March 14, 2006Rough Draft of Outline: Chapter on Interactive Dance PerformancesNow that I've started to interview dancers, choreographers, researchers, new media artists, software developers and others, I have a pretty good idea of how I'm going to structure my chapter on interactive dance performances in my upcoming book "Dancing into the Future." This is chapter 11 when you're looking at the Table of Contents. But I increasingly think that this chapter will actually be its own free-standing publication because of the many topics that I'll be covering. If it's a separate publication, I'm not sure how I'll sell it yet. I might just sell it in digital format through Amazon.com. Before breaking down this chapter's contents, I'd like to thank everybody I've spoken with, emailed with and, in rare instances, met with for sharing their insights and experiences. As I attend more conferences, performances and other events I hope to meet everybody in-person soon. Here's my first shot at this chapter: Table of Contents 1) What is an Interactive Performance? Title: Interactive Dance Performances 1) What is an Interactive Performance? What is an interactive dance performance? This is not an easy question to answer. But I can't proceed with this chapter without nailing down this concept. For the most part, when I use the term "interactive performance" I'm referring to a dance program where a dancer has direct control, with the help of digital technologies, over some element of a performance beyond his or her own body. Or, alternatively, a dancer responds in real-time to some non-scripted event or movement that is generated with the support of digital media and other technologies. Just to offer one of many possible examples, if a dancer wears a flex sensor on his or her elbow and the movement of this sensor activates specific musical sounds that the audience hears, then this would be a type of interactive performance. On the other hand, if a dancer is performing on stage and a video is projected onto a screen at the same time, this by itself is not an example of an interactive performance if the digital tools are not being used as the basis for choreographed or improvised creations or interactions that take place in real-time. 2) Types of Interactive Performances There are many types of interactive performances and the range of possibilities will continue to increase at a dramatic rate as new software, computers and other technologies are introduced. Here are some of basic performance types I'll cover: - Telematic performances that unite two or more locations in real-time - Embodied or dancer-controlled performances where a dancer through sensors, wearable computers, motion tracking and/or motion capture creates scripted or unscripted output in the form of audio, video and imagery. - Collaborative performances between dancers and "independent-minded" virtual avatars and/or robotic machines that feature improvisation and spontaneity between the two. - Immersive virtual environments where the movements of a dancer or dancers are captured in real-time and re-created in a virtual, possibly distributed, landscape. - User-created, influenced or modified digital dance performances whereby Internet and/or computer users play an active role in determining the progression, mix or other elements of a performance. Such programs can be referred to as hyperchoreography or mashups. There are many other possibilities and I'm sure I'll create new categories and redefine the existing categories above as I progress. 3) Theories and History My goal is not to delve too deeply into the theories and history of interactive dance performances. But for the purpose of clarifying these types of performances, I am going to explore some key concepts and historical influences that are important to understand in order to appreciate the integration of technology into dance performances. For example, ideas such as embodied and disembodied as they relate to performances that rely upon technology are important to grasp in order to understand the choreographic and creative process. Hopefully I'll explain these ideas in a clear manner - even for those with no background in interactive performances or the theory of performance. 4) Software, Computers and Technology In this section, I'll include profiles with pictures and screen shots of software and technologies that are often used as part of interactive performances. Among the tools that will be covered include software for controlling interactive dance environments, motion tracking and motion capture technologies, camcorders and video editing software, sensors, wearable computers and many other tools. 5) Interactive Performance Profiles and Case Studies Now that we've taken a look at the different types of performances and the technologies used, the next to step is to explore real world examples of interactive performances. In this section, you'll find profiles and case studies of dance companies from around the globe who have created a range of interactive performances. My goal is to both highlight the people who create and perform in these programs and to illustrate as many examples as possible of different types of interactive performances. I'll include a good number of pictures in this section. And I'll try to include direct links to video clips so you can watch examples. 6) Your First Interactive Performance If you've never incorporated interactive technologies into a dance and you're interested in doing so, where do you start? What I'll do to answer this question is write about the easiest way to get started and the least expensive approach as well. For instance, it is a lot cheaper to start with motion tracking, which you can do with a single camcorder than motion capture, which can be very expensive and require considerable technical expertise. In some cases, you may want to pursue a completely do-it-yourself approach, which could entail creating your own sensors and digital MIDI converters and customizing interactive performance software to meet your specific needs. But you also may choose, instead, to locate new media artists, software programmers and technologists with whom you can work to create your performances. In either case, I'll provide some guidance and a list of contacts. 7) Training Dancers and Choreographers As more dancers and choreographers get involved in interactive performances and new media, an important question arises about what types of new approaches are needed in the training and education realm. The use of interactive technologies often requires a different mindset and approach to dance. So for this section, I'll interview professors of dance, choreographers, dancers and new media artists to find out what thoughts they have for preparing dancers for interactive performances. 8) How to Watch and Participate There are a number of ways that dance enthusiasts can enjoy interactive dance performances. Sometimes the viewing experience is passive and other times the process is highly participatory. So how a person watches and/or enjoys the performance is dependent upon the type of performance and the level of participation involved/allowed. In the first scenario, we are more or less talking about live performances where a person attends some physical location to see a performance - could be in a theater, one of a series of interconnected locations for a multi-site performance or a site-specific work. These "live" interactive performances may or may not involve audience participation. In most cases today, such performances do not involve direct audience participation, but this is likely to change as communication technologies continue to breakdown barriers between the professional performers and audience members. The second scenario is when a dance performance - I use the term "performance" in this instance in a very broad sense - is enjoyed, created and/or influenced by a viewer with digital tools, usually while connected to the Internet. Such performances may be called hyperchoreography or mashups - but there are many possibilities and not yet that many examples. 9) Research and Development There are hundreds of research projects taking place all the time at the intersection of dance and technology at universities and research centers. In this section I'll write brief profiles about some of these projects in order to highlight some of the interesting developments that may one day end-up being incorporated into live or virtual performances. 10) Directory The directory section will include listings of contacts, resources and links in a number of areas related to interactive dance performances: - Dancer, choreographer and dance company profiles 11) Terminology The terminology section will include definitions for words related to interactive performances in the following categories: - Interactive performances Well, that's my first rough shot at this chapter. Please feel free to share any comments or critiques - I appreciate the feedback. Posted by Doug Fox at 11:29 AM - Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) February 8, 2006Interactive Performance Chapter for Upcoming BookI'm starting to do research and interviews for my upcoming book "Dancing into the Future." You can read a detailed Table of Contents to see the scope of the book. I'm starting with Chapter 11 that deals with interactive performances. For example, I'll be covering a range of technologies such as sensors, motion tracking, motion capture and related tools that enable dancers to trigger pre-determined responses based upon their movements. A bending of a dancer's right elbow, for instance, could activate a sensor that plays specific sounds or projects animated images on to the screen. My goal is to explain in straightforward terms how each of these technologies works, provide specific examples of how they have been used in dance performances and offer recommendations about how to use these interactive tools in an optimal, reliable manner. If your dance company has performed works that incorporate interactive technologies, I'd be delighted to learn about your performances. And if you offer any type of interactive tools, please email me as well so that I can include your offerings in the vendor directory. Posted by Doug Fox at 9:37 AM - Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) January 24, 2006Dancing into the Future: Table of ContentsThis year I'm researching and writing a comprehensive guide to dance and technology. The title of this publication is "Dancing into the Future™." Below I've included a description of this upcoming workbook along with a detailed table of contents. I will be interviewing hundreds of people in the dance community around the globe for this publication. Please email me (Doug Fox) if you would like to be interviewed or have information that you believe should be included. (Please review copyright and trademark information at the end of this post.) Publication Overview Title: Dancing into the Future Author: Doug Fox, Great Dance LLC Target publication date: End of 2006 Summary: "The Dancing into the Future" workbook will provide dancers and choreographers with both a strategic and practical overview of how to embrace the latest digital tools and technologies. By following this publication's straightforward recommendations, dancers will learn how to promote performances online, engage with audiences in innovative ways, create new types of digital dance performances and secure a healthier financial future for themselves and their dance companies. Key Topics:
Part I: Building Your Online Presence 1) Building Your Website - Website strategies for dance 2) Publishing a Blog (Weblog) - Blogging strategies for dance 3) Promoting Your Blog and Website - Search engine marketing Part II: Using and Creating Multimedia Content 4) Using Multimedia Content - The benefits of multimedia content 5) Creating Multimedia Content - Types of multimedia: Part III: Expanding Revenue Opportunities 6) New Revenue Possibilities in the Digital Realm - Expanding revenue opportunities Part IV: Educational Programs and New Instructional Methodologies 7) Dance Programs at Colleges and Universities - Intro to dance and technology academic programs 8) Technology Enhances Dance Instruction - Introduction to tech-based instructional methodologies Part V: New Resources and New Career Opportunities 9) Dancers Embrace Digital Resources - Promote yourself online - websites/blogs/other options 10) Dance Careers Expand to Emerging Digital Markets - Pursuing a digital dance career Part VI: Digital Technologies Transform Performances 11) Dance Performances - Incorporating digital technologies into performances 12) Dance Installations - New media and interactive dance installations 13) Dance on Camera - Introduction to dance on camera 14) Choreography - Digital trends in choreography 15) Hi-Tech Performance/Practice Venues and Studios - Anatomy of hi-tech performance centers Copyright and Trademarks © 2006 Great Dance LLC. All rights reserved. Great Dance and Dancing into the Future are trademarks of Great Dance LLC. The book description and table of contents for "Dancing into the Future" are copyrighted by Great Dance LLC and may not be used or republished in any manner, in whole or in part, without the expressed written consent of the author. Posted by Doug Fox at 11:20 AM - Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0) December 13, 2005Book Plans for 2006I will start writing and doing interviews for my upcoming series of publications "Dancing into the Future" in January 2006. I wrote about the first book that will focus on dance companies yesterday. I'm going to modify the table of contents I included yesterday over the next couple of weeks. One of the changes that I'm going to make is to include performance technologies. I was going back and forth on whether to have a section on performance technologies in this book or have a separate book devoted to this topic. I decided that it would make more sense to include it. One of the advantages is that that I can now explore the link between the use of interactive technologies within a dance performance and the leveraging of these technology-enhanced performances to improve marketing and promotional efforts. Posted by Doug Fox at 5:03 PM - Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) December 12, 2005Upcoming Publications on the Future of DanceI will soon be writing a series of books entitled “Dancing into the Future.” These books will focus on how digital technologies are transforming all aspects of dance. The first book, which will be available in print and electronic versions, will be devoted to how dance companies can embrace digital developments to be more successful. Subsequent publications will cover professional dancers, dance studios, performance technologies, educational technologies, and dance programs at colleges and universities. For this first publication and subsequent books, I will be conducting extensive interviews with dance companies and dancers as well as technology and marketing experts. Some of these interviews I’ll make available as part of a new audio podcast that I’m starting in the beginning of 2006. Here is the working table of contents for first the first publication covering the future of dance companies: Working Title: Transforming Dance Companies Through Digital Technologies 1) New and expanded revenue opportunities - Growing audiences 2) Marketing and promotion - Websites 3) Online marketing beyond your website - Public relations 4) Creating and selling digital dance content - Videotapes of performances 5) Implementation strategies - New focus and direction for dance companies Please email me any thoughts you have about these upcoming publications. Also, if you would like to be interviewed or know of people in the dance community that I should interview, please let me know as well. Posted by Doug Fox at 7:11 AM - Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) |
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