Prototype 1- FMOD

How it works:

The audio will act as a collaborator with a live dancer. It will respond to the dancers’ body and the dancers’ body should also respond to it. This would be used in a performance setting rather than in game as the software suggests, and it would create a unique performance every time; an interesting concept to explore in theatre making. The dancer would improvise live on stage, moving between heights, speeds, locations in the space etc. and the audio would respond with the corresponding adjustments.

The x-axis parameter creates a change in track, where if the dancer is stage left (under 50), track A is played, and stage right (over 50), track B is played. The Y-axis corresponds to the height the dancer is moving at; the higher her movements, the louder the volume of the audio (lying flat would be the quietest the track will play). The Z-axis parameter (moving forwards and backwards), will trigger another layer to be added into the audio. When the dancer is downstage (over 50) there will be another layer, such as drum beats or maracas, but if she is upstage (under 50) the audio will return to a single stem. Please refer to the diagram below of the axis parameters.

The speed of the audio directly correlates to the speed of the dancers movements. If she dances with a fast tempo, the audios tempo will increase etc. The excitement of an improvised dance piece will increase with an element of chance implemented using the multi-instrument component. This has been set with a 30% chance of playing one of 4 sounds, each that correspond to a specific movement the dancer has to perform at that moment. This creates more of an equal relationship between audio and performer, as they now begin to control one another. Each audio track loops as it reaches the end, which is labelled as the transition region. This creates a continuation throughout the track so there are no pauses.

There is something interesting about the notion that the performance created through this prototype will never be the same twice- it will always be unique. This is largely due to the improvisational aspect, which means not only the dance itself will be different each time, but so will the audio. The multi-instrument components also add in specific points that are still randomized, even though there will be a predetermined movement occurring on each different instrument, and the fact that it could end at any point is also significant, as sometimes the performance may not even make it to a minute long, but other times it may go on for over an hour.

The idea of unrepeatability is exciting for an audience, making it more appealing to see a performance, as they are the only ones that will ever see it, therefore feel special. This increases its value not only for viewers, but also artistically, as new things are created every time it is performed.