Thesis+Outline

Thesis – Anne McMeeking -

“ In the simultaneous use of the living actor and the talking picture in the theatre there lies a wholly new theatrical art, whose possibilities are as infinite as those of speech itself.” –Robert Edmund Jones

“Its about using the best parts of existing media to create something new from the familiar. This process widens our canvas as artists, giving us more tools to work with as we craft stories and dream up new ways to engage and transform our audiences.” – Dana Mott, Digital Media student, University of Central Florida

“Theatre needs to capture a younger audience that is used to a rich visual experience. Projection is a way to do that. There are also budget constraints. Scenery is being cut back and projections can solve that problem. This might create a stir, good or bad, but I say burn the book of rules. If it works that’s what I’m after. I’m intrigued by it.” – William Dudley, Set Designer

“We live in a world of ever increasing visual stimuli and complex imagery. Many new plays are cinematic in nature, leaving the classical unities behind. They demand a visual environment that is totally flexible and capable of instantaneous transformation. The theatre of today requires imagery that goes beyond the actuality of the physical world – imagery that is both intimate and expansive, that explore the inner state of mind and the emotions.” – Stephen Strawbridge, Yale

Frame: What will this project be? Product.

Performance utilizing projected imagery controlled and manipulated in real time. § Focus on projection as environment, conveyor of emotion, character, perspective (the viewer’s or character’s) · Breaking away from the multimedia/locator approach

Integration of projection and imagery into the devising and rehearsal process. § Investigation of performance aspect of operators in live theatre · Inclusion of operator as performer · Designer/technician as ensemble member · Development of visualization applications for performance. § How does the interaction between actor/performer and computer generated media inform the generation of story? · Concept through performance.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Audience participation (An exploration in writing. Reflecting on the ways in which the piece fosters interaction and areas to further explore.) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">§ Approachability and intuitive nature of multi-touch gesture control <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o How might this allow for integration of audience in manipulation/development of performance? <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o How might this technology allow for unique and variable performances and audience experience?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Integration of Infrared sensing systems <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o To create projected environments which respond and react to actors or audience <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Development in show specific digital environments <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">§ Adobe interactive wall & water effect floor & wall are examples of this technology at work. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">· Utilization of programs created for specific performance or piece.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Application Creation: Computer visualization programming <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Create with collaboration of computer programmers show specific manipulatable visual effects and video control. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o I aim to create at least one visual app myself. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">§ Investigate use of open-source (free) programs

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Thesis: Document <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">“A careful diary of process” – Richard Isackes

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">· Development of Research <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o How it informs the project <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">· Daily & Weekly Documentation of Process <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Evolution <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Objectives <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Questions <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Opportunities for further research <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">· Conclusion/Observations

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">What I’m currently working on….

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Thesis Calendar

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">· Project Development <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Searching out & securing collaborators (check) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Project timeline (created) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Venue & audience (New Works Fest: Oscar Brockett Theatre) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Funding resources (New Works budgeted) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">· Research & Reading <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o History & context (compiling examples & writing in process) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Technology <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Programming and processing <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">· Technology <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Computer set up. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Infra red set up – components & programs. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Visualizer program creation. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">· Sharing <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">o Possibility of presenting some of this thesis at USITT as part of the 5D session.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Selected Bibliography:

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Digital Performance: A History of New Media in Theatre, Dance, Performance Art and Installation; Dixon, Steve; The MIT Press, 2007.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Entangled: Technology and the Transformation of Performance; Salter, Chris; The MIT press, 2010.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Staging the Screen: The Use of Film and Video in Theatre; Giesekam, Greg; Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Performance and Technology: Practices of Virtual Embodiment and Interactivity; ed. Broadhurst, Susan & Machon, Josephine; Palgrave Macmillan, 2006.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Parallax: Essays on Art, Culture and Technology; Ed. Tofts, Darren; OPA, 1999.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Digital Practices: Aesthetic and Neuroesthetic Approaches to Performance and Technology; Ed. Broadhurst, Susan ; Palgrave Macmillan, 2007. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">