Filmed in SL Movie "Waarheid" Priemers At Film Threat

 

 Last week on Thursday December 15, the made in Second Life movie (or machinima) "Waarheid" premiered at the "Film Threat" theater. Scheduled to start at 10AM SL time, the 100 second countdown started at 10:30. There were over a hundred people in the sim. 

The movie is a dystopian sci-fi tale of which the script was written by Huckleberry Hax, who has also done over a dozen novels and numerous short stories in Second Life, the most noted being "AFK", and also plays the part of the antagonist, Belletristik. Caitlin Tobias is the actress behind the protagonist Erika Janssen/Waarheid. Other roles played include AvaJean Westland, Ylva (Soulfullife ), Boudicca Amat, Lydia Lindemann (Lydiadecremorne), Mich Michabo, and Strawberry Singh (Strawberry Linden). The movie is a sequel to Stomol, Huckleberry's first major SL film, which debuted in July 2020. 

The movie starts with Waarheid / Erika trying to track down the location of the man who nearly killed her, recalling what happened to her, losing her arm, and her recovery. But things do not quite go as she planned. She eventually wakes up in what apparently is a very sophisticated virtual reality simulation, placed there by someone who says she wants to help her accomplish her tracking down her attempted killer, but wants her to trust him, which she's reluctant to do. 

 

The movie ended with applause, and afterwards much of the cast and audience went to a club to celebrate at an afterparty, Huckleberry saying at one point, "We have this amazing venue tonight due to the generosity of Amelie (amilee34) and Ylva - please show your appreciation to the venue and DJ."

 

Yours truly doesn't want to give too much away about the movie, though with her in an ultra-realistic virtual reality simulator comes the question how does she truly know she's out of it (Total Recall anyone?) I was pleased with the ending. A lot of work was done on the movie and it was well-done.

A few days before on December 9, Strawberry would interview Huckleberry, Caitlin, and AvaJean in a Lab Gab episode. Huckleberry would say he didn't plan on doing a sequel to Stomol at first, but hearing what people thought eventually came up with the idea for Waarheid. It was filmed in a number of locations, some of which are no longer around. Huckleberry spoke that he has no plans for a sequel to this, though he won't say "never" either.

Caitlin would also write about the movie in her blog: https://caitlintobias.com/ .

To see the movie, head to Film Threat  (48/126/23). It should be there for a few more weeks. Exactly when the theater's next movie is scheduled to be up is unknown. 

Bixyl Shuftan

Getting One's Phil(ip)

 

Just after the premiere showing of Draxtor Despres' "Virtual Cultures in Pandemic Times" at Film Threat, only a few minutes after Draxtor himself logged off for the night, a very famous Linden dropped by: Philip Linden, the founder of Linden Labs, and thus Second Life. Today, Philip's position is basically an advisory role. But he's still very popular among the residents.

Philip had hoped to catch some of the film. But even Lindens can be late for shows. In any event, he was soon surrounded by admirers. He was happy to see the crowd, complementing people on their avatar designs, saying much had been accomplished over the years. He himself was still in his old prim hair, facial hair, codpiece, and "Rocky Horror" t-shirt. So it was a happy contrast of classic, mesh, fitted mesh, and bakes-on mesh. 

Happy trails, Philip.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

SL Film: "Virtual Cultures in Pandemic Times"

 

On Saturday April 2 at 1PM SL time, Draxtor Despres' full-length movie "Virtual Cultures in Pandemic Times" premiered at the "Film Threat" theater. The result of months of work, Draxtor had gone through both Second Life and the game of Animal Crossing, "following UC Irvine Department of Anthropology researchers Tom Boellstorff, Evan Conaway, Chandra Middleton and Sandy Wenger around Animal Crossing and Second Life to find out how the COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping online interaction,"interviewing many people. 

The premiere was shown in front of a live audience, of which I was part of, as well as a number if Lindens and Moles. And Draxtor talked to a few people in the film for a few minutes after the showing, Boellstorff among them. 

While Drax wasn't putting down Animal Crossing, he felt Second Life was so much more versatile, that the comparison between the two wasn't just apples and oranges, but more like "apples and a lamborgini."

Others would also sit through the showing, such as Zada Bury. 

Bixyl Shufan
 

Weekend in Brief

 

A number of events happened this weekend. The Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education conference (above) took place and concluded. Draxtor Despres' film, "Virtual Cultures in Pandemic Times" premiered at the Film Threat theater. There were a number of Relay for Life events, notably the "Dreamfair" by Roos With a Dream and Cure Chasers. The Royal Antiquity Theater had the "Iconic Moments" performance, and more.

More on these events later.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Film Threat Has New Movie Review, Plans To Offer Monthly Shows

 
For fans of the Film Threat theater, which appeared in July to review "Attack of the Doc," it's back with a review of a B movie from a small producer, "Corona Zombies."

Enjoy next level watch parties in SL with the new Film Threat virtual cinema experience!

 “We’re amazed at how Linden Lab was able to bring the spirit of Film Threat to life in this virtual space and thrilled that we’ll be able to conduct screenings and other special events in a whole new way,” says Chris Gore, founder of Film Threat. “It’s our hope to grow this venue and events to engage with Film Threat and indie film fans around the world.” Film Threat is the leading independent film news and review site, offering the scoop on the latest releases as well as curated picks from past decades.

Inspired by theaters and film festivals from the physical world, this two-story virtual cinema venue offers a unique and immersive way to experience movies. The space was first revealed back in July for Kickstarter backers of Gore’s upcoming Attack of the Doc documentary as part of an exclusive sneak peek. This region offers food trucks, sleek cafes, and modern lounges to house insightful discussions amongst Residents. Additionally, Film Threat-branded exclusive collectible merchandise can be found at booths throughout the venue.

On October 28, about a week after the announcement in the Linden blog, a video review of a movie went up at the theater: "Corona Zombies." Planning for the film had started before the Pandemic started. When it hit, the producers decided to have fun with it, and had the virus zombyfy the infected. And like other zombies, they would try to eat the living. In response a "Corona Squad" was created to deal with them. The review showed the film going about like a cheesy 1970s monster flick, with low budget special effects, bad and unnecessarily dubbed dialouge, characters making dumb decisions that get them killed, etc. But the producers and actors had fun doing it. 

Dropping in at the opening, which lasted from 11AM to 2PM SL time, there were a number of Lindens in the crowd. Cris Gore was also there in his avatar with the same name.

The next review, for the movie "Insert Coin," is scheduled to appear about a week from now on Thursday November 11, "The oral history of a team of geeks and misfits in the back of a Chicago factory creating the biggest video games (Mortal Kombat, NBA JAM, and others) of all time." On December 16

To see the blog post in full, Click Here.

Film Threat PortalA (238/103/23)

Addition: Checking again, the theater wasn't playing the film review at the time. It may be playing only at certain times, or perhaps has stopped until the next one.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Cartoon of the Day: Drinking The Koolaid

 

Taken at Film Threat. Among the avatars I saw there was this old "Kool-Aid Man" one. Kool-Aid itself has been around for years, with commercials on TV showing their mascot smashing through walls shouting, "Oh yeeaahh!" Unfortunately for the company, in 1978 a cult leader ordered his followers to commit suicide by drinking from a vat filled with the beverage mixed with poison. Years later, people still call blindly following a movement or ideology (especially one they don't like) "drinking the koolaid."

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Cartoon of The Day: Not That Kind of Mouse

 

Taken at Film Threat

By Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Screening Event At Film Threat in Second Life

 

Yesterday, Thursday July 29, there was an "exclusive invitation" by Linden Lab to the residents.  This was for an event that was a cooperation between Linden Lab and the director of a TV show documentary.

You are invited to an exclusive event on July 29 at 3PM-7PM (Pacific Time).

The entire presentation is 30 minutes, but hang out after to chat in Second Life! Attendees will see the teaser trailer debut, poster reveal and get a first look at the documentary "Attack of the Doc!" with host Chris Gore. Spots are limited, so don’t miss out!

Film Threat is a four sim area showing a large theater building in the middle. In front are a number of food trucks and a few stalls where one can pick up a "swag bag" that contains t-shirts of the event. What's currently playing is a teaser to a documentary of "Attack of the Show," a live television show that "reviewed new technology, aired parodies, discussed pop culture and general news, and gave previews of video games, movies, and digital media." It aired from 2005 to 2013. One of the people behind it, Chris Gore, was producing the documentary that was named "Attack of the Doc." It is planned to air in 2022.

 I found out about the event in a group chat. Heading over, there were a number of people there, including Brett Linden in the seats, and at one point Patch Linden walked in. Also there was Chantal Harvey, a machinima producer from Second Life's golden age over a decade ago. And Chris Gore was there himself, in an avatar with his real-life name. 

Talking to Chris Gore (and getting the okay to use the conversation, he was enjoying his time in Second Life,  "This is cool!" He went on to say, "We do plan to do other events in here. ... We're planning monthly events starting in September. No date set, but pay attention on social media to find out."

While the event was listed in the official blog, it was under "Highlights of the Second Life Destination Guide." So those checking out the blog would notice it while those who just peeked at secondlife.com wouldn't know about it without clicking further.

The Film Threat theater is at Film Threat A/(133/6/23). It's unknown how long the teaser will keep playing.
 
Bixyl Shuftan
 

Later: Film Threat Screening Event

 

Yesterday, Thursday July 29, there was an "exclusive invitation" by Linden Lab to the residents.  There was a showing of a trailer at a theater-themed area: Film Threat. The trailer was for "Attack of the Doc," a documentary of "Attack of the Show," a live TV show that aired from 2005 to 2013. 

More about the event later.