This is a lovely short movie that I couldn’t wait until my usual Wednesday film day to share. Unlike a lot of machinima shot in Second Life, this has a plot and characters as well as great settings and a fitting soundtrack. The creator, Gib Niekerk, takes inspiration from the books of Robin Hobb. Tip of the…
It’s still three weeks before the start of the Formula 1 racing season. Jakob and I watch races together and since we’re both tired of being indoors, I proposed a trip to the Galleria Scuderia Italia in Second Life. Not an official Ferrari area, this is the largest private collection of Ferraris in SL, beautifully presented. Car modelers…
The event runs the full 24 hours of February 14th. Stop by to dance, wander through art exhibits and photo galleries, and enjoy live performances and poetry. More info here (links to the event regions will be live once it starts) and you can listen to a Drax Files episode about OBR in SL, too.…
I need to mail a big pile of packages, and the week before Christmas, that is bound to be more horrifying than the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. So, I’ll share a press release for a more uplifting event! I have family obligations this Sunday and won’t be able to attend, but if you’re free and…
If you’ve read more than a few posts of mine, you know that I scoff at the nouveau Luddites telling people to put down their phones, limit screen time, or join the “real world”. Here is another reason why. Lately I’ve needed some time with my thoughts, but the weather in my part of the…
A lovely little machinima filmed in Second Life. Little Marie from Pepa Cometa on Vimeo. [Tip of the hat to Jac Mornington, who sent a note about this video. Among other things, Jac is one of the folks behind the gorgeous Santaurio sim, which provides some of the settings in the film.]
The Avatar Repertory Theater has a unique auction going on in Second Life and they were kind to send me a press release. This blog is intentionally not devoted to SL news, but I am always happy to share information about things that I plan to attend/visit or would if I could. In the case of…
When is the last time you went to a museum? I have a few friends from anthropology studies who are working in museums or preparing to do so. One just got a new position in digital curation and that, combined with the recent article Alone in the Virtual Museum from The New Yorker got me thinking.…
Today I was pleased to attend the in-Second Life premiere of AvaJean Westland’s machinima project, “Virtually News”. There was a great turn-out for the premiere at the LEA Theatre and you can see her video right here: Photos from the premiere: The content of this video isn’t a perfect match for my sense of humor, but I appreciate the time…
Second Life is a place where strangers go to ___________. Did you automatically fill in that blank? Specific preconceptions are not universal, but they shape the experience that a researcher might have when entering a virtual world. It’s a good idea to do an introspective audit of our biases before we begin, because they can dramatically skew…