HOW TO MAKE MACHINIMA
Definition:
Machinima (pronounced ma-SHEEN-uh-ma) is filmmaking within a real-time 3D virtual environment like that of many online video games, often using 3D videogame technology (the word machinima is formed from “machine” and “cinema”). Many machinima movies are made by gamers screen capturing their in-game characters acting out stories inside a video game world.
Frequently Asked Questions about Machinima:
http://www.machinima.org/machinima-faq.html
Free Machinima Resources:
Making your first machinima film is easier than you think, and you might already have most of the basic things required. Here is a quick list of free downloads to get you started (PC users):
1. Write your story…
Celtix (celtx.com) This is free script writing software made for animations, film, theatre and video productions, similar to the best selling Final Draft, except there is an online collaboration feature making group editing easy. Celtix is part of the creative commons movement.
2. Record your dialogue…
Audacity (audacity.sourceforge.net) is a free audio editor that lets you record and edit voice acting, plus sound effects.
3. Organize your actors…
Xfire (xfire.com) lets you instant message within most online games (over 500), important when all your actors might be playing in various game universes and not answering phones or email and you need them to show up for a shoot on your server.
4. Shoot your movie…
FRAPS (fraps.com) You’ll need screen capturing software to record each scene in your movie. FRAPS has a version available for free download.
5. Edit your movie…
Windows® Movie Maker is a free video editor that is easy for beginners to understand – it comes installed with the Windows® XP operating system.
6. Add your film to the creative commons…
Creative Commons (creativecommons.org) has a number of free pre-packaged legal templates that you can use to declare whatever type of creative use that you’re comfortable with doing. For instance choose a “public domain” license if you want to encourage others to copy and spread your movie around the globe, if it’s good enough people will even translate it into different languages.
7. Upload your film…
Enter film and video contests with your movie, such as the Quest 2 Change Real Life (quest2changeRL.com). Post the link to your video to the community pages of the video game engine you used to create it.
Guides on Making Machinima:
The Art of Machinima (Paul Marino, Paraglyph Press, Aug. 2004)- a hands-on look at the basics of how to make a machinima production.
Machinima : Making Animated Movies in 3D Virtual Environments (Dave Morris, Matt Kelland and Dave Lloyd, Ilex Press, Aug. 2005) – an overview look at the medium of machinima and its filmmakers.
