YUMMY - More bang for the buck

TASTE

Feedback

All I can say is WOW! The response from my first blog was very positive with almost 100 direct link hits. I received over 14 unsolicited positve feedback from people, most of whom I had never met before along with offers to judge, consult, and guest-speak  . The only real negative feedback was that it was too long. I agree and intend to keep future blogs shorter. (ok this one is about 500 words shorter, about a 12% decrease...will try harder next time).  I had planned to break the 1st blog into 2 parts but at the last minute saw a very long post, and so I got curious as to what would happen if i did post it. More curious than anything else.

Also got blindsided in the face hard with a giant tomato so now I wear a hockey mask along with my aligator skin.

Ok so when they told me to "Go BIG or go home..I was always the first one to go home". While others were giving 110 percent, I gave  85 to  87 percent...88 on a good day. So when I do finally see a prime opening to go BIG if not HUGE...well then  Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me yeah, and thus my continued interest in developing a suite of products to allow SL animations to be edited ...in a virtual sense.

But first I feel the need to address a couple of concerns raised with regards to 'more huds to wear', 'number of scripts' and 'channel usage'.

 First off my tools use less than half the number of scripts that the smallest dance HUD uses. Second that huds with menus (channel usage) challenge sim resources noticebly*  and are a concern at showtimes. Well first of all I have 3 platforms of tools. The 1st is designed to be used in the privacy of your own home or development studio as this is where you select criterium to direct future scripted actions so this is about as a low-lag of a condition as you could expect and so there should be no concern of performance lag ...since there is no performance But even so, I did an ad-hoc comparison, not super-valid and maybe apples-to-oranges comparison, and my most function-heavy tool weighs in at about 10% of the resources of what is, arguably, the top resource-performance-related HUD.  Ok noone was more shocked than I. I expected my baby to relly PIG out on resources. And even, so I do agree I can make it lighter.


The 2nd will be a lighter and less demanding show version with simple icon-based triggered actions. And 3rd will be an even lighter version that is macro-driven so that it embeds into HUDs that you are already using so that you won't have to have yet another HUD on your screen. My device(s) can also be worn on the body as an attachment or rezzed ....if  HUD screen space is a concern.


Well thats the plan, anyways. Of course it will take time to create these extra lighter versions so don't expect them to all be released at the same time.

And now for the FREE prize in the cracker-jack box. This time I decided to put the freebie at the beginning since many missed it at the end last time due to the obscene length...they lied when they said size matters 

 Someone told me that easiest way to create images for my blogs is to create new products, give them away, and take screen shots. Hmmmm.  There has to be an easier way...but maybe they're right. I am so trusting. So without further ado, because you've had more ado than any person should have to take...I present to you....TADA!!!...

DanceTimer

The DanceTimer I just created was inspired by Nottoo's post on song-timing. (Choreography of a Show).  And yes I am offering it FREE for a limited time to DQ members. If I haven't met you then all I ask in return is a face-2-face meeting with you for about 59 seconds and breathe the air you breathe.


The DanceTimer..what is it?:

It saves you from having to watch a timer with a second-hand AND THEN  write down the times at precise moments AND THEN calculate the length of each song section, AND THEN time the song 2 more times, AND THEN  add the 3 times of each section AND THEN divide by 3 to get an average.


What this timer does is offer a stopwatch face that is toggle start/stop. So simply click on it at the beginning of the song, then click on the RED SQUARE each time you hear a section change. It will remember the times. Then STOP the stopwatch by clicking on the stopwatch face again...and then, if you are happy with your times, click the BLACK UP ARROW to accept and STORE that round of times. (If not then redo it without storing).


Then START the stopwatch again and repeat the process 2 more times.  There is an option to RESET when you press the RED SQUARE while the stopwatch is in the STOPPED condition


 And there is a PLAY button to play the song using your averaged times. In the future it will be easy to add the ability to trigger other devices at these precise times to say communicate with a HUD, start a dance sequence, trigger a wardrobe-function, fx trigger or ???. You can also name the song sections using a notecard in the HUD. That way the timed sections have more meaning by having a title.

Here is the chat results of 3 sample runs thru 1 of Notoo's 3 SongChange exercises called: Mack the Knife.  Ok after going thru it, I could have picked a better song to demo but..hey...this is what ya get.

Most likely I would start a dance about every other section but it was easier for me to click off each section this way.

Averages - Section 1 (Section1) ends at --> 11.0 seconds and is 11.0 seconds long
Averages - Section 2 (Section2) ends at --> 22.0 seconds and is 11.0 seconds long
Averages - Section 3 (Section3) ends at --> 32.7 seconds and is 10.7 seconds long
Averages - Section 4 (Section4) ends at --> 43.7 seconds and is 11.0 seconds long
Averages - Section 5 (Vocals1) ends at --> 54.7 seconds and is 11.0 seconds long
Averages - Section 6 (Section6) ends at --> 65.3 seconds and is 10.7 seconds long
Averages - Section 7 (Section7) ends at --> 76.3 seconds and is 11.0 seconds long
Averages - Section 8 (Section8) ends at --> 87.0 seconds and is 10.7 seconds long
Averages - Section 9 (Solo1) ends at --> 97.3 seconds and is 10.3 seconds long
Averages - Section 10 (Section10) ends at --> 108.3 seconds and is 11.0 seconds long
Averages - Section 11 (Section11) ends at --> 119.0 seconds and is 10.7 seconds long
Averages - Section 12 (Section12) ends at --> 130.0 seconds and is 11.0 seconds long
Averages - Section 13 (Vocals2) ends at --> 140.3 seconds and is 10.3 seconds long
Averages - Section 14 (Section14) ends at --> 151.0 seconds and is 10.7 seconds long
Averages - Section 15 (Section15) ends at --> 161.7 seconds and is 10.7 seconds long
Averages - Section 16 (Section16) ends at --> 172.3 seconds and is 10.7 seconds long
Averages - Section 17 (Solo2) ends at --> 183.3 seconds and is 11.0 seconds long
Averages - Section 18 (Section18) ends at --> 192.7 seconds and is 9.3 seconds long

Below is the results of pressing the PLAY button after you have completed 3 sample entries.

[17:19:07] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: ***********************************
[17:19:07] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Playing Started ! 18 stages
[17:19:07] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Section1 Time Start: 0
[17:19:18] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Section1 Time End: 11.0
[17:19:18] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Clock: 11 seconds
[17:19:18] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: 
[17:19:18] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: 
[17:19:18] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Section2 Time Start: 11.0
[17:19:29] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Section2 Time End: 22.0
[17:19:29] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Clock: 23 seconds
[17:19:29] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: 
[17:19:29] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: 
[17:19:29] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Section3 Time Start: 22.0
[17:19:40] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Section3 Time End: 32.7
[17:19:40] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Clock: 33 seconds
[17:19:40] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: 
[17:19:40] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: 
.

.

.
[17:21:50] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: 
[17:21:50] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: 
[17:21:50] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Section16 Time Start: 161.7
[17:22:01] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Section16 Time End: 172.3
[17:22:01] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Clock: 174 seconds
[17:22:01] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: 
[17:22:01] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: 
[17:22:01] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Solo2 Time Start: 172.3
[17:22:12] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Solo2 Time End: 183.3
[17:22:12] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Clock: 185 seconds
[17:22:12] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: 
[17:22:12] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: 
[17:22:12] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Section18 Time Start: 183.3
[17:22:21] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Section18 Time End: 192.7
[17:22:21] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Clock: 194 seconds
[17:22:21] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: 
[17:22:21] TPT - DanceTimer v1.8: Last Song Section has played
 

Production Classifications

I have found two ways of classifying a production. Vertical and horizontal. Vertical is where one person is in charge of one specialty. Example: One person builds all the sets. Another person choreographs all the routines, another selects all the costumes, while still another is responsible for all of the musical selections. 

Horizontal production means that each person is responsible for their own music, set, choreography, and costume, and anything else.

Horizontal productions seem better suited for multiple short acts,  while vertical productions seem geared towards a single, longer, act.

Production Reuse

It occurred to me that all the many hours spent preparing for a 3-minute routine with lavish sets...seemed to be wasted if only performed once.  (I heard that you may see them again in 6 months or so but...) I think that any opportunity to reuse the production, say at another venue in a different time-slot, would give wider exposure to the venue, troupe, and entertainment offering. Many are not aware that this type of media offering exists outside of our circle.  But yes, a problem could exist whereby a larger venue is offered a chance to perform away from their home venue...but at a smaller venue. Some sets/shows could adapt and others might not. But for those who could create a 2nd smaller road-show production, there would be more potential playdates....my 2 cents...and I have already seen a move in this direction.

Resource Exchange

Then I got the idea...well about venues offering to swap or exchange resources. Where applicable, 2 venues could agree to exchange sets, dancers, choreography or whatever else has exchangeable value and practicality. The idea being to offer exposure and widen your viewing audience by presenting to a different locality and time-slot. I have seen some of this happening already. Kudos.

Bring in the Substitute

I've seen and been a part of troupes where one or more members crash during the performance. This is seemingly normal in laggy situations. So I had an idea. How about having an extra troupe member on stand-by to fill-in after some agreed upon time? Good for the show without a doubt, but maybe not so good for egos, pride, and morale. But its an idea worth mulling. I have a device that  (in my head), could automatially connect the substitute to the empty dance pad or pose ball after x-seconds of being empty. Hmmmm....

What's the Score?

I have been hearing a lot of comments about what people like and dont like as well as paying attention to what and when people openly applaud parts of an act. Current audiences are so respectful, supportive, positive, uplifting and encouraging, that seldom will you, as performers,  hear a discouraging word from audience members, especially if they are not performers themselves.

So a couple people have asked me recently what criterion I used to value a performance. Well I had never stopped to analyze it. After all who gives a .....what what I think?

 But...then with due respect, I sat down, slowed down my thought process, and went thru things that stood out that made an impact on me both positive or negative in conjunction with what I've heard others say in private. I tried to look at it  using my easy-going-audience hat as opposed to seeing it from the point of a more critical-performer hat, since I think the goal eventually is to play to a higher concentration of non-performing audience members.  

So I came up with the following very onofficial, rough, scoring system that is meant to be helpful to those looking for some sort of baseline in determining how well your offering will be or has been received in comparison to an average baseline:


SET


1 - Background
1 - Walls
1 - Floor
2 - Convergent set (3D depth)
1 - BG,Floors,Walls coordinated
1 - Has Props
1 - One animated set of props
1 - Two or more animated props
1 - Breaks 4th wall
1 - Uses particle effects
1 - Parts of actual set structure animate
1 - Higher level platform
2 - Noticeably colorful set


MUSIC


1 - Has Lyrics
2 - Popular
1 - Syncopated Rhythm
1 - Humorous


CHOREOGRAPHY
 

1 - At least 1 unique dance
1 - At least 2 dances of distinquishably different tempos
2 - Dances change when song sections change
1 - Static opening pose
1 - Static finishing pose
1 - A funny dance
1 - A sexy dance
1 - A dance that shows your backside (a turn)
1 - A dance that uses the floor
1 - A dance that seems airborne for a brief time


WARDROBE FUNCTIONING


-2  - Removal of items in 1st 10 seconds
-2  - Waiting until last 5 seconds before removing any items
-1  - Only 1 round of wardrobe removal


COSTUMES


-1 - Plain undergarments
-1 - X-shaped Pasties


EMOTING


1 - Emotes  (any type)
1 - Emotes (spontaneously)
2 - Addresses at least 1 member of the audience with a response
-1 - No emoting


GROUPING


1 - More than 1 person dancing
1 - Dancing in Sync
2 - Use of changing formations
2 - Smooth transitions
1 - Same costumes
1 - All emoting
2 - Two different routines performed at same time by 2 different troupe groupings
1 - Allowing part of troupe to freeze while other part continues dancing.


OVERALL PRODUCTION


1 - Live Voice MC
1 - Spontaneous unscripted Voice MCing
1 - Host or Hostess
1 - Program Offering
1 - Custom Light setting


How to use the above tabulation method:

Add or subtract points for your performance. The higher the score, the more the audience is likely to have enjoyed it and I am speaking more about audience members who are not performers themselves There is of course a ceiling at which point it can approach gimmickry if one tries to aim for the highest score by thowing everything into the mix.


 I think this scoring has more value in relative comparisons for the same show rather than comparing oferings from different venues. It is an indicator of how you will be received in comparison with others acts on the same program. I think the aim should not necessarily to be "the best of show" but to narrow the gap between "best and worst" so the show has a more consistent level of audience-satisfaction.

Active vs Passive 

I find I enjoy a show more when I am actively experiencing it as opposed to passively experiencing it. Active implies that I am more attentive and aware of what is going on. Passive implies that I am sort of zoning out, mind wandering, entranced, unfocused. I tend to drift from back and forth between the 2 modes. The more time I have spent actively viewing and listening, the more I enjoy the performance. Maybe I have mild ADHD? If you ask me what I remember about a performance, well the more atentive I was, the more I can recall. The higher the tally, the more "active" I have been. (And yes its possible to be "actively bad" though rare. You are sitting there going WTF and "..are you kidding me?" every minute or so. That only happened twice to me.  So kudos to all of you....even you WTFers for better days are ahead.

What's Coming?

All I can say is WOW again. I am privvy to seeing what new products and innovations are coming around the corner. When? It appears many new innovations are on target to be released to the public in the JULY-AUGUST 2012  framework. If you are a choreographer, dance troupe, or solo dancer, you will benefit the most. Second will be show producers and audience members who stand to gain the most from the coming enhancements.  I am sooo biting my tongue, chomping at the bit,  but am remaining hush and mum about what I see innovators  are about to unleash on the community.


Many of these new innovations'address and  offer solutions to existing problems' while others offer 'extra creative opportunities' for artists. Basically they end up making productons more interesting to view as well as create.

Something Old, Something New

Wow again! So many blog hits got me to wondering what motivates a person to view a blog link directly? It appears that those entries with the most views seem to answer the question "What's in it for me?".  That is understandable. It seems that blogs which sort of  answer the question "what does it all mean?", that summarizes, draws conclusions, provides survey results, or is a collective resource depository.....seem to garner the most interest. And while browsing, I discovered a trove of interesting articles along the way....so I humbly suggest that in your spare time, you browse some of the older articles at random as there seems to be a wealth of useful information buried in past blogs. Amazing the amount of valuable and varied content Nottoo and others have contributed.

Same Old same Old

I used to be a snob about seeing the same dance done more than once or twice in a routine. But now I find I enjoy any dance that is well placed and fitting for the song being played in that it fits the tempo and segues and transitions nicely and smoothly from and/or to a dance...regardless of how often it is used.

 The truth is there are only so many  "good dances" and it appears that secretly, unofficially, and unceremoniously "we" all seem to agree on which dances are the "good dances"...the "cool dances". We tend to see them more often than what I would call the  "fill dances"....that is, dances that offer variations of the 'stand out dance' that are not as good or noteworthy.  I have also seen the same sequence repeat and it totally worked for me because it matched so well with the music, following and changing in sync with song changes and thus accenting the delineation of the song sections. So I have shed my snobbiness since I am going with how the routine makes me feel and not what makes sense academically.

Short Programs and RL

We hear it all the time. Someone has to cancel a performance due to unforeseen Real-Life obligations and when several of these cancellations occur at the same time, it can prove problematic for show producers who feel they have an obligation to present a minimum show offering. So, for example, 6 acts are scheduled to perform and for some calamitous reason, 3 of them have to cancel or postpone, then show producers, feeling they are expected to offer a minimum of say 30 minutes to an hour of entertainment, end up cancelling the whole event.


Well I have heard that this is disheartening to the dancers who did prepare. So  I say put on a show with the 3 acts that CAN perform. Heed that  "the show must go on", as they say.


So I suggest that for any new clubs (I say new clubs, because I would expect stern resistance from existing clubs who feel they would be sending the wrong signal that their program was waning and dying out) that plan to open, that you consider offering "short programs" some of the time. These will be about 15 minutes long and consist of about 3 acts. Could be 2 or 4, and even include a performer performing twice. I am not implying that you ONLY offer short-programs but that you announce that sometimes you will as the situation arises.


 Because there are so many entertainment time slots open in a given week and the viewing audience is at times starved for entertainment of any kind, I suspect that you will have support from at least those who also work  behind the scenes  to come and support your 'short program' as well as futhering their learning process. Sometimes I feel offerings are of less quality than what producers really want (as was told to me) to offer which could be due to time constaintsm RL interruptions, along with pressure to offer a full program.  I understand that and am totally ok with a mix of quality but also salute those who choose to offer less product but offer the same product more often,  in order to maintain a higher quality. There is room for both.

What's New?

Two more new clubs have opened. No more closings that I am aware of.

And now for the controversial part of this blog: (this will be an ongoing segment of this and future blogs where I remove the mask and skin and let you take your best shot..ala..taking one..ok several for the team and the spirit of lively debate).

I am seeing the hint of entrance-fees for shows as demand begins to outstrip supply with regards to performance seating. How much? Well the average donation for good shows seems to hover around 150 to 200 L to upwards of 300 L per....but thats just a ballpark guess. But $ 1 USD for 1 to 2 hours of entertainment is far from unreasonable. (The fee could be waved in favor of a special group membership, that way you dont offend your paying public by demanding a tithe, since you know will  most likely value your performances)

The first hint to me has been a recent increase in "shows by reservations'. It appears venues are starting to value their own productions by simply saying "what we do has value" and we want to control the quality of your experience and thus, reservations are in order.  

The idea being that you have begun identifying regular (or even semi-regular) conscientous and generous repeat patrons so if you know that say 20 out of 30 people regularly (or semi)  contribute and 10 people (not always the same 10 of course) who ALWAYS "fly free"... the thinking may be, why punish the regular 2/3 paying public with extra lag caused by a 1/3 who are saying that what you do consistently  has no value, yet continue to come back. (Of course they get a pass if they would.... if they could but have fallen on hard times...this being the age of  'hard times).

This model won't apply equally across the board as there are venues who have been and will continue to do well, priding themselves on having and keeping open doors, while bringing in very respectable donations....so why rock the boat? Granted.

 It works well with clubs offering new entetainment often enough to make it practical, but a person might show up and pay the 1st or 2nd time they see a repeated-performance yet bulk at paying beyond that to see the same performance additonal times and in this case you would rather see seats filled than benefit from any type of lag-free-benefit by fee-based attendance.

It only makes sense if you see and feel numbers of avatars are a factor , and you have a hi-powered in-demand offering. accompanied by an identifiable, loyal, and generous fanbase.

 You could offer a special type of performance for those who have voted their approval with ther pocketbooks.

I hear an argument coming of  "then how do we grow our fan base". Well because you still offer free shows as well. So you ask, 'well then why pay for a show that you could see for free?". Well because you offer a different or special or hi-caliber show to those who feel you are 'worth-a-buck'? Many of us are ardent followers craving this type of entertainment and would not want ot feel we had missed "somehing special".

 Expect to see side-by-side 2nd tier special offerings but at a small entrance fee or group-restricted attendance to test the market without alienating the existing fanbase. Don't expect to see this evolution overnight but in the long run..it may be the wave.

 I see productions taking a huge leap forward in the near future as far as seeming more TV/movie like....with more control by show producers and the emergence of a new position called show "director" with real directorial responsibilities as they tackle the challenge and opportunities of up-and-coming innovations..

And that's Yummy's *taste* of things.

 

Yummy

Henmations Releases Second Industrial Dance Series

Henmations Releases Second Industrial Dance Series 120623

Hendrik Schroder sent this to the Henmations Group today ...

====================

Dear Customers,

the second Part of our famous Industrial Dance Series has just been released.
This comes with 20 additional Animations (31 in total now), real life performed by the "worlds best Industrial Dancer 2011/2012"...!!!

Please watch the Promo Video to learn more about the Dancer and the Production at Henmations Studios.
Youtube:   http://youtu.be/Ye8JWnRxaqY

As usual each Animations comes with the HENMATIONS QUALITY PROMISE, no sliding Feeds, no slowdowns at the Loop-points, broked Arms or other Issues you may know from other Creators.

There is even a group exclusive FREE INDUSTRIAL DANCE (new one) available at the landing spot area in our Mainstore.. Go.. Get It!

INDUSTRIAL DANCE
Enjoy your Weekend and have a nice Dance :)

Regards
YOUR HENMATIONS TEAM

New Male AO at SEmotion

New Male AO at SEmotion 120623

Marie Sims sent this to the SEmotion Group today ...

======================

New male AO at SEmotion!Sat, Jun 23 2012 7:13:53 AM PDT

Hello everybody!

I am pleased to inform you that we just released some new male AOs!
SEmotion Tough AO HUD and 3  combo AOs of our latest male AOs. So... feel free to try them at SEmotion!

All AOs are available on Marketplace.

More info - http://se-motion.blogspot.com/

Thank you,
Marie Sims

Shoulder Surgery Needed

Shoulder Surgery Needed 120622

Yes it's true!

Here is a pic Zed sent me of a bad MOCAP dance that needs shoulder adjustment. We are beginning to see a lot of these, so be careful when you purchase.

If you get a bad one, complain to Hendrik.

xxx
Nottoo

New Video from Guerilla Burlesque

New Video from Guerilla Burlesque 120622

Diawa Bellic sent us the URL for the new Guerilla Burlesque video ...

===================

MyAnimation Dance Contest Pictures

MyAnimation Dance Contest Pictures 120622

MyAnimation is continuing their dance picture contest ...

====================

---- 2nd Week ---- CONTEST WINNER IS......Thu, Jun 21 2012 2:49:59 PM PDT

Congratulation to all participants very beautiful and creative pictures.
●• 2nd Week we had 25 entries •● - U can see all of them in the store.
►► 2nd Week WINNER is .... 回► iLeka Resident ◄回

- GOOD Luck for 3rd WEEK of CONTEST -- STARTING Tomorrow!!!
WE will wait your Pictures !!

Judges:
= Ramona Criss & Kpusha Kanto -MyANIMATION CEO
= Angelik Lavecchia -MyANIMATION Manager
= Frolic Mills -B●SL & CO CEO
= Ramses Meredith -EGOISME CEO
= Ponchituti Boucher -Miss Mundo Virtual CEO

Nossa Dances Released at MyAnimation

Nossa Dances Released at MyAnimation 120621

Ramona Criss announced the following in the MyAnimation group today ...

====================

MyANIMATION - NEW RELEASES
Thu, Jun 21 2012 1:08:04 PM PDT

Have you checked our NEW RELEASES???
 █  █  █     NOSSA   DANCES   █  █  █   JUST RELEASED

'La Fiesta' Video

'La Fiesta' Video 120621

Caryl Meredith sent us this video of the Spirit Dance Company's recent show 'La Fiesta'

=====================

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYMnXdLDGRY&feature=youtu.be

MyAnimation News

MyAnimation News 120618

The following was sent today to the MyAnimation Group ...

==================

**** NEW RELEASES + CONTEST + JUNE GIFT ****
Mon, Jun 18 2012 11:35:34 AM PDT

➊  our LATEST RELEASE ▓▒   RUMBA DANCES  ▒▓ ══════

➋WEEK 2 in on!!! Deadline 21st June at midnight http://www.flickr.com/groups/myanimation/discuss/72157630013481863/  <- Click For INFO

➌ JUNE GROUP GIFT on store!!!
All good excuses to visit the store, and to bring your friends!!!!
HAVE FUN!

Couples Dance Desires

Couples Dance Desires 120618

Hendrik Schroeder sent this to the Henmations Group today ...

=================

Couples Dance Requests
Mon, Jun 18 2012 9:12:57 AM PDT

we do a couples dance shooting these days and want to give you the option to send us your personal dance requests! please contact Hendrik Schroeder and send him your wishes

The Piecemaker: Starting a Dance in the Middle

The Piecemaker: Starting a Dance in the Middle 120616

If you read Yummy's first post, you read about the gift she has for anyone who wants it. Well, I always want anything new in dancing, so today Yummy spent some time with me showing me the Piecemaker and talking about the future of SL dancing.

Here we are talking after I had put on the Piecemaker HUD. It defaults to the lower right of your screen.

The Piecemaker is a prototype for a dance HUD that lets you start a dance in the middle of the dance. It comes as a HUD that gives you a blue menu and an instruction notecard.

Here is our rather long conversation (slightly edited):

[09:30:10] Nottoo Wise: ok i have the blue menu
[09:30:15] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes
[09:30:23] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): ok you can hit play
[09:30:43] Nottoo Wise: ok the three dances
[09:30:47] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes
[09:30:56] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): you have a lot of options to fine tune it
[09:31:14] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): but that started "we love you girl" 6 seconds into it
[09:31:57] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): if autonudge is on, it will move the window forward
and repeat based on the increment until It reaches the end
[09:33:04] Nottoo Wise: ok
[09:33:08] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): you can expand or contract the length of the piece
[09:33:11] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): now its 10 seconds
[09:33:14] Nottoo Wise: the time is in whole seconds?
[09:33:16] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): you can expand it to 11
[09:33:26] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes, but you can change the increment to say .5 or .2 or .1
[09:33:34] Nottoo Wise: ok, if its 0.1 sec increments, it will make the transitions better
[09:33:43] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): easier to start with 1 second
[09:34:04] Nottoo Wise: ok
[09:34:16] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): I almost didn't add that but then I figured if I dont, people will ask for it so the increment can be changed in the config card called "*piece
[09:35:12] Nottoo Wise: i see it
*****
(Note: here is the contents of the configuration card
ExternalControllerChannel,-3069
DanceName,weloveyou-girl
DelayTime,5.0
PlayTime,10.0
FinishTime,3.0
DanceLength,28.0
WaitingAnimation,KawaiiDance
FinishPose,Champion!
Increment,1.0
/*DanceName,weloveyou-girl
/*DanceLength,28.0
/*DanceName,weloveyou-boy
/*DanceLength,21.4
*****
[09:35:45] Nottoo Wise: so i use the piece notecard to set the dance names
[09:35:58] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes, for this version
[09:36:13] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): future will let you choose/change dances from menu
[09:36:15] Nottoo Wise: if i put more dances in the hud, i still have to change the notecard
[09:36:30] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes for now. if that is the feature most wanted then I will escalate it for next version
[09:36:33] Nottoo Wise: ok, so dance 1 plays for a specified time and dance 2 is also playing
[09:37:11] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes
[09:37:18] Nottoo Wise: i would think u start dance 2 first. then keep it going while u start dance 1 and stop dance 1 at the specified time
[09:37:31] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): I do. started in reverse order
[09:37:55] Nottoo Wise: so its like running two huds with the same priority dance
[09:38:07] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): I start the 1st dance to play last then stop
[09:38:15] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes based on priorities
[09:38:18] Nottoo Wise: the last started dance is visible
[09:38:22] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes
[09:38:26] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): got it. thats the secret to this part
[09:38:35] Nottoo Wise: i thought about using two HUDs to do that
[09:38:37] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): the next part is gluing the pieces together
[09:38:48] Nottoo Wise: yes
[09:39:11] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): it involves very very complex algorithm based on song lengths and delay times and playtimes
[09:39:16] Nottoo Wise: so u could use a barre or huddles to dance then go back to the barre
[09:39:22] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes
[09:39:23] Nottoo Wise: then activate the yummy piecemaker to get ur desired portion
[09:39:29] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): well theoretically. how the 2 will seque is still fuzzy in my head
[09:39:51] Nottoo Wise: just wear both
[09:39:56] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes with some experimentation it would be doable but lots of experimentation and adjusting. clever matching but my next hud will probably let you sequence
[09:40:33] Nottoo Wise: so this very nicely demonstrates the concept
[09:40:38] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes
[09:40:44] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): this is the precursor
[09:40:49] Nottoo Wise: which is new and exciting
[09:40:51] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): this will help you
[09:40:52] Nottoo Wise: yes
[09:40:58] Nottoo Wise: may i play with it
[09:41:01] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): create the "dance-segment"
[09:41:03] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes of course
[09:41:06] Nottoo Wise: then put a write up on the blog?
[09:41:06] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): its yours to keep
[09:41:09] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): sure
[09:41:14] Nottoo Wise: ok :-)
[09:41:24] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): its all a new concept
[09:41:31] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): now the next HUD I call the MasterPiece will stitch the output from this HUD together into one dance. all the middle pieces together with 1 beginning and one end
[09:42:02] Nottoo Wise: fitting it into existing huds would be great
[09:42:17] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes this hud can now be called from Huddles. it has a channel so you can experiment
[09:42:27] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): no promises
[09:42:27] Nottoo Wise: hahahaah
[09:42:31] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): but you can play
[09:42:31] Nottoo Wise: ok
[09:42:34] Nottoo Wise: let me look at it
[09:42:37] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): sure, have fun
[09:42:46] Nottoo Wise: i love the innovation
[09:42:50] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): there is a channel in the notecard
[09:42:52] Nottoo Wise: ty for making it and letting me see it
[09:42:57] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): my pleasure of course !!!!!!!
[09:43:49] Nottoo Wise: may i quote from this conversation in the blog piece i write
[09:44:02] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes
[09:44:06] Nottoo Wise: :-))
[09:44:55] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): any questions
[09:45:00] Nottoo Wise: i think people will like it especially when u make it more versatile
[09:45:01] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): give me a call
[09:45:10] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): well so far I think people are avoiding it because it doesn't stitch yet
[09:45:27] Nottoo Wise: but just demonstrating the concept is the breakthru
[09:45:45] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes this is a new way of thinking about dance because the next part will have some restrictions. the general algorithm says that you take all the dances that you want to select parts from say 10 dances  and 10 parts,  1 from each dance
[09:46:41] Nottoo Wise: yes
[09:47:15] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): well the smaller the difference between sequential dances...the more time you have to select a dance part. example, say just 2 dances, 2 parts
[09:47:52] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): if dance 1 is 30 seconds and dance 2 is 25 seconds, the difference is 5 seconds. so the 2nd dance can not have its piece start any sooner than 5 seconds in to it. so what I will do have the hud tell you how soon you can choose
[09:48:47] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): bottom line is you can always pick one *must have*  piece of a song. the rest will depend on neighboring pieces and dancelengths. so it wll kind of tell you...these are your choices...
[09:50:09] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): now if you shuffle the order of dances..then it could change how far in you can start, so the closer dances are in length then the more dance-segment there is to choose from
[09:50:48] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): thats a quick and dirty explanation of the caveats. also there will always be a sub-second glitch at the beginning and the other caveat is that say you have a 3 minute dance composed of say 10 pieces or 15 pieces.it appears that you will have to actually start your sequence about 3 minutes ahead of when you want to actually see the dance start. so imagine being offstage and actually starting your piece 3 minutes ahead
[09:52:43] Nottoo Wise: well that would be possible for a video or a show
[09:52:53] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes you are in a waiting pose
[09:52:54] Nottoo Wise: but not for a club dance when u dont know the music that is coming
[09:53:20] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes not good for clubs or adhoc dancing....as in freestyling
[09:53:26] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): not thought that far ahead
[09:53:31] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): this is in its infancy
[09:53:58] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): its taken me 3 months to figure the algorithm to stitch the parts together
[09:53:58] Nottoo Wise: well it's abreakthrough
[09:54:01] Nottoo Wise: :-))
[09:54:05] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes a new way of thinking
[09:54:24] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): and maybe your database can have extra columns thatcould facilitate its use
[09:54:43] Nottoo Wise: for example if there is an unusual move we could identify the time in the loop where it occurs
[09:55:06] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes
[09:55:45] Nottoo Wise: hahaha if we could then move the avatar when the switch occurs
[09:55:57] Nottoo Wise: and orient the avatar properly you could in theory use any part of a dance. wow that would really be complex
[09:56:39] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): its already very complex but I will hide that complexity in the next upcoming hud
[09:56:47] Nottoo Wise: ok
[09:56:51] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): try and make it friendly and
[10:12:43] Nottoo Wise: i love it
[10:12:41] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): sure
[10:12:39] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): great feedback
[10:12:38] Nottoo Wise: ty for showing me how it works
[10:12:32] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): was a great conversation
[10:12:31] Nottoo Wise: ok yummy
[10:12:26] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): ok I will let you "play"
[10:12:01] Nottoo Wise: hahahaah u should think about the market bigger than dancing in SL. sex the same applies there
[10:11:55] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): I guess you could stitch parts of sexual animations together..i hadnt  thought of that
[10:11:44] Nottoo Wise: :-))
[10:11:42] Nottoo Wise: well this is exciting
[10:11:12] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes I see that evolving as well
[10:10:30] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): this is a step towards more granular selectivity
[10:10:10] Nottoo Wise: but i can see the vision u r saying
[10:10:08] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes its an evolution  because you can get a system for 300 USD and all you need are 3 cameras and a computer and soon people who can dance in RL will be doing their own MOCAP
[10:10:02] Nottoo Wise: so its a lot of steps
[10:09:48] Nottoo Wise:  last week when i looked at the 2004 video that won the best award  i could see the beginning of what we have now
[10:09:14] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): the future (crossing fingers) will be choosing dance parts
[10:08:56] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): nowadays you choose the dances to put together
[10:08:31] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes
[10:08:30] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): who you can be
[10:08:28] Nottoo Wise: yes i love that part of dancing
[10:08:16] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): fun creating and discovering
[10:08:14] Nottoo Wise: exactly
[10:08:12] Nottoo Wise: yes
[10:08:05] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes well the idea is to take drudgery out and make it about creativity
[10:07:40] Nottoo Wise: and its fun
[10:07:38] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): you will REALLY start to see a choreos style come out
[10:07:37] Nottoo Wise: we r all becoming techie geeks
[10:07:29] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): more unique
[10:07:27] Nottoo Wise: hahaha
[10:07:26] Nottoo Wise: :-))
[10:07:12] Nottoo Wise: it would make choreograhy more complex but the results could be much better
[10:07:09] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): rather than try and figure out the timings and which dance and get it and just dance to it
[10:06:57] Nottoo Wise: yes i understand
[10:06:50] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): I would rather pay a choreo
[10:06:47] Nottoo Wise: yes
[10:06:44] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): and time consuming creations
[10:06:39] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes
[10:06:38] Nottoo Wise: where it comes from it would be difficult to know the inserted part
[10:06:23] Nottoo Wise: yes i see that
[10:06:11] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes choreos could now sell
[10:06:01] Nottoo Wise: if they wanted to sell their creations so choreographers could benefit
[10:05:48] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): would be like the notecards you use for sequences now
[10:05:35] Nottoo Wise: oh ok
[10:05:26] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): don't have a name for it but
[10:05:21] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): I would pay you for the no-copy/no-trans/no-mod formula card
[10:04:48] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): and want it
[10:04:46] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): I would see your cool new dance
[10:04:34] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes
[10:04:32] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): assembly
[10:04:29] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): stitched pieces of dances together and your
[10:04:26] Nottoo Wise: yes assembled from whole dances and parts of dances
[10:04:06] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): could now make MasterPieces
[10:03:48] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): someone like yourself who makes sequences now
[10:03:31] Nottoo Wise: how would non dance makers benefit
[10:03:27] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): lets say
[10:03:23] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): well
[10:03:17] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): a total
[10:03:15] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): would know that what they are seeing is
[10:03:13] Nottoo Wise: i dont understand the idea u just said
[10:03:10] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): the audiences would be more entertained because they
[10:03:01] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): so could be a win-win for everyone
[10:02:52] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): MasterPiece work
[10:02:46] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): people would have to buy the dances they don't have to make the
[10:02:37] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): help dance-sellers sell more dances because
[10:02:27] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): and this would also
[10:02:26] Nottoo Wise: how is that?
[10:02:23] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): to create piece-patterns and sell them
[10:02:09] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): could open up new markets for non-dance-makers
[10:01:57] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): in fact it
[10:01:36] Lat Lovenkraft: you won't have to settle for or playing through the beginning when you really don't like the beginning
[10:01:14] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): and choose only the pieces you want without compromise
[10:01:03] Nottoo Wise: :-)
[10:01:02] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): examine the inner parts
[10:01:01] Nottoo Wise: yes
[10:00:56] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): now you can look at all of your dances in a whole new light
[10:00:45] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes
[10:00:42] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): you want like a 45 minute routine
[10:00:40] Nottoo Wise: its like having a bunch of new dances
[10:00:36] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): UNLESS
[10:00:34] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): in fact I don't see any reason
[10:00:32] Nottoo Wise: yes thats the exciting part
[10:00:27] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): but DONT think about mixing the 2
[10:00:21] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): stitch a new dance routine from several pieces
[10:00:09] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): OR
[10:00:08] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): sequence as you do now
[09:59:58] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): I would say ...decide whether you want to
[09:59:41] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes
[09:59:39] Nottoo Wise: and videos
[09:59:38] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): 3-minute songs
[09:59:31] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes for shows
[09:59:28] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): will be special purpose for 'piece-stitching'
[09:59:26] Nottoo Wise: yes it would be for shows
[09:59:14] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): yes but geared towards performance
[09:59:12] Nottoo Wise: is this something u could implement as part of an exisitng HUD
fun to create with like the barre or huddles? like an addon especially on HUDs as good as the barre or even the huddles
[09:58:51] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): my gut says it will be messy and kludgy
[09:58:48] Nottoo Wise: but that presents a big time requirement to build a new HUD
[09:58:36] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): in a manner acceptable to the dancers
[09:58:34] Nottoo Wise: sure
[09:58:22] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): because I just don't feel a warm-fuzzy of its practical ability to interact with other huds
[09:57:55] Yummy (lat.lovenkraft): this hud have sequencing built into it
Well the conversation continued, but I think you get the flavor of how dancing may be changing in the future. At one time I thought we were nearing the end of the technology advances in SL dancing. Now, I am beginning to think we are just starting.

I'm a geek, but wow the moves I can make.

xxx
Nottoo

HUMANOID Releases Electronic Progressive Dance

HUMANOID Releases Electronic Progressive Dance

Marcus Adkins sent this note to the HUMANOID Group today ...

===============

HUMANOID - NEW DANCE RELEASE!
Sat, Jun 16 2012 10:00:58 AM PDT

Check out ALLY !  new great clubdance moves !!
released right now!
http://youtu.be/vwEjSU7cPug

awesome electronic progressive dance with a cool shuffle touch.

Henmations Releases Industrial Dances

Hendrik Schroder sent this to the Henmations Group today ...

====================

Dear Customers,

we just started to Release the new Industrial Dance Series.
Enjoy the first part with 11 Animations, real life performed by the "worlds best Industrial Dancer 2011/2012"...!!!

Please watch the Promo Video to learn more about the Dancer and the Production at Henmations Studios.

Youtube:
http://youtu.be/Ye8JWnRxaqY

As usual each Animations comes with the HENMATIONS QUALITY PROMISE, no sliding Feeds, no slowdowns at the Loop-points, broked Arms or other Issues you may know from other Creators. Captured with high-end Mocap Technology by the professional Animator Team of HENMATIONS. There is even a group exclusive FREE DANCE available at the landing spot area in our Mainstore.. Go.. Get It!

INDUSTRIAL DANCE
Landmark

Enjoy your Weekend and have a nice Dance :)
Regards
YOUR HENMATIONS TEAM

Dance as a Story

Dance as a Story 120616

Iliandra Allen and I had a short conversation today. She showed me an interesting video of a RL dancer who expresses himself through his dance. I think this is what many of us try to do with our SL dance. Here are the details:

[07:23:04] ili borgin (iliandra.allen): good morning Ttoo
[07:23:19] ili borgin (iliandra.allen): I have something quite moving I think you'll love to see
[07:23:23] Nottoo Wise: hi ili xxx
[07:23:31] ili borgin (iliandra.allen): may i share this with you
[07:23:39] ili borgin (iliandra.allen): it's so moving
[07:23:43] ili borgin (iliandra.allen): Is This One Direction in the Future of Dance? – (Hulu – May 25, 2012)
Dancer, Hampton Williams, demonstrates what he calls “exorcist style” dance in which he states that he interprets the pain and fear of others and then releases it. Based on the responses of the audience, his claim of being able to effect catharsis bears serious consideration
[07:24:38] Nottoo Wise: sure
[07:24:43] ili borgin (iliandra.allen):

[07:25:05] ili borgin (iliandra.allen): I shed tears througout this performance as did many in his audience
[07:25:06] ili borgin (iliandra.allen): xxx

Dancing With Dance Chairs

Dancing With Dance Chairs 120614

I don't do a lot of dancing with Dance Chairs but I thought it might be fun to have a way to dance with my HUD using a chair.

So, my first step was to get the Dance Chairs that are sold in SL. I limited myself to the MOCAP makers since I wanted to look sexy and not robotic. I also decided for now to skip the chairs that are for two people, i.e. one seated and the other dancing. I found three: the A&M chair, the Henmations chair and the Sine Wave stool (left to right in the picture)

A&M makes three different versions and Henmations makes a lot of versions, but each vendor's versions only are different in color and texture. I display the red ones because I like red.

In each chair there are dances and a script to manage the dances. There are a total of 30 dances (three from A&M, twenty-one from Henmations and six from Sine Wave). Each chair starts the dancer at a different point. I used the choreography grid placed under the chair to show you the differences, then took a pic from above.

Here is the start of an A&M dance which is about 3/4 of a meter behind the centerpoint of the chair. Two of the three of the A&M dances start at the same position. One starts about 1 meter to the right of the chair.

All of the Henmations dances start about 1 1/2 meters to one side of the chair.

The six Sine Wave dances all start with a different position. Here are two examples:

The Sine Wave dances are much older than the the A&M or Henmations dances and they were not designed for sequencing. The dance makers at Henmations and A&M have developed a more sophisticated understanding of our dance sequencing needs and generally start their chair dances with the same position (thanks Jariah and Hendrik, xxx). The Sine Wave dances also are for a stool rather than a chair. This means that the avatar dancing any of the dances from Sine Wave would go through any chair that has a back. Because of these two negatives on the Sine Wave stool dances, I decided to set them aside and concentrate only on the A&M and Henmations chair dances.

I think chair dances could made more useful if they started from a sitting position. Then, you could sit in a chair like anyone else until you wanted to dance and BOOM, up you stand and start dancing. Then you sit again at the end. (This is for you, Dance Makers)

Anyway, next I wanted to see if I could match the A&M dances with the Henmations dances. To do this I needed to find a place where the transition would be okay. Since one of the A&M dances starts at about the same place as the Henmations dances (to the right of the chair), I knew that transition would be okay. The two A&M dances that start behind the chair also have places in the dance where the dancer is to the right of the chair facing forward. Woooo! I knew then that all three A&M dances could transition reasonably well to the Henmations dances.

Next, I looked at all of the Henmations dances to see if there are any that position the dancer behind the chair facing forward at any time during the dance. If so, this would be a transition place. I found two that did this and stopped looking. I knew that I could build sequences that use all the chair dances from A&M and Henmations.

Then a thought occurred to me. Since the chair dances all start off the center point, are there other types of dances where this is the case? Most good MOCAP individual dances start at the center point, which would place the dancers legs in the chair ... not what I wanted. BUT, couples dances almost always are off-set from the center point. I had several couples dances in my HUD and I tried them. For example, the female part of The Butterfly worked perfectly with the chair. There was no overlap of my avatar with the chair and it started at a position where I knew I could make a reasonably good transition. There was also a place in The Butterfly where I could transition back to a Henmations dance. Here is the starting point of The Butterfly.

WOWIE!!! Suddenly, this opened up a whole new use for me for couples dances. Some can be used as individual dances with certain props like Dance Chairs. HAHAHAHA. I love it ... AND ... the reverse is possible, Chair Dances can be used with some couples dances when you want a good transition to individual dances from a couples dance. HAHAHAHA. WOW!

You can tell I am a fanatic when this type of discovery opens up new dance possibilities. You probably are part fanatic too if you are still reading this.
Once I had the transitions figured out, the next step was to make the sequences. I wanted two options for each dance sequence. Option one was to rezz the chair as a part of the sequence. Option two was to rezz the chair separately then dance on it using my HUD. Option two is really easy. You can just rezz a Henmations or A&M chair and sit on it, then use your HUD. If you want to be fancy, you can remove the dances from the chair and put in the freebie dance (in the Free Stuff Box in Dance Central) I made called "standing back 0.5 m" which positions you behind the chair in a standing position. Here you can wait until the music starts.

Option 1 involves putting the chair in the HUD and rezzing it. Both the Barre and Huddles HUDs allow this and the process is described in another post. You might consider making your own chair instead of using the A&M or Henmations chairs for rezzing  during a dance. Both are sculpties, which are good for saving prims, but are slower to rezz than regular prim chairs. If you are into building things, think about making anything you want to dance on ... a stump, a large egg, a large beach ball ... as long as the height is right you can dance on it.

Well, I have kind of exhausted myself with all this excitement. Maybe, I will let you do the fun of making some dance sequences for your HUD that involve chair dancing. Send them to me and I will publish them.

xxx
Nottoo

SEmotion Releases DIVA AO

SEmotion Releases DIVA AO 120613


Marie Sims sent this message to all the SEmotion Group today ...


====================


We just released new female AO called SEmotion Diva AO HUD. It inclus 30 animations.
More info http://se-motion.blogspot.com/
https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/SEmotion-Diva-AO-HUD-38/3630502
SEmotion (147,158,23)

Feel free to try them at SEmotion
Thanks,
Marie Sims

The French Dolls Are Here

The French Dolls Are Here 120613

Nikki (nicholassparks) sent us this information about the new SL Dance Group, The French Dolls, and an invitation to their first show ...

=================

The French Dolls are a few French RL friends who decided one day to create their own French SL Dancers Group.

We want to create some shorts but fresh shows, and bring you all some modern french style with regular creations.

Who's who:
Lou2 Kozlowski (Dancer) - Before being a SL dancer, Lou was a SL model.
SamanthaFoxette (Dancer) - Before being a SL dancer, Sam was a hostess for events.
HollySparks (Coach & Dancer) - Holly is a SL dancer since 3 years.
NicholasSparks (Assistant & Dancer)
FrenchDollsCom (Communication)

For bookings and any questions, please contact Nikki (NicholasSparks Resident)

Here are the next important dates:
* OPENING SHOW - Sat. 16th, June, 1 PM Slt
* OPENING SHOW - Sat. 30th, June, 1 PM Slt
* OPENING SHOW - Thursday 5th, July, 1 PM Slt
* LAST OPENING SHOW - Sat. 14th, July (French Day), 1 PM Slt

To receive news, updates, and invitations, feel free Join the French Dolls Fans Group:
secondlife:///app/group/8695acce-378c-a461-6a16-3f86b9b33461/about

Our Website Calendar:https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=b8q4mthmm0qoej1pjddkdc2u48%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=Europe/Paris

We hope you will enjoy your visit to our shows and we can't wait to meet you or see you again :-)

The French Dolls.

Petit Theatre des French Dolls

==================


Les French Dolls vous invitent à leur show d'ouverture !

╔═════════════════════════════✩
╫◈   Qui : French Dolls - Dancers SL
╫◈   Quoi :  Show d'ouverture - Modern French Touch
╫◈   Quand : Samedi 16 Juin , 1 PM to 1:30 PM
╫◈   Où : Petit Theatre des French Dolls
╚═════════════════════════════ ✩

Venez, prenez un siège, détendez-vous, bougez doucement avec nos et laissez vous surprendre par les 30 minutes du tout premier show d'un groupe d'amis RL qui croit aux mots "danse" et "amusement" :) Partageons ce moment together !http://slurl.com/secondlife/Comfortably%20Numb/148/30/903

The French Dolls Dancers invite you to their Opening Show !

╔═════════════════════════════✩
╫◈   ահօ : French Dolls - SL Dancers
╫◈   ահɑէ :  Opening Show - Modern French Touch
╫◈   ահҽղ : Saturday 16th, June , 1 PM to 1:30 PM
╫◈   ահҽrҽ : Petit Theatre des French Dolls
╚═════════════════════════════ ✩

Come, have a seat, relax, wiggle with us and be suprised by 30 minutes of the very first show of a RL friends who believe in the words "dance" and "fun" :) Let's share this moment together !http://slurl.com/secondlife/Comfortably%20Numb/148/30/903

Beehave Sells Illegal Dances on SL Marketplace

Beehave Sells Illegal Dances on SL Marketplace 120613

Today, I had this exchange with a DANCE QUEENS member. I have replaced her name with ABC so she doesn't have to deal with the negativity associated with reporting illegal dance sellers.

[05:02] ABC: hi Nottoo
[05:03] Nottoo Wise: hi ABC xxx
[05:03] ABC: i've come across some possibly illegal items on marketplace, i don't see an inworld location for them though
[05:03] Nottoo Wise: do u have the url
[05:04] ABC: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/95571?search[layout]=gallery&search[category_id]=&search[sort]=&search[per_page]=96&search[keywords]=&search[price_low]=&search[price_high]=&search[prim_count_low]=&search[prim_count_high]=&search[copy_permission]=0&search[modify_permission]=0&search[transfer_permission]=0
[05:04] Nottoo Wise: ty i will check it out
[05:04] ABC: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/94713
[05:04] ABC: the same items on both
[05:05] Nottoo Wise: the perfect dance HUD?
[05:05] ABC: 3fx dance pole and the hug and kiss deluxe
[05:05] Nottoo Wise: oh i see
[05:05] ABC: not sure what else
[05:05] Nottoo Wise: let me look at it
[05:06] Nottoo Wise: ty xxx
[05:10] Nottoo Wise: jazie1 is already on the illegal dance seller list
[05:10] ABC: ah
[05:10] Nottoo Wise: and it looks like beehave is selling the same thing
[05:10] ABC: yip
[05:10] Nottoo Wise: probably an alt
[05:10] ABC: i thought so too
[05:11] Nottoo Wise: i will add it to the blog
[05:11] Nottoo Wise: ty xxx
[05:11] ABC: yay
[05:11] ABC: you're welcome

So, the illegal dance makers are getting more creative. Now they are not only selling illegal dances that they copy from legitimate (though unresponsive) dance makers, they are using alts to increase their market presence.

(Nottoo steps on pedestal)

Of course this is not only allowed by the current Linden policy on copyrighted materials but also facilitated by the Linden selling website. Who suffers?

1. The legitimate (though silent) dance makers whose property is stolen
2. The dance users (us) who someday may lose our dances that we paid good money for and we get our HUDs messed up
3. The other legitimate dance makers who lose market share to the illegals

(Nottoo steps off pedestal)

Of course, without illegal dance makers, where would I get so much investigative fun. Anyway, I added Beehave to the illegal dance list. Oh, and Beehave, please change your name to Misbeehave.

xxx
Nottoo

Magic Carpet Dance - 2007 Style

Magic Carpet Dance - 2007 Style 120612

I get a lot of comments about the 2007-era shoes that I usually wear. One of the things about being a relatively old-timer in SL is that you find some things you just love. You can't abandon them to the Inventory Trash folder just because they are old. Today, I came across another 2007-era object in my Objects folder. It also is an old favorite. It's the magic carpet.

When Riddle and I were noobs in early 2007, he wowed me with this magic carpet ride. He would rezz this oriental carpet, hop on and automatically sit. Then he would invite me to join him. I sat next to him. Soon, we were both flying around the mainland sim on this magic carpet. It was a lot of fun and impressed me a lot.

So I rezzed the old magic carpet and took a seat.

Here I am ready for flying action. When you sit on the carpet you are given instructions in chat to ask for help if you need it. Really all you have to say is "start" in chat and then use the arrow keys and up or down to fly. It's a pretty simple flying carpet.

The magic carpet script uses the built in Linden animation for ground sitting, sit_ground, so when you sit on the carpet, there you are in a nice seated position. Since sit_ground both positions your avatar approximately right to stand on the carpet and is a low priority anim, this gives the opportunity for some 2007-era fun. Start flying, then put your dance HUD into action. You can dance your favorite dances while streaming through the skies of SL.

If you really want to impress your friends, invite them to join you. When they sit on the carpet, they line up with you in that same Linden ground sit. So, just add them to your HUD, then fly and dance in sync. Group belly dancing at 3000 meters anyone?

Here I am with my RL best friend Nottooo dancing in sync far above my sim Not2z.

I am putting the Magic Carpet in the Free Stuff box at Dance Central. It's called the Terra Magic Carpet5.

If you are really into mixing vehicles and dancing, you can probably make flying dance poles, boats with lap dance chairs or whatever your imaginative fantasy can dream up.

xxx
Nottoo

Song Choreography - Listening for Changes

Song Choreography - Listening for Changes 120612

I am in the process of doing the choreography for the show Riddle and I will do in the upcoming DANCE QUEENS Dance Festival V. We have picked out the music and I am choreographing away on it. I have a specific process I follow for choreographing to a specific song. It fits whether I am doing individual, couples or group choreography to a song. I described it in a previous post. That post was written just prior to the DANCE QUEENS Choreography Show I. In that show each dancer had the opportunity to describe how she/he does choreography. It is worth reading the details if you are just learning to do sequenced choreography to a song.

One of the striking things is the similarity in how people do choreography to a song. They choose a lot of dances that fit the song, then go through the song over and over listening to it. One of the things they are listening for is change. The change in a song is where the dance changes.

So, I thought it might be fun to give you a self-teaching exercise of where songs change. What I want you to do is to listen to the songs that I have listed (youtube videos) and using the timer on the youtube video identify where the song changes. It can be the tempo or the instrument or a hesitation. Mark on a piece of paper the times where changes occur. These are candidates for changing dances.

You can look at the song I did for the Choreography Show I and my initial list of changes as an example:

5 seconds - guitar starts

8 seconds - drum starts

33 seconds - music uplifts

58 seconds - piano highlighted

81 seconds - hesitation

106 seconds - piano highlight

130 seconds - music uplifts

153 seconds - hesitation

176 seconds - music ends

Now that you understand the process, let's practice. I will give you the music video and you mark the changes. You may have to listen several times to get them all. It may help you to make the video full screen while doing this. You can check your answers at the end (BUT NO PEEKING) ...

EXERCISE 1

First is BOA - I'll Eat You Up

EXERCISE 2

Louis Armstrong - Mack The Knife (1956)

EXERCISE 3

Puppini Sisters - Sway

EXERCISE 4

John Travolta Saturday Night Fever You Should Be Dancing

EXERCISE 5

"Swan Lake" Ballet Theme song by Tchaikovsky performed by Peter Vamos

EXERCISE 6

What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction

ANSWERS
Well ...if you did even one of the exercises, you have learned how to divide up a song for doing choreography. Some people (like me) feel precision is important for determining where to change dances. Others allow a lot of lattitude in the timing in making the switch between dances. Either way you have learned how to break down a song so you can express how you feel about each piece of the song and dance to convey your feelings to the audience. 

xxx
Nottoo