All posts in category Machinima

Rebirth & The Machinima Expo in Second Life

Rebirth … together! by 2Lei (moderate)

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is on November 25. Every year, beginning in 2010, the 2LEI collective↑ of “artists, musicians, gallery owners, and cultural figures” of Second Life has held events and exhibits designed to show their support for the cause.

Rebirth … together! by 2Lei (moderate)

This year’s theme is “Rebirth … together!”, with the tagline It’s not a full victory unless you’re reborn together. This exhibit of works by many 2D and 3D artists is being hosted on LEA6↑ and will continue there until the end of December.

You’ll find references to previous exhibits and new works by many favourite artists. There will be musical events as well and you can learn all about them on their calendar↑.

Rebirth … together! by 2Lei (moderate)

I didn’t take any close-up images of the 2D works – that always feels like I’m stealing them. Instead you get a rare selfie – I haven’t seen any of Pol Jarvinen’s↑ work for a long time, so I took advantage of the opportunity to do a little meditation in the artist’s piece.

While I’m on the subject of LEA, there are two things I need to mention. The first is that you have one more week to submit your application for the next round of Artist in Residence Grants↑. You could have your own sim, for 6 months, to realize that vision in your head and share it with the rest of us.

Rebirth … together! by 2Lei (moderate)

The second is to let you know that today is the day for the huge Machinima Expo↑ – the World’s only Virtual Machinima/Animation Festival. This is its 7th year and it will be live-streamed inworld from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm SLT at the LEA Theatre↑.

The full schedule is here↑ and you should note that Second Life is well represented, including a profile of our own Hypatia Pickens↑ at 1:45.

Rebirth … together! by 2Lei (moderate)

1 Comment

by honourmcmillan on November 23, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in art, Machinima, Photography, Second Life

Tagged digital art, machinima expo, second life, Virtual Art, virtual photography

Posted by honourmcmillan on November 23, 2014

https://honourmcmillan.wordpress.com/2014/11/23/rebirth-the-machinima-expo-in-second-life/

LEA Artist Grants and Machinima Stages in Second Life

Machinima Open Studio Project (moderate)

I meant to point this out before, but I got sidetracked. The next round of applications for the LEA Artist in Residence Grants↑ is now open. There is a lot of information on the page I’ve linked to and you should read it. :)

In short form, you have the opportunity to receive the use of a full sim for 5 months to build the project that has been percolating in that artistic brain of yours. Don’t be afraid to apply – we’re always looking for new artists and would love to hear from you. Applications close on December 30, so go do it now!

Machinima Open Studio Project (moderate)

I say “we” because they’ve foolishly added me to the Committee↑. If you follow my blog then you know I’m in full agreement that the recent changes to the ToS need to be fixed to ensure that artists, authors, musicians, creators of all types, are protected and (apart from grid maintenance issues) do not give away the rights to their work.

I am comfortable both working on the LEA Committee and inviting artists to apply for a grant for a number of reasons.

Machinima Open Studio Project (moderate)

I believe the efforts currently underway to resolve the issue will succeed. I’m not involved in the discussions, I just know they’re taking place and I have faith that within a couple of months things will be sorted out to the residents’ satisfaction.
The Linden Endowment for the Arts is not Linden Lab – they donated the land, but it’s run by volunteers. I’ve been an Advisor now for 10 months and have never seen a Linden anywhere near the place.
The Committee manages the sims, defines the projects and initiatives, and establishes the policies specific to them, but the ToS is all on the Lab.
Finally, and most importantly, I believe strongly in the project’s mandate↑. There cannot be too much art or too many venues for artists on the grid.

Machinima Open Studio Project (moderate)

My photos today are from one of the areas of LEA that we don’t talk about enough. In addition to the 20 Artist in Residence regions (again, go apply↑ to get one of those) there are a number of other exciting things going on. One of them is the Machinima Open Studio Project↑.

If you are making a video, and need a set, this is a great place to check out. Chic Aeon has all the information on the MOSP blog↑ and you’ll find more tools on the sim↑. Luckily for me they allow still cameras there as well. :)

Machinima Open Studio Project (moderate)

7 Comments

by honourmcmillan on December 13, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in art, Machinima, Photography, Second Life

Tagged second life, Virtual Art, Virtual Landscape, virtual photography

Posted by honourmcmillan on December 13, 2013

https://honourmcmillan.wordpress.com/2013/12/13/lea-artist-grants-and-machinima-stages-in-second-life/

The Good Kind of Drama, Guest Stars & a Spoiler in Second Life

Seraph City (moderate)

He’s a gumshoe, a private dick, the kind who’d like to get lost in the bottle of whiskey in his bottom drawer when he’s not running up a tab at his local bar. Last year at this time he fell, as most film noir heroes do, into the clutches of a hard-edged damsel in distress. This one came equipped with lots of secrets and an, um, associate.

His home base is a tiny office in the diesel punk town of Seraph City↑. He is Harland Quinn and the second season of his adventures in The Blackened Mirror↑ will start at 2:00 pm SLT today.

Seraph City (moderate)

I had the opportunity to work with this talented cast and crew and I can tell you that it takes long hours, much hair-pulling, professionalism, and a sense of humour to accomplish just the normal amount of work involved in filming a series like this. When you combine that with the technical glitches and surprises offered in the virtual world, it’s an extraordinary feat of determination and dedication.

The cast is wonderful. Quinn is played by the actor Scott Simpson↑ (Zander Greene↑ inworld) who has that kind of voice that makes you want him to just keep talking, about anything really, just keep talking. Aisling Sinclair↑ plays Alais, soft spoken trouble in a pretty package. Her associate, and the true sex symbol in this series, Biggins is played by Mavromichali Szondi↑. If there’s an Oscar for gravelly tones and grunts – Mav will win hands down.

Seraph City (moderate)

There are other key members of the cast (most of whom keep trying to do nasty things to our heroes). You’ll get to know all of them during the season but I want to highlight two. If you remember Babylon 5, or maybe Hill Street Blues, then you know Peter Jurasik↑. I have to tell you, I always loved the character Londo Mollari and the actor who played him is a sweetheart. You’ll encounter his performance in this story as the season progresses.

Another sweetheart actor is Gameela Wright↑ (you’ll know her inworld as AvaJean Westland↑) – who kept saying things like “I can’t film that day, I have to do Orange is the New Black“.

I don’t have room to name all of the people who worked behind the scenes on this venture. A few irreplaceable individuals would be Saffia Widdershins↑, the Executive Producer/Director/Herder; the writer Da5id Abbot↑ – who in the real world has published a novel or two, radio plays, non-fiction, and more, and made our special effects wizard, Terra Volitant↑, very happy every time he said something had to blow up; Machinimatographers Petlove Petshop↑ and PJ Trenton↑ captured all the madness (and that includes what will wind up being an out-take reel for the ages). There are many more (including sound guru Lorin Tone↑) but I have to stop somewhere.

Seraph City (moderate)

You can catch up on last season’s episodes and see the beginning of the second on Treet.tv↑. The new episode will be available there at 2:00 pm SLT. Quinn is not in a good place – in more ways than one.

My own contribution to this effort was limited to that essential part of any filmed enterprise – the extras. We had a large group of enthusiastic individuals who remained stoic through wardrobe changes, poor weather, bombings, technical difficulties, and other-worldly type things I can’t really discuss. I did promise you a spoiler though (I’m sure Saffia won’t see it) so I’ll just say that this little guy↑ will play a pivotal role in one of the future episodes.

This was exhausting but it was great fun to do. I think you’ll enjoy it a lot! The Blackened Mirror↑ debuts its new season for your enjoyment this afternoon. :)