Machinima for Dummies

Not everybody will be aware that Wiley (the publishing company responsible for the … For Dummies series) regularly provide sample chapters from their titles on their website. Machinima For Dummies is no exception: you can read the first chapter, as well as perusing the contents and the index, at Wiley’s website.

Of course, a mere $19.79 will get you every single chapter plus a DVD packed full of Machinima-related goodness including a complete Machinima creation environment …

Sorry. That was a bit shameless, even for us, wasn’t it?

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.

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There’s a lengthy interview with me on the subject of the book, what we wanted to add but didn’t, how much work it was, why I got started in Machinima, and more, over at Stranger109 - which is highly recommended anyway, incidentally.

One thorn in our side throughout the writing of MfD was the ongoing lack of a decent video editing package in Open-Source, Windows-friendly form - hence the fact we use Sony Vegas throughout the book.

It’s pretty much the only major lack in the Windows Open-Source canon these days - there are 3D modelers, accounts packages, audio editing software, but the only half-decent video editing packages are Linux-only.

However, this new package, Viva Video looks promising. It’s fairly simple, but it looks usable, which is frankly more than I’ve seen from a Windows OS video editor before.

Anyone used it? Is it more useful than Windows Movie Maker?

We’ll probably have a look at it in the next little while, if we get a chance.

Update: It only imports PAL DV format video. That’s more than a little limiting, although it still might be of use to some people. The inimitable Phil “Overman” Rice also recommends taking a look at ZS4 , a non-OS but free video editor - I’ve not used it, but it does look featureful.

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.

This is fantastic news: Blizzard have posted their own set of Machinima rules, which are arguably even clearer and allow more than Microsoft’s first draft of their rules.

Key points:

• Their “offensive content” clause is pretty clear: keep it within the T for Teen ESRB rating of WoW. That’s a clear guideline that’s easy to work within.
• They don’t allow commercial work, but there are exemptions for sponsorship. This is very cool - it’s clear that Blizz’s primary concern is to make sure as many people can see WoW Machinima as possible, and it’s very cool they’re allowing some revenue opportunities within that. The wording here also might imply that RvB style “premium memberships” or selling DVDs is permitted provided that your production is still available to view for free - I’m not at all sure about that, so I’m going to try to get some clarification and report back. I initially misread this clause - don’t take this one to the bank yet.
• There are no fanfic or sound usage limitations. Woo!
• They’ve got a direct contact address for any Machinima-related questions: machinima@blizzard.com

There are a few downsides:

• The “offensive content” clause is clearer than MS’s, but it’s also more limiting. The ESRB’s Teen rating allows “violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.” That’s fairly broad, but it’s clear that you couldn’t make Red vs Blue comply with those rules, for example. MS’s rules are less clear - meaning you can be less sure if you’re in trouble - but they also allow more latitude, as MS have said they’ll be making decisions based on quality, not just content.
• Blizz request that you seek approval from them before you enter your film into contests and film festivals - this is the only “oh, dear” prohibition for me. Personally, I think that this clause might get changed pretty soon: for example, if I was publicising a Machinima film, I’d be requesting 25 or more of these a month (for film festival entries). Add a few more serious filmmakers into the mix, and you’re talking about having to hire someone full-time just to deal with Machinima.
• No mention of a commercial license. Blizzard don’t mention any possibility for commercial licenses for WoW Machinima (except in a clause saying “you can’t sell your work without written permission from Blizzard”). That doesn’t necessarily mean there aren’t any (and I’ll be looking into that) but initially I don’t get the impression of openness to commercial ventures that the MS license gave.

Overall, this is great news, and it’s great to see Blizzard taking steps to support the Machinima community around World of Warcraft.

And on a personal note - let’s just say this couldn’t have happened at a better time.

(Thanks to Brandon “Oxhorn” Dennis and Bilius at Shattered Keyboard for the tip on this! There’s also some discussion of these rules going on over at WoWInsider.)

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):

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.

I’ve got a few comments back from Don McGowan, the author of the Microsoft Gaming Rules, on various points people have raised and questions they’ve asked.

(If you’re wondering what the hell these “Gaming Rules” are and why Machinima for Dummies seems to have suddenly become a law blog, read this summary to get the latest. )

First, and most importantly, they’re putting together a standard contact if you’re interested in enquiring about commercial licensing. Hopefully we’ll have more news on that soon - they are working on it!

Secondly, on the issue of extracting 3D models and so on, Don says:

“I get nervous about approving things in advance because people are so damned inventive… I’d say that if someone can get assets off the disk in a way that doesn’t require them to do anything that’s illegal in their jurisdiction, then I can’t stop them. Does that help?”

I’m *so* not a lawyer, so I asked Fred von Lohmann if that means that extracting things from GL streams are fair game. His response:

“There is basically no way to answer that with any certainty. There is no consensus about how far the term “reverse engineering” reaches. Some companies (Blizzard) have argued that just eavesdropping on a wire to figure out an undocumented protocol constitutes “reverse engineering.” I think that’s crazy, but you never know how a court might rule. In any event, it’s like most of the other restrictions in the MSFT license – most machinima creators can’t afford a legal fight with MSFT, so if you think what you’re doing will annoy them, call a lawyer first. ”

Personally (and please remember the “I’m not a lawyer” rule) I’d tend to approach this the same way I’d approach a potentially offensive piece - if it’s short, just do it and see if they tell you to take it down (and make a stink if they do). If it’s long (like six months plus of production), ask Don and company first what their feelings are on your proposed techniques, call a lawyer and get their opinion, or both.

Obviously, the above discussion applies to the US specifically. In other juristictions, reverse-engineering may be more allowable or more well-defined. Check with a lawyer.

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.