MachinimaUWA III - A Journey into the Metaverse

Here's a new movie from Tutsy Navarathna.



Chaffro says: I want to steal this man's computer! This is the sort of film I'd love to be able to make! Full of vibrancy, wonderful use of effects - both post-production and in-world - and a beautiful blend of live-action and machinima again. This is the sort of film the Lab needs to be using to promote the platform, as it captures the majesty and wonder that one can bring, create or even just visit in Second Life absolutely perfectly. The narration is beautifully nuanced, the music choices and locations are inspired; the whole thing is a fantastic example of a well designed and finely crafted piece of art.

Two paws up! Way up!

Pyewacket says: Chaffro pretty much said it all. Gorgeous Second Life cinematography, inventive story line and the narration is first rate. The only drawback I saw in using so many live human images is that it really highlights how primitive our avatars still are - but maybe that was intentional. Just stunning!

Two paws up! WAY UP!

Ryuichi Sakamoto - Rain

Here's a little musical number from Aleph Newman as part of his 'Crowman' series.



Chaffro says: I love the bravery of this machinima. Essentially it's one long continuous take, which I know from experience is a daunting enough task to carry off successfully, but to also do it in 'first person' in Second Life is amazing; I'm going to assume that the walk was rehearsed several times before he hit the Record shortcut button!

The use of the weather effects is subtle enough not to detract from the character and the slow pans are really effective with giving the viewer a great sense of perspective. It's a shame it's so dark though - it's effective to start with, but I think some of the details of the build get lost in the darkness. Overall though, I think it's fab!

Two Paws Up!

Pyewacket says: Considering all the restraints that were called for in the project, nicely done.

I found camera motion distracting - not sure if it's a follow cam or an adjustment to the SL camera - but we have few options for first person. Like you, I think it's a bit too dark - but the rendering is first rate. Nice find Chaff!

I gives it a One Paw Up and look forward to Aleph Newman's future work.

Rusted Gears

Here's a UWA-entry machinima poem by Bryn Oh.



Pyewacket says: For some time now, Bryn's machinima has been evolving as an additional dimension of her in-world art, and "Rusted Gears" is arguably her finest effort yet. As if the usually autonomous disciplines were insufficient to express what she needed to say, Bryn has woven strands of words, music, movement, sound and form to strike a universal chord. This is poetry at it's best.

All the visual effects in Bryn's work are created in-world, no post production - and her mastery of the platform is unsurpassed. Particularly impressive was her handling of the UWA Clock Tower. That solution was there for all to discover - but it took Bryn to see it.

Two Paws Up! Way Up!

Chaffro says: Autonomous disciplines? Is that like the Laws of Robotics? I've no idea what you're talking about. Anyway, I like the transitions, it's nicely paced and the minimal quality of the whole thing retains your attention and makes you watch. And it's got music by my favourite Icelandic post-rock band, Sigur Ros, so it has a whole lot going for it.

However, at 1:27 the poem reads "but you left me for" which is GRAMMATICAL SUICIDE! She should've said "but you left me", which has enough impact enough on its own, and then included the 'for' at the beginning of the next sentence. Until then each sentence has a stand-alone quality, but I know why; the next sentence - "emotions true" - looks better as just two words, but for me that single decision has ruined the whole experience for me! That aside, it is the perfect example of how 'less is more' and for that, it rocks.

Two Paws Up!

Pyewacket Says: I meant that painting, music, poetry etc - sometimes called disciplines - are usually done on their own - autonomously - but that Bryn has the talent and skill to mush them all up together and make something new - and even better.

Poetry dun haz grammars, silly!

Chaffro says: Well, it should.

筑波大学 計算知能・マルチメディア研究室 プロモーションムービー

Here's a video for a University in Japan from Neighbour0018.



Pyewacket says: Look what talent, skill and imagination can do with Second Life! Astonishing work. Like watching a Porsche zoom by while you're waiting for a bus.

Two Paws Up!

Chaffro says: I like it! It's like a cross between Battle Royale and The Matrix. Not sure the girl at the end properly conveys a smile, but I do like the mix of live action and machinima and the effects are fab.

Two Paws Up!

We Review You!

Here we are, Pye and Chaffro, trawling through another session of much-overlooked or much-overhyped machinima. Popcorn's a go-go!