his head wreathed in a fiery crown. A small crowd watches on in awe - most notably, a young NOBLEMAN.

Astarion glows even brighter now. His headpiece also glows.

Astarion becomes Sun King.

Crowd hubbub grows as they watch Astarion glow. Some magical hum on Astarion as he glows.

Astarion turns (left) magnanimously to the young noble in the crowd and extends a gracious (left) hand. The noble can't believe he's been singled out. Looking around - "who, me?" he starts to rise gingerly.

Astarion graciously welcomes the noble, who rises to his feet and approaches.

Shots of NPC's in awe, looking at the Noble - they can't believe he's so lucky to be chosen.

A lamp flickers; a bell might toll. One man turns around in the alleyway. He sees the mist begin to approach. A woman turns round after him too, and both react scared and confused.

In the distance, screams. A wide shot over the city shows mists rolling through the streets, quenching all light. Where the mists pass, the blazing red eyes of vampire spawn bloom in the shadows. Soon the city is shrouded in darkness but for the single blazing beacon that is Astarion.

Astarion glows even brighter, further puntcuating the darkness and chaos around them.

People screaming in fear, chaos. Hungry snarls as the vampire spawns descends upon the crowd.

Black mist rolls over the the city, extinguishes street lights as it passes. It envelopes the terrified people, and in the darkness, red glowing eyes appear menacingly (Question for VFX: Do we need to add crowd template for the eye effect?)

NPC's are panicking, standing up, reacting where they are. In the dark we see the approaching sillhouttes of vampires. The nobleman, having seen the mist, spins back to Astarion in fear. Astarion's still outstretched hand offers him hope - he gestures with a suave, devilish tilt forward of the head and movement of the hand. Nobleman is won over completely; he approaches, reaching for the hand. As soon as their fingertips touch Astarion yanks him. The nobleman is swiftly twisted around as if in a lover's impassioned dance. Astarion takes in the submissive Nobleman's neck, drinking in his smell. Astarion's head lifts high before his eyes and fangs flash and he takes a plunge into the nobleman's neck. A pinned noble resists to no avail. Astarion keeps steadily draining. The struggle ends; a limp body is held.

Action and silhouette very important here.

Back to the young NOBLEMAN, who shrinks from the darkness and turns to Astarion, hope in his eyes. Astarion smiles and beckons him forward into the light - before laughing and digging his fangs into the boy's neck. (NOTE: Both Astarion and nobleman's silhouettes needs to be very clear here)

People screaming in fear, chaos

Astarion clutches at this discarded husk that was the nobleman. His red eyes lock with the camera as the screen turns black.

Astarion glows even brighter, so bright that only his and the nobleman's silhouette could be seen. A spurt of blood as Astarion drinks nobleman's blood towards the end darkness envelops the screen leaving only his red eyes glowing before going completely black.

Darkness and End.

Karlach

A Date with Karlach

At camp, Karlach invites the player on a date. CAMP_Karlach_CRD_ROM_Date.lsj

The Player walks into Dancing Lute Tavern and spots Karlach, who's already sitting at one of the tables. It's decorated in a white tablecloth and candles. She beckons you over.

Player takes a seat oppsite Karlach. They both pick up menus (menu is like a paper, not book type) and read them over, Karlach glancing at the player nervously from time to time.

After Karlach delivered the line, she beckons the waiter over while still holding menu with left hand.

A bored-looking half-orc drags himself over and grunts at the players (walk few step to the player then talk)

The waiter takes the menus and ambles away.

The waiter approaches and roughly drops two plates of food and two cups in front of Karlach and player. The food is something other than the choice made by the player. The two cups are two generic cups, can be any liquid inside.

Karlach shrugs, amused at Henk's horribleness. She reaches for the drink to hold it aloft and propose a toast, but she fumbles it and knocks the glass over, then she back to standard sitting pose.

Player raises their glass in toast, drinks from their cup, and is about to pass it to Karlach to drink, but she's roughly leaned over the table to grab the player and kiss them. She sits back down, jostling the table again.

Camera zoom out implying they're eating and drinking. When it comes back to them, the plates/ cups are gone and the lights are dimmer, implying the passage of time.

Fade to black that opens on the player and Karlach in one of the rooms in the inn. This will be a scene of sexual intimacy.

Karlach sits on the bed in the room and the player approaches, positioning themself between her legs and kissing her deeply. Karlach stands up, lifts up the player off their feet and rolls them onto the bed, Karlach on top. She pauses, looking deep into the player's eyes. A look of consertnation passes briefly over her face, then the mood breaks. She smiles. (She is thinking about her mortality, about how much she loves the player, about the fragility of life). She bends down and kisses the player, then rolls to lay beside them, touching them intimately with one hand while she kisses them. Things escalate from there.