One foot in reality

"Machinima," or films created in a virtual space such as Second Life, has officially gone Hollywood. HBO has paid a six-figure sum to acquire rights to a Machinima series written by Douglas Gayeton, a multimedia director.

According to New World Notes, the deal is a first for Machinima, which has since spurred a bidding war amongst US networks. It is likely also the largest distribution deal for a Machinima series to date.

HBO plans to submit the short film to the Oscars and Sundance, in addition to airing it next spring, NewTeeVee reports.

The film tells the story of Gayeton's virtual ego Molotov Alva, who goes missing from his LA home only to turn up in Second Life. The video has garnered half a million views since its first appearance on YouTube.

Watch the premiere installment here.