What is machinima?

Machinima is the film technique of making movies within the confines of a video game engine (in our case, Halo 2). The process of making machinima is much like making a real film, but in a virtual environment with virtual characters.

What's next in terms of new movies?

I'm through with machinima for now, but I will begin work on a new live action project this summer.

How do you capture Halo footage?

I have my Xbox hooked up to a VCR and I record the Halo footage onto a VHS tape. I also have my eMac hooked up to a second VCR using the Dazzle Hollywood DV-Bridge, with the analogue wires (red, yellow, white) coming out of the VCR into the Bridge and a firewire cable going out of the Bridge and into the computer. Then I import using iMovie.

What programs do you use in post production?

I use Final Cut Pro, iMovie, LiveType, Quicktime Pro, Compressor, After Effects, and Audacity.

How do you film your movies?

I film most of the stuff over Xbox Live. I tell my Xbox Live actors what to do with their virtual characters and hit record. I also use system link for smaller scenes.

How do you get rid of the reticle?

1. Make the gametype Oddball.
2. Pick up a plasma pistol and any other duel wieldable gun. Let's say you now have an SMG in slot 1 and a plasma pistol in slot 2.
3. Now take out your SMG and duel wield it with another gun, like a second SMG.
4. Find another plasma pistol and pick it up the normal way using the X button. Get rid of the SMG in your left hand by doing a melee attack. Now you have a plasma pistol in both weapon slots.
5. Find the oddball, charge your plasma pistol, and pick up the oddball. Both the oddball and the plasma pistol should pop out of your hand. Repeat this with the second plasma pistol and you're done. Be careful in this state, because if you walk over a gun you automatically pick it up.

What did you do before Halo machinima?