Machinima Field Trip

Task Discussion

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  Bluebarker   June 12, 2012, 7:27 p.m.

  I for one have seen a slight increase in the mature rated machinimas lately, tipping the scales with both violence, nudity, sex and language being some of the main factors. So i do know what it is you speak of Florian and it is indeed distasteful to me as well. I almost want a rating system applied to films and allow limitations to what can be show in certain theaters. Not to prohibit the creative minds but in all the theaters I have gone to it has been a potpourri of mixed content from harmless adventure exploration films to what can only be classified as machinima porno the next (not to offend anyone) but granted that SL has abandoned the whole under 18 age rule for the time being, I do beileve that a rating system should be in place. I don't know why there isn't a Motion Picture Association of American for machinima and have theaters/contests post what kind of films they will accept based on ratings/theme/content.

• 
  Florian   June 12, 2012, 12:27 a.m.

  Yes, observing the Machinima techniques here were instructive, and I had visited this sim once before on a more benign tour,  but the examples tonight glorified violence and porn, with the excuse that this was for "instructor's eyes only."  Is something like this what we want to pass on to  our students? Totally disgusted.

   

• 
  cynthia   June 12, 2012, 12:45 a.m.
  In Reply To:   Florian   June 12, 2012, 12:27 a.m.

  Florian, you praised the first movie after we saw it....have you changed your view of that one? 

  Florian--
  I actually thought the second movie was "healthier" than the first, to be honest.  Both works were extremely well-crafted, and made interesting use of technique and the general affordances of the media.  The filmmakers are very creative and talented--and I'm sure you agree, no argument there.  I was far more "offended" by the rape scene that you thought was tastefully done in the first film than by the explicit explorations of the second.  That being said, I'd probably be more likely to show the first to college students, possibly--so that they could examine the use of technique, analyze the visual rhetoric, and explore the cultural stereotyping.  The artist said he is not familiar with the gang culture and got his education from Breaking Bad; I thought the story was contrived, and the rape victim being his mother, at the end, was more ludicrous than moving.  I still think the filmmaker is talented, and the graphic quality, lighting, camera work, etc. was neat.  The second film had elements of soft-core porn, which make it unsuitable for most educational settings, but it was superbly crafted, beautiful filmed, and actually had a far more sophisticated and moving story than the first.  It's a matter of opinion and taste, I know.  The first film has a "moral message," I suppose, but I thought the second one did have a life-affirming message that I found more personally appealing.  It reminded me a bit of Avatar (a sexed-up version).
  
  But how interesting to be able to discuss this....it's one of the big issues in gaming culture.  What is mature content?  Is violence ok, but sex not?  One of the questions of our time. 
  
  Best regards, Cynthia

• 
  Gridjumper   June 12, 2012, 8:31 a.m.
  In Reply To:   Florian   June 12, 2012, 12:27 a.m.

  Just a thought - If you turn off the audio, the camera work, lighting and editing techniqes used would be more apparent.  Or....substitute the audio for an entirely different emotion.  

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  Florian   June 12, 2012, 10:55 a.m.
  In Reply To:   cynthia   June 12, 2012, 12:45 a.m.

  Hi Cynthia,

  Yes, the first movie would be a possibility for college students. I didn't mean to make it sound tasteful, though. I tuned  out of that 17-minute video after about 5 minutes and must have missed the rape scene.

  Interesting discussion about what makes mature content!