History of Media

Direction and Virtual Reality

Kirk House

The advancements in computer technology over the last five years have allowed the simulation of environments that rival the real world. Events that occur in these virtual worlds can be recorded and viewed again. The difference between the real world and the virtual is that when a virtual world is recorded the position of the camera is irrelevant. What is being recorded is not light but the location of every object in that world.

The implications for the art and technology of moving images will be huge. Cranes and expensive camera equipment are used to overcome these problems but are not an ideal solution.

I will explain some of the methods involved in placement of cameras and the tools used to create short films that take place in virtual environments. I will also show a small video of some of the work I have done which will then be available for download on the internet. The virtual environment I will be focusing on is a simulation of the 1967 Formula One season. http://public.csusm.edu/public/house/cooper.html This link is a preview of what will be seen in the video. The virtual environment in my example consists of a race track. The other drivers are friends and acquaintances who connect to the track via the Internet from numerous countries around the world.

Return to Start Page