Short computer animated movies built using the videogame The Movies have been popping up all over the place, and some have had worldwide recognition (the French riots short as an example). Now the Sundance festival have noticed this and are setting up a competition just for them…although it’s virtual!
According to VNU Film Group \ Hollywood Reporter through Make:Blog:
Anyone who loves movies and video games will get the opportunity to combine their passions by participating in Chrysler in the Movies: Virtual Film Competition, a contest set to be launched Jan. 20 at the Sundance Film Festival. Entrants will create their own short film using capabilities built into Activision and Lionhead Studios’ “The Movies,” the video game that lets players design and run their own movie studio at various times in Hollywood’s history. As part of the simulation, gamers can create movies and upload them for consideration to be included in a virtual film festival, complete with an online awards ceremony.
Some 35,000 users have uploaded their movies to Activision’s site since the software was launched and it seems that number is growing rapidly, hence the competition. However, Make:Blog point out some concerns if you actually planned on releasing your movie. Apparently Activision and Lionhead own the content, and here’s some quotes from their site to prove it.
…However, you do not own the assets/content supplied with the game, which belong to Lionhead…The assets/content supplied with the game and which are used in each movie created using the game belong to Lionhead and commercial use of these assets/content or use for any form of financial gain is strictly prohibited. Lionhead does not permit use of the game, and any assets / content supplied with it, other than in accordance with (i) the End User Licence Agreement which you agreed to when installing the game and (ii) the TOUs.
Oh dear. So create a really good movie and you don’t own it…well, does it really matter in the end? It’s only a virtual movie. Could these really take off into an accepted form of filmmaking?
