And Now For Something Completely Machinima

This week, we discuss one of the most outstanding presentations of space science, by  @EpicSpaceman , called I put 4M Suns in a Blackhole. Made in Blender, we discuss the creative workflow adopted, from zero to hero - and why the  @BlenderOfficial Foundation should take note. We make a few suggestions for enhancing the work even more and discuss the primary audiences for this type of conrtent. Quite simply, the narrative style and animation makes hard science relatable! 1:50 Intro to film and its creator: low output, high quality 6:47 Choosing the role of a narrator and making a connection with the audience 10:15 Carl Sagan reincarnated! 13:37 Just-in-time learning and visual storytelling 17:53 Citizen scientist, but not as we know it! 20:00 Outstanding presentation, beyond lockdown 21:30 A relatable way to make content 22:24 How is this a real-time production? 25:59 Could this be screened in a cinema theatre? 28:00 Going pro. The challenge of managing your values 30:15 Why Blender? Blender Foundation take note! 32:15 Playing a scientist vs being a scientist 35:10 One of the greatest #machinima films we’ve seenCredits -Speakers: Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien ValentineProducer: Ricky GroveEditor: Phil RiceMusic: Animo Domini Beats

A packed review this month, with some sad :( better :| and happy news :)1:42 Demise of Rooster Teeth and yet RVB will outlive the corporate brand!  We reminisce about the early days of machinima and the influence Rooster Teeth had on the emerging creator community26:30 Drax Files: World Makers comes to a close33:37 Awards! Sam Crane’s continuing success with GTA5 Hamlet at SXSW and UE5’s use in War is Over, the Oscar winning animated short39:00 AI updates: YouTube’s T&Cs – we discuss the notion of ‘realistic’ in the context of the guidelines – does the sound of a Wookie farting sound real to you… Phil really gets on a roll with this topic! Other AI updates include ConvAI, Hume, Runway and Stability AI’s 3D generator1:09:00 Godzilla Minus One model release, celebrating the creator’s Oscar achievement – and a side discussion about rigging a cat in iClone1:16:32 Blockbuster Inc release date announced!1:19:00 Dune: Denis Villeneuve discusses the use of UE5 in the making of the film – not the typical machinima approach!Credits -Speakers: Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien ValentineProducer/Editor: Phil RiceMusic: Animo Domini Beats

The Dog Days is an unusual machinima that combines the glitchiness of AI generated content composited with a Second Life avatar. Whilst not realtime, the performative aspect of this work is evident and we reflect on the fit of the current state of generative AI with the Fluxus art movement. We discuss what The Dog Days means, metaphorically and literally, and how we interpret this film concluding it is not a happy outcome for the focal character. The Dog Days evokes memories of a long-ago childhood spent with a much loved pet but the non-sense words and images are of something far more sinister, contextualized by the current general media coverage of wars in Eastern Europe, Middle East and elsewhere. We also discuss our interpretations of the fragility represented in the avatar, including the role of generative AI in becoming cyborg.0:20 Introduction to the film, created by Fau Ferdinand6:00 Performance art context7:23 Dog days… in other media11:00 The significance of AI glitch in this film and generally in artwork27:26 More about Fau Ferdinand and the Second Front movement30:00 Fluxus and the role of chance32:30 Interpreting the dreamscape36:40 How we are becoming cyborg39:30 The images plus me!42:56 Performance art and female empowermentCredits -Speakers: Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien ValentineProducer/Editor: Phil RiceMusic: Animo Domini Beats

In this ep, we discuss two machinima films dealing with thematically similar issues, albeit presented with different treatments: Vigilante is made in GTA5 and tells the shocking story of how the lead character became cyberpunk.  The second is a futuristic yet somehow more traditional gender-based story made in UE5.  It is presented as a proof of concept for a proprietary tool made by its creator, who is none other than the VFX Oscar-winner Tim Webber in his directorial debut.1:36 Vigilante discussion19:39 Flite discussion - its so good, how do we talk Phil out of quitting machinima filmmaking?!Credits -Speakers: Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien ValentineProducer/Editor: Phil RiceMusic: Animo Domini Beats

This week, we take a look at a spectacular particle show in a machinima that has been documented and edited by Tutsy NaVaRaThNA in Second Life.  The show is called Flowers of Evil and was created by Lalie Sorbet and Chrix as an interactive installation inspired by the most scandalous literary works of Charles Baudelaire, with the support of a Second Life Endowment for the Arts.  Tutsy's documentary is accompanied by an hypnotic composition by French club DJ and musician Sahale (from his Bouddha Bar XXI album), music that takes its inspiration also from the Flowers of Evil (or Fleurs du Mal). All round, this is a mesmerizing rendition that we could well imagine being enhanced with VR as a live experience... and that's not something you hear us state all that often.1:29 Inspired by Baudeliare5:18 Portrayals of the complexity of life12:51 A voyeuristic cosmic orgy15:37 Is VR a thing in Second Life?18:00 Demoscene24:44 Avant garde vs realism26:00 Artistic happenings in the 1960sCredits -Speakers: Phil Rice, Ricky Grove, Tracy Harwood, Damien ValentineEditor/Producer: Phil RiceMusic: Animo Domini Beats

This week’s podcast episode is our curated news omnibus for this month.  We cover lots, and enjoy reflecting on the significance of the stories we highlight for the world of machinima and virtual production.  Links and show notes on our website, as usual – skip to our highlights about each item with our timestamps here – 1:23 Learn UE5 in less than 60 minutes – and yes, it seems you really can! Its an excellent tutorial6:50 Valve getting tough with modders and what it means for machinima10:23 New moviemaking toolsets: Blockbuster Inc and Replikant (UE5)12:39 Steamboat Willie update – Minecraft and an UE5 ‘official trailer’14:25 The origins of the Wilhelm Scream16:54 SORA text to video and the implications for studios and creators – what is the language of movement?23:40 ElevenLabs new SUNO model rap24:05 Reflecting on Valve’s journey and the early days of Machinima.com35:05 Just what is the kick back on Disney and Steamboat Willie all about? … platforms, content, IP and the community – Star Wars, Marvel, et al52:25 Taylor Swift, AI misuse, the law, and the significant role of community in protecting a brand – the future of developing morals1:10:50 Damien’s report on his iClone crowd sim test btw, the international internet pipes failed and microwaves fried our apps during this recording session, video corrupted and monsters ran loose among us, so enjoy the voice data we’ve managed to resurrect and video clips we’ve added – we’ll be back next week in full glory! #machinima #realtime #virtualproduction #Disney #VR #Reallusion #iclone #SteamboatWillie #valve #Halflife #Portal #TeamFortress #TaylorSwitft #AI #SORA #WilhelmScream #BlockbusterInc #Replikant #moviemaking #games #communities #UE5 #modding #podcast Credits –Speakers: Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien ValentineProducer/Editor: Phil RiceMusic: Animo Domini Beats

In all our years of involvement with machinima (and that's over 75 years between us), feature length has been something we've rarely found watchable... but with this week's pick, we were proven wrong, mostly! Emesis Blue, made in Source Filmmaker using the Team Fortress 2 characterisations by Fortress Films, is an incredibly well-made if very complex story that was crafted over many years.    1:30 Overview of the plot, twists and the filmmaker8:33 Ambiguity vs over-complex?9:29 The merits of the long format for this film10:15 Its all in the knitting11:30 The first 20 minutes are exceptional12:38 The importance of episodes13:30 Its pulp17:40 Nolan's influence?25:30 Game lore didn't matter in appreciating the film29:29 Entertaining who? 30:39 An ending - never explain!35:24 Storytelling craft37:47 The Source engine39:59 Gladiatorial process: being critical and giving feedback41:46 Its a muddle in the middle... the title of Ricky's new autobiographyCredits -Speakers: Phil Rice, Ricky Grove, Tracy Harwood, Damien ValentineProducer/Editor: Phil RiceMusic: Animo Domini Beats

100 Ways to Die in Starfield is wonderful stuff - whether you are 15 or 50! For all those who have distant memories of seeing classic slapstick comedy featuring Charlie #chaplin in B&W, well now you can see a contemporary interpretation in the incredible #starfield universe - and enjoy it with the grandkids!  @mans1ay3r has a rich stream of work to his name - others in the 'ways to die' series include #rdr2 and #starwars. Importantly, given the game environment in which this has been made has been less well received than expected, the success of this short exemplifies the role #machinima plays for publishers in keeping it at the forefront of players' imaginations. Great job all around!Credits -Speakers: Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy HarwoodProducer/Editor: Phil RiceMusic: Animo Domini Beats

This week we compare and contrast, in a way extending that ongoing debate about whose IP is the daddy... but the ep is about much more than that too. We discuss  @solofilmmaking4857 's use of #chatgpt to generate a film's story, using the plots of 60 of his portfolio works on Batman, mixing styles and genres along the way. We don't see it as wholly successful and we discuss why. We contrast that with an unusual hobbyist technique to create 'analogue machinima', inspired by Spiderman toy figurines digitised and animated by  @MakeItMoveMedia . In the end, our conclusion is that its all Marvellous!1:37 Vengeance Batman - bloody hell? 4:21 Can AI ever successfully craft a story like a human? 7:10 Analagous to Grammerly but with hilarity and glitch! 14:49 The good parts of the film 17:21 Batman has the biggest screen time of any character - so what's new here? 18:42 How to be innovative with a well trodden path 20:30 Cinematic language? ChatGPT writes dialogue like an early 1980s TV advert! 22:00 A good experiment 23:28 Is it time to return to the original humorous treatment of Batman? 26:35 Marvellous time! Spiderman animations from toy model scans 27:42 A technical exercise but a lot of fun 28:48 The hobbyists journey is a form of 'analogue machinima' 32:10 Creating the background with a 360 video 33:29 The evidence of passion for craft 35:17 The challenge of video fidelityCredits -Speakers: Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy HarwoodProducer: Damien ValentineEditor: Phil RiceMusic: Animo Domini Beats

This week's review is of a self-contained excerpt from a larger film, called Escape Game by  @CrisUberman . This part of the film is the final chapter of the story, Danser Encore, voiced by  @lionelmazari1990 with a song by  @hksaltimbank . We delve into the inspiration for the themes in the film, which draws on the philosophy of Empedocles and Rosset, although we perhaps lower the tone a little with reference to Oscar Wilde! 1:25 Intro to this week’s film pick: an excerpt from Escape Game by Cris Uberman 2:14 The first machinima music video 3:20 Complementary game and music, creating a happy hip-hop scene 5:00 GTA5 is like Roman comedy in theatre 6:03 Cris Uberman’s ouvre in GTA5, photography and real life 7:41 About Empedocles – a pre-Soctratic scholar whose work is the inspiration for the film 9:06 Louis is the central character, narrated by Lionel Mazari 9:58 Exploring the relationship between the virtual and the physical self, quoting Clement Rosset – the nature of reality and its double 12:31 Analagous to the Picture of Dorian Gray? 14:32 HK and the Saltimbanks an inspired choice for the music accompaniment 15:20 This is a type of machinima we have rarely seen 16:16 Deep dive into the meaning of a work vs just watching or reading it – we discuss pros and cons of each Credits -Speakers: Ricky Grove, Tracy Harwood, Damien ValentineProducer: Tracy HarwoodEditor: Phil RiceMusic: Amino Domini Beats

This week, we spend some time talking about new tools, emergent topics, AI and copyright (again), with some interesting links for you on our show notes -2:45 New tools for machinima makers, including iClone 8 crowd sim, Kenneth MacLean’s MegaHumans WIP and Praydog’s VR mod8:07 SAG AFTRA update on voice acting using AIs, Replica Studios15:32 Mickey and friends, steamboating ahead without the Mothership and Princeton’s annual Public Domain Review report18:13 Increasing the resolution of your machinima films – there’s an AI that can help with that!20:02 Valve releases games with AI in them but also a new system for reporting emergent uses or problem uses of AI in games22:17 Why AI is so important for the development of the games and creative industries25:40 Google’s Video Poet, another tool for animation, AI-enabled26:30 PCs vs consoles, indies vs AAAs, and the role of machinima and communities!28:48 Convergence mod for Elden Ring (and any game) – a significant update31:43 Minecrafter being sued and why this is a bigger deal than creators vs brand companies, implications for digital twin developers, but a massive overreach by the brand?CreditsSpeakers: Ricky Grove, Damien Valentine, Tracy HarwoodProducer: Ricky GroveEditor: Phil RiceMusic: Amino Domini Beats

Made with Sims 4 characters although animated in Blender to great effect, this is a short short at under one minute long by  @tricoufamily . It is also all about the title, and interesting to reflect on how we have all seen similar things in the film but interpreted them differently. We conclude this is masterfully done, but check out how we get to that! 1:05 The painting 4:38 Are they or aren't they together? (and again at 21:34) 6:50 Which ear should the music be in? 7:50 Empathy and Joker 2019 11:09 It felt unfinished 12:40 Between the scenes 15:33 Hollywood producers... working title: the cutting room floor! 16:47 People watching vs voyeurism 21:41 Facial expressions 

This week we discuss two very different films, both reflecting a bygone era of classic entertainment.  Firstly, an interpretation of the 1954 Japanese classic Godzilla, made in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Its unusual for a couple of reasons: its been made on a handheld Nintendo Switch in a game not really known for its creative application, and its been released only on X (Twitter). Its timing is perfect to capitalize on all the film and TV series hype at the moment so it was always going to find an appreciative audience - definitely one to check out.  Secondly, Phil has created an iClone and AI-based video to the Tom Lehrer song, Lobachevsky - its the ultimate accompaniment to this well-known political satire.  Phil discusses his creative process in its making and we also discuss how the original song came to be made at a time when Lehrer was walking a tightrope for a few reasons, so we reflect on its timing and impact.1:37 Shinto Ritual by Sumoguri discussion (Godzilla), made in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom20:27 Lobachevsky by Phil Rice, made in iClone and with AI tools; Phil discusses the challenges of using public domain content and learning a new toolset through a creative processCredits -Speakers: Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien ValentineProducer/Editor: Phil RiceMusic: Anno Domini Beats

We take a look at one of the best machinima series we've ever seen this week... from the annals of history. The Fixer series was a crime drama created by Todd Stallkamp (aka Burnt Coffee Productions aka TodNYC28) made in Sims 2 and originally released in 2006. Todd was part of the first brain drain from the world of machinima, and shortly after the release of this series was snapped up by EA Games as a content creator where he still is, ironically now in charge of the Sims amongst other games in its portfolio. We revisit the series in our review, discuss how well its stacked up against contemporary machinima and why its still one of the greatest machinima series we've ever seen! Ricky concludes, if Todd hadn't gone to EA, he'd now be making TV shows and films: '... you could take this series, make it live action, use all of the shots that Todd made and put it on Amazon as a series.' #machinima #sims #sims4 #sims2 #filmfestival #awards #crimedrama #eagames Credits -Speakers: Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy HarwoodProducer: Ricky GroveEditor: Phil RiceMusic: Anno Domini Beats

Phil catches up with a long-time machinima creator Ben Tuttle, aka 4413 Media.  Ben admits he cut his teeth on The Movies in the late 2000s, and then discusses Shockbreak, one of his latest productions.  They get into the detail of how the film was created and generally Ben’s creative workflow using iClone, Character Creator, Unreal Engine and a heap of other tools integrated into the production process.  They also discuss the merits of using AI and the difficulties of social media misinterpretations. Ben shares with us some teasers for his upcoming films.Credits -Speakers: Phil Rice, Ben Tuttle (aka 4413 Media)Editor/Producer: Phil Rice

This week, we discuss the critical turn we witnessed in 2023 towards machinima among creative industries professionals. We highlight why it is high time there is a major rethink on the role of indie creatives and fan fiction in general. We also review a beautiful cinematic made in GTA5, and also reflect on some of the challenges with a particular camera technique. Discussion points - 2:23 Hardly Working by Austrian collective Total Refusal wins a major Festival award, its significance and impact 5:10 2023 was a critical turn for machinima productions and their global recognition among professionals in the creative industries 13:30 Amazon and Games Workshop collaboration, what does this mean for Warhammer 40K fan fiction content? 15:45 Cooking the goose that lays the golden egg: a book sequel writer’s tale, the Tolkein Estate and Amazon – why we are approaching a perfect storm; the principles on which judges have made decisions need to be called into question and its importance for machinima indie creators 32:14 Cyberpunk’s booklet for the Ultimate Edition, hidden depths and why this needs to be followed up 39:40 Cinematic Experience of GTA5 Machinima, by Syed – Damien introduces this pick; Tracy comments on the music choice, quality of editing and unusual connections being made between people, things and events; and Phil compares it to Brad Pitt! 45:13 Algorithmic shaky cam and its discontents #machinima #virtualproduction #copyright #ownership #FilmFestival #awards #Amazon #GamesWorkshop #GTA5 #LOTR #Tolkein #warhammer #cyberpunk2077 #skakycam Credits -Speakers: Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy HarwoodProducer/Editor: Phil RiceMusic: Coast by Anno Domini Beats

Kicking off 2024 with machinima from a slightly different perspective: this week, Ricky introduces us to the #letsplay/#tutorial/#epicguideline/#showNtell genre in his favorite game of all time: Elden Ring.  Its the first time we've heard just how much time he's spent in game and we won't draw attention to it just in case his partner is following us... but from the machinimas he shared with us, he's by no means alone.  We discuss their usefulness and impact in the world of machinima, why building OP characters is important and just how skilled these creators are not only in the game but also in producing documentaries about the game.  We start with a discussion about a new laptop for gaming Ricky has found that is up to the complexities of the Elden Ring task, and then he gives a run through of two specific films, plus some name checks across the various different approaches to OP building and boss fighting he's observed.0:45 Asus laptop for gaming4:05 Name checks for different genres of Elden Ring OP channels9:06 Ricky's favorite machinima pick: The Strongest DEX Build You’ll Ever See in Elden Ring (GET OP EARLY) | Ultimate Warrior Guide, by Nizar GG 11:14 Ricky's second string pick: How to Make the 20 Best STRENGTH BUILDS | Elden Ring, by Thingfishy12:16 Damien threatens to invest in the game and challenge Ricky14:05 Tracy's comments: without these guides, many folks would leave the ER community20:42 Phil reflects on the PacMan guides of the 1980s... and asks the question 'are game developers getting more and more daring and willing to create something really complex because they know what we the users can do', well yes seemingly!Credits -Speakers: Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy HarwoodProducer: Ricky GroveEditor: Phil RiceMusic: Anno Domini Beats

Backflip is a docu-style film, made over a period of three years where Nikita Diakur presents his progress using AI to teach a character to backflip.  The character is the 3D scanned artist and the learning process applied is based on a technique he read in an academic paper. To say its chaos is an understatatement, and something anyone in research could probably have told him when attempting to replicate a finding in a publication (which of course is why LLMs using text alone will never be 'intelligent').  It is also everything one would expect from a character rig with the physics of a double-jointed arachnid... but it sure is hugely entertaining to watch, and brilliantly edited together.  Backflip is a must watch for anyone using AIs for animation, not least because it serves as a reminder of just how tough this all was pre-mid 2023!1:13 News updates: Half Life 2 celebrates 25 years, GTA6 release and Elden Ring DLCs5:06 John McInnes connecting machinima to virtual production with Baad Viibes7:43 Backflip review and discussion16:10 Focussing on the glitch25:57 How smart is AI really?34:54 Narrative arc and the use of AI Credits -Speakers: Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy HarwoodProducer: Damien ValentineEditor: Ricky GroveMusic: Coast by Anno Domini Beats

This week, we review a trailer for a movie, although the full movie is now also available: Cyberpunk 2077, by Jack Hunt.  In many ways this is an astonishing and timely feat, not least because the ultimate edition of the game released earlier this month too (5 December).  We start by discussing The Witcher's update, a piece of news that is highly relevant to the release of the film we review.1:03 The Witcher 3 mod toolset release - extending the game's life or eploiting the machinima community?3:54 Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition presents even more opportunities for machinima creators8:00 Cyberpunk 2077 The Movie - Trailer - not a cutscene fest!10:05 Don't have time to invest in playing the game? Watch the movie!11:51 Is this the ultimate advert for the game?19:14 The function of a game trailer vs the function of a cutscene23:21 Connecting to the game... Phil loses it!27:42 Ricky rescues the discussion #Sims10Credits -Speakers: Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy HarwoodProducer: Damien ValentineEditor: Ricky GroveMusic: Anno Domini Beats

This week's film picks are of epic battle scenes: one made in Warhammer and the other Unreal Engine. There are similarities and contrasts between these two works, respectively created by a gamer, Game Thumb, and a CG production team, Glow Productions - and that also includes the opinions of the CM crew reviewing the works! What's your view, please do add you comments on our YT review or ep blog post.  The ep begins with an update on Ricky's take on the SAG AFTRA deal for his Army of Darkness characterisations.1:07 the SAG AFTRA deal5:14 Tracy's review of Northern Wars (Warhammer) and Oryctes (UE) focussing on the mood scenes16:09 Ricky reverses the argument18:07 Phil invokes Wittgenstein 34:20 Damien's observes that neither film could easily be made in the other game engine! Credits -Speakers: Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy HarwoodProducer: Damien ValentineEditor: Ricky GroveMusic: Anno Domini Beats