Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 13:10:10 +0000
From: Steve Millward <millstev-AT-isu.edu>
Subject: Re: PUPT: DIgital Mania


Stephen Weber wrote:
> 
> Hi everyone,
> 
>    In my opinion, I think that the computer should be approached and
> embraced as one would any useful tool.  It truly does open the door to
> creative possibilities that could only have been dreamt of at one time.
> 
> For theatrical artists and craftsmen the advantages are overwhelming.
> Shows of astounding technical complexity can be "staged" with a minimal
> crew. For the very small theatrical company (i.e. puppet shows) this has
> an even greater significance.
> 
> Not only can the sound, lighting, costumes, sets AND puppets be designed
> via the computer....but the entire sound and lighting system can be
> pre-programmed and operated by one as well. Thus enabling a small two
> person company (for instance) to present the work of five.
> 
> On the other hand...I do NOT feel that this technology should be
> embraced at the expense (i.e. the obliteration) of the traditional,
> hands-on, "analog" approach to things either!   For example, one cannot
> deny that being able to create a full 360 degree graphic of a design on
> a video screen is a revelation and very useful.     But it is my fear
> that this technology will also inadvertantly "rob" future generations of
> "artists" who may never get the "tactile" hands-on experience of
> sitting at a drawing board with "pencil" in hand or constructing a
> "real" scenic model that exists outside of a "Lightwave" programme.
> 
> Computers and the digital technology is truly miraculous and
> wonderful....but like any other tool it's application has a proper time
> and place.
> 
>  OH!....and speaking of that, I think that a series of P of A workshops
> dealing with computerized sound and music  editing,  as well as lighting
> and general show control should be a MUST!
> 
>                            Peace,
>                      Steve Weber
>             The Laughing Egg Studio
> 
> 
> 
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     Hello everyone.  Steve Millward here.  I have been absent from the
list for some time due to some surgery  (I had to go to UCSD Medical
Center in San Diego to have some  blood clots surgically removed from my
pulmonary arteries)  Anyhow, I'm feeling much better now that I can
actually breathe and function without blacking out. 

     Jim Gamble's "Digital Mania" topic caught my attention and I
thought I would put in my .02.    I agree with Steve Weber's post
(above) that computers are a great tool, but they will never take the
place of human creativity and ingenuity.  I don't know about everyone
else, but although I don't draw very well, I find my creative juices
flow much better from a pencil than from my computer mouse or keyboard,
whether I am writing a composition or designing something.  Once I get
the basic idea down on paper, a computer really comes in handy to
formalize and augment that idea.  Steve mentions using computers to
control lighting, curtains etc.  A great way to control those (and
other) things is with a MIDI controller. Besides outputting a nice
musical score, certain channels of the MIDI stream can control
electro-mechanical relays (check out all the neat projects at  
http://www.pavo.com/midi/midicust.htm        Another good source is 
 http://www.show-control.com/     and an interesting computerized stage
lighting simulator is at
http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~pacshop/lab/lab.html.  (Note:  I got these
addresses some time ago, and I don't remember where I got them.  It
could have even been from someone on this list.  If it was, my apologies
in advance.)

Another thing that Jim's post stressed was MP3 song files and play ers. 
I'll have to take issue just a little bit with Jim's statement that they
are CD quality, but they are a great way to exchange musical information
over the net.

Last but not least, I would like to comment regarding classes and
workshops, etc. at the PoA festival.  My problem with the festival is
that unless you are fortunate enough to be able to register for the
entire week (so far I am not) there is no way to see when the various
workshops are scheduled so that you pick the best days for you to
attend.  I won't complain too loudly about this, since I haven't joined
PoA yet, but I wondered if anyone else had a problem with it.  

Well, I just got a bunch of polyurethane rubber that I've been wanting
to try out for molding and casting heads and hands, so I'll sign off for
now.

Steve Millward
(Future) "Breath of Life" Marionette Theatre
Pocatello, Idaho


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