Extra Credit - Codes and Modes Conference

I went to the Codes and Modes conference right after my class on Thursday. I was treated to a welcoming story by Andrew Lund, who helped bring the Codes and Modes conference to the level of importance that it is today. Throughout the entire session, there was a t.v. prompt that asked us a series of questions and we were able to answer it through the use of text messaging, our messages would appear on screen along with the first image related to what we put. At first, it was entertaining, people played around with their answers just to see their what picture would show. As time went on though, the jokes were put aside and people started answering the prompt more seriously and were discussing other’s previous responses. I also started to think about the question more in-depth and ended up looking through the internet on some of the topics that the prompt presented. This really did put to perspective what the conference was about, different ways to use technology so people can communicate with each other and how technology provides a base in which we can share our thoughts. Aside from that, the bulk of my time spent at the conference were mainly listening to Dan Archer, the founder of Empathetic Media, talking about how his company uses VR to tell stories through an interactive environment. His company’s goal is to start the new generation of storytelling, by using the latest technology to give storytellers a new method in which they can produce their tales and tell their stories. He talked about the ways the VR immerses the viewers by putting them in the life of the story, and the ability the VR has in tapping into a deeper level of empathy that viewers will exhibit because of said immersion.

SoundWalk - Manhattan Subway Surfer

After coming out work last Saturday, I had plans to meet with a couple of friends of mine. One of my friends is not familiar with New York, so I had to meet up with her at the PATH Station. Considering that the trains were delayed and I couldn’t hear any music since I was underground, I thought it was the perfect time to go on a “SoundWalk”.

The train rumbled louder and louder as it approached, while the sound of synchronized footsteps grew in anticipation. When the train opens, you can hear agitated grunts of those who are finally free of the packed can of sardines, together with the sounds of relief from those who are still inside and have a bit more wiggle room. Once inside, there are a number of disjointed noises that collided with one another, mellowed out only by the constant humming of the train itself. Woman chatting amongst themselves as they’re getting ready for the night out. Co-Workers are talking in short burst, as a way to keep a conversation alive and also to keep themselves from sleeping. While the general public are keeping amongst themselves by either playing faint music or snoring in their sleep. The train stopped mid-passing, due to delays, and the train’s noise faded for a bit. Since most New Yorkers unconsciously tune out the constant humming and rumbling, once it was gone, a sense of silence and emptiness was apparent. It felt unnatural, to be missing some of the usual background music that I’ve grown accustomed too, and you can tell how people noticed to. As some woke up and others lowered the volume of their music to see what was going on. Most people sighed in agitation as this silence was a sign of non-movement and went against the constant buzzing of the New York sound. After a bit, the train hummed once again and everything started up once more. As I exited my stop, I was welcomed by a chorus of footsteps and dispersed noises that make up the NY beat. You can tell that I was in a tourist spot by how many times you would hear a camera clicking.

Project #1

Project #1 Creepy vibes

Scavenger hunt test

test

Start

Hi everyone, before we start, I have a couple of questions for you. Do you ever let your imagination run and just think about the wildest ideas? And if you actually do, what do you do with those ideas? Do you just enjoy the ideas for the moment and then just forget about them later on? Or do you start thinking about how great that idea is and wondering what you can do with that idea? And if we we to continue going down this route and you do wish to make something out of those ideas of yours, then you are in the very same position as I am. Ever since I was a kid, playing my first video game, I always thought about how great it would be to make my own games. Not just for the sake of making games and calling myself a game designer, but because I always kept coming up with stories that I would like to see people playing and experiencing. Just writing them down wasn’t enough to satisfy me. I always had vivid images of how the games would play out and how their stories would unfold. If I wasn’t able to let others see my stories in the way I imagine them, then I would have nothing but regret in me later on. Now over the past years, I have accumulated a numbers of original stories, revamped old stories, and sometimes put stories together to make an even greater tale. It has gotten to the point where i’m afraid I might not even live long enough to see all these ideas come to fruition, and I think that would be a tragic story in and of itself. I guess in the end, I’m just really excited that I’ll be finally able to tell these stories in their true glory.I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I have.