Machinima was conceived fundamentally on the premise of actual game performances and events within the digital game realm. Machinima wasn't merely borne out of game developer ingenuity, but was an appropriation of game engines by players themselves to create visual art within digital games. Machinima has evolved from the gaming world to the celluloid world and has broken through other applications: business, education, fashion, concert and exhibition events, shopping and advertising. Like any venture into filmmaking, machinima has to undergo three distinct stages, each requiring elements basic to movie production.
This stage begins with the primary steps essential to any undertaking: collaborative contract and funds allocation. Writers then craft the plot for subsequent story creation. Scripts may be taken from existing works, freshly written or a combination of both. Audio capture (including music and instrumentals) and shot lists are prepared. Locations and gear bookings are sought based on generated storyboards. A timeline is set, along with plans for communication and risk management. "Actors" are cast, and this is done with actual casting calls for voice and body actors. The script is distributed to the actors, along with pertinent information on the dialogues, such as voice overlapping.
Cast and crew work on location in the actual shooting of the movie. Location is within a suitable video game engine. In machinima film production, the challenge to get the medium adapted to the script requirements has to be overcome. Machinima producers can even customize game aspects to conform to script requirements. Otherwise, the script is modified.
Production should be engaged in such a way that the finished film does not merely resemble game footages with overlaid voices. It requires extensive camera work, where real-time action within the game is filmed and edited concurrently, and appropriate voice acting and sound effects are applied.
The final stage entails final editing of computer graphics and fine tuning of special effects. This is also when any supplementary audio is inserted, and musical scoring and titling are performed.