The virtual Burning Man at Burning Life, that is! The main event, and what a rush — albeit, a laggy one. There's something that immeasurably transcends the technical humbug when 200 (a little over that) Residents gather in close proximity to repeatedly shout "FIRE!" and related, spirited exclamations. (Thanx to all who helped me decide whether you'd rather be a narwhal, walrus, or manatee.) A lot of community spirit, that's what.
And I needed it too, because those damn SmartHeap errors kept crashing me and interfering with my experience as I took snapshots amidst the crowds. But not even that and a sluggishly-rezzing field of gray avatars could keep me away…
Ravenelle & I were onscene to film the US-friendly time of the 2 burnings, and I made a video afterwards. Including previous stills I captured, I uploaded it to Vimeo, which has great quality. And if you yearn for more, watch the vid on its original page which allows "true HD" so you can enjoy it in all its, well, high-definition glory! WARNING: Contains pixel nudity.
If you're wondering how I got transitions to sync in time like organic clockwork, watch my "How to beat-sync songs to video in Sony Vegas" video tutorial. 
Here's some more pix; this is just a small taste of everything that happened:
Praise to each & everyone who made this possible: artist creators, BL Rangers, Linden Lab organizers, Residents of… Second Life!
![Torley posted a photo:[13:53] White Lebed: When I met Jayjay and joined the UWA sims as an artist-in-residence I didn't know much about this place. Once I realize what an amazingly special wonderful program this small team runs I was so impressed. And I wanted everybody know about what is going on here. Since it is better to see once than hear 100 times, I thought it would be the best way to tell the world about them is to invite machinima artists and ask them to film it. It was wonderful to be able to see this place through your eyes. And I love that the machinimas we got were not just advertisements, they were wonderful art pieces. What I never expected is that Jay will turn out to be the best fundraiser in thPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4341983054_53aed5ab46_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:53] White Lebed: When I met Jayjay and joined the UWA sims as an artist-in-residence I didn't know much about this place. Once I realize what an amazingly special wonderful program this small team runs I was so impressed. And I wanted everybody know about what is going on here. Since it is better to see once than hear 100 times, I thought it would be the best way to tell the world about them is to invite machinima artists and ask them to film it. It was wonderful to be able to see this place through your eyes. And I love that the machinimas we got were not just advertisements, they were wonderful art pieces. What I never expected is that Jay will turn out to be the best fundraiser in thPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:47] Jayjay Zifanwe: CISKO VANDEVERRE, Berlin, GermanySEEKwww.youtube.com/watch?v=H6zbFx3DxwsPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4341231363_c8b3458d23_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:47] Jayjay Zifanwe: CISKO VANDEVERRE, Berlin, GermanySEEKwww.youtube.com/watch?v=H6zbFx3DxwsPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:44] Jayjay Zifanwe shouts: BRADLEY DORCHESTER, Perth, AustraliaMachinimUWA: Art Architecture, Research, Teachingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1k80dA3I8Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4341230493_2f782e6088_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:44] Jayjay Zifanwe shouts: BRADLEY DORCHESTER, Perth, AustraliaMachinimUWA: Art Architecture, Research, Teachingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1k80dA3I8Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:42] Jayjay Zifanwe: COLEMARIE SOLEIL, Florida USA UWA Machinima Challenge Submissionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIQP-YrYLwPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4341963584_bda095aac6_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:42] Jayjay Zifanwe: COLEMARIE SOLEIL, Florida USA UWA Machinima Challenge Submissionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIQP-YrYLwPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:38] Jayjay Zifanwe: CHANTAL HARVEY, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity of Western Australia in Second Lifewww.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_pc90Eu4k[13:39] Jayjay Zifanwe: I want to say hi to all machinimatographers and their friends, fans and crews.Before I go into details, I want to express that I am very sorry that I cannot be here myself, at this ceremony - my real life got in the way. My boss wont give me the night off, not even for an important event like this. (cries). My ONE chance to meet the famous Torley and ask him to consider being a part of the MMIF machinima festival on the 20th of Februari - down the drain!Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4341958070_318b895425_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:38] Jayjay Zifanwe: CHANTAL HARVEY, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity of Western Australia in Second Lifewww.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_pc90Eu4k[13:39] Jayjay Zifanwe: I want to say hi to all machinimatographers and their friends, fans and crews.Before I go into details, I want to express that I am very sorry that I cannot be here myself, at this ceremony - my real life got in the way. My boss wont give me the night off, not even for an important event like this. (cries). My ONE chance to meet the famous Torley and ask him to consider being a part of the MMIF machinima festival on the 20th of Februari - down the drain!Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:36] Jayjay Zifanwe: LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWAblip.tv/file/3147141 (LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWA blip.tv/file/3147141)Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4341206009_e30658c02b_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:36] Jayjay Zifanwe: LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWAblip.tv/file/3147141 (LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWA blip.tv/file/3147141)Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
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ah that's a great machinima, really like the edits
Da Philip Linden with all Chicks!!
)
Really Nice Vid. Very well made
Nice video? Not really.
More "Second Life" propaganda B(S)T.
'Hey you, come to this -Wonderful-(ugh) (resource consuming) online world, which is 100% perfect in each and every way, like Mary Poppins!!'
The majority of users can't even run the client smoothly in 1280×720 (Marginal HD) or 1920×1080 (Full HD) and here you are, advertising "Second Life" with a HD video!!
The Torley-branded 'Totoro' video, avaliable on Torley's blog (Early 2008) although awkward like all other amateur videos, is heaps better.
Nice screenshots, btw.
@Dizzy: Thx, I like using time to sync to time.
@Alvi: Yeah — while I haven't seen Southland Tales, Philip's presence with the naked Burners somehow gave me that vibe. I bet they were so excited to meet him.
@dm_k: Nah, this is just my own recollection of what happened (my wife has her own take with a LOT more comprehensive scenes, coming up).
I also showed a lot of gray/rezzing avatars and mentioned my tech troubles — the key thing here is to KEEP GOING! despite such adversity.
(And live by example.)
Thanks for the the most mixed comment I've had in awhile! That'll keep it interesting!
Great video, but WOW! the volume seems way too high.
WTG – Niiiice edits
cool perspective of the event over all – Art, Fire & Community – ty for taking the time to do this 
@Chris: Hm, more details on that please? Is it distorting? I checked levels and it looks/sounds fine to me.
@Poid: Hai Poid! My pleasure! Thanx for contributing so many pics to the Burning Life Flickr group?
oh Torley as much as i loved the video it was the music that captured me! I was searching for music that would be a good fit for my SL store and WOW!!!
I'm listening to Trifonic now on their site
now off i go to search for tutorials on playing music in SL
Awsomesauce!
Good work Torley…
You amplify my arson.
@maihem: w00t w00t! Yeah, I <3 Trifonic's tunes el mucho.
@Charlene: AHHAHAHAAH I'M A FIRESTARTERRRRRRRRRR
Hello. And Bye.