Completely Machinima

S4 E102 mAIchinima: Nina & Prelude to Dust (Nov 2023)

Tracy Harwood Podcast Episodes November 9, 2023 Leave a reply

Not strictly machinima, but something we’ve named mAIchinima! This week, we discuss two films using generative AI to create narrative works. In both cases, the techniques employed emphasize the sound – music or voice acting – but whilst one is intentional, the other is not. We share our thoughts on these works and discuss some of the current limitations and benefits observed, which leads us into a timely discussion about style in filmmaking. We also discuss some recent developments in AI for creatives, such as the role of Glaze masking and Nightshade corrupting tools.



YouTube Version of this Episode

Show Notes & Links

Our films this week –

Nina | Denvery Pluto | Episode 2 by Dean Corrigan, released 13 Sept 2023

Prelude to Dust by Dark Machine Audio, released 5 Sept 2023

The generative AI tools we mention in our preliminary discussion are Glaze and Nightshade, information about both can be found here. You can also find out more about Glaze and how it works here –

Ricky’s games mentioned: The Lies of P by From Software and Lords of the Fallen, available on Steam.

Recommended USB microphone reviewed by Ricky is by J Lab, called Talk, link here.

Artist mentioned is Lynd Ward and film style we discuss is Waltz With Bashir, trailer here –

and another artist is H R Giger, whose work on Alien encompasses a distinct style.

S4 E101 Avant Garde: 9 by Claus-Dieter Schulz (Nov 2023)

Tracy Harwood Podcast Episodes November 2, 2023 Leave a reply

In this episode, we review one of the first avant garde machinima pieces created by the community. The film is called 9, by German machinimator Claus-Dieter Schulz, has been restored by Phil and is re-presented on his Machiniplex Remastered channel. It is a notable example of modernist cinema which moves towards abstraction and it is clear to see that Claus-Dieter was inspired by the likes of Oskar Fischinger, Hans Richter and Stan Brakhage. There were very few in the early days of machinima that turned in this creative direction, where most creators were instead inspired to devise original stories inspired by popular films, TV series, commercials and products, so our discussion reflects on this point as well as the early reactions to the work we recall.



YouTube Version of this Episode

Show Notes and Links

Film link, released originally in 2009 –

Claus-Dieter’s blog here.

Original sound design with Martin Gurtner –

The only film that Oskar Fishinger ever made is on YT, called an Optical Poem, released originally in 1938. Link here –

Filmstudie by Hans Richter – a 1926 silent short which includes a musical score sampled from Darius Milhaud. Link here –

Clips of Stan Brakhage’s work, Mothlight 1963 –

S4 E100 SPECIAL: Machinima Reflections

Tracy Harwood Podcast Episodes October 25, 2023 Leave a reply

Celebrating our 100th episode on the CM podcast/YouTube show, we reflect on how far machinima has come and some of the recent trends we’ve observed in our film reviews.



YouTube Version of this Episode

Show Notes & Links

We list here a selection of the film review episodes we mention in our discussion during this episode.

Neo Stormwind by Duren Productions –

The MODDED Wacky West by BedBananas –

The Ghost by JP Ferre –

After War by RG Studios –

Patient Zero by The Parry God –

Secret Moon by Orencloud –

Interloper by Anomidae –

917 by Krad Productions –

S4 E99 Elite Dangerous Odyssey: The Personal Odyssey 1 (Oct 2023)

Tracy Harwood Podcast Episodes October 18, 2023 Leave a reply

This week our film selection is an Elite Dangerous Odyssey ‘Captain’s Log’ style machinima, heavily influenced by Douglas Adams and John Carpenter with shades of Gerry Anderson. The film is The Personal Odyssey 1 by Cmdr Fortytwo. We discuss the use of AI generated voices in this (its a 2021 film) and in particular how well its use can convey emotion – our debate is a deliberation on the choice to create a monotonic dialogue. Damien’s overview of the Thargoids is a fascinating insight into the hidden game lore of Elite Dangerous.



YouTube Version of this Episode

Show Notes & Links

The Personal Odyssey 1 | Cinematic Exploration | Elite Dangerous Odyssey by Cmdr. Fortytwo, released 24 October 2021

Gerry Anderson’s Space:1999 opening –

S4 E98 World of Warcraft/Cyberpunk 2077: Neo Stormwind

Tracy Harwood Podcast Episodes October 11, 2023 Leave a reply

WOW! Our collective adjective for this World of Warcraft / Cyberpunk 2077 mashup. This is a stunningly edited urban observational film, set in a strange new world the like of which we have never seen before – a cacophany in a good way. Shades of Blade Runner, Robocop and Mad Max run through the film, with a soundscape and accompanying music that are a perfect fit. We also loved that  @DurenMachinima  has cited his inspiration, mentioning the late, great  @Phixor2000  among others.



YouTube Version of this Episode

Show Notes & Links

Neo Stormwind (WoW Machinima) by Duren, released 4 Aug 2023 –

Olibith series called Never Stay Tuned, an hilarious commentary on popular culture within the World of Warcraft –

IK edit, Secrets of Ulduar, which is a cinematic of Wow that has been remastered –