Holiday Keepsake Photos

New decor items have been added to the retro house up in the Full Sim City. Perfect for unwrapping present, trimming the tree or any other activities you want to preserve in film.

Find them here.

Always Changing

The treehouse has been retired at ground level in order to recoup some prims and make the view for LEA6 a bit better. Since filming in that direction has often been problematic anyway because of the ever-changing builds, this should work better.

Meanwhile there is always newness arriving. Most these days are up in the full sim city build. So if you haven't journeyed up there of late, do a bit of exploring. Who knows what you might find?

Goodbye Flickr

OK. Happily it seems that the issues of the morning were either an error :D OR there was so much negative feedback that things are back to normal. I can now get into my account and you can now add photos to the MOSP pool. Be sure of course that they were taken at MOSP.

No cheating now *wink*.

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Because of the new Yahoo Terms of Service which need to be accepted before logging into Flickr, I will no longer be maintaining the MOSP photo group.

Actually I can't even log in to post that it is closed *wink*, so I am letting you know here and I will delete the inworld info that leads to Flickr.  If you are a Flickr user, be sure and read the TOS prose. And no, I am not happy about this. Sorry.

Post 100

I was definitely surprised when I began this post to find it would be number 100 on this blog. Wow!

MOSP is nearing it's16th month birthday. Much has changed since the early days -- quality being one of them.

New additions pop up here and there at MOSP, mostly decor items as the sim is getting pretty full even with the smart use of mesh.

Many of the new arrivals are up in the full sim city or in SNOW. Holiday themed items add seasonal touches and some will be left year round. You never know when you may need a decorated wintry area for your shots.

Remember derender will "erase" anything you DON'T want to see :D. 

One bright new addition is this tipsy table and colorful art set.

You can find them in the equally colorful beach cottage down by the water at the ground level.

I saw when I hit that publish button that the SCREEN thinks this is post 97 while the interface lists it at 100. AAAH, there were three drafts LURKING in the background.

But if you count the PAGES, it is well over 100. I can live with that.

I wish you all a great season. I'll keep you updated now and then, never fear.

AIRS Round Six Aps are Open

For those of you that might need some space for a project you are thinking about, Round Six of the Aritsts in Residence program is now accepting applications. You have to the end of the month to complete the proposal form.

Here is the link:  http://www.lea-sl.org/form/lea-land-grant-application-round-six

Check Those Group Notices

A group gift just went out. I know that the notices sometimes go astray, so if you missed it, check the archives. And have a great holiday season.

Yes, there are additions at MOSP and I will be highlighting more soon. Meanwhile here is a photo of a great new igloo in SNOW.

There are some stellar animations for both inside and outside as well as animations for couples. Find it over in the camping area. Well natch!

Holiday Locations

It's holiday season and whatever your needs for film or photography, I hope that MOSP has you covered. Prims are getting a little scarce so giant projects aren't on the agenda, but newness still arises. Here is a list of some spots you might want to visit as the month unfolds.

Christmas tree lot in the full sim city.

Also new is this Festival of Lights area. Find it again --  in the city. It appears that anyone can light the candles as "I" hadn't and arrived to find two lit early.

So feel free to light was is needed for the evening or your theme.

There are comfy chairs and a fireplace close by as well as other odd props.

This is my hang out spot for the moment and in decorating process.

Menorah, toys and star are here.

Not new but still very picturesque are these cute snow men.

The house is snow covered and verges on a fantasy cottage feel.






Find it here.

Inside there are many holiday decorations perfect for backdrops and filming.


Fireplace, Christmas cards and other decor items add a seasonal touch.

And if you need a holiday dinner set, my pick of several is this posh area with a huge choice of foods.


Find it here.




Have a great holiday season!!!!!

Back in Time

If going back in time is part of your filming plan, check out the new 1950s furnished house now adjoining the park in the full sim city. Find it here. 

Peaceful Retreat

If you haven't ventured over to MOSP at LEA7 for awhile, there are quite a few new additions and more coming soon. This beautifully textured and intricately detailed oriental bath house now sits on the oceanfront not too far from the landing pad.

Soon to be up, a 1950's abode with decor. Stay tuned.

Lunch Break Playtime

A quick note to tell you of newness (there is more for another day). This fun Foosball table is now installed up at the City of Lost Souls. More clutter (really NICE clutter). More realism. We like that.

48 Hour Filming

The 48 Hour Film Project begins soon.

If you are taking part and need special assistance (items moved, longer rez times, additional props) contact Chic Aeon. IMs go to email and are your fastest road to info.

Now is the time to scout out locations. There is plenty to explore.

Start here and pick up a hud for easy pre-production adventuring.

School Days

I was happy to find I was Model Number 1 for the school days theme in Models Magazine's September issue.

The photo was taken at the schoolroom at one of the sound stages at  MOSP of course. Why leave and search when you have all you need right there.

By adjusting the Windlight setting JUST RIGHT you can get some great shadows inside the sound stages.

The trick? Make the outside wall of your build transparent so that the sunlight can shine though.

The chalk board had texture change by touch so you can go for a nostalgic feel or a more modern day look.

New in SNOW

If you haven't visited SNOW at MOSP (LEA7) lately you are in for a treat. This cute little house is perfect for the upcoming holidays. It makes you smile just looking at it. Cozy insides are already decorated with tree and presents and cards hanging from the windows.

Industrial Loft is Open

Need an upscale renovated warehouse apartment for your filming? The warehouse loft is now open. Grayscale and natural tones abound. A very "in the city" place. Find it here.

48 Hours

Can you make a great short film (4 to 7 minutes) in just two days?

No fair planning ahead. In fact you can't and that's the challenge. Get a team together and have some fun!  Remember all LEA sims are filming friendly and MOSP(LEA7) has well over 50 locations for your artistic visions.

The 48 Hour Film Project weekend will start on 8th until 10th November 2013.

Learn more here:

https://www.48hourfilm.com/en/about/history.php

Registration page here:

https://www.48hourfilm.com/machinima/48hfp/registernow/info.php

Filming schedule

• Starts on Friday 8th November at 11 am SLT
• Ends on Sunday 10th November at 11 am SLT

Choices

A few weeks ago Netflix offered me a free month a viewing. With Fall schedule not yet on the horizon, I took them up on it. One of my first video choices was the remake of Footloose, a movie I had enjoyed long ago. As the month ended I decide to revisit the original 1984 version and see how the two compared.

There was a brief point in time when I lived and breathed film. I was in a movie group, small but with its own share a drama. I learned a lot there, not only technical things, but about choices. And indeed, movie making, be it film or machinima is all about deciding among alternatives. As I watched Kevin Bacon, and later to become Sex in the City star Sarah Jessica Parker, I found I preferred the original movie. It wasn't the cinematography; the fake mountains were fairly distracting. It wasn't the acting.

The difference was partly in the script, but mostly in the director's decisions.

Filming is about telling a story, be it a wistful poem or an epic  -- well in machinimatic terms -- adventure. Your viewers need to know the characters. They need to be able to put themselves in the red boots or scuffed sneakers, to understand the protagonist's motivations, to feel the joys and sorrows of the performer and believe for a moment that they are one with those that move upon the screen. Movie making covers plenty of ground; filming and editing rank high in importance. You need footage, farsightedness and discrimination for the work to blossom into your vision. Striking camera angles help of course.

But mainly you need sensitivity, understanding and the willingness to let the viewers see your characters as they honestly are.

It's Baaaaack

Some of you may remember the subway set from MOSP at LEA20. That sim long tunnel was impressive. While the original build, lost from the database during the move, will never return, I installed the smaller version of the subway. You can find it here.

There are some cool new props courtesy of The Challenge creators. You can see those photos in a few days on my design blog. Meanwhile, just come on over and bring your camera. I have placed the different areas far from each other so that you can choose your shots easily. The subway can be an airport or a train station if that's what you need.

Coffee Cart

Another great addition to the city, this gorgeous coffee cart dispenses warming drinks after you exit the gym. Come on over. Bring your camera, natch!

More City News

City life!

People actually DO still read and this deco newsstand is a super photo op spot. Find it across from the vintage shops in the full sim build. There are animations for the worker that sits inside or bring your own pose balls and have some fun!

Working It Out

The holidays are coming and if you need to work off some pounds in preparation for all the goodies that you WILL consume, then head on over to the new gym in the city.  There are weight benches, balls and of course a step class. Lots of great filming shots await you.

Outdoor Spaces

Some new outdoor spaces await you at Peaceful Valley not far from the Bayou Shack. Outdoor dining as well as a fun tent with single's and couple's poses are available for your photo and filming pleasure. My kitty Pearl will be happy to assist.

Chill in the Air

Just in case you want to get a jump on winter -- the SNOW area has been upgraded. The landscape is much more realistic now and the framerate has improved as a bonus. Barren trees sway gently in the icy breezes. Be sure and bundle up.

Animated Trees

MOSP has been in late summer mode for a year now but will be changing with the seasons. There is still one area with green trees by the water but Autumn has arrived at ground level. Pampas grasses have been cut back (THAT took awhile - whew!) and there is a nip in the air for sure.

Both Peaceful Valley and the SNOW area have new animated trees. SAGE will join them soon as --- drumroll here --- not only do these lovely trees move gently in the breeze, they are super low prim (like 1) and -- AND much easier on the server. Hard to beat that. Framerates are definitely up and reality is getting a bit closer. The tree pack came with green, golden and winter trees so all seasons are covered.

There won't be snow in the valley this winter (there is the snow area for that and hopefully some fun new seasonal additions) but the trees will eventually lose their leaves. SAGE will always been in glorious green mode, so no worries.

Other newness include some upgrades in the Bayou Shack furnishing. Photo additions to the gallery will be on hold for awhile as it is against the TOS for me to upload them. Meanwhile you can always add your own photos to the open gallery nearby.

A Monochrome Fall

Even in black and white, it is starting to feel like fall. Peaceful Valley can be anything you want it to be courtesy of Windlight -- well within reason anyway. You can't miss the theme even without the oranges and golds of Autumn.

There is a new animal addition to the valley courtesy of the Firestorm Anniversary celebration. Her name is Pearl and she is currently seven days old.

Peaceful Valley is her home. I mean what cat wants to live inside when they can have the great outdoors to play in. As she gets older I will let her venture farther afield (literally as well as figuratively).

So be on the lookout. She is already dressed in Halloween colors.

Seasonal Changes

It is a beautifully peaceful morning in the valley. The trees are beginning to change color; there is a nip of coolness in the air. Other changes? Yep. A building hiatus for one which will impact MOSP.

If you are one of the folks that also read my fashion and design blog (thanks for crossing over by the way) you know that the new Terms of Service have been on my mind. I normally process things quickly, make life changing decisions in a few seconds (yes really) -- but I am having a time with  this.  If you want to know more, follow the break; if you choose to live in pleasant denial -- well I get that too.

Meet Me at the Motel

This old motel sign complete with props and poses has found a home in the alleyway of the new warehouse in the Full Sim City location. More boxes flank the right side for long shots. Room for cars and action scenes abound.

New in SOIL

It has been a good week for updates in SOIL. Not only is there a new medieval church with impressive pine forest and graveyard (scroll back in the posts a bit if you missed that), and the new wagon by the mill, there is a new very realistic mesh tree stump with animations including making arrows (arrows for close ups are on the smaller stump.

Over in the gypsy camp, two wagons were retired in favor of this new, very lovely model with outstanding textures.

And we move onward. 

Wonderous Windlight

Can you make a great film without Windlight? I am sure you can and that might be a good challenge for an upcoming machinima event. But most of the best machinima relies on Windlight to help portray the mood. If you have been shying away from exploring Windlight or learning how to make your own Windlight settings, there is now a little help from my friends -- well blogger friends anyway. 

This week's weekly "Monday Meme" was all about Windlight. Looking at the comments section will take you to a plethora of tips, tricks and opinions from folks who often work with Windlight on a daily if not hourly basis.

And that's my tip of the day. Photo taken in SAND before the building arrived. Remember you can derender the building to get this empty look back.

Fall Camping

There is a new Fall Camping photo and filming spot up. Nicely made tents and stools as well as a campfire offer all sorts of possibilities.  The area is fairly empty at the moment but I suspect more Fallish additions will show up soon. Meanwhile, get on your sweater and your camping gear and venture over.

Just a Reminder

Just a reminder -- OK, OK, I really wanted to show off this fun photo -- that MOSP is available for COMMERCIAL use. This photo was taken in the City of Lost Souls area. And yes, it is absolutely free. Get your camera and get over here.

Medieval Marvels

New additions in SOIL include a great cart filled with nice poses. The textures are phenomenal and photograph beautifully. There is also a copy of this down at ground level by the barn.

Also in SOIL (the cabin has been retired in favor of the thematic) a really lovely church. Again, textures rule here and the trees and abandoned graveyard (Halloween is a comin') are spectacular. The ground fog moves in convincing patters and the pines lend soft convincing shadows.

I also made a custom mesh stream for the grain mill. Much better and if you are tricky with your Windlight settings, pretty convincing. 

Turning One

MOSP celebrates one year today. Who knew when I started that a tiny idea could go so far and have such staying power? Not I. There is no big celebration planned; I'm not really big on those in any world. But I wanted to mark the day and of course I had a cake in inventory -- a big one at that. 

To those of you that ventured over in the first month -- thanks for sticking around. For the newcomers? Glad to have you. Explore, enjoy -- make some art.

Sing to Me!

Grab your guitar! There is a new garage band in the City of Lost Souls.  Gorgeous textures make this a filmer's dream. There is a downside though. This is actually a textured EXAMPLE of a full perm release, so no animations. Sorry. It is no mod so I can't add. Bring your props and your poses though. Rez those balls and have some fun. Once you sit on the pose ball, you won't need to worry about it disappearing when that 20 minutes is up. Always a good thing. Find the new garage band set here.

City Drivers

For the streetwise, there is newness up in the full sim city. Yep another car has been added. Where to park?

Well how about in front of the new industrial area?

The new building is empty, but I do have a plan -- of course I do.

There are just so many things to accomplish, it all takes time. But keep your eye on this locale, I am hoping for some fun (and manly) photo op spots.

Coffee Cart

Is this perfect or what?  Grab your favorite hot drink after working out at the gym. Bring your camera of course. Find it here.

Color Me Smiling

Need a smile in your life? This super cute hippie car is just the ticket. Find it at Beach Walk not far from the bright blue house. There is also a new boardwalk that leads to a peaceful dock where you can stare out into the endless ocean.  You can't drive this cutie, but you can pose prettily in the side seat or the back. And if you are a clever filmer you can use a pose ball and position it OVER the driver's seat. I have done that a time or two when it was called for.

There have been lots of changes in the Coastal Cottage and surroundings. Now my graphic is a bit misleading as I didn't actually remodel the house, what I did was redecorate. But you get the idea.

It is a very bright and colorful place these days. Orange and blue (complementary colors in the artist sense you know) predominate.

This will be a great place to get a dose of "sunshine" during the dreary gray months.

A new craft and art area is packed full of details. An artist table and painting are on the opposite wall along with quilting goodies. This homeowner like her creativity!

There is a teenager's room in the mix now. Posters and magazines abound and retro is in evidence.

The bed and chair are filled with many poses. Beware though, I resized the bed down as it was way too big for the room. So you will need to ADJUST any poses you choose as you will be floating in the air.

And that's the news from Beachwalk.

What's Happening in the City?

I've been working up in the full sim city this last week. There is now a diner on the corner of the strip mall (well, it's a pretty tiny strip mall, but pretend). It is a bit too neat at the moment for my realism tastes but I am sure other items will arrive in the future.

Decor includes retro cafe stools and a spectacular jukebox along with some UFO memorabilia.


This is supposed to represent a New Mexico diner. The decade? Well things don't change much in New Mexico so anything after the mid last century will work *wink*.


There is a small kitchen in a nook and a chalk menu board. All you need is your apron and you are set.

If you wander around up there you will find another new build. I have a plan. It will all be revealed in time :D.

City Lights

I have been working in the city over the weekend. Its growing as cities will. Today I received a lovely addition of a bridge fountain. Much less complex than my other projects, and OK, I really did want to see it -- it is now happily at home amidst flowers and tall skyscrapers.

There are plenty of poses and animations including ones for couples.

This is a beautiful spot for some romantic scenes, so get your camera and meet your next great love on the bridge.

Here's your taxi.

More details on this item will show up on my fashion and design blog in a few days. (That's for the feed folks).

Family Reunion

July and August are big months for family reunions in the US. The relatives, they are a comin' -- to the park in SAGE that is. There are now two trailers in evidence along with picnic table (lots of animations), grill and plenty of eats. You can watch a movie when the sun hides for the day.

The trailer is roomy enough for easy filming.

Drawers open and the bottom bed comes with a variety of sleep animations.


The new merry-go-round has been moved to the Full Sim City park. Lots going on there and there will be more news with photos soon.

The high desert cabin in SNOW has a bit of a retro face lift with some new furnishings.

The magazine rack will let you change the magazines to fit your theme and that might just come in handy.



That's the news for the day.