About the Workshop:
Motion Tracking adds a new and exciting interactive element to digital artwork. Until recently, it has been expensive and complicated to learn and implement motion tracking in an installation or performance, but recent advancements in computing power and in the sophistication of available software have made it available to virtually anyone with a computer.
In the workshop "Motion Tracking for Everyone", participants will learn the basicskills necessary to use motion tracking in their own installations and performances.
About Motion Tracking:
Motion Tracking refers to several types of methods for tracking the motion of people or moving objects through the use of video, radar or other sensors. In this workshop, we will concentrate on video tracking in real time. Basically, this means that a computer can be connected to a webcam or video camera and analyze the incoming video to output the position of people or objects. This position data can then be used to manipulate music or visuals (or even be connected to external equipment to manipulate machines.) "Real Time Analysis" refers to the output happening as quickly as possible after the motion being tracked.
Who is this for?
This workshop is aimed primarily at artists (visual, acoustic and performance) who like to use computers in their work, and who are interested in interactive installations or performances. It is not aimed at experienced programmers, who may prefer to enroll in later workshops covering more detailed aspects of motion tracking and programming with
Pure Data.
What you will learn:
1. how to set up your computer to convert video into motion tracking data
2. how to set up the environment in which you want to do the tracking for best results
3. an introduction to the programming environment "Pure Data", using it to convert video into tracking data and MIDI events, and altering the basic motion tracking program to suit your needs.
4. an introduction to the varied uses of motion tracking
By using the supplied software, you will be able to continue using motion tracking at home or in your projects with no extra expense or equipment.
What you need:
A computer (laptops are encouraged...) with a functioning webcam or other video device, with Pure Data already installed. There will be an installation session before the workshop for those who were not able to install the software beforehand ALTHOUGH THIS IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
The computer can be running Windows, MacOS or Linux, all three platforms are supported. "Pure Data" is free, and available for your platform at
puredata.org.
What you need to know:
The amount of computer-savvy you need to have for this workshop is about the same as you need to operate a text-editing program. Although this course can be a stepping-stone to more complex projects, the basic knowledge you will gain is sufficient to let you use motion tracking in a variety of ways.
The Instructor:
Dayton Allemann is a composer and performing musician who works extensively with movement-based artists. His pieces have been shown at the Biennale Lyon, ImPulstanz in Vienna, LesHalles in Brussels, Kampnagel in Hamburg and many other festivals in Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the United States. He has worked with video and other sensor arrays since the early 90's in a broad variety of performance genres.
"Composer-performer Dayton Allemann ... provides the centerpiece of the evening with "Shoulder": a groundbreaking keyboard/video tour-de-force that's very funny in the bargain." Michael Upchurch, the Seattle Times
"When I am sharing the methods I use with other artists, it is important to me to try to demystify the technological aspects. These are tools that everyone should be able to use. It is always fascinating to see what other artists come up with when they get a little help in a new medium."
