What is The Blackened Mirror?• A machinima series with a distinctively film noir feel

• With elements of steampunk• And classic Lovecraftian horror• So far!

• Six instalments, shown on the web• With interactive aspects using:

• Social media• Games

What is machinima?• A film created solely on a computer, using gaming platforms or virtual

worlds• Can be as simple as recording what’s on the screen• Has been used to create award-winning art intallations and films• Relative simplicity can limit control and range of expression• Advantages in terms of speed, cost and flexibibility• Offers a new form of acting – acting in virtual – but not virtual acting!

Software slide

Designing Worlds slide

The rationale of making the series• A new and powerful form of film-making• Putting film-making in the hands of people in the

same way that electronic publication is revolutionising publishing

• Testing the boundaries of narrative

Essential tools• Google Docs• Skype• Livestream Studio

Workflow Part 1• Pen and Paper!• Final Draft

Script

Workflow Part 2• Scouting locations• Building sets• Gathering props• Gathering animations• Designing custom animations

Workflow Part 3• Rehearsing• Voice capture sessions• Creating storyboards

Storyboard

Workflow Part 4• Filming (using Fraps)• Visual editing• Audio editing

Visual editing

Audio editing

Workflow Part 5• Rendering the final film• Exporting to outlets• Treet TV• YouTube• Vimeo