If you’ve read the first chapter of the book (either by buying a copy like a good boy/girl or by reading it for free online), you’ll have read Hugh’s account of the birth of the word machinima. If you’d like to hear the story as told by the man on the other end of the confusion, the original email exchange has recently surfaced from the frighteningly-organised hard drive of machinima legend Anthony Bailey.
Damien Valentine emails us to let us know that the book’s now available in the UK with no wait! So, grab it now! (We’ll be more than happy to autograph books at Machinima Europe, as well as doing an official bookstore signing there).
Also, a short apology to the Neverending Nights guys. We did of course mean to say that they made (and make) NeN in their garage, not their bedroom. We didn’t mean to imply - you know. Stuff. Things. Just cast it out of your mind. Think about something else.
Hey, look, a penguin.
…
…
OK, this wasn’t actually the first bookstore sighting of the book (Henry Lowood sent me a message that he’d seen a bunch of MfDs in Stamford about six hours earlier), but it’s the first picture we had of it on shop shelves.
So, Jeff L, congratulations, thanks for the photo, and your signed copy will be winging its way out to you very soon.
We’re starting to get reviews for the book now, and they’ve been pretty positive so far (at the time of writing, the book is rated 5 stars on Amazon.com). It’s great to read what people think. For us, this book represents several months of ridiculously hard work and stress, and we’re very proud of it. Some reviews have been just awesome. I did a little happy dance when I read this one (by Sean on Amazon.com):
One book to rule them all …Finally! A book discussing the many aspects of Machinima for a “dummy” like me! ;) I’ve been looking all over the corners of the web for advice and tips for filming, editing, and creating Machinima, but now I can just look at this book for easy reference. The book kept me pretty interested throughout, and I felt that the writers really worked hard. (I read their blog..) :)
The book details the aspects of Machinima in a variety of games; some I never even heard of before! There are enough tips, hints, and advice in this book to allow any person, beginner or novice, to feel confident enough to enter the world of Machinima. Oh, and the attached DVD was an incredible bonus! I never even heard of “Moviestorm”, but it came free (yes, FREE) with the book. This is one book that any “Machinimaker” needs, no matter your skill level! :)
Thank you very much, Sean. Since you read this blog, I’m assuming that our profound gratitude will reach you via this medium.
Please keep the reviews coming. There’s no need to be as effusive as Sean (although we won’t object if you are!), but please do give us your honest opinion.
If you have made a Machinima film in the last year or so, and haven’t submitted it to Machinima Europe, now’s your last chance!
All you need to do is fill out a form and give them a URL - that’s it! No cash, no hard copy - you can work out trailers and stuff later.
Get your work in there! The deadline’s tomorrow, the 8th.
Right then.
The book’s out, as you’re no doubt aware. That’s not the end of the story as far as we’re concerned, though. Oh no. We’re intending to support the book with additional and updated content, and lots more, on this site. We’ve got a few ideas already, but we want to know what you think. What would you like to see on this site? We’re already planning to add forums, as well as releasing new content every so often. We’ll be keeping a “Current status” page for all of the engines, tools and issues that we discuss in the book, to let you know any updates or changes that may have happened since the book went to the printers. We’ll also have an Errata page, because there are bound to be mistakes. What else, though? Ask, and you shall quite possibly receive.
Suggestions in the comments, please.
With the book coming ever closer (apparently it’s in Wiley’s warehouse now), it’s time to do the press thing.
If you’re doing an event or writing in a publication about Machinima in the near future, and you’d like to feature/review/talk about Machinima for Dummies, mail me at nomad AT strangecompany dot org, andwe’ll try to get you a review copy ASAP.
Meanwhile, I’ve been interviewed about Machinima adaptations, over at Free Pixel - ‘twas an interesting conversation.
Well, with the book coming off the printers tomorrow, I thought I’d do a small contest.
So - the first person to send me a picture of Machinima for Dummies on shop shelves somewhere wins a free copy of the book, signed by me and Johnnie.
Go find us MfD in the wild!
(It’ll probably be a couple of weeks before you can find any!)
Apologies for the silence. Both Johnnie and I are exhausted, somewhat ill with various things, and attending to other projects right now.
However, we have good news: a release date!
Machinima for Dummies will be published on the
7th August, 2007
It should be in stores about 2-3 weeks after that.
Congratulations to Machinima For Dummies’ Technical Reviewer Phil “Overman” Rice. Male Restroom Ettiquette has just hit 4 million YouTube views.
Can anyone stop this man?
