The document discusses machinima, a creative technology that uses real-time 3D computer graphics engines and video games to create cinematic productions, emphasizing its collaborative and remixing nature. It highlights the evolution of machinima, its impact on the film industry, and the incorporation of machinima principles in professional works. The document also explores the social aspects of creation and learning through observation and imitation, linking machinima to broader cultural expressions.

1. SLACTIONS 2012: Research conference on virtual worlds – Life, imagination,
and work using metaverse platforms
Machinima, a creative technology
Nelson Zagalo, University of Minho, Portugal
Second Life, UTAD Island 15 Nov 2012

2. Machinima ( /məˈʃiːnɨmə/ or /məˈʃɪnɨmə/)
1. is the use of real-time 3D computer
graphics rendering engines to create a
cinematic production.
2. video games are used to generate the
computer animation.
3. machinima-based artists, are often fan
laborers, by virtue of their re-use of
copyrighted materials.

3. 1. Real-time rendering engines
Software platforms that support coding 3D video games and virtual
worlds.
Doom engine
Quake engine
Half-life engine
GTA engine
Second Life engine
Etc. etc.

4. 1. Real-time rendering engines
Diary of a Camper (1996), one the first know machinima, created with Quake
engine.

5. 2. Pre-fabricated worlds and behaviours
Artifacts are created on top of pre-existing content previously created
by video game companies or single persons online.

6. 3. Machinima, a remixing collaborative process
Assets are remixed, reutilized and transformed.

7. 3. Machinima, a remixing collaborative process
The way “mirror neurons” let us understand others is by a kind of inner
imitation of the actions of other people. Mirror neurons helps in simulating and
emulating others the intentions and emotions associated with those actions.
Mirror neurons absorb culture directly, teach us socialization, open the realm of
a common world view through observation and imitation.
We remix to express ourselves, and to learn about the external world.

8. Machinima from
fans to industry

9. Machinima revolutionizing film software
Source Filmmaker, www.sourcefilmmaker.com
Review: http://virtual-illusion.blogspot.pt/2012/07/source-film-maker-por-joao-morais.html

10. Professional machinimations
LEGO Star Wars: The Quest for R2-D2 (2009) LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game (2005)
LEGO Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Brick (2008) LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (2008)

11. Industry changing and adopting machinima principles
Some Vfx for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) from LucasFilm were
made using LucasArts game engine while they were preparing the game of the film on PS3.
The game was then cancelled.

12. Machinima going Virtual Cinema
Matrix Trilogy used techniques of virtual cinema, that were capturing real world elements and
reconstructing worlds inside 3D engines, and then manipulating the 3D elements as if they
were real scenes.

13. Machinima technologies are,
1 - Eliciting attractive and easy interaction, like a toy.
2 - Serving a purpose, like helping, guiding, connecting or
facilitating the attaining of an objective, as tools do.
3 - Enrolling players, engaging, motivating and maintaining
concentration while pushing for mastery, as games do.
A Toy, a Tool and a Game.

14. SLACTIONS 2012: Research conference on virtual worlds – Life, imagination, and work using metaverse platforms
Machinima, a creative technology
Nelson Zagalo, nzagalo@ics.uminho.pt
B. http://virtual-illusion.blogspot.pt
H. http://nelsonzagalo.googlepages.com
F. http://www.facebook.com/nelsonzagalo
Universidade do Minho