| This word is a combination of the terms 'machine' | | | | assembled the pieces of this video art. Action |
| and 'cinema' and it was created to describe an | | | | sequences can be created that are completely |
| intriguing artistic form developed by computer | | | | different from anything in the game; it's the |
| gamers that also happen to be a new form of | | | | characters, the backgrounds, and the inventory of |
| "modder". For years, modders have been adapting | | | | potential movements that remain the same. |
| the structure of computer games – usually a | | | | To a perverse, creative mind the possibilities are |
| first person "shooters" – to build new "levels." | | | | endless. Rather than creating a small bolt-on addition |
| Most of these games are broken into sequences; | | | | to the game, they have utilized the game's artwork |
| what modders have been doing is devising their own | | | | and technology for completely original productions. |
| level or "maps" that are, in essence, additional game | | | | The product can then be edited to videotape for a |
| content, presenting the player with new obstacles | | | | conventional film or, more commonly, distributed |
| and new interactions with the villains. | | | | digitally. The practice eliminates the need for |
| With machinima, these technicians have taken the | | | | expensive animation machines and studios for |
| process several steps further. They have dismantled | | | | potential movie makers. You can be a backyard film |
| the game's apparatus completely and utilized it to | | | | maker and simply upload your completed project for |
| build movies, TV shows and other creative video | | | | tens of thousands of viewers. If it's well done, the |
| presentations. The video material is driven by the | | | | recognition will be quick and meaningful. To those |
| game's 3D engines and, of necessity, features many | | | | who remember the early days of the web when it |
| of the characters within it. These characters, | | | | was ruled by anarchists, this practice must be a |
| however, can be provided with a voice overdub and | | | | touch of nostalgia. |
| manipulated in their on-screen movements so that | | | | Machinima: Find It! |
| their game persona is completely altered. | | | | The art form has progressed to the point where |
| Endless Possibility | | | | there is an annual festival that shows films created |
| One machinima created from the Interplanetary | | | | with the technology. Emmy winning animators are |
| shoot-out Halo has been converted into a talk show | | | | experimenting with the technology and producing |
| with weekly segments. The special effects are | | | | products worthy of presentation- and awards |
| harnessed to create new actions for the characters | | | | – at film festivals. Others have produced |
| and their personalities are defined by the voice-over, | | | | music videos using game characters instead of |
| as provided by the amateur film maker who has | | | | musicians for the video sequences. |