This week, we cover a lot of things this month, as usual, but start with a tribute to a machinima pioneer who has sadly crossed the bridge into an unknown world - Tutsy NAvArAthnA. We then go through some more fascinating projects that we want to share, more about genAI and machinima, a bunch of new tools and techniques, some wise words from some great artists, latest games and relevant updates. All links on our show notes link below.

1:39 Tribute to Tutsy

3:45 Projects

5:50 Conversations

7:40 genAI, Anthropic case discussion, implications for creative practice from the machinima perspective, killing YouTube

26:44 Tools and techniques

27:75 Martin Bells’ new tutorial series for Unreal Engine

28:00 Jaws and the power of silence!

31:00 Games updates: Dune discussion

45:49 Another definition for machinima: Fortnite

47:22 Character Creator 5 and iClone 9?

52:26 Cyberpunk 2077 updates

58:10 Getting the call up to produce a show for a big studio… but changing you mind!

1:02:23 More genAI news – Hollywood vs MidJourney

1:03:10 Fender 8 Track software release

1:04:47 mod NaturalVision for GTA5 discussion

Credits -
Speakers: Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien Valentine
Producer/Editor: Phil Rice
Music: Phil Rice & SunoAI

In days of yore, when Machinima ruled the digiwaves, they commissioned stuff like this week's pick... we have a rather more heated discussion than usual about the pros and cons of the choice and the commissioning strategy. Check out our thoughts and let us know what you think. Maybe you were caught up in this mess, we certainly hope not... or at least, we hope the lesson was well learned. Ricky tells it from his experience, as part of the Hollywood set - seen it all before. Enjoy the show!

1:28 Intro to Happy Wheels, evolution of a community

9:40 Background to Happy Wheels, creators, producers and game

21:07 ‘Well, I wasn’t asking you whether you like them or not….’ music vs death and cruelty

23:53 ‘Make Money for Machinima [Inc]’

36:50 Beyond a joke

44:36 Minecrafty: a provocation!

Credits -
Speakers: Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien Valentine
Producer/Editor: Phil Rice
Music: Phil Rice and SunoAI

To think this film's creator knew nothing about animation prior to making this short is absolutely astonishing. Of course, as we discuss, many crossed this path as a consequence of the pandemic, but there are few gems we've found like this. The film, Rally, draws heavily on Santiago Menghini's experience as a live action director and producer. What's fascinating, in our analysis, is our evaluation of ambiguity and how its clever use makes up for the animation and limitations. Watch the movie, check out our comments and add your own.

Credits -
Speakers: Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy Harwood
Producer/Editor: Phil Rice
Music: Phil Rice and SunoAI