The University of Western Australia in partnership with AviewTV, Cutting Edge Concerts, Open This End and the Summerland Estates announced MachinimUWA IV : Art of the Artists – a machinima competition offering a prize pool totalling L$300,000.

Submissions are open through to the 10th November, and the competition lists an impressive and distinguished list of judges:

• Professor Ted Snell (RL) – Director, Cultural Precinct, The University of Western Australia
• Rhett Linden (SL) – Vice President, Experience Design, Linden Labs
• Jay  Jay Jegathesan (RL) / Jayjay Zifanwe (SL) – Manager School of Physics/ Lead of UWA Virtual World Projects
• Yesikita Coppola (SL) – Official Machinimatographer for UWA 2011
• FreeWee Ling (SL) – Curator, UWA 3D Open Art Challenge
• Pia Klaar (SL) – Machinimatographer and Winner of MachinimUWA III Viewer Event
• LaPiscean Liberty (SL) – CEO AviewTV and UWA Virtual World Technical Media Advisor
• Persia Bravin (SL) – Journalist, SL Media Producer and TV host
• Mal Burns (SL), Metaverse News Aggregator and Broadcaster
• Editorial Clarity (SL) – Metaverse Journalist and Senior Writer, BOSL Blog & BOSL Magazine
• Rowan Derryth (SL) – Art & Design Historian; Writer for Prim Perfect Publications
• Dousa Dragonash (SL) – COO Metaverse Television
• Dr. Phylis Johnson (RL) – Media Professor, Southern Illinois University & author
• Thirza Ember (SL) – Art Blog Writer
• Phaylen Fairchild (SL) – Award Winning Writer, Director, Comedian
• Flimsey Freenote – CEO of Metamix TV (Mixed Reality Television)
• Cristina García-Lasuén (RL) / Aino Baar (SL) International Curator, Art Writer, Founder & Owner of Open This End group
• Nazz Lane (SL) – Journalist and Author
• Chestnut Rau (SL) – Journalist
• Suzy Yue (SL) – Artistic Director, Running Lady Studios

The Challenge

The challenge for those participating in MACHINIMUWA IV is to, “Create a machinima that features some (or one) of the artworks submitted to the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge. You can choose to film as many (or as few) as you like, and you may submit any number of entries. There is no enforced time limit, however a recommended time limit would be between 3 – 6 minutes”. As to theme, the judges simply state, “Create something that will take our breath away”.

Completed videos can be uploaded anywhere, although the competition hints at a preference for either YouTube or Vimeo, with the link and details passed to Jayjay Zifanwe & LaPiscean Liberty prior to the closing date. Artworks appearing in the machinima should be acknowledged. Entries will be displayed on the UWA Second Life blog.

For full details on the competition, including details of the art series and location, filming the works either in situ or elsewhere, please refer to the MACHINIMUWA IV: Art of the Artists post on the UWA SL blog.

With thanks to Jayjay Zifanwe for the information & UWA for the use of the competition graphic