Everything
I learned I learned from the
movies.
Audrey
Hepburn
Through Twitter, I
recently met Suzie
Anderton of Inworld Films, an independent film producer in Second
Life (SL). We struck up a conversation
as folks are wont to do on Twitter and became friends inworld. (Significant
Other says it’s a wonder that I’m not labeled a “stalker.”) Realizing what Suzie did in SL, I quickly
asked for and received an interview to talk with her about making movies
inworld. What follows is the story of
Suzie and Inworld Films based on her answers to my questions. (Real Life (RL) scheduling precluded our
Suzie first
came to SL in 2007. Inworld Films wasn’t
established until 2012. She claims her
motivation to create InWorld Films was a pure fluke. Suzie had been gifted a virtual reality (VR)
panoramic warehouse by a friend at the same time Gangnam Style dance animation was coming out. As
Suzie puts it, “SO what does a girl do... dance in the VR room and video
it. Eeeekkk !!!!!” (Emphasis is Suzie’s!)
Suzie had gotten
“the bug” so she decided to learn how to improve her filming techniques and
using Adobe Premier CS6 started self-teaching from the Internet. She received many hits on YouTube and decided
to launch her website too.
There are many aspects from
concept to creation involved with the production of
Mostly of the work is done by
Suzie herself. She does receive some
technical advice from my team comprising TheHellChild Resident, and
Wax who has considerable knowledge about the programs she uses.
As for
actors working in her productions, InWorld Films has its own group and
occasionally notices for actors and actresses are sent out. Also there are other groups in SL
which are purely for standby actors and actresses which she has used. Occasionally, Suzie may ask nearby SL
residents to get involved which they are more than happy to oblige according to
her!
Production
involves can vary considerably depending on the film’s theme. From concept it can take weeks of creating a
storyboard from which a theme is generated before filming and editing to the
style of initial concept. Music videos
are basically easy, just dance and make it look great! More in depth videos are much harder and need
much more thought and planning behind them.
Top Gear's (Suzie’s latest
production) is definitely a tough subject.
Fast cars and filming don't go hand in hand according to Suzie. But, she loves the challenge and appreciates
feedback on each episode.
Suzie’s work
is not available to be seen inworld but can be found at YouTube, AviewTV , Machinimaartistsguild, and SL
Artist.
Inworld Film productions have also been in RL
film festivals. Suzie had been contacted
by the Director of the University of Western Australia to participate in a film
festival called Pursue
Impossible which she did undertake and thoroughly enjoyed the
experience meeting many of SLs top machinimists at
the closing ceremony. This was a very humbling experience for her. Suzie’s entry can be found here.
Suzie also attended a RL film
festival and submitted a very short film which was her first attempt at green
screen. The film is titled BUTTON BOY GOES TO FILM FESTIVAL and can
be seen here.
Asking Suzie about which of
her films is her favorite is like asking a mother which is her favorite
child. (Except my mother, she always
gave my sibling’s name.) She said this a
very difficult question to answer because each is so very different and brings its
own new challenges. But what she’d say
is she’s self-taught, every day is a “school day” and she tries to “up the bar”
for each video she creates. Finally,
Suzie selects Echo Kids Music Video as
her personal favorite because it was really fun to do.
When asked
her pipeline of future projects, Suzie mentioned several.
At present Suzie is filming a TV
miniseries, Second Life Top Gear’s
(similar to BBCs Top Gear.) This was supposed to be a “one off” video,
but Suzie received so much good
Suzie is also involved with
Fall Films’ owned by Rysan
Fall,
in a new miniseries coming out shortly involving narration and voice over which
is a new string to her bow. Suzie says
that these are exciting times for her!
Once again,
the creativity of the SL community shows itself. Suzie’s passion and commitment are evident in
her work! I strongly recommend watching
her films and keeping an eye out for her future releases!
InWorld Films has a Top Gears TV set open to all to drop by
and see what is being showcased. The set
is located here.
Suzie’s
Twitter handle is @InWorldFilms.
I’d like to
thank Suzie for taking the time from her busy schedule to answer my questions
and I look forward to her future releases! I'd also like to thank her for supplying the pictures in this story and for permission to use them!
As
always, I’m grateful to all inworld for their kindness and time in stopping to
talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives!
I can be found on Google+ as
webspelunker Ghostraven.
On Skype I’m webspelunker
Ghostraven.
I welcome feedback from
readers, please either comment on my blog or
e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com
.
If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.
If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.
Open roads and kind fires!
