Hitman: Burning Hope (Film)

Hitman: Burning Hope
Directed by	Anthony Caulfield Nicola Caulfield
Written by	Tore Blystad
Based on	Hitman: Absolution Contracts Mode
Starring	Vivica Fox Powers Boothe Parisse Boothe (Mentioned)
Distribed by	N/A
Relase time	2012
Running time	59m
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

"Showcasing IO Interactive's new proprietary Glacier 2 technology, the game has been built from the ground up, boasting a cinematic story, distinctive art direction and highly original game design, HITMAN ABSOLUTION combines much loved classic gameplay with completely new features for the Hitman franchise."

―Promotional quote used for the documentary.

Hitman: Burning Hope (full title: Hitman: Burning Hope - The Making of Hitman: Absolution), (also known as Making of-Hitman Absolution) is a 2012 compilation documentary film about the development and creation of Hitman: Absolution. The documentary used various clips from E3 2011-12 while also using clips from other interviews.

Biography

Burning Hope showcases to the viewer all interviews with Tore Blystad, Hakan Abrak, Roberto Marchesi, Christian Elverdam, Simon Unger and other developers/designers featuring Vivica A. Fox, Powers Boothe and Parisse Boothe showcasing behind the scenes concept art, early builds and pre-rendered scenes of cutscenes in the game. The conclusion/falling action of the documentary showcased developers at E3 giving various interviews and talking with fans.

Behind the Scenes

"I think the amount of changes we had on this project...are not normal for a typical project...but of...of the complexity of a Hitman game, I think it's a...sort of par for the course. Because it is a very challenging game to make, we're not just making a shooter, we're not just trying to make a stealth game. There's a lot of moving parts to account for and its uh, it's a really tricky balancing act."

―Simon Unger, animation director for Absolution.

The Documentary also showcased lots of various scrapped/reworked content over the course of its development with lots of exclusive concept art not publicly seen before. The documentary also shows a very early test build of Absolution, showcasing 47 taking down early Chicago police officer NPCs with various throwable/melee weapons. The film also showcased exclusive-never before seen concept art, pre-rendered cutscenes and various renders of the game.

Here will be a list of all cut content including concepts that were heavily reworked from alpha-beta-final

Reworked Content (in order)

• Early untextured render of 47 aiming his AMT Silverballer.
• Early (exclusive) concept art of the Dexter Industries explosive factory, showcasing a completely different location to the final game.
• (exclusive) Concept art of a cargo ship driving through the canals of Chicago.
• Early (exclusive) concept art of Birdie's Bus and his location in the slums of downtown Chicago.
• Early (exclusive) concept art of 47 looking down to the town of Hope, South Dakota.
• Early (exclusive) concept art of the Vixen Club exterior entrance.
• Early (exclusive) concept art of Diana's Mansion.
• Early (exclusive) concept art of the Hope Cougars, seen in the background on Roberto Marchesi's computer.
• Lucy Hough was to originally have her dialogue with her friend behind the register rather than near products. (E3 footage)
• Early sketch/concept art of 47 ramming through the window of the Harold Washington Library used for the mission "Run For Your Life".
• 47's beginning intro quote was changed significantly during recording sessions.
• Lauren S. Sims originally used the model of Lauren Blair however this was changed in the final game.
• Unidentified Developer building and creating Diana's mansion.
• An early build of Absolution playing on the segment "Derelict Building".
• Birdie's Bus was originally a school bus with the location being strongly based off its concept art.
• Early face concept art of Victoria.
• Early (exclusive) concept art of Rosewood showcasing an early design of Victoria while also showcasing 47 was too of had his AMT silverballer out as well.
• Early (exclusive) concept art of Diana's original face.

Deleted/Cut Content

• Early (exclusive) concept art of 47 interacting with a juke-box.
• An entirely different script was created with many scenes and concepts getting deleted before the final script was created.
• A deleted fighting sequence caught in motion capture,
• (E3 footage) A knife takedown sequence went unused and is only seen in the rosewood gameplay.
• Two of the Saints actress' having a dialogue with eachother which remains unintelligible in the documentary.
• LaSandra Dixon (played by Vivica Fox) supposedly falling if pushed or let go off ledge.
• Possible test animation of Benjamin Travis falling off his personal ICA Helicopter.
• A deleted pre-render sequence of LaSandra Dixon praying too Hail Mary.
• A deleted sequence of 47 interrogating Dixon in a chokehold, with him asking her various questions and her responding that "Travis is obsessed with him".
• A test level used for play-testers from 2012 which could've been an early Operation Sledgehammer level.

External Feedback Backlogs

When play-testers were done with the levels they were given too play, they'd make notes on things needed to be removed or reworked. Here is a list of significant things changed.

• The Pool Club went from being a melee/throwable weapon to becoming a "compliant prop".
• An unidentified manager character was requested to be removed entirely near a checkpoint.
• Jerry Cans were requested to be replaced with TNT.

Trivia

• The title "Burning Hope" was the original title for Absolution, but was changed due to pacing issues.

(Coming Soon)!

Gallery

Exclusive Concept Art

Alternate poster used for the documentary.

Early Dexter Industries exterior location.

Early Vixen Club exterior concept art.

The small town of Hope, burning concept art.

Early concept art of the Vixen Clubs Interior and neon sign.

Concept art of 47 driving Wade's Mercury.

Early Concept art.

Hakan Abrak behind a wall of concept art.

Deleted pre-rendered cut-scenes

Early render of Jade walking side-by-side with Benjamin Travis.

47 interrogates LaSandra Dixon at choke-hold.

Early Saints placeholder models.

External Feedback Backlogs

External Feedback Backlogs.

More backlogs.

Ditto.

Other

The actress of Jade, Shannyn Sossamon.

Early Derelict Building build.

Early pre-rendered cutscene of Birde's Bus.

Early Easi Mart interior.

Diana Burnwood in the pre-rendered cutscene.

Roberto Marchesi.

External Links

• Hitman: Burning Hope on IMDB.
• Full movie on YouTube.