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//
Ottawa was one big slap in the face. At least that's how i felt that evening at the award ceremonies.
Although i was very, very glad that i was not sitting there alone, i was being remembered of my first attempts to apply for film school.
"New and inventively weird, machinima straddles the line between visual fan fiction and filmmaking, a genre filled with potential for engaging complete visual expression. While the Jury does not wish to discourage filmmakers, we will not present a prize for this category as we feel the award needs to represent a certain level of excellence of expression. We hope to see more entries in future festivals."
Yeah, the three people out there just don't see a point in machinima.
And yes, to some extend, i feel they're right. Even though machinima was progressing a lot in the last year, there's still a movie to come out that really impresses people outside the community itself.
For now, we only have pieces pointing the way to go. There's still lack of story in a lot of works, i for myself would count me in there as well.
However insulting it was to be told that you're just not good enough in public, for me personally it was throwing me back to the ground and i think that's not the worst thing happening.
Well, that's the calm side of me writing this, the side of me trying to go on, back in production. There's a lot of anger in me as well.
After talking to one of the judges, i felt being treated as a child that was rejected his toy to play with. There was not much sensitivity in the words they told in public. I really think there would have been better ways to handle this.
However, speaking as somebody who's directly involved, it does not make sense to tell people how to do it next time.
The reasons the Judge Mo Willems gave me made me feel that the statement really blames the wrong people.
They didn't know how to judge, what to look for. They didn't know what was done by the game or by the artist. They didn't know what the medium is about. They have not had a clear piece blowing their minds.
Well, let's see. I personally don't think that machinima will blow people's mind in the next two years if they're not interested, at least to a certain extend, in the medium itself.
Whatever, hopefully next year, there's going to be a price in that category and it will lift machinima up to a level where it raises interest in people without any gaming background.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
//
Ottawa was one big slap in the face. At least that's how i felt that evening at the award ceremonies.
Although i was very, very glad that i was not sitting there alone, i was being remembered of my first attempts to apply for film school.
"New and inventively weird, machinima straddles the line between visual fan fiction and filmmaking, a genre filled with potential for engaging complete visual expression. While the Jury does not wish to discourage filmmakers, we will not present a prize for this category as we feel the award needs to represent a certain level of excellence of expression. We hope to see more entries in future festivals."
Yeah, the three people out there just don't see a point in machinima.
And yes, to some extend, i feel they're right. Even though machinima was progressing a lot in the last year, there's still a movie to come out that really impresses people outside the community itself.
For now, we only have pieces pointing the way to go. There's still lack of story in a lot of works, i for myself would count me in there as well.
However insulting it was to be told that you're just not good enough in public, for me personally it was throwing me back to the ground and i think that's not the worst thing happening.
Well, that's the calm side of me writing this, the side of me trying to go on, back in production. There's a lot of anger in me as well.
After talking to one of the judges, i felt being treated as a child that was rejected his toy to play with. There was not much sensitivity in the words they told in public. I really think there would have been better ways to handle this.
However, speaking as somebody who's directly involved, it does not make sense to tell people how to do it next time.
The reasons the Judge Mo Willems gave me made me feel that the statement really blames the wrong people.
They didn't know how to judge, what to look for. They didn't know what was done by the game or by the artist. They didn't know what the medium is about. They have not had a clear piece blowing their minds.
Well, let's see. I personally don't think that machinima will blow people's mind in the next two years if they're not interested, at least to a certain extend, in the medium itself.
Whatever, hopefully next year, there's going to be a price in that category and it will lift machinima up to a level where it raises interest in people without any gaming background.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Wasserkocher
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//
actually, it's a fairly simple tool. You just put water in it, maybe press a button (there's some that work differently, but i won't explain...) and your water will boil shortly. Useful for making Tea in larger scales.
But eventually a microwave is the weapon of choice. Cup by cup, i'm hitting my water with highly radioactive waves until it gets hot.
But hey, at least they have electricity here...
On a sidenote, i got ill today. It came slowly, lurking beneath the shadows that the warm sun was casting this very morning when i tried to make my way to the Animation Conference. It caught me by surprise.
So i was going out, looking for "a thing you throw around your throat when you're ill". A scarf, as i was told. And boy, i found one. 40$. But as i had no no time left (which turned out to be not true at all), i just closed both eyes, started breathing slowly and gave 'em tha money.
Here we go:
Friday, September 24, 2004
/////////////////////////////////
//
actually, it's a fairly simple tool. You just put water in it, maybe press a button (there's some that work differently, but i won't explain...) and your water will boil shortly. Useful for making Tea in larger scales.
But eventually a microwave is the weapon of choice. Cup by cup, i'm hitting my water with highly radioactive waves until it gets hot.
But hey, at least they have electricity here...
On a sidenote, i got ill today. It came slowly, lurking beneath the shadows that the warm sun was casting this very morning when i tried to make my way to the Animation Conference. It caught me by surprise.
So i was going out, looking for "a thing you throw around your throat when you're ill". A scarf, as i was told. And boy, i found one. 40$. But as i had no no time left (which turned out to be not true at all), i just closed both eyes, started breathing slowly and gave 'em tha money.
Here we go:
Friday, September 24, 2004
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//
from a first impression, Ottawa seems very lovely. After all, summer is still truth here so i don't need to worry anymore to freeze myself to death. With the only concern I had out of the way, this really turns out to be much more a relaxing week than i first thought it would.
After i got my festivalpass i walked round the city, that rather felt like a village. Lot's of small Cafes/Pubs, a marketplace (=lots of vegetables) and a young kid, maybe 16, that begged for money until his father came and told me he's just trying to get some dope from that. After a little argument between the two, i decided not to give anything (i know, you shouldn't do that anyway, but hey...) and walked away. Not that his father looked anything more serious than that kid...
The event was totally misplaced. I really looked for cameras and such, cause it was all too virtual, a clash of two worn out people inmidst a crowd on a sunny day in a lovely little street full of shops...
Apart from the very obvious "it's all the same everywhere" feelings you get from experiences like that, ottawa feels a lot more like a peaceful place than new york ever did. Well, now that was a statement...
Here are some impressions of what i mean. Tons of open space and really really small buildings. About the opposite of my last trip across the ocean...
Unfortunately, i ran out of battery for my camera, so all i have to show from my appartement is the kitchen and some random webcam shots...
Seeing the following, you might guess how the rest of the "suite" looks like.
There's two things that came to my mind when i first saw the appartement.
1. This is f****** amazing!
2. I seemed to instantly understand why people that are literally LIVING in hotels, play loud music and have an abnormal sexlife, e.g. rockstars and stuff, like to devastate their hotelrooms.
Man, what sort of party can you have in an appartement like that, especially when you don't have to take care of the interior!
Err, however, this was just an emotional empathic feeling i had, nothing i'd ever really think about. Really, I'd never do that. No way.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
//
from a first impression, Ottawa seems very lovely. After all, summer is still truth here so i don't need to worry anymore to freeze myself to death. With the only concern I had out of the way, this really turns out to be much more a relaxing week than i first thought it would.
After i got my festivalpass i walked round the city, that rather felt like a village. Lot's of small Cafes/Pubs, a marketplace (=lots of vegetables) and a young kid, maybe 16, that begged for money until his father came and told me he's just trying to get some dope from that. After a little argument between the two, i decided not to give anything (i know, you shouldn't do that anyway, but hey...) and walked away. Not that his father looked anything more serious than that kid...
The event was totally misplaced. I really looked for cameras and such, cause it was all too virtual, a clash of two worn out people inmidst a crowd on a sunny day in a lovely little street full of shops...
Apart from the very obvious "it's all the same everywhere" feelings you get from experiences like that, ottawa feels a lot more like a peaceful place than new york ever did. Well, now that was a statement...
Here are some impressions of what i mean. Tons of open space and really really small buildings. About the opposite of my last trip across the ocean...
Unfortunately, i ran out of battery for my camera, so all i have to show from my appartement is the kitchen and some random webcam shots...
Seeing the following, you might guess how the rest of the "suite" looks like.
There's two things that came to my mind when i first saw the appartement.
1. This is f****** amazing!
2. I seemed to instantly understand why people that are literally LIVING in hotels, play loud music and have an abnormal sexlife, e.g. rockstars and stuff, like to devastate their hotelrooms.
Man, what sort of party can you have in an appartement like that, especially when you don't have to take care of the interior!
Err, however, this was just an emotional empathic feeling i had, nothing i'd ever really think about. Really, I'd never do that. No way.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
arrived
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//I'm
there, Business Inn Hotel, a kitchen, a balcony, a doublebed ("king's bed"), a living room and a giant tv set. What else do we need to feel funny?
After the most exhausting flight in my life (4 hours stay in Dallas) and the usual zeroSleep the day before, there's not that much i can tell you.
I'd write more tomorrow...
/////////////////////////////////
//I'm
there, Business Inn Hotel, a kitchen, a balcony, a doublebed ("king's bed"), a living room and a giant tv set. What else do we need to feel funny?
After the most exhausting flight in my life (4 hours stay in Dallas) and the usual zeroSleep the day before, there's not that much i can tell you.
I'd write more tomorrow...
away
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//
I'm off for Canada now. Will write when i get to it. I'm back in a week or so. Bye.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
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//
I'm off for Canada now. Will write when i get to it. I'm back in a week or so. Bye.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
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//
time is running a bit slower now. Driving seriously helps to clear your mind.
It works just like some sort of meditation.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
//
time is running a bit slower now. Driving seriously helps to clear your mind.
It works just like some sort of meditation.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
*//////////////////
I accidentally published to the wrong weblog the last couple of days, only finding out now that the last few posts were readable on the machinimag site.
Gnaaaa.
Things like that aren't supposed to happen again...I promise...
Anyway, i'm heading back to Linz now.
I just reformatted my laptop so it runs smoother, still missing all the Instant Messaging programs and a lot more.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
I accidentally published to the wrong weblog the last couple of days, only finding out now that the last few posts were readable on the machinimag site.
Gnaaaa.
Things like that aren't supposed to happen again...I promise...
Anyway, i'm heading back to Linz now.
I just reformatted my laptop so it runs smoother, still missing all the Instant Messaging programs and a lot more.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
the best machinima ever
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//
this is truly the most amazing machinima film I've yet seen.
bot
Unfortunately, it has no quicktime download yet. I'll keep you informed.
/////////////////////////////////
//
this is truly the most amazing machinima film I've yet seen.
bot
Unfortunately, it has no quicktime download yet. I'll keep you informed.
/////////////////////////////////
//
I had the big talk with Horst today, the head of the futurelab. It seems that i'm going to stay here in Linz until December. Someone was saying something like "proposal"...
But i need to sort things out. Sleep over this a couple of times.
This is big. Huge.
Let's see.
errr, and yes, still no pictures but hang tight, i'm on it...
Also, i'm trying to get things sorted for the MSUC entry. But it's one more day and it seems to work out ok.
Seriously... i wanna have vacation now.
//
I had the big talk with Horst today, the head of the futurelab. It seems that i'm going to stay here in Linz until December. Someone was saying something like "proposal"...
But i need to sort things out. Sleep over this a couple of times.
This is big. Huge.
Let's see.
errr, and yes, still no pictures but hang tight, i'm on it...
Also, i'm trying to get things sorted for the MSUC entry. But it's one more day and it seems to work out ok.
Seriously... i wanna have vacation now.
It's done
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//
now let's celebrate a little at least.
The 2004 Ars Electronica is finally over. And the gamenight was a huge success. Mybe not to everyone, but certainly to me and florian.
Take care out there, wherever you are!
/////////////////////////////////
//
now let's celebrate a little at least.
The 2004 Ars Electronica is finally over. And the gamenight was a huge success. Mybe not to everyone, but certainly to me and florian.
Take care out there, wherever you are!
No Pictures
/////////////////////////////////
//
there'll be plenty of them in a couple of days since i'll have access to the pics that pascale was shooting all throughout the festival. They're better and will show you a lot more. Plus, i did not get to take that much pictures in the last couple of days.
The ars electronica mainly is a platform for newly developed technology that's almost working and that being used in a very playful manner. Most of the things shown here have an interesting appeal for about 2 minutes, about the time you realise how things are working, and then you very much loose a lot of interest in it.
As always, there's things that stand out. The installation called "Listening Post" is definetly one of the most moving and breathtaking peaces i have ever seen in my live. It is made out of 231 small LED screens that show text excerpts found in newsgroups, irc channels and forums. These text fragments are not just presented visually on the small screens but also synthesized to a computer voice that speaks them in different tones and resembles an almost harmonic melody.
There's two things worth seeing in the permanent exhibition space at the ars electronica center itself, one is called "sur la table" and is a video projection onto a white table. Everything that is placed onto the table is tranformed into a continuous flow of pixels.
The other good thing is a couple of 3D butterflies that are being projected onto steam and follow the movement of your hand. It looks truly amazing.
After the last weeks of seriously too much work, it's actually not so easy to calm down and relax. Even though there's not so much to do right now (not SO much) it seems like adjusting to a slower pace does not work as good as i expected. There's a need of less input, a need to have your soul rest in one place and slow down yourself and the world around you.
Not thinking about projects, travelling and all those things that lie in front of me, maybe at least for the next week, might be a very good idea.
Actually, having people around me that know me to a certain extend definetly helps to relax, unfortunately this is very closely linked to travelling again.
This is pretty much circling around, isn't it?
Sunday, September 05, 2004
/////////////////////////////////
//
there'll be plenty of them in a couple of days since i'll have access to the pics that pascale was shooting all throughout the festival. They're better and will show you a lot more. Plus, i did not get to take that much pictures in the last couple of days.
The ars electronica mainly is a platform for newly developed technology that's almost working and that being used in a very playful manner. Most of the things shown here have an interesting appeal for about 2 minutes, about the time you realise how things are working, and then you very much loose a lot of interest in it.
As always, there's things that stand out. The installation called "Listening Post" is definetly one of the most moving and breathtaking peaces i have ever seen in my live. It is made out of 231 small LED screens that show text excerpts found in newsgroups, irc channels and forums. These text fragments are not just presented visually on the small screens but also synthesized to a computer voice that speaks them in different tones and resembles an almost harmonic melody.
There's two things worth seeing in the permanent exhibition space at the ars electronica center itself, one is called "sur la table" and is a video projection onto a white table. Everything that is placed onto the table is tranformed into a continuous flow of pixels.
The other good thing is a couple of 3D butterflies that are being projected onto steam and follow the movement of your hand. It looks truly amazing.
After the last weeks of seriously too much work, it's actually not so easy to calm down and relax. Even though there's not so much to do right now (not SO much) it seems like adjusting to a slower pace does not work as good as i expected. There's a need of less input, a need to have your soul rest in one place and slow down yourself and the world around you.
Not thinking about projects, travelling and all those things that lie in front of me, maybe at least for the next week, might be a very good idea.
Actually, having people around me that know me to a certain extend definetly helps to relax, unfortunately this is very closely linked to travelling again.
This is pretty much circling around, isn't it?
Sunday, September 05, 2004
