I was asked how to create a feedback effects using just the edge of a persons outline. This is how i’d go about it.
1) Use either a Kinect mask (via Ni-mate or similar) or a green screen video. I am using a free download green screen video.
2) Threshold then ‘fills’ the person with white.
3) The Edge then ives you an outline.
4) The video mixer and Spinner actors create the feedback loop. Changing the zoom from 90-120 give good effects. You can also spin the feedback – as you can see me doing. The mix amount can vary; play around with this yourself. Start on 50 so you can see 50:50 and then alter it to your desired effect.
5) The contrast adjust brings the white back up again – this will vary depending on your video feed. I find the IN MAX to 10-12 works ok.
6) Add some motion blur. This is processor hungry so you can always skip this.
7) Out to your stage/projector.
8) I also created a second projector and layered it over the top; using a feed direct from the edge. This will sit on top of the other layer sits more obvious where the person is.
9) OPTIONAL: add more effects such as a coloriser. Add other effects too!
I recently stumbled across this amazing audio responsive software called Bazik.*
I have been after an audio visualisation tool for a while to incorporate into my Isadora VJ patches. And wow this one really hits the nail on the head.
I also love that “You can add Quartz animations or Shader GLSL” effects!
Here is a short demo on how I set it up.
*NOTE: this was limited to 100 downloads for the beta stage – very sorry!
Every now and again I like to post some video that I’ve seen. Here they are;
A music video/live performance all done using Z-Vector; VJ Julius Tuomisto and his Z Vector software from Delicode. I love this type of live, real time visuals.
Isadora user ‘Lanz’ posted this on the forum. A very fun, vibrant and interesting piece. Lovely digital scenery! [More info here]
“Taking inspiration from fairy tales, In A Deep Dark Wood is a fun and interactive show about a little girl who bravely ventures into a dark and mysterious wood. Encountering tempting trees to climb and beguiling creatures, the tale unfolds as the young audience help to create a magical world using shadow and light to guide the little girl through her bewitching adventure.”
Last but not least check out ‘The zero hour’ by Imitating the Dog.
“Taking as its starting point the final moments of the Second World War in Berlin, The Zero Hour follows the stories of three couples living through three very different versions of the same historical events”
If you have any cool videos to share then add them to the comments below.
I managed to get some footage of a project I was helping with a few weeks back.
This was held at the Barbican Theatre/Performance Venue in London, UK. My friend Dan Shorten (from Anomic) who works as Guild Hall School of Drama had students help out and we helped the Barbican promote the spaces and areas they have for potential clients.
I helped with some of the mapping and made sure Isadora ran smoothly. Which it did… of course!
I decided to put together a little demo of how I would map a basic cube in Isadora using standard Isadora actors. No IsadoraCore upgrade or third party installers required. This should work on Mac and PC also.
I have to stress this is very basic but for some it could be very interesting and extremely useful. I decided to zip the files and media so you can open it and follow it as you go along.
World Stage Design 2013 ‘Isadora and Interactivity’ workshop.
I am pleased to announce that I will be doing a workshop at World Stage Design 2013 in the UK, Cardiff, Wales on Friday 13th September.
This one day course will cover key areas of the Isadora software. And its use as an interactive tool. The workshop will cover many topics that are relevant to a wide range of disciplines including dance, theatre, VJ/DJ and technician/installation.
Delegates will have the opportunity to gain an insight including real-life tips and tricks, from one of the UK’s top Isadora experts (me!).
Who should attend?
Professionals and students within all areas of theatre design
A good friend Dan Shorten from Anomic (Multi-Media Theatre) hired me for various projects in 2012 and January 2013. You can see a trail of these events in my past posts.
Basically I worked in all of the development stages and then worked in the background as a sort of’ technical supervision’ role for all three of the projects in the video. If Isadora had any hick-ups I could jump in and solve and problems; especially in Helsinki were the conditions were so extreme.
This professional video from Polymath films did a fantastic job as they followed Dan and the various projects from start to finish. I was lucky enough to be interviewed at the Heslinki Event at LUX too; you can find my section from 7:10 (but watch it all its well worth it!)
Graham Thorne 
