Source Filmmaker is a storytelling tool that Valve created for the Source Engine to create their animated short films, including the beloved "Meet the Team" series shorts. They say that this tool squeezes the production pipeline of an animation studio down to a single gaming PC. With this release, you have access to these very same tools, letting you create your own movies. 

To celebrate this release, Valve has released the final installment of the 'Team' series, "Meet the Pyro." Watch this to get an idea of what you can do with the Source Filmmaker tool. The above video does a really nice job of showing of just how much power this gives you. SFM essentially makes game worlds a movie backlot for creators.

Want to start making your own movie now? Go to the Source Filmmaker webpage to get more information and sign up. It's in closed beta now, but will go full release later this year, free of charge. 

If anyone out there needs a soundtrack for their movie, look me up!

Legacy Comments (will be imported soon)

Ravelle

This sounds amazing but I'm afraid getting to know the program will require a lot of time. Garry's Mod is also one of them, coudn't figure out how exactly everything worked.

tekbunny

Valve: the greatest developer of all time or the greaterest developer of all time?

searchmyday

love valve so much, can't say the same for...EA..LOL.

Handsome Jack

I can't wait to see what people who are much more talented than I am, come up with

Arttemis

I really love machinima tools. GTA4 led to some really interesting stuff. Having access to TF2/L4D/whatever other source game visuals can lead to some really varied looking stuff. Garry's Mod already did a great job at animating things, but I imagine combining the two will lead to some top-notch looking productions!

Smackybutts

This tickles my no-no place so hard.

acetated

He's Watching You

Ian Bonds

My Gord...animated music videos are go!

Faux Furry

I'll be curious to see how people utilize these tools to produce videos of Team Fortess 2 characters abiding by Rule 34 of the Internet and how quickly they do so.

imDraxx

If only Valve had released this long when I was actually interested in such things. Guess it's nice to have this when I feel like it, but damn this would've been great several years ago.

VicYoungblood

*sees Valve*

*doesn't see HL3 news*

*moves along*

Jinx 01

Valve > all

Excel-2011

Good thing I happen to be studying film.

Alan Argentina

Man, this is neat as fuck.

BoomingEchoes

Well hell.. This is pretty amazing.. I know people have been singing their praises for years, but I've been reluctant to do anything more then heavily like them -but this kinda changes everything for me.

I've been seriously kicking around the idea for a book for a long time, but every time I sit and start writing I always growl and say "This would be a better movie, I need visuals to tell this properly".. And this might just be my chance.

That said too, Dale, theres a good chance if I'm as serious then, as I am now, I might just hit you up for scoring.

Dale North

BoomingEchoes - please do! I'm equally as serious.

CH Gorog

VALVE is to wonderful as wonderful is to wonderful.

ctg867

Valve wasting their time on FUCKING EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR HALF LIFE 3.

Shocker.

Amna Umen

I love Valve, period. But on Half-Life 3, my roommate and I were discussing how it would be great if all of a sudden Valve released Half-Life 3 suddenly one day. Pants shitting would be worldwide.

George Booth

All of this leading up to the release of HL3.

AlanWake

I'll give it a try. Thanks, Dale!

Toastedtoasters

Giving fans full creative control will really up video quality of amateur work, with such great facial work and whatnot. I really can't wait to get my hands on it and see what people can do.