Shadow Play
by Godzprototype, HSM filmmaker
It’s Wishlist Saturday at HSM once again, and I would like to propose something I believe is possible.
Shadow play — also known as shadow puppetry — is an ancient form of storytelling and entertainment which uses flat articulated figures (shadow puppets) to create the impression of moving humans and other three-dimensional objects.
In Home, we don’t usually pay that much attention to avatar shadows; only in certain areas, such as the yacht dock at Pier Park, do we notice them at all. On occasion, however, when filming a machinima project in Home, I’ve instructed my performers to attempt to create shadow plays with the spectrum of movements and gesticulations that Home offers us. So much fun ensues that I can’t describe it. You just have to try it for yourself. Personally, I think it worked out great. We had a ton of fun doing it, too.
Which brings me to what I am going to suggest. Would it be possible for developers to consider creating a personal shadow companion? One that copied the image of the avatar, but did not behave in indentical fashion? Sort of a Peter Pan’s shadow companion. I’m not sure if it’s possible to have a shadow “pinned” to an avatar, which was then capable of detaching and performing scripted movements before returning, but imagine how much fun it would be!
Shadow play has been around for centuries. It entertains children and adults alike. The challenge of doing something like this in Home is that the light isn’t really from a light source, as such; it’s simply programmed in. So it could be somewhat odd to see an avatar casting a shadow in an inappropriate setting. But I have to ask: would anyone really notice — or care?
This film that I saw at last year’s Disposable Film Festival, Dans l’ombre (by Fabrice Mathieu), only pointed me further in this direction. I am nowhere near making anything like this, but I was completely amazed and blown away by how much fun this guy had making this. And, if you don’t remember, November is the last month for submissions to the Disposable Film Festival. This is an event that is held in PlayStation Home every year. It is encouraged to participate in if you are a machinamist.
Take a look at this film, and see if something like this — on a scaled-down level — would be feasible in Home.
October 13th, 2012 by Godzprototype | 4 comments
Godzprototype is learning the art of creating Machinima, and would like to share it with you. Hope you enjoy.
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Loved that film, nice find! It coulda stopped at 5:23 though. But yeah, great idea about the whole shadow in Home thing. Imagine how freaky it’d be in a room full of them! lol
Pets and companions are getting better though, I’d really have loved an R2-D2 companion, why Lucas Arts? WHHHHY DIDNT IT HAPPEN!?
*ahem* Yeah so, likin’ the shadows OH! Rorschach’s mask has shadows that badly need to be mobile! Also would be cool to have an anti-shadow, like, one made of light.
Or a C3-PO companion. R2 would have been the cake for sure!
Now Rorschack’s mask could be done. Heavy Water has animated body tattoos. Not too far of a leap there.
That film was played at the last Disposable Film Festival this past year. I thought it was an interesting perspective to see shadows rising up against the wearer.
I have to say that was quite a strange idea for a film. I think the idea of having a shadow companion is very interesting. In Home you never know what will pop up. Good read Bill.
Awsome find this movie Godz, loved it! (some not bad names in credits too!)
As far as companions goes. Self aware shadows would probably be easier than real shadows. so why not?
Now Rorscach… that will be something!