Oscar-worthy Machinima

How did I miss this?

BlogSchmog covered the first episode last March

My favorite machinimographer, Douglas Geyton, has turned his great documentary series into an HBO option. Last week, James Au’s Second Life rag, New World Notes, posted this gem:

“HBO purchased the North American television rights,” Gayeton e-mails me. “They have decided to first submit it for an Oscar in the Animated Short Subject category.” It’ll soon be screened in a Los Angeles theater to meet the Academy’s qualifications for nomination. “They are then hoping to premiere it at Sundance. It will probably screen next spring on HBO.” (Originally called “My Second Life”, it’ll probably air under a new name, likely something reminiscent of a 19th century novel title.)

There is quite a bit of good content in that article, including a detailed interview with the director about the production process, which began as an idea pitched to the Dutch media company Submarine Channel before inadvertently becoming a YouTube star. There is also a fair amount of speculation about Hollywood becoming the next boom industry in the virtual world. A six-figure pricetag and Oscar buzz will do that.

Maybe it explains why I haven’t seen any other episodes since the March release. Sadly, it also reminds me the last time I was in world with my avatar, Old McDunnough, was last May.

Congratulations! Please release the follow-up!