Innovation
image © rob duyser video synchronisation demo (quartz composer)
Recently I gave a few workshops about video as a medium, and the ways of applying it using modern tools and software environments. The workshop was called “Video or Data” and was focused on the dynamic and creative options now open to us when running video on computers as apposed to using dedicated video hardware.
I briefly moved over the development of television, and quickly through to pro audio and video, also touching on my own passion in the visual medium namely film, high-end digital video mixers, audio consoles, various effects units and switch matrices. In summarizing these technologies and discussing their use in broadcast and live applications the workshop quickly moved to discussing the ways in which specific set-ups can be replicated using computers and custom built software. My tools of choice at the moment are Quartz Composer, Max/Msp Jitter and Quicktime. This combination is very powerful, especially when utilizing Apple’s Quartz, and core animation technologies.
The point of the workshop was to give the participants insight into the fact that video inside this realm has become totally malleable. Video used to only exist according to the video standards, like Pal, NTSC, 720i, 1080p, etc. But for a while now, video can be kneaded into virtually any shape or form, opening up an unlimited number of applications in theater, cinema, digital signage, the use of stackable LED modules in public spaces, airports, on the sides of buildings and just an endless number of possibilities for creative professionals and artists to use and apply video. The aim of my presentation was to point out that we no longer need to stick to any of these standards, but that we may incorporate any shape or form of the moving image (and sound) so that directors and technicians can freely design their video applications to best suit their wishes in visual story telling.
Another important concept to realize was that automation and triggering, tempo and pitch changes and realtime effects can also be incorporated to make such applications very powerful especially when using such techniques along side real actors and musicians on stage in a live situation. This gives a fully natural feel to the show, and performers on stage are not bound by the fixed tempo of the prerecorded material.
Several discussions that followed the workshops clearly concluded that such use of software innovation on very affordable computers is by far more cost effective than utilising (very expensive) dedicated video equipment. A summary of this and other workshops were published in the may edition of “Zichtlijnen”, a Dutch magazine for theater and stage show professionals.
