Initial Thoughts

The prompt:

• Synthetic Media ::
  • Augment an existing piece of media through the process of addition, subtraction, or generation. Go beyond AI image generation and think about a larger concept or body of work. Think specifically about how this could apply to the framework of storytelling.
  • This assignment is about experimentation, not about doing this correctly. It’s alright to go down a path that doesn’t work as long as you show documentation and explain the intent behind your concept and the thinking that brought you there.
  • Bring an idea to our next class to discuss

Using AI to re-contextualize our childhood memories/tv shows with the use of video layering and live generated music

The idea stems from a past project of mine where I made a compilation of my childhood tv shows. I used the videos of the main characteristic of Courage, him yelling any time he is scared, from Courage the Cowardly Dog as the base layer. Then layered other cartoons from my childhood throughout the video, keeping the audio of both layers. An additional audio layer contained music that I created when feeling immense amount of “confusing” emotions. The video was presented on a large projection during Chattanooga Noise Night and I sat off to the side out of sight and played my bass live. (Note: the audience sat on the floor facing the projection)

Below are clips of the video project:

fall2.mov

teletubbies222.mov

ustes2.mov

This piece/performance was less of a “final product” and an experimentation at creating an overwhelming experience that expressed my own personal state of mind (therapy, instead of words, the focus was audio)

There is a sense of vulnerability at the idea of providing an AI with cartoons that impacted my childhood and having it interpret the state of emotions the cartoons may invoke to humans (me). The final product could possibly be a video somewhat edited the way I have above (where multiple shows are on the screen at the same time) and then have the AI create realtime music based off those “feelings”. All the audio could be layered on one another.

Note: This would ideally be presented in a theatre like experience

Minimally in a darker space and the audience in a presenter audience positioning

60861fec1c1041ee96abc0a302563d33.mov

Why cartoons?

Frame our view of the world

context of the world

can be darker but shown in “kid friendly”