As autumn settles in and the days grow shorter, I've noticed a shift in my energy levels. Waking up without the immediate warmth of the sun has made mornings slower, and my productivity throughout the day has fluctuated. To adapt, I'm planning to implement the Pomodoro Technique next week—working in focused 25-minute intervals followed by 5-minute breaks—to help maintain a steady pace.
Balancing Act: Volunteering and Academia
This week, I've been deeply involved with the ballroom club, assisting newcomers by creating a link tree of training resources and offering mentorship. This has been fulfilling, as it allows me to contribute to a community that matters to me while also providing a refreshing break from my grad school workload. However, with my academic responsibilities increasing, I'm considering setting boundaries to maintain a healthy balance between volunteering and my studies.
Progress on the VR Ballroom App
Crafting an Immersive Experience
I made significant progress on my VR Ballroom App this week. I gathered resources and selected specific asset packs—Synty Studios' Town and Medieval packs, along with the Clean Flat UI—to create a cohesive and immersive environment. These asset packs offer a variety of NPCs, which is essential for the social dancing feature I envision. My goal is to provide users with an experience that truly feels like being in a dance studio, interacting with instructors and fellow dancers.
Staying on Schedule
Setting up the main menu system was a satisfying milestone. Although a valuable talk on VR slightly delayed my progress, I remain committed to catching up. I plan to dedicate extra time over the weekend to continue developing the core logic for the dance modules and keep the project on track.
Diving into the Algorithmic Rhythm Project
Focusing on Three Key Projects
After exploring different ideas, I've decided to concentrate on three specific projects within the Algorithmic Rhythm framework:
Motion Precision: A Just Dance-style game where players are scored based on body alignment. This ties directly into my focus on performing arts training, as real-time motion capture feedback can significantly enhance skill development.
Shadowslip: A VR experience where players navigate through a laser maze using full-body motion capture. This project aims to push the boundaries of VR by incorporating whole-body interactions, making the experience more immersive and physically engaging.
Words in Motion: A platform where dancers perform live, with audience-submitted text following their limbs. This concept originated from a friend's thesis, and I am excited to develop it into a proof of concept that combines technology with interactive performance art.
Philosophical Alignment
Focusing on these three projects allows me to deepen my understanding of real-time motion capture technology. Concentrating on fewer projects not only aligns with my academic interests but also contributes to my overarching goal of enhancing performing arts through innovative technology. This focused approach feels more meaningful, as it allows me to engage deeply with the subject rather than spread myself too thin.
Rethinking Theatre Research
This week, we had a guest speaker in class—an OSU theatre researcher and the chair of the theatre department. They shared their research, which offered me new insights into the field. I discovered that much of theatre research involves analyzing existing works rather than pioneering new methods. While I understand the value of studying past and present performances, I've realized my passion lies in creating and innovating. This experience has reinforced my desire to focus on developing new technologies and methodologies that can contribute meaningfully to the arts, aligning with my goal of making a positive impact.
Collaborative Creativity in Motion Capture
Working on the "Small Person in a Big World" project has been both challenging and rewarding. Capturing movements like swimming and floating required us to get creative. For the swimming sequences, we needed our actor to move all four limbs freely, so we had him lie on top of a box to simulate the swimming motion without restricting movement. Our professor provided valuable advice on adjusting the actor's performance to better align with natural physics. She suggested clipping out transition segments to simplify position changes and improve the overall fluidity of the motion. It’s fascinating to recognize that motion capture is inherently a creative process—one that requires rethinking how movement is conceptualized, free from the usual constraints of traditional video recording.
For the floating scenes, two team members lifted the actor to mimic a descent, adding an inventive touch to the motion capture process. Collaborating with my team in this hands-on way has not only solved technical challenges but also made the project more engaging and insightful.
Looking Ahead: Course Selection for Next Semester
I'm currently considering a few course options for next semester:
Motion Capture Independent Study: This course would allow me to deepen my expertise in motion capture technology and strengthen my relationship with a professor whose work I admire. Given that many of my projects involve motion capture, it seems like a natural fit.
Storytelling with Unreal: This course could lead to compelling portfolio pieces and give me an opportunity to learn Unreal Engine, broadening my technical skill set and increasing my versatility as a developer.
Devising Interactive Media: Known for producing some of the most exciting projects in my program, this course offers opportunities to create innovative work that could be crucial for future job prospects or academic pursuits.
Each of these courses aligns with my long-term goals of innovation and creation. The decision will ultimately depend on which path offers the most growth and fits best with my aspirations.
Key Takeaways from the Week
This week has been a blend of introspection and progress. Adapting to seasonal changes has highlighted the importance of adjusting my routines to maintain productivity. Balancing volunteering with academic responsibilities continues to be a delicate act, but one that brings fulfillment and growth. Focusing my projects has given me clarity and purpose, reinforcing my commitment to making meaningful contributions through technology and creativity. Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep learning, exploring, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in my field.
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