The second half of the term “Machinima” comes from the cinema. These are the formal techniques commonly associated with traditional filmmaking that are applied within a game environment to create a story. The first half of the term refers to the machine.
The formal techniques include all the creative practises one associates with filmmaking, which in turn may be applied to the craft of creating Machinima. Camera, acting, scripting, editing etc. may all be included here. Thus, Machinima has emerged as a practice that is viewed by many as an acceptable alternative to traditional filmmaking, as it includes a majority of the same techniques, whilst offering more creative freedom in some. Further, it is a most inexpensive method of film production, as sets, crew and actors are already built in to the game environment. Perhaps this is the most appealing feature of Machinima to Australian filmmakers. Machinima producer and independent filmmaker, Leo Berkeley succinctly offers: “I’m always on the lookout for interesting ways to make cheap movies.”
Perhaps Machinima’s association with classic filmmaking is best outline here, in the short Inside the Machinima.