CMU School of Drama


Thursday, March 30, 2017

Dancers Instantly Swap Freaky Face Masks Using a Face-Tracking Projector

sploid.gizmodo.com: Costume-changes during a live performance are fast and frenetic, limiting how elaborate makeup and outfits can be. But for this performance by Japanese dance duo AyaBambi, a high-speed face-tracking projector was used to change their appearances while they performed, even creating the illusion of wearing masks that instantaneously appear over their faces.

3 comments:

Alexa James-Cardenas said...

I believe that this article and the video are great examples of the direction technology for the acts should go in. I am a fan of virtual reality and people experimenting how technology can benefit and aid the arts, but part of me feels like when people start using technology has a replacement for physical interactions to do a more “efficient” job, something goes away. However, this performance illustrated that you can still maintain that human connection while using technology not as a replacement, but as an addition to the act. For instance, what made the video so great for me wasn’t the fact there was Media in it an, but how the performance interacted with the media, and it literally influenced how we perceive the two performers. In the same way, the media wouldn’t have been as interesting without the movement of the performers, which not only put a human touch to it, but gave us a roller-coaster story, which made me excited to see jerk and change within the media.

Tahirah K. Agbamuche said...


Having worked backstage several times, I am familiar with the atmosphere and just how hectic it is.In order to be quick and effective, the costumes tend to be simpler. I completely agree with the article, as most theatre artists would, that quick changes limit the ability of designers.The ability to be more complex is a valuable gain in the design community thanks to this fantastic media technology. Although I do not understand how any of it works, I am absolutely intrigued. The media itself is amazing, and the fact that it is in sync with the choreography is even better. What I really appreciate is the choreography is simple, and centered around the head, but no less effective. The sound and lighting is also extremely impressive. Everything is so cohesive and precise. The only thing I have some critique on is the fact that we see the projectors at :47. There is no indication that the cameraman was required to have them seen, so it must have been either an intentional choice, or an accident. For me, I feel like the piece would have been much more successful if I had not seen the projectors in the middle of the footage. Of course I know it is a projector, but at the time, I do not want to be reminded that “hey, these are projectors.” For me it just breaks the continual flow and distracts me from enjoying the piece temporarily. Nonetheless, Props to the design team on this project!

Rebecca Meckler said...

The technology highlighted in this video is amazing. It is amazing how advanced projectors and projector mapping is becoming. However, I wonder if this eliminates the human element when used live. There is something intimate and relatable that occurs when we look at people’s faces. I wonder, if when this technology would be used in a live setting, if it would eliminate some of the trust that occurs during the show. Nevertheless, it this would be really cool to see it in action. I also would love to see this technology projected onto a dancer. I think it would drastically change the audience's experience and could potentially add new meaning into the performance. I hope that it would look as cool as it does in the video. It would be a cool choice for a show and I would love to see this technology in action to see how it would influence an audience's experience.