And Now For Something Completely Machinima

Ricky Grove, Tracy Harwood, Damien Valentine, and Phil Rice
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Visual Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Machinima, real-time filmmaking, virtual production and VR. Four veteran machinimators share news, new films & filmmakers, and discuss the past, present and future of machinima.

  1. 1d ago

    S6 E229 Wracu Review: Blender Brilliance, Storytelling Debate & the Future of Machinima (June 2026)

    In this episode of And Now For Something Completely Machinima, hosts Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, and Tracy Harwood dive deep into “Wracu”, a stunning student film by Chase McGill. Created in Blender as a final project at University of Southern California, this cinematic short blends epic fantasy, motion capture, and orchestral scoring into a powerful (and divisive!) storytelling experience. But is it just visually impressive… or truly great storytelling? 🤔 🔥 What We Cover in This Episode A spoiler-filled breakdown of Wracu’s narrative and themesThe influence of classic epics like BeowulfBlender vs Unreal Engine for cinematic storytellingThe role of motion capture in character realismWhy sound design (and the Budapest Scoring Orchestra) elevates everythingA passionate debate: style vs substance⏱️ Key Moments & Timestamps 00:00 – IntroThe crew kicks off with the usual chaos and machinima energy. 01:00 – Film Pick: “Wracu”Phil introduces Chase McGill’s USC project and why it stood out. 03:00 – Story Breakdown (Spoilers!)A death-defying warrior, a skeletal carriage driver, and a gothic showdown. 06:00 – Epic InfluencesConnections to Beowulf and medieval fantasy storytelling traditions. 08:30 – Visual Craft & LightingWhy Blender shines in cinematic composition and mood. 10:00 – Orchestral Score Deep DiveHow the Budapest Scoring Orchestra brings Hollywood-level sound. 11:30 – Subtle Animation DetailsDamien highlights the tiny touches that sell realism. 15:50 – Storytelling Without DialogueCan silent storytelling carry emotional weight? 16:30 – Tracy’s Critique BeginsA thoughtful (and spicy) take on narrative vs technical mastery. 20:50 – Sound Design vs VisualsWhy audio might be the real hero of the film. 22:40 – “Too Perfect?”Does hyper-polished rendering hurt immersion? 23:30 – Where the Film Loses MomentumThe shift from atmospheric mystery to action spectacle. 26:50 – Blender vs Unreal Engine DebateEnvironment vs set-building: what feels more “real”? 30:20 – Is This a Great Story or a Great Demo?Portfolio piece vs meaningful narrative. 32:20 – The Challenge of Storytelling CraftWhy story is harder than tech (and always evolving). 34:00 – Elden Ring & Dark Fantasy VibesUnexpected parallels to modern games and worldbuilding. 36:00 – Final ThoughtsA brilliant debut—and huge potential for what comes next. 🎧 Why You Should Watch/Listen If you’re into: Machinima & virtual productionBlender animation workflowsCinematic storytelling & film critiqueGame engine vs offline rendering debates…this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and honest critique. 💬 Join the Conversation What did you think of Wracu?Is Tracy right… or completely wrong? 😏 Drop your thoughts in the comments or email us at talk@completelymachinima.com — we’d love to feature your take in a future episode! 🔗 Links Watch Wracu (link in show notes)Behind-the-scenes scoring session (included in episode notes)📢 Don’t Forget 👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribefor more deep dives into machinima, animation, and virtual production. #Machinima #Blender3D #Animation #VirtualProduction #Filmmaking #GameDev #CinematicStorytelling #MotionCapture #IndieFilm #Podcast

    37 min

  2. May 28

    S6 E228 Star Wars Battlefront 2 Machinima Breakdown | Cinematic Storytelling, Mods & Virtual Production (May 2028)

    In this episode of And Now For Something Completely Machinima, hosts Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, and Tracy Harwood dive into a stunning fan-made cinematic created inside Star Wars Battlefront II (2017 video game). We explore how machinima creators are pushing the limits of game engines, modding tools, and cinematic language to produce high-quality storytelling—despite technical limitations like no built-in camera controls. From Cloud City aesthetics to editing techniques and Star Wars authenticity, this episode unpacks what makes this project so impressive (and occasionally hilarious). Whether you're into machinima, virtual production, or the Star Wars universe, there’s plenty here to inspire. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & classic Completely Machinima opening 01:09 – Welcome + episode setup 01:36 – Damien introduces Battlefront 2 machinima scene 02:30 – Why this film stood out (engine use & in-game rendering) 04:22 – Tracy’s first impressions: cinematic language & storytelling 06:00 – Cloud City, mood-building & Star Wars “grammar” 08:30 – Editing, pacing & shot composition analysis 11:13 – The challenge: no camera tools → modding solutions 11:34 – Phil on cinematic storytelling vs dialogue limitations 12:44 – Voice acting, authenticity & sound design 13:03 – Unexpected comedy moments (yes, really 😂) 15:19 – Characterisation: Han Solo, Lando & Boba Fett 17:38 – Canon vs non-canon storytelling debate 18:46 – Gameplay origins of the story 19:46 – Multiplayer staging & production complexity 22:15 – Different entry points into Star Wars fandom 23:25 – Exposition text: necessary or not? 26:25 – Runtime critique: pacing & structure 28:44 – The scale and power of the Battlefront 2 engine 32:25 – Star Wars modding community & creator ecosystem 33:31 – Where machinima lives today (YouTube & beyond) 35:41 – Other games, mods & machinima potential 36:53 – Outro & final thoughts 🔍 Topics Covered  Machinima filmmaking techniques  Virtual production using game engines  Cinematic storytelling in games Star Wars Battlefront II (2017 video game) modding scene  Camera work without native tools  Editing, pacing & shot composition  Star Wars fan films & canon debates  Multiplayer coordination for filmmaking 🚀 Why This Episode Matters This episode highlights how creators are transforming games into filmmaking tools—turning limitations into creative opportunities. It’s a deep dive into how modern machinima blends gameplay, cinematography, and community-driven innovation. 📢 Join the Conversation What did you think of this Battlefront machinima? Does canon matter in fan storytelling? 💬 Drop a comment below or email us at: talk@completelymachinima.com 🔔 Subscribe for More If you love machinima, virtual production, and creative uses of game engines, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell!

    38 min
  3. S6 E227 Automation Situation 2 | AI, Satire & the Future of Humanity (May 2026)

    May 21

    S6 E227 Automation Situation 2 | AI, Satire & the Future of Humanity (May 2026)

    In this episode, we dive into Automation Situation 2: Too Little, Too Late by Guillaume H @thegiom — a haunting, AI-driven short film presented as a 1930s educational reel.  Is this clever satire… or a chilling glimpse of our future with AI?  We explore how this unsettling film blends retro aesthetics, machinima-style workflows, and AI-generated imagery to question human agency, automation, and the emotional cost of technological progress.  ⏱ Key Moments & Timestamps 01:00 – What is Automation Situation 2? 01:43 – Why this film fits today’s AI conversation 03:06 – Strange coincidence: all picks reflect humanity 03:30 – The filmmaker & AI creative process 04:30 – 1930s educational reel aesthetic explained 06:00 – Retro satire & visual language breakdown 07:30 – AI tools, machinima parallels & workflow 09:00 – Human agency vs AI systems 10:30 – Themes: control, automation & authorship 11:30 – Emotional tone: calm voice, disturbing message 12:30 – “You are still loved” – the film’s most chilling idea 13:30 – Industrial Revolution parallels 15:00 – AI fatigue & audience resistance 16:40 – Why this satire works (creeping dread vs shock) 18:00 – Historical imagery & uncanny realism 20:00 – The fear of AI: universal or inevitable? 22:00 – Craft vs “AI slop” debate 24:00 – Filmmaking brilliance & editing choices 26:00 – Why old footage feels haunting 28:50 – Personal reactions & emotional impact 31:00 – Final thoughts: true horror in AI storytelling  🎥 What we discuss: • AI-generated filmmaking & creative workflows • Retro aesthetics as storytelling tools • Machinima vs AI content creation • The psychology of automation & human relevance • Why subtle satire can be more disturbing than horror  💡 Why watch this review? If you’re interested in AI films, experimental cinema, or the future of creativity, this breakdown explores one of the most thought-provoking AI shorts out there right now.  👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into innovative short films, machinima, and emerging media. S #AIFilm #FilmReview #Machinima #Automation #ArtificialIntelligence #ExperimentalFilm #FutureOfWork #CinemaAnalysis Credits -Co-hosts: Damien Valentine, Phil Rice, Tracy HarwoodProducer: Damien ValentineEditor: Phil RiceMusic: Phil Rice & Suno AI

    33 min
  4. S6 E226 The Egg (Andy Weir) | Machinima, Philosophy & Project Hail Mary Connections (May 2026)

    May 14

    S6 E226 The Egg (Andy Weir) | Machinima, Philosophy & Project Hail Mary Connections (May 2026)

    In this episode of Now For Something Completely Machinima, we dive into a fascinating review of The Egg — a thought-provoking short story by Andy Weir, brought to life through machinima animation by Anima Technica. With Project Hail Mary dominating conversations, we explore how this earlier work connects to Weir’s storytelling style — blending philosophy, theology, and surprising humour. 🎙️ Featuring Damien Valentine, Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, and voice acting insights from Ricky Grove, this episode unpacks themes of reincarnation, cosmic identity, and the deeper meaning of existence — all through the lens of machinima filmmaking. 🔑 Topics Covered  The philosophy behind The Egg Machinima production techniques (iClone, minimalism, animation style)  Voice acting performance and character dynamics  Connections to Project Hail Mary and Weir’s broader work  Theology, reincarnation, and cosmic responsibility explained ⏱️ Key Moments & Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & episode setup 01:27 – What is The Egg and why it matters 03:38 – First impressions & machinima context 06:30 – Animation techniques (iClone & visual style) 07:33 – Voice acting breakdown (Ricky Grove & Jorge Campos) 11:31 – Behind-the-scenes voice recording insights 14:33 – The BIG philosophical reveal explained (no spoilers!) 17:39 – Themes: reincarnation, identity & cosmic purpose 21:58 – Moral implications & “cosmic responsibility” 24:00 – Comparing different adaptations of The Egg 26:12 – Performance analysis: portraying God on screen 27:41 – Andy Weir’s early writing & origins of the story 29:14 – Comparing The Egg to The Martian & Project Hail Mary 30:07 – Final thoughts & outro 💡 Why Listen to This? If you enjoy:  Deep philosophical storytelling  Sci-fi authors like Andy Weir  Machinima filmmaking & animation  Thought experiments about life, death, and existence …this discussion offers a unique and insightful breakdown you won’t want to miss. #AndyWeir #TheEgg #ProjectHailMary #Machinima #FilmReview #Philosophy #SciFi #Animation #VoiceActing #StoryAnalysis Credits -Co-hosts: Damien Valentine, Phil Rice, Tracy HarwoodProducer: Damien ValentineEditor: Phil RiceMusic: Phil Rice & Suno AI

    31 min
  5. S6 E225 Machinima News Omnibus (May 2026)

    May 7

    S6 E225 Machinima News Omnibus (May 2026)

    In this episode of And Now For Something Completely Machinima, Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, and Damien Valentine dive into the latest news in machinima, virtual production, AI creative tools, game cinematics, and real-time animation. They discuss the explosive hype around Kane Parsons’ The Backrooms movie, new Starfield expansions and what they could mean for Starfield machinima, the release of Fortnite Star Wars assets for fan-made experiences, and useful production updates including DaVinci Resolve optimisation, Headshot 3, free mocap tools, and local AI voice cloning. The conversation also takes a deeper turn with a thoughtful debate on AI video generation, Sora, creative AI fatigue, public sentiment toward AI tools, and where AI in filmmaking and digital storytelling may be heading next. If you're interested in machinima filmmaking, AI tools for creators, virtual production workflows, Star Wars fan creation, The Backrooms, Starfield, Fortnite UEFN, or digital storytelling, this episode is packed with insights. Topics covered: ·       Kane Parsons and The Backrooms trailer reaction ·       Starfield Free Lanes and Terra Nomada ·       Fortnite Star Wars creator tools ·       DaVinci Resolve performance tips ·       Headshot 3 for Character Creator ·       Free motion capture and text-to-mocap tools ·       Local AI voice cloning ·       Sora shutdown and shifting attitudes toward AI ·       Project Hail Mary and practical effects vs AI hype Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:42 Welcome and episode setup 01:45 Kane Parsons’ The Backrooms movie trailer 04:02 Will The Backrooms work as a feature film? 08:24 Kane Parsons directing an A24 film 09:02 Starfield update: Free Lanes and Terra Nomada 12:48 Could Starfield finally get better machinima tools? 17:36 Fortnite Star Wars assets released for creators 19:58 DaVinci Resolve optimisation tips 21:18 Headshot 3 and Character Creator updates 25:10 Free mocap tools and Nvidia text-to-motion 28:12 Local AI voice cloning with Voicebox 31:10 Realusion, Houdini, and animation workflows 32:20 Has AI turned a corner? Public sentiment and backlash 34:53 Sora, Disney, and the future of AI video 38:35 AI fatigue, Microsoft, Nvidia, and creator reactions 41:56 AI beneath the surface vs AI as the product 44:00 Human performance, authenticity, and audience response 47:19 Creator burnout and the “George Lucas effect” 51:06 Is AI backlash irrational or inevitable? 57:58 Project Hail Mary and practical filmmaking 1:02:56 Outro #Machinima #VirtualProduction #TheBackrooms #KaneParsons #Starfield #Fortnite #StarWars #AI #AIVideo #DaVinciResolve #Headshot3 #VoiceCloning #ProjectHailMary #DigitalStorytelling #RealTimeAnimation Credits -Co-hosts: Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy HarwoodProducer/Editor: Phil RiceMusic: Phil Rice & Suno AI

    1h 4m
  6. S6 E224 The Murderer | Surreal Horror, David Lynch Vibes & Garry’s Mod Mastery (Apr 2026)

    Apr 30

    S6 E224 The Murderer | Surreal Horror, David Lynch Vibes & Garry’s Mod Mastery (Apr 2026)

    Dive into one of the most unsettling and artistically ambitious machinima films we’ve ever reviewed. In this episode of Now For Something Completely Machinima, we explore “The Murderer” by Yago Muriel — a haunting black-and-white psychological horror created in Garry's Mod that blends surrealism, classic cinema, and existential dread. With clear influences from David Lynch, The Outer Limits, and Hitchcock-era filmmaking, this film transforms a humble game engine into something deeply disturbing, poetic, and unforgettable. Expect eerie bird motifs, ambiguous storytelling, and a shocking twist that lingers long after the credits. If you love psychological horror, surreal films, experimental storytelling, or indie filmmaking, this is a must-watch discussion. ⏱️ Key Moments & Timestamps 1:00 – Overview of The Murderer & creator background3:50 – Why you should watch the film BEFORE this review (no spoilers!)4:20 – Visual style: black & white, classic horror influences8:20 – Surreal tone & comparisons to classic TV and cinema10:30 – Atmosphere, mood, and uncanny storytelling15:10 – Sound design, editing, and emotional impact20:10 – The shocking twist explained ⚠️ (SPOILERS)21:50 – Filmmaking craft & narrative ambiguity23:00 – Interpretation: madness, guilt, and symbolism26:50 – Style analysis: blending classic cinema & machinima29:30 – Alternate interpretations of the ending34:20 – Themes: human nature, violence, and surreal logic36:50 – Why ambiguity makes the film more powerful37:00 – Creator insights: influences & creative process39:30 – Final thoughts & why this could become a cult classic 🎥 What We Discuss in This Review How The Murderer pushes machinima storytelling to new heightsThe influence of classic black-and-white horror & surreal cinemaWhy limitations of game engines can enhance creativityThe film’s disturbing emotional tone and psychological depthMultiple interpretations of its ambiguous, haunting ending🔥 Why This Film Matters This isn’t just another machinima experiment — it’s a masterclass in mood, editing, and storytelling under constraints. By embracing the quirks of Garry's Mod, Yago Muriel creates something that feels closer to arthouse cinema than gaming content. If you’re a filmmaker, creator, or horror fan, there’s a lot to learn here. #Machinima #PsychologicalHorror #SurrealFilm #IndieFilm #FilmAnalysis #GarrysMod #DavidLynchInspired #HorrorReview #ExperimentalFilm #CultCinema Credits -Co-hosts: Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy HarwoodProducer: Damien ValentineEditor: Phil RiceMusic: Phil Rice & Suno AI

    41 min
  7. S6 E223 Hater | Nightmare Puppeteer by -M- (Apr 2026)

    Apr 23

    S6 E223 Hater | Nightmare Puppeteer by -M- (Apr 2026)

    In this episode of Completely Machinima Reviews, Damien Valentine, Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, and Tracy Harwood discuss Eater, a character vignette of a larger work (Hate Speech). The film is a provocative experimental short by M (formerly M dot Strange), created using Nightmare Puppeteer. The conversation explores machinima, AI-generated voices, Unreal/indie animation tools, absurd humor, avant-garde filmmaking, and the film’s sharp social commentary on junk food, global warming, and corporate culture. This is a deep dive into one of the most unusual works in experimental digital cinema—touching on ragdoll physics, AI animation workflows, satire in machinima, and the artistic philosophy behind Nightmare Puppeteer, the low-cost indie animation tool that embraces chaos, randomness, and creativity. Whether you’re into machinima reviews, experimental film analysis, M dot Strange, indie animation software, or digital art and AI storytelling, this episode offers a fascinating discussion on style, meaning, and outsider creativity. Topics covered in this episode: Eater film review  M / M dot Strange’s artistic style  Nightmare Puppeteer on Steam  AI voice performance in animation  Satire, absurdism, and social critique  Global warming and food culture in experimental film  Ragdoll physics and improvisational animation  Avant-garde machinima and internet-native storytelling Key Moments / Timestamps01:00 Damien Valentine opens the review panel 01:22 Ricky Grove introduces M (formerly M dot Strange) 02:00 Background on Nightmare Puppeteer and M’s creative philosophy 05:20 How Nightmare Puppeteer uses randomness, chaos, and AI-driven animation 06:24 Introducing Eater from Hate Speech: The Movie 08:33 Phil Rice reacts: difficult, angry, elusive satire 11:38 Is Eater more anger than humor? 16:18 Nightmare Puppeteer character import discussion 16:53 Damien Valentine on humor, shock, and the film’s deeper message 18:13 Tracy Harwood’s analysis: cinematic essay, rap track, meme, and machinima hybrid 22:43 Editing, dream logic, and M’s comfort with abstraction 27:59 Experimental machinima beyond traditional storytelling 30:50 Social commentary: junk food, climate change, and corporate food systems 33:16 Ricky on M’s spontaneity, style, and outsider audience 36:41 Damien on the AI voice choice and M’s musical work 37:37 Phil on M’s music, alternate personas, and artistic chaos 40:06 Why Ricky laughed: absurd humor and avant-garde sensibility 41:04 Why Nightmare Puppeteer is worth trying 41:36 Ragdoll physics, unpredictability, and creative freedom 43:51 Finishing projects vs perfectionism in indie art 45:16 Final thoughts and outro If you enjoy discussions on machinima, experimental animation, AI filmmaking, and underground digital art, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe. #Machinima #NightmarePuppeteer #MDotStrange #FilmReview #AIAnimation #ExperimentalFilm #AvantGarde #DigitalArt #IndieAnimation #Satire #AnimationReview #GlobalWarming #SocialCommentary #UnrealEngine #MachinimaReviews Credits -Co-hosts: Ricky Grove, Damien Valentine, Phil Rice, Tracy HarwoodProducer: Damien ValentineEditor: Phil RiceMusic: Phil Rice & Suno AI

    46 min
  8. S6 E222 GMod: Wallace Breen's Day Off (Apr 2026)

    Apr 16

    S6 E222 GMod: Wallace Breen's Day Off (Apr 2026)

    In this episode of Completely Machinima, Phil, Tracy, and Damien dive into “Wallace Breen’s Day Off” — a chaotic, meme-filled Garry’s Mod machinima that embraces absurdity, cartoon violence, and old-school Source Engine humor. From immature internet antics to Robot Chicken-style sketch comedy, the team explores how this short transforms one of Half-Life’s most sinister villains into a hilariously pathetic bureaucrat just trying to enjoy his day off. Along the way, they unpack its Sopranos-inspired ending, hidden easter eggs, and how it reflects both the roots and evolution of machinima as a creative medium. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & classic “Completely Machinima” opening chaos 01:00 – Episode setup & why Phil picked this film 02:00 – What is Wallace Breen’s Day Off? (context + premise) 04:00 – Absurd humor & Breen’s bizarre “day off” activities 06:30 – Favorite scenes (slot machine, fast food chaos, bowling alley) 08:30 – The Sopranos homage ending explained 11:10 – Robot Chicken comparisons & sketch comedy structure 13:30 – Why it works without knowing Half-Life 14:15 – Old-school machinima vibes & Source Engine humor 16:00 – Workplace satire & character inversion (Breen as a fool) 18:00 – Is it all a dream? Sopranos-style ambiguity discussion 19:30 – Sketch format vs narrative storytelling 21:30 – Comparisons to classic machinima (Red vs Blue, etc.) 24:15 – Cameos & cross-game references (G-Man, TF2, GTA IV) 25:00 – Hidden easter eggs (Dan Rather & George W. Bush parody) 27:30 – Why creators love hiding secrets in machinima 29:00 – Classic game easter eggs (Doom, John Romero) 30:00 – Final thoughts & audience discussion prompt 💡 Key Topics Machinima & virtual productionGarry’s Mod and Source Engine creativityMeme culture and absurdist humorThe Sopranos parody & ambiguous endingsEaster eggs, cameos, and hidden detailsOld-school vs modern machinima styles🎧 About the Podcast Completely Machinima explores the art, technology, and culture of machinima — from experimental shorts to cinematic virtual productions. Credits -Co-hosts: Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien ValentineProducer/Editor: Phil RiceMusic: Phil Rice & Suno AI

    32 min
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About

Machinima, real-time filmmaking, virtual production and VR. Four veteran machinimators share news, new films & filmmakers, and discuss the past, present and future of machinima.

Information

  • Creator
    Ricky Grove, Tracy Harwood, Damien Valentine, and Phil Rice
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    279
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022 And Now For Something Completely Machinima
  • Show Website
    And Now For Something Completely Machinima