Épisodes

  • S6 E205 Machinima News (Dec 2025)
    Dec 18 2025
    This week on the podcast, we’re diving into a grab-bag of big creator news, starting with YouTube, and yes… the “slop” situation. Tracy kicks things off with what looks like YouTube’s latest attempt to clean house: platform changes that claim to improve privacy and the viewing experience, but also mess with how videos behave when embedded on third-party sites. If you stream shows inside places like Second Life, that’s a real headache, because some embeds and API-based workarounds are suddenly unreliable or broken. But the bigger story? YouTube appears to be cracking down on the explosion of low-effort, mass-generated content. The buzz is that Gemini is being used to evaluate whether videos look human-made, original, and honestly presented - plus there’s talk of internal “trust scores” that creators can’t actually see, but which may influence how channels are treated behind the scenes. Tracy even tests how an AI describes our channel, and it basically nails the vibe: a legit passion-project podcast with deep experience… while also very clearly not the unrelated, controversy-riddled “Machinima Inc” from back in the day. Phil jumps in to untangle the embed drama: it may not be “AI policy” so much as an ad-delivery and revenue control move because some embedded browsers can bypass ads, and Second Life gets caught in the crossfire. Workarounds exist (including the very ironic “embed it somewhere else first” method), and Vimeo comes up as an alternative… but with price hikes that feel more “premium platform” than creator-friendly. Locked-in subscriptions, anyone? Then it’s off to the creative tools corner: Phil’s been deep in Blender, and he’s found some very machinima developments, like a third-person controller kit that basically turns Blender into a game-like character puppeteering environment. On top of that, there’s a newly released Blender cloth-building and simulation tool that could become a budget-friendly alternative to pricey standards like Marvelous Designer - huge potential for indie creators who want great-looking outfits without a studio budget. From there, the conversation swings to Reallusion’s latest move: Video Mocap, turning ordinary video footage into motion capture data, integrated straight into iClone’s workflow. The group talks practical realities (camera framing, background contrast, space constraints, upper-body capture modes) and why this could be a game-changer for animators who don’t have mocap suits lying around. We also touch on Unreal Engine’s rapid evolution and its ever-improving animation tools—plus the eternal question: with tech this powerful, why aren’t we seeing more great films made with it? Damien drops some rock-solid creator advice: don’t try to learn new tools by making your magnum opus. Make a short “training film,” and if you switch platforms… remake it. Same story, new tech, better skills. Simple, smart, and honestly kind of brilliant. Finally, we hit a spicy AI update: major AI music platforms (Suno and Udio) have reportedly reached settlements with record labels, meaning they’ll rework how training and licensing works going forward. That could reshape what “responsible” AI music use looks like in 2026 - and what it’ll cost creators. And to wrap up on a lighter note, there’s a shoutout to NeuralVIZ and a fun character-driven sci-fi project, The Adventures of Remo Green, as a reminder that experimentation can still be entertaining (and weirdly impressive). And that’s the episode: YouTube changes, creator workarounds, new animation toys, and the future of AI tools, served with equal parts curiosity and chaos. Timestamps 03:10 – “Slop” crackdown: why YouTube is cleaning house + channels disappearing since mid-November 05:10 – The mystery “trust score”: internal channel metric creators can’t see 12:40 – Phil’s Blender deep dive: from pass-through tool to real production work 18:45 – Damien’s Star Wars uniform struggle: accuracy vs what’s actually available 22:55 – Realusion Video Mocap: turning video footage into usable motion capture inside iClone 27:05 – Upper-body-only mode: more practical capture for dialogue scenes 32:10 – Learning strategy: don’t take a 30-hour course—learn by solving what blocks you 40:05 – AI music legal shakeup: Suno + Udio settlements with major labels (and what it changes) 44:35 – What about indie creators outside big catalogs? 46:40 – Why smaller AI music tools may get crushed (no cash for lawsuits) 51:55 – Looking ahead: what shifts in 2026 might bring Contact: talk@completelymachinima.com Show notes: Drop comments on socials — we love hearing what you’re working on. Credits - Co-hosts: Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien Valentine Editor/Producer: Phil Rice Music: Phil Rice & SunoAI
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    55 min
  • S6 S01 Special: Lit Fuse Films visit to Machinima Europe Festival 2007 (Dec 2025)
    Dec 11 2025

    A special ep but unfortunately for the main content, most of this you need to hop on to our YouTube channel to watch as its mainly video footage... here is the intro by Tracy, with part of Paul Marino's keynote from his 2007 Introduction to the Machinima Europe Film Festival and the occasional part of a conversation. Enjoy nonetheless.

    Credits -
    Host: Tracy Harwood
    Editor: Phil Rice
    Producer: Phil Rice (introduction); Lit Fuse Productions (content)
    Music: Phil Rice & Suno AI (introduction); Lit Fuse Productions (content)

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    29 min
  • S6 E204 Rare! All Your History Belong To Us, Really (Dec 2025)
    Dec 3 2025

    On this episode of And Now For Something Completely Machinima, Damien, Tracy and Ricky dive into one of Machinima.com’s most unexpected gems: the documentary series “All Your History Are Belong To Us”, focusing on the Stamper brothers and their legendary studio, Rare.

    💬 We talk about how the series charts Rare’s rise from a small UK outfit in Ashby-de-la-Zouch to a powerhouse behind classics like Donkey Kong Country, GoldenEye 007, and later Sea of Thieves – highlighting their pioneering use of pre-rendered 3D graphics and their influence on console FPS games. Ricky explains why, despite his misgivings about machinima.com, this more serious, low-flash, history-focused series stands out as a true passion project by writer/director Nicholas Werner, packed with fascinating early game footage.

    Tracy brings in her deep-dive research: the meme origins of the title, the messy archival trail across YouTube, Rooster Teeth and the Internet Archive, the handover of the series, and why such valuable historical content never hit the popularity Machinima.com wanted. Together, we explore the cultural importance of the show, Rare’s place in UK games history, and why All Your History is now a kind of hidden treasure for anyone interested in game development and machinima’s legacy — all while Phil is, of course, busy “moving to Mars.”

    Credits
    Hosts: Ricky Grove, Damien Valentine, Tracy Harwood
    Producer: Damien Valentine
    Editor: Phil Rice
    Music: Phil Rice & Suno AI

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    36 min
  • S6 E203 genAI: Arido Taurajo (Nov 2025)
    Nov 27 2025

    In this episode of Completely Machinima, hosts Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, and Damien Valentine explore the stunning AI-powered operatic machinima “Arido Taurajo” — a groundbreaking short film created by Chantal Harvey (aka Mamachinima) in collaboration with digital artist James Morgan, AI composer Roboccini and soprano/AI researcher Maya Ackerman, among others.

    🎮 About the Film:
    Set in the World of Warcraft universe, Arido Taurajo tells the story of Dahlia, a female warrior torn between family life and adventure. The film combines AI-generated music with human performance, blending digital game visuals and classical opera in a visually rich and emotionally resonant experience.

    💡 Discussion Highlights:

    • The role of AI in creative filmmaking and music generation.
    • How Roboccini, trained on Puccini operas, composed the film’s aria.
    • Chantal Harvey’s filmmaking process inside World of Warcraft.
    • Insights into AI ethics, creative authorship, and collaboration.
    • The film’s connection to the EU COST Action Grassroots of Digital Europe (GRADE) project, celebrating women and minorities in creative technology.

    ✨ Whether you’re into AI art, machinima, digital filmmaking, or World of Warcraft, this episode dives deep into the fusion of technology, music, and storytelling.

    Credits -

    🎙️ Hosts: Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, and Damien Valentine
    Producer/Editor: Phil Rice
    🎵 Music: Phil Rice & Suno AI


    #Machinima #CompletelyMachinima #AIArt #ArtificialIntelligence #AIMusic #WorldofWarcraft #ChantalHarvey #MayaAckerman #DigitalArt #FanFilm #VirtualProduction #AIOpera #CreativeAI #MachinimaPodcast #AridoTaurajo

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    36 min
  • S6 E202 Promoting Star Citizens... (Nov 2025)
    Nov 20 2025

    In this episode of Completely Machinima, hosts Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, and Damien Valentine review two creative Star Citizen machinima commercialsDumpers Depot and Big Benny’s Grab Eats — both made for a Star Citizen video contest.


    They explore how these 45-second in-game ads show off community creativity, storytelling, and production skills. Tracy breaks down what made Dumpers Depot Commercial more sophisticated in design and sound, while Big Benny’s... Grab Eat took home the win with its humor and clever use of Star Citizen lore.


    💬 In This Episode:

    • Star Citizen machinima film analysis: Dumpers Depot vs Big Benny’s Grab Eat
    • How short-form machinima builds game lore and community engagement
    • The potential for fan contests to uncover new creative talent
    • Ideas for a future Completely Machinima short film contest

    🎮 Whether you’re a Star Citizen fan, machinima creator, or just love game-based filmmaking, this episode dives into how fan films bring virtual worlds to life.

    #StarCitizen #Machinima #CompletelyMachinima #FanFilm #GameFilm #DumpersDepot #BigBennys #StarCitizenMachinima #GameContest #ShortFilm #Podcast

    Credits -
    Hosts: Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy Harwood
    Editor/Producer: Phil Rice
    Music: Phil Rice & Suno AI

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    32 min
  • S6 E201 Back To The Future: Unhinged (Nov 2025)
    Nov 13 2025

    We're beginning Season 6 with one of the best machinima-animated shorts we've ever seen (probably)!

    🎥 Back to the Future UNHINGED, Machinima Film Made in Blender

    In this episode of The Completely Machinima Podcast, hosts Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, and Tracy Harwood review “Back to the Future Unhinged”, a viral machinima short film by Landon’s Animation Wheelhouse, created entirely in Blender 3D.


    This chaotic, hilarious reimagining of Doc Brown and Marty’s adventures has racked up 700,000+ views and showcases incredible 3D animation, storytelling, and sound design. It’s packed with visual gags, cinematic camera work, and even a Doom scream!


    🎬 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

    • The brilliance behind Back to the Future Unhinged and why it feels both planned and chaotic
    • How Landon built the film’s world entirely in Blender (not a video game engine!)
    • The hosts’ breakdown of the film’s humor, detail, and love for the original trilogy
    • Landon’s backstory as a young animator with huge potential in film and game design
    • The film’s connection to the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future
    • Why even Dr. Helen Sharman, the UK’s first astronaut, reacted to the film!

    Credits -
    Speakers: Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien Valentine
    Editor/Producer: Phil Rice
    Music: Phil Rice & Suno AI

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    29 min
  • Maker Series E5: Ricky's Wonderful World of Sound - Footsteps
    Nov 6 2025

    🎬 Ricky’s Wonderful World of Sound – Footsteps

    In episode 5 of our Maker Series, Ricky Grove explores the often-overlooked power of footstep sound design — and how something as simple as a single step can define mood, build tension, and reveal character.

    👣 What You’ll Learn:
    How footstep sounds convey location, emotion, and suspense in film.
    Why footsteps in the Spanish horror series 30 Coins masterfully foreshadow violence.
    The challenges of using video game sound libraries for cinematic sound design.
    Practical tips on recording and manipulating ambient sounds for realism.
    How to find free, high-quality sounds using Creative Commons resources like freesound.org

    🎧 Ricky breaks down how to use sound not just as background, but as storytelling — helping filmmakers, sound designers, and creators elevate their craft through the language of footsteps.

    #SoundDesign #Filmmaking #MakerSeries #RickyGrove #FilmSound #FoleyArt #AudioDesign #HorrorFilm #CinematicSound #CreativeCommons #FreeSound #30Coins #Suspense #IndieFilm #FilmTips #machinima

    About Ricky Grove
    Ricky Grove is an award-winning actor, director, voice artist, and sound designer with decades of experience in stage, film, and virtual production.

    After earning his BFA in Directing from Arizona State University and a Master’s in Acting from the Yale School of Drama, Ricky built a rich career in theatre and television, appearing in works such as Army of Darkness and ER. In the late 1990s, he became a pioneer in the machinima community, collaborating with trailblazers like Hugh Hancock, Phil Rice, and Jason Choi.

    His contributions as a voice director, actor, and sound designer have shaped many award-winning early machinima films. He’s hosted festivals, championed the art form, and continues to share his passion as co-host of the Completely Machinima Podcast.

    The first episodes of Ricky’s Wonderful World of Sound were originally created for the early-2000s machinima podcast The Overcast. This updated series expands his original teachings, offering timeless advice for creating powerful sound in machinima.

    Credits -
    Speaker / Producer / Sound Editor: Ricky Grove
    Visuals & Music: Phil Rice

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    4 min
  • Maker Series E4: Ricky's Wonderful World of Sound - Monsters
    Oct 30 2025

    🎃 Halloween Special | Ricky’s Wonderful World of Sounds: MONSTERS! 👹


    This Halloween, step into the dark side of Ricky’s Wonderful World of Sounds — where we explore the terrifying art of monster sound design! 🧟‍♂️

    What do monsters really sound like? From the primal screeches that haunted early humans to the eerie, unearthly noises that send chills down modern audiences’ spines — this episode reveals how sound designers craft the perfect scare.


    Discover:
    🔊 Why you should hear the monster before you see it
    🦴 How altered animal and environmental sounds create fear
    🧬 The science of sound that taps into our instinctive fight-or-flight response
    🎥 Classic monster sound examples from “Them!”, Godzilla, Predator, The Exorcist, and more


    Whether you’re a filmmaker, sound designer, or just a Halloween horror fan, this episode will make you listen to fear in a whole new way.


    💀 Subscribe, turn up the volume, and enter the world where sound becomes terror.


    Ricky Grove shares his expert insights on using ambient sound to bring machinima to life, offering practical tips and creative ideas you can apply to your own projects. Whether you’re crafting your first indie animation or refining your cinematic game scenes, you’ll be inspired and better equipped to design unforgettable soundscapes.


    About Ricky Grove
    Ricky Grove is an award-winning actor, director, voice artist, and sound designer with decades of experience in stage, film, and virtual production. After earning his BFA in Directing from Arizona State University and a Master’s in Acting from the Yale School of Drama, Ricky built a rich career in theatre and television, appearing in works such as Army of Darkness and ER.


    In the late 1990s, he became a pioneer in the machinima community, collaborating with trailblazers like Hugh Hancock, Phil Rice, and Jason Choi. His contributions as a voice director, actor, and sound designer have shaped many award-winning early machinima films. He’s hosted festivals, championed the art form, and continues to share his passion as co-host of the Completely Machinima Podcast.


    The first episodes of Ricky’s Wonderful World of Sound were originally created for the early-2000s machinima podcast The Overcast. This updated series expands his original teachings, offering timeless advice for creating powerful sound in machinima.

    🎧 Tip: For the best experience, close your eyes and immerse yourself in Ricky’s words.


    Credits

    • Speaker / Producer / Sound Editor: Ricky Grove
    • Visuals, Monsters & Music: Phil Rice

    #Machinima #SoundDesign #Filmmaking #3DAnimation #GameEngines #MonsterSounds #HorrorMovies #IndieFilm #VoiceActing

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    3 min