Login2Life is one of the most engaging and inspirational documentaries made about virtual worlds. Almost four years in the making, Daniel Moshel’s film follows people from around the world who spend their time engaged in the virtual worlds of Second Life and World of Warcraft.
Entirely without a direct narrative voice-over, the film’s power lies in both allowing those appearing in it to describe their involvement in the worlds they use entirely in their own words, and in allowing the audience to engage its cognitive processes, rather than trying to lead them by the hand to a pre-determined conclusion.
This means that what is seen in the film might always sit comfortably with people, but it does make them think, and in terms of Second Life, it offer a clear challenge to what might be said to be the stereotypical misconceptions about the platform as a whole, and invite those critical of it to re-think their position.
Login2Life involved many people in its production, including Draxtor Despres, who provided both the music for the film and some of the machinima footage used within it. He has been an ardent supporter of the film, promoting it wherever and whenever he can – and he now needs the assistance of a volunteer to help him do so again.
On Tuesday, March 17th, Login2Life will be shown at the Reel Abilities Film Festival, in what is being billed as its US screen premiere.The film will be screened at 20:30 EDT at the JCC Manhattan. At the same time, the film will also be streamed in-world at Virtual Ability’s Sojourner Auditorium.
After the screening, commencing at around 22:00 EDT, an in-world panel at the Sojourner Auditorium, comprising Drax, Login2Life’s director, Daniel Moshel and film participant and founder of Virtual Ability, Gentle Heron, will take questions from the audience at the JCC Manhattan under the moderation of anthropologist and film-maker Faye Ginsburg.
And it is with this SL / RL cross-over discussion that Drax is seeking assistance.
“I need an SL enthusiast in the New York City area,” Drax informed me when discussing the event. “Someone who can not only attend the screening on March 17th, but who can offer their services to the organisers, and help them deal with any audio or video issues which might occur during the discussion panel.”
Obviously, a reasonable knowledge of streaming and audio in relation to Second Life would obviously be of benefit if you would like to offer your support, and Drax further indicated to me that there will be the opportunity for time and expenses to be reimbursed.
So, if you are able to lend an important hand in this event, please contact Drax directly via e-mail at the earliest opportunity.
The event is also an excellent opportunity for those in the NYC area who have not seen Login2Life to do so. Tickets for the screening are available through the Reel Abilities website for those who might want to pop along.
Finally, if you’re not in NYC to see the film there, you can also hop over to Virtual Ability island, and watch the in-world streaming of the film there, which will start at 17:30 SLT on Tuesday, March 17th, 2015 – but do be aware seating will be limited.
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