A Conversation with SpaceJunky Lead Singer Shakti Cianci

By Nazz Lane

I had recently become acquainted with the publicist of SpaceJunky and had been invited by her to one of the band concerts on their island in Second Life. Impressed with the sound, the lighting, staging and the overall performance I asked if she could arrange for me to meet lead singer Shakti Cianci. A few days later, an instant message invitation and teleport request arrived from Bella Dutton which took me to directly to Ms Cianci’s residence. We had a short visit where we exchanged pleasantries and arranged for a date and time for an interview. In the time in between, I read through a press package along with a visit to the band’s web site (www.spacejunky.com) where I was able to listen to a selection of their recordings. Besides having been featured in CNN and in the Sony Acid Remix Contest, there have been many articles written about the band. Both the web site and press package told me that Shakti is also starting her very own TV show called Virtual Life and that the band is working on a soon to be released music video, “Star Tribe”.

On the appointed day and time, the teleport request arrived, as did I after I clicked on accept. Ms Cianci first came into view and we chatted while the site rezzed for me.

"Good to see you again." I said and added a smile.

"Hi Nazz … you to … Would you like to do the interview here, it’s nice and relaxing. Nazz this is Izzy." She said.

"Sure ... where ever you're the most comfortable." I said and then turned slightly to my right and added; "Hey Izzy, nice to meet you."

“Hey Nazz … .good to meet you." Izzy replied.

"Izzy is our photographer ... let’s go over here." She gracefully moved her avatar across an open space of water, toward several cushions. Both Izzy and I waited until she selected a cushion before we pointed, clicked and sat. The cushions contained meditation animations and we each begin to move according to the scripted pattern.

I'd moved my camera view to check out the immediate area and liked what I saw. "This is a nice area ... your build?"

"Yes this is part of SpaceJunky Island ... this is the healing area." She replied

"Meditation as a spiritual healing process?" I asked

"Yes … we have meditations here. I am a light worker in real life too, I do energy work and I am a hypnotherapist … spiritual healing." She answered and then added a smile.

"By the way I really enjoyed your playing on the song 'Chrystal Silence'. I listened to it several times yesterday morning on the web site." I commented as my avatar cycled into the next iteration of the animation.

"I had just come back from Tibet and was researching an ancient Tibetan symbol that came to me in a vision while I was working on the CD that Crystal Silence is from." She said.

“What was it that brought you into second life?” I asked her.

“It’s all inspired by my trip to Tibet and I kept coming across this blog called the flying monks with a picture that looked like a cartoon monastery and one day after discarding it on several searches, I decided to have a look and found it was a group in second life that were creating Tibetan monastery's that had been destroyed in the cultural revolution. I found it fascinating and so I came into second life to see what they were doing and then decided to bring my band in here to promote our CD.” She said in reply

“Can you tell me about why you chose the name ‘Shakti’?

“Shakti is divine feminine creative power. I wanted to be creative here and it felt right … plus it is a very spiritual sacred name … I am very spiritual … Shakti is responsible for creation.” She replied.

“Is it a Tibetan name?” I asked her.

“An Indian name … but a Dakini in Tibet is a form of energy which is also Shakti.” She replied.

 “Since being in second life has that influenced any changes to your music?”

“Not really … just allowed us to expand our vision and what the music is actually about … bring it to life. A Spacejunky is one who searches for cosmic truth and seeks to lengthen the space between thoughts … so we have created a community here for our fans based on that concept.” She said.

“Bringing it to life … is that a visualization of the music?” I asked her.

“Yes it’s allowed us to create the world that I live in my mind.” She answered.

“How long has the band been together?”

“Hmmm … I first started working on the project in 1993. It was a solo project then … and then later brought in the other two members.

“What do you see as the differences in performing live in real life as compared to a second life live performance?

“Well in some way not much difference ... both are performances just the delivery is different … one of the great things about second life is that you can interact with people here live in a way you can't in a real life concert. So that's very interesting … to have that real time connection.” She said in reply.

“I've spoken to performers and musicians who've said they miss the energy of a live crowd while on the second life stage, but enjoy that real time connection.” I commented.

 “Well most of the musicians here perform differently than us, they are playing and singing. We perform a ‘virtual concert’ using our CD so we are concentrating on providing a visual experience here along with the music we have already recorded. So we approach it differently. So in that way I don't miss the real time crowd because we are not trying to emulate a live performance … here it is more like performance art to us … so again a different approach. Second life is great for that lets you use your music in different ways.” Shakti commented.

“The TV show ‘Virtual Life’, how did that come about?” I asked.

“Stretch Mayo is a friend and had asked me some time ago about doing a TV show … so we talked about it and we share a similar vision … so we did a pilot episode.” She replied.

“Has Spacejunky performed in any other virtual worlds?”

“No ... this one keeps us too busy.” She said in reply and then added; “But we have been broadcast out of second life to the web in real time.”

“After the video ‘Star Tribe, what comes next for Spacejunky?”

“I’m thinking about doing a grid wide tour … we need to get out amongst the people again ... spread our wings a little. The island has been great but it has kept us a little insulated. Also, I work with a Tibetan real life foundation and I am going to India soon, we are building a school there. So I’d like to do something to help raise some money for it.” She said in reply and then added; “I need to talk to them about having their blessing to do something in second life as I work with a real Tibetan Lama.”

“How soon do you think the grid wide tour will begin?” I asked.

“I will start work on it in April after I go to India … we will begin planning.”

“Do you have any closing thoughts or comments you'd like to share with my readers?”

“I’d just like to say that Second Life is an amazing place and congratulate the people who create beauty here sometimes in spite of challenging situations.” She responded.

We chatted for a few minutes longer before I departed and I wished her good night as it was the end of her day in Australia while only the beginning of mine in the US. Several days after the meeting, I received a link from Bella with pictures taken during the interview (picasaweb.google.com/izzyatthecreek) by photographer Izzy Cole.

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.

A Conversation with Gayle Cabaret of Beta Business Park in Second Life

By Nazz Lane

It’s late Friday afternoon my local time and I’m about to wrap up for the day, having sorted through a busy week’s list of to do’s. I clicked close on the several open notecards and am about to on the inventory window when an instant message arrives:

1 pm on Friday. Wrap up the week with some mingling and networking at B2P's Black Sun. Share with fellow business people the best (or worst) thing you have found, learned, seen this week. We'll share landmarks and anecdotes and keep learning from one another!

Drinks are on the house, of course!

With journalistic instinct piqued and the added incentive of “drinks on the house”, I took the ride over.  Beta Business Park (B2P) is a project of Beta Technologies and had opened in mid September last year. B2P is “a community of businesses and the people who own, operate, and work at them”. The group charter goes on further to define the park community in that it “offers a different way to use Second Life … allowing easy connections between people, as well as convenient shared costs of common facilities”. I’d attended the opening event and wrote a short piece for my blog about it.

The session that Friday was facilitated by B2P’s General Manager Gayle Cabaret (Photo by Giovanii Fellini) who ably led the attendees through the hour long session where we shared, networked and learned. Impressed with the session and Ms Cabaret, I made arrangements to meet with her a few days later for a conversation about B2P and her second life. I arrived for the appointment early and was promptly greeted by a concierge when I did. While I waited for Gayle, several other avatars rezzed and were similarly greeted as well as assisted by the friendly and knowledgeable concierge.

Nazz: I’m impressed with the concierge service. Do you have 24x7 coverage?

Gayle: That's the goal, right now we strive for 6am to 6pm coverage ... and do a bit better than that. But with the call buttons, we at least know who to get back to in the morning. As you see, we are doing better than 6am already.

Nazz: What was it that brought you into Second Life?

Gayle: Oh goodness ... in short, knee surgery. I'd seen something about Reuters being here, then my partner came in poking around … and then I had surgery on my knee and was stuck at home in a recliner for weeks. I followed her in and almost didn't stay. I was not impressed, until I found the New England estate. The people there were an actual community and they showed me a bit of what this platform could really do … that, and they had beautiful sail boats all over the place. I don't think I left the estate at all for at least 6 months… maybe a shopping trip here and there.

Nazz: How was it then that you become involved with B2P?

Gayle: Well, in a living example of how social this platform is; after I found NE, I got a greeter job there due to my almost constant availability. I moved up quickly, within a matter of weeks I was helping the managers host events and started working on retail management there. Then the estate was sold to its current owner, Sudane Erato and she got me with the deal.  I have been managing the village/commercial operations there for three years now. Sudane brought me to the attention of the partners of Beta Technologies, she works with them, too.  They brought me in on early planning discussions for building the community here. They knew they needed someone with the event/community/estate management staff to do this and the rest, as they say, is history.

Nazz: As general manager, your primary responsibility is in managing the event/community/estate management staff?

Gayle: They have put this project pretty much completely in my hands. B2P has a mission of its own, of course ... the community and offering the office space with shared facilities. But this also serves as a sort of front office for Beta Technologies so, we are constantly working with people looking for help on virtual world projects. BT has a very deep bench, so I am comfortable telling our visitors "if it can be done in a virtual world, BT can help you do it. If it can't be done, we can tell you why and probably offer you an alternative."

Nazz: How many events are held here in an average week?

Gayle: Let's see … SL 101 every day, Grace is running her classes three times a week, my forum is twice a week and we usually have two mixers, at least and I've added the show and tell and then Metanomics …  so sixteen and we're not done yet.

Nazz: That’s a good amount. On average, how many "new" to second life people pass through here?

Gayle: Well, since we are an official Community Gateway, that number is huge. I can tell you, if I open the report from LL, how many landed in our orientation area just through the gateway last month and, of course, there are many who find us other than the gateway. You're familiar with the program?

Nazz: The community gateway program, yes.

Gayle: Great … in December we got 1257 through the gateway program, alone. Judging from our metrics, the landing spot at the orientation area has already had 742 hits this month.

Nazz: That’s a pretty good clip. Do you query entrants on why they chose the B2P community gateway, if so what sort of responses are generally given?

Gayle: Well you really haven't experienced life until you've tried to wrangle newcomers. We are in the process of developing a short list of questions to get that info … those who are truly here for business purposes tend to move a little more slowly, they stand still and actually talk to us. Others find the 'fly' button very quickly and they are a completely different story. We know that many who come through this gateway simply picked something from the list and clicked, without considering. We try to help them all but the point is to be there as an option for those who are making a considered decision about what they want to do here.

Nazz: As a business park, what services do you offer to the businesses located here?

Gayle: Well, space, of course … but you can find space anywhere. We also provide tenants with the chance to share resources … meeting space, the auditorium, the orientation area, club… no need to build their own. Also the presence of our staff here ... it not only supports BT, but our tenants, as well ... built in estate management. But, really the most important thing we offer is service with the staff here, our community members can come to us with any question from 'how do I make my hair fit right?' to "I have this huge idea ... how do I make it happen?"I take the word 'concierge' very seriously if we don't have the answer immediately, we'll get it quickly and respond.

Nazz: What do you see on the horizon for B2P … let’s say in six months to year out?

Gayle: We'll be announcing the dates for our 2nd semiannual Leadership in Business conference shortly. It will be late April, and then planning for a third for October. We're going to be adding some wonderful tools to our office builds to assist with collaboration and we're working on the pilot of a new business show for treet.tv. We'll be adding more and more programming to our weekly schedule.  I've got a long list of requests for professional development topics and I intend to provide as many as possible.  What else ... continuing to build the community, because, as I keep preaching, we are each other's best resource networking and conversation are vital so I just keep trying to provide ways to make that happen.

“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.”

Artists 4 Mercy

By Nazz Lane

An instant message awaited my arrival in-world and when I replied with a brief “hey” she sent a TP request rather than a text acknowledgement. I accepted the request, and arrived at Ravenhart SIM where the Fierce Tibetan Gods were performing. A large crowd was on hand and the band sounded great. I sent her an instant message thanking her for the ride over and asked what time had it started to which she replied that it was nearly over.

“It’s a benefit fundraiser; it would be a good story for you to cover Nazz.” She said and then added, “Money is flowing in … just had one for 10K and one for 15K. The money is going to Artists 4 Mercy.”

I was about to ask her who I could speak to about the event when I spotted Anu Papp, who wore a group name tag “Artists4Mercy”. So I thanked Robin for the lead and clicked on Ms Papp’s name, opened an IM window and introduced myself. We had a brief exchange; she was rather busy at the moment wrapping up the event activities and thanking the band and crowd for their generosity. She suggested that I come back the following day and she would be happy to talk about the Artists 4 Mercy and give me a tour of Ravenhart.

She’d also sent me a link to the organizations web site where I discovered that Artists 4 Mercy is a subsidiary of the Gaia's Lap Foundation Inc., a non-profit charitable organization founded by Anu (aka Lori Anu Lesch) where she serves as executive director. The foundation’s primary purpose “is to provide assistance to orphanages globally based upon a thorough assessment of their immediate needs for wellness”. The subsidiary is an all volunteer program that provides artistic and non artistic members an opportunity “to connect to each other through arts”, increasing awareness and providing assistance to the “needs of children in orphanages”.

I arrived at Ravenhart where Anu and I exchanged greetings. We stood just outside of the foundation’s headquarters, while I waited for the site to come into view. We then walked up the few steps through a wide opening and onto a black and white checkered floor in the foyer. On the right was an open area with desk and chair along with information on the foundation and several of Ms Papp’s other activities. I turned my view slightly to the left, noted a staircase leading up and a video room adjacent to the stairway.

“When we met yesterday, I knew your name sounded familiar and I think I’ve seen you perform.” I commented.

“I’m a musician in real life and have released three albums … the last one in 2002. I perform live, me and my piano … just not as often. We also have a radio station, its commercial free for Indie artist’s … at its height we had over 35000 listeners in 100 countries ... it’s not a public station now. It can be heard at the Lost Garden of Apollo. We make it available to SIM owners for $50 USD per month.” She said.

“This is a nice build Anu. By the way how did yesterday’s fundraiser go?” I asked.

“The concert bought in $200 USD and we have another concert set for next Sunday. Come upstairs, there are some things I’d like to show you.” She replied.

On the way towards the stairway I commented about the placard on the wall with the Gaia’s Lap Foundations mission and vision. I asked her. “When did the foundation start?”

“The foundation started in 2003, its non religious and a nonprofit. It is about helping the kids out and keeping the arts alive … it’s not about money.” She replied then added, “I’ve owned Ravenhart for a year now. I’m passionate about what I do and pay for the SIM out of my own pocket. The SIM consists of artists who donate their time and their work. There are a lot of people who have their hands in it. They've all contributed to making it what it is. Here’s a list of those who are involved.”

She passed me a note card with the following information on who is involved and what they do:

Barton Dowd, Video and Sound Engineer

Ulysses Cabaret, Artist and Creator

bark Aabye, Photographer

Trasgo Beaumont, Clothing Designer

Jenne Dibou, Builder of the Taj Mahal

Eleynora Wisent, Furniture Creator

Gaius Luminos, Fierce Tibetan Gods

Raielien Ackland, Clothing Designer and Builder

We then toured the second floor, which contained both a small gallery and a room where she makes cards, using the affirmations that she’d written. Having gone back down to the first floor and on the way to our next stop, I asked her how Artists 4 Mercy had started.

“Well it’s an artist’s network and it developed out on the internet. The arts can inspire and heal … we want it to be an important part of children’s lives … enhance their minds and spirit. It’s all volunteers and we’ve connected to each other … to make music and arts a more significant part of their lives.” She replied.

Having made our way across a stone walkway that sat alongside a canal the Indian Palace came into full view and it was an impressive structure. The pale colored stone texture took on a pinkish hue when I set the environment to sunset. We entered the building and made our way to the top floor where one could view the surrounding structures that included a coffeehouse and the events area where Sunday’s performance had been held.

“I understand from an article you’d given me that you’re planning a trip to Uganda. Is that one of the foundations projects? ” I asked.

“Yes, the Mercy Home of Children Orphanage in Kampala, Uganda. Our process begins with a needs assessment ... to look at and make sure that the basic needs are taken care of before doing anything else. We may end up procuring a school bus so they can travel safely. The arts will be a component of the trip as well.” She replied and then added, “We’ve worked here locally as well … a community center in a traditional Navajo dwelling … using it for art and then there’s the recording of songs performed by the students. The foundation provided finance for the project and equipment along with providing expertise.” She replied.

Our last stop on the tour was up and into the Linden sky, to visit the location of the Royal Family of the Court de Boheme. It is an elaborate complex of buildings that included; a grand ballroom which was reminiscent of one I had visited in Vienna, a palace with bedrooms for the royal family members and replete with a throne room for formal receptions, a small but highly detailed church and a courtyard where the changing of the guard ceremony is performed. She explained to me that in the role play she is Anna Jagellonica, Reine de Bohème and Hungary, and that her role is based on a real life persona, who had been born in 1503. It is the longest running role play court in second life.

“The Fire King” author in Second Life

By Nazz Lane

Several weeks ago, I received an instant message inviting me to special event at the Athena Writers Island to meet and listen to the noted author Marjorie M Lui (aka MarjorieMLiu India in Second Life) to talk about her latest book, “The Fire King”. She discussed the book, which is the latest release in her Dirk & Steele Series and talked of her other series, Hunter Kiss along with being a writer and author. I took the ride over to listen in and enjoyed the next hour scrolling through the chat lines of questions from the dozen or so avatars assembled and Ms Lui’s replies. I unfortunately had to leave before the events completed, but shortly after, I was contacted by her in-world representative, Cheepoka Laval and we discussed my meeting with Ms Lui in-world for an interview.

After an exchange of e-mails the scheduled date and time arrived as did Marjorie after accepted my teleport request. We met at the headquarters of the SL Newspaper.

Nazz: Hello Marjorie, it’s nice to meet you.

MarjorieMLiu: Hello, again! It's great to meet you, too. I'm still trying to get a hang on this thing.

Nazz: I’m assuming you'd not spent too much time then in second life so far.

MarjorieMLiu: No, I haven't been back since that last chat.

Nazz: I saw in an e-mail that Cheepoka (aka Taughnee Stone) wasn’t able to join us.

MarjorieMLiu: I saw that, too. She's great -- a wonderful person, and a fantastic designer.

Nazz: She's handling your PR in second life?

MarjorieMLiu: Yes.

Nazz: How did you find out about second life?

MarjorieMLiu: Through Taughnee. I tried to use it more than a year ago, and got scared away by the avatars themselves -- I just couldn't get mine to work. In preparation for that book chat, though, Taughnee worked with me.

Nazz: You weren’t scared away by rude behavior I hope.

MarjorieMLiu: Oh, no, just the technical aspects of it all. And, of course, SL is the same as RL in the sense that if you don't know anyone, you'll still feel awkward.

Nazz: Yes, that's true. Have you done any exploration of second life, like going to a live music event, an art exhibit or shopping yet?

MarjorieMLiu: No, none of that.

Nazz: I wasn't able to stay for the entire book chat when you appeared, how did that go for you?

MarjorieMLiu: It was fantastic. I loved the forum, and the ease of reaching out to so many people from the comfort of home. And the avatars! Everyone was so beautiful! I mean, seriously -- in RL, how many chances would a person have to chat about books in a beautiful library on the sea?

Nazz: Not very many. Are you aware of some the writing groups that exist in SL?

MarjorieMLiu: No, I'm not. Are there many?

Nazz: There's several ... the Written Word is perhaps the largest ... in fact there's a large event coming up next month where they are the sponsor … Autumn Writers Exchange.

MarjorieMLiu: What kind of event?

Nazz: It’s basically a three day event ... one can set up a virtual booth ... there are writing and poetry competitions … live readings by authors … concerts.

MarjorieMLiu: Sounds very cool! Do you participate, or just cover it for the SL newspaper?

Nazz: Both, I wrote an article on it and did a reading last year

MarjorieMLiu: What did you read?

Nazz: Some of my own fiction and a piece I did for the SL newspaper.

MarjorieMLiu: Nice, any particular genre?

Nazz: I use SL as a backdrop for my characters ... the main character is a lawyer from Chicago. He meets and falls in love with a woman in SL.

MarjorieMLiu: That's very cool. Do people publish books in SL?

Nazz: Yes they do, I've published five chapters of my serial novel.

MarjorieMLiu: Is there a bookstore type place where you keep them, so that people can browse through the fiction?

Nazz: There are several different types of venues in SL, bookstores are one of them

MarjorieMLiu: Are there virtual books -- in essence, where people can "live" the story? I'm not sure that makes sense, what I just wrote.

Nazz: There are role play SIM’s, areas where people take on the guise of a character … wild west days, like Colorado and Deadwood and science fiction SIM’s. Some are quite extensive in their set up, like the Dr. Who series for example.

MarjorieMLiu: Sci-fi SIMs sounds cool. Wow! Dr. Who? Love that show … and Torchwood.

Nazz: In your latest book, “The Fire King” is set in central Asia, you'd commented about being fascinated by that region of the globe, what’s so intriguing about it for you?

MarjorieMLiu: I've always been fascinated with nomadic cultures, and that area is rich with history -- partially because of the Silk Road. Many cultures and people passed through Central Asia and you can see it in the faces of the men and women who still live there.

Nazz: Have you visited the area?

MarjorieMLiu: Close. I've been near the border to Mongolia. The region is beautiful.

Nazz: I think I saw some where were you'd commented on character development by thinking of the character and after then where to set them, is that a fair representation of how and what was it about Soria that said silk road and central Asia?

MarjorieMLiu: Yes. I'm a very organic writer. In the case of THE FIRE KING, I had originally thought about setting it in the American Southwest, but it wasn't isolated enough for what I thought the characters had to go through.

Nazz: You'd also commented on listening to loud music while developing your characters, what were you listening to with Soria?

MarjorieMLiu: Gosh, I need to pull up iTunes! I think I listened to a lot of Imogen Heap and other stuff. I'm all over the board from Alternative to R&B to Greatest Hits of the 80's.

Nazz: You had commented in your appearance at the book chat, that your next book is set in the South China Sea, what drew you to that area?

MarjorieMLiu: My research on piracy. That area has a lot of trouble with pirates.

Nazz: It does have that reputation.

MarjorieMLiu: Yup. One of the most successful pirates in history was a former Chinese prostitute who sailed those seas several hundred years ago.

Nazz: Oh wow!

MarjorieMLiu: That's what I said! She needs to have a book written about her.

Nazz: Are you planning for more appearances in SL or other virtual worlds?

MarjorieMLiu: I hope so. No specific plans at the moment, but I would guess that around my next solo release, next year...I'd like to come back. I actually have an anthology coming out at the end of October, called Never After. Then, another anthology in January, called Inked.

Nazz: I know you're just about out of time … any closing thoughts or comments to share with my readers?

MarjorieMLiu: Just that I think this is a wonderful place, with so many creative possibilities. I think you've made a wonderful community here.

Tonight Live with Paisley Beebe, 23 August

Featuring Nazz Lane, AMForte Clarity and Wiz Norberg

Our very own Nazz Lane appeared recently on Tonight Live with Paisley Beebe. A very skilled interviewer himself, Nazz was on the receiving end this time. Speaking to Nazz just prior to the show, he did not seem the least bit nervous. I, of course, had no doubt he would be brilliant as he spends much of his time here in SL interviewing others, I had every confidence he was prepared and anticipated the types of questions he would be pressed to answer.

Nazz was the first guest. After some sound checks and double checks, Paisley began. Initial bleed over (for lack of a better way to describe it) with each of the speakers made it a bit difficult to follow. The engineers went to work and quickly straightened it out, and the interview proceeded.

Nazz explained he began his journalistic endeavors with Lane's List, a personal account of his experiences in SL. He later stumbled across an ad for the SL Newspaper in his travels and thought he might enjoy writing stories about SL and other events in SL. He contacted the owners, JamesT Juno and Dana Vanmoer, and was given an opportunity for a trial run, for which he was both grateful and excited. This has blossomed into a nearly full time career in SL and he has produced numerous articles and stories for the paper, as well as other publications, including New Vibe magazine, to name one.

Paisley inquired of Nazz what it is about SL that makes good journalism and why he thinks so many people ask him to write for them. Nazz replied he believes it is the fact that he tries to get to the "who" of an individual, to understand who they are, and what motivates them to do what they're doing in SL. He also tries to uncover what drew an individual into SL and what holds him or her in. Understandably, this requires him to be able to keep track of who's doing what in SL and keep his finger on the virtual "pulse" of SL events. He does this via blogs, twitter, RSS feeds, as well as art forums, such as Pirates, Angelgate and Diablos, to keep up on events in the art scene.

Nazz has recently completed the first 5 chapters of his SL book, Borders of Our Lives. The story Is based loosley on the characters in SL, relationships and experiences, from the newbie experiences on. The main character, Jeffrey Goff, is author Jeffrey Stone and RL attorney. Jeff is quickly befriended by a female mentor, who shows him the SL ropes, gets him clothes, hair, etc. Once acclimated, Jeff realizes how it is affecting his RL and finds it difficult to separate the two worlds. (A truer statement I have not heard).

Paisley asked how much of the book was autobiographical versus lives and experiences of people he has met in his SL travels or perhaps people he has interviewed. Nazz acknolwedged he has met many people here, some of whom he absolutely loves and adores and would also like to meet in RL. What Nazz really hopes to achieve with the book is to provide a vehicle by which to bring the SL experience to those outside of SL who have never experienced a virtual world. He tries to achieve this goal through the narrative and also through the dialogue of the characters. Nazz finds it mind boggling that, despite the lack of tactile senses in world, somehow we have a sense of how people feel, how something smells or feels, or the experience of dancing with someone and actually feeling like we are touching them. I think any of us in SL would agree with this, as odd a concept as it may be. This is a diffcult concept to portray to someone who has not experienced SL. It's amazing what our own imaginations can do. Nazz attributes it to the fact that many of us, in our first lives, are engaging in various forms of communication daily, whether it is for the job, via instant messaging or texting, or for some other form of personal enjoyment.

The book can be purchashed via his business office on Tranquil found in Nazz's picks in his profile, or by sending him an IM directly. (Author's Note: Tranquil has since been sold and interested persons should IM Nazz directly to get a copy of Borders of Our Lives.)

According to Nazz, he had always wanted to be a writer in RL but had never tried it. Since he began writing in SL, Nazz has taken steps to hone his craft and hopes to transcend the realm into RL in the future. I am sure we will also enjoy his book when all planned 12 chapters are completed; I anxiously await the final chapter.

Following Nazz was singer/songwriter AMForte Clarity. I have heard AM many times and was compelled to join her group. A very talented performer with a surprisingly refreshing sound, AM spoke about her life growing up in a small village in a suburb or Toronto, Canada.

After performing a song, AM took her place on the couch with Paisley. When asked how she chose her SL name, AM revealed that AM are her RL initials, standing for Anna Maria, her true name. Forte is actually her RL last name so, as she said, she does not hide anything.

AM recounted a bit of her childhood, claiming it was tough growing up and schools were difficult. She noted she was "so uncool" as a kid. Family life was also a struggle for AM. Her family being very religious, she was not permitted to listen to secular music. Of course she did, being the rebel that she was (and still is by her own admission). AM believes being a bit of a rebel sort of keeps it all real and reminds us we are alive as we go through our sometimes mundane, routine filled lives, governed by schedules and "must do" activities. She left home at age 20 to go to North Carolina for school.

Having escaped from the small town environment in which she was raised, AM began looking for love, admittedly in all the wrong places. I can definitely relate to that! A true poetess at heart, AM began turning her prose into songs, setting the words to music. SL has helped AM grow her RL music career. Her website, AMForte.com, includes 5 professionally recorded songs, many other songs she has written that are new and yet to be recorded, and about "300 ideas for other songs," she said, laughing. She has been putting very much effort into getting her RL career off the ground for the past 4 or 5 years, sending demos out to multiple producers, etc. , even including, in some cases, lavish gifts. This she said chuckling, claiming she had heard this was the way to go. Unfortunately, it got to be a bit pricey but she continues to try. You have to admire her tenacity. AM would love to do a RL tour with other SL musicians. My wheels started turning when I heard this. I have ideas for her.

The thing that keeps AM going, she claims, is she nearly died at one point, she did not elaborate, but it opened her eyes. She decided she needed to really start living having been given this second chance at it. This has made her decide that what she really wants to do is sing and write songs rather than have a boring 9-5 job, no matter how profitable it may be. She hopes her songs may help save some lives, through people identifying with the lyrics and the emotions in her songs.

As a poet myself, I can relate to the introversion and using writing as an outlet to express those thoughts and feelings, bourne from our RL experiences, when perhaps times were not always very happy. Listening to AM describe her life's struggles through growing up with strict parents who did not allow her to do much of anything, and often feeling out of place in her environment, I truly felt as though I were looking in a mirror, seeing a reflection of myself and my own life (minus the near death experience). The similiarities were truly uncanny. This interview gave me welcome insight into this talented musician, songwriter, and poetess.

Wrapping up the show was Treettv CEO, Wiz Norberg. Paisley described Wiz as somewhat of a "quiet achiever" with not much written about him, and a real "mover and shaker in SL" due to the content of Treettv, which is fast on its way to becoming one of the biggest media outlets in SL. Wiz says he will appear on some shows, but generally he is so busy making things, he doesn't have much time. The best interviews he's done are with people who have a clue about what he does here in SL, so those interviews go well and are enjoyable for Wiz--much like talking shop to a colleague.

Treettv has been producing 14-15 shows per week generally, for the last 18 months or so. Wiz stated that while it is difficult to know how many people are watching the productions at any given moment, many people watch after the fact, which is why Treettv makes media available via many different options, to accommodate the global community's schedules.

Paisley posed the question that, because there is so much online media available to folks, how is Treettv planning to compete with that? Wiz doesn't believe it is a competion, TV is fun and everyone knows it's graphics they are looking at. "The real competition we have are what other people are doing with their time...because television itself is just .... we're interested in new ways people consume things." Audiences are amazingly committed to the shows on Treettv according to Wiz. He sounded very surprised by this.

Paisley noted that Treettv itself is nearly about to be launched from the former SLCN TV. Wiz clarified that Treettv is already launched and people are watching it a lot inworld. The changes are more due to better production and high definition TV, but the real change is the launch of the website, which is geared to expanding the audience and use the web more effectively. One of the problems they are facing is that so many people are involved for a mere one hour show. Treettv has 3 full time people and various others, and the whole endeavor becomes somewhat expensive. Wiz believes the website will help with this. Wiz would like to turn the virtual island they are on into a bit more of a showcase, complete with museum. The studio Wikipicture project they are currently involved with is a bit of an experience, and it remains to be seen how it will all unfold.

Paisley acknowledged that much of the SL video/media available closely mimmicks RL, citing the example that her SL studio for the talk show is very like a RL TV talk show set. Wiz believes that what happens in SL is just a mirror of our real lives, using the example of journalism, and splitting things into chapters just as in RL. People have tried to do some different forms of writing, but there are "certain ways that we engage in art" and television is a reflection of our current lives. Some shows, such as Simboarding or The Snails, are ideas completely off the beaten path of what we would consider normal, reflective TV. The people factor is that we just want to learn about each other, which I personally is a normal, valid, human response.

This was a great show and to her credit, Paisley is a very skilled and talented interviewer. She exhibits terrific poise and quickly puts her guests to ease. Check out Paisley Beebe on Tonight Live weekly, some of your favorites may be the target of one her shows.

By Shellie Sands

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

Brother and Sister Team Up in Second Life to Support Relay for Life

By Nazz Lane

While working on a story, I’d been introduced to Renfew Sperber who along with her brother msw Tomorrow own the Callidora SIM in Second Life. As we chatted about the upcoming event, she told me of her brother’s struggle with cancer and of their efforts on behalf of the “Relay for Life” activities in Second Life and of their ongoing fundraising activities for the American Cancer Society. I found their story compelling and had hoped to meet with both for a conversation. We exchanged e-mails and in-world IM’s to set up a date and time for the three of us to meet. It was unfortunate that msw was unable to join us as his real life job interceded, but he agreed that Ren could speak for him since she was integral to the efforts at Callidora.

Nazz: What was it that brought you into Second Life?

Renfew: Initially I came in to research the viability of the second life platform for my real life work. I was challenged by our engineers to come up with a way to provide more worldwide communication and peer-to-peer collaboration opportunities to them. We are dispersed ... seven countries. So this was a big challenge. I bought a copy of Wired to read on the plane trip back from France and stumbled on an article about IBM and what they were doing in second life at that time (2007). Light bulbs started going off in my head and after a couple of months I built up the courage to come in to research a bit more.

Nazz: Does your company still use second life?

Renfew: My company never bought into the idea … a little too new and untested, although they did seriously consider my proposal. It is really following this initial testing of the waters that the story of our lives, mine and my brother’s … and our evolution in second life begins.

Nazz: When you started, had msw already been diagnosed with cancer?

Renfew: Yes, he had been diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2007. In fact, he spent his birthday that year in the hospital room after having had this diagnosis and three feet of his colon removed. He was in chemo at the time that I found out about second life and came in. I needed a partner in crime, and could not think of a person more likely to support this and see the potential of the technology and least likely to laugh me out of the room. I told him about it and the next day he had an avatar and was here. He has been amazing and inspiring.

Nazz: Is that when you both became involved with Relay for Life?

Renfew: Yes, we had purchased the islands and developed them to create a test site for the work project. During that same time msw joined the survivors group in second life. It was amazing for him. He had not responded well to his chemo and was very sick. In real life there was not a local survivors group within easy commute distance, so the second life survivors group became a lifeline for him. In the group he met many people and through them he became involved in Relay for Life. Also I need to mention Dolcebella Zabaleta. Dolce is msw's real life wife. She also came in and comes to most of the concerts. So this is real family thing. She has been incredibly supportive of him, me, and this entire journey. Ishtar Roux has been our team captain for the past two relays. After the work project fell through we seriously had to reconsider what we wanted to do with the island(s) and our second life journey. We decided to use the islands for hosting benefit concerts to raise money for RFL. This started in early 2008. After the relay ended, we decided that we wanted to continue to raise money year-round for the American Cancer Society. msw contacted them and made arrangements for special kiosks to be made to allow us to make direct donations year-round. We launched these benefits October 2008 to supplement the RFL season.

Nazz: How many islands do you own?

Renfew: We have just the two, Callidora and Kleio.

Nazz: Callidora is for events?

Renfew: Callidora Beach is the home to our benefit concerts. We have had the great gift to be able to work with some amazing talent and this just would not have happened without them. From October 2008 to July 2009 we raised just a little under $6,200 USD for the ACS.

Nazz: With the end of RLF, will you be doing same this year?

Renfew: We plan to kick off in October again. Finalizing the schedule now, but typically we've run the events the third Saturday of every month. We will continue through July 2010 and the take August and September off as we did this year. Our goal is to break $8,000 USD this year.

Nazz: How is msw doing, he’s still in remission I hope?

Renfew: msw is doing great. He is still in remission and we are incredibly thankful and humbled by this. I wish he was here to tell you about his experiences as a survivor in second life. A number of months ago the survivor group pulled together a number of survivors and had them share their stories with the rest of the survivor groups. msw participated and told his story, along with a number of others. I was totally blown away … sitting on this side of the screen, just listening and watching the chat, truly left me without breath. The power of the ways that second life can provide community and support to individuals that are in such situations was very clear and incredibly moving.

Nazz: It sounds like an incredible journey for you both.

Renfew: He is my only brother and we are very close. I was there with him and his family after the surgery ... to be able to have him here is an amazing gift. We live in different parts of the US and second life was a way to keep very close during this time in his life. We joked that we talked more in a single week after second life than we had in a month before that. Put on the headsets and there you go! It has been so very wonderful, being able to share all of this with him. And look at what he created … this beautiful … beautiful place. An architect in real life, this was a way for him to really exercise his imagination and became a healing place for him. I wish I could find the words, you know, to really articulate all of this … there is a great deal of emotion involved.

Nazz: Any closing thoughts or comments you'd like to share with my readers?

Renfew: I think that the one thing that comes to mind is that the journey in second life is not always the one you think it will be. Serendipity steps in and the process you, the vision you have, the work you do evolves. msw and I talk about this a great deal. We found things here, and in ourselves through being here, that we could not have possibility imagined. Being open to possibility and embracing it is a big part of the second life experience.

Nazz Lane under the spotlight...............

Usually you will see Nazz here at SL-Newspaper interviewing various people, one of his specialities, Nazz is a great interviewer.
A few days ago Paisley Beebe turned the tables on Nazz and interviewed him for 'Tonight Live'
Click the image to watch the interview or copy the URL into your browser window:

http://archive.treet.tv/tonight-live-paisley-beebe-23aug09

Great Lakes Machinama Festival in Second Life

By Nazz Lane

On Sunday, the 16^th of August, the first Great Lakes Machinama Festival was held at Memphis Smoke, a well known blues establishment in suburban Detroit. The festival also billed itself as a “mash-up” or “mixed reality” event, as both a real life crowd watched the festivities along with avatars from the virtual world of second life at the Callidora Beach Concert Stage. Making her second life debut was Liz Larin, who took the stage at Memphis Smoke performing an hour set, while her avatar Miz1000 Hirszhorn appeared simultaneously on stage at Callidora. The festival was sponsored by the Stratton Foundation, a private foundation located in Metropolitan Detroit, with “a mission to help students learn, discover and develop successful careers in science and technology”. The event began at 5 pm EDT (2 pm PDT/SLT) and was free in both realities. The foundation used the event as “a benefit to raise funds for scholarships for students studying entertainment arts at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit”.

When I’d first heard about the festival, I had to read the notice twice. I thought, “Wow! A mixed reality event happening in my own back yard” and I knew that I had to be a part of it. I followed a link to the Stratton Foundation web site and uncovered more information about the festival. I also saw that the foundation produced a regular podcast series, one of which had been recorded in SL with Callidora owner Renfew Sperber. The next time in-world, I tracked down avatar Doug Dratman (aka Douglas Stratton) President of the foundation and introduced myself via IM. Doug and I met in second life shortly after that for a brief discussion about the festival and second life. We then made arrangements to meet in real life when the time for the event drew near.

On the day of our meeting as I drove, the thought occurred to me that its right around now in many of the articles where I write, “I ported over to meet ...” However for this article I’m in my car driving north on the freeway to meet with Doug at a local restaurant. We arrived within seconds of each other and shook hands as a waiter escorted us to a table on the patio outside. The day was near perfect and we joked about it being like every day in SL as the sky, with nary a cloud in sight, looked much like a “Linden” sky.

“Tell me, how did you find out about second life Doug?” I asked

“I read an article in the Detroit Free Press. I spent a few months poking around the edges, feeling a bit odd and reluctant to jump in.” He replied.

“What was it that got you and the Stratton Foundation engaged then?”

“I found a guide book about second life, it helped me to understand it a lot better. From there I created an account and logged in, finding myself at Orientation Island. It was a very unusual experience, interacting with other avatars … socializing. We discussed as a board doing more in virtual worlds and it was my son who became engaged with Callidora. We found out about the work there on the cancer fundraising and established a connection with Renfew and her brother msw tomorrow.”

“And that led to doing the Great Lakes Machinama Festival as a mixed reality event?” I asked.

“We had a series of meeting with them to understand and plan this out. It’s been a wonderful experience for us.” He replied and then added, “I hope you don’t mind, but I invited two others people to lunch with us, both have been part of the team working on the technical side of things with both venues.”

We were joined at lunch by Tom Lavigne and Joseph Craig, both from IDEAcore, a Detroit based Technology Company. We exchanged thoughts and commentary on the event, the promise of virtual world technology for entertainment and the arts, along with my experiences in second life. The luncheon over, the three departed to the venue for a test run in preparation for Sunday’s event and I returned home to write up my notes.

In world once again, I contacted Renfew Sperber, owner of the Callidora SIM. She had this to say about the event. “This is a very exciting project and working with the Stratton’s, Liz and the rest of the Detroit team an amazing experience. We are thrilled to be a part of this and honored to host Liz's mash-up debut in Second Life. The opportunity to work with an organization that is fostering art and technology education and to provide further exposure of the positive aspects of Second Life and the potential of the technology is something that I am very passionate about. The Stratton Foundation is creating an important bridge that showcases the way that virtual technology can be used to foster real world projects.”

On the day of the festival, I made the drive to Memphis Smoke, excited at being on the RL side of the screen at a mixed reality event. I wasn’t disappointed. When I arrived it had just begun as Doug introduced the first of fourteen Machinama selected for the event. Taking over as MC for a brief period during the presentation was Scott Bogoniewski from the college, who introduced and provided commentary on the entries created by students of the school. The last one presented to the Memphis Smoke crowd was the Stratton Foundation’s prize winner, “Made of Sound”. The Machinama had been created by Jayna Shropshire, a student at the College for Creative Studies who used the song written and performed by Liz Larin, as the basis for her scholarship winning entry. Ms Larin had won an award in her own right for the song and she accompanied the presentation of the video with a live performance of “Made of Sound”. With the viewing of Ms Shropshire’s entry complete, a short pause occurred as connections were made to second life and then Liz Larin took the stage, virtual and real to perform a one hour set where she rocked both worlds with a range of selections, original and covers.

Stories without Borders Quest Workshop at the 2009 SLCC

By Nazz Lane

The 2009 Second Life Community Convention takes place in San Francisco and starts on Thursday the 13th of August, lasting four days it ends on Sunday the 16th. The real life people attending the SLCC, coming out from behind the keyboards of their second life avatars, will convene at the convention in order "to have fun and to learn about the many activities within the metaverse". One such learning activity is a workshop entitled "Stories without Borders Quest". The workshop is scheduled for the second day of the convention, the 14^th of August beginning at 11 am. The workshop will be led by Jenaia Morane (aka Jena Ball) and Marty Snowpaw (aka Marty Keltz) and is centered on "the theme of experiencing and celebrating the lives of those dealing with HIV/AIDS". The SLCC Stories without Borders Quest workshop is being sponsored by The Rezory, a RL / SL entity which bills itself as a “virtual world’s business incubator” whose focus is in healthcare and the life sciences. The workshop will also be filmed and featured as a trailer for a Machinama of the quest. The Machinama is being filmed by Ariella Languish (aka Ariella Furman).

Ms Morane and Mr Snowpaw are well known for their work at “The Virtual Worlds Story Project”, which is located on Storybook Island on the Second Life grid. They have organized multiple quests since bringing the concept of questing into the metaverse, creating in the immersive environment of second life “a catalyst for change, an instrument of healing, and a foundation for building community”. A quest as we know is a journey toward a goal. In a literary sense, quests are a plot device, the protagonist in search of a "something" and their having to overcome many obstacles to obtain it. The folklore of cultures from around the world are filled with stories of quests. Questing in the metaverse allows the human behind the avatar “the opportunity to search for answers, tapping their imagination and creativity in following the prompts and clues provided to create a narrative of their adventure”. The goal achieved is that most human of all things searched for, self-discovery and knowledge.

I’d visited Jenaia at Story Book Island many times and we frequently chat about both her projects and mine. As writers, we’d become good friends these last several months, bouncing ideas off each other. When she’d taken on this latest project she’d asked me to come over for a tour. We met at the starting point and talked while she led me through the site.

“Make sure you get the note card Nazz. Then follow me.” She said.

I did as she suggested and it opened in its own window. I read it quickly and it provided me the directions to begin the quest. I followed her along a rocky path that led through a stand of trees and stopped when we came upon a gated fence. We paused briefly as she opened it and we walked through. A two person boat sitting on the bank of a river awaited us. I looked at the note card and the directions pointed me toward a solitary flower which sat just slightly to the left of the boat. The directions told me to point and click. I did and received another note card, a copy of the poem, "Long Afternoon at the Edge of Little Sister Pond", by Mary Oliver.

“When you get the poem take a seat in the boat. As part of the Machinama that Ariella is filming, we’ll have an actor reading the poem while the boat moves up the river to the next stop. You can read it while we’re in the boat” She said.

We both took seats, Jen at the bow and I in the stern. Once we were seated the boat began to move and I began reading the poem. It began with “As for life / I'm humbled / I'm without words sufficient to say …” I read as the boat moved slowly upstream, past birch trees and rocks on either bank. When finished, my eyes scanned across the screen and I enjoyed the serenity of being in a forest. One could almost feel the gentle rocking of the boat and a forward movement. As it rounded a bend in the river, I spotted the next stop. It was a single story home, modern in style and set alongside the river bank surrounded by large trees. The boat reached its destination and we both stood up and walked the short distance to the set of stairs. Moving up them, we entered through a doorway into the abode.

“When will the quest start?” I asked.

“We’re targeting the first of September. It will be by invitation only at first, for members of the HIV / Aids Community.” She replied.

“How did you come up with the idea for this ‘Stories without Borders’ quest Jen?” I asked as we entered.

“When I was asked to come up with something for SLCC, we decided that the focus would be in helping overcome the stereotypes of people with aids. There’s the stigma and fear associated with the disease … we wanted to put a face on it for people … increase awareness and knowledge.” She replied and then added. “This quest is non linear event … those taking the quest define where they want to go. The clues and prompts will take them to other SIM’s. However it’s up to them as the writer to determine the order they go in … and what they do with it at the end is up to them … write a story … poetry or create a Machinama.”

We stood inside the house now and I scanned around the nicely appointed interior while listening to her reply. She suggested we watch the video and we did. It was a music video, Johnny Cash’s unmistakable voice I noted. And from the video one could see that it had been recorded later in his life. The video presented him as being elderly and then interspersed were images of him as a younger man in his prime. It was a sad song, one in which he expressed regrets over some of the things he’d done in his life and in marking the passing of family and friends. After the video ended, she explained the idea of starting the quest from the house.

“The scene has been designed to help you get to know the owner of the house and take you on a journey of discovery. When you touch some of the objects or zoom in on others … you’ll need to pay attention in the chat window. Also, there are some that will deliver note cards to you or give you landmarks to other SIM’s … places you can explore and learn more about the house and its owner.” She said.

“This all looks wonderful Jen ... Congrats on the build.” I commented as Marty Snowpaw arrived joining us on the front porch of the house. We three chatted for while longer before both Jen and Marty left for their next appointment. I wished them good luck at the SLCC workshop and then departed for my home position.

With the notes from our conversation, I began writing the article. Part of the way through the first paragraph, my mind wandered a bit and I thought of the boat ride and the scenery we had passed through. I recalled similar experiences in real life. It was then that I remembered a section of the poem that read, “Every day I walk out into the world / to be dazzled, then to be reflective …”

It sounded very much as if Ms Oliver had known my thoughts when she’d penned it.