(Re)Animating Stanislavsky: realizing aliveness in the virtual actor. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weinbren, Jon
• Is Part Of: Stanislavski studies. Volume 8:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 142
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Aliveness -- realization -- virtual acting -- perezhivanie (experiencing) -- Stanislavsky -- practice research -- machine learning; Theater -- History -- Russia (Federation) -- Periodicals; Criticism and interpretation -- Periodicals; Influence -- Periodicals; 792.028
• DOI: 10.1080/20567790.2020.1726086
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2054-4170

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper describes my initial attempts to create a believable Virtual Actor: an autonomous computer graphic character depiction that can convincingly portray actions and emotions in-the-moment, in real-time response to given circumstances of a dramatic context. The focus here is on the journey so far; and on some of the discoveries and realizations that have emerged from research and creative processes which have been brought into play. Konstantin Stanislavsky soon emerges in this process as a critical point of reference and inspiration – not only because of his own lifelong quest for means and methods to create 'life in art', but also as a compelling subject upon which to base the virtual actor's likeness. We are thus placed in a dialogue with Stanislavsky's legacy, and I am able to extend his notion of life in art on the stage to a more generalized 'beyond life' concept of aliveness . This is useful as it applies to character portrayal both in theatre and in in mediated forms such as animation, film and autonomously driven real-time computer graphic imagery. Along the way we also encounter historic and contemporary approaches to emotion, animation practice, and Artificial Intelligence in the form of Machine Learning. Graphical Abstract: