What is Machinima?

Think machine and cinema. And yes, you get Machinima!
                     
Machinima is based on the discovery that PC/Video games can be used for making films and commercials. It is a phenomenon of player producer culture rather than an arena of professional filmmaking. Its production reflects the humor and the fast paced action environment of this
era of games.

How is it done? Beginning with a particular game engine, a Machinima creator can use the existing game characters (or make your very own) and game environments, as the actors and sets for a movie type of virtual Sims world, so to speak. This is then compiled, edited and voila! manipulated into a virtual film.

This new hybrid of filmmaking game culture all has its roots among game fanatics from what started as simple fun and play. Hence, Machinima was born from the gaming community and soon after, this subculture mapped itself out across the United States and on to Europe.

The upside of making your very own Machinima film is, rather than working with costly camera equipment or spending months animating every element using costly 3D packages, a Machinima film can be done by “acting” out movies all within a computer game engine.

Of course with the correct software and PC game anyone can learn to produce a Machinima Movie, but just like Hollywood a quality Machinima movie only surfaces from many an average or bad movie once in a while!

If you are interested in learning more about producing Machinima Movies, the software required to the technical production aspects please visit the UBI Movies Makers  “Tools for Movie Makers and Miscellaneous Stuff” thread.

S~Monty-Dan