Back in early 1995 I started Web surfing. One of the things
I went looking for on the Web was information on a thing called a "Rave".
I had heard of these back in 1991 and had actually played DJ for an "underground"
party back in 1990. In 1995 I already had two Video Toasters, an MX-1 video
mixer, 3 cameras and 3 VCRs. With the basic equipment necessary to do visuals
not seen in Houston, I contacted a group of guys that went by the name
of The Matrix Crew. They were about to do a Rave called
Area
51. This was the first gig for my Rave Visuals. My visuals for this
first event was concentrated on interactive visuals. Participants danced
in front of a camera and saw themselves in a virtual trip. I also generated
visuals using video-feedback techniques. Since then, I have made efforts
to further expand my equipment and capabilities.
One of the things I did to add to my repertoire of visuals
was to build a "video wall". It was built from 4 old Amiga 500 computers
and 16 Apple computer monitors. Although I have over 20 16mm film projectors
now, I have not made serious efforts in putting these to use. Many others
who do visuals use film loops and overhead projecors. While such techniques
can produce interesting visuals, they are repetitious and inflexible. My
concentration has been with visuals projected with video projectors and
video monitors. With constant control, these images can be constantly changing.
As far as I'm concerned, if the same visual is seen for over a minute,
then it's been up for too long. I could be called a "VJ", mixing video
for your viewing pleasure.
There are three types of visuals I do:
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Real-time manipulation of Video / Interactive Visuals:
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All images can be proccessed in different ways, up to four
levels of image proccessing can be applied on a live camera feed (or video
off of tape). This is the heart of the interactive visuals. Dancers can
move in front of the camera and see themselves in a virtual trip.
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Real-time, sound-activated computer graphics:
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I use over five different software application on two different
computer platforms that create images that move to the beat..
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Pre-recorded visuals:
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These can be from video tapes and off of my computer hard
drives. Complex 3D animation cannot be created in real-time. I can create
custom animations upon request. I have some custom animated loops that
run off of Hard Drives or from RAM. 3D animations and graphics created
by others are generally proccessed so they do not look the same as when
played at home.
My current Visuals equipment includes:
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Home-grown Video Wall (4 Amiga computers running special
software)
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2 - Video Toasters (Amiga Computers with special hardware/software)
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2 - Videonics MX-1 Video Mixers
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2 - PCs running sound-activated graphics software.
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PC with a DPS Perception and 8 Gigs of Video playback.
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Pentium Pro PC with a FAST DV Master card an 28 gigs HD space.
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Hi-8 VCR
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SVHS VCRs
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Laser Disc Players
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4 - Video Projectors (3 create 8'x6' images and one creates
20'x15'images)
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TBCs, VDA's, Gen-locks and Scan-line converters
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Numerous video monitors from 13"-27"
In addition, I can provide lighting effects and a sound system.
I have over 100 Ellipsoidal lighting instruments, which can be used for
typical stage lighting or custom gobo projections.
The Raves I have done:
Area
51 - The Matrix Crew (Houston)
Phuture - The Matrix Crew (Houston)
Delirium II - The Matrix Crew (Houston)
Section 9 - Millennium Productions ( Austin )
F.A.T.E.F. (Dripping Springs)
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