Machinima

Machinima is a type of CGI filming style, using pre-rendered models from video games. Red vs Blue is a popular Halo 1 and Halo 2 machinima. Other popular Halo machinima include The Codex, Fire Team Charlie, Spriggs, Arby 'n' the Chief and Deus Ex Machina.

Another definition of machinima is posted at halomovies.org:

"Machinima (muh-sheen-eh-mah) or machine cinema and/or "machine" "animation", is both a collection of associated production techniques and a film genre. As a film genre, the term refers to movies created by using tools and resources available in a commercial game engine. By combining the techniques of filmmaking, animation production and the technology of real-time 3D game engines, Machinima makes for a very cost-and time-efficient way to produce films, with a large amount of creative control."

Machinima in Halo: Combat Evolved, such as Red vs. Blue (seasons 1, 2, and 3 before the Halo 2 Saga), was filmed using the pistol and panning using editing software. In the Halo 2 Saga, it was filmed using a glitch. This glitch gives you no weapons. All that was left was to edit out the radar and the HUD.

The Theater Lobby, or saved films feature, in Halo 3, presented a large advantage to machinima makers, especially those like DigitalPh33r, Rooster Teeth, and Thomas Productions, using it almost as well as a regular cameraman would.

Known Halo Machinimas
NOTE: The following machinimas are a list made by Halo fans, so some of these Machinimas may not be very well known.


 * Red vs Blue: The Blood Gulch Chronicles by Rooster Teeth
 * Deus Ex Machina by DigitalPh33r
 * Arby' N' The Chief and Master Chief Sucks at Halo by DigitalPh33r (Master Chief Sucks at Halo has since stopped running and has been replaced by the former). Though not exactly machinimas, in-game footage and Halo action figures are used.
 * Spriggs by Running Gun Productions
 * The Codex
 * Abnormality by DigitalPh33r (Finished)
 * Fire Team Charlie
 * The Spartan Effect
 * Matchmaking by Darkspire Films
 * Prophecy by Dispatch Films
 * Outpost: Isil by Treeskunk Productions
 * Marlin the Elite
 * Deserted by BlubbaProductions  (Finished)
 * Jerry and Blarginsnarf by Herzantix
 * It's A Wonderful Live by DigitalPh33r
 * Lost: Halo Style by Injured knee
 * Lost Cause
 * The Forgotten Spartans
 * This Spartan Life
 * The Heretic (prequel to The Codex)
 * Game Experience May Change During Online Play by Across the Waves
 * Red Vs. Blue: Out of Mind by Rooster Teeth
 * Red Vs. Blue: Recovery One by Rooster Teeth
 * Rise of the Spartans
 * The Scum of Xbox Live by Across the Waves
 * The GOMD By the UK Gamers GOMD division.
 * Red Vs. Blue Reconstruction by Rooster Teeth
 * Big Food: Potato Warrior by Machine Enema
 * Inside Halo by "SodaGod" and "The Dead Pixel" (a weekly news show on Halo)
 * Pregame Lobby by Harabek
 * Brotherhood
 * Halo 3 Confirmed Kills (a Top 10 kills show)
 * Infection
 * ELEMENTAL (Work in Progress) by Swan Gun Studios
 * The Flood
 * It's a Halo Thing (Flash cartoon)
 * Halo 4? (Work in Progress)
 * The Master Chief Series by GuitarmasterX7
 * Halo 3: Voicemail Theater by Machinima
 * The Ally by Ruptured Martyr Studios (Work in progress. Trailer is up though)
 * Hollywood Halo
 * Halo Nerds
 * DigitalPh33r's Guide to Making Halo 3 Machinima by DigitalPh33r
 * The PuzzledBread Show by HappyHour Films
 * PreGame Lobby by Harabek
 * Chairleg Productions
 * The Bag Boy, Over Achiever, and The GunStop Way by Smooth Few Films
 * Murphy the Grunt by HaloSeceretWeapon