Machinima for Dummies: Part of Tens: Machinima Films you Must Watch: Links

I’ve never really been a fan of the term Machinima, so I continue to refer to the medium as Quake Movies. I guess given all that Hugh has done for the genre, I should at least give him enough respect and use the term he coined that seems to have been widely accepted at this point.

I see where you guys are coming from in that you’re trying to show what is possible now and what is indicative of current Machinima. However, I’d have to say RGB2 is almost exactly where Machinima should be and will be in a few years save for the subtitles. There was an engaging story, although a bit cliched, grand cinematics, and perfect use of the resources. It’s similar to what the guys at CockBite did with Red vs. Blue. They made a story around the resources so the characters and story correlated to the visual world. The ILL Clan did a similar thing in Apartment Hunting (and continued through Hardly Workin’) by making the guys lumberjacks.

I have not read the book yet, but do plan to pick it up. So some of my comments are probably without merit. I was just disheartened to see one of the top 5 films of the genre left off the list. Although as Johnnie has said, it is subjective. And it is possible my memory is filtered through rose colored glasses and I’m remembering the film as being better than it was. I need to look it up and watch it again.

Congrats on the book though, I look forward to reading it and giving Moviestorm a workout. Maybe I’ll finally submit a film Machinima.com so I can have my hard work critiqued and criticized.

"Part of Tens: Machinima Films you Must Watch: Links" by Johnnie Ingram

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:18:03 +0100

@3 - Hugh’s right, it’s not a book about Quake Movies, but rather about Machinima, which evolved from Quake movies.

Don’t get me wrong, we’re not trying to play down the importance that Clans like the Rangers played in Machinima’s evolution (we have a long section all about it), but it’s not really indicative of where Machinima is now, and where it will be in a year or two’s time. That’s what we’ve concentrated on in the book, partially through our own choice and partially through Wiley editorial policy. For Dummies books don’t make mention of history as a general rule.

We had to strip our Must-Watch machinima down a mere ten, and it caused some serious arguments between Hugh and myself. Inevitably, it’s a personal and subjective choice, which is why we’re asking for other people’s sugestions here. I’d certainly agree with you that anyone interested in the mechanics and origins of Machinima as a genre rather than a technique should see Diary Of A Camper. Hugh and I still show it regularly at almost every talk, lecture or presentation we give.

"Part of Tens: Machinima Films you Must Watch: Links" by Hugh "Nomad" Hancock

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:50:53 +0100

Thanks for the links, guys - keep ‘em coming!

"Part of Tens: Machinima Films you Must Watch: Links" by Hugh "Nomad" Hancock

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:49:56 +0100

Well, it’s not really about Quake Movies, per se. But I agree, Diary of a Camper and the other Rangers movies are very interesting to watch if you’re curious about the history of the medium.

"Part of Tens: Machinima Films you Must Watch: Links" by John Perkins

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 07:00:08 +0100

How can you have a book about Quake Movies and not mention any of the films by The Rangers as “must-watch?” Ranger Gone Bad is still one of the best Quake Movies ever, and there is no denying how important Diary of a Camper and Torn Apart 2 are to the entire concept, even though they are both more demonstrations of what is possible than actual story telling. TA2 is a little chilling I guess with the one-sided radio conversation on fade out.

"Part of Tens: Machinima Films you Must Watch: Links" by JoeIce

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 14:18:21 +0100

The Codex and The Heretic by Edgework Entertainment.

http://www.thecodexseries.com/ew/

"Part of Tens: Machinima Films you Must Watch: Links" by bllius69@gmail.com

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 01:59:45 +0100

The Days After