Machinima, real-time filmmaking, virtual production and VR. Four veteran machinimators share news, new films & filmmakers, and discuss the past, present and future of machinima.
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S6 E233 Stolen Bodies, Stolen Identities: Cyberpunk Revenge and Transhumanism in GTA V Machinima (July 2026)
Season 6 · Episode 233
Thursday, July 2, 2026 • Duration 45:01
In this episode of And Now For Something Completely Machinima, Tracy Harwood, Phil Rice and Damien Valentine examine Stolen, a 30-minute GTA V machinima by Dark Frame Films (Kevin Fernandez, aka Shepherd41). Set in a near-future world where consciousness can be transferred between bodies through the mysterious "Rebirth Project," the film follows former soldier John Bell on a relentless quest to recover his daughter's stolen body and restore her consciousness.
The discussion explores the film's ambitious blend of cyberpunk worldbuilding, transhumanist philosophy, revenge-thriller storytelling and cinematic action choreography. The hosts consider how themes of identity, bodily ownership, digital consciousness and technological immortality resonate with contemporary debates around AI, neural interfaces and human enhancement.
Along the way, they compare Stolen to films such as John Wick, Taken, Man on Fire and Payback, while also discussing the strengths and limitations of GTA V as a filmmaking platform compared with Cyberpunk 2077. The conversation highlights the film's impressive cinematography, custom modifications, visual storytelling and sound design, while also critiquing pacing, editing choices and the use of AI-generated voice performances.
Despite differing opinions on its length and execution, the panel agrees that Stolen presents compelling ideas and demonstrates the creative potential of machinima for exploring complex science-fiction concepts through virtual production.
00:00 – Introduction
Phil introduces the episode and the panel.
Tracy presents this week's featured film: Stolen by Dark Frame Films.
01:40 – The Premise of Stolen
The Rebirth Project, body donors and transferable consciousness.
Why the film's central idea immediately captured Tracy's attention.
04:00 – Cyberpunk Themes and Transhumanism
Digital identity, body ownership and consciousness transfer.
Connections to contemporary debates around AI and neural technologies.
08:10 – Revenge Story or Philosophical Sci-Fi?
Comparisons with John Wick and other revenge narratives.
Questions of identity, selfhood and what makes a person "themselves."
11:30 – Ambition vs Execution
Discussion of editing, pacing and the challenges of showcasing custom GTA V mods while telling a story.
12:50 – Damien's Perspective
Why the film could have worked within Cyberpunk 2077.
The importance of GTA V's cinematic tools and Rockstar Editor.
15:40 – Silent Protagonists and Visual Storytelling
Why John Bell's lack of dialogue largely succeeds.
Storytelling through action and environmental context.
18:45 – AI-Generated Voice Acting
Damien discovers the voices were AI-generated.
Debate about performance quality versus accessibility.
19:15 – GTA V as a Filmmaking Platform
Rockstar Editor, recamming and cinematic camera control.
Why GTA V remains one of the strongest machinima production environments.
23:30 – Influences and Inspirations
Comparisons to Taken, Man on Fire, John Wick, Steven Seagal films and Payback.
The enduring appeal of revenge-and-recovery narratives.
24:50 – Story Structure Critique
Whether the film waits too long to reveal the protagonist's motivation.
The importance of establishing emotional stakes earlier.
30:00 – Sound Design Analysis
Praise for combat sound effects and musical score.
Discussion of ambience, spatial audio, reverb and sound placement.
33:40 – Script, Narrative Twist and Midpoint Reveal
Why the central revelation changes audience assumptions.
The strengths of the film's writing and worldbuilding.
36:00 – Why the AI Voices Don't Quite Work
The impact of synthetic performances on an otherwise strong script.
The missed opportunity to use human voice actors.
39:00 – The Third Act and Ending
Questions of forgiveness, guilt and personal responsibility.
A powerful idea that may not be fully resolved by the conclusion.
43:30 – Memorable Moments
The hosts discuss the film's most spectacular action sequences.
Phil awards a tongue-in-cheek "Machinima First" for an especially gruesome helicopter-blade death.
44:10 – Final Verdicts
Overall impressions and hopes to see more work from Dark Frame Films.
Closing thoughts and audience invitation to share their views.
Credits - Co-hosts: Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien Valentine Producer/Editor: Phil Rice Music: Phil Rice & SunoAI
S6 E232 Machinima News Omnibus: AI Ghosts, Game Worlds & Creative Futures (June 2026)
Season 6 · Episode 232
Thursday, June 25, 2026 • Duration 01:02:46
In this news-focused episode of And Now For Something Completely Machinima, Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood and Damien Valentine dive into the latest developments in gaming, machinima, AI, and virtual production. The discussion ranges from the ethics of digitally resurrecting iconic figures like Stan Lee, through major announcements from Summer Game Fest, to upcoming machinima competitions and the evolving role of AI in creative practice. Along the way, the team debates the future of social media, the impact of government regulation on emerging creators, and whether AI is a creative tool, a creative shortcut, or something in between.
01:25 – Ricky Grove's absence explained and congratulations to Lisa Morton on her lifetime achievement award
02:12 – AI ethics debate: Stan Lee's voice and likeness licensed through ElevenLabs after his death
07:53 – James Earl Jones, Darth Vader, AI voice replication and creator responsibility
10:59 – Summer Game Fest highlights begin
11:20 – Dune: Awakening receives single-player and private server options; implications for machinima creators
13:27 – Alien: Isolation 2 announced; discussion of atmosphere, sound design and world-building
16:03 – Star Wars: Zero Company and the cinematic potential of turn-based strategy games
18:08 – Surprise announcement: a remake of the original Halo
22:31 – Reallusion Character Creator Contest 2026 and opportunities for digital artists
24:15 – Reallusion's roadmap, AI Creator Studio and emerging AI-enhanced creative workflows
S6 E231 An Astounding Tale from Outer Space – Clones, Chaos and Garry’s Mod Genius (June 2026)
Season 6 · Episode 231
Thursday, June 18, 2026 • Duration 47:13
This week on And Now For Something Completely Machinima, Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood and Damien Valentine dive into Michael Is Very Vintage’s hilarious Garry’s Mod space comedy An Astounding Tale from Outer Space. What begins as a simple spaceship emergency quickly spirals into absurdity when an incompetent captain decides that cloning himself is a better solution than actually fixing the problem.
The team explores the film’s brilliant use of slapstick comedy, satirical storytelling, inventive sound design, and surprisingly sophisticated filmmaking craft. From Alien and Red Dwarf influences to hidden Easter eggs, classic action-movie tropes, and the unique creative possibilities of Garry’s Mod, this episode celebrates one of the most entertaining machinima films of the year.
Along the way, the discussion turns to Michael’s growing signature style, the role of game-engine accidents in comedy, the future of machinima creators working in platforms like Garry’s Mod, iClone and Unreal Engine, and whether works like this have a place beyond YouTube in archives, festivals, and cultural collections.
This week's pick is a love letter to inventive machinima, creative chaos, and the enduring power of comedic timing.
01:16 – Damien introduces the film and explains why he picked it
04:05 – Tracy’s reaction: why this is her favourite film of the month
05:00 – Cloning, delegation, bureaucracy and the film’s satirical core
06:30 – Garry’s Mod humour, slapstick physics and six personalities from one character
07:45 – Alien, Red Dwarf, Futurama and classic sci-fi influences
09:26 – The ending, anti-climax as comedy, and why it works
– Outstanding sound design, voice acting and comic timing
S6 E230 Exploring “Dysfunction” – A Haunting Second Life Machinima Breakdown (June 2026)
Season 6 · Episode 230
Thursday, June 11, 2026 • Duration 37:40
What happens when machinima stops telling a story… and instead pulls you inside a fractured mind?
In this episode of And Now For Something Completely Machinima, hosts Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, and Damien Valentine dive deep into “Dysfunction” by Iono Allen—a powerful, unsettling machinima film created in Second Life.
This isn’t your typical machinima. There’s no clear beginning, middle, or end—just a visceral, abstract experience of psychological breakdown, sensory overload, and emotional fragmentation.
Is it about mental health? Substance abuse? Political disillusionment? Or something even darker?
👀 Watch as the hosts unpack multiple interpretations—from immersive sound design and symbolic imagery to hidden narrative layers involving identity, revolution, and the human psyche.
⏱️ Key Moments & Timestamps
00:00 – Iconic intro: “And now for something completely machinima…” 01:00 – Episode begins & introduction of hosts 01:28 – Tracy introduces “Dysfunction” and why it stands out 02:30 – Experiencing a fractured mind through abstract storytelling 04:30 – The power of sound design & sensory disorientation 06:30 – Exploring the Second Life environments used in the film 10:50 – Hidden symbolism: the French newspaper & time period clues 11:57 – Damien’s take: unsettling tone & visual contrasts 13:30 – Technical brilliance: the mirror reflection scene 15:39 – Phil’s interpretation: a hidden narrative emerges 18:00 – Substance abuse, escapism & dual realities – Political symbolism & revolutionary frustration – The “dark self” and psychological breakdown – Literary parallels: Jekyll & Hyde, Freud, Twin Peaks – Alternate WWII-era interpretation – Why this is one of the best machinima films of the year – Tribute & meaning behind the film’s credits – Using Second Life purely as a filmmaking tool – Final thoughts & audience discussion prompt
S6 E229 Wracu Review: Blender Brilliance, Storytelling Debate & the Future of Machinima (June 2026)
Season 6 · Episode 229
Thursday, June 4, 2026 • Duration 37:16
In this episode of And Now For Something Completely Machinima, hosts Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, and Tracy Harwood dive deep into “Wracu”, a stunning student film by Chase McGill.
Created in Blender as a final project at University of Southern California, this cinematic short blends epic fantasy, motion capture, and orchestral scoring into a powerful (and divisive!) storytelling experience.
But is it just visually impressive… or truly great storytelling? 🤔
🔥 What We Cover in This Episode
A spoiler-filled breakdown of Wracu’s narrative and themes
The influence of classic epics like Beowulf
Blender vs Unreal Engine for cinematic storytelling
The role of motion capture in character realism
Why sound design (and the Budapest Scoring Orchestra) elevates everything
A passionate debate: style vs substance
⏱️ Key Moments & Timestamps
00:00 – Intro The crew kicks off with the usual chaos and machinima energy.
01:00 – Film Pick: “Wracu” Phil introduces Chase McGill’s USC project and why it stood out.
03:00 – Story Breakdown (Spoilers!) A death-defying warrior, a skeletal carriage driver, and a gothic showdown.
06:00 – Epic Influences Connections to Beowulf and medieval fantasy storytelling traditions.
08:30 – Visual Craft & Lighting Why Blender shines in cinematic composition and mood.
10:00 – Orchestral Score Deep Dive How the Budapest Scoring Orchestra brings Hollywood-level sound.
S6 E228 Star Wars Battlefront 2 Machinima Breakdown | Cinematic Storytelling, Mods & Virtual Production (May 2028)
Season 6 · Episode 228
Thursday, May 28, 2026 • Duration 37:36
In this episode of And Now For Something Completely Machinima, hosts Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, and Tracy Harwood dive into a stunning fan-made cinematic created inside Star Wars Battlefront II (2017 video game).
We explore how machinima creators are pushing the limits of game engines, modding tools, and cinematic language to produce high-quality storytelling—despite technical limitations like no built-in camera controls. From Cloud City aesthetics to editing techniques and Star Wars authenticity, this episode unpacks what makes this project so impressive (and occasionally hilarious).
Whether you're into machinima, virtual production, or the Star Wars universe, there’s plenty here to inspire.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro & classic Completely Machinima opening 01:09 – Welcome + episode setup 01:36 – Damien introduces Battlefront 2 machinima scene 02:30 – Why this film stood out (engine use & in-game rendering) 04:22 – Tracy’s first impressions: cinematic language & storytelling 06:00 – Cloud City, mood-building & Star Wars “grammar” 08:30 – Editing, pacing & shot composition analysis 11:13 – The challenge: no camera tools → modding solutions 11:34 – Phil on cinematic storytelling vs dialogue limitations 12:44 – Voice acting, authenticity & sound design 13:03 – Unexpected comedy moments (yes, really 😂) 15:19 – Characterisation: Han Solo, Lando & Boba Fett 17:38 – Canon vs non-canon storytelling debate 18:46 – Gameplay origins of the story 19:46 – Multiplayer staging & production complexity 22:15 – Different entry points into Star Wars fandom – Exposition text: necessary or not? – Runtime critique: pacing & structure – The scale and power of the Battlefront 2 engine – Star Wars modding community & creator ecosystem – Where machinima lives today (YouTube & beyond) – Other games, mods & machinima potential – Outro & final thoughts
S6 E227 Automation Situation 2 | AI, Satire & the Future of Humanity (May 2026)
Season 6 · Episode 227
Thursday, May 21, 2026 • Duration 32:36
In this episode, we dive into Automation Situation 2: Too Little, Too Late by Guillaume H @thegiom — a haunting, AI-driven short film presented as a 1930s educational reel.
Is this clever satire… or a chilling glimpse of our future with AI?
We explore how this unsettling film blends retro aesthetics, machinima-style workflows, and AI-generated imagery to question human agency, automation, and the emotional cost of technological progress.
⏱ Key Moments & Timestamps 01:00 – What is Automation Situation 2? 01:43 – Why this film fits today’s AI conversation 03:06 – Strange coincidence: all picks reflect humanity 03:30 – The filmmaker & AI creative process 04:30 – 1930s educational reel aesthetic explained 06:00 – Retro satire & visual language breakdown 07:30 – AI tools, machinima parallels & workflow 09:00 – Human agency vs AI systems 10:30 – Themes: control, automation & authorship 11:30 – Emotional tone: calm voice, disturbing message 12:30 – “You are still loved” – the film’s most chilling idea 13:30 – Industrial Revolution parallels 15:00 – AI fatigue & audience resistance 16:40 – Why this satire works (creeping dread vs shock) 18:00 – Historical imagery & uncanny realism 20:00 – The fear of AI: universal or inevitable? 22:00 – Craft vs “AI slop” debate 24:00 – Filmmaking brilliance & editing choices 26:00 – Why old footage feels haunting 28:50 – Personal reactions & emotional impact 31:00 – Final thoughts: true horror in AI storytelling
🎥 What we discuss: • AI-generated filmmaking & creative workflows • Retro aesthetics as storytelling tools • Machinima vs AI content creation • The psychology of automation & human relevance • Why subtle satire can be more disturbing than horror
S6 E226 The Egg (Andy Weir) | Machinima, Philosophy & Project Hail Mary Connections (May 2026)
Season 6 · Episode 226
Thursday, May 14, 2026 • Duration 30:38
In this episode of Now For Something Completely Machinima, we dive into a fascinating review of The Egg — a thought-provoking short story by Andy Weir, brought to life through machinima animation by Anima Technica.
With Project Hail Mary dominating conversations, we explore how this earlier work connects to Weir’s storytelling style — blending philosophy, theology, and surprising humour.
🎙️ Featuring Damien Valentine, Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, and voice acting insights from Ricky Grove, this episode unpacks themes of reincarnation, cosmic identity, and the deeper meaning of existence — all through the lens of machinima filmmaking.
🔑 Topics Covered
The philosophy behind The Egg
Machinima production techniques (iClone, minimalism, animation style)
Voice acting performance and character dynamics
Connections to Project Hail Mary and Weir’s broader work
Theology, reincarnation, and cosmic responsibility explained
⏱️ Key Moments & Timestamps
00:00 – Intro & episode setup 01:27 – What is The Egg and why it matters 03:38 – First impressions & machinima context 06:30 – Animation techniques (iClone & visual style) 07:33 – Voice acting breakdown (Ricky Grove & Jorge Campos) 11:31 – Behind-the-scenes voice recording insights 14:33 – The BIG philosophical reveal explained (no spoilers!) 17:39 – Themes: reincarnation, identity & cosmic purpose 21:58 – Moral implications & “cosmic responsibility” 24:00 – Comparing different adaptations of The Egg 26:12 – Performance analysis: portraying God on screen 27:41 – Andy Weir’s early writing & origins of the story 29:14 – Comparing The Egg to The Martian & Project Hail Mary 30:07 – Final thoughts & outro
S6 E225 Machinima News Omnibus (May 2026)
Season 6 · Episode 225
Thursday, May 7, 2026 • Duration 01:03:36
In this episode of And Now For Something Completely Machinima, Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, and Damien Valentine dive into the latest news in machinima, virtual production, AI creative tools, game cinematics, and real-time animation.
They discuss the explosive hype around Kane Parsons’ The Backrooms movie, new Starfield expansions and what they could mean for Starfield machinima, the release of Fortnite Star Wars assets for fan-made experiences, and useful production updates including DaVinci Resolve optimisation, Headshot 3, free mocap tools, and local AI voice cloning.
The conversation also takes a deeper turn with a thoughtful debate on AI video generation, Sora, creative AI fatigue, public sentiment toward AI tools, and where AI in filmmaking and digital storytelling may be heading next.
If you're interested in machinima filmmaking, AI tools for creators, virtual production workflows, Star Wars fan creation, The Backrooms, Starfield, Fortnite UEFN, or digital storytelling, this episode is packed with insights.
Topics covered:
· Kane Parsons and The Backrooms trailer reaction
· Starfield Free Lanes and Terra Nomada
· Fortnite Star Wars creator tools
· DaVinci Resolve performance tips
· Headshot 3 for Character Creator
· Free motion capture and text-to-mocap tools
· Local
S6 E224 The Murderer | Surreal Horror, David Lynch Vibes & Garry’s Mod Mastery (Apr 2026)
Season 6 · Episode 224
Thursday, April 30, 2026 • Duration 40:35
Dive into one of the most unsettling and artistically ambitious machinima films we’ve ever reviewed. In this episode of Now For Something Completely Machinima, we explore “The Murderer” by Yago Muriel — a haunting black-and-white psychological horror created in Garry's Mod that blends surrealism, classic cinema, and existential dread.
With clear influences from David Lynch, The Outer Limits, and Hitchcock-era filmmaking, this film transforms a humble game engine into something deeply disturbing, poetic, and unforgettable. Expect eerie bird motifs, ambiguous storytelling, and a shocking twist that lingers long after the credits.
If you love psychological horror, surreal films, experimental storytelling, or indie filmmaking, this is a must-watch discussion.
⏱️ Key Moments & Timestamps
1:00 – Overview of The Murderer & creator background 3:50 – Why you should watch the film BEFORE this review (no spoilers!) 4:20 – Visual style: black & white, classic horror influences 8:20 – Surreal tone & comparisons to classic TV and cinema 10:30 – Atmosphere, mood, and uncanny storytelling 15:10 – Sound design, editing, and emotional impact 20:10 – The shocking twist explained ⚠️ (SPOILERS) 21:50 – Filmmaking craft & narrative ambiguity 23:00 – Interpretation: madness, guilt, and symbolism 26:50 – Style analysis: blending classic cinema & machinima 29:30 – Alternate interpretations of the ending 34:20 – Themes: human nature, violence, and surreal logic 36:50 – Why ambiguity makes the film more powerful 37:00 – Creator insights: influences & creative process 39:30 – Final thoughts & why this could become a cult classic
🎥 What We Discuss in This Review
How pushes
29:12 – NVIDIA ray-traced rendering integration, Omniverse, and future production pipelines
35:25 – Tracy's reflections on TikTok machinima, short-form creativity and the risks of social media restrictions
38:45 – Kane Parsons, The Backrooms, and the rise of young creators shaping mainstream media
44:32 – New research on how AI affects cognition and creative skills
47:00 – Does AI make creators better or worse? A debate on practice, learning and creative development
50:36 – AI as a co-creative partner versus AI as a replacement for creativity
53:20 – Artistic practice, creative tools and whether AI is comparable to instruments, cameras and software
57:00 – Ethics, responsibility and the future of AI-assisted creative work
58:30 – What machinima can teach the wider creative industries about authorship, originality and transformative works
1:01:12 – Final thoughts and optimism for the future of machinima and digital creativity
1:01:37 – One last reminder: the Halo remake is coming
1:02:00 – Closing remarks
Episode Highlights
The ethics of AI recreations and posthumous digital performances
Major Summer Game Fest announcements relevant to machinima creators
New opportunities through Machinima Mayhem 2026
Reallusion's AI-powered future and creator tools
The growing creative quality of TikTok-based machinima
The potential impact of social media restrictions on emerging creators
AI, artistic practice, and the importance of maintaining creative agency
Why the machinima community may be uniquely positioned to help define ethical AI-assisted creation
Whether you're interested in virtual production, game-based filmmaking, creative technology, or the future of AI in media, this episode offers a thoughtful and lively discussion on where digital creativity is heading next.
Credits - Speakers: Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy Harwood Producer/Editor: Phil Rice Music: Phil Rice & SunoAI
10:00
12:32 – Phil’s review: comparing the film to Ridiculous Ties and other animated comedy machinima
13:12 – Why Michael Is Very Vintage is developing a distinctive creative voice
14:20 – Hidden Easter eggs, visual gags and blink-and-you-miss-them details
15:15 – The film’s unique soundscape: cartoon logic, meme culture and deliberate absurdity
18:30 – Recognising an auteur style in machinima filmmaking
19:14 – Deep dive into the film’s references, props, set dressing and visual jokes
23:30 – What the Easter eggs reveal about the creator’s influences and generation
27:55 – Michael’s rapid output and growing body of work
29:24 – Behind-the-scenes videos and custom set construction in Hammer Editor
29:50 – Cinematography highlights and impressive in-engine camera work
30:52 – A broader question: what future exists for talented Gary’s Mod filmmakers?
32:20 – Can skills developed in Gary’s Mod transfer to animation, virtual production and film?
37:15 – Damien on iClone, animation principles and platform-specific comedy
38:35 – Does Gary’s Mod itself become part of the joke?
39:24 – Happy accidents, bugs and creative inspiration in machinima production
44:00 – From software glitches to award-winning films
45:04 – Physics engines, experimentation and unexpected outcomes
46:44 – Final thoughts and audience feedback invitation
47:11 – Closing remarks
If you've ever wondered what would happen if the least competent person on a spaceship cloned themselves five times to avoid doing their job, this episode is for you.
Credits - Speakers: Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy Harwood Producer/Editor: Phil Rice Music: Phil Rice & SunoAI
20:30
23:30
26:30
31:20
32:30
35:00
36:00
37:00
🧠 Why This Episode Matters
This discussion goes beyond machinima—it explores:
🎧 Immersive storytelling through sound and visuals
🧩 Abstract narrative and audience interpretation
🧠 Mental health representation in digital art
🌍 Symbolism, politics, and personal identity
🎮 The evolution of machinima as a filmmaking medium
💬 Join the Conversation
What do you think “Dysfunction” is about?
A psychological breakdown?
A metaphor for addiction?
A political statement?
Or something entirely different?
Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇 or email the team at talk@completelymachinima.com
11:30 – Subtle Animation Details Damien highlights the tiny touches that sell realism.
15:50 – Storytelling Without Dialogue Can silent storytelling carry emotional weight?
16:30 – Tracy’s Critique Begins A thoughtful (and spicy) take on narrative vs technical mastery.
20:50 – Sound Design vs Visuals Why audio might be the real hero of the film.
22:40 – “Too Perfect?” Does hyper-polished rendering hurt immersion?
23:30 – Where the Film Loses Momentum The shift from atmospheric mystery to action spectacle.
26:50 – Blender vs Unreal Engine Debate Environment vs set-building: what feels more “real”?
30:20 – Is This a Great Story or a Great Demo? Portfolio piece vs meaningful narrative.
32:20 – The Challenge of Storytelling Craft Why story is harder than tech (and always evolving).
34:00 – Elden Ring & Dark Fantasy Vibes Unexpected parallels to modern games and worldbuilding.
36:00 – Final Thoughts A brilliant debut—and huge potential for what comes next.
🎧 Why You Should Watch/Listen
If you’re into:
Machinima & virtual production
Blender animation workflows
Cinematic storytelling & film critique
Game engine vs offline rendering debates
…this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and honest critique.
💬 Join the Conversation
What did you think of Wracu? Is Tracy right… or completely wrong? 😏
Drop your thoughts in the comments or email us at talk@completelymachinima.com — we’d love to feature your take in a future episode!
🔗 Links
Watch Wracu (link in show notes)
Behind-the-scenes scoring session (included in episode notes)
📢 Don’t Forget
👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into machinima, animation, and virtual production.
Star Wars Battlefront II (2017 video game) modding scene
Camera work without native tools
Editing, pacing & shot composition
Star Wars fan films & canon debates
Multiplayer coordination for filmmaking
🚀 Why This Episode Matters
This episode highlights how creators are transforming games into filmmaking tools—turning limitations into creative opportunities. It’s a deep dive into how modern machinima blends gameplay, cinematography, and community-driven innovation.
📢 Join the Conversation
What did you think of this Battlefront machinima? Does canon matter in fan storytelling?
💬 Drop a comment below or email us at: talk@completelymachinima.com
🔔 Subscribe for More
If you love machinima, virtual production, and creative uses of game engines, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell!
💡 Why watch this review? If you’re interested in AI films, experimental cinema, or the future of creativity, this breakdown explores one of the most thought-provoking AI shorts out there right now.
👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into innovative short films, machinima, and emerging media. S
Credits - Co-hosts: Damien Valentine, Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood Producer: Damien Valentine Editor: Phil Rice Music: Phil Rice & Suno AI
AI voice cloning
· Sora shutdown and shifting attitudes toward AI
· Project Hail Mary and practical effects vs AI hype
Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:42 Welcome and episode setup 01:45 Kane Parsons’ The Backrooms movie trailer 04:02 Will The Backrooms work as a feature film? 08:24 Kane Parsons directing an A24 film 09:02 Starfield update: Free Lanes and Terra Nomada 12:48 Could Starfield finally get better machinima tools? 17:36 Fortnite Star Wars assets released for creators 19:58 DaVinci Resolve optimisation tips 21:18 Headshot 3 and Character Creator updates 25:10 Free mocap tools and Nvidia text-to-motion 28:12 Local AI voice cloning with Voicebox 31:10 Realusion, Houdini, and animation workflows 32:20 Has AI turned a corner? Public sentiment and backlash 34:53 Sora, Disney, and the future of AI video 38:35 AI fatigue, Microsoft, Nvidia, and creator reactions 41:56 AI beneath the surface vs AI as the product 44:00 Human performance, authenticity, and audience response 47:19 Creator burnout and the “George Lucas effect” 51:06 Is AI backlash irrational or inevitable? 57:58 Project Hail Mary and practical filmmaking 1:02:56 Outro
Credits - Co-hosts: Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy Harwood Producer/Editor: Phil Rice Music: Phil Rice & Suno AI
The Murderer
machinima storytelling to new heights
The influence of classic black-and-white horror & surreal cinema
Why limitations of game engines can enhance creativity
The film’s disturbing emotional tone and psychological depth
Multiple interpretations of its ambiguous, haunting ending
🔥 Why This Film Matters
This isn’t just another machinima experiment — it’s a masterclass in mood, editing, and storytelling under constraints. By embracing the quirks of Garry's Mod, Yago Muriel creates something that feels closer to arthouse cinema than gaming content.
If you’re a filmmaker, creator, or horror fan, there’s a lot to learn here.
Credits - Co-hosts: Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy Harwood Producer: Damien Valentine Editor: Phil Rice Music: Phil Rice & Suno AI
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