In which there are, amongst other things, new narrative paradigms for the 21st century, and Muppets

[gominokouhai]

It is now possible to have a mocap system that links directly (and accurately!), in realtime, to a fully realized 3D set. Both the motion-capture system and the set in which it is to be rendered are simultaneously available to a sufficiently skilled technician, who can manipulate elements of same as required while the motion-capture is still continuing, from a single laptop. This might not excite you in the way I've just described it, but what you must consider is the fact that we have these tools available. This in itself has potentially broad-reaching effects about the nature of storytelling in the 21st century. And, which is much more important, as a direct result, tonight was possibly the first time ever that the following phrase has been uttered, honestly and without irony, to an actor:

Don't worry. Stand still and I'll rotate the world around you.

Oh yeah baby. If there were ever a reason why I got myself into acting, it's this.

~

The Muppets do Bohemian Rhapsody. Presented without any further comment. I'm going to have terrible mosh neck when I wake up tomorrow, and it's entirely the fault of Dr Teeth and his Electric Mayhem. Okay, partially their fault and partially the fault of Penelope Spheeris.

(You should follow that last link; I'm giving you a no-honk guarantee.)

~

It transpires that I gots a smartphone app. Some of you should remember the pajh-inna-box of old. Now it has an app. This would be unsurprising in itself were it not for the fact that Googol Play allows user feedback comments, most of which are about how awesome I sound. There's one there from user Jessica Rabbit thus:

I own many, many tts voices but this is the best, yet! [...] this male, u.k. voice is the most natural sounding and also elegant & sophisticated! [...] I can listen to this imaginary Englishman throughout my day helping me with my appointments and such!

I suspect the real Jessica Rabbit would say LOL somewhat less, being a lady who knows what elegant and sophisticated actually means. If this were the real Jessica Rabbit commenting, none of you would see me for dust.

I'm not bad. I just sound that way.

Comments

[clanwilliam]

"Smooth sounds natural and not creepy."

And then I remember that I've met you and howl laughing.

[gominokouhai]

I do sound natural! You've met me in person, you should know I sound just like a real boy.

[alwayswondered]

I wish I were a robot-voice. I do sarcasm SO well.

[digitalraven]

So I have yet another way to make you say "No, I don't want it, please drink all my whisky."?

Excellent.

[gominokouhai]

Yes. You can now do it on your phone. But I might suspect shenanigans.

[aralias]

i'm a bit late with this comment, but i was reminded by your most recent post that i hadn't stopped by this one to pointlessly proclaim 'this is the coolest thing i've heard about anyone on my f-list doing!' i love the idea of being a sarcastic robot and an app. excellent stuff.

[gominokouhai]

Telling me how cool I am is never pointless.

The mocap stuff has the potential to be cooler, but the coolest was still the moderately-successful cookery show.

(I keep meaning to comment on your B7 acting posts---once again, you touch upon an area very close to my heart---I'll get to it, I promise.)

[aralias]

a moderately successful cookery show is indeed very cool - but as cool as a robot? (i suppose you could combine the two to get the ultimate coolness)(seriously, though, a cookery show is very good).

as for acting - i would be interested to read your thoughts, yes :) and i am pleased to know that post was potentially also interesting.