TRANSISTOR 2008

Robots, motion capture and special effects

From 19th to 22nd June in Telč and Prague, Czech Republic.

In 2008 Transistor offers one intensive training session, focusing on motion capture and robotic technologies in cinema special effects and multimedia performances. that combines practical workshops, case studies and theoretical presentations by renowned professionals from Europe, USA and Japan. They are famous new media artists, professionals from audiovisual and game industry as well as theoreticians and university-based educators. This team will ensure multifaceted stimuli leading to a deep understanding and exploration of new audiovisual and interactive technologies. This year Transistor will host the famous media artists, designers and researchers Stelarc and Louis Philippe Demers.

During the intensive 4-day workshop participants will investigate different motion capture techniques and the possibilities of using robots for performances and for audiovisual projects. Experienced tutors will explain the different motion capture systems, the process of setting sensors, recording sessions and the computer data post-processing. Participants will discover how to couple this system with robots in hybrid choreographies. In parallel, they will look closer at how these technologies are used in the latest special effects developed in the cinema industry. The goal is to experience the latest technologies, to integrate them and to produce own projects with them.

The workshops will welcome 25 participants from all around Europe. The participants are some creative professionals and up-and-coming talents - producers, artists, designers, film makers, media artists, as well as developers, programmers and educators with strong personal visions and high motivation to adopt new techniques of design and production (especially those who are ready to explore the possibilities offered by transdisciplinary approach to new media content creation). The setting of a heterogeneous group will enable to create some dynamic exchanges and a rich effervescence during the workshop. Participating in Transistor 2008 is a great chance to meet some passionate professionals, specialised in various fields and to make some amazing and constructive encounters for the future !

The workshop will be held in Telč and Prague from 19th till 22nd of June 2008. It is supported by the MEDIA Training Program of the European Union.

TRANSISTOR SINCE 2005

TransISTor is an ongoing training project (started in 2005) with main objectives to increase competence and promote competitiveness of young audiovisual professionals working with interactive media. The training sessions which combine personalized hands-on practicing with conceptual and technological introductions address producers, artists, designers as well as developers, programmers and educators. The sessions are aimed to offer transdisciplinary insights into some of the advanced multimedia techniques which underpin contemporary audiovisual productions. The structure of training sessions has been continuously revised in order to efficiently update know-how and skills of the participants needed to create competitive and innovative products with artistic added value. The workshops are based on the use and practice of the newest techniques and technologies. TransISTor previous sessions focused on computer games related technologies while opening up their creative potential also for non-gaming storytelling domains, including cinema, TV, and cross-media productions.

The main objectives of Transistor since 2005 was to provide creative multimedia professionals with the substantial principles of some of the most advanced technologies such as motion capture systems, stereoscopy, computer games engines, AI techniques and content-sharing in 3D virtual environments as well as web 2.0 applications for future cinema. Special attention has been on the practical exploitation of creative techniques in various production domains related to storytelling creation. We have been concentrated on the explanation of principles, demonstrations and hands-on practicing. The aim is to enable participants to explore potential of numerous techniques of multimedia creation and allow for adoption of strong personal visions that are necessary for the whole production process.