Thursday, April 22, 2010
RiP! A Remix Manifesto (Feature Film)
Filmmaker Brett Gaylor explores issues of copyright in the information age, mashing up the media landscape of the 20th century and shattering the wall between users and producers.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
*Avatar 2* - The Trailer
This completely original movie brought to you by Australia's *Hungry Beast.*
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
James Cameron Discusses Na’vi Boobs
by Dan Zinski of Lightly Buzzed
It never occurred to me that this was an issue, but apparently, some people are annoyed that the Na’vi have boobs, because technically the Na’vi aren’t mammals and therefore shouldn’t possess mammaries. This whole quasi-controversy falls roughly under the heading of Stuff Know-it-All Geeks Whine About on IMDb Because What Else Are They Going to Fill Their Empty Hours With?, but nevertheless, James Cameron felt compelled to address it. Speaking to James Lipton and his audience of film school students on a soon-to-be-aired Inside the Actors Studio, Cameron said the following about Na’vi boobage and why it exists:
Because this is a movie for human people.That’s a much better answer than the one I might’ve expected. You know, something along the lines of, “Well, you see, the Na’vi are actually descended from blahblahblah so the breasts are really vestigial blahblahblah and they still serve a decorative blahblahblah function…” Thank you James Cameron for not insulting us by making up some crap just to placate the five nitwits who think this matters. “People like boobs so we gave the Na’vi boobs” is more than sufficient.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tron: Legacy!! Official Trailer Released
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Is the *Avatar* concept really possible?
By Elizabeth Landau, CNN
(CNN) -- Now the highest-grossing film ever, "Avatar," has captivated millions of viewers with its picturesque scenery, extraterrestrial battles, and nature-loving, blue-skinned aliens.
The premise of the film is that humans can enter the world of these 10-foot aliens, called the Na'vi, by way of half-human, half-Na'vi hybrids. A high-tech interfacing mechanism allows a human to remain inert while controlling one of these avatar hybrids just by thinking.
Not only does the human manipulate the avatar's movements and speech, but he or she also experiences life -- every sensation, feeling and emotion -- through the eyes of the hybrid, as if consciousness were transferred.
Scientists say we are many decades, even centuries, away from making this kind of sophisticated interaction possible, if it can be done at all. But the fundamentals of components required to create this complicated system of mind-controlled avatars are already in the works, and have useful applications in medicine.
"We're starting to understand the basic building blocks, but the biggest challenges will be emotion and thought -- how to make another organism think what you think, to feel what you feel -- because those networks are much more difficult to sort out," said Dr. Brian Litt, associate professor of neurology and bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE ON CNN where they cover:
Moving remote objects by thinking
Uploading information
Understanding brain networks
Transferal of sensations and emotions
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
5 Possible Plots for Avatar 2
By Hanso of Mania.com

5. Avatar 2: A Na’vi Odyssey

4. Avatar 2: A Fistful of Na’vi

3. Avatar 2: Shakespeare in Na’vi

2. Avatar 2: Full Metal Na’vi

1. Avatar 2: The Phantom Menace
Need more Hanso and Avatar? Then read: 4 Reasons Why Avatar Will Own, Son!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Inside the Avatar Studio Panel Discussion - "Avatar" at Rockcliffe University - Filmed by Rezzed.tv
January 5, 2009 – Avatar the Movie
Panelists
Beyers Sellers/Robert Bloomfield – Metanomics Host, Cornell University
Dirk Talamasca – Virtual Real Estate Developer, Builder
Doubledown Tandino – Social media marketing, Second Life specialist, music, and DJ
Botgirl Questi – A beautiful thought experiment personified through the imagined perspective of a self - aware avatar.
References:
Thoughts on How The Avatar Film Relates to Avatars in Virtual Worlds by Botgirl Questi -
http://botgirl.blogspot.com/2009/12/thoughts-on-how-avatar-film-relates-to.html
I Saw Avatar Today by Doubledown Tandino - http://djdoubledown.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-saw-avatar-today-my-review-it-blew-me.html
James Cameron’s Avatar is about Transhumanism http://secondtense.blogspot.com/2009/12/james-camerons-avatar-is-about.html
Avatar Review : Yes it Changed Everything - http://gizmodook.com/5429424/avatar-review-yes-it-changed-everything-after-all
Understanding Interaction in Virtual Worlds http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-12/uon-uii122309.php#
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
China Pulls "Avatar" from Cinemas Claiming the Plot Mirrors Land Evictions
via BBC News
China has pulled the 2D version of Avatar from cinemas amid claims the plot mirrors forced land evictions in the country.
Authorities insist the decision was a commercial one, saying the 3D version made up two-thirds of ticket revenues.
Critics claim the film's plot parallels the removal of millions of residents to make way for property developers.
The government has also denied reports that a decision was made to reduce competition for home-grown films. They include a state-backed biopic of philosopher Confucius, starring Chow Yun-fat, which is due out next week.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Life 2.0 - Documentary about Second Life premieres at Sundance 2010
by Kirk

Second Life launched in June of 2003. Since that time, tens of millions of people across the planet have created alternate realities of themselves, sometimes more realistic than others.
Documentary film maker and journalist Jason Spingarn-Koff delves deep into this subculture of the world’s population, creating a documentary where all the characters are chunks of 1s and 0s interacting with one another. Sounds fascinating to say the very least.
Official synopsis:
Every day, across all corners of the globe, hundreds of thousands of users log onto Second Life, a virtual online world not entirely unlike our own. They enter a new reality, whose inhabitants assume alternate personas in the form of avatars—digital alter egos that can be sculpted and manipulated to the heart’s desire, representing reality, fantasy, or a healthy mix of both. Within this alternate landscape, escapism abounds, relationships are formed, and a real-world economy thrives, effectively blurring the lines between reality and “virtual” reality.
Director Jason Spingarn-Koff digs deeply into the core of basic human interaction by assuming his own avatar and immersing himself in the worlds of Second Life residents, whose real lives have been drastically transformed by the new lives they lead in cyberspace. In doing so, he manages to create an intimate, character-based drama that forces us to question not only who we are, but who we long to be.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Second Life of Brian - A Monty Python Machinima Homage by Chantal Harvey
[Brought to my attention by Chestnut Rau on Second Life of my Dreams, thank you]
Friday, December 18, 2009
I saw "Avatar" today. My review: It blew me Away!
The visual effects and colors were the most magnificent I have EVER seen in a movie (the only movie that even comes close in color is a short segment in the movie "What Dreams May Come"). The 3D technology was brilliant, and the movie was not about trying to make sight gags using the 3D.
Aside from the technical aspects being phenomenal and innovative, and the visual beauty, the story has so many layers and meanings to our real lives.
There are comparisons, undertones, symbolism, parallels and metaphors that strike deep into the core of any human viewer. Our societies, our races, our world; it hits home. This movie has so many layers to it. ( I will not reveal anything, so I do not spoil it for anyone. I don't want to reveal what I picked up from watching the movie. You will want to go in fresh and absorb on your own. )
James Cameron spent $500 million on it, and it is worth every penny.
This movie is an epic brilliant masterpiece of this century. You may not realize it when you walk out of the theater... but this movie is going to be so important to the entire movie industry, and will last as one of the greatest movies ever made.
You NEED to see this film in the theater and in 3D. Do not wait for the DVD.
UPDATE: This Avatar review arrived on Gizmodo:
Avatar Review: Yes, It Changed Everything After All
This review is a much better write-up on exactly what I am trying to relay in my review. I am not a movie reviewer, but this review is what I was trying to say.The point is, whatever you've heard, or read, or seen in previews, it's nothing in comparison to what the movie actually IS.
Avatar Opens in theaters today - Here's the concept on notebook paper from 1998

Coming in 2011: Jupiter Cats
Just The Facts
- Avatar is James Cameron's first full-length movie since Titanic
- Avatar is rumored to be the most expensive film ever, at $313 million
- Makes use of new simulated 3D environments
- It's hard not to be unsettled by the furry creatures
Cracked on Avatar


Avatar Videos
Avatar Trailer[via Cracked]
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The 5 Science Fiction Tales That Made Us Love Virtual Reality

For almost as long as there has been science fiction, there's been virtual reality, teaching us about worlds inside machines before we even knew what the internet was. Here are five of the earliest, and best, VR stories we grew up with.
[CHECK OUT THE 5 SCIENCE FICTION TALES (and videos) THAT MADE US LOVE VIRTUAL REALITY HERE]
Doubledown Note: Unfortunately there is no mention of Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
Every Second Lifer knows that "Snow Crash" is truly the originator of the concept of "Virtual World" and "Metaverse."
Film adaptation of Snow Crash??
The novel was optioned shortly after its publication and subsequent success, although it has never progressed past pre-production. John Raffo and Jeffery Nachmanoff both completed drafts under the supervision of director Marco Brambilla while the project was set up at Touchstone Pictures and Kathleen Kennedy's production company, but due to the large budget required, neither was given a green light.
Also, there is no mention of a few others that I think deserve honorable mentions. These include the movies "The Matrix", "Strange Days", "Cool World" and the book "Vurt" by Jeff Noon.
Are there any other Virtual World science fiction stories, or Virtual Reality stories I missed? Please post those in comments, and I'll add them to this blog post.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Daft Punk to Compose Music Score to Tron : Legacy
Taken directly from Firstshowing.net : because they have a great record of ALL things Tron Legacy so far:
Holy Crap, Daft Punk is Scoring Disney's Tron 2.0!
March 4, 2009
Source: Upcoming Film Scores
by Alex Billington
Even though Tron 2.0 isn't slated to hit theaters until 2011, we keep hearing big updates on the project, surrounding everything from the plot to CGI cloning of Jeff Bridges. But here's an announcement that I am truly giddy about reporting. The always reliable Upcoming Film Scores blog is claiming that Daft Punk has signed on to do the score for Tron 2.0! They say that Disney has actually confirmed this with them, which means I'm also going to say that it's accurate until proven otherwise. And let me be the first to say, this could be absolutely unbelievably phenomenal, but that may be because I'm such a big fan of Daft 
While their songs have been used in plenty of movies, Daft Punk has never actually scored an entire movie before. They did provide almost all of the music for the Interstella 5555 anime, and they did also direct a movie called Electroma, but that didn't feature any of their music. I have no clue how this will turn out, but that doesn't matter, because this could be the greatest Tron 2.0 news I've ever heard. If there was anyone that I could've dreamed about being involved with the music for Tron, it would've been Daft Punk, that is for sure! And lo and behold, they're actually scoring the movie. Damnit, 2011 can't get here soon enough!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Tron Legacy - 2010 Feature Film & Imax3D - HD Trailer from Comic-Con
Monday, June 1, 2009
James Cameron's "Avatar" - Feature Film and Imax Coming in December 2009
Let's hope in the next coming days, there's going to be a movie trailer for James Cameron's latest film, "Avatar" currently in post-production. The release of the film is set for December.
Announced by Cameron on May 30th, 2009: "Avatar" will be made in two formats, one being for IMAX screens.
The First look at Avatar concept art, Cameron says film "will blow people away"
In the mix as well is James Cameron's "Avatar" the Game
From the press release:
The video game will take you deep into the heart of Pandora, an alien planet that is beyond imagination. Gamers will encounter the Na'vi, Pandora's indigenous people and discover other life forms the likes of which have never been seen in the world of video games before. When conflict erupts between the RDA Corporation, a space-faring consortium in search of valuable resources, and the Na'vi, gamers will find themselves thrust into a fight for the heart of a planet and the fate of a civilization.
"Avatar" by James Cameron is anticipated by many to help ignite interest in Second Life."Fight for you cause; RDA or Na'vi. Customize more than 60 RDA and Na'vi weapons, combined. Choose your skills: 20 for each clan. Drive all of the vehicles and ride the animals. Expand the battleground in online multiplayer.
says @CosmicAdTech
More News on "Avatar" the movie and the production: HERE
The cast:
| Sam Worthington | ... | Jake Sully | |
| Sigourney Weaver | ... | Dr. Grace Augustine | |
| Michelle Rodriguez | ... | Trudy Chacon | |
| Zoe Saldana | ... | Neytiri | |
| Giovanni Ribisi | ... | Selfridge |
Plot synopsis:
In a distant future, humanity discovers the planet 'Alpha Centauri B-4', and for those scientists and astronauts who've traversed the gulf between neighboring suns and arrived on its alien soil know it as 'Pandora'. A world filled with an incredible diversity of beautiful and deadly ammonia-breathing lifeforms. Its also a world that harbors treasures and resources almost beyond price. But just as the original Pandora's Box wrought devastation on those who would use it for their own gain, so too this world may destroy not just the Pandorans home, but ours as well.
Avatar is the story of a wounded ex-marine, thrust unwillingly into an effort to settle and exploit an exotic planet rich in bio-diversity, who eventually crosses over to lead the indigenous race in a battle for survival.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The Tron Recognizer DJ Setup

Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Americans! Let the FCC know how you feel about DRM...
Americans! Let the FCC know how you feel about DRM...Posted On: Thu, 2009-01-08 22:40 by mattl
DRM refers to technologies typically used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, and copyright holders to attempt to control how consumers access and use media and entertainment content. Among other issues, the workshop will address the need to improve disclosures to consumers about DRM limitations.
If you're in the USA, please submit your own response.
Friday, November 14, 2008
"Second Life - The Movie" - What Avatars would be Lead Roles in the Movie? What Real Life Actors would play those Roles?
Which In-world avatars would have lead roles in the movie? What Avatars would be the main characters in the film? IF SL-The Movie was made, what avatar people would you want to see in that movie.
Next question.... since it's going to be a real life Hollywood release movie, we need real life actors.
Which real life actors would be best to play the roles of the SL avatars?
---
Let me give an easy example....
Obviously Philip Linden would be a role in the film.... perhaps Matt Damon would be a good actor choice? Leonardo DeCapprio?
Next, Torley Linden of course would be a feature role... I'm thinking Johnny Depp (holding a watermelon).
---
So, other than the various Lindens.... who else? The long time SL creators and developers deserve roles in the movie. The SLebrities.... The musicians and artists.... the wackos, weirdos, goreans, sex pervs, griefers?
Please use the comments to offer up your suggestions:
1) Who are the avatars in SL that would be great characters in a movie?
2) What real life actor would be best to play these characters?
3) If YOUR AVATAR was in the movie, what real life actor would you want playing the role of you?



