Project 1 Research and 1 Slide

Alrighty, here we have a really neat short film I found. Click the link and check it out!  Link to Video

Summary of Live Media by David Saltz

Saltz's Definition of Interactive Media

•     Saltz firs begins by defining interactive media as the sounds and images stored and created on a computer in response to a performers actions

•    Saltz continued to define three critical features that distinguish interactive media from linear media

1. Random access
2. An arbitrary link between trigger and output
3. Media manipulation                  

•  Saltz then explained the importance of making the live media respond to the performer as apposed to the actor responding to the media.  If it is done by the actor responding to the media, the performer is bound by the program and in the event of a slight error or a slight bit of improvisation, the dancer's actions will be clearly wrong as they will not match the preprogrammed media. 

3 Productions by Saltz Using Live Media

• Medicated Interactions: Hair
• In this production, the audience is joined with the performers from a unique atmosphere created when the actors were experiencing drug-related visualizations.  He did this by projecting images of the actors floating through the air along with a keyboard that added even more seemingly random media to the performances.

• If the Walls Could Talk: Kaspar
• In this production, an large, omnipotent eyeball was controlled by an offstage computer operator. This eye followed Kaspar around offering him advise and sometimes would close and display images or text that befitted Kaspar.  Also, voice sensors were used to activate and deactivate the voices that Kaspar was hearing, all at the sound of Kaspar's voice.  

• Real Time Motion Capture: The Tempest
• In this production, the role of Ariel was played by an actress in a motion capture suit.  Her actions were recorded, interpreted, and re-displayed on a large projection screen where the other actors interacted with the on-screen character, ignoring the actress in the suit.

The relationship between Performer and Media

• Saltz next discussed what he called a taxonomy of media that can be added to a performance
• Virtual Scenery
• Interactive Costumes
• Alternate Perspective
• Subjective Perspectives  - thoughts or dreams
• Illustrations
• Commentary
• Diegetic Media - media within the world of the narrative
• Affective Media - media used to produce an emotional effect on the audience
• Synesthesia - using media to stimulate one sense organ to simulate another
• Instrumental Media
• Virtual Puppetry - using media to create a performers double
• Dramatic Media - media that dramatically interacts with the character in the narrative

• Saltz made it clear that this list is not exhaustive or mutually exclusive.

A Project from My Portfolio

3D Insect Project

    - As the title hints this project was designed to challenge us to create a 3D insect with OpenGL 

    -Each body part has the capability of moving. The legs move up and down/ forward and back and the   

      forearms move forward and back.  The head moves up and down as well.

    - Below are a few screen shots of the bug.  The bug can be downloaded HERE

Lamp Animation Project

     - Here we were assigned to design a basic 2D lamp and have it perform some form of animation

     - Below you can see a picture of the lamp after it has completed the animation.  

     - To see the full animation click HERE and download the executable file.  Once it is open press the "A"       

        key and you will see the lamp work its magic.

  

      

Dance Related Video

Howdy!

Last year in our Algorithms class we were introduced to several interpretive dances helping us better understand certain sorting algorithms.  They were quite enjoyable and beneficial. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaqR3G_NVoo