Online Branch / EquitySRC21 Conference & an invite to the Brain Movie experience

OLB at EquitySRC21

This weekend is the union's annual conference. Not the usual ARC (Annual Reps Conference) the rules state that must take place in May, but an SRC (Special Reps Conference) following the rule that is in place should an ARC not be possible… errr Covid! Last year was the first SRC and that took place on Zoom last November. This year is a travel and turn up affair.

In previous years I have tried to infuse a digital component where I can. The Online Branch has had a presence at past conferences before representatives were invited. The Online Branch has officially been recognised as a Branch with reps invited since 2018.

Before that I attended conferences while elected to the Stage Management Committee and before that representing the Independent Theatre Arts Committee which emerged from the Small Scale Theatre Committee. My first conference was in 2007, I think! It’s been a while. I have seen substantial changes to the fabric of the union and how it’s developed and changed.

It’s been a glacial paced process!

What have I got planned for SRC, digitally for those not attending as a elected representative?

I will be hosting Zoom meet ups scheduled around my responsibilities to participate with the conference as an attendee, as your representative. There are 2 opportunities for this having looked at the time table and communicated with GuildHouse.

Saturday evening. (25th September) Film Night.

I’ll be arriving at the Conference centre which is conveniently the hotel mid-afternoon. While thinking about planning this activity I came across a ‘performance’ being streamed to Twitch.

 

The MOMENT is a brain controlled dystopian sci-fi film following three interlinking stories. Directed by artist and researcher Richard Ramchurn, it uses a Neurosky headset to detect EEG brain waves which will effect the edit, sound mix and narrative of a specially created movie.

There are over 18 billion narrative combinations of the film. Each screening is unique.

The MOMENT is screened in an intimate Mobile Cinema inside a converted caravan seating up to 6 audience members and one controller.

More info and art work from the film.

I'd very much like to share this experience with fellow members. It will be the third time I experience the piece. It’s a brain controlled film. Controlled by one brain and on this occasion the controller's being streamed. We will watch the film interpreted by their brain waves.

There will never be this version of this film seen again. (not generated live, the recording will be fixed)

Check out the first time I encountered the Brain Movie. It gives a little insight to how it works. It’s a perfect demonstration of a live streamed live-interaction of a produced on-demand creation that will be unique and seen this one time only.

Join Me - Opportunity 1 - Film night on Zoom (Open to all Equity members and Non members)

Its screening live on Twitch, Saturday evening from 8pm - 9pm UK time. I have a ticket. This will be screen-shared in Zoom. I will be in my hotel room having arrived for Equity's Sprecial Reps Conference on Sunday and Monday with any conference colleague who join me from the bar.

You can watch with us or watch the Twitch stream.

I encourage you to register a free pass or pay for a ticket >> EVENTBRITE LINK

This way you can engage with the Twitch chat as well as my Zoom chat which is only those joining me.

I will open the zoom call from 7.45 and keep it open until 9.15. The link to join will be posted in the Online Branch Loomio Group.

For Equity members and OLB members not in the Online Branch Loomio Group and non members for the Film night. Message me on Facebook, WhatsApp or DM me on Twitter if you'd like to join me, have any questions about audience satellite events or just join me for the SRC amplified ride. 

Open Space at SRC - Opportunity 2 (Equity Members ONLY)

The second opportunity is as part of the Open Space and Fringe session taking place as part of the conference on Monday 27th. I have been given the green light to host or attend with technology (to include you) an OpenSpace/Fringe session.

See page 9 - 12 in the conference guide [PDF LINK]

Would you like to take a subject already tabled or would you like to call a session relevant to the branch? I have to propose the session topic to the OpenSpace host Paul Valentine on Sunday night (26th September) at 7pm.

I've not had time to do a lot of planning and I apologies if you can’t attend or participate at such short notice. I run these remote access opportunities in order to demonstrate to Equity how remote access and hybrid engagement with branch members could be approached.

Any questions email [email protected] or message through Facebook or ideally for Online Branch members through the OLB Loomio Group. That and Twitter is where my social media senses will be pointed during conference.

Thanks for reading to the end.

Hope to see you on Saturday or Monday.

Beyond that news of the branch committee and a report back from SRC to follow.

Techbox - Testing Testing 1, 2, 3 - ft. Charlie Diamond Music

Soundcheck, well video projection check. I find I need a go-to YouTube video. In one video I can test screen-casting to a projector or LCD screen or HDMI link syncing, latency or delay. With a video that has good sound levels, I can set a level and know other levels will align.

This is an Artlli Enjoy 2 mini projector. It cost £100. Its included in the latest TechBox for a client. It's part of a hybrid media studio content creation solution that all packs up it into a box. In this case x3 clear stacking storage boxes. The primary purpose of this projector being included is to project the live digital audience into the venue in order for the audience or attendees on the ground to interact and see the cloud-based audience members. In my mind, everyone taking time to attend on the ground or from in the close is 'in-person'.

The video needs good visuals to push the motion response of the projectors internet connection. The audio need to be clean so I can evaluate the speaker responses in the space.

It has to be something I can listen to over and over a few times.

It’s an opportunity too. To share awesome. I’m often asked ‘Who’s this?’ I can tell them who, along with kindred insight not forgetting to get them to check out the YouTube channel and subscribe! This is the path and transactional high way of YouTube! 

The previous goto was Monster by Doddie Clarke. Coz I love it and can listen to it on loop.

Seeing a familiar piece of media that has been played on a variety of devices it useful because you know know what it should optimally sound and look like in an array of conditions.

So currently I'm using Charlie Diamond, Dancing Queen. And as I'm not in a venue for you to ask I am sharing it here. I case you are interested!

Trying something new here too. Embedding from Facebook and not from YouTube. Just to be trans-medium check out the reason why from the video post text accompanying the embedded video. I write and post this as much for my own curiosity to see its impact on the reach stats.

It's not about numbers it's about the audience. When reach was organic being topical and transparent was a requisite. Now you need to dance with the algorithm of whichever platform you want to build upon. 

Do you have a tech check tune? or a video to put your set up through its paces?

This was wirelessly screencasting from a Fusion5 Android tablet. 

Check out Charlie Diamond Music on Facebook. After all, this post is written to smile at the FB Algorithm, general some stats in order to devour the intel!

Be warned the funked downbeat is infectious in Dancing Queen it will follow you around in your head.

Would you like to hear more about the TechBox projects?

 

Edinburgh Fringe - Gather for iMelania

Gather… Melania is the next show in town. This was signposted for me by Imitating The Dog who as a theatre company Explore the boundaries between theatre and technology. A recommendation from these guys certainly got my attention.

 

I, Melania is part of @Summerhallery festival and totally brilliant from @paulavarjack & @ChuckBlueLowry https://t.co/tM3uBLnncT

— imitating the dog (@ImitatingtheDog) August 21, 2021