Independent Filmmaker Hosting a Unique Fundraiser to Help Underwrite
Documentary on Second Life**
April 6, 2008 Hyperborea Park South 156, 98, 22 Second Life:
Independent filmmaker Jason Spingarn-Koff is looking to residents of
Second Life to help underwrite the next phase of his documentary on
the popular 3D virtual world with a unique fundraiser. On Sunday April
6, 2008 from Noon to 3:00 PM SLT (Pacific Standard Time) Spingarn-Koff
will host an in world Perform-a-thon at Hyperborea Park South (156,
98, 22.) In return for pledges at the Perform-a-thon ? SL avatars will
have the opportunity to re-enact famous shots from movie history (such
as Easy Rider and The Shining) and pose for photos with friends. The
top 20 fundraisers win a chance to be extras in the movie and
invitations to a special preview screening event in SL (TBA) Avatars
can sign up to register and make a suggested pledge of $15.00 USD
(4000 lindens) at http://secondlifedoc.com or pay avatar Jay Spire
directly in world. * (New to Second Life? Sign up at secondlife.com
for a free account.) Builders are welcome to contribute movie scene
sets (costumes and props are also encouraged) at
http://web.mac.com/jskoff
prize of 10,000 Lindens!
Spingarn-Koff says, "After more than a year of self-financing, and
shooting more than 40 hours of material, I'm seeking donations to get
to the next phase. My goal is to finish by end of summer for
festivals, followed by theatrical release and television broadcast.
Your contributions will allow me to continue this extremely timely
project."
PROJECT SUMMARY: This feature-length documentary takes a first look at
how an emerging virtual society is having a profound impact on
people's real lives.
What if you could become someone else? A man or woman. Fashion model,
rock star, or medieval wizard. Even an animal. If you could be
anything, what would you choose? Welcome to Second Life. The program
(most refuse to call it a game) is run by a San Francisco company
named Linden Lab. Everything in this three-dimensional computer
generated world ? from island beaches to urban shopping malls -- is
built by millions of users, dubbed "residents," who log-in from across
the globe. The world even has a real economy, with more than $1
million changing hands every day -- sparking virtual jobs that pay
real profits and even make a few rich.
When does a game stop being a game? This film takes viewers across
that delicate and shifting line -- following people as they forge
virtual identities and relationships, with surprising effects on their
real lives. The story follows a small cross section of people inside
the virtual world and in real life, including: A young woman becomes a
star designer of virtual clothes and buildings. A couple falls in love
inside Second Life, meets in real life, and makes plans to live
together. A man adopts the avatar of a girl who he believes is the
expression of his subconscious. Another layer follows the growth and
evolution of the virtual world, from Linden Lab to Metaverse
visionaries. The bigger story is the birth of a new type of virtual
society that could have a major impact on real society in the future ?
affecting the way we all interact.
Filmmaker's Bio: Jason Spingarn-Koff (jskoff.com) is a New York-based
documentary filmmaker specializing in science and technology. He
co-produced NOVA's "The Great Robot Race," following a dramatic
competition to build robotic vehicles and race them across the Mojave
Desert in the DARPA Grand Challenge. He has produced and directed for
"History Detectives" (PBS), "Science Investigators" (PBS),
Frontline/World (PBS), and MSNBC, and was Development Producer for the
Emmy winning "Rx for Survival." His Masters thesis "Robofly," about
the quest to build the world's first robotic fly, aired on PBS and won
a national Student Emmy. Jason is a graduate of Brown University and
the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.
Media Contact: Jason Spingarn-Koff at [email protected], Jay Spire in world
or [email protected] or in world Keiko Ketsugo.
*All proceeds go to the film. Contributions are not investments and
will not be repaid.
**Second Life is a 3-D virtual world entirely created by its
Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it was grown
explosively and today is inhabited by millions of Residents from
around the globe.
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