audience interaction!

[sozz7]

I'm looking at a way i can get the audience involved in whats happening on the screens. The video cam is a basic way i have been doing this, people love dancing and moving about, with effects, on the big screen. But I want to develop another way that people can more directly control whats going on. I am thinking of the possibilities of using movement, and sound sensors, but i need to find a way of linking them to my comp, im currently using a 1.33 g4 powerbook, with arkaos 3. I am currently using a midi keyboard, and a mouse. If anyone has tried any of this let me know what u learnt, would be greatly appreciated, Sam.

[solly]

That would be a good idea where the people can interact with a small remote control for example beaming an infra red light that would then be transmited to your powerbook or something like that. I dont know what other ways really.
Solly

[sozz7]

yeah thats a possibility, just had another thought, wonder if there is a way to use bluetooth to control, perhaps people could use their phones like controllers, though depends on the software

[solly]

Exactly, bluetooth and everyone will have a phone with infra red. So you would need a receptor that would take all the signals and convert it to create something you will control. I dont know or they could send their photo and project them on the screen or soon everyone will have a video camera in their phone and they could film anywhere in the club and send the info to you so you could put some effect and project it. :confused:
Solly

[sozz7]

shame its not so simple, u need some kinda java interface peops can get on there phone 2 control elements on screen, dunno though, gettin a bit complex with, gonna keep it simple, look atr setting up a midi type module, just need to find a way of connecting movement detectors and other sensors thru midi

[MoRpH]

Please keep all your posts on this topic in ONE THREAD thankyou

[sozz7]

ok, no prob!

[Exavior]

The only problems with remote controls or phones as audience interface devices, is that users have to make a physical effort, and occupy their hands with a control device. You would be better off finding ways to use their movement as an input source. Some good examples have been pressure sensitive floors, cam software that analyzes areas of motion, cam software tracking specific color ranges (like glow sticks), installation-style kiosks with an interface device for people to use while not dancing, wireless cameras, green screen backgrounds for chromakeying, etc.

It?s best to find a passive form of interaction that does not interfere with the experience of your audience in any way other than aesthetics.

[sozz7]

yeah spose ur right, though a remote would allow me to wonder. nice site, couldnt get the radio to work though.

[johnnylocust]

NevenEngineering has something interesting comming out that could be of use:

Neven Engineering (http://www.nevenvision.com/products.html)

[pistolpete]

A friend of mine and myself did an art installation which involved burglar alarm sensors connected up to midi so as people walked/waved and triggered these sensors they would play clips in resolume. This worked very well on a small scale audience but for a club I guess it would be constantly active.

[dlublin]

Like most people, I've always wanted to go to the mall and hook up all the DDR machines to trigger video.. that is, have the dancing trigger the video clips. Those kids move their feet fast, it'd be great to give them an opportunity to be a little bit more creative (remixing video with their feet), as opposed to just following a pattern.

Could make for an interesting installation in a dance club too, let people take turns dancing and controlling the video.

Anyway, I've it's been my experience that if you just point a camera at people, process it in an interesting way, they'll love it. And everybody seems to love feedback because of the trails.

- Dave

[Exavior]

Dlublin: They make DDR pads (both cheap plastic mats and fancy metal ones) for home use. You can get a USB box that lets you hook them up to your computer, (since they are usually for playstation) and from there you can have them emulate keyboard strokes or joystick input. Your installation idea may not be so far off ;)

A friend and I have done some testing with this, and it has potential for smaller installations. But I want one about 50x50 feet with thousands of sensors. Real-time tracking of everyone on the dance floor... you could generate some great effects with that data. See: http://www.lightspace.biz/products/