With the python scripts, the emulation’s brightness was not working well with my camera resolution, so I used this block of code to figure it out, and this is what it printed.
I experimented around with the width and height for the largest face, which affects the ratio influencing the brightness.
Attempted to create an emulation with Touch Designer. It KIND OF WORKS? But instead of relation towards distance, or the size of the faces, I tried out using the difference of movement in the screen. A simple wave of the hand from a distance away creates a smaller area of difference compared to doing it up closer.
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With experimenting with the threshold and slight delay of images, it can capture a more accurate area of distance. Hence, when the area of difference is large enough, this affects the opacity of the colour on the screen. This, sadly said only works if the subject is moving.
After the reading, I had some takeaways from it. Through the different mediums (such as libraries and digital) databases can be managed and paired with different medias (such as film, games and virtual interactive 3d space) it can show how the information is effectively given, also the whether it is for work or play. As cultural content tends to lend more towards databases (such as virtual museums), is it possible to include present such database with a (leisure considered) narrative media like games, and fully immersing the user in the experience? Possibly with how educational games are created. And how does a database have a narrative and is not just filled with descriptions?
The difference between narrative and descriptions, this has helped me change my initial thought, in which descriptions could be considered as narrative (as the user still navigates the virtual space to find the descriptions). If it does not help the plot/story move forward, it is not a narrative but a description. Is there ultimately enough narrative to tie all the descriptions together? Also, with the example presented of films, with the database as the material accumulated during shooting, and arrange them in a sequence to be as a form of narrative. Could the collection of game assets and scenes be a database and their arrangement could be narrative? I feel this are important notes to consider for my final project.
Also, the reading has further allowed me to consider whether creating a game for my final project, would present or give the information effectively. From the algorithm of the game, to the sequence (be it linear, nonlinear, branching), language of the story, and how to present the information aesthetically.
This helped me have a deeper understanding towards the meaning of database and narrative, and their relationship between one another. And the possible mediums/ ways it can be used/applied. It also opened my eyes to the possibilities of using different or even new techniques to create a new form of database narrative.
Each of you will research theĀ NASĀ Archives andĀ Singapore Memory ProjectĀ see what you can discover about a place of your choice in Singapore.
The place I have researched is Hillview, especially Jalan Gumilang and Hillview Avenue, as they were the places my parents lived during the late remaining parts of their childhood. And it also played a part in how they met. My mother lived at one of the land estates at uphill Jalan Gumilang, while my father lived downhill at one of the HDBs Block 7 (was demolished around 2005-mid 2006) at Hillview Avenue.
Despite living through a walkable distance from one another, they met coincidently from one hangout with a group of mutual friends (through my mother’s best friend’s boyfriend’s friend’s friend’s) on Saturday evening. They came found out they lived near each other when my father wanted to fetch her home and since then my father would walk uphill to meet my mother. š
^remembering Princess Elizabeth Estate near Hillview AvenueĀ by Lam Chun See (Author of book Good Morning Yesterday)
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^Talk by Tan Chuan-Jin on the series of events to help increase awareness on the ongoing engagement on the use of the former railway land (centering on the bridges, including the KTM bridge at Hillview) and also with the aim to explore, encourage and develop creative ideas for incorporation into the future of the Rail Corridor.
^Development of the Hillview Avenue and Hillview Road by a resident who used to live in a small quiet estate off Hillview Avenue. As it held lots of memories for him, he records all of his own stories in this blog.
This oral history caught my attention as it showcased an interview of an artist Ho Chee Lick and in the later part of the interview he explained on how he moved to house in 2006 and started a new studio at Hillview. He explained and talked about ink brush painting of trees in his new studio and he moved towards calligraphy. He experimented with different ways of painting, from less oil paint to more water ink, abstraction, and also how ink painting was related to music.
Examples of projects that you think address the notion ofĀ database or interactive narrativeĀ in an innovative or thought-provoking way.
Before going through the reading by Marsha Kinder, I associated the thought of databases with choices and selecting. Choice games came into mind, such asĀ Until Dawn.
However, after going through the reading, I understand that database narratives can be seen as combining selected items from the databases to create a story. Rather than just choices and selecting, elements from different database categories are defined and used. It may have an unclear beginning and ending to them as well. Another example could even be the simple activity, One Word Story.
Until Dawn
Until Dawn is an interactive drama horror game where the player has control over the 8 characters that have to survive on Blackwood Mountain. This is game is shown from a third person view when you control a character to explore the environment and first person view when you make choices for them. With a unique mechanic in the game, the Butterfly Effect. Even the simplest choices made or items/clues you find may end up saving or killing characters, affecting their relationships, resulting in being closer to one another or being further apart. As the databases are hidden, this game has an unclear ending, with a potential number of outcomes.
One Word Story
This is a simple activity where people takes turn to each say a word, with the goal to create a coherent story. We can consider the sources of their choice of words to be their database memories. Using their own choices of words, this results in the combining of words with an unclear beginning, ending with different outcomes.
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