BASKER VISION
– a tracking system for drama in mixed reality environment



DESCRIPTION
Basker Vision is a vision system designed and developed as part of the practical theatrical experiments in PERFORMANCE ANIMATION TOOLBOX.

This video tracking system is developed with focus on characters in interactive dramatic scenarios such as in traditional play and improvisational theatre. For this purpose the tracking systems is designed with focus on relations; between characters and characters in space. The system registers identity, position, movement quality and rotation in relation to space and other characters in space. These relations can be defined as absolute or relative in relation to other actors and in the defined physical space.

Colour codes worn by the actors (basker hats, full body dress, objects etc), are used to identify different actors on stage. The colour codes may be a unique combination of two colours arranged as front/ back for tracking of eye view direction in relation to space, objects and other characters in space. This opens up for a detailed measurement of the view angle and closer relation and quality of movement to fellow actors and space.

The system handles tracking of three actors simultaneously. This number was chosen to create a minimal size of a group and to keep within the technical limitations of bandwith and CPU to achieve acceptable live response for the actors on stage. Basker vision is a simple low-cost and low-tech set-up, that proved to be fast, flexible and good prototyping tool for the development of new staging techniques, tracking principles and media formats.

PARTICIPANTS
Design Marika Kajo
Programming/Vision Tracking Johan Torstensson in collaboration with Magnus Lundin, Emotional Studio, Interactive Institute, Stockholm

DOCUMENTATION
Callesen J., Kajo M. and Nilsen K. (2003) The Performance Animation Toolbox; developing tools and methods through artistic research” in ‘New visions in performance: the impact of digital technologies’ edited by Gavin Carver and Colin Beardon. Swets & Zeitlinger publishers, Lisse, The Netherlands.