Warlord’s – The Sniper. A new Machinima War-time classic made with iClone3.2

The Sniper by M D McCallum

The Sniper is a new Machinima film by M D McCallum that was produced with both iClone and video game output proves to be a real 5 star film. A true Machinima mash-up movie with a deeply moving original storyline that has a masters touch to the animation. Featuring the wonderful works from the G.I. vs Wehrmacht, Medieval Village and Classic Horror Movies and other content packs. This is a spitfire example of an industry leading iCloner and some of his best work to date. Warlord is a long time member of the iClone community and someone I personally have watched grow into his real-time skin over the last couple of years and M. D. never seems to dissapoint where iClone is concerned. A founding member of www.iCloneRevolution.com and a long time CoolCloner has placed his sights and fired a shot true into the Machinima body with this film. To those out there who may have had some question before wither iClone IS or IS NOT Machinima, I say to you, take a look at The Sniper and witness the seamless mesh of video game footage with iClone output that Warlord displays in his latest piece. Look to iClone as your film-making stage and video game footage as almost “on-location” shoots and in the end you can create a mesh of Machinima that is visually stunning. That’s what I feel M.D. McCallum has accomplished with this movie and I recommend the 15 minute viewing time to all my readers. You won’t regret it. Great film. Enjoy!

Mastering Machinima, a PC Plus look into iClone3 and the DIY world of film-making by R. Grove and J. Martin

Mastering Machinima with iClone3 by R. Grove and J. Martin

Hello iCloners, I’m back after a much needed short  hiatus from the digital world and I have some great news for the Machinima community. PC Plus Magazine decided to take a closer look into Do-It-Yourself flim-making and wouldn’t you know it, they found iClone. They contacted one of the booming voices of the movement, Ricky Grove to help orchestrate an article and a little sample movie/project for readers/users to open and explore from their Super Disc. Ricky turned to Yours Truly, for a bit of super fast help on the back end of things and together the two of us produced a hands-on example for all Machinimators to enjoy. The article is featured in the Feb, 09 issue of PC Plus and covers everything from setting up your scene, to adding custom cameras and lighting, character dialog interaction and more. I was happy to be a part of this little ditty and hope that you all rush out and purchase copies of your own, it’s a UK published mag so the production quality rocks and you’ll need to check out your local Borders or other major book stores to find it, they won’t have this one at the corner store. The article also features a small blurb about Spotlighting the Machinima community as well as additional film festival information. If you find yourself reading this post then you really should pick up the book, it is my first published work in a PC magazine and another stepping stone in the iClone real-time journey we have embarked upon. Be sure not to miss it and be on the look out for more great tips and techniques here at iClone Certified Training. Thanks and enjoy!

PC Plus magazine looks at iClone3 and loves every minute of it

the Martin Bros. Trip to the 5 boroughs, represent’n iClone3 at the Machinima FilmFest 2008

Machinima FilmFest 2008 in Chelsea, NYC

A couple of iCloners were livin’ nitty-and-gritty cause in the city we trusted over the weekend. That’s New York city of course, with John C. Martin II and yours truly attending the Machinima FilmFest 2008 in Chelsea. Which went down at Eyebeam Art + Technology Center, a dark space where the who’s – who of the community came together for a 1 night only event.

the Martin Bros. arrive at Eyebeam for a day with masters of Machinima

I’d like to thank the Festival Producer Friedrich Kirschner and the Executive Director of the Academy of Machinima Arts and Sciences, Paul Marino for putting together a great show if I may. Other industry filmmakers and pioneers were in attendence the likes of Ricky Grove and Phil Rice of the Overcast, Paul Jannicola, Kerria Seabrooke , Frank Dellario of the ill Clan, a few of the guys from Lit Fuse, Douglas Gayeton, Chris Burke and producers from “This Spartan Life” to name a few. Company reps like Matt and John from MovieStorm and Armando Troisi from Mass Effect talked about new developments along with John C. Martin II on a pro-panel discussing new tools and innovations on the creation side of Machinima. I know I’m missing tons of other people of honorable mention that I may have had a free beer or three with but you people know who you are so no worries.

Douglas Gayeton, Paul Marino, Chris Burke and Frank Dellario (left to right in order)

Armando Troisi of BioWare

Ricky Grove capturing us all in a tiny little alien box-type contraption

The show was a bit more low key this year then the 2006 version of the Mackies but never-the-less was still a meeting of the Machinima minds which in my opinion, awards or no, should continue to happen on a regular. But, that’s just me. There were some really interesting tools that are still in the development phase that NYU chose to share with us and the features to be included in the next edition of Mass Effect are nothing short of stunning. It’s safe to say that with the large collective of creative minds driving the industry into uncharted territory, Machinima a has an unsure yet bright future ahead for us all to witness.

2008 Mackie Award...I want one!

JimmyJaymz at Brother Jimmy's

iClone Innovators, focusing on users who blaze new trails in Machinima

Animals in iClone, sound to good to be true? Not to Duchess110, a true iClone PowerUser

Hello iCloners, this post is something new that I am going to do from time to time, which is showcase an iClone or CrazyTalk PowerUser out there who’s work and innovative techniques have caught my eye. This is something that I think will help to educate other users on some of the often to many times awesome methods that get lost in the shuffle. The first iClone Innovator I would like to tune you guys into is a user who emerged from CoolClones.com who produces under the handle Duchess110. Recently I found myself in a bind for a high-end production that called for a couple of animals other than horses. After reading some stuff on the Reallusion forum I was turned on to Linda (Duchess110) and some new character rigging methods she had been testing and developing. She had been deep in the throws of solving the “animal in iClone” issue already and was happy to help provide me with a working 3D Camel avatar created using here new recipe. Yes, I said Avatar, complete with bones and IK abilities. I was floored by her results, to the point I felt it time to start sharing some of the truly exciting creation techniques and the artist who dream them up.

Elephant Avatar complete with IK bone structure ready for animation on the real-time stage by Duchess

“As a child I was fascinated by cartoons and the Walt Disney Films and never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that there was a possibility of me being able to do that!“…Linda

Duchess110 is a perfect example of someone who threw off the weight of working day to day on a computer and embraced the love of producing artwork on one on a regular basis. She tinkered around with other programs such as Daz and Poser, but it was iClone she fell in love with like so many other of us out there. The user-friendliness and overall deep understand shared openly by the user-base was enough to get Linda to enter iClone and never leave. She has been involved with the CoolCreators and notes Rainman, Wolfzone, Warlord and a few other artist there as being inspirational artist that have helped her in her pursuit of real-time enlightenment. Linda is sure to continue to produce awesome content and walk to the beat of a different drummer where experimental development techniques are concerned. Below is a collection of links to some of her movies and then of course, screen shots here showcasing the Elephant and Rhino characters she has already unleased. Keep an eye on this user because she defines what is possible when you push iClone to the virtual limits and then see what happens when you go over the edge with your artwork. Keep it up Duchess and I will be sure to keep watch of your progress, I’m sure it will be stunning. If you know an iClone or CrazyTalk Artist out there that needs a little spotlight, contact me here at the blog and supply some links, shots, vids or VNS files of some work and I will do the rest. Thanks again everyone and keep the clone’n alive.

http://www.coolclones.net/duchess/cc4u/Turkish-Delight.wmv
(made all scene props clothes etc for this)

http://www.coolclones.net/duchess/projects/CloneBones.wmv
(made the clone bones characters)

http://www.coolclones.net/duchess/projects/Elephants.wmv
(showing how Elephants could work within iClone)

http://www.coolclones.net/duchess/projects/Halloween-Party.wmv
(Frank was made by another Cool Creator but I did all others.
The Gremlin was a Daz Character I got in and he can wiggle his toes I did show some movement but not much)

These video are videos Duchess created during beta testing and have never been viewed before now

http://www.coolclones.net/duchess/projects/War-Of-The-Worlds-Intro.wmv
(Where I was testing out look at)
http://www.coolclones.net/duchess/projects/YOU-ARE-MY-WORLD.wmv
(Just seeing what I could do and using the flex cloth as a skirt)

http://www.coolclones.net/duchess/projects/heartache-avenue.wmv
(Just trying out animation)

Reallusion’s iClone 3: The New Standard for Machinima

“I’ve been playing with iClone since version 1.5 and without reservation iClone 3 sets a new standard for machinima and the casual animator!”…Ricky Grove (gtoon)

Hey everybody, recently I got a chance to sit down and chew the fat with one of the true voices of the Machinima movement, Ricky Grove (gtoon), for an upcoming interview you guys are sure to hear more about in the near future. We had an awesome conversation that spanned everything from the Punk Rock birth of the DIY generation to the sometimes questionable and judgmental views that are taken in relation to some great films out there. It’s sure to have you nerding out right along with the two of us, but Ricky is also one hell of a writer and has put together a spitfire article at Renderosity.com about his thoughts and views on the new iClone 3 build. There’s also an audio interview with John C. Martin II from the Martin Bros. talking about the software we all know and love. You won’t want to miss this if you are a fan of Reallusion and the best real-time production tools on the market. Check it out at

http://www.renderosity.com/news.php?viewStory=14262

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Ricky Grove [gToon], Staff Columnist with the Renderosity Front Page News. Ricky Grove is a bookstore clerk at the best bookstore in Los Angeles, the Iliad Bookshop. He’s also an actor and machinima filmmaker. He lives with author, Lisa Morton, and three very individual cats. Ricky is into Hong Kong films, FPS shooters, experimental anything and reading, reading, reading. You can catch his blog here.