Second Skin (2008 film)
| Second Skin | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Juan Carlos Pineiro-Escoriaza |
| Written by | Victor Pineiro-Escoriaza |
| Produced by | Peter Schieffelin Brauer & Victor M. Piñeiro III |
| Cinematography | Juan Carlos Pineiro-Escoriaza |
| Edited by | Juan Carlos Pineiro-Escoriaza |
| Music by | David Gregory Byrne |
Release dates | March 7, 2008 DVD August 25, 2009 |
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | USA |
Second Skin is a 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.
Summary
Plot
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 astonishing facts about online gaming.
Cast
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 that 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, 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.
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.
Distribution
Second Skin will be available on DVD on August 25, 2009.[citation needed]
Second Skin made its world premiere at the South By Southwest film festival, showcased as a Spotlight Premiere.[1]
Reception
Variety described the movie as ""technically polished . . . fascinating and potentially commercial."[2] 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."[3]
References
- ^ "2008 SXSW lineup". Variety. 2008-02-04.
- ^ Leydon, Joe (2008-03-19). "Second Skin". Variety.
- ^ Van Zelfden, N. Evan (2008-03-18). "SXSW: Underneath "Second Skin"". The Escapist.