Will Ferrell isn’t the only celeb getting in on the user-driven content phenomenon. Kevin Spacey has started up a site called TriggerStreet, a kind of MySpace environment specifically targeted at filmmakers:

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I am happy to announce the availability of “special editions” of two of my films: Male Restroom Etiquette and Only. As part of preparation for the DivX Film Festival, versions of each of these works have been prepared using DivX Author, housing the highest quality renders I’ve yet made public in some interactive DVD-like menus and special features. The quality and extra features do come at a premium as far as file size, but are well worth it, particularly if you’d like a taste of what DivX Author can do, in two very different custom-styled scenarios.

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Mr. Poe tells a very interesting story of his experience with a copyright battle he recently went through related to his machinima. Which game or media company did he end up tangling with? The answer may surprise you.

None. His “opponent,” in this particular case, was a fellow filmmaker, believe it or not. What started as rivals sparring soon led to claims of infringement, the banning of Mr. Poe’s YouTube account, the rallying of some friends to his cause, and ultimately his exoneration and reinstatement with the online video mammoth. It’s a fun read, and Mr. Poe’s series, The Last Bastion, which is a Star Wars vs. Star Trek comedy spoof, is an entertaining romp as well.

My family had an unwelcome guest this past week or so; Sir Common Cold. Not just any cold, mind you, but the kind which smacks you around, calls you silly names, and gets really rude with the waitress. Hence the reason the overcast #016a has no intro / outtro from yours truly, but just leaps right into the interview with Hugh and Johnnie which we recorded a week ago. I’ll release #016b in another week, and shortly after that, #017 featuring the better part of an hour with Peter Rasmussen.

Between NyQuil-induced snores, I’ve been whipping up renders and stills for festival submissions this year, hitting some of these mid-spring deadlines. Last year’s MFF being my first, I had no idea just how tiring the hoop-jumping can be, but so far I really feel like the effort has been worthwhile, if for no other reason than to tone up my flabby rendering skills. A little tip for you: festival folks who accept digital video renders really REALLY favor QuickTime for your hi-res, and well they should, for it is glorious. So if you’re wondering what to invest in next, the $30 for QT-Pro will be extremely useful should you plan to take part in this year’s film festival season.

Digital-Phil and I tried two times, twelve months ago. I tried again at the Machinima Film Festival, but just couldn’t find the time. Last Sunday night I tried again, and two minutes before time to start, my internet / phone service took a nap.

But at long last, earlier this evening, Hugh Hancock and Johnnie Ingram were actually interviewed for a machinima podcast. The gods must feel foiled, oh how they conspired against us.

The interview was wonderful, I look forward to sharing it with you soon. (Watch here for developments).

There’s lots I want to talk about besides that, but I think I may have dehydrated myself mentally in a recent forum troll scuffle, which I’ll respectfully decline linkage to at this time so as not to awaken it again.

Shattered Keyboard’s not having any such trouble. Back from a week-long furlough, and still jetlagged, he steps onto the court and sinks one for three at the buzzer… much as I’ve come to expect over there. Glad you’re back, Bllius.

Wonderful articles today from two sources and friends:

• The Future of Machinima 2007 by Hugh Hancock
• Lost in the Context Shuffle by Paul Marino

Both of these are a welcome and uplifting read after what was, for me, a very taxing weekend.