Have you ever wondered how to make machinima? (Yes!). Have you ever given it a go and been less that satisfied? (Yes!). Not even sure what this “machinima” thing is? Ole Etzel – aka Mr. Bones will be on-hand to answer these questions and more as he sits down to present a practical workshop on the subject which promises to cover everything from capturing things in-world through editing and post-production.
Notes for his own series of Mr. Bones videos and recently the focus of The Drax Files, Ole also promises to give more insight into In the Belly of the Whale, which he is co-running with Eupalinos Ugajin at Moving Islands [Rafts] at LEA20.
“Lights, camera …” The workshop area
Things kick-off at 12:00 noon SLT. The workshop area can be reached via the LEA20 arrival point. Look for the workshop poster (top), and the treasure chest beneath it. Click on the latter for a teleport to the workshop area (the direct TP may not work).
And here’s one of my favourite Mr. Bones music videos.
Goizane Latzo over at Bitacora drew my attention to RiTai Dreamland, a full region which is jointly owned by Tai – HH (Taishatai aka Tai (taisha Lemon)) and her partner Richard (dexterity00).
I’m not sure if the region forms their private home, but Tai and Richard have generously opened it to the public, and the ground level is more than worth a visit, as it is a very picturesque place which offers more than might initially be apparent to the new arrival. Taking a tropical theme as its basis, the region is oriented towards the west – all the better to appreciate SL’s beautiful sunsets – and has all the trapping of a typical location in the tropics: golden sands, tall palms, high rock faces down which waterfalls tumble; the sound of waves breaking upon the shore, a curving, lagoon-like sweep of water cutting into the island, and more…
However, this is not just a tropical island. Follow the paths around it, cross the bridges over the water, and you’ll pass by a fascinating range of artwork from a number of SL artists, including Bryn Oh (who has her own place on the neighbouring RiTai East), Sniper Seimens, Nera Ireman, Yana Inaka, Nessuno Myoo and Tai herself. Some of these sit on their own, under the shade of palms, others sit within public sun decks or out on and over the surrounding waters. But wherever they are, each of the pieces on display offers its own unique focal point as one explores the island, serving to both give pause as one wanders and to prompt one to carry on around the island to see what else might be found.
The art isn’t only down on the beach areas or on / over the water, either. There is a tree house offering more pieces to be admired (use the teleport button at the base of the tree to make your way up to it), notably – again – from Bryn Oh. From here a wooden bridge spans the gap to the top of the waterfalls, although you may feel like you need a battered fedora and a bullwhip while crossing it! A further wood-and-rope bridge leads you to the top of the remaining cliffs, and a further view of the landscape below and the surrounding sea.
Alongside of art, a love of speed and flight is very much in evidence in RiTai Dreamland. In the lagoon-like centre of the region sits a gleaming white cruiser, while one of the beachfront lounge areas sports a scale model of a Formula 1 racing car and a gleaming motorcycle. Elsewhere, a number of helicopters can be found, one of which can be flown by visitors wanting to enjoy more of a bird’s-eye view of the island and which the adventurous might want to try taking up and landing on the cliff-top helipad.
Nor is the helicopter the only activity which can be enjoyed here; those who don’t wish to walk around the island can saddle-up and ride a horse; there is also hangliding and surfing on offer as well as the infamous pirate ship Blake Pearl (not to be confused with a pirate vessel of a similar name from a certain film franchise 😉 ) to explore and even canons to fire!
All-in-all, RiTai Dreamland offers a wonderfully imaginative destination which has it all: beautiful landscaping, some excellent pieces of art and sculpture to admire, things to do and places to simply sit and unwind. There’s even Bryn’s place just across the water, but I’m leaving that for another day and another visit…
At the start of September, 2013, I covered the launch of the Freedom Project, a 2D/3D Art and Film Event. co-organised by the University of Western Australia, Virtual Ability Inc., and the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible illnesses.
The project is an opportunity for artists suffering from a disability or chronic illness, or associated with those suffering from either, to demonstrate how virtual life has enabled them to engage in activities and interact with others in ways which may not be possible in the real world.
On Saturday January 11th, the UWA premiered the first Freedom Project Film Mandala Dance by Maia Kyi’Ra (Starheart Erdhein in SL), co-founder of the Spirit Dance Company and founder of the Light Fantastic Dancers, who perform the Mandala Dance, choreographed by Maia, and which features Now We Are Free by Lisa Gerrard and Hans Zimmer, the title of which fits the theme of the project perfectly.
As well as showcasing the film the UWA blog entry for Mandala Dance includes some of Maia’s own story, and you can read more of it on her website, New Earthstar Merkabah.
Sculptures, models and 2D art for the Freedom Project can also be seen at the UWA Virtual Gallery, and as a reminder to artists and those wishing to participate, submissions remain open until February 28th, 2014. Please refer to my original report on the Project – and more particularly, the original UWA announcement of the Project – for notes on the theme, technical requirements, considerations, rules, etc., for submitting a piece to the exhibit.
In brief, submissions should be on the theme of “freedom” and represent how the virtual world has helped the artist or those around the artist. Artwork should be no more than 200 land impact and films should be around 3-5 minutes (although no hard limits on film length will be enforced). Collaborative works are welcome, so long as the submission guidelines are adhered to. Artwork will go on display immediately at the UWA Virtual Gallery, and films will be put on the UWA Second Life Blog.
While the Project is not a competition, ten pieces will be selected by a special panel to each receive a special L$10,000 award.
A part of Cyberwings by Willothewisp
About Virtual Ability
Many disabilities in the real world can be a barrier to entry into the digital as well. People may have difficulties in dealing with the keyboard due to illness or disability; others many be reliant upon voice recognition software, and so on. Virtual Ability, Inc. helps people with these kind of challenges get into and become successful in virtual worlds like Second Life.
From an individual skills assessment undertaken during a unique intake process, Virtual Ability inc., are able to refer clients for help with assistive hardware and software as appropriate, and provide customised training and orientation. Once clients are in-world, Virtual Ability Inc., helps them integrate into the virtual society, and provides an ongoing community of support. The community offers members information, encouragement, training, companionship, referrals to other online resources and groups, ways to contribute back to the community, and ways to have fun.
The organisation runs a number of in-world centres, which can be read about on their website.
Beauty in Darkness and Silent Night by Roman Godde
About the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses
The Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses provides resources, support and guided relaxation sessions, for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gulf War Syndrome, and other invisible illnesses. They host general and research discussions once a week on Mondays at 18:00 SLT, and guided relaxation sessions every day, twice a day, at 08:00 and 20:00 SLT, in the Centre to help people manage their illness. This Centre is open to all, and all are welcome, including anyone with an illness, their families and carers to meet here and help each other. The Centre is located in Curtin University in Second Life.
In December 2013, I was one of several bloggers who provided preview notice of the upcoming new production from the Basilique Performing Arts Company, which will be opening to the public in Spring 2014.
Paradise Lost: The story of Adam and Eve’s original sin is an ambitious and sweeping re-telling of original sin based on John Milton’s Paradise Lost, choreographed and set to the fourteen movements of Mozart’s Requiem Mass in D minor.
The creation of Canary Beck and Harvey Crabsticks, the new production will last about an hour and comprise three Acts: The Creation, The Fall and The Expulsion. Through each, we will follow Satan, as he builds Hell, God as he creates the Garden of Eden, the Tree of Knowledge, Adam … and Eve; witness Satan’s beguiling of Eve, watch as she and Adam wilfully lust for one another in the face of God’s anger, only to be banished from the Garden of Eden; then finally, watch all that came after: the battle between the forces of Good and Evil, and Adam and Eve’s lives after Eden. All have been specially choreographed, and each act will comprise a number movements from Mozart’s Requiem.
The Basilique Performing Arts Company have today released the second in a series of trailer for this new piece, which builds on the initial teaser as it reveals God creating Adam and “the beasts of the field”. It is another marvellous piece which again demonstrates that Paradise Lost: The story of Adam and Eve’s original sin promises to be a very special production.
The Linden Endowments for the Arts is hosting a series of 16 “interim” art projects through until the end of January 2013. I’ve already covered the Flash Mob event on LEA26 and LEA 27, so here are two more you might want to take a look at: The Wonderful World of Particles and Paper Observatory.
I’ve long been an admirer of particle-based art in Second Life, having first encountered the power and versatility of particles as an artistic medium through the works of Tyrehl Byk, who still stands as one of the great Particle Magicians in my humble view of Second Life. So when I discovered that Mary Wickentower would be using LEA13 to present The Wonderful World of Particles (sponsored by Aview TV), I knew it would be on my list of places to visit.
Open until the end of January 2013, the region comprises a number of areas in which the beauty of particles can be seen. The largest of these is Le Musee de Particules, which will be used for particle performances throughout the month, as well as displaying various exhibits relating to particles, such as a photography by Particle Tom. Around this can be found a particle art installation by Lexi Marshdevil, a drive-in movie theatre featuring particle-themed films by Mary Wickentower and featuring the work of noted particle artists, and a “particle garden” by Danya Sadofsky.
Shows will be held throughout the month, including one by Particle Tom which will take place on Sunday January 19th at 13:00 SLT, featuring music by Jed Luckless.
Take your time exploring; there are some interest displays to be seen – and you might want to have a little place with windlight to get the full visual impact from Lexi Marshdevil’s piece outside of the museum.
The keen-eared movie buff with a penchant for “Spaghetti Westerns” might also enjoy an aural treat inside the museum with some familiar chimes central to a story involving Clint Eastwood, Lee van Cleef and Gian Maria Volonté!
The Paper Observatory
Haveit Neox is at work on LEA-21 is what is very much a work-in-progress. Paper Observatory is eventually designed to eventually replace a four-year-old Paper Tower on his ACC Alpha region, and which houses the visitor centre and galleries.
“The new Paper Observatory on the LEA21 sim hovers above an ample arena. The city leading up to this build is concentric; rooftops conforming into one large sweep of concavity, suggests a satellite dish.” Haveit says of the piece, before going on to describe more of the structure of the build and the people within. The human activities on the streets of the city are reflective of superstitious times of old, in the days before science had given us a measure of enlightenment, and when the Earth was still thought to be flat and disease the visitation of evil spirits.
Overhead, the observatory floats serenely, the only way to reach it being via flight – and this is intentional, Haveit using flight as an analogy of turning the page to move beyond the past and into the realm of the present, where the observatory will “be connected to science and therefore be a venue where one could gather information and get in touch with thought-provoking theories.”
Within the structure of the observatory one can find images of Lawrence Krauss, Richard Feynmann, Isaac Newton and Neil de Grasse Tyson (whose television continuation of Sagan’s epic Cosmos I am eagerly awaiting) – and possibly more as the build progresses – which form interactive elements designed to get the grey cells working.
As the Paper Observatory will be under development and enhancement throughout the month, this is an installation one may well want to re-visit at least a few times to more fully get its entire measure. The completed build will be installed on ACC Alpha on Thursday April 10th, 2014, the fourth anniversary of the founding of the original Paper Tower.
LaPiscean Liberty prompted me indirectly about an encore performance by Marmaduke Arado and Kikas Babenco of their long-running and high-enjoyable show, The Extraordinary Adventures of Kikas & Marmaduke, which features the latest installment: “Me Kikas, you Marma”.
Using the tableaux vivants approach, The Extraordinary Adventures of Kikas & Marmaduke has charted the adventures of the two protagonists as they explore Second Life since around 2010. Along the way, it has provided a high level of amusement for audiences while showcasing the creative potential of the platform.
Marmaduke warms-up in rehearsals while Kikas retains her calm poise
In the pieces, best considered 3D graphic novels, Marmaduke is the fearless traveler who unflinchingly throws himself into every situation, regardless of the consequences, determined to explore and face-down dangers, leaving Kikas in the unenviable situation of having to be saviour whilst also striving to keep her elegance intact and her wardrobe fresh!
The encore performance is being hosted by KG Shine Productions at their theatre on LEA2, and will commence at 15:00 SLT on Wednesday January 8th. This is not one to be missed, so get there early to ensure you have a seat; and be ready to participate, as the audience is encouraged to discuss the show as it progresses!
