Machinima - Gaming And Flimmaking Converge

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 ansequences can be created that are completely
intriguing artistic form developed by computerdifferent from anything in the game; it's the
gamers that also happen to be a new form ofcharacters, the backgrounds, and the inventory of
"modder". For years, modders have been adaptingpotential movements that remain the same.
the structure of computer games – usually aTo 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 ownand technology for completely original productions.
level or "maps" that are, in essence, additional gameThe product can then be edited to videotape for a
content, presenting the player with new obstaclesconventional film or, more commonly, distributed
and new interactions with the villains.digitally. The practice eliminates the need for
With machinima, these technicians have taken theexpensive animation machines and studios for
process several steps further. They have dismantledpotential movie makers. You can be a backyard film
the game's apparatus completely and utilized it tomaker and simply upload your completed project for
build movies, TV shows and other creative videotens of thousands of viewers. If it's well done, the
presentations. The video material is driven by therecognition will be quick and meaningful. To those
game's 3D engines and, of necessity, features manywho 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 andtouch of nostalgia.
manipulated in their on-screen movements so thatMachinima: Find It!
their game persona is completely altered.The art form has progressed to the point where
Endless Possibilitythere is an annual festival that shows films created
One machinima created from the Interplanetarywith the technology. Emmy winning animators are
shoot-out Halo has been converted into a talk showexperimenting with the technology and producing
with weekly segments. The special effects areproducts 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 hasmusicians for the video sequences.