"It's A Wonderful Second Life"

This detailed machinima was found on Second Life's page on Facebook. It was created by a Sam Lowry, or Denis Chevalier in real life. For some reason, trying to look up his profile resulted in a dead end search. But the sims he gives as examples of what to look for in Second Life are anything but, and Sam shows them at their best.

"Our World, Your Imagination." The old slogan that some people still take to heart.

Sources: Facebook: Second Life, New World Notes

An Interview with UWA Machinima Challenge Winner Cisko Vandeverre

Early in February at a much anticipated and well attended award ceremony, the winner of the University of Western Australia Machinima Challenge was announced. The machinima challenge began in December, and with a top award prize of $65,000 Lindens it had over sixty entries. Contest requirements for submitted machinima were that they “capture the four main elements that make up the heart of the University of Western Australia SIMS”. The elements specified in the contest rules were, “real life architecture, the teaching, the research and the arts.” The twelve member panel of judges, led by Professor Alan Robson (Real Name) Vice Chancellor of the University of Western Australia, awarded the top prize to Mr. Vandeverre. The winning entry was titled, “Seek” and had a sci-fi theme. A UWA blog post had this to say about the winner, “The judges thought that this was an absolute firecracker of a Machinima with a brilliant and very different approach” and that it “had wonderful humor, amazing visual effects, great quality of editing and remarkable camera control”.

Cisko Vandeverre is the head of his own production company, “The DO Group” and resides in Berlin, Germany. His production company “creates films using content from virtual worlds. “Seek” and his portfolio of Machinima can be viewed on their web site. I was introduced to Mr. Vandeverre by White Lebed, one of the judges of the challenge. Cisko and I met in Skype for this conversation. 

Nazz: You've been in second life since 2006, what brought you in and why did you stay?

Cisko: I saw the kind of business opportunities here. I always have been in future related techniques and it was clear that virtual worlds would be the next step from 2D web to 3D. Once here, it took awhile to find the focus.  I had a client in 2007, so it was easier for me to get deeper into second life. I had the project to fulfill ... it was focusing for me. I had the client for the year and had a few SIMs. The work we did covered the costs. I started doing machinima to film the event we had there. I've been in computer animation for 20 years. It’s a long process … I did trailers and short sequences. With machinima the set design is easier and the possibilities in post production ... it’s pretty fast to get results.

Nazz: Has there been any particular challenges for your business?

Cisko: Working with corporate users ... I did a machinima for a product introduction. The understanding of second life and some of its limitations weren't there. The ad agency people would ask, "Why is that happening?" … any way the company that was willing to pay decided to go to a traditional method.

Nazz: How much influence has Second Life had on your machinima since you've been here?

Cisko: It’s easy to build my sets … handle texturing, lighting. I can do some scripting, but there are people who do it better. Some ideas from computer animation have implemented themselves in Second Life … when you have the back ground it’s easier to handle then when people have to start from scratch.

Nazz: I went out to your web site to see some of your portfolio. I found the Pirate story compelling and enjoyed the sword fight scene … it had a realistic feel to it especially with the clanging of steel. Can you tell me a little about that series?

Cisko: Most machinima don’t have a story … only ten to 20 percent do. It was to have been a full feature video. I had met with a producer in Paris for half a day to develop the idea. It was freelance work and it was hard to schedule time to produce.

Nazz: Has there been anyone in Second Life that has influenced your work?

Cisko: Influences … there are a few whose techniques I like and what I've seen them do in post production … very intense and I've been amazed at how arty. I bookmark them and track to see what they're doing … how their work is evolving. I'm a moderator for a few machinima sites … it is very interesting to watch and see how they've grown.

Nazz: Where do you see your work headed in the next year or less?

Cisko: In six months to a year out … sitting on a formula for virtual TV and doing machinima and hoping for a better platform. There is a gap between machinima and computer animation and I can see that it will close one day. Voice and video is becoming more important … facial expression is limited. Puppeteer tools … head mesh will be a bridge.

Nazz: What advice would you give to aspiring machinima makers?

Cisko: My advice for those starting out … Doing it … start it, capture it and edit it … and don't forget audio. Determine what it is you want to do … for example a video of a SIM or event. You have to have an idea and then handle the techniques … once you learn them, know them … then you can focus on ideas.

48 Hour Machinima Flm Project Showing: “And the Winner is ...”

On Thursday November 12 at 1 PM SL time at a theater in Rasta Ventures, Chantal Harvey hosted the showing of some of the finalists in the 48 Hour Machinima Film Project.

“This is the third time that the 48 Hour Film Project has included machinima,” Chantal told the audience, “and has come to Second Life to screen and celebrate this wonderful event. This past weekend was not a regular weekend at all, as it was divided in 48 hours, for the tream leaders and their crew, ... working hard to produce a machinima ... I recall one team leader saying ‘I love a good deadline,’ and I wonder if that still stands.”

For the 48 Hour Machinima, people had to do a film, using Second Life or another virtual world, such as the World of Warcraft and Grand Theft Auto games. A few elements were required for each film. Among the characters, it had to have a baker named Bobby or Bobbi Stewart. There had to be a book somewhere in the machinima. And one of the lines had to be “Are you sure about that?”

“People usually underestimate the production time of a film in real life,” Chantal explained, “and more so perhaps for a machinima. I always say there is little to no difference, technically speaking, between the two. Your story has to be strong and suitable, and camera work, light, acting, music, sound, edit, if you do a job right, it is done as thorough as in so-called real life. What makes it harder for machinima is the lack of facial expressions, so emotion is a hard thing to bring across. Each engine/platform has its own advantages and disadvantages. Big advantage, is of course no cranes, no helicopters, no rails needed to make a nice smooth pan.”

The finalist would be shown with other films in the larger 48 Hour Film project, which the Machinima contest was part of, “These films will be shown in Las Vegas, April 2010. ... I am so proud to be the machinima producer. It gives me the opportunity to help a little bit towards the goal I have set myself, to bring machinima to the attention of the world. The 48 Hour Film Project is a wonderful organization, and it has given an opportunity to many filmmakers to learn, and show their work. ... I want to thank the 48HFP for coming to virtual worlds and creating this opportunity for machinima. The producers of the first two editions were true pioneers, we can hold them responsible for the start of this wonderful event.
Which brings me to saying thanks, to Panther Chenille, our guest of honour tonight. For ever in your debt! And thanks, to Christina, Mark, and Ben.”

The audience included some noted people in SL media such as Delinda Dryssen and Pooky Amsterdam. Blue Linden was also there.

The first film shown was last year’s winner, “Merry Christmas Frank,” a tale about an elderly actor being thrown out of his regular Santa gig, saying the act’s been changed to scantily clad girls, and they “don’t need anyone about to be dead,” but the old man finds a way to get revenge. Then there was “Among the Badgerman” by Jun Falkenstein of Falcom Productions/Obvious Films, which was late but finished so allowed to be shown even if it didn’t qualify. Filmed in World of Warcraft, it shows a stereotypical TV nature show host coming upon a village of “badgermen,” treating them like simple primitives, completely oblivious to the fact they spoke perfect English and know some of the finer points of modern life.

Unfortunately, it was about this time technical difficulties began to crop up, some no longer seeing the films, just a gray or white screen. For others they took longer to load, sometimes the display cutting off before coming to a close. Using voice was not allowed, but chat was. “I've never been to a movie with so much talking... lolz!” “Shush, Trick.” (TributeTim Kwak throws popcorn at Trick) “I'm not saying anything” ... *brushes the popcorn off his hair.*

Other movies shown included “Bobby’s Wedding Cake,” by Team Machinimatrix, a lighthearted romance about a baker determined to foil the plans of his stonehearted master to marry a young girl. Then there was “Baking With Bobby,” by Team Sound’r, a comedy in which a TV show baker runs to the TV studio late for work, collides with a strange figure, and hastily picking up what he thinks is his cookbook, the results turn out to be a recipe for disaster.

Then there was “At Bakerys End” by Team Ciscovan, a dramatic tale of a man pondering love and losing it. From Team Rediculous Studios, “What of the Baker,” filmed in the Fallout 3 game, a Western. From Grey Matter Films, “The Wisk Girl,” considered of the Superhero Genre. The last machinima shown was the “Ring of False God,” by Team Clark, a suspense thriller. Two corrupt cops try to intimidate a captured enemy into revealing what a dead man was trying to hide.

Following the films, Chantal then announced the winners of the various categories. Team Clark got the most wins, such as in Best Directing and Best Cinematography. The runner-up for best film was “What of the Baker” by team Rediculous Sandwich Studios. Finally came the big moment, “BEST FILM is ... ‘Ring Of False God,’ by Team Clark.” The audience went up in cheers, lots of people saying congratulations. Chantal then continued, “Actually, you have all won!!!!!! ... And I mean it when I say you all have won.”

People continued to congratulate the winners, and Chantal for her work, before heading out.



Best Film "Ring of False God" - Team Clark
Runner-Up "What of the Baker" - Team Rediculous Sandwich Studios

Best Directing: Team Clark
Best Writing: Team Clark
Best Acting: Rediculous Sandwich Studios
Best Editing: Team Clark
Best Cinematography: Team Clark
Best Sound Design: Sound’r
Best Use of Character: Machinimatrix
Best Use of Prop: Sound’r
Best Use of Line: Ideajuice
Best Atmosphere: Ciscovan
Best Musical Score: Sound’r
Best Costumes: Machinimatrix


“It was such a pleasure to do this. I feel for the teams, as I know how hard it is. ... Bye, and welcome, and thanks ... phew!”

Bixyl Shuftan

“The Life and Times of Uncle D” Machinima Premiers in Second Life

By Nazz Lane

I attended the premier of “The Life and Times of Uncle D” in second life on Thursday, October 1^st. The event and machinima were produced by The Virtual Worlds Story Project (TVWSP). TVWSP is a second life company, founded by Jena Ball (aka Jenaia Moran) and Martin Keltz (aka Marty Snowpaw), who have developed an approach to storytelling using second life as a “media”. Known as story quests, they are designed, “to engage, educate, and create community”. With the launch of “The Life and Times of Uncle D”, TVWSP tackles HIV/AIDS, where “participants will explore the life of an HIV-positive person known simply as Uncle D.” The machinima had been actively promoted and eagerly anticipated since first being introduced at the Second Life Community Convention in August of this year.

I arrived fifteen minutes ahead of the scheduled noon start time and took a seat in the rustic looking amphitheater where the film was to be shown. Several people had preceded me and I exchanged pleasantries with a few friends. While we waited, Cylindrian Rutabaga entertained us with a live piano performance. At the stroke of noon, Jenaia and Marty took their positions in front of microphones on the stage and began the event with an opening statement which was read into the chat log. The other members of the production team were seated on stage and included; Pathfinder Linden, Ariella Languish, Sawyer Quixote, and Emmy Emerald. Ms Morane spoke first, followed by Mr. Keltz.

“Welcome and thank you all for coming. My name is Jenaia Morane, and I am the co-founder and head Story Sleuth at The Virtual Worlds Story Project. Stories and storytelling – that remarkable ability we all share to suspend disbelief and step into a world of our own or another’s creation is what TVWSP is all about. We dream them, write them, collect them, preserve them, and for the first time here in Second Life, have had the chance to build and invite others into them to see, hear, touch, feel, and co-create them with us. We call these experiences “Story Quests.” Our latest Story Quest is entitled “The Life and Times of Uncle D.” It was imagined and created as a way to de-stigmatize and personalize the subject of HIV/AIDS by celebrating the life of someone known simply as Uncle D. But before we do, I’d like to introduce you to my partner on this journey of self -discovery through storytelling – Marty Keltz.”

When Jenaia Morane and I first met at the 2009 Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education conference, we immediately saw that we shared the same vision for the potential that Second Life offered as a purely creative medium. With Jenaia coming from a writing and journalism background, and me from film and television, our deeply held belief was that content trumps technology.”

Before the video began we were treated to the lovely voice of Ms Rutabaga who performed a rendition of a song by Missy Higgins, chosen by Jenaia for the event, “The Sound of White”.  As Cyl said later when I spoke to her, “it really fit the theme”.  After the song, Jen instructed the audience to click on our media players and launch The Life and Times of Uncle D.

I’d written an article that had appeared in this newspaper as the company prepared for the SLCC presentation. Jenaia had taken me on a tour of the set and we’d discussed the approach for the quest.   I’d also seen and been wowed by the trailer produced so I knew that I was in for a treat as the machinima began playing. The opening scene began with a letter to Marty Snowpaw , the Reluctant Quester, who is accompanied by his therapy dog Cice.  The quest adventure starts and they take us into and through the place where we’re introduced to Uncle D. It is through the imagery, their dialog and interaction with quest props that we’re drawn in as participants to explore the life this man.

I was completely captivated by the eight minute video and at the end, I typed out the following chat line; “Nazz Lane wipes a tear from his cheek and leaps to his feet and with hands clapping he joins the audience in a round of thunderous applause”.

After the applause died down, Ms Morane again spoke to the audience, thanking them and asking them to participate in the story.  She said, “Now that you’ve all experienced Uncle D for yourselves, I’d like to invite you to write a letter or poem or phone message to him. Imagine that you are a friend, relative, student, or colleague from school. What would you like to say to him? Take 15 minutes to write your message now.”

Many in the audience did respond to her request and the submissions were read aloud by members of the production team. Afterward the audience was invited to the Café Ristretto, located on Karuna Island for an evening of dancing and live music provided by Inchino Melson.

During the event I had to the opportunity to speak with filmmaker Ariella Languish (aka Ariella Furman), who had this to say about the video and the event. “This event was incredible! It's amazing how there was a moment during the reading of everyone's letters that there seemed to be this interconnectedness of time and space, where everyone was just one. I know how I felt, free, inspired, a little solemn and in realization of how delicate life is. I can't help but feel others felt the same way. It was a little surreal to see my work on a screen that large!”

I also spoke with Marty Snowpaw who told me, “Absolutely the highlight of the day and clear proof of what we are attempting was the writing submissions done by the audience.”

“Was the video everything you expected it to be?” I asked.

“It was more than I could have hoped for. Ariella is a film maker that is what makes all the difference. Machinima is just the technique, like any other form of animation. Then you have to make a film … tell a story.” He replied and then added, “The payoff is the quest … that's the 21st Century piece … that is where the revolution is and will happen … just like it did today listening to everyone's contribution.”

The Machinima 48 Hour Film Project

For those looking for an opportunity to show off a movie made online with a few friends, there is a media event coming later this fall that will allow them the chance: The Machinima 48 Hour Film Project.

“For the past two years, I've been a participant ...” Machinima producer Chantal Harvey explained in a notecard, “This year, I'm going to be the Machinima Producer. ... the dates for the Machinima 48HFP are set. It will be November 6th through the 8th. Registration has already begun, and slots are going fast, so sign up now!”

“Filmmakers compete to see who can make the best short film in only 48 hours. The winning film goes up against films from around the world. Enter today! Space is limited. Each completed film is guaranteed a screening in Second Life in front of a full audience. The winning Machinima team will compete against the other 75 city-winning films at the 48 Hour Film Project's Filmapalooza, our international screening and awards event. And this year, we are pleased to announce, that Filmapalooza is at the NAB Show in Las Vegas in April 2010! “

Meeting up with Chantal recently, she had a few more things to say in-avatar, “Oh the 48 Hour Film Project is a big one really. Seventy-five real-life films and machinima. ... People team up for this.” She explained this wasn’t just for those in Second Life, but other virtual places online, “All can enter, not just Second Life, it’s big. ... It works like this: 24 teams can enter of all engines, World of Warcraft, Grand Theft Auto, ... Half Life, Sims, ... all of them. Then we meet and team leaders are given for things ... they get they get a prop, a line, a character and a genre ... romance, western, drama, thriller, buddy, etc. ... and 48 hours to deliver a machinima. Twenty-four genres given at random. Musical too (laughter), so, should be fun.”

Chantal explained three teams had hooked up already, at the time of the discussion, so there was room for 21 more.

Those interested can enter at the website: http://www.48hourfilm.com/machinima/, and for any questions, email Chantal at machinima@48hourfilm.com. After the filming is done, the premiere screenings will be Thursday November 12, 1 PM and 5:30 PM SL time at the RastaOpen4 sim.

SLN Reporter Nazz Lane Appears on “The 1st Question,” Pooky Amsterdam Airs “Too Busy” SL Machimia

On Tuesday night at 7 PM SL time on September 8, Second Life Newspaper reporter and writer Nazz Lane appeared as a contestant on “The 1st Question,” a game show aired from within Second Life on treet.tv . He had been invited by host Pooky Amsterdam. Nazz was on the show with Lyr Lobo, Nuala Maracas, and Praxis Carling. Hydra Shaftoe cohosted with Pooky as they quizzed Nazz and the others in front of a packed audience at the show one described as “a cross between lunch with Albert Einstein, and the 1950’s style game show.”

Sorry to say Nazz didn’t win. Maybe next time.

Following the show, Pooky invited the audience to see her new machimia: “I’m Too Busy to Date Your Avatar!” The video was done in response to the popular online music video “Do You Wanna Date My Avatar" by “The Guild." Pooky had finished it some days ago, and word about it quickly spread.

“I saw the ‘Date Your Avatar’ at 398 views,” Pooky told Second Life Newspaper, “and laughed to myself and said, ‘I’m too busy to date. And then the phone call introduction sequence kicked in. The (song) started working with Draxtor (Despres), sent a small song sample, and it really took off from there. He brought in Samuels Dream ... the music was by me, Draxtor, and Samuels Dream.

The video had a number of avatars in it, with Kat2 Kit bringing in some Tiny friends, “Emmo (Wei) and Pet(love Petshop), on the !st Question and Rob(wag Soothesayer) has been with me from the beginning, as has Kat. They are all part of the show.”

So if you’re an SLebrty, or someone else not so famous who’s felt a little overwhelmed by your online life, this song is for you.

Bixyl Shuftan

Rezzable Search for the 12 best SL Machinimas

Rezzable is searching for the 12 best Machinimas made in SL.
From now till September 30th this blog is open to people nominating who -they think- is the best 12 to be represented in the upcoming Machinima Festival. Machinimas eligible for consideration are those that have been made between September 1, 2007 and September 30th, 2008 taken in Second Life.
So yes this means new, just released machinimas are eligible.
On September 30th, the nominations will be narrowed down to the top 24, where then voting will take place by YOU in deciding which 12 will participate in the festival.