Ever wondered what Machinima is? It’s a term that might sound unfamiliar to many. In essence, it’s a fusion of ‘Machine’ and ‘Cinema’, and yes, it’s very much a real word! Essentially, Machinima involves crafting narratives using computer-generated assets. Put simply, it’s storytelling through video games. In this post, I’ll illustrate this concept using my web series ‘Rain’ as an example.
Allow me to share a bit of my personal journey with Machinima. It’s what initially sparked my passion for filmmaking. Growing up with boundless imagination but limited resources, gaming became my refuge, a realm where I could immerse myself in captivating narratives and actively shape their outcomes. Among the game series that left an indelible mark on me was the Halo franchise for Microsoft’s Xbox platform.
In 2007, Halo 3 hit the shelves, accompanied by a suite of creative tools that allowed players like myself to interact with its rich universe in unprecedented ways. These tools became the catalyst for an ongoing community of storytellers, who ingeniously crafted their own narratives within the game’s meticulously crafted world. Fast forward to 2010, and Halo Reach emerged, boasting what I consider the most robust Machinima support of any Halo title to date.
Below, you’ll find a short video I created a few years ago, offering a glimpse into the origins of my Machinima journey. It’s part of my behind-the-scenes documentary series for ‘Rain: Series III,’ where I delve into the creative process behind the scenes.
In 2011, at the age of 17, I embarked on my journey with ‘Rain: Series I,’ comprising three episodes. Fast forward two years to 2013, and I unveiled ‘Rain: Series II,’ expanding the narrative with six funny over the top episodes. Now, after nine years, I’ve returned to my origins with a profound sense of nostalgia, crafting the third and final season of ‘Rain’, aptly titled ‘Rain: Series III.’ Below, witness the remarkable evolution of ‘Rain’.
In 2022, I unveiled six gripping episodes, followed by two more in 2023. This year, I’m aiming to release three to possibly four episodes, culminating in the series’ conclusion in 2025 with the remaining installments. ‘Rain: Series III’ is slated to encompass a total of 15 episodes.
Now, why am I delving into these details? It’s quite simple: I hold ‘Rain: Series III’ in the same regard as my other filmmaking endeavors. In fact, it occupies an entire page dedicated to the show under the ‘Side Projects’ tab.
This project has been a canvas for crafting intricate narratives, collaborating with over 20 exceptionally talented voice actors, experimenting with diverse editing techniques and effects, all while reveling in sheer enjoyment. Because, ultimately, that’s what passion is truly about: embracing the joy of creation.
At the time of this post, I’ve unveiled eight episodes from the final season. Scroll down to catch a glimpse of the thumbnails for each of these released episodes.
Currently, Episode 9 is in the production phase, as indicated on the ‘Projects In Production’ page.
Just for the fun of it, I’ve decided to share the remaining thumbnails for the remaining episodes post Episode 9 that are yet to be released. Consider this a first-time exclusive reveal!
Stay tuned for upcoming updates on ‘Rain: Series III.’ As mentioned earlier, Episode 9 is currently in the post-production phase. I’m fully immersed in weaving intricate visual effects into the episode, particularly after the cliffhanger ending of Episode 8.
Excitingly, ‘Rain: Series III’ now offers multiple avenues for behind-the-scenes insights into the show’s creation. From the in-depth ViDoc series to these engaging blog posts.
Keep an eye out for further details on ‘Rain: Series III – Episode 9 | Fade Out’ in the weeks ahead.
