This week, we cover three outstanding music videos, demonstrating different genres of music and different game engines - a re-imagined Simon and Garfunkel classic, a pop-tacular and a rap. We discuss the perfect match between the lyrics, the game and the images our three selected creators have demonstrated in these shorts. We suggest comparing and contrasting, but really we just mean enjoy them all for what they are.

1:41 Harry101UK’s Sound of Science, Source Filmmaker/Portal, music by Stupendium

4:49 Who I am, Blender/Minecraft/Portal by Cubical, music by CG5

6:16 Portal is darker than expected, and these beautifully illustrate it?

9:26 Why recreate Portal in Minecraft aesthetic; why?!

11:57 Why Portal and why now?

14:09 Both videos capture the creepiness in Portal well

15:57 Helldivers 2 – JT Music’s video is a mindblowing overview of this new game

17:59 No AI used in the making of by JT?

18:35 What is Helldivers 2 about: the galaxy’s last line offence!

21:11 An homage to Starship Troopers… and politics of our time

30:49 Our show: what do you think to the new format?

Credits -
Speakers: Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien Valentine
Producer/Editor: Phil Rice
Music: Animo Domini Beats

This week, we discuss one of the most outstanding presentations of space science, by @EpicSpaceman , called I put 4M Suns in a Blackhole. Made in Blender, we discuss the creative workflow adopted, from zero to hero - and why the @BlenderOfficial Foundation should take note. We make a few suggestions for enhancing the work even more and discuss the primary audiences for this type of conrtent. Quite simply, the narrative style and animation makes hard science relatable!

1:50 Intro to film and its creator: low output, high quality
6:47 Choosing the role of a narrator and making a connection with the audience
10:15 Carl Sagan reincarnated!
13:37 Just-in-time learning and visual storytelling
17:53 Citizen scientist, but not as we know it!
20:00 Outstanding presentation, beyond lockdown
21:30 A relatable way to make content
22:24 How is this a real-time production?
25:59 Could this be screened in a cinema theatre?
28:00 Going pro. The challenge of managing your values
30:15 Why Blender? Blender Foundation take note!
32:15 Playing a scientist vs being a scientist
35:10 One of the greatest #machinima films we’ve seen

Credits -
Speakers: Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien Valentine
Producer: Ricky Grove
Editor: Phil Rice
Music: Animo Domini Beats

A packed review this month, with some sad :( better :| and happy news :)

1:42 Demise of Rooster Teeth and yet RVB will outlive the corporate brand! We reminisce about the early days of machinima and the influence Rooster Teeth had on the emerging creator community

26:30 Drax Files: World Makers comes to a close

33:37 Awards! Sam Crane’s continuing success with GTA5 Hamlet at SXSW and UE5’s use in War is Over, the Oscar winning animated short

39:00 AI updates: YouTube’s T&Cs – we discuss the notion of ‘realistic’ in the context of the guidelines – does the sound of a Wookie farting sound real to you… Phil really gets on a roll with this topic! Other AI updates include ConvAI, Hume, Runway and Stability AI’s 3D generator

1:09:00 Godzilla Minus One model release, celebrating the creator’s Oscar achievement – and a side discussion about rigging a cat in iClone

1:16:32 Blockbuster Inc release date announced!

1:19:00 Dune: Denis Villeneuve discusses the use of UE5 in the making of the film – not the typical machinima approach!

Credits -
Speakers: Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien Valentine
Producer/Editor: Phil Rice
Music: Animo Domini Beats