Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
"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
“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 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.
“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.
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