Filming a movie inside MTV's Virtual Worlds is called "machinima" and this page gives you all the tips and tools you need to start shooting your own movie right away. Click the links below and watch the tutorial video to learn the finer points of machinima. When you're done creating your masterpiece, submit it to one of MTV's Virtual Worlds ongoing contests for you chance at virtual stardom.
Machinima Tips
Planning
When filming a story or narrative:
- Write a story synopsis and brief character bios.
- Write a script using standard script writing software.
- Gather your cast and provide them with copies of your script.
- Hold a script reading to hear how dialog sounds and story flows.
- Sketch a storyboard showing shot sequences and camera angles.
- Secure locations and purchase any items needed for your film.
- Create a shooting schedule using collaborative software such as Google spreadsheet.
Filming / Camera Work
- Select first person perspective unless you want your avatar to be in the shot.
- Hold down CTRL to eliminate the bottom menus from your shots.
- Don't try to move your camera quickly or suddenly.
- Do use fluid and steady camera movements.
- Zoom directly in and out by walking forwards and backwards.
- Pan left or right by holding shift and pressing the left or right arrow keys.
- Tilt by holding down CTRL and moving your mouse up and down.
- Always ask yourself whether a certain shot or angle furthers your story or is superfluous.
MTV's Virtual Worlds Basic Camera Controls
- To shoot so you don't see your avatar, click the white and blue eye at the bottom of the screen and choose first person.
- If you want to film your own avatar choose either body mirror or face mirror.
- You can get some interesting camera shots when you master this technique if you're not careful, your audience may feel like they're rolling around in a washing machine.
Optimize the MTV's Virtual Worlds Interface for Filming
- To get rid of the user interface while filming, hold down the CTRL (your mouse will now control the camera.)
- To remove the 'music HUD' from your screen go to 'My MTV' / 'my preferences' or 'media' / 'my preferences' and uncheck Music HUD.
- You also may have to click the little blue circle towards the lower right section of the HUD to disable the music HUD.
- To remove the video HUD go to either of those places again and uncheck 'movies playing'
MTV's Virtual Worlds Advanced Camera Controls
- To get a more comprehensive set of camera controls press 'ctrl + shift + u' to bring up the user cam menu.
- The user cam menu will allow you to rotate the camera, zoom it in and out and even lock the camera in place while you walk around.
- To unlock the camera, simply press lock again.
- Some of these camera controls are powerful but often are difficult to use initially.
- Always practice new camera controls before filming.
Editing
- Avoid cuts between different shots that are either too quick or too long either unless there is something compellling happening for a long time.
- To keep your audience interested and entertained, make sure it is easy for them to follow what is happening on screen.
- Make sure the progression of your narrative makes sense to your audience. If someone comes running onto the screen from the left for instance your next shot shouldn't be of the same character coming in from the right. This is called continuity.
- Try to match your character's actions between shots. If you have someone walking in one shot you might not want to cut directly to another shot of them dancing.
- When you make a cut to a new shot, make sure there is a reason for making that cut and make sure it will make sense to your audience.
Composition
- When filming other avatars, avoid cropping them. Always leave a little room around them so that if they move they aren't right up against the edge of your frame.
- Unless your avatar or subject is speaking directly to the audience, position them off center in the frame and avoid having them look directly at the camera.
- If you want to learn more about composition, study your favorite movies and pay close attention to the framing of the characters and camera movements.
- Most importantly, have fun!
