Countdown to Machinima Expo - 6 Days to Go!

The Machinima Expo is November 20th & 21st...make sure you mark your calendars!

This will be a fabulous opportunity to:

• Mingle with machinimakers from across the globe
• Enjoy some outstanding movies from the past year
• Attend informative presentations
• Enjoy a live Wolf & Dulci Hour on November 20th
  

The Duleks Episode 6

I'm very excited to be in this episode of The Duleks!!

International Movie Trailer Festival

As relayed by OpenFilm....

Call For Entries
The International Movie Trailer Festival
$5,000 Grand Prize

The International Movie Trailer Festival, the first online trailer contest, aims to build an innovative online community for students, hobbyists and professional moviemakers, giving them a novel way to express their creativity while providing online entertainment for fans around the world.

Featured Call for Entries

Enter your trailers, faux trailers, and conceptual trailers for a chance to win the $5000 Grand Prize. Additional cash prizes range from $500 to $1000 for categories including:

• Best Trailer for a Produced Movie ($1000 Prize),
• Best Trailer for an Unproduced Movie ($1000 Prize),
• People's Choice Award ($1000),
• Best Student Entry ($500 Prize) and Best Soundtrack or Song ($500).

Additionally, all contestants receive a FREE copy of the book, "Moviemaking Illustrated," by James Morrow and Murray Suid.

Everyone wins. When you enter The International Movie Trailer Festival (IMTF) you're immediately a winner because your trailer will be posted in a searchable online database, where fans and producers can find your work.

Final Deadline: August 31, 2010

Click Here

For Entry Forms and Contest Rules.

Click Here

To View and Vote for Trailer Entries.

Click Here

For Details on Prizes and Awards.

The Only Alien On The Planet - Part 4

The Only Alien on the Planet: Part Four from QoH on Vimeo.

This is my latest voiceacting role - returning to my role as Mrs. Tibbs in Bella's (aka Queen of Hearts) series The Only Alien on The Planet. I passionately believe that Bella is a tremendous young talent that is well worth keeping on eye on - that girl is going places!!

This episode features:
Caulder- MADasinger
Ginny- QueenofHearts
Doctor- Sisch
Mr. Tibbs- Act3Scene24
Mrs. Tibbs- Dulci

The series is based on the book by Kristen D. Randle.

Useful sites

I've been organizing the various links I've referenced in recent Wolf & Dulci Hour podcasts. Here are some of the ones I'm keeping bookmarked for future reference:

Suicidator City Generator
Open Game Art
Open Film
My Outer Space
111 Free Filmmaking Tools
Free Celtx Tools
50 Free Hi-Res Metal Textures
Make Human
Lighting Challenges
How to Write a Screenplay
2010 Machinima Expo
Machinimasound

What are you doing Nov 20 & 21?

Hopefully joining in with the fun at the MachinExpo 2010!

You can read the official announcement here.

What I've pulled out as a significant change from last year, and which will hopefully draw the people who didn't attend because the event was focused in SecondLife, is this tidbit...

"The way the Expo is being presented this year is going to be very different from the previous two years. A main goal, in addition to quality films, is to make the Expo attendee’s experiences easier and simpler. If you have a computer, an internet connection and a browser you’ll be able to attend the 2010 Expo."

Getting the family involved in your projects

I just enjoyed this music video from Capemedia which features delightful music performances by his children:



It brought to mind some of Wolf's work with his daughter, such as his recent entry into the Pinhead competition:



And reminded me of the fun I had making this little movie with my son Prince Logan:



I wonder if any of you have involved your family in your productions - I'd love to see and/or hear about your experiences!

Pinhead Results Announced

The video is now up announcing the winners of the latest Pinhead Competition. It can be viewed here. Congratulations!

Voting for the Pinhead Competition

You can vote for the Pinhead Get a Job Competition HERE (Click on the The GPA'S Tab)

There is a 2D and a 3D Category, and the films can be viewed before voting by going HERE and selecting the View Clips tab.

These are the categories:

* Best Technical Achievment -Editing and effects.
* Best Facial expressions/gestures - What clips could really convay what was on Pinhead's and other charactor's minds. There may have been head or hand movements that added extra flare.
* Best Sound and Music- Did it bring the story to life, when the door slammed just right, or the sound of keys jingled just so...Did the musc fit the story, invoke emotion, or move you in anyway?
* Best Screenplay (story) - Who had the best story?
* Best Picture (Best Overall) - What took the gold in all of the above. Your absolute Favorite.

I know not everyone wants to download clips as it is set up on the Pinhead site, so I've done what I can to provide some links to the 3D movies (please note I couldn't find all of the clips in other places, so you'll still have to watch some directly through the Pinhead site):

There is a Pinhead Channel on TMU - all the Pinhead movies for this contest uploaded to TMU are in this channel:

Pinhead Get a Job
Status: Public Channel

Pinhead movies on Youtube:

Jest a Job
Quest to Find a Job
The Pinhead Haunting Story

The Movies to Blender to iClone

Through the efforts of Wolf and DCMF modder stvndysn, progress is being made in converting characters from The Movies for use in iClone:

iClone Sci Fi Contest - Getting Started

Reallusion has announced the launch of the 2nd Annual iClone Filmmaking Competition. This year's theme, as anticipated, is science fiction. The deadline for entries is July 4, 2010.

Here are the rules straight from the Reallusion site:


Qualifications & Requirements
To submit, all participants should register as a Reallusion member and submit the video via the Submission Form by midnight, Pacific time on 07/04/2010


•Participants must use iClone in the creation of their movie

– You don't have iClone? Then you may acquire a free iClone EX version here.

•Participants must fill out the Submission Form with their movie title, movie desciption, movie credits, contact information and URL link to their uploaded video on YouTube.com

•Entrants may submit up to (3) movies for award consideration

•Winners will be posted on the Sci-Fi Movie Competition's official forum page and notified through e-mail

Technical Requirements
•1 video link uploaded on YouTube.com

(Video size is not limited, but good YouTube video quality is encouraged. The video name title must begin with the text “iClone Sci-Fi”)

•Movie length: Minimum of 2 minutes ~ 10 minutes (longer videos are acceptable)

•Submitted videos MUST be about Science Fiction (please refer to the genre below)

•Submitted videos may incorporate footage from other video games or commercial clips for a media mash-up but the submission would need to have at least 40% iClone generated footage inside

•Video entries may be submitted in any language but they must have English voice dubs or subtitles for worldwide viewing and appreciation. Take note that this is an international competition

AND the prizes:

Best Picture
Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 720 Projector
Valued $ 999.95

Best picture will be awarded to the most inspiring cinematic film portraying a believable plot on where humanity will be in the future.

Think of a film deserving to be played on the big screen. Films that swing away from contemporary Sci-Fi cliches are a plus.

Best Movie Tribute
Sony α330 DSLR Camera and Lenses
Valued $ 749.95

Best Movie Tribute shall go to the entry that portrays the best fan film of all. Criteria shall be based on attention to detail and faithfulness to the genre.

Think of capturing the essence of your tribute all while portraying your own spin to the original storyline.

Best Mashup
PlayStation®3 250GB system
Valued $ 349.95

The Best Mashup Award shall be handed to the entry that brings the best compilation of video game footage, external media footage or any other source into their film.

Think of good editing, a well thought-out story plot and high quality captured footage.

Best Screenplay
PhotoBasics' Green Screen Video Kit + Reallusion popVideo Converter 2.0
Valued $ 394.95

Best Screenplay category shall be awarded to the film that portrays the best story script with great scenes, camera angles and direction. Seeing a character do something is far more powerful than having him/her say it.

Think of Scorcese, Kubrick, and the Coen Brothers when creating your film.

Best Super Hero Character
Magix Video PRO X2
Valued $ 299.99

The Best Super Hero Award will be given to the film with the best original Super Hero. Who would be everyone's favorite super hero?

Think in terms of creativity and originality. Think Heroes. Make a list of what we all want to be, and give it a body.

Coolest Robot Style
Magix Video PRO X2
Valued $ 299.99

The Coolest Robot Style shall be awarded to the film that introduces the best original Robot character. Remember how we all soiled ourselves when we first saw RoboCop, Ripley's power loader and the Terminator.

Think in terms of a good design, practicability and overall awesomeness!


Most Creative Alien
PhotoBasics Green Screen Video Kit + Reallusion popVideo Converter 2.0
Valued $ 394.95

This category will be awarded to the film that introduces the most creative Alien character with personality.

Think of a species that has successfully evolved into something aesthetical and logical. Random concoctions will lose points.

Best Outer Space Scene
Magix Video PRO X2
Valued $ 299.99

The Best Space Science award shall be presented to the most realistic presentation of an outer space environment and hard science.

Think of Hubble Space Telescope images, physics, your high-school science teacher (well maybe not) and utmost realism.

Best Visual FX
Digital Juice Motion Design Element Collection
Valued $ 499.70

Visual FX category is for the film that crafts the most unique shots and scenes with incredible special effects with stunning and awe inspiring visual esthetics.

Think of depth of field effects, force fields, plasma particles, explosions, optical effects and lens flares.

Best Sound FX
Partners In Rhyme Sci-Fi & Scary
Sound Effects Pack
Valued $ 130

This award goes to the film who crafted and legally acquired the perfect balance of sound effects and music.

Think of great movie themes, well-done Doppler effects and surround sounds.


Associated sites:

Be sure to check out the following sites as not only are they friends with Reallusion, but they will also be hosting special iClone give-away contests:

FanBoy Theater
Fan Film Follies
Internet Video Magazine
Sci-Fi Movie Page

Content Sources

• Wolfzone's Sci-Fi Props & Wasteland Props
• Be sure to check out the list put together by MyClone for sci-fi freebies galore.
• CoolClones has a lot of freebies available (you need to be a registered member to access) as well as purchasable content at their store
• Some fantastic freebies and purchasable content available from WarLord at iClone Revolution.
• Reallusion Content Store
• Freebies available through iClone Warehouse (you need to be a registered member to access)
• Renderosity (need some technical know-how to convert props for use in iClone)
• Use the iClone Avatar Builder in association with Evolver to create unique aliens

Those are just some of my favorites - there's plenty more out there!

More info to follow, as I will be watching (and entering!) this contest closely. If I don't come up with something better, I'll probably enter The Day We All Turned Into Aliens - Hour 1.

Part 1 - The Day We All Turned Into Aliens

The Day We All Turned Into Aliens - Hour 1 from Dulci on Vimeo.

I am having sooooo much fun with this project!

Machinima Vs Anymation - Episode 2

Episode 2 of Machinima vs Anymation premieres live tomorrow night at 10:10pm CST (immediately following the Wolf & Dulci Hour) at TMU Theater











Miss the first episode?

Stunning work in iClone4

I was pointed towards this movie by norte43 and was impressed by the visuals, the cinematography, the animations, and just the overall vibe. Inspiring work!

Top 10 Machinimators Who....

Well, I don't have a decade of experience under my belt, but seeing the lists popping up all over the place with the "best of" the decade this and the "best of" the decade that, I've decided to do a retrospective look.

I sat down and tried to compile a list of the top 10 machinima movies over the last 5 years (as far back as my personal experience goes). However, as I started to compile my list, I realized I was more interested in listing the top 10 machinimators over the last 5 years. As I started contemplating my choices, I decided that proclaiming a "TOP 10 MACHINIMATORS" list would only cause hurt feelings and stir up competitiveness (as it seems "TOP" lists so often do).

What does this all mean? Well, I've decided to put together a tribute movie to the Top 10 Machinimators Who Have Influenced Dulci Over the Last 5 Years. It's a very specific list, and comes with several disclaimers attached - people who aren't included in my final list are in no way not fantastic moviemakers in their own right. I'm soul-searching for the moments over the last 5 years when I have been significantly influenced by another person and have carried a piece of that inspiration with me throughout my work going forward. This tribute will be my way of saying thank you, and also a way for me to document my machinima adventure.

I had initially hoped to have something put together as 2010 launched, but I don't want to rush this project. So watch this space and eventually the tribute will appear.

iClone - a year in review

I'm really looking forward to the Wolf & Dulci Hour tonight. It's been a nostalgic few days of information gathering for me - looking at the iClone movies released over the last year, the content that's been developed, the growth of the community, and, of course, the release of iClone4.

Tonight we'll be focusing on the events that have shaped iClone in 2009. We hope to see many of you in the chatroom this evening so we can explore your memories as well!

7pm PST / 9pm CST / 10pm EST - www.tmoaradio.com or www.tmutheater.com (easiest way to listen & chat at the same time).

Machinima Expo 2009 iClone Presentation

Thanks again to bllius for providing footage of the Machinima Expo!

Machinima Expo 2009 iClone Presentation from bllius 69 on Vimeo.

Machinima Vs Anymation

Actors	Information	Credits
Machinima Character by Killian Anymation Character by The Biz	Machinima Versus Anymation is an on going series of spoofs directed at machinima and home animation in general. Conceived by M.D. McCallum (WarLord) and assisted by Dulci in screenwriting and production this series hopes to play on the good and bad of home animation and its sometimes fanatical filmmakers. The producers of this short anymation are very pleased to have two very talented voice actors from the TMUnderground community to kick off this series and wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to Killian and The Biz for their fine efforts. Special Thanks to Machinima Uber Filmmaker Tom Jantol for coining the term "Anymation"!	Producer and Casting Dulci Screenplay by Dulci and WarLord Music by Masters of Mario Animation, Editing and Direction by WarLord

Visit the Machinima Vs Anymation website here.

Women In Machinima

One of the highlights of the Machinima Expo for me was the Women in Machinima panel. Last year I felt the same way; although this year they took pity on me and allowed me in the panel rather than in the audience chomping at the bit with questions and comments. The panel this year focused less on women-specific issues related to machinima, and rather was more of a chance to get to know some of the female machinimators. It was a fantastic experience and I appreciated the opportunity to be involved. There really are more women in machinima than I think people realize on first flush.

However, having worked up some thoughts on what I would I say if the gender-related questions were asked, I feel the need to purge those ideas from my system – so lucky you, Reader, as you now get to wander through my rambling thoughts.

If you had asked me the question “Does gender matter in machinima?” at different points throughout my machinima career, you would have, over the years, received varying responses from me.

When I first began, it didn’t seem to matter at all. I started with The Movies from its beginning, and as a community we were all on what could be described as a level playing field. There was genuine enthusiasm from the beginning to be supportive of one another’s movies (the need for virtual credits to unlock certain items actually helped spur this on, but that’s a topic for another day). As we matured and the community got a bit more competitive, some of the gloves came off and biting comments were made here and there. I’ll focus on some directed at me that shaped my perspective on this specific topic.

1) If you think some people don’t watch your movies because you’re a girl and they are e-flirting with you, you are being naïve.

My initial response: Hot-headed anger.

Looking back: I hate admitting it, but I do believe this is on occasion true. Sometimes the internet is like a bizarre nightclub and you just never know who is looking for action! However, this happened more often in the TMO days. I haven’t picked up this vibe in a long time, so either I’m still naïve or this behavior has been purged from the community.

2) People watch & support your movies because they hope to have you voiceact for them, as voiceactresses are few & far between.

My initial response: Irritation. Realize, though, that one of the most obnoxious, insulting requests a voiceactress can receive is “I need a girl in my movie and I’m pretty sure you’re a girl. Can you do these lines for me?”. We’d rather be cast because the role fits us, not because we’re the only girl you can think of who voiceacts.

Looking back: This is actually a flattering reason for someone to watch my movies, and I have learned more effective ways to say no to voiceacting roles. If you think I am a lousy filmmaker but a decent voiceactress, I can certainly live with that summation!

3) You play the “girl card” to get people to watch your movies.

My initial response: Paranoid introspection. Huh? What’s the “girl card”? What am I doing that is giving the idea that I’m manipulating people into watching my flicks?

Looking back: Yes, I’m a girl. *gasp* I still don't know what exactly the "girl card" is, but I don't waste my time dissecting this statement anymore.

4) Girls tend to be self-depreciating

My initial response: Don’t lump me in with all the other girls! When I acknowledge my imperfections as a filmmaker, I’m not fishing for a compliment. I’m trying to be honest and I’m looking for ways to improve.

Looking back: If there’s a tendency for women to be self-depreciating, then I would say there’s just as strong a tendency for men to be cocky & self-praising. And if as a man that sentence annoyed you, then now you know how this stereotype makes me feel!


There has also been a general perception that women machinimators make mostly romance & drama movies. In my experience, not just with my own movies but with those I’ve watched, this perception is way off base. Actually, romantic movies by either gender are few & far between in machinima. I don’t know if that’s a product of the environment and software or a conscientious choice.

In my little segment of the machinima world, The Movies Online through to TMUnderground, I have seen an evolution of perception. Granted, some of the more negative elements have drifted away from the community, and I’m sure they are still out there somewhere convinced as they hunch over their keyboards that the reason their movies weren’t watched is because they don’t have girl bits & pieces.

I also feel that people have gotten more comfortable saying when they think one of my movies is bleh. Chivalry I think is just ingrained in many men (yes, I realize I just stated a stereotype) but as we have gotten to know each other over the years, constructive criticism is recognized as a kind, and not negative, gesture.

Do women machinimators have it rougher than their male counterparts? I’d say definitively no. Male or female, we approach our work as individuals and not as gender representatives.

iClone not allowed in 48 hour machinima event?

Based on the first-hand experience of codewarrior, as outlined in this thread on Reallusion, the use of iClone was not allowed in the recent 48 hour machinima event.

Normally, I try to take a deep breath and remind myself that not everyone thinks iClone is machinima. It's like a mantra. Breathe in - breathe out - not everyone thinks - blah blah blah. However - there is a big difference this time, as MovieStorm WAS allowed in the event. Usually, when iClone isn't an accepted format, neither is MovieStorm.

Anyone who is familiar with both MovieStorm and iClone knows that the programs have some pretty solid similarities. Both are non-game platforms. Why would iClone be excluded from such a prestigious machinima event? I was enthusiastic about this event - I had even considered participating.

I know that we can't dictate to contest runners how to set up their rules and criteria, but I would really like to hear an explanation as to why iClone was summarily dismissed in the 48 hour machinima competition, and MovieStorm embraced to the point that one of the top-award winning movies was made with MovieStorm (a well-deserved win, I might add, lest some think I'm casting doubt as to the validity of that decision).

I find this very disheartening at a time when I was feeling confident and upbeat about the progress the machinima community has made in general at embracing the varying platform choices available.

In my opinion, excluding iClone isolates its users. I have enjoyed the cross-pollination of iC and MS users - on TMUnderground we see users of both programs assisting each other on projects, supporting each others work, and enjoying each others movies. The choice made by the organizers of the 48 hour project only serves to create a rift where there wasn't one. At least at past events, iCloners and MovieStormers could console each other when we were excluded from competitions.

It's absolutely mind-boggling to me and I am thoroughly disappointed with this decision.