seems like

The online version of the doco has no sound, I will try and fix it up, but if I cant the DV version with sound can be found on my hand in in folder.

Final Doco Blip.tv

Reflecting the on the performance

I think that the performance went pretty well, the controller worked most of the time (had to use the panic switch once or twice) also 1 scene seem to have been skipped in the presentation, that is why I couldn't quite make the 5mins. But not counting those couple of things the performance went really well, and I really enjoyed watching other people's performance too.

Movies 2

here is an un edited, uncut look at some of the movies in the performance, and some that did not make it in : )

MAX/MSP patch seems to be coming along

I have been working on the patch, the only trouble I have is the logic of building a video choices, Its easy to choose from 2, but when 2 is choosing and the video moves on, thats when it becomes a mess : (

Panic switch installed

I installed a hidden panic switch, just encase something does not bang or max msp hangs on a movie clip, the hidden : ) panic switch will bang it along no meter what and since sometimes the switches go not on me, its a good thing HAHAHA

LEDs Installed

I hooked up 4 LEDs to my physical model, they are 2 Reds and 2 Greens, they represent choices that happen in the movie, so it serves as somewhat of a guide for the audience. They seem to be working all good, I am trying to find a way so they clink or signal at what choice has been selected when the ball touches a switch.

Switches Installed

I installed the switches, they seem to be working pretty well, sometimes they don't work so will have to look into a way of getting around it, so far I am happy with the project, I just hope to god it will work on the day : )

switches explained

I got the switches working, only problem is that the switches are so sensetive, that once the ball lands on it and bounces it shoots a bang more than once, so I will have to program the max/msp patch to suit this new crazy problem that has just come up.

further progress

I have installed the switches, they are pressure sensitive, so if an object is dropped on the pad max msp can detect this, so that is how the choices will be made during the performance.

Footage

here is the footage I took for the performance, the footage was taken using a series a pictures instead of film. Remember that this film is about choices people make. Since its still in raw form, the after effects work has not yet been done, but during the performance there will be a clear indication of the choices that our character faces

Touch switch

Here are some shots of the touch sensitive switch, the good thing about this switch I made is that ass soon as something lands on it (the ball) the switch will be set off. 4 of these will be placed at the bottom of the controller, so that when the ball hits one it will influence the visual as stated in the brief. The switches are made of aluminum. Tried and works great, I do have a video of this which will be uploaded later.

More model shots

Here are some more shots of the finished controller

Building the physical

Here are some development shots of the physical object, its coming along quite nicely. Now i just have to figure out a way to build pressure sensitive switches that will work with the slightest bump.

Some Experimentatio

Here are some experiments I did to try and get the arduino to communicate with MAX msp, it seem to work ok, now I have to figure out how to make a pressure sensitive switch.

Concept Slides

Here is the slides of my initial concept, seems like this is pretty solid and this is what I will be going with for now.

visual experimentation

I got right into it and started doing some visual experimentations, these experimentations are supposed to relate to the idea of pinball machines and their visual representation of your score and also some little movies that may pop up as someone plays.

Pinball machines in the early 90's had lcds which had limited capabilities to display proper coloured pictures. This had led to some interesting visuals that were all made with only a few hundred pixels, which is nothing compared with todays lcds which have.

Response to reading

I actually found this reading by ___ really interesting, I enjoyed the 1st chapter where it talked about the language of cinema. Being a huge fan of experimental silent films of the early 1900's, I found that I could relate to what its saying about images vs words.

The next section titles Cinema Language vs Live Cinema Language talks about the difference between conventional film vs live film. It points out some facts for example that "cinema is constituted by shots and their order" while live cinema is described as being constructed by one person alone, on the spot. The reading also points out that all movies have a very similar structure (begging, middle and end).

The reading also covers Montages and the history of montages, which is relates to vjing in alto of ways.

Concept and Ideas for visual

For my visual I am thinking of using the visuals style of a pinball machine. This will go well with my concept where speedy visuals is essential.

Here is an example of how the visuals work in a pinball machine.

Concept and Ideas 1

Concept:

My concept for this project is to create a controller where even the person with the controller is unable to predict exactly what could happens.

Some of the objects I have been looking into relate to this controller are:

Dice

Playing Cards

Roulette

Casino Games

Coin Flip



In real life is there such thing as random?

Project 2 STARTS

Project from here on out

Final Doco

This is the final documentation film for the project.

The cat hates it!

My cat seems to hate this project and gives it two thumbs down, bad cat!

Finished !

$94.50 and 2 nervous brake downs I have finally finished the final model, which I will call a prototype. While yes I will admit that it wont last in a museum... will probably even break if one may look at it the wrong way (this is because of the sophisticated technology inside which consists mostly of rubber bands and nails).

I did learn an important thing during this project, its that I suck at making things, or alt least making things durable. but hey at least it works.... I hope

Visual

Here are some shots from the visuals...

So it will have 2 states, one is being Closed, where a user can watch what is going on on screen, but he can not interact or participate in it. Kind of like radio that was not open to the public. The second phase is Open where the user can actually talk into a microphone to move the pictures. This means that the actual public can have their say or have their own radio station without the control of the government

Visual Update

Today I collected some 1960's - 1970's footage of politics NZ in that era, this will be used to say "control" in my device. I will cut it together to make it look like propaganda hehe, I aim to make the visuals somewhat surreal and abstract instead of just going for straight facts... "re-mixing" to create mu own story : )

More Development shots & How cats may interact with object...

This is just another update of the physical object development, it seems that every time I think I have cut out all the pieces I need, some always end up not fitting into place, which really sucks. Oh well, hope I can finish on time...

Here are the development shots for the object stand

The cats love it by the way : )

Update "Looking good"

I started putting my final physical object together, it is looking really really nice. I decided to add some stencils onto my objects, with instructions and and what not just to make sure people can use it the way its meant to be used. I am on track and my goal is to finish the physical object by this saturday or sunday so I can spend the rest of the time on finishing up the visual and audio part of this assignment. I will have a video of my visual part up tomorrow.

Feed back and visual

From to feed back I received a couple of days ago, I started designing my visual side of the assignment, what I might do to make it more interactive is make it that an animations is triggered by the users voice, getting across the idea of free speach.

So an example is a mouth on screen that may only move when someone speaks into the device. Here is an example I filmed:

Research

I found some interesting information and immages from the history of new Zealand radio in the 1970's.

http://www.radioheritage.net/Story115.asp

3D mock up

Here is a mock up I made of my physical model. So what happens here is that the user has to twist the dials in order to experience the visuals. The actual model will be made out of wood and plastic. While durability is a big concern I think it will be able to stand up to "relative" fore. But I do think if someone comes in with the intention of breaking the objects, in that case yes it can break, I cant make it invincible....