Avatar mediated cinema

In this paper, we describe an example of integrating video within a virtual environment, demonstrating a new form of visual storytelling we term spatial cinema. A subset of machinima documentary video footage is discussed for the potential for "cinema veritar." We focus on issues affecting avatar viewing experience: scale, placement and progression through the space; and avatar emotional experience including attention and viewer identity with the avatar. We also discuss cinematic techniques designed to take control of the avatar for special, scripted avatar events. We argue that avatar viewing and, even more importantly, avatar experience will prove central to evolving techniques of storytelling and narrative.