Minor: Arm Concept art progress 2

Minor: concept art progress

Minor: Voiceover

The voiceover will need to convey a standard that can not only convincingly sell the product to it's demographic of customers, but create a sense of unease to the animation's audience with the products.

For the strong hard-selling voice that gives the impression of a gruff cockney street vendor. I've narrowed down to the following, leaning slightly more towards the latter due to his darker tone.

Jonny Griggs



Guy Harris

Minor: Product Ideas

I've lost a bit of momentum in this project from some outside occurrences so trying to pick where I left off is slightly struggled.


Products imagined are directed towards a working class demographic, this is pushed foremost with the products intended use coupled with a voice-over that the demographic would relate best to.


Product ideas narrowed down:

Tailored Drugs - Increases Co-ordination/Strength/Dexterity for a limited time (Underlying tone of losing Nature/Nurture - Psychological)

Tailored Limbs - Arms with array of attachments for purpose (Underlying tone of losing Humanity - Physical)

Wearable Devices - Augmented Reality and/or control of specific electronics (Underlying tone of losing Reality - World)


The products need to be cheap and affordable in order to appeal to the demographic whilst still retaining a sense of a near-future concept.

Minor: Narrator Style

While I'm still brainstorming ideas for the products. I'm also looking into a verbal style to narrate my satirical animation.
It started off with the typical QVC-like narrator and developed into Mafia-like stereotypes (Ping, Pow, Boom.) for further character. From there I've talked to others, expanded my ideas and got a few styles narrowed-down.


The first idea is drawn from Robocop's (1987) collection of adverts or the more obvious patriotic theme of Starship Troopers (1997). The idea coming from very upbeat narrator within a slightly sinister context.



The second idea takes inspiration from Guy Richies' film character personalities, specifically from Bacon (Lock Stock). I'm leaning more toward this idea due to how colourful/playful I can make the script.


Also special thanks to Daniel for reminding me of the Robocop adverts and helping expand/understand some of the underlying technology a little more.

Minor: In-Depth Technology Research

I'm unsatisfied with the amount of previous research I've done exploring technology and its future so I've spent this weekend in overhaul to further expand my horizons of what is really out there. Long post ahead.

Aside from the products I've mentioned before, there is a lot of work going on in the fields of technology and human enhancement. Much more then I realised. It's pretty interesting stuff.

The following will be talking about transhumanity through the use of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and cognitive science. The current studies and theories using these technologies will help shape the purpose of my products.

I checked out the Superhuman Exhibition down at the Welcome Collection in London.

The exhibit explored human enhancement from 600BCE to potentially all the way up to 2050. There were a number of sections that were discussed and a number of knowledgeable people had also given their thoughts in relation to these sections, some of which I might contact at a later date after creating the ideas for my products. Just for the likeliness and validity of my products coming true. 

Introduction to enhancements with the history behind them, demonstrating articles such as the invention and adoption of roller-skates in 1866, as well as Louise, the world's first test-tube baby, from 1978. This was useful to learn due to it's history down the line.

A section about missing parts, coupled with the idea of cosmetic surgery talked about what is going on today in relation to prosthesis. Cosmetic surgery also runs of top of what is currently going on today in regards to plastic-surgery, nip-tuck, etc. 

Dr Bennett Foddy, an English Junior Research Fellow at Oxford University said on lifespan enhancement "Really it's the project of medicine to extend human life, to enhance life and human youth and to defeat age and death." Useful in regard to thinking that in the future, cosmetic surgery could be coupled with prosthesis, i.e someone who may have lost an arm (or chosen to get a bionic arm?) could purchase additional attachments for different/situational uses. 

Also, John Harris, a British bioethicist and philosopher and Lord Alliance Professor of Bioethics and Director, Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation has said "I think its inevitable that we will either be enhanced or die out" This could relate to our physical limitations, more of which I talk about below.

A section regarding superheroes or superhumans, The exhibit contained studies from how scientists were developing powered exoskeleton suits to allow paraplegics to walk (iron man?), and how spider silk was being used as a basis for new biomaterials used to repair knee cartilage (spider-man?). 

The army is currently doing something similar in order for soldiers to carry heavy tools. However it's very costly and bulky at this stage. So there's potential at some point in the future for exoskeletons to be affordable and/or streamlined for people who may be old or weak, or need it for specific jobs such as construction.

A section on sports talked about how technology as well as chemical enhancements were being used to provide an 'edge' over competitors. 

Andy Miah an English biothicist who said that on enhancement in sport that "People wouldn't want to go back to wooden tennis rackets today and see how people compete". What this could mean that there can be a product, or a number of products that would be sold to do specific things with ones genetic ability rising the bar in sports above human limit for entertainment. As well as products that can enhance muscle growth or similar for day-to-day use.

 Julian Savulescu, a Romanian–Australian philosopher and bioethicist said on on moral enhancement "What problem could be more important to challenge than our own inherent moral limitations?"

 It's worth mentioning also that the exhibit talked in the future how likely the distinction between Olympics and Paralympics may be erased or blurred out (see: prosthetics above)

Finally a section on the future of humanity. The most thought-provoking section I've seen at the exhibit, and one that provoked me to read much more in-depth about some things they were talking about. Professor Barbara Sahkain, an English Professor at the University of Cambridge, said on cognitive enhancing drugs "If you just pop a pill then do well in an exam, will that make me feel differently than if I studied really hard and I feel like I achieved that from my own hard work?" 

This section mentioned a poll done by Cambridge to their students and finding out that one in ten students used cognitive enhancement drugs, moreover one in three saying they would take concentration-enhancing drugs given the opportunity. 

Anders Sandberg, a Swedish researcher said on Transhumanism that "We might want use normal technology to use nanomachines or nanoparticles to enchance ourselves. We might genetically modify cells so we can send signals to them and control them" This leads on to an interesting idea in that in the future, drugs (via nanotechnology/nanoparticles) can be possibly sold to stimulate specific sections of the brain for a period of time. For example concentration for studies, anger for sports like boxing, sadness for acting, etc. Some work is already being done via Electroconvulsive therapy (See below) for people suffering from depression.

There's also theories I've read through in how Electroconvulsive therapy is used on the brain in order to treat depression (stimulation of a part of the brain to make a person feel better). Epigenetics, which won't be used or created as a product, but involves tailored offspring. Quantum Entanglement which are the first steps towards Star Trek-like teleportation technology. emWave, which allows people to self-regulate emotions and behaviors on command (Equilibrium?). As well as Braingate, an interesting clinical study in which uses the brain to trigger impulses converting to computer actions. Which can potentially be used for people who are disabled but have fully-functioning brains.

 I'm also going through a book titled "Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100 is a 2011" by theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, to further my ideas of future products.

I will be cutting down all this information into specific areas while I create my designs. But the ideas I've got now include cosmetic tailoring, cognitive and physical enhancing drugs, and lifespan enhancement. 

Proposal Update

One's mind has been muddling back and forth conceiving a 100% concrete idea I can put down on paper so after talking with a number of people over the past week here it goes.




The aim is to create a short satirical animation demonstrating current products within a future environment, approximately 1-1:30 minutes long and similar to present-day's QVC shopping channel, Bid-Up TV, etc. The client base will be directed towards a comedic audience within the genre of satire but the main aim is to create and demonstrate various future product designs based on current research.




The products will be fictional but based of current technological advances the world is making today. Current technologies that I've researched include Google's Project Glass, Microsoft's Surface 2.0, Google's Driverless Cars, Nokia's Humanform, IBM's smartphone traffic prediction, Proof-of-Concept android application PlaiceRaider, and leaps motion gesture technology. As well as old iPhone 5 concept videos.




Regarding the style of product or UI designs I am looking at the designs as they are now, as well as implimenting two further people who also worked on Tron Legacy. Jake Sargeant, and Bradley "GMUNK" Munkowitz due to their roles as Graphic Compositors and Animators. As well as also checking out Syd Mead, a visual futurist and concept artist. Perhaps best known for his work in Blade Runner. It's likely I'll dedicate a post towards research of the style of the products may at a later date.



References:

Type: Portfolio
Title: .work | GMUNK
Author: Bradley "GMUNK" Munkowitz
Link: GMUNK

Type: Portfolio
Title: mn8
Author: Jake Sargeant
Link: mn8

Type: Article
Title: Test Driving Google's New Glasses
Author: The Wall Street Journal
Link: Google's Project Glass

Type: Article
Title: How hackers could hijack your camera to spy on you (and even read your chequebook
Author: The Daily Mail
Link: PlaiceRaider - Proof of Concept

Type: Article
Title: Holy Crap, Self-Driving Cars Are Now Legal in California
Author: Gizmodo
Link: Google's Driverless cars legalised in California, USA

Type: Article
Title: IBM app predicts traffic on your commute
Author: Wired Magazine UK
Link: IBM's Smartphone Traffic Prediction

Type: Article
Title: Leap Motion gesture control technology hands-on
Author: Engadget
Link: Leaps motion gesture technology

Type: Video
Title: Nokia Research Center: HumanForm
Author: Nokia
Link: Nokia Humanform

Type: Video
Title: Microsoft Surface 2
Author: Giiks
Link: Microsoft's Surface 2.0

Type: Video
Title: Productivity Future Vision (2011)
Author: Microsoft
Link: Microsoft's Future Vision

Type: Video
Title: iPhone 5 Concept Features
Author: Various
Link: Old iPhone 5 Concepts

Minor: Narrative Evolved

Title: Pending
Type: Trailer

“Personal data is the new oil of the Internet and the new currency of the digital world.” Meglena Kuneva, European Consumer Commissioner, March 2009



Today, smartphones can track and potentially predict where you are going, through mobility patterns and past history, as well as exploiting the correlation between movements of friends and acquaintances. With the current technology used with GPS systems, or the use of mapping software such as Google Maps, in the future, tracking could be further evolved for the use of law enforcement, to aid searching and detaining of criminals, such as creating possible routes of suspects making a getaway.



Branching off from a similar world I created collaborating with Alex and Paul for The Skeleton Key on Broadway (or a new world altogether?), the trailer tells of a chase through the streets of a future metropolis, with the camera taking a seat through the eyes of a police officer, using tracking hardware/software to find and detain a fleeing suspect.




The world technology or SFX used in for The Skeleton Key on Broadway will not be recycled, but will be recreated and evolved further. For this purpose I’ve checked out the makings behind the interfaces and effects of Tron Legacy, by Joshua Nimoy of Digital Domain. I won’t be using exactly the same tools (like C++) but using it as further inspiration for the technology. I'll also still be using the Source Engine from a technical standpoint.

The moral of the short trailer is to show how we are all inter-connected through the web, how personal data we may not know about is being used or exploited, as well as show that the world is gravitating more and more towards technology at the same time technology continues to evolve.


References:

Type: Website
Title: Tron Legacy
Author: Joshua Nimoy
Link: http://jtnimoy.net/?q=178

Type: Article
Title: A Phone that Knows Where You're Going
Author:  David Talbot
Link: http://www.technologyreview.com/news/428441/a-phone-that-knows-where-youre-going/

Title: Data
Title: Retention Periods of Major Cellular Service Providers
Author: ACLU
Link: http://www.aclu.org/files/pdfs/freespeech/retention_periods_of_major_cellular_service_providers.pdf

Type: Research Paper
Title: Interdependence and Predictability of Human Mobility and Social Interactions
Author: Nokia
Link: http://research.nokia.com/files/public/mdc-final306_dedomenico.pdf