Māoriland Tech Creative Hub (M.A.T.C.H.) – Machinima
- Location: Otaki, New Zealand
- Date: May 20th to May 30th 2024
- Duration: 8 sessions of 8hrs each
- Instructors: Skawennati, Nancy Townsend, Caeleigh Lightning, Taylor McArthur
Overview:
Kia Ora!
The Skins team were thrilled to partner with Māoriland Charitable Trust’s M.A.T.C.H (Māoriland Tech Creative Hub) 2024, 12-week Intensifier Course for two weeks of programming on Machinima. By the time the Skins team arrived in New Zealand, after a very long journey across the continent and ocean, the participants (or “matchies”, as they are affectionately referred to) had already completed three weeks of training, including: Whakawhanaungatanga (the process of establishing relationships, relating well to others), Storytelling and Adobe Premiere Video Editing. Small teams had already written, filmed, and edited their own short, live-action films, which were premiered upon our arrival. It was one of the first times we were teaching machinima with participants who were already familiar with scripts, camera angles and editing and we were thrilled to see how they adapted to a new, unique medium!
Per Skins protocol, we exchanged ceremonies. Our hosts spoke the Māori karakia and had a small feast prepared in our honor after we shared breath. Skawennati recited and had the matchies repeat the Haudenosaunee Ohèn:ton Karihwatéhkwen (“Thanksgiving Address” or “Words Before All Else”), reminding us all to work together and be grateful for our world. Then we all got to work!
Each day consisted of lecture, tech-skills learning, discussion and a “move” session to get away from screens (thanks to a local yogi who taught us breathing exercises, meditation and yoga). For the first few days, as everyone gently explored the world of our favorite machinima tool, Second Life, we shared stories and started to develop scripts. Being a group of mostly adults, the participants quickly caught on to the intricacies (and difficulties) of Second Life. The team rolled with the punches, even switching gears and teaching UV-mapped tattoos last-second when it appeared to be of interest, and cultural significance, to the participants.
From musical poetry to stormtroopers getting fired; over two weeks, this crew worked their hardest to customize avatars, build sets and manipulate the 3D camera to create eight unique machinimas. On the final day, we invited friends and family to join a special feast and screening where they presented the fruits of their labor.
We will never forget the talented matchies for sharing their creative minds, nor our generous Māoriland hosts nor to wonderous land and beach-scapes of Aotearoa. We hope to have the honor of working with them again in the future
Funded in part by:
