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{{Infobox Film
{{Infobox film
| name = Second Skin
| name = Second Skin
| image =
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| caption =
| director = Juan Carlos Pineiro-Escoriaza
| director = Juan Carlos Piñeiro Escoriaza
| producer = Peter Schieffelin Brauer & Victor M. Piñeiro III
| producer = Peter Schieffelin Brauer & Victor Piñeiro Escoriaza
| writer = Victor Pineiro-Escoriaza
| writer = Victor Piñeiro Escoriaza
| narrator =
| narrator =
| starring =
| starring =
| music = David Gregory Byrne
| music = David Gregory Byrne
| cinematography = Juan Carlos Pineiro-Escoriaza
| cinematography = Juan Carlos Piñeiro Escoriaza
| editing = Juan Carlos Pineiro-Escoriaza
| editing = Juan Carlos Piñeiro Escoriaza
| distributor =
| distributor =
| released = March 7, 2008 <br />DVD August 25, 2009
| released = {{film date|2008|3|7||2009|8|25|DVD}}
| runtime = 95 minutes
| runtime = 95 minutes
| country = USA
| country = US
| language =
| language =
| budget =
| budget =
| gross =
| gross =
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
}}
}}


'''''Second Skin''''' is a [[2008 in film|2008]] American [[documentary film]] that follows the lives of seven people as they delve in to the world of [[MMORPGs]] (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games). The film was directed by Juan Carlos Pineiro Escoriaza and produced by Victor Pineiro Escoriaza and Peter Brauer.
'''''Second Skin''''' is a [[2008 in film|2008]] American [[documentary film]] that follows the lives of seven people as they delve into the world of [[MMORPGs]] (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games). The film was directed by Juan Carlos Piñeiro Escoriaza and produced by Victor Piñeiro Escoriaza and Peter Brauer.


Second Skin premiered to positive reviews and sold-out crowds at the [[South by Southwest]] film festival in 2008. It became the No. 1 movie on online streaming site [[Hulu.com]], before completing a limited theatrical run. The film was released on DVD August 25, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secondskinfilm.com/ |title=Home &#124; Second Skin |publisher=Secondskinfilm.com |date= |accessdate=2013-09-01}}</ref> It is frequently included in lists of the all-time best video game documentaries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2014/04/video-game-documentaries-you-need-to-watch/|title = Know Your History: 10 Video Game Documentaries You Need to Watch|website = [[Complex Networks]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amc.com/talk/2009/12/the-top-five-do |title=Blogs - The Top Five Documentaries About Video Games - AMC |website=www.amc.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617210959/http://www.amc.com/talk/2009/12/the-top-five-do |archive-date=2015-06-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://heavy.com/games/2013/07/know-your-history-the-15-best-video-game-documentaries/|title = Know Your History: The 15 Best Video Game Documentaries|date = 15 July 2013}}</ref><ref>http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/games/stories/1331616500433/the-best-video-game-documentaries-ever {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2022}}</ref>
<!-- The second (and remaining) paragraphs should be a brief treatment of the film's impact: whether critics liked the film (and why), whether it was a commercial success, whether sequels to or remakes of the film were produced, and whether it had any significant influence outside the world of film. -->


==Summary==
==Summary==

===Plot===
===Synopsis===
'''''Second Skin''''' examines people whose lives have been transformed by virtual worlds in online games such as ''[[World of Warcraft]]'', ''[[Everquest]]'', ''[[Everquest|Everquest II]]'' and ''[[Second Life]]''. The documentary follows a group of online gamers whose lives are intensely woven together inside and outside the virtual worlds, a couple whose lives have changed since meeting online, and an avid player whose life spins out of control due to his addiction to playing MMOs. It also presents disabled players who have been given voice and mobility in the virtual world and explores the controversial world of Chinese gold farming and presents astonishing facts about online gaming.
''Second Skin'' examines people whose lives have been transformed by virtual worlds in online games such as ''[[World of Warcraft]]'', ''[[EverQuest]]'', ''[[EverQuest|EverQuest II]]'' and ''[[Second Life]]''. The documentary follows a group of online gamers whose lives are intensely woven together inside and outside the virtual worlds, a couple whose lives have changed since meeting online, and an avid player whose life spins out of control due to his addiction to playing MMOs. It also presents disabled players who have been given voice and mobility in the virtual world and explores the controversial world of Chinese gold farming and presents facts about online gaming.


===Cast===
===Cast===
The film follows three distinct stories involving seven people:
The film follows three distinct stories involving seven people:
*Heather Cowan, an ''EverQuest II'' player that lives in Florida;
*Heather Cowan, an ''EverQuest II'' player that lives in Florida;
*Kevin Keel, an ''EverQuest II'' player from Texas that develops an in-game relationship with Heather that moves from an online status to a physical relationship;
*Kevin Keel, an ''EverQuest II'' player from Texas develops an in-game relationship with Heather that moves from an online status to a physical relationship;
*Matt Ellsworth and Chris Mitchell, housemates in [[Fort Wayne, Indiana]] who play ''World of Warcraft'' and other MMOs for over 40 hours a week;
*Matt Ellsworth and Chris Mitchell, housemates in [[Fort Wayne, Indiana]] who play ''World of Warcraft'' and other MMOs for over 40 hours a week;
*Anthony Cronin, a housemate with Matt and Chris whose life changes by getting married;
*Anthony Cronin, a housemate with Matt and Chris whose life changes by getting married;
*Andy Belford, a ''World of Warcraft'' player (who moved to Ft. Wayne from California to be closer to Anthony, Matt, and Chris) and his wife Karalee, and the changes in their lives after Karalee becomes pregnant;
*Andy Belford, a ''World of Warcraft'' player (who moved to Ft. Wayne from California to be closer to Anthony, Matt, and Chris) and his wife Karalee, and the changes in their lives after Karalee becomes pregnant;
*Dan Bustard, an ''EverQuest'' player whose addiction to the game cost him his relationship, his business, his health and his home. He connects with OLGA ([[Online Gamers Anonymous]]) during his attempt to kick the addiction to gaming.
*Dan Bustard, a ''World of Warcraft'' player whose addiction to the game cost him his relationship, his business, his health and his home. He connects with OLGA (Online Gamers Anonymous) during his attempt to kick his addiction to gaming.


Other players, doctors, and the founder of OLGA appear.
Other players, doctors, and the founder of OLGA appear.

===Conclusion===
In the coda of the documentary it is established that:
*Heather and Kevin continue to date;
*Matt and Chris remain roommates;
*Anthony and his wife recently celebrated their anniversary;
*Andy and Karalee moved to Virginia where Andy is employed as a community coordinator for Warhammer Online;
*Andy, Anthony, Matt, and Chris continue to play World of Warcraft together weekly;
*Dan has regained his health, is maintaining his own business, and occasionally logs in to Warcraft.

<!--
==Background/Production==
Included here should be a history of the film's background and development, such as how many studios, actors, directors and writers were involved with the project at one point or another. Continuing onto the production of the film, facts such as filming dates, budget figures, any noteworthy tidbits (such as delays, reshoots etc.) should be transformed into prose. Comments from the cast and crew are also welcomed.
-->

<!--
==Cast and crew information==
Background information about the cast and crew should be provided, ideally as well-written prose. . . . The key is to provide plenty of added value "behind the scenes" background production information, without simply re-iterating IMDB. Of course, some film articles will lend themselves to one style better than others.
-->


==Distribution==
==Distribution==
⚫
''Second Skin'' made its world premiere at the [[South By Southwest]] film festival, showcased as a Spotlight Premiere.<ref>{{cite news |title=2008 SXSW lineup |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980221.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2564 |work=Variety |date=2008-02-04}}</ref>
'''''Second Skin''''' will be available on DVD [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_0_14?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=full+grown+men+dvd&x=0&y=0&sprefix=full+grown+men /Amazon], and [http://netflix.com/ Netflix] on August 25th, 2009


''Second Skin'' was available for free viewing on [[Hulu]] between August 7 and August 13, 2009, courtesy of [[Honda]].
⚫
'''''Second Skin''''' made its world premiere at the [[South By Southwest]] film festival, showcased as a Spotlight Premiere.<ref>{{cite news |title=2008 SXSW lineup |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980221.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2564 |work=Variety |date=2008-02-04}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
The film has received critical acclaim from both the cinematic and gaming communities. When it premiered at the SXSW Film Festival in 2008, Ain’t It Cool News said that it was “by far the best documentary of the online gaming phenomenon known as MMORPGs out there. The filmmakers touch on just about every angle of these online games as they could."<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.aintitcool.com/node/36112 |title=Monki checks out NERDCORE RISING, BLIPFEST and SECOND SKIN from SXSW '08! - Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news |publisher=Aintitcool.com |date= |accessdate=2013-09-01}}</ref> The Austin Chronicle reported that "Mixing expert opinion with amazingly true testimonials, Second Skin might just be the most accurate and entertaining glimpse of the economy and psychology of technology since Tron."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A601632 |title=SXSW 08 Film Reviews: Second Skin - Screens |publisher=The Austin Chronicle |date= |accessdate=2013-09-01}}</ref>

Online game magazine ''The Escapist'' sums the film up in this way: "Documentary nuts walk away having seen a window into yet another strange world. And gamers walk away feeling like they had seen their life story, with slick editing, a peppy soundtrack, and the seductive polish of an Apple commercial." [[Richard Garriott]], creator of the successful Ultima and Tabula Rasa MMO’s, cited the film as "A superb documentary unveiling a digital subculture that has bridged the gaps of time, distance and humanity."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secondskinfilm.com/content/richard-garriott-loves-second-skin |title=Richard Garriott Loves Second Skin! &#124; Second Skin |publisher=Secondskinfilm.com |date= |accessdate=2013-09-01}}</ref>


== After Filming ==
''Variety'' described the movie as ""technically polished . . . fascinating and potentially commercial."<ref>{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Leydon |title=Second Skin |url=http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117936568.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 |work=Variety |date=2008-03-19 }}</ref> ''The Escapist'' review summed the film up thus: "Documentary nuts walk away having seen a window into yet another strange world. And gamers walk away feeling like they had seen seen their life story, with slick editing, a peppy soundtrack, and the seductive polish of an Apple commercial."<ref>{{cite news |first=N. Evan |last=Van Zelfden |title=SXSW: Underneath “Second Skin” |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/3038-SXSW-Underneath-Second-Skin |work=The Escapist |date=2008-03-18 }}</ref>
Heather Cowan passed away on [https://islandcremations.com/obituaries/heather-vye-cowan/1500/ February 26th, 2017.]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Remembering HEATHER VYE COWAN |url=https://islandcremations.com/obituaries/heather-vye-cowan/1500/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=islandcremations.com |language=en-US}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{official website|http://www.secondskinfilm.com/}}
*{{imdb title|id=1183696|title=Second Skin}}
* {{Amg movie|433058|Second Skin}}
*{{IMDb title|id=1183696|title=Second Skin}}
*[http://www.secondskinfilm.com Official Second Skin Website]
*{{YouTube|RPOxuOCGi9I|Second Skin trailer}}
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPOxuOCGi9I Second Skin trailer on youtube.com]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Second Skin}}
[[Category:2008 films]]
[[Category:2008 films]]
[[Category:American documentary films]]
[[Category:American documentary films]]
[[Category:Films about video games]]
[[Category:Documentary films about video games]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]

Latest revision as of 05:33, 22 December 2024

Second Skin
Directed byJuan Carlos Piñeiro Escoriaza
Written byVictor Piñeiro Escoriaza
Produced byPeter Schieffelin Brauer & Victor Piñeiro Escoriaza
CinematographyJuan Carlos Piñeiro Escoriaza
Edited byJuan Carlos Piñeiro Escoriaza
Music byDavid Gregory Byrne
Release dates
  • March 7, 2008 (2008-03-07)
  • August 25, 2009 (2009-08-25) (DVD)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUS

Second Skin is a 2008 American documentary film that follows the lives of seven people as they delve into the world of MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games). The film was directed by Juan Carlos Piñeiro Escoriaza and produced by Victor Piñeiro Escoriaza and Peter Brauer.

Second Skin premiered to positive reviews and sold-out crowds at the South by Southwest film festival in 2008. It became the No. 1 movie on online streaming site Hulu.com, before completing a limited theatrical run. The film was released on DVD August 25, 2009.[1] It is frequently included in lists of the all-time best video game documentaries.[2][3][4][5]

Summary

[edit]

Synopsis

[edit]

Second Skin examines people whose lives have been transformed by virtual worlds in online games such as World of Warcraft, EverQuest, EverQuest II and Second Life. The documentary follows a group of online gamers whose lives are intensely woven together inside and outside the virtual worlds, a couple whose lives have changed since meeting online, and an avid player whose life spins out of control due to his addiction to playing MMOs. It also presents disabled players who have been given voice and mobility in the virtual world and explores the controversial world of Chinese gold farming and presents facts about online gaming.

Cast

[edit]

The film follows three distinct stories involving seven people:

  • Heather Cowan, an EverQuest II player that lives in Florida;
  • Kevin Keel, an EverQuest II player from Texas develops an in-game relationship with Heather that moves from an online status to a physical relationship;
  • Matt Ellsworth and Chris Mitchell, housemates in Fort Wayne, Indiana who play World of Warcraft and other MMOs for over 40 hours a week;
  • Anthony Cronin, a housemate with Matt and Chris whose life changes by getting married;
  • Andy Belford, a World of Warcraft player (who moved to Ft. Wayne from California to be closer to Anthony, Matt, and Chris) and his wife Karalee, and the changes in their lives after Karalee becomes pregnant;
  • Dan Bustard, a World of Warcraft player whose addiction to the game cost him his relationship, his business, his health and his home. He connects with OLGA (Online Gamers Anonymous) during his attempt to kick his addiction to gaming.

Other players, doctors, and the founder of OLGA appear.

Distribution

[edit]

Second Skin made its world premiere at the South By Southwest film festival, showcased as a Spotlight Premiere.[6]

Second Skin was available for free viewing on Hulu between August 7 and August 13, 2009, courtesy of Honda.

Reception

[edit]

The film has received critical acclaim from both the cinematic and gaming communities. When it premiered at the SXSW Film Festival in 2008, Ain’t It Cool News said that it was “by far the best documentary of the online gaming phenomenon known as MMORPGs out there. The filmmakers touch on just about every angle of these online games as they could."[7] The Austin Chronicle reported that "Mixing expert opinion with amazingly true testimonials, Second Skin might just be the most accurate and entertaining glimpse of the economy and psychology of technology since Tron."[8]

Online game magazine The Escapist sums the film up in this way: "Documentary nuts walk away having seen a window into yet another strange world. And gamers walk away feeling like they had seen their life story, with slick editing, a peppy soundtrack, and the seductive polish of an Apple commercial." Richard Garriott, creator of the successful Ultima and Tabula Rasa MMO’s, cited the film as "A superb documentary unveiling a digital subculture that has bridged the gaps of time, distance and humanity."[9]

After Filming

[edit]

Heather Cowan passed away on February 26th, 2017.[10]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Home | Second Skin". Secondskinfilm.com. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
  2. ^ "Know Your History: 10 Video Game Documentaries You Need to Watch". Complex Networks.
  3. ^ "Blogs - The Top Five Documentaries About Video Games - AMC". www.amc.com. Archived from the original on 2015-06-17.
  4. ^ "Know Your History: The 15 Best Video Game Documentaries". 15 July 2013.
  5. ^ http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/games/stories/1331616500433/the-best-video-game-documentaries-ever [bare URL]
  6. ^ "2008 SXSW lineup". Variety. 2008-02-04.
  7. ^ "Monki checks out NERDCORE RISING, BLIPFEST and SECOND SKIN from SXSW '08! - Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news". Aintitcool.com. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
  8. ^ "SXSW 08 Film Reviews: Second Skin - Screens". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
  9. ^ "Richard Garriott Loves Second Skin! | Second Skin". Secondskinfilm.com. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
  10. ^ "Remembering HEATHER VYE COWAN". islandcremations.com. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
[edit]
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