Kinect (Project Natal)....is it coming soon?

I got an email link from one of my RL professional networking colleagues regarding this project. I have seen this demo about a year or so ago and was wondering what had become of it.

Now that televisions are being made that integrates the ability to access Virtual Worlds, what will be the implications of such?

The word is Project Natal was scrapped and/or snapped up by the military, but who knows?

It reminds me of a software of a "perfect virtual boyfriend, Sergio" I reviewed a few years back. You can read my amusing diatribe here.  Apparently Sergio is no longer on the market.  Did he get virtually married?! LOL!

Needless to say, my interactions with Sergio were, to say the least, limited despite his supposed AI capabilities.

Where do you think the gaming/virtual worlds/social networking/digital media genres will head over the next few years? Will it increasing merge in to one flow of information/interaction as we are now seeing with the advent of FB buttons and connections everywhere, or something more?

The Digital Image Ltd US Is Pleased to Announce Our RL Machinima Partnership with Inter-Activa Ltd UK

A sneak peek at the lead actors designed and re-created in Second Life by me.

Thank you to Ric and the Producers of this Movie for the opportunity.  An hour plus of SL machinima meshed with a RL movie with actors I recreated in SL.  More info to come.  I'm so excited!!!!!  

Inter-Activa's projects  are with companies such as Endemol, E.A., SONY, Rooster Teeth, SEGA, The Institute of Creative Technologies, Vicon, Linden Lab, Electric Sheep & AKQA, and have been showcased in events and festivals worldwide. Inter-Activa is an official supplier of BBC New Media and Second Life.

Thank you to the creators I selected to help create the avatars for this movie:

Julliette Westerburg

Lamb Bellic

Wavie Haller

Maddox Dupont

myvegancookbook Bolissima

Alidar Moxie

Ansor Hoorenbeek

Enya Meriadoc

For allowing your creations to be featured in the movie and your SL name and shop to appear in the credits. :-)

Media, Machinima and the Virtual Runway: The Rise of Fashionista in Second Life

A link to a recent article written by Phylis Johnson for SCAN Journal of Media Arts Culture about virtual world fashion, particularly the Second Life fashion industry.  She references many of us involved in the arena, as well as detailing demographics about it's participants and figures.  Scan is a project of the Media Department @ Macquarie University, Sydney.

My fashion machinima work was referenced in the article as well as written below.

The Machinima Evolution

"In Second Life, content creation skills, such as mastery of advanced graphics and production software, can be used in creating advertisements and machinima. One relatively new SL fashion designer, Scarlett Niven (Digital Image 2010), is also a 'machinimatographer'(where machinima and cinematography) who promotes her own designs through her original machinima, typically still and motion shots of her designs in various poses. She produces small promotional vignettes for fashion designers. The SL videos, produced for television streamed in-world and posted on the Web, are created through the process of machinima.

 Evolving from the concept of machine cinema, machinima was originally spelled 'machinema'. This type of production moves beyond traditional 3D animation to capture motion in real-time interactive environments of game worlds, single or multi-player. Machinima began as short movie clips of the early action shooter games and transitioned into artistic or cinematic expression that has found its way onto mainstream television and movies. Technically, it relies on the engine of the virtual game for its capture of images and motion.
Machinima is unique to particular virtual worlds, with certain stylistic differences originating from the different platforms. Machinima can originate within a virtual world environment like Second Life, or it might originate outside of a game platform as in MovieStorm, which is intended as a controlled virtual film set. Debates revolving around the definition of machinima are quite common (Hancock & Ingram 2007; Lowood 2005; Marino 2004; Nitsche 2009a and 2009b), as the medium evolves and expands its applications. One limitation is, how does one create continuity among actors and events? In Second Life, for instance, the range of facial expressions and movements are only as sophisticated as the availability of in-world animation permits. Most machinima works are under five minutes, but that might not always be the case as filmmakers seek inexpensive means of producing feature films."

You can read the article in it's entirety here.

Will You Age Your Avatar? Scarlett Aged 20 Years....

I came across an article on New World Notes a few days back and it challenged avatars to go "age" themselves to see what they would look like with added years.  Since the average avatar is aged around 25 (which many, many of the typist of said avatars are not), It would be interesting to know how many tried it out. :-)

I think Scarlett looks a bit like Kirstin Dunst in the aged photo, don't you?  I wonder if they will have fake plastic surgery offices in SL in the coming years?

Ironically, I uploaded my RL photo and it barely changed much aging 20 years. :-0


Slide Show of some avatars that took the plunge. 

The Niven Collection - S/S 2010 - Coal

Now available at The Niven Collection Boutique.

The Niven Collection - S/S 2010 - MonoChrome Signature Gloves

The Signature gloves are available to purchase either separately or with the new dress, Coal (available later today).  Comse with both Niven logo and without. 

Available @ The Niven Collection Boutique.

Web 2.0 - Creating A Digital Revolution For Fashion

Web 2.0 Creating a Digital Revolution for Fashion
December 02, 2009

An interesting article that I was one of the interviewees for.  It definitely explores different takes on fashion, the digital revolution and how it's been used.  Thanks to Melanie for asking me for my input.
A digital revolution is sweeping the fashion world. And this revolution will be blogged, streamed, and tweeted instantaneously.

Web 2.0, which describes the interactive second wave of Internet use, heralds a more egalitarian way for designers and shoppers to reach each other, says Andre Milman, a fashion instructor at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.

“It’s absolutely a democratic revolution in fashion,” says Milman, who also teaches seminars on blogging in his spare time.

Like Web 1.0, the fashion establishment has long dictated a one-way message to its audience, with little room for a two-way conversation, Milman says. Today, Web 2.0 facilitates open communication among fashion bloggers, designers, and fashion followers.

Fashion’s digital generation uses blogs, live streaming of runway shows, e-commerce, social networking sites, and video uploads to compete with the hierarchical fashion establishment.

“Where the real creativity lies in fashion is not only the creativity of the product line itself,” Milman says. “It’s the creativity of the marketing strategy, understanding your own brand, and placing yourself on the web in an original and innovative way.”

By nature prone to jumping on the latest trends, some fashionistas are adopting blogs and social networking sites as a fashionable novelty, Milman says, rather than treating them as effective professional tools for promotion and communication. He suggests that emerging designers who want to make the most of the digital revolution should identify professional goals before deciding which social media tool to use. Otherwise, he says, the increasingly chaotic social networking world will overwhelm them.

Erin Creaney, a fashion instructor at The Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg, uses Facebook and Twitter to market events for her e-commerce boutique, Studio-808. The Studio-808 blog, along with a chorus of traditional media sources and other bloggers, chronicled the recent runway shows at Fashion Focus Chicago 2009.

“Anyone who has a camera and a blog has an opinion,” Creaney says, adding that she’s seen designers pick up relevant blog snippets to use as press and to push their collections on social networking sites. “I have designers who take our blog and pass it on to their list as a validation of what they’re doing. That force is really strong because it’s an unedited voice.”
The outpouring of commentary at Chicago’s fashion week is a reflection of the sea change occurring on the global fashion stage. Imran Amed, a fashion business advisor and founder of The Business of Fashion blog, says he saw an explosion of interactivity during the most recent fashion week season.

“We saw bloggers being given very good treatment just like other professional journalists,” Amed says. “Before, fashion shows were a closed little club of industry-only people participating. Through the Fashion 2.0 technologies, that experience can be shared with a much larger audience all over the world.”

The Business of Fashion coined the Fashion 2.0 heading to house all of the posts exploring fashion’s use of Web 2.0. According to Amed, the fashion industry is beginning to embrace Web 2.0 for three reasons: the unavoidable, high-profile popularity of blogging and social networking technology; the allure of online marketing as a cheap alternative to traditional advertising in a difficult economy; and continuing improvements in the quality of internet technology, such as streaming video.

Rony Zeidan, whose advertising and design agency RO NEW YORK caters to high-end fashion and beauty brands, is working with a technology application called Style Setter to help brands manage their online messaging and the traffic flow among every portal. By controlling the brand communication on social media and blogs, companies can collect data and better focus their online strategy and presence, Zeidan says. He gives an example of an online poll that engages customers by asking which of five colors they prefer in a shirt.

“It creates a buzz like traditional PR,” Zeidan says. “It’s good for word of mouth.”
For other online fashionistas, Web 2.0 eliminates the need to leave home to get a taste of the glamorous life. Virtual world fashion designer and blogger Tina E. flexes her sartorial talents in Second Life, an online fantasy space populated with avatars who shop for designer clothing and model in runway shows.

Tina, whose real-life job is in IT project and staffing support, joined Second Life in  Janurary of 2007. She began designing virtual clothing and producing her own fashion-based animated show about virtual fashion in 2007 - using her personal avatar, Scarlett Niven. To Tina, virtual worlds allow her to play with fashion – designing and producing fashion collections to sell in her virtual store - without spending as much money as she would in real life. “I can buy a replica of a $10,000 Christian Dior dress and wear it on my avatar,” Tina says. “You get that same satisfaction, to an extent, of owning something you wouldn’t be able to afford in real life or would not pay for in real life.”

Amed, of The Business of Fashion, says the next big trend in Fashion 2.0 is the shift from static 2-D images to moving images in the form of fashion films. The houses of Chanel and Dior, for example, have created fashion films that tell a story around their brands, Amed says. A recent two-minute flick promoting Chanel No. 5 fragrance, for instance, shows French actress Audrey Tautou rushing to catch the Orient Express, then captivating the attention of a male passenger once aboard. Other fashion films are more about mood, creating a spirit around a certain collection, he says.

For Amed, the most innovative use of the fashion film came from designer Alexander McQueen. During the most recent McQueen show in Paris, a fashion film played on the backdrop of the runway behind the models, while twin robotic cameras beamed the presentation live across the world. Fashion’s great spectacles, once the exclusive domain of the fashion elite, are now immediately accessible to anyone in the world with an internet connection.

“The experience itself of the show felt like it was very modern and almost postmodern,” Amed says, calling McQueen’s show the most exciting Fashion 2.0 moment of the season. “It felt like it was looking forward, and that was reflected in the style of the clothes on the runway.”

Says Amed: “It was this reflection of a new world.”

The Niven Collection - S/S 2010 - Paste

In The Niven Collection Boutique.

PRESS RELEASE: OPEN THIS END AND KAMACHINIMA PRODUCTION

Kamachinima Production is proud to announce our partnership with OPEN THIS END.   Aino Baar is a Real Life International Curator, representative of RL museums and Art Writer.  She is also a specialist in Art & Virtual Art. Aino Baars' goal is to select the best artists, gallerists, curators, patrons in SL and to work with them in SL and RL. They are working nonprofit doing I+D+I in real life.
Thanks to Aino Baar's extraordinary marketing efforts our machinimas will be presented at the RL World Expo 2010 Shanghaï in the Madrid Pavillion.

The World Expo in Shanghai will occupy a total of five (5) square kilometers and it is expected SEVENTY (70) million visitors.

 We will show the world how we use Machinima, how important this tool it is today and how it will become an important tool in so many other areas of our lives in the future. For those of you who won't be able to attend the fair, you still will be able to follow the tremendous artistic effort that is being deployed by this group on the Second Life platform,  as Linden Labs has graciously given five (5) sims for the duration of the Expo (6 months).  The sims are being prepared now and have a targeted opening date of 5/1/2010.
Each sim will be based on one of the themes (Light, Sound, Energy, Color and Love) and will present original artistic work interpreting the stories.
Kamachinima Production is working in parallel with OPEN THIS END activities because of the original stories we have created.  We shall have our own special presence in this major event with each machinima being shown on each corresponding sim.  Our warmest thanks to Aino Baar!

Color Me - First Movie Poster

Frenzoo Virtual Fashion VIP Challenge - Mature Skin & Fashion w/Guest Judge Scarlett Niven

The contest has officially started!  Instructions on how to participate listed below!

You are the creative director of your own brand and need to expand to a wider audience. Create a small collection that would appeal to ages 27 and up. Your collection should include 1 outfit and 2 makeup/skins.
After completing your collection, create an advertisement showcasing your new brand image. In your advertisement include your label/brand name, tagline, products and model. Remember write a short description about your ad!  Your goal in this contest: create an ad for your mature makeup/skin and fashion.




Our Guest Judge: Scarlett Niven
How to enter:

- Create 1 mature outfit and 2 makeup/skins

- Place your new collection in an advertisement

- Post your entry on the forum

- Include a short description about your advertisement.

Judging criteria:

- Quality of makeup/skin, outfit and advertisment

- advertisement originality

- ability to appeal to ages 27+
Dates:

- Judging starts 8th March, 2010
Prizes:

- 1st place: 200 Gold Coins - Machinima of your line created by Scarlett Niven

- 2nd place: 100 Gold Coins

- 3rd place: 50 Gold Coins

- All Entries: 20 Gold Coins
All entries also will receive feedback on their entries from Scarlett Niven.
Good Luck!

Digital Image Ltd. Productions Machinima Intro....

Well, you said I should have one, so here it is! My buddy, Simone P. and I put or heads together and came up with this little piece to identify my Machinima work. So thank you my dear friend for the fantastic idea and the way you put together what I shot and set to music. You will be seeing this on the front end of all my works. :-)

Rodeo Drive

Beverly Hills popular Rodeo Drive could easily be considered a city. Known as one of the world's more admired destinations, the name conjures up images of money, movies, moguls and mega-shopping. Rodeo Drive has gained a reputation throughout the world for its boutiques and couture shops. A new shopping sim named and modeled after this world renowned place is now here in Second Life. On a beautiful shopping day I explored the area all set to burn some serious Ls. I am wearing casual, comfortable chic with a slight kick of boho. The great looking and summer shopping appropriate July pants from Beauty Avatar in Ivory, give a clean modern look. For a kick of color, the richly patterned Annouck halter top adorned with a hand drawn statement necklace on the jacket layer, along with simple accessories - tan African bangle bracelets in matte patterned wood, Bromwyn bracelet set in Amber, Porto Corsico bag in creme and red/brown wedge sandals. Soft, sleek, shiny hair with a cute face framing braid in front completes the uncomplicated and put together look. My sunglasses from the Le Femme fat pack at FNKY, shield my eyes from the glare of the sun and the paparazzi flash. Hair: Lamb – Milk in Pale Necklace: Paper Couture: Sunset Feast Necklace (On Jacket Layer) Bracelet (L): VG Republic – Double African Bangle Bracelets in Tan Bracelet (R): Opium Everyday – Bromwyn Bracelet in Amber Top: Casa Del Shai – Annouck Halter Top Pants: Beauty Avatar Couture – July Pants in Ivory Sunglasses: FNKY – Le Femme Sunglasses in Tortoise Shell Purse: Armidi Giscaci – Porta Corsico Bag in Creme Shoes: *luly*Wood – Wedge Sandals in Red/Brown (closed) Mani/Pedi: Awesome Designs – Glitter Nails Maroon

Polka Dot Sophistication

photos and text by: Bliss Windlow A serious day in the city. Ok it is true the 80’s influence that is winding its way back into fashion on the runway has reason to give pause and even for authoring the semi queasy feeling in our stomachs. Unlike this new generation, those of us who braved our way through the 80’s … already have the advantage of perspective. We know no matter how hot we thought we looked at the time, the wine-infusing “snorking” that has gone on as girlfriends reviewed said photos have caused emotional damage beyond repair. It wasn’t pretty 10 years down the road!!! They promise us the “idea” of the 80’s will be paired with “lessons learned” so while the 80’s gave us shoulder pads big enough to make their way onto your local football field .. these shoulders will be emphasized and heightened without the bulk. We shall see. Part of the trend involves the return of polka dots and while they never were my favourite – I do have a soft spot for black and white polka-dots done right, like in this outfit I picked up recently from Morea Style.

The belted flirty skirt takes it beyond just another mini skirt and adds some style and structure. I like the long off shoulder arms with the repeated ruffles in the top and the sexy playfulness of the bare midriff. A great shoulder bag, some sandals, not too high when a girl has some serious shopping in mind, and a great hair. I love this new style from Xplosion hair with the color option scarf and with or sans the hair jewels.

It’s amazing when you work really really hard at it –you can actually achieve the look of just having "thrown" everything on with no effort – an “accidental fashioning!!!!”

SKIRT SET: Morea Style - Collection MOREA STYLE *IRINA* - $225L EARRINGS: Tavo Vella Formals - TV Silver Disc – huge set of jewellery for $100L SHOES: Dark Mouse - DM Buckle Chunk Sandal – Black - unknown HAIR: Xplosion - *X*plosion Hair *Kayli* (Onyx)- $360L SKIN: League - *League* Skin Medium -Misty- Fatpack – Smoky LASHES: Silhouette Lashes – Dangerous – Gift

New Shopping Sim & 2nd Niven Boutique on Rodeo Drive!!

I met Annemarie Perenti, owner and manager of 2 very successful commercial sims, Best of Italian and Piazza Italia when my friend and fellow blogger, Dahlia Joubert, mentioned Annemarie was soon opening another shopping sim. Her 3rd sim is Rodeo Drive. Since I was in the market for a second location, I looked her up. I'm happy to say I was extremely pleased with her wonderful builds, long term experience and easy manner. The grand opening with music, dancing and a light show is on July 22, 2009 at Rodeo Drive. Be sure to check it out and the many fine shops that are there as well. Some of us are still moving in, but as you can see in the commerical I shot for them, it's looking awesome!!

Stalking The Wild Beast!!

photos and text by: Bliss Windlow I figure sometimes a girl just needs to be a stalker, and costumes are always good. I have a whole closet of costumes ranging from "mother of teens" to "psycho bat-out-of-hell woman" … oh wait .. those are the same costumes …. Today I felt like stalking … didn’t really have anyone in mind, but figured if I saw someone good wandering around SL .. I would stalk them. I put on my best animal print pants …. and I wandered around trying to look inconspicuous and innocent, but the butter kept melting in my mouth …. Eventually after turning up my IPOD playing wild animal themed cat music like the “Theme from the Pink Panther” and “Memory” from Cats … the mood overtook me and I decided ... to stalk ... myself !!! I was awesome, shadowed myself like a pro!! I never even knew I was being followed ... but at the last moment ... I gave myself the slip …. Next time I am going as a Royal Canadian Mounted Police because they ALWAYS get their man … and besides .. I look great in red AND ... they have awesome boots …. SWEATER: BareRose - ::: B@R ::: Maia shoulder sweater - $135L (modified and only a small part of the entire package which includes color choices and shorts and socks) PANTS: The Nive Collection - N i V E N - Leopard Pantsuit & Coat Dress - leopard slim pants - available from SL Exchange - $100L (only one small part of a much larger ensemble) SKIN: Cupcakes – Cupcakes Seduction Copper Natural HAIR: Analog Dog - AD - endra light - $350L SHOES: Lemania Indigo - [LI] Daydream Believer - $1L (only small part of entire outfit)LASHES: Silhouette Lashes – Dangerous – Gift

Me, Myself, and I

photos and text by: Bliss Windlow

Sometimes you are lucky enough to have a friend like Whinter who shares everything and shows you some of the best shops - like N-Core and these heels which are probably one of my all time favourite pair of shoes. And probably the best thing about SL is that your little avi can wear any heel and never once have to slip into something more comfortable or practical!!!

But today I was by my lonesome wandering SL and enjoying the day. I headed over to Sway's village and enjoyed all the little amusings provided ... not the least of which were the beavers which made me smile (High fiving all the Canadians!!!). I had a great time until I got into an argument with myself and decided to leave the other two and just have some "me" time.

Leezu's is such a beautiful shop an such a talented designer. Usually I get lost in all the glamour and wow factor of the amazing pieces she does but sometimes it is nice to just pick up the smaller pieces and really appreciate the attention is in the details. This beautiful white shirt with its pebbled textured material is cut with a deep V and almost met with the open cut up from the waist.. The stand up collar and criss crossing narrow red belt caught in a large buckle adds signifcant interest to the piece.

I paired it with a red leather pants etched and printed with silver threading taken from a larger ensemble from RFyre - and of course what is better than high high black heels??? Hair by Truth, Linda in dark brown, is a great casual look and of course my Cupcake Skins. Rumor has it there will be new skins available this weekend some time and I cannot wait to see them!!!

Oh ... and if you happen to see Myself and I wandering around Sway .... tell them for me they can find their own way home .... and pick up a bottle of wine on the way ...

JACKET: LeeZu - *LeeZu Baxter* Henrietta Plain /white - $150L

PANTS: RFyre - ! RFyre Dalliance Rouge - Treasure Hunt

SHOES: N-CORE - STYLUS XtremeHeel Black - $495L

SKIN: Cupcakes – Cupcakes Seduction Copper Natural

HAIR: Truth – Linda Cocoa - $225L

LASHES: Silhouette Lashes – Dangerous – Gift

Pebbled Memories

photos and text by: Bliss Windlow on a span of a million choices only one I carry you in the pocket of my heart endlessly tumbling you through my fingers unconsciously reaching for the familiarity … of us I traced our steps towards the day long before you left and waded in the watered earth that claimed what used to be

so many memories

caught in time

that can never be erased

the emptiness of standing here

is more than I can bear

standing still against the sun

I imagine your warm arms

holding me

I close my eyes

and beg the day

not to bid me go...

SKIRT: taken from part of The Niven Collection - available SL Exchange - Pebble Chic Mini Dress - $100L

TOP: taken from part of the Three Graces - sheer elegance gold leme' toga dress - 400L SHOES: taken from part of Sierra Jakob Gowns – Lace Hot Pants from Sierra Jakob Gowns - $10L gift

JEWELRY: RYCA- Round Dia Head L Platinum - $200L

BELT: House of Hucci - ::HH:: Hucci Diva Belt - DSN Gift

SKIN: Lionskins – Zulu 1

HAIR: Marai Style - .+*Dome*+.Black&Silver [MS] - 200L

New Partnership With Secondnights.com

Digital Image Ltd. is pleased to announce we are now featured on Secondnights.com as a new partner! ScarlettCast will be syndicated on the site, as well as notifications of our upcoming activities here. Secondnights.com is a venue where people who love music, art and having fun can find lots of information and a detailed schedule on events, new openings, fashion shows and art gallery exhibit. This comprehensive site is segmented into channels to easily find what you are looking for. Also available for your use are blog channels, community/forums on your topic of interest, publishing of your photos and to meet new friends. Secondnights.com is also a great way for business owners to promote their activities by providing events publishing, SLUrls in the site directory, a personal blog and a complete advertising system at your disposal. I will be sending out the Secondnight.com HUD to my group, which can be used to get updated on all events on the external website and other great uses! You can also have the Second Nights promotional box containing the HUD delivered to you in-world. You can find it here on XStreet.com To become a Secondnighter is very simple. Just click on the badge to the left on this site and go to their website! I am in great company with the other partners and proud and happy to be included in this roster. Simone has many great things planned up coming so don’t miss out!

Feeling Sort Of Drowsy

As I was preparing for my post I nostalgically tried on several items from some of my favorite shops that are no longer around. I've been in Second Life 3 1/2 years now, having this fashion blog for 3, and much has changed since the first time I logged in full of wide eye wonder and possibilities. My first goal, of course, was to shop as it was an article on virtual shopping that bought me here in the first place. I remember being pissed and thinking I was somehow cheated of my item when I rezzed that first box on my head.LOL! As the fashion blogs become more and more of who can get it the fastest, snap photos the quickest and get it published immediately, I would like to revisit some of the old favorites of mine along with a few new ones. The Natalie dress from Last Call has always been one of my favorites. I imagined it in a heavy Lycra, which would hang perfect with no wrinkling no matter how much you sat on it. I've used the top from that dress, which has intricate tiny silver sequin detailing around the neck, lightening the mood with Nylon's hand drawn fabric necklace colored to silver and a back draping triple strand pearl necklace that adds a contrasting look from back to front. I've paired it with the paper bag waist white skirt from DeLa that has a contrasting black tie sash. A simple textured silver cuff from The Niven Collection's Wonton jewelry set compliments without being overwhelming. Finally, the Yuja ll shoes from Enkythings in silver/black, along with the lovely side swept, full hair "Is" hair from Magika in blonde A finished the look with polished, yet uncomplicated flair. Hair: Majika - "Is" Hair in Blonde A Necklace: Piccadilly East - Alyssa Bijoux Jewelry - Draping Pearl Necklace Ribbon Necklace: Nylon Outfitters - Tintable Fabric Necklace colored to silver Top: Last Call - The Nathalie Dress Top (Sadly Gone But Not Forgotten) Skirt: DeLa - The Liza Skirt in White Cuff: The Niven Collection - Wonton Silver Textured Cuff Shoes: Enkythings - Yuja ll in silver/black Photographs taken at the very cute Drowsy sim. Thanks to Naxos Loon for giving me the landmark to check out! It was good to see you again after so long!