Yup! That and "In the Waiting Line" by Fountainhead/Ghost Robot (for Zero 7) are the two Machinima music videos that were made with the approval of the artist/label. I suspect we'll see more artist/label-backed machinima music vids in the future too.
btw, my mention of "in these Machinima vids" should have read just "in Machinima vids." Too rude a use of my adjectves.:)
IANAL, but in the States nearly all of the songs used in these machinima vids do not fall under "fair use" and would require the permission of the label/artist/copyright holder for distribution.
That said, they usually run below the radar and for the labels that are aware might even see it as promotional use (I said, might).
I think films like HHGTTG should start taking cues from software development - rather than call it a completed film, slap a "beta" label on it and get your preview audiences to QA the film until its a better overall work.
Looking forward to release.95 of Star Wars IV: ANH where they finally fix that damn "shoot at Han first" bug!
Been traveling a bit (just finishing up a Machinima workshop in Vienna at the Top Talent Festival), but came across this thread and thought to throw in some cents (Euro or US, you decide)...
Machinima development has come a long way in the last few years - fulfilling upon its expected promise - though it still has lots of room for maturing.
Fountainhead Entertainment's Machinimation program (which uses the Quake III Arena engine) is the definitive make-machinima-quick tool. Its the first real program for machinima production. In addition, it comes in Demo, Academic and Professional flavors depending on the projects you may have in mind (those interested should check out the Machinimation version differences and the Machinimation FAQ. Machinima filmmakers should stay tuned to the continual development of this program.
In the "promise on the horizon" dept., the afore-mentioned Half-Life2 has a number of tools that could make it the standout machinima production engine. With its internal character facial/gesture animation tool, Face Poser, the ever-so-missing dramatic expression of faces and lip-sync finally gets its due. While the Hammer editor doesn't get as much of an overhaul as I would have liked, this machinima filmmaker hopes there's scripting support in the full SDK to be released next week.
One of the most satisfying of current machinima production-ready engines is probably Unreal Tournament 2004. While even the Epic Games tech can use some help in the machinima department (its internal camera system, Matinee, only goes so far), it does have a large community for support as well as Epic's own Unreal Developer Network (which should be a model for any game developer looking to support their engine post-purchase). That said, the UT2004 tech has room for development and could be the platform for further Machinima development in the future (without spilling too many beans, interested parties should stay tuned). The Unreal 3 tech looks great too!
Other engines: The Sims2 is a good Machinima contender (and the engine behind Rooster Teeth's The Strangerhood) - one hopes that Maxis/EA will build up its Machinima use, either through internally developed tools, or supporting third-party/end-user development of such programs. Linden Lab's Second Life is also a good Machinima platform, although the control of characters and events through a remotely located server can impact production. Still, it allows the end-user to upload their own gestures as well as givens them IP ownership (big deal for those looking to profitize their work). A Machinima filmmaker may also want to consider the Torque engine from Garage Games with its low-cost ownership model and large community as well.
As mentioned in the original posting, Lionhead's The Movies looks promising - an application that blurs the line between game and productivity tool (as least from the Machinima filmmakers perspective). Lionhead unfortunately hasn't looked to the Machinima community for recommendations (which could have been a valuable resource, IMHO), but hopefully they will post-release.
Finally, I will do a selfish plug and make the recommendation to my book, The Art of Machinima, which I created with the beginning Machinima filmmaker in mind. The book covers using Fountainhead's Machinimation (a demo of which is included in the book's CD) as well as more advanced Machinima using UT2004.
The upcoming Machinima Film Festival (Spring 2005) will be showcasing the majority of these engines and developments - people should st
A-yup - and it seems network TV is finally waking up to it too.
For those who haven't heard about the movement that is Machinima, here's a rip from the ol' FAQ.
So, what is Machinima?
Machinima (muh-sheen-eh-mah) is filmmaking within a real-time, 3D virtual environment.
In an expanded definition, it is the convergence of filmmaking, animation and game development. Machinima is real world filmmaking techniques applied within an interactive virtual space where characters and events can be either controlled by humans, scripts or artificial intelligence.
By combining the techniques of filmmaking, animation production and the technology of real-time 3D game engines, Machinima makes for a very cost- and time-efficient way to produce films, with a large amount of creative control.
I actually own the n52, upgrading from my earlier n50.
As a gamer (yes, I admit it), I do find these devices useful. After about 4-5 gaming sessions, I became extremely comfortable with the device, and began integrating its usefulness into more traditional applications (like 3DS Max). Given the included software (albeit Windows), you are able to map keystrokes (macros as well) to the device, to which you can reconfigure/reinitialize the mapping through an app that sits in the systray (Loadout Manager).
Now onto the bad stuff. The n52 makes some improvements over the n50 (extra row of keys, dpad, thumb shift key), however the response of the keys themselves seems to have suffered a setback. While I was never completely satisfied with the response of the n50 keys (not enough tactile feedback for these fingers), the n52 has this even less so. More importantly, the keys sometime stick, making you depress some of the keys more than once in order to execute the keystroke - a pretty large issue when it comes the one thing a keyboard should do well.
Hopefully, the problems I encountered with this n52 is a defect with this particular unit (/.er's, chime in!).
All-in-all, the n50/n52 are good and versatile products, and I recommend them for those looking for a one-hand input device - particularly if you come across them at a cheap price (I bought my n52 for $35). The software support is a little flimsy, but Belkin seems to be more focused on this as their products are growing in popularity.
Another extremely interesting input use... The ILL Clan (a Machinima team I co-founded) use these devices to puppeteer their virtual characters during their Machinima productions/live performances - mapping the keys to facial gestures, lipsync and triggered animations.
3D Engines.net is a fully searchable 3D engine DB has been around for quite some time. This look interesting similiar... *looks up and taps fingers in succession on chin*
This is why we believe so strongly in Machinima. It provides the environments, the actions and events to not only embellish stories (like in this case), but also allows people to tell stories of their own.
Of course, now that the Madden curse is becoming more well known (true or not), there's the likelihood that these players can become targeted, either physically by other players or by the public putting them on a "Madden-watch", waiting for that fateful day where the curse plays out. Which all further propagates the idea of the curse (and yes, I just played my own part in that).
The graphics revolution that is upon us will be a creative one; present work methods are too labor intensive to scale to the volume of data that we will need to create to support the medium. We will need new production methodologies blending techniques from games, film, and television.
Upstream Engineering is willing to provide miniature color video projectors...
Willing to provide???
Infinium is willing to provide Hard OCP a lawsuit. Television networks are willing to provide good entertainment. The government is willing to provide conclusive evidence of foreign WMD programs.
A lot of people are willing to provide things -doesnt mean that it will happen.
I think someone should be willing to provide Upstream an alternative to Babelfish.
What better way to gain a good rep with the community than to sue a well-known gamer's site. Sheesh - just goes to show that they have not one clue about the market they're looking to sell to.
May not be the final nail in the coffin, but the nails are definitely in place.
Slashdot Mirror
I vote that the next-gen shuttle includes a slot for an R2 unit.
Good luck, Discovery.
Yep, that's the one! Made in Quake III Arena.
And yeah, it does feel a lot like Silent Running - man, that goes back some.
Yup! That and "In the Waiting Line" by Fountainhead/Ghost Robot (for Zero 7) are the two Machinima music videos that were made with the approval of the artist/label. I suspect we'll see more artist/label-backed machinima music vids in the future too.
:)
btw, my mention of "in these Machinima vids" should have read just "in Machinima vids." Too rude a use of my adjectves.
IANAL, but in the States nearly all of the songs used in these machinima vids do not fall under "fair use" and would require the permission of the label/artist/copyright holder for distribution.
That said, they usually run below the radar and for the labels that are aware might even see it as promotional use (I said, might).
Hehehhe - that would be pretty funny. Fortunately, the download links are hosted a traditional webserver.
PSP uses a region-based UMD movie format. Selling US PSP stock wouldn't work.
I think films like HHGTTG should start taking cues from software development - rather than call it a completed film, slap a "beta" label on it and get your preview audiences to QA the film until its a better overall work.
.95 of Star Wars IV: ANH where they finally fix that damn "shoot at Han first" bug!
Looking forward to release
Been traveling a bit (just finishing up a Machinima workshop in Vienna at the Top Talent Festival), but came across this thread and thought to throw in some cents (Euro or US, you decide)...
Machinima development has come a long way in the last few years - fulfilling upon its expected promise - though it still has lots of room for maturing.
Fountainhead Entertainment's Machinimation program (which uses the Quake III Arena engine) is the definitive make-machinima-quick tool. Its the first real program for machinima production. In addition, it comes in Demo, Academic and Professional flavors depending on the projects you may have in mind (those interested should check out the Machinimation version differences and the Machinimation FAQ. Machinima filmmakers should stay tuned to the continual development of this program.
In the "promise on the horizon" dept., the afore-mentioned Half-Life2 has a number of tools that could make it the standout machinima production engine. With its internal character facial/gesture animation tool, Face Poser, the ever-so-missing dramatic expression of faces and lip-sync finally gets its due. While the Hammer editor doesn't get as much of an overhaul as I would have liked, this machinima filmmaker hopes there's scripting support in the full SDK to be released next week.
One of the most satisfying of current machinima production-ready engines is probably Unreal Tournament 2004. While even the Epic Games tech can use some help in the machinima department (its internal camera system, Matinee, only goes so far), it does have a large community for support as well as Epic's own Unreal Developer Network (which should be a model for any game developer looking to support their engine post-purchase). That said, the UT2004 tech has room for development and could be the platform for further Machinima development in the future (without spilling too many beans, interested parties should stay tuned). The Unreal 3 tech looks great too!
Other engines: The Sims2 is a good Machinima contender (and the engine behind Rooster Teeth's The Strangerhood) - one hopes that Maxis/EA will build up its Machinima use, either through internally developed tools, or supporting third-party/end-user development of such programs. Linden Lab's Second Life is also a good Machinima platform, although the control of characters and events through a remotely located server can impact production. Still, it allows the end-user to upload their own gestures as well as givens them IP ownership (big deal for those looking to profitize their work). A Machinima filmmaker may also want to consider the Torque engine from Garage Games with its low-cost ownership model and large community as well.
As mentioned in the original posting, Lionhead's The Movies looks promising - an application that blurs the line between game and productivity tool (as least from the Machinima filmmakers perspective). Lionhead unfortunately hasn't looked to the Machinima community for recommendations (which could have been a valuable resource, IMHO), but hopefully they will post-release.
Finally, I will do a selfish plug and make the recommendation to my book, The Art of Machinima, which I created with the beginning Machinima filmmaker in mind. The book covers using Fountainhead's Machinimation (a demo of which is included in the book's CD) as well as more advanced Machinima using UT2004.
The upcoming Machinima Film Festival (Spring 2005) will be showcasing the majority of these engines and developments - people should st
Um, I think they have the dates wrong.
News was that "Revenge of the Sith" actually premieres January 20th, 2005 in Washington DC.
Well, I think its a really good idea anyway, has there been anything else like this done before?
machinima.com
machinima.org
Machinima FAQ
For those who haven't heard about the movement that is Machinima, here's a rip from the ol' FAQ.
So, what is Machinima?
I actually own the n52, upgrading from my earlier n50.
As a gamer (yes, I admit it), I do find these devices useful. After about 4-5 gaming sessions, I became extremely comfortable with the device, and began integrating its usefulness into more traditional applications (like 3DS Max). Given the included software (albeit Windows), you are able to map keystrokes (macros as well) to the device, to which you can reconfigure/reinitialize the mapping through an app that sits in the systray (Loadout Manager).
Now onto the bad stuff. The n52 makes some improvements over the n50 (extra row of keys, dpad, thumb shift key), however the response of the keys themselves seems to have suffered a setback. While I was never completely satisfied with the response of the n50 keys (not enough tactile feedback for these fingers), the n52 has this even less so. More importantly, the keys sometime stick, making you depress some of the keys more than once in order to execute the keystroke - a pretty large issue when it comes the one thing a keyboard should do well.
Hopefully, the problems I encountered with this n52 is a defect with this particular unit (/.er's, chime in!).
All-in-all, the n50/n52 are good and versatile products, and I recommend them for those looking for a one-hand input device - particularly if you come across them at a cheap price (I bought my n52 for $35). The software support is a little flimsy, but Belkin seems to be more focused on this as their products are growing in popularity.
Another extremely interesting input use... The ILL Clan (a Machinima team I co-founded) use these devices to puppeteer their virtual characters during their Machinima productions/live performances - mapping the keys to facial gestures, lipsync and triggered animations.
3D Engines.net is a fully searchable 3D engine DB has been around for quite some time. This look interesting similiar...
*looks up and taps fingers in succession on chin*
-Robs
Anyone really wanting a service such as this only needs to use the obligatory Google-plug-n-play method.
Search results return a number of companies who advertise this service - none of which are didtheyreadit.com.
I seem to remember another company back in the Net heyday that provided the same service - assumed they went down in flames with the rest.
If it's small and light enough for a Marine to throw one over a wall, then what's stopping someone from throwing it back?
This is why we believe so strongly in Machinima. It provides the environments, the actions and events to not only embellish stories (like in this case), but also allows people to tell stories of their own.
Of course, now that the Madden curse is becoming more well known (true or not), there's the likelihood that these players can become targeted, either physically by other players or by the public putting them on a "Madden-watch", waiting for that fateful day where the curse plays out. Which all further propagates the idea of the curse (and yes, I just played my own part in that).
It's dumbell-shaped and looks just like an Arnie Bobblehead Doll.
Someone get Hollywood on the phone!
From the article:
...sounds like Machinima to me.
The graphics revolution that is upon us will be a creative one; present work methods are too labor intensive to scale to the volume of data that we will need to create to support the medium. We will need new production methodologies blending techniques from games, film, and television.
...music has now become shovelware!
Upstream Engineering is willing to provide miniature color video projectors...
Willing to provide???
Infinium is willing to provide Hard OCP a lawsuit. Television networks are willing to provide good entertainment. The government is willing to provide conclusive evidence of foreign WMD programs.
A lot of people are willing to provide things -doesnt mean that it will happen.
I think someone should be willing to provide Upstream an alternative to Babelfish.
Now you'll be able to come whereever you go!
ok, ok -- well, it is bathroom humor....
Or at least install the Google Toolbar [toolbar.google.com](a necessary addition to make IE worthwhile, IMHO) and turn on the popup blocker option...
...looks to me like Infinium is trying to locate their next round of funding.
Really....
What better way to gain a good rep with the community than to sue a well-known gamer's site.
Sheesh - just goes to show that they have not one clue about the market they're looking to sell to.
May not be the final nail in the coffin, but the nails are definitely in place.