Following-on from yesterday’s blog posts on Fantasy Faire 2014, we now have news of the filming opportunities being offered to five machinima makers to gain access to the Fairelands ahead of the opening in order to create their films.
Given the popularity of the event and the number of visitors it attracts, filming machinima at Fantasy Faire can be fraught with difficulties. For this reason, five film-makers will be granted early access to the regions so that they can film their pieces without having to worry about frame rate issues, viewer lock-ups or people wandering into shot unexpectedly.
This doesn’t mean that only the five selected film-makers will be allowed to film in the Fairelands – just that they will be the ones receiving the advanced access; anyone else will be free to film once the gates have opened.
Why only five in advance? I’ll quote the official blog post:
People are still building, and each film-maker will need to work with us to ensure that they are filming what is finished (or certainly ready to film!). And as this is the first year we have done this, we want to ensure that we are able to help you to the best of our abilities.
Those interested in applying for a slot should:
Contact Saffia Widdershins in-world or via email at saffia.widdershins@gmail.com
Provide a brief outline of their proposed film (e.g. whether it will it be a story with actors, or something like an abstract from a travelogue, or something else)
Supply a link to a previous film or machinima they’ve made.
But hurry – applications need to be made by midnight SLT on Saturday April 26th.
In the meantime, I’ve included a couple of videos from last year’s Fantasy Faire, to hopefully serve as inspiration.
Keeping up with Fantasy Faire
You can keep-up with Fantasy Faire preparations and activities a number of ways:
Towards the end of Fantasy Faire 2013, a story competition was held, inviting people to weave a tale of their own focused on one – or all – of the Faireland regions, with the winners appearing in a special edition of Prim Perfect magazine.
This year will see another short story contest – with the addition of a poetry competition as well. Full details have yet to be announced, but if you feel inspired to weave a tale or compose a verse (or more) on this year’s Fairelands, then your words might well be immortalised by the balladeers and storytellers from the Kingdom of Prim Perfect magazine!
Last year, the Faireland regions were used as the inspiration / settings for a short story competition run is association with Prim Perfect magazine – will this year’s region inspire you to write a story or verse – and perhaps see your work appear in a future edition of Prim Perfect magazine?
Machinima Opportunities
At Fantasy Faire 2013, Draxtor Despres produced some special preview videos of the regions, including this one of Mayah Parx’ Ravenshard.
This year, there will be special advanced access granted to the Faireland regions for five machinima artists, allowing them to film in peace ahead of the Faire opening. Details on how to be involved in this unique opportunity will be announced soon.
Role-play
But if story writing and verse or machinima are not your forte? Then how about joining-in with the tales started by others? As noted in my last update, this year there will be three role-play groups located in the Faireland regions, and each one is inviting visitors to join-in with their various tales and goings-on.
The Revenge of Professor Timmons
A renegade aristocrat and an evil scientist with revenge on their minds are using illicit Strand-world technology to create a murderous clockwerk automaton. After damaging the power-center of the NeoLondon Cathedral, they decamp to Planet Asperatus and the NeoVictorians follow to bring them to justice! Beginning on 1 May in NeoVictoria SIM, they will be bringing the story to the Fairelands on Monday, 5 May when their intrepid band of roleplayers land in the sky-city of the Fairelands: Asperatus!
Presented by the NeoVictoria Roleplay Group.
Trade Wind Pirates
A group of desperate pirates have found themselves stranded in Blackwater Glenn, desperately seeking funds to repair their ship. What lengths will they go to accomplish their goal? You’ll certainly find a warm welcome in their impromptu tavern – but will you also find your pocket lightened?
The Rickety Weasels
In Wiggenstead Mooring, between the lagoon and the tavern, live a group of feral kids who call themselves “The Rickety Weasels”. They ferociously protect the four Guardians of the Elemental Stones, which keep the balance of the Fairelands.
(Don’t forget as well, that the Sanctuary RP Community are this year sponsoring the Fairelands Junction region, and Safe Waters Foundation are an event sponsor.)
And There’s More …
As well as the story and poetry competition and the role-play opportunities, this year’s Fantasy Faire will see a number of other special activities, including:
A special ballet production: in advance of the opening of the Faire, a special ballet will be staged and recorded. You’ll be able to see this on Fantasy Faire blog and elsewhere in the days leading up to the Faire.
A photography competition: the Faire organisers are looking for the photographs that best capture the spirit of each of the eleven regions of the Fairelands, which will be included in a RL calendar (with credits for the photographers) to be sold to raise money for Relay for Life. But … eleven sims … eleven months. What of the twelfth? That one will be the photograph that – in the opinions of the judges – best encapsulates the spirit of the Faire. Not only will it be the image for the twelfth month – it will also appear on the cover of the calendar.
We’re just a little over week away from the start of Fantasy Faire 2014. The regions have been delivered, the themes set, and building underway.
This year will see a total of eight themed regions for the Faire, all designed by some of the leading creative minds in Second Life, together with the Fairelands Junction. In addition, and following the unfortunate withdrawal from the Faire by Nya Alchemi (for reasons of health – so very best wishes to Nya), her planned region of Wiggenstead Mooring is being transformed, and its new purpose will not be unveiled until the start of the Faire.As usual, all of the Fairelands regions will be located alongside The American Cancer Society’s home region. So, without further ado, here’s a quick run-down of the regions (more to follow in ym preview of this year’s Faire!):
Asperatus by Beq Janus: “above the rolling, turbulence of the thick cloud plains the silence is broken by the deep throbbing hum of engines. The mighty “Asperatus” fills the sky, once the preserve of super rich merchants, this mighty airship is now the mainstay of the small colony that drifts around it. Come walk amongst the clouds, explore unlikely airships and marvel at mankind’s ever ingenious (and frequently implausible) devices in this steampunk inspired city in the sky.”
Sponsored by: NeoVictoria (Asil Ares)
Featured stores: [ContraptioN] (Faust Steamer); The Forge (Deccan Arida); .:Snoodles:.& Gypsy Wolf (Nikita Schapire & Yap Snoodle); BlueMoon Enterprise (SolasNaGealai); *BOOM* Clothing Co. (Aranel Ah); Unzipped (Destany Laval).
Blackwater Glenn by Marcus Inkpen/ Sharni Azalee: “rotting buildings sink into the swampy undergrowth as Nature reclaims this ground from Man. Gorgeous flowers and mysterious plants emerge sporadically throughout the swamp and pathways of open water lead to the centerpiece, a giant blossoming tree. Dark and murky, Blackwater Glenn has not been completely abandoned. In it you will find the light of hope. Let it lead you to rebirth.”
Marcus Inkpen/ Sharni Azalee’s Lotus Valley Dream, Fantasy Faire 2013
Sponsored by: The Looking Glass (Marcus Inkpen & Sharni Azalee).
Themed stores: De La Soul (Lerochelle Destiny); Wilds of Organica (Aki Shichiroji); Pin Me Down (Shyntae Demonista); Ari’s Neko Retreat (Arianna Voltaire); Luas (AinaraLuas); *paper moon* (sohma Dix); :[Even~Tide]: (Eve Gaelyth); Old World (Katrina Kristan); alpha.tribe (Alpha Auer).
The Faery Court by Elicio Ember: “the Cycle of Life. Season follows season as Light chases Dark. Seelie and Unseelie perform their eternal dance in the form of a giant tree composed of two intertwining trunks, one green and flowering and the other dark and leafless. Visit the Court and proclaim your allegiance.”
Heavenslough by Alrunia Ahn/ Eldowyn Inshan/ Sweetgwendoline Bailey: “not made of human hands, Heavenslough is a landscape sculpted for adventure and dreams alike. The forest is a playground for sprites and secretive fairy folks, while rising high above are the plateaus that stretch like rocky isles in to the heaven. Ancient stilt houses dot the marshlands and other abodes can also be seen perched in the leafy boughs of the titanic trees. Watch your steps and expect the unexpected.”
Sponsored by: Creators of Fantasy (Alrunia Ahn / Eldowyn Inshan / Sweetgwendoline Bailey).
Featured stores: FANTAVATAR & MOONSTRUCK (Luna Barak); The White Armory (Bee Dumpling); Pyewicket’s Myths (Pyewicket Tiger); Satyrs Moon (Vasa Vella); Analog Dog Hair (queue Marlowe) *Independent Objects* (Susan Independent).
Hope’s Horizon by Jaimy Hancroft: “inspired by Tolkien’s Minas Tirith, our White City gleams and shimmers on the horizon like a beacon leading wayfarers home. Carved out of the white rock of the mountains it clings to, Hope’s Horizon towers over the surrounding plains casting an aura of light into the darkness. Spiraling up lever upon level, the city ascends skyward crowned with a small courtyard. This majestic structure stands tall, upright, and full of power. One single blossoming tree stands at the top of it all to represent LIFE.”
Sponsored by: Dwarfins (Judy Chestnut, Jaimy Hancroft and Dante Spectre)
Themed stores: NAMINOKE (taiko McCaw); 22769 ~ casual couture / 22769 ~ [bauwerk] (Paco Pooley & Manuel Ormidale); .:CoLLisions:. (Guenevere DeCuir); . a i s l i n g . (Druunah Esharham & Damian Kleiner) Folly (Cane Sutter); Entity (Guestier Balut); Talevin’s Designs (Talevin Whelan); Kio-Kio (Kioko Kumaki).
Medhir Woods by Rynn Verwood: “a land where magic, nature and civilization meet. An elven outpost, protected by large waterfalls, in the middle of an enchanted autumn forest.”
Sponsored by: Solarium (Rynn Verwood and Encaitaron Korobase).
Featured stores: Curious Kitties (Ameshin Yossarian); Hoof It! (Erin Talamasca); Mythos (Karalia Halostar); Unique Obsession (Tremayne Barbosa & Lunaria Eclipse); The Arcanum (Zachh Barkley); Garden of Dreams (Kayle Matzerath).
Friday April 18th will mark the start of the Spring Fest weekend, a part of the RFL of SL activities occurring this season. The three-day event will include DJs, live entertainers, and a range of activities organised and run by RFL of SL fundraising teams.
Join the awesome teams of Relay For LIfe of Second Life for three days of fun-filled spring activities and relay fundraising! Activities include live djs, a carnival, live performances, 7Seas Fishing, and Bumper Boats!
Spring Fest is made possible by The Relay Rockers, who are celebrating their 10th year of relaying in Second Life. The event is organized by the Team Information Processing & Encouragement Area of the 2014 Relay For Life of Second Life Committee.
Spring Fest will open to the public on April 18, 2014. Please come out and fundraise with us!
The Spring Fest liver performance area
Activities will kick-off at 16:00 SLT on Friday April 18th and will close at 22:00 SLT on Sunday April 20th, with events taking place in four locations across the Spring Fest region:
The full schedule for the weekend can be found at the Spring Fest website, which also provides more information on the weekend. Those wishing to contact the organisers can do so here or in-world via Jessii2009 Warrhol or Johannes1977 Resident.
I’m a little behind on a number of things, including updates on Fantasy Faire 2014.
The Faire, an annual event in Second Life in support of RFL of SL and the American Cancer Society will this year run from May 1st through 11th inclusive, and the official press release announcing the event on April 1st, reads in part:
Celebrating its sixth year, Fantasy Faire 2014 is the largest gathering of fantasy designers, enthusiasts, roleplayers and performers in the virtual world. From Thursday, May 1 to Sunday May 11, treat yourself to eleven days of shopping, live music concerts, auctions, hunts and roleplaying as thousands of Second Life residents and creators bring their own visions together to support the American Cancer Society’s vision of a world without cancer.
Avatars, clothing, furnishings, gadgets and exclusive items are available from more than 150 of SL’s top Fantasy Creators across eleven stunning sims designed by some of the visionary artists behind many of the hottest spots on the SL destination guide.
Sponsors
Sponsors of Fantasy Faire 2014 include:
Event sponsors: Curious Kitties, Dark Goddess Designs, Epic, .Luminary., L’Uomo and Spyralle
Region sponsors: Cerridwen’s Cauldron, Creators of Fantasy, Dwarfins, Fallen Gods Inc., Fuubutsu-Dou, The Looking Glass, NeoVictoria, Roawenwood and Solarium.
Bloggers
Applications from people wishing to be official bloggers are currently being accepted. This year will see a change to how things are run, as the Blogger FAQ & application post explains:
This year there will be some changes to how the Faire blogging occurs. First of all, there will be no obligatory assignments. Instead there will be challenges. We do not want to force anyone to do anything, we want to inspire, dare, encourage: challenge.
It’s worth taking the time to read the FAQ in detail, as there are some important changes from previous years, including the option for people to blog for Fantasy Faire on the official blog. As it is worth reading the FAQ, I’m not linking directly to the blogger application form from here – please follow the link at the end of FAQ page.
The blogger challenges mentioned in the FAQ are open to anyone, whether accepted as an official blogger or not. These are designed to encourage bloggers to cover the event from unique perspectives. In all, there are three blogger challenges:
Faire Folk: bloggers are invited to create a character from the Fairelands and pick one of the Faire sims as their home, make a look mostly from Faire items, make the character come alive. Take at least one picture of that character in the chosen home sim and blog away!
My New Shiny: bloggers are asked to find a shop in the Fairelands they have never heard of before and blog something from the store. It’s about finding and showcasing the hidden talents, the newcomers, the surprises at this year’s Faire
Why I Relay: a challenge for those who have a personal reason to support Relay for Life events and who would like to share it.
As I blogged the 2013 Fantasy Faire from the perspective of a traveller passing through the Fairelands, I rather like the Faire Folk challenge.
Keeping up with Fantasy Faire
You can keep-up with Fantasy Faire preparations and activities a number of ways:
Saturday March 8th and Sunday March 9th mark the Relay for Life of SL kick-off celebration, which will be taking place alongside a number of RFL team events being held across the grid as the 2014 Relay for Life season gets officially underway in Second Life.
There’s a lot going on, with plenty to keep people occupied and enjoying themselves, with plenty of entertainment, music and opportunities to both fund-raise and donate to the cause.
The Kick-off Celebration
Relay For Life of Second Life kicks off it’s fundraising season on March 7-9th with a weekend FULL of celebration! Teams have been registering and will be present at the kick-off regions with team vendors, kiosks and flags waving to show their team spirit.
On Saturday at noon the official Kick-Off Ceremony will begin. This year’s ceremony will be presented by the 2014 Steering Committee, Stingray Raymaker, Nikki Mathieson, Dawnbeam Dreamscape and Random Padar Darrow. It will also include a survivor speaker NickiB27 and readings from this year’s Division Chairs, Gemstone Sunkiller (Internal Support), Sunshine Zhangsun (Events/Design), Serina Juran (PR, Outreach) and Dwen Dooley (Tech). The ceremony will conclude with the traditional PARADE OF TEAMS and with that, the 2014 RFL of SL Journey will officially begin!
Journey to Africa as a part of the RFL of SL kick-off celebrations…
There are four regions for the Kick-off celebration, which has the theme of A Journey Through the Continents. Follow the path through the continents, from the sands and plains of Africa or through the tropical rains forests of South America and onwards around the world, passing team kiosks where you can tarry a while, join silent auctions, queue for a kiss at the kissing booths, buy merchandise and enjoy other fund-raising activities while T1 Radio broadcast music and events.
…or wander the olde worlde quays and watersaide kiosks …
And there are a slew of events through the week and beyond, all a part of RFL of SL’s 10th anniversary year – see the RFL of SL Events page for details!
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 