Semester B: Week 14
Student: Tai Ser Yeet (22064351)
Programme: BA (Hons)(SW) Digital Media Design
WEEK 14 (Pt.1)
Class Notes
- Assignment 3 promotional video can be done in 4K, 8K wtv, 1920 x 1080
- promo video should be landscape, but if you want to post on social media as well, then do one for portrait
- DNXHD for windows better cus its creates individual frames
- dedicated social media account should be private first before approval
- clearly describe what your project is on the first page, and not only revealed at the end of the doc
- - mention AI in the section talking about how the degree project applies to future career goals
Feedback From Steve (5/1/26)
- In my project proposal, clearly describe the performative aspect of the installation, where, for instance, you would do a short routine with the interactive visual as your background.
- The sterile version, where I would get people to interact with my piece, is not exactly the most interesting and unique because that has been done before
- The main subject of focus is my dancing, and that would be more appealing
- You could also do the sterile version and the performance (on fri, sat only)
- Rethink the workload. Instead of creating 3 different scenes, you can reduce them to 2.
- The original idea of dancing with an interactive visual comes with an issue
- Back projection - eliminates the shadow issue
- 3 kinects
- performance: think about how they watch it
- Look into Merce Cunningham and John Cage's works on dance choreographies
- sketch out different possibilities
- figure out the potential of having 2 or more Kinects
- sterile or multiplayer environment
- Revise the project description and make it clear on the potential parameters of this project (what can I really do for this installation)
- Revise the Gantt chart to include different user testing (e.g. test the rear projection and get a few people to be the audience)
- decide on what concept you want your dance routine to embody and evoke
After Class
Projectors and Their Functions
After the tutorial session with Steve on Monday, I realised the importance of knowing how projectors work because every projector has specifications catered for various projects. For instance, the larger the space used for the installation, the greater the projector's lumen output. Lumen essentially equals brightness, so it is crucial to determine the level of illumination needed to project one's work properly. Alternatively, increasing the camera's sensitivity can also provide that brightness if the projector can't.
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| Tips to Avoid Shadows |
I also found another video of this creator who shared his creative process of creating a music video by playing around with images and projectors. He also gave useful tips on recreating it and where he got his materials from.
"Pick an image that fits with the vibe of the song"
What I got from that for my own project was to make sure that my motion graphics match the mood of my routine and the chosen song for the greatest impact.
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| Screenshot From a Music Video |
- Ultra-Short Throw: Requires high-quality wide-angle lenses, which are often expensive, as they are required to capture images from short distances without distorting the corners.
- The closer the projector is to the screen, the brighter the image, but the size decreases.
- Using that logic, a standard projector that has a higher lumen count is ideal for my installation because it doesn't block the play area, and furthermore, the projector can be installed from a further distance and at a higher level, e.g. on a ceiling.
Rear Projection & Projection Mapping
According to Burkinshaw (2021), "You simply place your projector behind the screen, shooting towards the audience, and set it to rear projection mode. Hollywood that uses rear projectors to their advantage, stage set designers and event organisers opt for this solution due to the freedom it can offer, due to being unaffected by obstructions."
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| Example of Rear Projection Setup 1 |
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| Example of Rear Projection Setup 2 |
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| Expanding Idea 1 |
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| Screenshot of Interactive Installation 1 |
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| Screenshot of Interactive Installation 2 |
- The venue of the degree show is still uncertain. This poses a huge risk to the success of my installation because what if I don't have enough space for the rear projection setup?
- My live performance with a pre-recorded video as my backdrop has to be timed perfectly, which is hard to do. Plus, the performance isn't going to run continuously, so what would the audience interact with in the meantime?
- Idea 2 is an upgrade to my very first idea of only projecting on a wall. With the floor now in the mix, it feels more immersive. Adding a sound effect to the movements and a background soundtrack would take it to the next level.
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| Screenshot of Survey Story |