Agenda

• select paper presenter for Sep 26
• show new joint 3D model
• upcoming: performance proposals/story sketches due Mon Sep 26
• upcoming: performance concept selected by Wed Sep 28
• discuss “Exploring Passive User Interaction for Adaptive Narratives”
• progress check on “breathing duet” (demo first thing Wednesday)

• Create an account on the course web site (use your Andrew ID)
• Read Chapters 2, 5 and 15 of The Viewpoints Book (see Readings)
• Write a problem statement and be prepared to discuss it in class.
• Update: the problem statement post is due Monday at 11:30AM, two hours ahead of class, so we have time to read them prior to class. Your submission should be a post on this site, under the ‘Analysis’ category.

Agenda

• Functional decomposition.
• Building primitives in Max.
• Challenge: rhythmic performance by end of class.

Warmup

• objectives, timeline, project scope, rcp-f16-plan-2016-08-28
• kinetic storytelling, dialogue versus form and action
• intrinsic machine character

Agenda

• Introductions revisited.
• Quick introduction to pneumatics.
• Quick overview of Max.
• Max 7 and ValveControl
• Challenge: rhythmic performance by end of class.

Warmup

• Welcome to 16-375/54-375 Robotics for Creative Practice.
• Mutual introductions.
• Discuss project plan.
• Review precedent work.
• Improv and story exercises.

Initial workflow plan

rcp-f16-plan-2016-08-28

Story & Improv Games

Improv is a process. It’s not a thing. It’s a structured method with guidelines and rules that allow us to get somewhere. Like improv jazz, you use scales and music theory. We have games and structures, and some overarching ‘rules’. Here they are.

• Play. (engage in something for the joy of it).
• Let Yourself Fail
• Failing is easy. Being okay with it is hard.
• Listen / Be willing to change. Listen totally every sentence to build this shared world. Take yourself out of the equation.
• Say ‘Yes’. Yes’s bring you somewhere. No’s don’t bring you anywhere.
• Say ‘And’. Also build the world!
• Play the game. (Follow the rules)
• Relax and have fun.

Terms about Storytelling:

• Normalcy/Break Normalcy/Return to Normalcy
• Plot Arc
• The “Why Now?”
• Character Motivations: Goals, desires, etc.

Try to start thinking about scenes when watching sitcoms or TV shows. Questions to ask yourself to start thinking about story:

• What does this character want?
• What is getting in the characters way?
• What is the character doing about it?
• What just changed about xyz relationship in that scene? How do the characters feel about each other at the beginning of the scene? At the end?
• What will it cost the character to get what they want?

This site uses Andrew authentication, so you may log in using your Andrew ID and password.