Red Bull Revolutions in Sound - Interactive web streaming

Whilst putting some final touches to my blog before the deadline tomorrow, I had the Red Bull Revolutions in Sound streaming in the background and it just occured to me how the event is a great example of bringing interactive media and music to life online. The event features 30 pods on the london eye which each represent a different club night from the UK, where the viewer can switch and change to which pod they would like to see/listen to in real time. I really enjoyed exploring this feature as i'm also a big fan of many of the artists dj'ing within the pods, and it makes for an exciting platform for showcasing music rather than simply listening to the radio or choosing a song on itunes.  Check out the trailer as the videos were streamed live so weren't recorded.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjvg5GwqtDA

Man Or Mistress

I'm very pleased with the final outcome of my project. I love the contemporary feel of the triptych and how the subtle message behind it unfolds gradually. I feel it is as much an art form as it is a piece of media, which is what i set out to create when given the brief.

Here is the YouTube link to the final video which was used at the two outer windows. Unfortunately I cannot show the Isadora version. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTsWt6MPxTo&feature=youtu.be

Man or Mistress in the Future?

I think my project could have potential in supporting the trans-gender community in campaigns/exhibitions and could be developed further in terms of interactivity. I can see my idea working successfully in public places such as bus shelters where striking art is often displayed - although my idea is subtle, it gets a certain message across which I feel would work well in a public environment. In terms of interactivity, I would be interesting to integrate user movement into my piece so that the viewer can control the actions on the screen through their own actions rather than a simple linear video which in my opinion does not attract much attention. I think it would make for an interesting piece if the viewer could go thorough different actions like applying lipstick brushing their own hair, which would move the image on the screen accordingly.

The 'hidden' Story and use of music

With the middle screen being free to experiment with, the triptych as a whole can be interpreted to some degree as the random nature of the videos allows the user to choose which screens he/she   prefers to be in play at a particular stage of the narrative. The random selection of the middle clips also serveto manipulate the story in slight ways, as I included a clip of the subject in a dream state which, on appearance will change the narrative to make the viewer question whether the subject is dreaming state or not.

For visual purposes, the contrast between the synced outer screens and the random nature of the middle screen makes for an interesting piece.

I feel that music plays an important role in my project as it works well with the movement within the frames.I choose a song with a steady repeatativebeat  which emulates a music video when paired with the moving images.The lyrics are equally important as they tell the narrative as if the subject's thoughts or own words. I feel that the video footage and audio work hand in hand and the project would lose out in the absence of either.

Interactivity and Isadora/Editing

In keeping with the simplistic nature of the project, I decided it would work best if the viewer/user could interact by having control over SOME degree of the narrative, which I achieved by creating clips of repeated actions which randomly change when the space bar is pressed. This would occupy the middle window and the two outer windows hosted a set 'narrative' in which the subject goes through various stages to 'womanize' himself.

Although I found Isadora quite intimidating and frustrating to use,(especially when it froze), I had no
other option but familiarise myself with the software as I wanted to incorporate user interactivity into
my piece. I do realise the potential in the programme however, and would like to be able to incorporate motion detection within my work in the future.

I carried out all of my editing in After Effects as I found this programme more straightforward compared to Premier. The editing mainly consisted of joining all of the shots together for the two outer windows, and trimming some videos to keep the piece as fluid and aesthetically pleasing as possible.

Capturing my Shots

I am very pleased with the outcome of my shots. I wanted the subject to look as if he was looking though a window/mirror at his reflection so used a tripod adjusted to eye level.

I was pleased with the final outcome as the sultry red shades made for a subtle yet effective contrast
between the face and the lighter coloured background, and the dim surroundings allowed for shadows to be cast upon the face.

Creating My Project - Lighting

I understand that Lighting will play a large role in my project and In order to achieve the dull but glowing feel of  the shots, I need a dark environment and coloured light. I must ensure that no natural light will affect the shots and will use a coloured bulb to provide the redness like in the Red Light District windows.