An attempt to build a responsive screen, that reacts to the viewer’s position to create the illusion of depth.

A small video camera picks up the scene, and (using Processing) attempts to find the user’s position via Face Recognition. This information is then fed back to update the outputted graphics.

We originally attempted the visuals as fully rendered 3D images, but couldn’t get the application to shift through that many 1024×768 images quick enough, so fell back onto a basic ‘popup book’ (2.5D) style scene.

This project was developed for the Media Sandbox project, between HMC Interactive and Aardman.

As always with R&D there’s loads more we’d love to do with the project, but we’re very happy with the results so far.

Thanks to Dan for the video.

Merging animation with real life video footage on screen is something that has been done for years. Classic films like ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’ have spellbound adults and children alike. What if this could happen in real life? Can a cartoon reality become part of our reality, creating an augmented hyper-reality?

This project will examine platforms that allow HMC to bring Aardman characters to life, utilising a number of playful and interactive delivery systems in and around locations across the City of Bristol. The Project aims to understand the city as a canvas, and experiment how digital media can augment space and location, culminating in an event that will showcase the methods that have been uncovered.

HMC Interactive is an award winning multimedia production company, based in Plymouth, UK. With a passion for exhibition and educational output, HMC have enjoyed success with a range of projects for clients such as National Museum of Scotland, Battle Abbey Visitor Centre, the Royal Observatory, the National Waterfront Museum Swansea and Cadbury World.

Aardman is a multi-Oscar winning studio and a world leader in character led 3D animated film production making animation for idents, short films, commercials, web series, web content, TV services & feature films. Best known for Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Creature Comforts, Angry Kid. Recent commercials clients include British Gas, CocaCola, Johhny Walker, Kelloggs, Hovis & Budweiser.