Ok, it’s been a while since I posted, so my apologies.

Been busy, but progress has been difficult to track since a lot of it has been internal.

Had plans to be able to do a show/event by now, but it hasn’t happened. I built up an idea for Dia de Los Muertos, and had an idea to work with a theatre group with it; then as a presentation at a local museum downtown, then at a museum in Scottsdale… it never panned out. I did a proof of concept for it and put it up on Behance, but I don’t think I anticipated how large an idea I had in mind with the time frame I was dealing with.

Was planning to do a New Years Eve show at a local hotel that has a rooftop bar/lounge… but that didn’t happen either. Incomplete communication and logistics of the presentation site were big issues. It would have been nice to do, but I have family in town, there’s a good chance of rain forecast… so maybe it all worked out for the best.

So at this point, I get a few moments to look back to see where and what I’ve started.

– yes, I’m still stoked by the ideas and images in my head.

– yes, I do see the possibilities for bringing them to life.

– no, it hasn’t happened yet.

Ugh. It’s easy to get down on yourself and frustrated: at others, at yourself, at the world. And I’ve gone through each of those stages over the past couple months. As a big picture review, I’m still learning about the tech and the logistics for presentation. I’ve done and staged some experiments, but that’s been mainly for me instead of others. I need to reach the comfort stage of doing it in front of others instead. I’m a doer, and a tinkerer. I’m not one to leave shit alone if I can see a better way, or a new way, so I’m always pushing ideas. What I’m needing to focus on is bringing the practical skillset up more; the creative aspect I have, and have been doing for a number of years. That discipline is pretty well covered. But I guess this new area is so tempting, I think I’ve been pushing the potential for it instead of exploiting it.

So I’ve got some ideas for larger-scale pitches for next Spring. I’m also starting to hack the Kinect camera system for interactive art designs, so I think that can be a cool addition to what I’ve started. I’ve dabbled in Processing some, and now I get to start using a bit more rigorously than before. I also am trying out Arduino and seeing what I can trigger with sensors for a more interactive experience. Lots of ideas ahead!

I started out this blog this year with grand ideas. Thankfully most of those ideas are still valid and worth pursuing. I’m starting the see the larger picture of where and what is needed in the background to make things work, so as long as I stay humble about the process, I think I can make it happen. I also managed to talk a former student of mine into helping do this, so that’s a new responsibility, and a new direction for that relationship.

It’s easy to rank things as this Good, this Bad… but I think it’s been all good so far, but in ways I didn’t expect. I deeply appreciate the inspiration I had and that moment of absolute clarity of where I should be going. And slowly I’ve gained a better understanding of the path, not the destination, of what lies ahead. And it’s worth doing.

So I’ve got focus, and I’ve got tools. Time to get back to work!

Sorry for the lack of updates; been busy and not busy.

-had a chance to do a car presentation, but it fell through. The promoter contacted corporate and there was this black hole and… that’s as far as I know. Never heard back from the promoter or the car people. Ah well. If I’m not pushing I’m not growing.

-was inspired recently by Dia de Los Muertos, and the folk art traditions related to it. As a proof of concept, I mocked up some tombstones in foamcore, built some character prototypes, and build a projection mapping test. I’m chuffed that I can generate content on a complex surface.

Well, I asked someone to share the video with someone who has a performance art background, and they liked/loved it. They got the possibilities right away, so rock on to them. It is also giving me the support I need to know that this is a good direction to go. Looking into some venues and opportunities right now. Fingers crossed!

In the meantime, I still have this larger idea in my head, and I have to decide soon whether it is some random fantasy, or if I can actually schedule some meetings and talk about it. I would really like to see if it could work, so I think I’ll need to think how to make the approach on it. There are big picture components to the project, and also alot of details that will drive me nuts. But I’m still very excited by it. Amazing how strong ideas can be, no?

No updates in the past week or so, but lots happening.

Had a project drop in my lap; very hard to turn down, but need to seriously assess risk vs opportunity here. So here’s the deal:

1. lots of exposure. therefore, if I screw it up, lots of risk.

2. details are all over the place. hard to pin down anything right now.

3. went so far as to drag some poor unsuspecting soul into helping. God help him.

4. I have a trip planned during the event. have no idea what to do.

Tomorrow, I find out more info. I made it clear already that this project needs to benefit me, so I have some questions to ask. If it feels good then, we move on to meeting the person in charge of this project. If I get all the right feels from that meeting, it’s a go. I have to… very short deadline.

I didn’t update since I was a little bummed too; I had worked out my proof of concept work, feeling very chuffed about things, and then went to contact this Muse person who was the spark to all this. One brief phone call, but nothing else. I’m so itching to meet and explain what the possibilities are, but I don’t know… I hope I haven’t spooked her in some way; I just hope she’s ok and busy. I’ll try again later this month, depending on how this project thingy works out.

All this research and planning is good for me, and it’s teaching me patience. Have I mentioned that I hate being patient? I’d rather go go go. But it’s better to know where you are going versus just going… I guess. Sigh. I do feel I’m sitting on something cool. I just want other people to see it too so I can start working on it for real.

Made good progress the past couple days.

Solved some tech issues, and now have made some proof of concept tests faster than I had anticipated. Yay! On the conceptual side, I still have some issues with more complex presentation geometry. I need to wrap my head around that and start hitting the forums.

Am planning to meet with my Muse (couldn’t resist capitalizing!) for some coffee soon and catch up. I think I’m going to pitch a proposal that I’ve been sitting on, now that I have proof of concept to back up my ideas.

I tells ya, it’s still weird being driven by an idea like this. I figure I’m kinda 30% of where I want this to be, and if I can solve some of the setup stuff, only the 3D aspects and hardware will hold me back.

In the meantime, I’m gonna crash, rest my brain before I tackle some sketchwork and letting images invade my head tomorrow.

Yup, it’s working! Did the first proof of concept shot over the weekend.

It’s weird; it’s almost anti-climatic. I have pushed hard to get this working, figuring out details and issues for the past six or seven weeks now, but yes, it works!

I think what I’m realizing is that yes, it’s real, and now there is nothing stopping me from making this happen… except me. Thankfully I have about a month or so where I can focus on this without distraction, so I now can get into the conceptual framework of the whole presentation and design.

I need to get a hold of some people again, and I need to figure out who I can turn to for some 3D help. It’s kinda unnerving that it actually is coming together! Gotta keep focused, and make sure I don’t miss any obvious issues as I move forward. Here I go!

Things are getting better. Delays have been frustrating, but have done a service in really focusing my intent and some game plans that I won’t discuss till later.

1. Got new vid card, and while not exactly perfect, it will definitely work on things as I prototype. Thanks Andrzej.

2. Got webcam to work, although resolutions are still wonky. No thank you, Logitech for your lack of Mac support. Fppppppt in your specific direction.

3. Software is amazing. Lots of potential here, and am excited to test it out.

If all goes well, proof of concept happens this week! Crossing my fingers. Lots to do.

Been trying to test here over this weekend, and have run into some problems. Here’s what I got:

1. video card has an inactive display port, so I can’t run both monitors and the projector. Ugh. I think it is a limitation of the flashed setup it had when I bought it.

2. need to feed a video stream into the system so I can see the camera projection in my software… so need to buy a webcam. Ugh. My bad; I didn’t even consider this till now.

Delays stink. Thank goodness I can still sketch out my setups and other scene elements in the meantime. But I want to get into the meaty bits, ya know? It could be worse though, and I’m glad that the (apparent) issues are relatively minor and cheap. Let’s hope UPS is driving fast this week!

Haven’t had much to update the past week or so, but here’s my current status:

1. returned my 1st projector and got a stronger one. Tons of light.

2. heard back from the opticians, and what really needs to happen is that I need an internal lens arrangement to adjust focal length or FOV. In truth, that makes sense, although dissappointing. So it’s time to troll through TI data sheets to see if there is any options I can work with.

3. New Moon happened this week, and I am fucking drained. Not sure why this moon affected me (I’m a true Cancer) as it did, but huge struggle the past several days. Energetically, I’m getting it’s a positive change, but I feel that being a happy idiot was a nice place to be as well.

So, now I can start prototyping. I’m psyched.

Next week am gonna follow up on two dead camcorders; I want the lens assemblies. Not exactly sure what I can do with them until I physically have them, but at the very least I can see how much a custom lens mount will cost. How much is controlled via internal motors? Not sure. Being able to hack some stuff will be good for me though. As worshipful Kali demonstrates, destruction is creation.

BTW, did I ever mention I had a full complete dream where I was instructed to get a tattoo of Shiva? Depending on how things go, perhaps I’ll come back to it again. I’m getting the sense that a lot of loose connections are being linked in this journey.

 

So, a busy week already.

Talked to an optical lab yesterday to see if they could grind custom lenses for the projector I have, and I’m starting to see this project as driving itself. I’m amazed and in awe over it all, but I’m noticing that I’m not “pushing” things… the project is. Very strange perception.

Anyways, had a nice chat. The optometrist is also going to pitch in with the technical data too. I think. It’s still really early. It was interesting to see the optician’s reaction to some short sample 3D projection vids I put on my phone; this stuff amazes everyone.

Went home, took a look-see inside my device; wow, really nice build. And apparently no way I’m going to be able to change the lens or lens assembly directly without a full teardown. I don’t have the capital to deal with that right now, or to source parts I know nothing about. But I’m leaning that direction since it’s the most direct um, direction to direct myself. <sigh>

Then I did a bad thing. I looked at the projector website last night.

So I’m looking at a small cardboard box with my projector ready to go back as an RMA, and I’m going to upgrade to one that’s still small and 3x brighter. From the product photography, it looks like the lens is larger too, which may or may not give me more options.

I’ll know more in about two weeks when I get the new one.

In the meantime, am processing software and 3D training.

Things have been a blur, but it’s all starting to sort out a little bit this week.

Ran into an old colleague this week, so it was great to see him again and catch up. I also forced him to sit down whilst I ran through my ideas, and some of the inspirations I’ve been looking at. If I was a fly on the wall, it probably would have looked like I didn’t come up for air the whole time… which I didn’t. At the end, I turned and asked him something like, “Ok, so am I delusional for thinking about all this stuff? Or am I on to something?” Al turned to me, with that shit-eating grin of his, and said, “No, I think you’re onto something big.” Booyah. Validation.

I respect the shit out of Al. Great artist, great person. Total no bullshit. I’ve sorta been in a bubble inside my own head, so it was really special for me to hear an unbiased response to what’s been going on. Thanks Al.

So, now what, Mr. Fancypants? Time to get busy, time to stay focused, time to get shit done. Respect for this idea and opportunity is driving me hard core, and it’s slowly coming in place.

One of my issues is in prototyping a testbed setup. I’ve got a light tent to represent a 3D environment, and a nice little projector (Aaxatech P4X) to work with. My issue at present is the working distance between the plane of focus for the projector and the interior of the light tent. Plain and simple, it’s a bit farther than I’d like, so I’ve been trying to suss out what way to go to correct this.

1. do I use corrective diopter lenses to change the focal distance?

2. do I use a wide angle lens to change the FOV to something wider?

I was able to pester Eric, who is a god of production work, and I was able to spend an hour with him today trying out some (vintage) Kodak Portra lenses. These were screw-on diopter lenses for some of the early 1940s-1950s Kodak cameras. Their lenses were optimized for wide angle shots, but sucked at portraits. By using a positive diopter lens, you could frame a nice head and shoulders or at least a full body shot where you could see the person, not just clothing against a background.

What we found was that if we (theoretically) stacked lenses, we could start to reduce the working distance. That said, I’m still not sure about the FOV issue. At minimum, I want to spread light between the floor and the back vertical wall of the tent and it would be nice to spread over the side walls too. Hmm. Not sure yet.

He didn’t have a wide angle lens, but I could see how it could potentially work but at the expense of brightness and focus. We’re both confused.

I did keep him busy though, showing him some of the vids I showed Al earlier in the week. It was good; he seemed as intrigued by the possibilities as Al was. It is so hard to describe how exciting and liberating all this is; creatively, I’ve been on standby for what… 5, 6 years? A touch of freelance, a stint as the Creative Director for a failed Digital Advertising group, teaching. Ya, I need this for myself, and to give back to others. But ya, more me at this point.

Before I took off, Eric came back and gave me a great suggestion: go to an optician and have them GRIND A FUCKING CUSTOM LENS. Duh. Have I told you I love this guy? I do. Sharp cookie. Thank you.

So I’m gonna take the whole test kit to an optician on Monday morning. Let’s see what they say.