Making movies in online worlds

More from Second Life, in-world movemaking:

Creating movies within a 3D game engine (or "machinima", as fans call it) has become the vanguard app of the game industry, and the latest build of Second Life lets you do just that. BuhBuhCuh's trailer (viewable here in Windows Media Player) is a very early example of machinima in Second Life, and the first application of that technology in a massively multiplayer online world. Ambitious residents are already racing to make the September 22 deadline for the Second Life Movie Contest, to be judged by the Linden staff, with the top three entries taking large L$ cash prizes at an in-world ceremony. (Think Sundance Film Festival, but without the snow or cell phone chatter from Hollywood agents.)

Parodies, action shorts, gonzo stunt videos -- the genre possibilities are endless, with the only limits being size and length (under 2 minutes and 30 megs), and inappropriate content (no trademarked/copyrighted material, and nothing prohibited in a "PG"-rated sim.) Imagine the potential for machinima shot "live" in a persistent world, with actors and crew members collaborating from around the globe. Click here for more information on becoming a Second Life auteur.