04/13/2021 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Digital Media Integration for Performance Creation

Choreographing a piece for in-person live performance (I know, yeah, someday)? Perhaps creating live work for online platforms (YouTube, Facebook Live, etc.)? Or, maybe you are curious about using existing technology to further your choreographic process (and never ever see digital media/projection in the final performance)? 

As we enter into the world of new processes and platforms to present our work, how can we leverage existing technologies, lenses, practices to create live performance which augments our voice by integrating digital media. Dive into this world of projection, video art, streaming, and camera with Digital LIVE!

This workshop series is geared for performance creators (dance, theatre, music, etc.) as an introduction to the incorporation of utilizing digital media (ya know, cameras, projectors, streaming, etc.) into the way you create and present. Become familiar with where in your process you would integrate it, and how to allow for budget, collaborators, and production personnel. 

Digital LIVE! Is built as a comprehensive weekly series with 3 intermediate panel discussions. Each session will dive into specific topics which do not require in-depth experience with technology (this isn’t made for nerds). It’s made for creators of performance like you! Much of this series is based off of questions YOU may have as well as your specific projects, so please do join even if you’re a bit afraid (I taught this to 4th graders, and they were fiiiine). 

Session Dates

4/3 Panel Discussion: SPACE: In or out of the screen, looking at the choices you have when creating work for live performance. (FREE to all)
Panelists:
Lonnie Stanton
Riley Watts
Emily Beattie 

4/6 Session 1: Media Design Basics / The Working Environment (sliding scale pricing)

• • Basic color principles
  • Video basics (including some camera overview and intro to design principles)
  • Cables, adapters, and hardware (including introduction to projectors)
  • Intro to media servers
  • Brief history and examples of “really good design”

 

4/13 Session 2: Content design and creation (sliding scale pricing)

• • Using basic principles learned, how to think about creating content for your performance work.
  • Suggested workflow for source creation and integration
  • Thinking beyond the camera, and interactivity

4/17 Panel Discussion: Workflow from idea to production: Working with a media designer (FREE to all)

Christopher Konopka
Christopher Konopka
other panelists TBA

4/20 Session 3: Media servers (using primarily Isadora) (sliding scale pricing)

• • Basics/overview
  • Types of media/input
  • Generators and feedback
  • Creating a workflow ready for performance

 

4/27 Session 4: Projection techniques (sliding scale pricing)

• • Surfaces, set, and location considerations (traditional and nontraditional venues)
  • Lighting / working with the lighting designer (priorities)
  • Designing schematics and prototyping before you get into the venue

 

5/4 Session 5: Streaming (sliding scale pricing)

• • Basics/optimization
  • Mixing video and streaming live (sources and workflow)
  • Bringing in other streams to your source material (multiple physical locations)

5/8 Discussion: Wrapup, Q&A, and open talk about possibilities, questions, ideas? (FREE to all)

Materials Required / Prerequisites

Technically, you can enjoy this course with only an internet connection and either a mobile device or a computer. However, to get the most out of this course it is recommended that you have the following:

• • (At least) A month subscription to Isadora (Izzy) ($17.50) – Be sure to activate the license the day of the first practical session, not discussion as to not pay for something you aren’t using yet.
  • A computer – laptop or desktop with a decent processor equivalent to i5 or faster and a separate graphics card.  Check out Izzy’s min specs here at the top.
  • An external webcam or a camera with a capture card – As we will be working with cameras, having a camera which will directly connect to your computer helps for exploring live feed options. Having it not built in to your monitor also helps for independence of shot.
  • A working microphone – even a built in one is perfectly fine. As long as it works.
  • A project – even something that will never be presented can work. You are welcome to make it up as you go as well. We are all better learners when trying to solve real-world problems.
  • A few video and image files to play around with – Again, having some content is always good. I will provide some project files prior to our sessions which will have short clips to work off of. But if you are curious about how your own footage integrates, please do bring some along.

 

Your Instructor

Callie Chapman is a multidisciplinary designer, video artist, choreographer, and curator. Based in greater Boston, Callie was awarded the 2020 choreography fellowship from the Massachusetts Cultural Council in Choreography (one of 3 in the state). Callie founded Studio@550 in 2016, a multidisciplinary arts studio located in Central Sq, Cambridge. Callie’s video work has been commissioned for companies such as Odyssey Opera, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Prometheus Dance, Pa Sy Dance, and Corrector Records. Enjoying the thrill of live performances, Callie’s affinity for combining live dance performance and generative video art is where her interest lies. www.calliechapman.com

For a playlist of her work: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6o5mzxmv-2ZIuOTRrUd5eA

 

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