Bits of SL Life And Times

 

As I wrote earlier, yours truly can be very busy in real life sometimes. So sometimes there's very little time to write. And so things I would like to put my pen down to get postponed, sometimes again and again. So here's a few things that I couldn't find the time to write down earlier, such as cool Halloween looks, an alt experience, and a wrestling match.

 

Read, and see, the tales and pictures in People.

 

Video: "Tammy: The Player behind TJMoney on Mambo Motel "

 

 

 From Pooky Amsterdam on March 13, a short on the woman behind one of the characters in the video "Mambo Motel."

 

Ten Years Ago: The End of "Fluffee"

 

 

It was ten years ago, January 30 2013, that a certain character popular in early 2010s Second Life media gave his farewell. Pooky Amsterdam and Draxtor Despress would release the last of their "Flufee on a Meshion" videos. 

The series, which started in September 7 2011, was a hit. But there was a not so slight problem, pointed out in both the final video, and spelled out by Draxtor in his 2021 interview. Someone else owned the rights to Flufee, and they eventually had different ideas where to take him. So Draxtor and Pooky eventually decided to end the series. 

Pookymedia Developing "Mambo Motel: The Metaverse Musical"

 

Some readers will remember Pookymedia for it's work on the "Time Travellers" movie and the "Fluffee on a Meshion" videos made in Second Life, as well as "The 1st Question" game show. They've continued to do some work over the years. Recently, they released the trailer for their latest project: "Manbo Motel."

"Mambo Motel is the story of a Prince who wishes to escape the intense scrutiny of the media and longs to find a place where he can just be... himself. He discovers anonymity in Mambo Motel, a Metaverse where all log in equally.

"But like the Prince, no one behind the screen is who they seem to be. Exchanging physical reality for a virtual one, he wins and fails at both fortune and love, finding himself ultimately by losing himself in this new world. The theme of the story is that while you have a human skin of chance, as an avatar you can express who you really are in your avatar skin of choice.

"Experience the world's first Musical set in the Metaverse and see what happens in our new world where anyone can be anything they want to be! Actors perform in front of digitally produced sets which take us right into the virtual environment of Mambo Motel.

"Those onstage are living their virtual lives unlimited by their physical boundaries, and only we the audience see who the people really are behind the Mambo Motel guests on smaller LED screens to the far right and left of the stage. The Show Experience features an amazingly tuneful 16 original song soundtrack reflecting life online in the 21st Century." 

Addition: Pooky Amsterdam would have more to say on the Pookymedia blog.
 

SL Video: Pookymedia's Second "Vector Inspectors" Video

 *

In 2012, Pooky Amsterdam's Pookymedia did a video to help educate young viewers on how to help fight the Asian Tiger Mosquito, "Vector Inspectors." Recently, they did another, "Vector Inspector Program Assembly Video." 

Pooky would explain in her blog, "In April of 2012 PookyMedia finished a video for the San Gabriel Vector & Control District which would be presented at schools in the San Gabriel Valley grades K-8, in conjunction with a scientific study. They needed to find out the scope of Asian Tiger Mosquito infiltration in the Valley, and they needed school kids to collect samples of trapped water around their homes for research.  PookyMedia created this gem of a Call to Action, which was SO successful that almost a decade later, not only is the film still being shown, but we just had to update the film, as new invasive species have been identified.

"So once again the Vector Inspectors will help eradicate mosquitos and the diseases they transfer, by getting rid of standing water around homes and giving samples for this ongoing study. The film has been shown to tens of thousands of schoolchildren, and it works! Even if one person avoided getting Dengue Fever, Zika or any of the other viruses these species of Aedes mosquitos carry it will be a triumph, but this has helped thousands of children and their families stay safe. And this new film will help thousands more!  

"Machinima Can save lives!  It's a great video and we encourage you to take a look at the newer version here with an introduction by real professionals!"
   

SL Video: "1st Question - It's The Guru Edition"

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Last month on Sunday June 28, Pooky Amsterdam's game show "The 1st Question" had it's first airing in eight years. "The Guru Edition" was done in honor of Paradox Olbers, the founder of the Spindrft and many of the Sci-Lands sims, whom had passed away last year. Pooky's co-host Hydro Shaftoe also returned, along with her crew of tinies.

There were for contestants in this game: Troy McLuhan, Korii Tiger, Jimbo Perhaps. and Ebbe Linden. Ebbe would win the "Word Up" part of the show with "Laginator," and go on to win at the end.

Reminder: "The 1st Question" This Sunday, June 28

Just a reminder that Pooky Amsterdam's "The 1st Question" game show that aired years ago in Second Life will have a special showing this Sunday June 28, from 12 Noon to 3 PM SL time. Among the people there will be Ebbe Linden.

For more information, check Pooky's blog.


http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spindrift/66/237/701

Press Release: Pooky Amsterdam's "The 1st Question" Returns

SUNDAY JUNE 28th at 12 NOON SL
The 1st Question Returns

Special Guru Edition Honoring Paradox Olbers

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spindrift/66/237/701

Guru, Mentor, Co-Founder of The Scilands and wonderful human being! Hero Celebration Alert!

Ebbe Linden
Troy McLuhan
Korii Tiger
Jimbo Perhaps

and Special Musical Director Cypress Rosewood!

*****Presenting a Premiere Virtual Reality Game Show*****

The 1st Question is a fast paced science themed show with the best & the brightest experience in SL and beyond.
Turn on your computer and open up your mind as
Pooky Amsterdam and  Hydra Shaftoe
 broadcast live from inside the StudioDome
*Located in the futuristic SciLands on SecondLife.
**The Quiz Show To The Stars!**
***Virtual World performers, furries, geniuses, artists and the intelligentsia gather together to make the show a riot of fun, facts and fast based entertainment!

*Play along at home to try to match your wits and wisdom with some of SecondLife's most unusual and brilliant people.


    ********At the StudioDome!  In Spindrift**********

June 28th at 12 NOON SL
3PM EST / 8PM UK / 9PM Europe

If You have an answer - We have a question

http://www.pookymedia.com/
http://www.the1stquestion.com/

Streaming sites to follow.......

Blogpost > https://www.pookyamsterdam.com/2020/

SL Video: Inside Avatar Studio With Pooky Amsterdam

Last week on September 19, Pooky Amsterdam was at a discussion at Rockcliffe University. The conversation went on for about an hour, from how people learn in Second Life, to engaging with one another, to how her "The 1st Question" game show got started, to how does one explain Second Life to someone outside the virtual world, "aspirational marketing," how are virtual experiences as a form of entertainment, the possibilities of marketing through virtual reality,and other issues.

SL Video: "VCE3i HKPolyU Virtual Campus Promotional Video"

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From PolyU ELC, with the help of Pookymedia, Produced by Pooky Amsterdam Directed by Russell Boyd, "The Hong Kong PolyU Virtual Campus: An Evolution in Immersion, Interaction and Innovation (VCE3i) Funded by the Advisory Committee on eLearning (ACE) VCE3i objectives: The development of activities and learning systems that allow for collaboration between faculty and students, within and across the various disciplines at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and around the world. VCE3i ethos: The VCE3i is an immersive, interactive and innovative Carnival with both Circus and Park attractions. We wish to offer the local and international communities a cultural attraction that is familiar yet (hopefully) not clichéd. Additionally, animals and creatures living in the VCE3i are free of human shackles and interference. While this might seem contrary to traditional circus appearances, this is, after all, Second Life!"

SL Video: "VCE3i Introductory and Educational Video"

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From November 28. Pooky Amsterdam's Pookymedia helped make this video for the Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Virtual Campus, "Virtual and immersive environments work exceedingly well and very affordably for those learning foreign languages. We recently had the opportunity to work on this advertisement with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Virtual Campus to showcase how their exciting platform within Second Life is teaching students around the globe."

Second Life Used For Hotels.Com's "Hotel Room Of The Future"

What will the hotel room of the future be like? It was a question recently asked by hotels.com, a hotels booking service on the Internet that many are familiar with due to their commercials. The result was a video done in Second Life for them by Pooky Amsterdam's Pookymedia. Pooky contacted the Newser about the details.
 


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"It was Dr. James Canton who contacted us. He was the exec. producer of "Time Travelers," and Hotels.com asked him to do a prediction on hotels of the future and off world hotels. David Denton did the building for the Hotel on Mars. It's really stunning."

The video shows a futuristic-looking hotel room with amenities that have only recently been developed, still on the drawing board, or the technology hasn't been developed yet. These include a robot butler, a 3-D printer, a "smart toilet," and a bed with a "neuro-dreaming" feature.

Pooky went on to say while Pookymedia has done videos for clients before, hotels.com ranks as one of their biggest. More about the video can be read on the Pookymedia blog.



James Canton was interviewed by Canadian news station CTV News about the video, where he explained some of his predictions. You can view the interview here.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Women's Digital Cinema - Pooky Amsterdam"

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From Glasz Movies on November 6, Pooky Amsterdam speaks about her machinima-making, with scenes from "Time Travelers."

SL Video: "Consent And The HIE"

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Pooky Amsterdam, once an active member of Second Life's video media, has been quieter in recent years. But she still works on occasional projects. Here, she uses Second Life as the media for a commercial for HealthlinkNY, a medical information exchange network in New York state.

Source: Pookymedia.

SL Video: "Relay for Life 2015: Interview with Cuddly Waffle"

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From July 27, 2015, Pooky Amsterdam talks to Cuddly Waffle of Team Strange Journeys.

Kat2 Kit's Memorial Service

How does one say goodbye to a friend in virtual reality? This question was raised after Kat2 Kit had passed away suddenly on May 21. A few days ago, a number of his friends got together at his art studio to pay their respects and share a few stories. As Kat was remembered as someone who always wanted to leave smiles behind, the service took on the qualities of a wake. So mixed with the tears were a few chuckles.

Read more in Events.

SL Video: Educating With MAD Lab

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Prom Pookymedia: "Merced County in California needed to upgrade and modernize their Vector Control outreach to schools in their county. They called us to create a mixed reality film to increase awareness of the threats that mosquitoes pose to people and animals. We were asked to help educate on how the professionals in this important arena help maintain a safe environment for all. The film has met with great success for the program. Speaking to the audience in a language they really understand!"

Scenes From The VWBPE Education Conference

Across four days last week, the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education (VWBPE) conference took place in Second Life. Although always a newsworthy event with some interesting discussions, this time there were two important speakers whom could not be ignored, Philip Rosedale, the former Philip Linden, and Ebbe Altberg , known inworld as Ebbe Linden. Both Gemma Cleanslate and Bixyl Shuftan were there to take pictures, and youtube videos were found of the speeches made by the past and present CEOs of Linden Lab.

See the pictures in Events.

SL Video: "Time Travelers Episode 6 - Baby Universe"

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The sixth, and final, part of Pooky Amsterdam's "Time Travelers" series. With their teammate captured, the remaining two of the team turn to an advanced computer program for help. Events soon lead to a showdown between the opposing forces, one out to enslave humanity, the other to save it. Starring Rebecca Borrer, Marc Cholette, and Sonya Cerdan as the Time Travelers.

"Time Travelers" is an award-winning series by PookyMedia productions, started in 2010.

"The final episode - for now, brings together our Time Travelers and the Meks, with Zanzibar's capture of Maria. We will experience what the Time Travelers, with the help of the advanced AI Sebastian must do to stop the Meks and their leader Zanzibar...by using every resource in their power. The opening of the Baby Universe becomes a trap. Whose future will win out, are we running out of time to Save the Future?

"We are all of us connected, none more so than the Teen Time Travelers who must fight to escape the danger of the approaching Meks. As they jump through time and again meet their future selves, the stakes escalate around the future as they must follow their present destiny. Game on!

"The award winning series, Time Travelers, is an animated adventure series about the future. The series showcases future careers in science such as geoengineering for alternative energy, nanobiolology and neuroscience for learning and health care.

"Time Travelers was sponsored by the leader in education financing SLFC www.slfc.com and iHelp www.ihelploan.com committed to helping students achieve their educational and career goals. For over 30 years SLFC has been a pioneer in enabling students to realize their dreams for the future through education. SLFC's support made Time Travelers a reality.

"Time Travelers will be seen online, at International Film Festivals and throughout the nation at FutureLab: The Innovation Expo www.FutureLabExpo.com."


See Episode 5 Here, Episode 4 Here, and Episodes 1-3 combined Here. 

Interview With Pooky Amsterdam Part Two

Second Life Newser recently interviewed media personality Pooky Amsterdam, noted for her work on the game show "The 1st Question" and machinima such as the "Time Travelers" series. She had so much to say, we met again the following day to finish. Here is the second part of the interview, in which she talks about her "Date Your Avatar" parody, Pookymedia's "Flufee" videos, and her future plans.

Read the second half of the interview in People.