Particle Power to the People!

Posted on May 22, 2017 by evaharley

Particles!  Either you’re shivering in delight or shuddering (like I do) when I think about all I have in my inventory that I’m not using.  For this post, I’m not talking about making particles, but using what you buy.

1282916-particle_sfx

First:  what are particles?

Particles are basically a texture that is controlled by a script and can have a very dramatic impact on a dance.  The script controls the color, the size, how fast the particle emits, the direction, how fast it fades, color changes, etc.  There are generally one or more transparent prims, each containing a particle script.  Creating amazing particles is an art in itself.  I choose to purchase the bulk of my particles, supporting particle designers who can create effects I can only dream of (plus I focus my time on the dance part).

 

There are three main “types” of particles you can purchase.

Most common:  WEARABLE PARTICLES

  • usually no mod, may or may not be copy
  • wear the particle to start the effect, detach it to turn off the effect
  • by default, when you right click and add it is usually worn on avatar center.  When you stand on a pad and dance, your avatar center does not move – good for most particles.  Exception: hand and foot particles by default will attach to your hands and feet.
  • is a transparent prim.  Attach the particle, turn on transparent view.  Zero in on where the particle seems to be coming from.  Usually one or more very tiny spheres or boxes but it’s there!
  • you CAN move the particle as you’re wearing it.  Is the particle too far forward?  To find the transparent prim, stand on a pad, attach the particle, turn on transparent view.  Find it?  go into edit mode, and move it back behind you.  When you attach it again, it will re-attach where you left it.
  • Why do so many creators create this type?  One reason – it is said to create much less lag on the server.
  • Can you put the particle in a rezzer?  If the transparent prim has copy/mod permissions, then yes, otherwise no.
  • Want to rez it but can’t put it in a rezzer?  You will need to rez it or restore to last position (if it’s no copy you’ll have to always place it manually).  To pick it up you will need to find it and take it back into inventory.  I use World/Area Search for this.
  • POSITIVES:
    • generally the best particles fall into this category
    • sold individually, so you can buy just the particles you want
  • NEGATIVES:
    • Can’t control when they trigger, except by adding adding and removing
    • As you move on a mover, particles will move with you.  This may not create the effect you want.

Second Most Common:  PARTICLE HUDS

  • A particle HUD is actually two pieces:
    • an emitter that you wear or that can be rezzed on the ground
    • a HUD you wear that let’s you control/trigger particles
  • The HUD includes a pre-packaged variety of particles.
  • The HUD may or may not allow you to change the particle as you “play” it.  Example:  Changing colors, changing size, etc.
  • Usually the HUD shows pictures of the particles you can trigger.  Click on it, and the particle will start.  Click on it again or click a stop button and it will stop.
  • There are some particle makers that provide a copy/mod emitter.  What does this do?  You can add the emitter as part of your set and put it into the set rezzer.  (Don’t link it to the set.)  Rez your set, select a particle on your HUD and boom!
  • POSITIVES:
    • Provides a ready made buffet of particles at your finger tips
    • A simple and excellent way to start using particles in your dances
  • NEGATIVES:
    • You can’t add particles to the HUD.  What you see is what you get.
    • There are almost always particles in the HUD that you will never use
    • Bigger investment

Least Common:  PARTICLES WITH CHAT TRIGGERS

  • As a dancer – I almost always prefer controlling effects with a chat trigger.  What is that?   saying “fire” on channel 12 to start a fire particle.  This lets me put the command into the Performance Director as part of my routine, set one of the HUD buttons to trigger a particle, or even create my own hud to trigger the particles.
  • In my experience, there are relatively few of these – and high quality ones even less, but there are a few out there.

Caching Particles:

Even been to a a show and watched little grey boxes flying about?  Particles are textures, and just like any texture, our viewers need to “cache” or read the texture before we can see it.  It’s always a good idea for particles to be cached – played early to prepare audience viewers.

Dancer’s Particle now has an object you wear that automatically caches the particle textures.  I believe it’s a group gift and hanging on their back wall.

~ Post coming soon:  Harnessing Particle Power – Costume Assistant & Making your own HUD ~

Posted in Dance Resources | 1 Comment

Some days…there are just no words

Posted on May 17, 2017 by evaharley

Today is a very difficult day for me.

One where I will go through the motions, and quietly lose myself within.
the world of dance.
and of music.

I am an introvert.
and sometimes alone
is where I find peace
and safety
and comfort
and myself again.

All is just as it should be, the universe continues to evolve.  The only thing that truly exists is this moment, right now.  Night turns to day and the world begins anew.

On this day, you may find my words relatively silent as I pour myself into my creations, my emotions spilling into them as if an overflowing cup.  To me this is the essence of art, creating from within, from who you are…from that deep well of emotion, feeling, and thought.

I am me.  Always.  No games.  Simple.  Through my dance I share with you…me.

A blessed day to all.  I leave you with a short yet inspiring video.

Yours from under the creative moon,
~ Eva

 

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Dance Knowledge – a Sharing

Posted on May 15, 2017 by evaharley

I am very grateful for the strong and extremely structured foundation I received when I first entered the dance world in SL.  Even now, I may grumble at times (“but the show isn’t for 2 months!!”) .  In truth, the experience is generally more stress free because of better time management, planning, and preparation.

Over the years, I learned much from my mentor.  I also learn and absorb from everyone I meet, whether a seasoned dancer or brand new to the stage.  Last but not least, I learn a lot on my own – trying new things, finding what methods click with me, and valuing both my successes and the “omg, toss that dance in the closet” acts.

I am a firm believer of questioning everything and finding what works best for YOU.  That being said, I will share and continually update the information here which may be helpful to you… and a reminder to me  Over time, it will fill out and become more structured, but we must always begin at the beginning (except when it comes to dessert before dinner).  Shall we?

Note:  these are my personal thoughts.  They may evolve over time and you are free to disagree and disregard any of them.

Performances:

My personal ultimate desire when creating is for the audience to be swept up in a performance, to lose all track of time, to feel whatever I’m trying to convey – interpreting it in a personal way to them.  In these moments, it is almost as though you can see the dancer breathe…it takes on a real/surreal quality.  This is magic to me.

Time management:

Work backwards from your show date.  If you can, set a goal to finish the dance before you cast it, or at minimum to finish the dance a week before the venue practice.  Saves a LOT of stress and potential things that may go wrong when rushing to the finish line.  (person behind the keyboard rushes to the finish line waaaay too often.)

Order of creating:

Everyone has their own method of creating.  Personally for me, as a woman, I like to find my costume first, or something with a similar feel of movement.  Animations can appear very different if you are wearing a custom avatar, compared to a flowing skirt, compared to a hot pink street outfit with neko boots and wild hair.

After roughing out a costume, then I start with the animations and choreography, then the set, then the movers, then the effects.  Usually – sometimes I even break my own “rules” and create the set first!  I follow my inspiration.

Music:

Transitions in music AND choreography are two things that help keep the audience engaged.  By transition in music I refer to the “changes”, the rises and falls..the changes in the chorus, the tempo.  If you are choreographing to a song that is very “flat”…sounds almost exactly the same all the way through, it can be harder to keep the audience engaged.  Not impossible, but harder.

Costumes:

Costume – costumes should stand out from the set.  Camouflaged dancers are generally not a good thing unless you’ll be doing special effect costume changes during your set.  If your costume is complex, go for a set with “simple” background.  If your costume is simple, go for a more complex background to highlight it.  If you have a very dark background – go for white or bright colored costumes, even neon with a bit of glow, or even high color, bright, complex patterns.  Contrast is generally a wonderful thing – which includes sets, costumes, colors, and patterns.

Put yourself in the eyes of the audience.  Where will their eyes be drawn to, follow?

Colors:

I love using google for color palette ideas, similar to the paint cards at the store.  They can give you ideas for primary colors, accent colors, etc.  Google “color inspiration” for ideas.

Don’t forget the color wheel for contrasting colors – look to the opposite side of the wheel for contrasting colors.

Sets:

When building, where do you want the audience’s eye focused?  Keep this in mind, keep stepping back.  Often less is more.  A busy set can really work for some dances, or may create a distraction for the audience trying to follow the dancer.

Consider where your dancers are dancing.  I usually use a grid when I create the set, which has circles in the middle.  Generally the audience will have the best experience when they can set their cam and watch the performance without “losing” dancers to the far edges of the set or having to cam from so far back they can’t see the nuances of the choreography.  I try to keep the majority of my dancers in the middle third of the stage.  I may start them from the sides, but generally pull them in.

Don’t forget – if the audience has to move their cam around they’ve lost their absorption in the dance AND the animations generally appear out of sequence temporarily when they move their cam.

Please feel free to submit your own thoughts in comments!

Posted in Dance Resources | 1 Comment

Scripts and Sanity, Workshops and Wow!

Posted on May 15, 2017 by evaharley

ask

Many of you may know I enjoy leading workshops, primarily on different tools used in dance.  I’m a techie geek, a systems analyst by trade, and often find it easier to understand gadgets than people!  I also love the interaction of teaching, sharing, and learning myself.  This past week, the Harleyquin Workshop Class and Building area underwent significant upgrades!  I took all the notes, comments, observations and began on a process of streamlining to make the classes flow better, more enjoyable, and more engaging for everyone.

Long, long, long ago, while I was still a novice dancer, I wanted to create a simple script.  I was nearly convinced that paying another to create it was the best option.  Alas, a very dear friend said “you can dooo it”  (imitating the Water Boy movie voice).  And you know what I did?  I jumped in with both feet (I’m a Scorpio – that’s what I do) and began on a never ending quest of unraveling these magic little pieces of code to bring whatever is in my imagination alive.   Now, I sometimes teach on this topic and pass along what may be most helpful for Performers in their creations.  Still so much more to learn.

I’m a firm believer in “necessity is the mother of invention” and “find a way or make a way”, so that’s what I did.  I removed things, added things, created things, enhanced things, and even pulled out my multi-scene rezzers, not to mention hired a whole new “support team” (must see to believe).  The picture below is actually just a piece of the classroom area of the workshop platform – and before the upgrades.

81baf5c6b6b385d3968d037294fcc656

I did begin questioning my own sanity on Saturday morning as I wrapped up the preparation for the choreography design system 2 class in the build area, and realized I had umm…a LOT of dances to work on plus research to do.

I do hope and believe that most attending enjoyed and learned something new from the class.  I learned new things too – thanks Que!  What else I realized though?  I totally stink at remembering to take attendance! 🙂  Always ways to make things better and more efficient, even if it’s a slide on the blackboard that says “The Questioning of Existence…all in attendance reply by {top secret}…ha 🙂

One moral that I take away from this?  Investing the time to do it right, and to complete it through to the end is a valuable use of time – whether it’s a workshop area, a workshop class, or creating a dance.  Creating some sort of structure, flow, also helps the creative process significantly and makes it less overwhelming and easier for the next time.

Dance will always be my primary focus, but for me, supporting others as they do me and teaching/learning also go hand in hand.

Ohhh….I just had a new thought….. (mumbles…it never ends…)

Always challenge yourself, in all things.  Amazing things are created outside your comfort zone.

~ Eva

Next workshop, contact EvaHarley to register:

Sat May 27th – 10 am SLT
SPOT ON SMOOTH DANCER – from getting started to recording your own sequences

 

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The Five People You Meet…

Posted on May 8, 2017 by evaharley

Life is like a box of crayons that everyone brings to the table.  A big sheet of brown paper strewn across for everyone to draw on.  What will you draw, what colors do you use?     There will always be someone else’s lines crossing over into ours as lives intersected are touched.  Will you remember?  Will you be conscious of how you touch the lives of others?  A simple look, a word, time, or silence.  Will your picture be vibrant, will there be so many brilliant connections that it will be nearly impossible to know where your drawing ends and others begin?  Or  perhaps the inside is a very detailed picture, with beautiful tendrils reaching out to others – every one of them meaningful.  At times we are all in a dark place for a multitude of reasons, the colors we reach for very muddy and gloomy and the picture overbearing.  There are no wrong ways, no wrong answers, we are all free to choose and to be.  Can you see that in others when you speak to them?  What colors they are drawing with?

There is an absolutely amazing book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom.  It is a book that touched me, its messages burned into my thoughts.  There are so many underlying messages.  One key concept is that in heaven, you will meet five people whose lives you touched in different ways.  The most surprising thing, in the story…the five people were those he never expected, never knew how he had touched their life.

Do people know how they touch mine I sometimes wonder?  Always trying to show gratitude, but even the smallest of interactions can make a world of difference.  It makes me wonder sometimes, how am I touching the lives of others?  Do they smile?  Think?  Feel inspired?  Laugh?  or even feel frustration, indifference, serenity, or even anger?  I think sometimes this is part of why I love teaching in SL.  There is the amazing medium where the physical boundaries of RL don’t exist, but there is also the opportunity to touch people I never could outside of this world.  One small way to make a difference, plus the innate joy that I have of sharing in both worlds.  Do those that come to my classes know I watch, always look for ways to make it easier, more enjoyable, strive to ease their struggles anytime I can?  The energy flows both ways, for they touch me too.  Everyone I interact with does, in their own way.

If you have not read this book, it is truly one of the best I’ve read.  Not for it’s excellence in writing, but for the underlying message and how deeply it spoke to me.

On this Monday morning (and I normally detest Monday mornings), I’m filled with complete serenity.  I’m going to share again a video from the last post.  Relax, listen, watch, feel it deeper and on a different level.  Can you feel it?  The opening and embracing of her own name, as her singing changes?  The gratitude she exudes, her family as they surround her?  The love and support?  I feel this, in this amazing world and I am ever so grateful.


I now know my name.

name_night sky

People won’t remember what you say…
They remember how you made them feel

Things I have learned

  • teaching three classes in one day is very fulfilling yet very very tiring 🙂
  • that I always think I can create more than I can in an amount of time
  • I need to tattoo “less is more” on my forehead
  • people can be utterly incredible and supportive and I’m beyond grateful
  • the energy and support during the RFL event coordinated by SoCo and the Victorian Theatre event by Chrissy was absolutely incredible.  So honored to be part of both of them.
  • that even when things don’t evolve as you hoped, it truly will be ok
  • to always re-evaluate, re-balance
  • slow and steady truly does win the race

Paint your picture –
~ Eva

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Goonies Never Say Die!

Posted on May 4, 2017 by evaharley

Ahoy mateys!   I declare it pirate day, raise the sails, cast from shore and find me some booty!


No!  not that kind of booty…although I must say the thought does make me grin!  It was a Eureka moment after waking up at a very dark 0300 hours my time.  Worked on a dance for a bit then anxiety flew off the charts.  Last night?  Headache…lots of headaches recently.  I turned to the almighty google for relaxation tips – did some heavy breathing (no wait, I meant deep breathing, deep breathing), and grabbed up my fishing pole.  The sound of water soothes me, and the fishing part is a relaxing calming activity I’ve found…and it hit me.

Fear…namely, fear of rejection.  Why was this dance bothering me, why have other things been causing anxiety?  I realize – it’s the fear of rejection, subconscious thoughts that affect me physically!  Not just this dance but other things too.  Anxiety isn’t real, it’s the brain playing tricks on you experts say, telling you all the bad stuff.  What if my dance sucks, what if everyone hates it, what if everyone hates ME, what if I don’t finish, what if…what if… what if…

It’s like this self fulfilling prophecy – immobilizing me, stopping me from really relaxing into the creation.   Stopping me from saying what I really want to say.  I’ve always said I’d rather know the truth, even if it hurt.  Well, sometimes we need to brave enough to just put it out there, I realize.  The words, my creations, me.  To stand back and see that feeling and say…whoa…the best experiences often come when you challenge your comfort zone, put it out there, pour your energy into it and see what happens.  Rejection sucks, big time, but there’s a happiness in knowing I did my best and I was true to myself.  This is part of going with the flow 🙂

You know why sorting inventory is my happy place?  Because I’m in control, organizing, and it’s completely internal.  It’s good to have that place to come back to, to recharge my batteries..but not a good place to exist in, avoiding what I REALLY want to do.

I, like so many, have diagnosed anxiety…sometimes paralyzing.  I’m going to keep on keeping on – doing my best, enjoying life, and appreciating all the people around me.  I have a dance to make!  Well…two actually but who’s counting.  Amazing dancers to costume and fun fun stuff to teach!

Random thoughts:

Why don’t we have street performers in SL?  I’m going to wear a funky costume, do an abstract and artistic dance and pass out flowers, a hat by my feet.  Or maybe one of those shiny painted people?  Or a living statue…fun and super easy to do in this world!  Oh…the possibilities…

Can I make a dance like the emporer’s new clothes?  We’ll all be naked but say we’re wearing a costume?  Soooo much easier – and I can blame it on SL!  Bonus!

My kingdom for a poem!  On Monday night I’m going to a poetry reading and I’m going to read one.   Not up to writing my own…  <makes a face, grinning, might be fun but probably NOT appreciated there!  I did write a great one in 3rd grade though>  Something whimsical and fun and kinda short – to almighty google again I charge forth!

Party time!   [03:14:54] (7S) Pro Fishing Rod: EvaHarley Resident has reached Level 8!

Particle Play!  I’ve been asked quite a few times about particles.  I’m going to write a blog entry on my thoughts, resources, and some of the options – put together the info in one place.   Particles and lighting – two things I’d love to play with more!

Happy day to you all!  Let your hair down, your imagination soar, and know your name. 🙂

~ Eva

 

~ Take me or leave me, I’m just me…quirks and all 🙂  ~


Doing some serious fishing here!

 

Poseidon, giving me advice…

 

Reflecting…the flamingos eying my catch…

 

Jelly fish I caught fishing…Now where’s the peanut butter???

 

 

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I Have a Confession…

Posted on May 2, 2017 by evaharley

Amazing difference a new day can make isn’t it…changing your mindset, stop fighting against your own current and embracing what is, focusing on inner peace, breathing deep, and all that good stuff.  So what did I learn?

I have an overwhelming need to organize things – even keeping them squeaky clean…soap and bubbles included.  I love gadgets and tools that help me sort things, find things.  Right now my challenge is sorting my animations – the walks, the tosses, flip, spins, and stomping around.  I think I have a picking nose one too…  I can never ever find what I want…like ever!  I love systems, I love flow, having a place for things and things in their place.  I love focusing my time on what I enjoy, and when I stop to look for a pose I say – “BOOM!  There’s the one!”.

Would I recommend this level of insanity to everyone?  No!  LOL.  It takes time and I work on it when I’m in the mood.  Honestly it’s like Christmas as I sort through inventory and play with all my animations, getting them organized.  It’s my happy place!  Twisted, eh?  I totally own my quirks. :))

Also made me realize I have a way I like to work.  I use a private blog and make lists of steps to take when creating, preparing to teach etc.  Relatively brief outlines but it keeps me focused…which is a great thing for me!  When I didn’t make my list and was flying by the seat of my pants on my current creation?  MASS CHAOS!  Order and peace have been restored in the land and all is progressing now.  The fun thing?  Ask anyone in the dance world the way they create and you will get different answers!  What’s YOUR way, what makes sense to you?  What way makes you the happiest, most relaxed, most inspired?  DO THAT!  If something isn’t coming together, you’ll know, then adjust to what feels right and keep on trucking.

That led my thoughts to meandering…all work and no play makes for a dull SL!  I’m thankful a friend, Ally, nudged me to take a break and enjoy a poetry reading!  I have been fishing a lot and I’m going to start tossing 7seas fish to the audience…next I need to play with the blue prints but first…I’m in the mood to create a new toy.  I dream of adventure, riding the wild seas, living amongst the natives!  There’s a whole wide SL out there to explore, not to mention events…  I’m even going to read a poem next time!

Exploring my wild side performing in the Night Players show was a blast.  That’s actually something new for me – stepping out of my comfort zone and fear of judgement.   So much to explore, to create…but all in time.  Seeing dance as art and a new level of expression, new ideas… Still working on pacing myself. 🙂  Meatloaf’s Bat out of Hell was running hot, and I had an immense amount of fun with my dancers and the costumes they put together.  A huge thank you to Tristan for recording it.  Not safe for work, you can find it here: https://harleyquinadventure.wordpress.com/2017/04/09/my-own-dance-videos/

~~~~

And now, I’m going to get real with you.  SL can be a crazy world, where we meet all kinds of people.  There are so many wonderful people I’m grateful to know, have known, danced with, or have met.  Some…for perhaps a very brief moment.  People come and go from our lives, and it is true that nothing ever stays the same.  I myself am not the same person I was two years ago.  Two years from now, I will not be the same person I am today.  We don’t connect with everyone, we’re not meant to.  I was reminded yesterday, by friends and other gentle nudges by the universe, to embrace myself and who I am.  To see deeply within, that home and peace are inside each of us.  To challenge my comfort zone, embrace freedom, joy, whimsy, new adventures, confidence, and being more open.  To be happy and content within myself, with no expectations of others, and not to compare.  To let go.

I am an intense, quirky, rambling, creative, impulsive, and imperfect person – and you know what?  I’m ok with that.  I don’t need everyone to accept me, to understand me, or even to be overexcited to dance or even talk with me.  I care, without strings, and follow my words with action.  We are all stronger than we know.

Two amazing dances to continue on with, fun classes coming up, and tomorrow a new challenge/adventure.  Life is good.

Use all the crayons ~ embrace your fears ~ believe in yourself
Eva

Quotefancy-786817-3840x2160         quirky

My dance animations…see?  squeaky clean

My wardrobe…amazing gadget from Marketplace, uses a website and can even dress me.  Why I even buy more clothes is completely beyond me ^^

wardrobe

My poses…same wardrobe from Marketplace.  Let’s me organize, search, and see

poses

and now…even my animations…on Gyazo…and yes, they’re all moving when I see this.  Will be adding more tags at some point…how do you classify butt scratching, btw?

animations

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bobbing along..bobbing along..in the beautiful briny sea..

Posted on May 1, 2017 by evaharley

Ever have one of those weeks with so many ups and downs, sideways, and frontways, and backways and doorways?  This was my week in a nutshell, almost constantly feeling like I was forgetting something…but what was it?  I never did figure it out.  Perhaps I have…

Go with the flow

Perhaps this is what I was forgetting.  Do I agree with everyone, follow along…nope.  Most people who know me know I have *many* opinions and ideas.  To me, it means staying in the present moment, relaxing, feeling the natural energies of the universe, and not forcing myself to work on something or do something I don’t want to.  It means not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, but being right here, right now.

What that is, is different for everyone.  The things that make me happy, the things that bring me back to center.  It’s been a challenging year, and if any of you know the concept of the hero’s journey…change is never easy, but not changing can be even more intensely painful..and risk missing opportunities too.

I loved the Ted video today, and there was an amazing quote in it:  “You can’t change every little thing in your life, but we can change how we experience it.”  I like that…a lot.  How I approach a dance, trying new things, those moments between when you kinda don’t feel like doing anything.

I realized, sometimes stepping back is stepping forward.  Changing the angle, the approach, the view…so what did I do?  I went swimming in an amazing underworld, and remembered all the things I enjoy doing – chatting at the commune in the early mornings, listening to live readings, meditating, exploring art sims and adventures.  You know what?  This inspires me to plot out my dance, take things in pieces, work slowly without force.  How I feel comes across in my dance…so time to change it up!  This one has more of a dark feel – if you find me choreographing in a goth sim, you know why! ha.

I’m a list maker – it helps me put my thoughts in order, calms me by having an outline, and also becomes creative time for me too as I let thoughts naturally flow.  If something doesn’t feel right, come naturally – there’s usually a reason – fear, expectation, not the right task or the right project, or even the need to take a break.  I am realizing in a couple of ways I am letting fear hold me back in areas of my life, interesting, eh?

Life is not about what others think of you, but what you think and how you feel about yourself.  With that in mind, daily meditation will again become a habit and a focus, continuing the Morning Miracle book on my own, and in RL bringing home Mary Jane and putting feet to pavement.

Many dance things coming in May!  New alternative things which I’m really embracing, spring cleaning in full force – and coming soon, a new installment of Adventures.  A bit of silliness is completely in order.

Smile – and make people wonder what you’re up to…

~Eva


A lovely swim at Shagwong Cove resort – going with the flow

Bedknobs and Broomsticks – wonder if I can make a dance to this? lol

 

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The quieter you become, the more you can hear

Posted on April 27, 2017 by evaharley

My May calendar is nearly plotted, a renewed focus on rhythms and flow, mindfulness and peace.  On a balance between creativity, nurturing of self and support of others.  I realize more and more that this isn’t always easy, and there are sacrifices I make – just as we all do when we choose between option A and option B.

Anyone who has read my blog more than once probably knows I try to watch a TED talks video every day, whatever one catches my eye.  Today’s was “Why aren’t we more compassionate?”  There were a few things that spoke to me, and I write them here because it feels right, and these blogs are a canvas of expression for me, and just perhaps mean something to you in some way.  In this talk, the speaker shared that we are all hard-wired to help others, but that when we are focused on self, pre-occupied, engaged deeply in an activity, we tend to forget…or overlook others.  We “turn off” emotional empathy, that human moment of connecting to others.  Sometimes we have to, to an extent, when we’re running a practice, or teaching, or even taking much needed respite time for ourselves.  For me, I realize I shouldn’t shut it off completely, that sometimes my responses are a bit “sterile”…and that the other party has invested emotions in my answer or response.  For me, personally, this again speaks to balance.  There are times to be focused, to be open, to be nurturing, and to be firm.

As with others who participated, the Autism Awareness event was so much more than a venue for performances, or even the awareness of those challenged within the Autistic spectrum, but that almost everyone in this world is fighting a battle others may not know about, or if they do, cannot truly fathom the experience.  I have met so many amazing people in this world who desire, who strive to surmount these challenges, to experience, to create, to be within a world where they can feel free.  Where they are not judged, or pitied, or have to hide who they truly are inside.  Inside.

I am moved, and reminded.  I am an introvert, I have challenges, mine far less than many.  I am reminded of the importance of the human moment, and empathy, encouragement, and challenge.  I believe that we are all part of one universal energy, none better than any other.  I am so very touched, and thankful for all of the people in my life.  I believe that when people cross our path, that they do so for a reason.  May I live a life of compassion, and grace, of unconditional love, and true to my own path.  To embrace life, whatever it may bring, to live in gratitude, and know that there is no lack.  I have all I need at the moment, and know that the universe will provide.

Blessed be, all.   Please know, you matter.
~ Eva

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Tips and Tricks – Starting Dancers Backstage and Rezzing Movers Early!

Posted on April 26, 2017 by evaharley

As with almost everything, there are multiple ways you can use different tools.  I share here one method that makes my performances much easier and less stressful.

How many of us have put our movers in our set, or had them starting out onstage?  We’d have to wait until the curtain closed, rez our sets then hope all the dancers could find their movers before it was time for the music to start and the curtain to open?  THEN we’d have to cache the dances.  This always added a lot of stress for me.

Using the Spot On Performance Director, Choreography Designer, and Stage Manager, I now find this much easier and less stressful.

First – what are these tools, and how do they relate to this?

The Performance Director can contain multiple “act” or routine cards.  Example:  My performance director has a card called Carousel PD and Dark Horse PD.  Each of those are one of my dances I perform.  I click on “Carousel PD” on the performance director, and when I play it, it plays all the animations for Carousel.  When I click on Dark Horse and press play, it loads the instructions on that notecard and plays everything for that routine.  For each, every dancer has a dancer number.  Carousel only has dancer 1, Dark Horse has dancers 1 through 9.

Choreography Designer – this is used to create your movements for your routines.  Dancers each sit on a pad.  When used with the Performance Director, each pad must have a dancer number.  One of the powerful things about the choreography designer movers is that it can contain multiple notecards.  In my mover 1, I have a movement card called “Carousel PD” AND a notecard called “Dark Horse PD”.  Each of those cards have the instructions for dancer 1 for each of those dances.  In mover 2, I just have one dance notecard – for “Dark Horse PD”.  Dancer 2 isn’t in Carousel, so I have a “dummy” notecard in the mover for it.  See the dummy notecards post for more info about this.

Stage Manager – there are actually two purposes for stage manager.  It can be used to pack and rez sets, but it also replaces the old position marker.  What does this mean?  In the stage manager, there is a stage location notecard where you list all of the platforms and venues you dance at.  Using the Stage Manager position marker, you identify the center point of the stage and the rotation (which way it’s facing).  This is put into the stage manager notecard.   You’ve packed a set into your stage manager from your building platform and go to one of your dance venues.  When you rez your set, the stage manager says “Hey!  I know where the center of this stage is!  I’m going to put this here, and this here, and that here”.  You should generally not need to do any adjusting at all!  BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!  You’re using your choreography designer, flinging waypoints here there and everywhere.  If you have your stage manager out, and it knows the center point of the “stage area” where you’re creating waypoints, when you get your notecard from the choreo designer ring, it will add new “offset” information.  What is this “offset information” I speak of?  You’ve taken your stage manager to another venue.  The venue is in your stage locations notecard, your set rezzes beautifully.  Now, dump out a copy of your movers – ANYWHERE!  On the roof, under the floor, on top of the manager’s head…..and whoosh – they’ll disappear!  Why?  Because your movers say “hey! there’s a stage manager here, and the stage manager says that the center of this stage is over there and in my notecard for this routine it says I should be here and rotated this way from the center of the stage.  Woot!  No more have to exactly measure to get your movers in just the right spot.  They’ll zoom there on their own.  For each dance and mover notecard you create, it will also automatically provide the offset information with the movement information.  Just copy and past that to your mover notecard for that act.

OK, now what does this have to do with having my movers on the stage?  Let’s summarize our findings so far:

  1. you can have multiple notecards in your movers
  2. you can have multiple notecards in your performance director
  3. Each mover notecard for an act will also include the offset information for that act if you have a stage manager configured for where you’re working.  This is the “starting point” of your routine based on your starting point and stage where you created it.
  4. When you click on the name of an act in your performance director, it will “look for” the notecard inside the movers with the EXACT same name and “load” this information.
  5. Your movers will then use the offset information and JUMP to the starting point for that act.
  6. When you press play on the performance director, your movers will move.

So, what do I do?

I created a Backstage Routine!

  1. I went to one of the main venues I dance at.
  2. I rezzed out my stage manager and made sure it said it was configuring for that stage in local chat.
  3. I put out 8 mover rings backstage, out of the way but centered behind the back wall of the stage
  4. I rezzed 1 waypoint in the center of each ring
  5. I did “getnotecard” from each ring and created a notecard with this information and the dancer number at the top.
  6. I named all the notecards “Backstage PD”  (this is important)
  7. Then I created folders – Backstage PD dancer 1, Backstage PD dancer 2, etc. in my inventory
  8. I put the appropriate notecard in the appropriate folder
  9. I then created a very basic Performance Director notecard with the group All|1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and the normal stuff
  10. I saved this in my inventory as Backstage PD
  11. I added the Backstage PD notecard to one of my act Performance Directors
  12. I added the Backstage PD notecards for each individual mover to the appropriate movers

What did this do?

  • After I put on my Performance Director, I now see Backstage PD AND my dance act listed.  I click on Backstage PD
  • I rez out my movers from inventory right after I arrive
  • All the movers automatically move to their backstage spots!!
  • I now click on the name of my dance act in the PD
  • All the movers automatically move to their positions on stage!

Your dancers can get on their movers backstage, and when it’s time, just click the name of your act on the PD and they will automatically zoom to their starting positions on stage!

What else does this do?  Because your dancers are on the movers, you can precache ALL the animations in your PD early if you want to!  When they are in place on stage, you can pre-cache just the Routine animations if you want to do it again.

BUT WAIT!  There’s more!

Dancing at a venue where backstage gets cluttered with people, or they prefer everyone wait out of the way?  I used the same process and created notecards for an understage location, repeating the exact same process but naming everything Understage PD.

Dance at a different venue where “backstage” is on the side?  Just create a set of notecards for that venue and call it “ABC side stage” or whatever you want.  The whole key is the mover card and PD card names MUST be identical so they can “talk to each other”.

Because I have all of these notecards in my inventory, when I create a new dance I finish the act first, THEN I add the backstage and understage notecards to the mover and PD.  Ta da!  I can rez out my movers early, I can move my dancers from understage to backstage and to their starting points with a click of a button.  I can cache my animations early and on stage.  No more hoping that people will find their pads in time!

 

I hope you find these instructions easy to follow.  If you don’t, please leave a comment and I will do my best to answer questions or clarify the instructions above.

Happy Dancing!
~ Eva

Questions  

Q:  I have stage manager, but I don’t use it for my sets.  I want to create these Backstage notecards, but do I have to rez my sets from the stage manager?

A:  No!  You must have a stage manager, your stage manager must have the platform/venue locations in the stage location notecard, but you DO NOT have to rez your set from it.  Just place the stage manager anywhere at the venue and it will act like a “GPS” for your movers.

Q: I created my Backstage PD notecards, but what do I do with the designer rings?

A: Delete them.  You only needed the rings to get the information for the notecard – they’ve served their purpose.

Q: I never dance with more than four dancers – do I have to create these Backstage PD notecards for 8 movers?

A: No.  You choose, just make sure your PD notecard lists the same number of dancers that you’ll create mover notecards for.  I use 8 because that’s normally my maximum and the maximum default slots for the Performance Director.

Q: My dance will only have two movers, but the Backstage notecard in the performance director lists 8 dancers.  Do I need to change it?

A:  No.  I frequently dance with less and never change the Performance Director card.  If you do get a warning about dancers 3 – 8 not being present, just ignore it.

Q.  I followed these instructions but it’s not working!

A.  Check the following things:

  • reset your stage manager.  Does it say it’s configuring for your stage or does it say it can’t be used until a stage location is set?
  • Check your movers and your PD.  Are the names EXACTLY the same?  Don’t add any numbers, they must be IDENTICAL.
  • Check your Backstage PD notecard in the movers.  Does it have a dancer number listed?  Do you see the offset information in the bottom section?  It will say offset and a bunch of numbers, and this will be right after #BEGIN NOTECARD and before the information for your first waypoint

 

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