Dance, Voldo, Dance
| Dance, Voldo, Dance | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Game(s) | Soulcalibur |
| Running time | 6 minutes |
| Created by | Chris Brandt |
| Directed by | Chris Brandt |
| Music by | Nelly (original), Tana Rusitanonta (final) |
| Actor control | Chris Brandt, "Msr. M" |
| Production company | Bain Street Productions |
| Release(s) | October 2002 – |
Dance, Voldo, Dance is a machinima-based music video produced in 2002 by Chris Brandt. The video, created using the fighting game Soulcalibur, features two players both controlling the character Voldo, using existing in-game animation to have the characters perform a synchronized dance to the song "Hot in Herre" by musician Nelly. The result of over a week's full-time preparation and training, the video was conceived after Brandt noticed the character's animations and attacks could be triggered in sync with the beat of a song, and the reactions of onlookers to such a display. While several groups demonstrated interest in showcasing the video, complications arose from the copyright holders whose works were involved in creation.
The video has been well received, cited as one of the first examples of machinima-based music videos, and has since spawned several fan-based imitations with Voldo dancing to various songs. Several sources such as The Village Voice have praised the video for its choreography and presentation, while several books and college professors have cited it as a notable example of machinima animation in lectures on the subject. It was also nominated at the 2005 Machinima Film Festival awards for Best Virtual Performance, and served as part of an exhibit for the San Jose Museum of Art.
In February 2002, while listening to music and playing Soulcalibur with Jesse Reklaw with both playing as Voldo, Chris Brandt noticed that because Reklaw didn't often play video games, he often utilized repetitive motions on the controller to attack. Brandt decided to mimic his gameplay, resulting in what he describes as "an impromptu dance of sorts". When the music playing in the background changed to "Move Bitch", Brandt noticed a consistent time interval for all of Voldo's motions, and had the character's movement follow the beat of the music. Reklaw noticed and followed in rhythm, entertaining onlookers with the results. Later in September, Brandt met up with Reklaw and other friends, and the subject turned to what had happened in February. Deciding to demonstrate it, the two played against each other using Voldo again, with the characters "dancing" to various songs. Noticing the audience seemed to enjoy the homoerotic nature of Voldo's animation, and decided to develop something from the concept.
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