technical direction

Latest revision of the sensor rig, version 1.x

FSRFSRs and voltage dividersThe last time we had the sensor rig out for a performance/demo, the only failure was the sensor mounts on the heel and toe.
Now the FSRs (force-sensing resistors) are built into footbeds in these cool Capezio dance shoes - full dynamic range and solid data stream ('cause they stay in place, right under the points where the dancer meets the floor).
Somehow we managed to mangle one of the sensors on the last go-around; replacements are on the way and then we'll be good to finalize the instruments and programs for the next show.

0 December 07, 2011

gesture control of music and visuals

Also this week was the first test of the full-body gesture recognition and translation system, downtown at our warehouse space.
With the audio system, video projection, lighting and laptops to run the audio and video software set up, we strapped the sensor system on dancer Forest and ran a short improvised performance where her movements drove both the music and visual compositions.

0 April 14, 2010

prototyping the new gesture tracking rig

rotation sensor prototype
Over the last few weeks I've been prototyping the sensor rig for the upcoming gesture-driven performance system.

Rotation at each major arm and leg joint is tracked by simple 50k potentiometers. Dual-axis accelerometers are mounted on each hand.

0 March 23, 2010

custom instrument development

Some descriptions of custom instruments recently developed for the Los Angeles band Moodorgan have been posted, here.
These are custom MIDI controllers and hardware designed for live performance.

0 March 21, 2010

NASA lunar mission table and exhibit


NASA lunar mission multitouch interfaceNASA lunar mission multitouch interface
The NASA lunar mission experience is a centerpiece to this exhibit, allowing users to learn about NASA's plans to construct an outpost on the moon.

0 January 13, 2010

Recent project work - Overview


Interactive applications for individual experiences combine a variety of rich media types and visualization paradigms to provide the user with a deep understanding of a product or brand.

0 January 08, 2010

VS3: visual synthesizer rev. 3


vs3 touchscreen rig with Roland V4 mixervs3 touchscreen rig with Roland V4 mixerVS3: realtime visual synthesis - a visual instrument based on the architecture/approach of a music synthesizer: original images are created in a performance environment by selecting sources (as one would select waveforms on a synthesizer) and applying some sort of method (algorithm) to combine and/or modulate them. Unlike a typical post-production environment, the VS3 system is designed to allow creative decisions to be made on-the-fly in a live performance. This approach is also more advanced than the typical 'VJ' paradigm, as the system doesn't just mix existing sources but actually generates original footage in real-time.

0 April 01, 2007

Digital/interactive infrastructure for events


I was the interactive and technology lead for a number of events produced by Jack Morton Worldwide.

In November 2000, I served as lead technologist for the production of a major investment bank's annual technology conference. Tech 2000 consisted of four days of presentations by representatives of major technology companies (with as many as five presentations occuring simultaneously), keynote speeches, analyst discussions, and special events.

Working as a freelancer, from my studio as well as at the Jack Morton Worldwide Boston office and on site in Baltimore, I designed, budgeted, and led the development of the networked multimedia installation for the event. This installation was designed to help guide the attendees though a complex facility and schedule, to assist with communication and to answer questions, and also to show that this bank's conferences are on the cutting edge of technology.
The hotel atrium was the central traffic area between the entrance and the presentation rooms. Plasma displays ran a Director-based application with a Tech 2000 theme animation and real-time updating information such as the current presentations, scheduleThe hotel atrium was the central traffic area between the entrance and the presentation rooms. Plasma displays ran a Director-based application with a Tech 2000 theme animation and real-time updating information such as the current presentations, schedule
Plasma displays at the entrance to each presentation room showed the name of the current presenter and the name of the presenter to follow.  All information was automatically updated from the backend database.Plasma displays at the entrance to each presentation room showed the name of the current presenter and the name of the presenter to follow. All information was automatically updated from the backend database.

0 January 13, 2006