Design and implementation of a special effects control system in digital scenery

Abstract

Technology and art are becoming closely related. Technology advances in all sectors, even in the performing arts world, where both performers and producers keep on adapting new technological resources. Smoke is an element often used in the stage to generate surprising visual impacts. However, it is normally used in an uncontrolled way, to create a vanishing effect. In the scenography world, existent solutions are not systematically applied. They are adapted to each performance in such a way that it is not easy to readapt them for other performances. The main challenge of this project is to introduce smoke as a scenic element in a controlled way. In addition, other tools for digital scenery are also explored. As a final result, a smoke control system is designed and implemented for a specific theater performance. Other techniques are also studied to try to enhance it. Finally, it is defined a conceptual model to measure and quantify the audience reaction during a performance.