Capstone

Positioned for Greatness

2010-03-15T19:02:00.001-07:00

This x and y output is an excellent piece of progress for my wifi tracking system. I have to loop this readout now and send it to a tracking software that translates it for a game engine.

I'm Back!

2010-03-08T08:13:00.001-08:00

Hello All, I took a break from my project blog to get married and get situated with graduate school. I am back now and ready to report some awesome progress!!!! I am currently building a WiFi tracking system that will allow me to generate a spatial x & y position value for outdoor use. I am going with 2D position to start with because the math formulas and data structure are simple enough for me as a novice programmer to deal with. Eventually a 3D tracking system will be required, but for my current project scope I will stick with this. As I said I am a novice programmer and I seem to attack a programming issued by writing out a list of questions based on my knowledge of how the system should work and I attack them one at a time. The first question I had was; How do I get signal strength from the WiFi access point connected to my system? Next question was; How do I grab 3 signal strength measurements? That is exactly where I am at currently:

The next issue I have to grapple with is looping this measurement function and saving the dynamic values into variables that are manipulated with my position values. I am a bit scared that since WiFi signal strength values are measured as integers rounded off somewhere either in hardware or in a windows class that my tracking system will not be too precise. I have to move forward regardless.

2009-06-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

Below are 3 videos about my undergraduate project as wrapped up.

This first video below is about the PIPE Smell Theater system that I built to play my movies in.

This video below is about the Weekend Assignment 3D movie production.

This video below is one I created for the PIPE. It is a fictional story and I practiced some new techniques that I created in After Effects.

My new road has WDI on it I have a great idea for them

2009-06-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

The PIPE was a big success and I will fill you in about it more in a future post. A brief update on me. I have a new job, I have enrolled in graduate school for media arts & science, & I am getting married at Disney World this December. :-) I would like to thank my family friends and colleagues and most of all God for help in being who I continue to be today.

This picture above is all I will leave you with for now. Some clues about it are that Walt Disney Imagineering is in my future and this picture is saturated with a lot of hidden messages that pertain to my new project. Its no form of stenography, but the excitement is in the details.....

In with the New

2009-06-12T15:27:00.001-07:00

Its down to the Wire & the PIPE is almost finished!!

2008-11-19T13:54:00.000-08:00

I have been working quite hard on my 4D Theatre the PIPE now for the last 4 months. THE PIPE IS DUE DECEMBER 5th AT 4PM!!! I am quite happy to be this for on the project. To have the opportunity to take my artistic and mechanical vision to fruition has been eye opening. The AVL and my Advisors Albert William & Rich Edwards have helped guide me down my path and it has lead me to a vast sea of experience and new ideas for the future. I am incredibly grateful.
If you want to try out the PIPE it will be on display in the lobby of IUPUI's IT building on December 5th from 4pm to 8pm. Its open to the public, please come check it out and share your thoughts with me.

Opener

2008-07-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

This is a video opener I made in my after effects exploration. I am creating stereoscopic content for the PIPE's new HMDs (Head Mounted Displays). The PIPE is my main work so far this summer and I am making LOTS of headway. I have not posted here on the blog for a while because the stuff I am working on isn't really that interesting to hear about :-) (ie. regulator modifications, air flow analysis, and audience preferential data) This is a good video I thought everyone would get a kick out of. I am also making everything in 3D Stereoscopic video of course.
Let me say I am extremely excited about shooting some experimental footage in Albert's new N485 Stereoscopic Visualization Class this fall!!! Can we all say AWESOME CLASS! Anyway the only clue I will give you to my content idea for this class is 3 words.... Stereoscopic Bullet Time.... See you all next time. Also for those of you interested, I am working on a post graduation project already involving stereoscopic stop motion animation and Hi Dymanic Range photography. To see more on this go to the project blog:

http://www.productionmastery.blogspot.com

Until Next Time God Bless!,
Chauncey Frend

PIPE Official Website coming soon...

2008-03-30T23:46:00.000-07:00

With the light of a functional manual control I have taken Brian Phillups advice to create a PIPE microsite where the user is put in the seat of the device. This is an image of the begining work of the site right now. I will let everyone know when it is active.

2nd Showing of Weekend Assignment in the Books!

2008-02-29T14:06:00.000-08:00

Today was the 2nd showing of Weekend Assignment. If you missed it you can come have a private showing at the school just e-mail me. cfrend@iupui.edu It was a lot of fun and I gave away a DVD to the crowd. My thanks to Todd Kirk for the tech support and Aaron Gallimore for taking pictures. I won't be showing the movie again in stereo until next winter closer to my graduation. It is time now to finish developing the PIPE and work on a new Stereoscopic movie. See details about that here: http://www.productionmastery.blogspot.com

Thank You,

Chauncey Frend

ITS ALIVE! ITS ALIVE! The PIPE is breathing!!!

2008-02-04T20:58:00.000-08:00

At 11:18pm Feb. 4th 2008
I successfully concluded my first manual test of the PIPE (My smell-o-vision theatre concept) while watching the classic "Back to the Future." Only one smell has been tested and I triggered it here when you see Doc going crazy the smell was "Preferred Stock" cologne to seem like an old 50s style cologne. You will have to excuse my excitement this evening!!!!!! I have just confirmed the potential I designed less than 2 years ago. I will forge ahead with this breakthrough. What a blessing!

Thank the Lord,
Chauncey Frend

Tonight is my 50th blog posting WHOO HOOO!

Weekend Assignment Encore

2008-01-30T11:06:00.001-08:00

The IUPUI National Braodcasting Society Chapter will be showing the movie again in 3D coming next month Friday Feb. 29th at noon in IT152 at IUPUI. Everyone is welcome and it should be a fun time and for more information about the movie go to http://www.weekendassignment.com . See you there!

Thank You,
Chauncey

Weekend Assignment Available on YouTube! and LOTS MORE COOL STUFF

2008-01-21T13:36:00.000-08:00

Yes, you can watch a low res version of the entire movie Weekend Assignment now on YouTube. I am preparing to take the movie to as many film festivals this summer as I can.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=035CC6813323DAB5

My portfolio has been updated, and I will continue to add more of my current works to it as time permits.

http://www.chaunceyworks.com/

I have stared my 2nd to last semester as an undergraduate here at IUPUI and I have been quite busy. Also I am now an intern for the UITS Advanced Visualization Lab helping them out with problem solving and media content for the technology and projects they support.

Also this short called "Choice" that I showed at the Premier will be entered in IMAX's "Really Big Short Film Festival" this week. I created this with Ben Phillippe and Justine Marter. The music is original by Joseph Burrows, and Aaron Gallimore is the main character.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WephfMIP5QY

If that wasn't exciting enough, I have been elected the President of the IUPUI chapter National Broadcast Society. I am responsible for the success of this chapter, by enriching many of our New Media students in professional media competitions as well as committing our chapter to our own portfolios and extended learning of multimedia production as professionals.

That is a lot on my plate so don't be too surprised if you see me jetting in and out of the IT building. I have talked with Jeff Brown about working on my PIPE this semester and he is getting closer to turing the curcuit over to me for programming. I am taking a class in C (which is the highest language the curcuit will understand after compiling) language programming right now so by the time he is ready I should be as well.

Weekend Assignment is COMING TO A THEATRE NEAR most of you. In Feburary I will be showing the Movie again in 3D during a week day for anyone who wants to come see it. More information on that will be posted here and on campus by next week.

Wish me Luck & God Bless You!

Chauncey

WHAT A WONDERFUL SURPRISE!

2007-12-14T07:36:00.000-08:00

Today Dec. 14th 2007 is my last day working at Eagle Creek Park and they surprised me this morning with a work of art to be very proud of! I am afraid to eat it! Dee and Jenny baked this brain child and I am so thankful to have such creative friends! The Park manager Karen and Steve from maintenance offered their expertise to create the effect. WOW When I walked in I was blown away they did such an AMAZING job on this. Eagle Creek Park has been the most enjoyable work environment that I have ever worked in.

The cake features a scene right out of weekend assignment where the subdued sasquatch was being taken back to town by garden tractor among a pine forest!

The Sasquatch is one of a kind being composed of gauze, a decorative yet modified penguin, unchewed juicy fruit gum, and aluminum foil! ITS BRILLIANT! The icing mimics the art direction of hair.

I will truly miss all my friends at Eagle Creek Park and I will never forget you. You are all invited to any of my movie premiers in the future! Thank you....Thank you all and God Bless You!

Chauncey

PS: 1st edition Weekend Assignment DVDs will be available from me within 3 days!

Weekend Assignment Premier!

2007-12-09T18:25:00.001-08:00

My Stereo premier is in the books! My family, friends, professor's, and fellow students showed up for the showing. It was a WONDERFUL gathering and was healthy for everyone to celebrate together. This is the reason why I make movies....

Thank you all for your positive support and loving fellowship God Bless You All!

Chauncey

Thats all folks! (for the movie at least) PIPE HERE I COME!

2007-12-02T23:33:00.000-08:00

Well, that’s it the movie has been edited and will be tested promptly this week with my mentor Albert William. I have inflicted well over 275 hours of post production on myself and 11 all-nighters since I finished shooting last September. The premier invitations are out and I am excited to see everyone and show you the fruits of my labors. I will host a student showing of the movie next semester in IT152 so more people can see it. Thank you again AVL for letting me camp out here. :-)

After finals and Christmas break I will finish the PIPE and interface the movie inside just in time for the IMAX unveiling sometime in the late spring.

Chauncey

Trailer on YouTube

2007-11-19T00:30:00.000-08:00

The Weekend Assignment Trailer is up on youTube. I have been down and out sick with a bad ear infection, but I have antibiotics helping now so I should recover soon. I worked late tonight on the movie's stereoscpic video illusion and I am very excited to finish this project soon. The premier is on DEC. 8th and I have been hesitant to hand out invitations being sick and all, but I will asap now that I am recovering and cought back up. God Bless!

Chauncey

Ibdaa Awards

2007-11-13T09:12:00.003-08:00

I have submitted a shorted version of my film Weekend Assignment into the International Media Festival Ibdaa. If I am selected as a finalist I will be flown to Dubai City to meet many media professionals and compete in the festival.

After editing this shortend version of Weekend Assignment I have learned all the forseen errors that will come up when I am editing my final version. Knowing how to deal with the problems will help me focus on the art and enjoyability of the film more. I am very happy about that. Thanks to Todd Kirk for lending me some digital storage space! God Bless.

Go to http://www.ibdaa-awards.ae/ to see all about the Ibdaa Flammable Talent Awards.

Chauncey Frend

Image Processing

2007-10-18T19:06:00.000-07:00

BEFORE AFTER

Here you can see some of the image processing that I am doing with the visuals for the stereo-movie. I am using color mixing to match the original art direction. This is a shot of T-Bone and some of his gang members from Mowdecville. Read about them at :

http://www.weekendassignment.com/

Forward Motion & New Stuff!

2007-10-08T17:02:00.001-07:00

I recently met with the Indiana State Museam IMAX director and have adjusted my premier agenda.

DEC. 8th - Family Premier @ The School of Informatics

JAN. TBA - Industry Professionals, Faculty, & Students IMAX Premier

INVITATIONS WILL BE OUT THIS MONTH FOR THE FAMILY PREMIER

Here is a documentary about capstones at IUPUI that features Frank Tai and myself as examples of large student projects. It has some clips from the movie *wink!

WeekendAssignment.com is up and running:

http://www.weekendassignment.com/

Sorry about the advertising bar at the top of the page that's what I get for using free hosting. I wish I had better funding than my own pocket ha! The character descriptions are funny and I will add more on later. The trailer is not complete yet, but I am also going to with hold it when it's complete until Halloween night. God Bless You!

Chauncey

Movie Poster

2007-09-27T13:39:00.001-07:00

Mr. Ben Phillippe of New Media Arts and Science has completed the artwork for the Weekend Assignment movie poster. It is not complete yet as the text will be edited, but the art direction is complete. I thank him for his zeal and talent used in helping this production along. God Bless

Forward Motion: FILMING COMPLETE

2007-09-16T18:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, everyone the May 12th - Sept. 15th scheduled shooting is complete for my movie "Weekend Assignment." Its been a long colorful road full of fun, determination, flexibility, and most of all LEARNING! I am happy to put a lid on this part of the production pipeline and move on to post production and the premier.

The shots above are from the movie's chase scene and reception. I am thankful to everyone for their constant help and interest. Wish me luck as I venture on. God Bless You

Photos by: JoEllen Frend

IURTC & Fellow Student Project & Final Shots 29AUG07

2007-08-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

I met with representitives from IU's RTC center to start the patent process. They were very interested in the PIPE and offered me some great advice.

A fellow student, Frank Tai, is working on Indiana's first animated short film. I have offered to interface his video into my PIPE system. If all works out this will be Indiana's first short interfaced in new form of visualization technology and I will be happy to take the PIPE to competitions and conventions with Frank. You can see more on Frank's progress at http://pacoanimatedshort.blogspot.com/ or see his portfolio at http://www.franktai.com

1-2SEPT & 8-9SEPT & 15-16SEPT are the last shoot dates for the completion of "Weekend Assignment" I have arranged locations, props, talent, and equipment for these dates and I am excited to be starting POST. Testing of interfacing my interlaced stereovideo has begun and I am moving forward quite nicely. Jeff Brown has been creating the circuit computer control for the PIPE system and I will have it silk screened this fall when his testing is complete. Other than that the PIPE is looking quite nice and ready for its final component installments! Terry Frend is helping me construct the hot and cold air units as well as the humidity evacuation system.

Stereo Rendering Started!!! Weekend Assignment

2007-08-02T13:12:00.000-07:00

I have started testing my stereo video of "Weekend Assignment" in the 3D Johnny Box to test the accuracy of our field measurements. The results were spectacular! True depth simulation was achieved and for you fellow stereo people out there my parallax seemed best at 7.5 feet or so with the camera lens centers around 2.5" apart.

I am excited to start compositing and editing to show this on the big IMAX screen as well as interface it in my PIPE device.

Shooting the film will be complete within 2 months. Thank you, Albert for your assistance in the photo. Also thank you Mike Boyles of the AVL for the use of the equipment.

"Weekend Assignment" Production Photos 9/14/07

2007-07-14T16:14:00.000-07:00

Bar Scene

Chase Scene

The Tractors of Weekend Assignment

2007-07-11T21:38:00.000-07:00

This past July 7th weekend I filmed some of the garden tractors for the chase scene of the film Weekend Assignment. Above is an animated gif I made of Byron Miller of The Lakeshore Antique Garden Tractor Club. They helped me out for the film and he is showing off his tractor pulling skills in this shot. As you can see in the background the club owns a few hundred garden tractors. Its always a great time with these guys. I would like to thank Byron and his dad Don Miller for their help. There will be more posts about their help soon.

Production Forges Ahead in JULY 2007

2007-07-09T22:56:00.000-07:00

Yes, production of Weekend Assignment still forges ahead yet. The shots above are from a classroom scene of the film. I would like to thank Shaun Switkowski. and Matt Schultz. for their determined help as actors. Also I need to thank Bonnie Switkowski. for the production assistance in locations and props. Shooting is planned to be finished by Aug. 5th.

Man am I learning a lot about dealing with creative production development. I find comfort in thinking outside the shots to convey the story. I fear for mis continuity in people's perception of the visuals into the plot, but by putting myself through this complex pressure I am developing a better context to base my decisions on. The next film I shall start after Weekend Assignment is being written along side a second comedy that will be written by Matt Schultz, Taylor Frend, & I called Adam Anchovy. These films will be made side by side in GoMotion and Claymation. Thanks for checking in let me know what you think or anticipate >> cfrend@iupui.edu

Photos by JoEllen Frend

Weekend Assignment: Score

2007-06-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

New Media Arts and Science animator, Aaron Gallimore, has been generating some of the music score for the film Weekend Assignment. This music will have the essence of southern rock with a bit of hillbilly bluegrass. To listen to a sample of some of his work go to http://www.chaunceyworks.com/skunkApe01.wav
This is a riff to a bigger song that Aaron is working on. I truly appreciate his work and efforts.

The premiere for this film will be at the IMAX Theater in the Indiana State Museum. The cast of the film will be present as well as people working on music like Aaron. More information about the premiere will be available this fall.

Below are images of Aaron's recording area and the equipment he is using to generate the music for Weekend Assignment.

Other people working on music for the movie include Elkhart, IN artist Jordan Howell, Indianapolis psycadelic band Amo Joy! - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=36445846

Also Chauncey is trying to get permission to use the song Muskrat - Doc Watson and Bigfoot - Buzz Martin. These are songs that lend to certain scenes in the film and fit the art direction.

Taylor Frend's Banjo skills will also be featured in the film as well.

Weekend Assignment Shots: From the Data Room

2007-06-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some random screen shots from the film. Certainly these are raw and no color art direction has been applied as I will. These are all shots from the first half of the movie. A few people have been asking "What these bizzare movie pictures have to do with my Smell-o-vision?" These pictures are from a movie I am creating to put into my device or "Smell-o-Vision" HA I would like to reiterate that smell is not the only new component, hot&cold air, as well as humidity will be PIPED in as well.

Clip from: Act 1 Scene 13

Clip From: Act 1 Scene 7
Clip From: Act 1 Scene 7
Clip From: Narration

The blue background will be choma-keyed out to be the N.S.W.A. Lodge. (National Sasquatch Watchers of America)
Clip From: Act 1 Scene 7

Clip From: Act 1 Scene 7
Clip From: Act 1 Scene 9

Weekend Assignement Weekend off - now we're back

2007-06-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

Matt Schultz aka Weekend Assignment Character "Karl Patterson"

Weekend Assignment Star Matt Schultz had shoulder surgery on Monday June 4th, & the crew needed to make preparations to film the next leg of the film. Between data backup/ management, equipment packing, and prop & location arrangement we just needed a weekend off. Filming will resume this Saturday June 16th and 17th. Soon we will all be traveling 3hrs north west into Pentwater, Michigan to film the fleet of garden tractors appearing in the film. Chase scenes will be filmed there-after in Mishawaka, IN on the Schultz farm.

Other news: The Domain WeekendAssignment.com has been purchased to be the official movie site! Its function will be hokey and concurrent with the film. Its art direction will be similar to these sites:

http://www.bluecollarcomedy.net/

http://www.redgreen.com/

http://www.larrythecableguy.com/

This is just another part of my capstone topic "Production"

New Media Consortium (Spelling??)

2007-05-30T14:32:00.000-07:00

This is my Poster for the NMC about the PIPE I will stand next to my invention from 7pm to 10pm on friday June 8th. Its not complete, yet but if you would like to see what its like so far come on by IUPUI School of Informatics & Technology Complex June 8th 7pm.

Data & Media Management

2007-05-29T13:28:00.001-07:00

The movie Production of "Weekend Assignment" generates on average 21Gb of digital Video and Digital audio files during a single weekend of shooting. By shooting in stereo there is double the amount of video. The concise storage & backup of this media is VERY important. I save all data on an external hardrive and internal SCSI drives at home.

I would like to thank the AVL's Mike Boyles and Jeff Rogers for the use of this incredible workstation.

Production Moves On!

2007-05-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

Being a comedy interesting characters certainly are being attracted. This was a full weekend shoot of "Weekend Assignment" 2 on location shoots proved to be challenging, but were pulled off. I would like to thank Karl Johnson & his family for letting us shoot on his property. The comedy sequences at Wal-Mart went really well, yet in the movie the store will actually read "Wal-Marx." I am happy to have the stereo video bugs worked out finally. This is work, but its ALOT of FUN!

Photos by: Kristie Rzepka, Beth Holycross, Bonnie Switkowski, & Matt Schultz

2007-05-25T16:49:00.000-07:00

A new page is posted on my site chaunceyworks.com about the PIPE http://www.chaunceyworks.com/pipe.html The .rss feed will be up soon with .mp3 reflections of my project so far. My site is still filled with some bugs, but i will soon be working them out

Production Moves On

2007-05-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

"Weekend Assignment" is moving forward in its production. I am still trying to arrange a workstation to use in the AVL to edit the footage as I go along. The actors and crew have been extremely compliant and I couldn't ask for better people around me. Incidentally the gentleman holding the mic boom (Kyle Moore) earned his Eagle Scout rank the same day as the shoot. This is ironic because the two actors, myself, and one more crew member are all Eagle Scouts. Technically I am still battling and the video is shot in stereo, but lighting, audio, and data storage could be better. I know my next video production will be much better!!! I have started writing my next production which is influenced by my studies of Hitchcock, but will be a period film about young boys interested in their local haunting tales. They investigate all the tales they can find and hoaxes are roused as well as real danger.

Thanks to Kristie Rzepka for the pictures.

First On Location Shoot a Success!

2007-05-14T08:45:00.000-07:00

The first chance for me to really direct multiple actors on this film is complete. Everyone was well rehearsed and excited. It really felt like I was getting "heart & soul" here when I said "speed" meaning ACTION. Everyone had read the script & storyboards and knew what was expected. I am very happy about how fast we moved through shots and how well it all worked out. On the other hand I had a bad problem with one of the stereo cams failing to record ANYTHING I am remiss to say that the first 5 min of the video will be in 2D non stereoscopic video. On Sunday I did shoot successfully in stereo & I am going to edit the film in partial stereo and partial 2D non stereo video. An exciting thing did happen, when we had a smoke bomb burning on the back of a vehicle to simulate it burning oil and in poor mechanical condition the fire department showed up. Once they realized there was no fire and what we were all doing out there they just laughed and took off.

Thanks to JoEllen Frend for pictures.

Chauncey Works.com Launched

2007-05-09T09:23:00.000-07:00

The top Image is a snapshot from an online webcam positioned in the room that my PIPE is being developed. To access these webcams visit www.avl.iu.edu/cams and choose either camera from the VR Room IT 403 the USERNAME = guest PASSWORD=guest

I have launched my portfolio website http://www.chaunceyworks.com/ it is still not 100%. I am still creating my RSS podcasting feed and the section about my beloved immersive PIPE experiment. When I am satisfied that the site is concise enough I will embark on a site for my movie Weekend Assignment that will be just like a Hollywood movie launch site. Web development is my weakest aspect of New Media, but I have learned quite a bit. I will keep this blog as a project update.

Movie Under-Way 21APRIL07

2007-04-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

Thats right the first shoot of the film is completed. Here are the stereo array camcorders capturing. There were very little on set problems, but I can see now that post production is going to required TONS!!!! of attention because of the stereo composite. I am fixing issues as best I can to create the effect. I fear that if some stereo in the film doesn't work that I will resort to some takes being 2D or the same take for both eyes. I am very happy to be started and problem solving. Please wish me luck and shoot me an e-mail (cfrend@iupui.edu) if you are interested in being in the film as an extra. 3 weeks and I will be shooting every weekend for this production of WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT.

Pipe Logo 19APRIL07

2007-04-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

After 2 designs I have selected and created this logo for the project. The first logo done in flash didn't have the correct art direction and this one I made in 3D Studio Max has much more value to me. So there it is!

PUBLIC NAME RELEASE 10April07

2007-04-10T13:48:00.000-07:00

As a scientist we like to name things according to their function and Peripheral Active Immersion is exactly one of those types of names. The prototype name is not suitable for the general public for a variety of reasons. The new name is "Pipe" or "The Pipe." In new media we never deal with air or fluid flow through physical pipes.....until now. This is the definitive difference in this device and for now on I will refer to the "capsule" as the "Pipe."

IU's Advanced Visulaization Lab has written the commitment agreement and as soon as we can get together and sign it the Pipe will be moved into the School of Informatics. This will provide me with ample space to finish the development of the Pipe system. A Pipe logo will be posted soon.

Thank you,
Chauncey Frend

New Houseing for Progress & Hardware

2007-03-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

The PAI is undertaking a move soon to the campus of IUPUI's IT building in the UITS locked down side of the building. This current progress blog will soon be managed and moved to the URL http://www.chaunceyworks.com This site URL is purchased and is not hosted yet, but its function will be to handle my media portfolio and the progress of my invention. Consolidation is the main theme lately with me as I approach the opening shoot day of my movie "Weekend Assignment."

The main cast members have been selected and informed, but I need extras and actors/ actresses that could help out for a single appearance. If you know of anyone interested in acting or just having a good time being in a movie have them contact me at cfrend@iupui.edu

Anchors Away 9MAR07

2007-03-09T05:46:00.000-08:00

That’s right Jeff Brown from RHIT has told me this morning that he has finished anchoring our circuit bored together for the P.A.I. This image here is just a random circuit, but it is similar to the P.A.I.'s. The function of our interface is to route electrical current based on time. The electrical current is routed through switches and this allows our program to open and close valves according to time which in turn release smells. Now programming and testing can start. My thanks go out to my partner in science Jeff Brown.

Pressure Away! 22FEB07

2007-02-22T06:20:00.000-08:00

The air compression component was associated with the olfactory component and when pressure was introduced the entire system had no leaks! This is very exciting now because all that is needed to finish the olfactory component is the digital release circut that Jeff Brown has designed. Some more excellent news is that some representitives from IUPUI Advanced Visualization Research are going to visit and possibly move my work into the IT building so I can finish it at school. These photos are of the mixing manifold in its early stages. Soon all the odors, heated air, cool air, and humidity will mix in here to generate the immersion effects for the audience.

Title Change 9FEB07

2007-02-09T11:58:00.000-08:00

Jason Sisk of the School of Informatics pointed out a VERY important aspect of my project title. The difference between immersion and emersion. The definition of immersion is "When several of a user's senses are isolated from the real world and fed information (images and sound) coming from a computer." But soon will not be only "images and sound," but "(Images, sound, odor, temperature, and humidity)" Ha I hope so. Where Emerson is "the act of emerging" which certainly is different.

I have asked professor Albert William to be one of my capstone mentors for this fall of 07 and he has agreed, as well as professor Dan Baldwin and he has agreed. (as shown in the post below) I have also asked Jason Sisk of IUPUI Informatics: School of Journalism (pictured below) to assist me in exploiting this project at completion. Now I have my panel of capstone mentors that can guide my titanic project into harbor starting next Aug.

Mentors 9FEB07

2007-02-09T11:35:00.000-08:00

Professor Dan Baldwin

Professor Albert William

So far have agreed to be my Capstone mentors for fall semester 2007

Olfactory Component

2007-02-08T07:26:00.000-08:00

The olfactory component is underway now with an air pressure source. The odor vials are being created and fitted. The only new thing needed is the circut and valve power supplies to open and close valves. Jeff Brown and I have planned to work in 2 weeks.

2-5-07 Forward Motion

2007-02-05T11:53:00.000-08:00

Now the inside of the emersion capsule is covered in egg-crate sound proofing foam. Pneumatic pressure supply is my next task and soon enough the fitting of the first pair of eye monitors in the next few weeks.

eMagin is the VR visor company I have chosen for the eye monitors. http://www.3dvisor.com/blaze/index.html This is the visor I have chosen. So help me,I will have this thing working by June at least.

Emersion Capsule Engineering 22JAN07

2007-01-22T09:42:00.000-08:00

The Emersion capsule construction is complete and has been moved indoors for fitting of the componets in Indianapolis. I am in debt to Taylor Frend for his emense help in constructing the capsule.

Photo By: Chauncey Frend
Mishawaka, IN 21JAN07

Now that the apparatus is indoors I will be working with Jeff Brown to fix and test the Olfactory componet. Also I will be lining the walls and ceiling with sound proofing egg crate material. Certainly work will move more swiftly now that we are out of the cold construction shop.

Photo By: Chauncey Frend

Indianapolis, IN 21JAN07

Olfactory Componet

2007-01-22T09:28:00.000-08:00

Here are some shots of the Olfactory componet that I snaped real quick with my cell phone. As you can see an old juice bottle is being squeezed to generate positive air pressure on the solenoids.

Full Steam Ahead

2007-01-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank my friends and family for their support and help over the holidays as I work on this project. (Specifically Jordan Howell, Brianna Maerz, Roberta & Bob Arbuckle, my mom and dad, Mike Booth, Jeff Brown, Dave Frend, and my brother Taylor Frend)

Patent: The work towards filing this patent is underway with layout revised and description typed for specifications. I will be filing this patent soon through Barnes & Thornberg of Indianapolis.

Capsule: I have received capital over the holidays and paneling has been secured to cover the capsule housing. Stained wood trim has also been secured to give the PAE more of a professional look. Jeff Brown and I are working the weekend of 21JAN2007 on PICmicro programming and fitting on the solenoids.

Film: Filming is scheduled to start 12MAY2007 and end 26AUG2007. Preproduction is in forward motion with the script revised and 62 storyboards done (40% of movie). Story boards will be put into animatic with adobe premiere pro with rough audio. Casting is a looming question and the prop/costume and location list is being written.

Film Technology: A standard digital audio cluster is being constructed from a CORE workstation and Behringer 12channel mixer for mic level collaboration and will be synced later with stereo video. Yes the ENTIRE film will be in Stereoscopic video. I have started my independent study developing my skills in stereoscopic video under Professor Albert William of IUPUI's School of Informatics. I find the history of stereoscopic very interesting because it was booming in the mid to late 1800s and with the advent of television and motion pictures stereo has lost its zeal. With the exception to brief patches of popularity in the 50s and 60s stereo video has been lost to the mainstream audiences. Below is a timeline of stereo video in its glory days.

2007-01-08T13:44:00.000-08:00

Paper work

2006-12-02T10:28:00.000-08:00

Lately things have been winding down for the holidays. I am dealing with arraging the patent currently and also the project identity. An independant study for the use of stereo-video is in motion. My determination is intensified to bring some functionality to my current work, even in all this I will not make the current deadline in any way shape or form. For this I am saddened as a project Manager, but I have learned to forcast my effort more realistically. The main problem is time. Let me hope that the holiday transition will offer a light at the end of this tunnel.

Back in Black 10-26-06

2006-10-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

I must say that after about 1.5 weeks of dead stand still, speculation, hoping and praying, and a little personal hardship I am relieved to be back on track. Funding is back now, and Jeff Brown and I spoke this morning about the circuit control unit for the odor release. Back home in the construction shop we have plenty of new room inside to work out of the cold on the actual capsule. Mary Ellen Reed a professor of graphic design at IUPUI's School of Informatics has offered to design and generate a universal logo for the Peripheral Active Environment. I am grateful for her interest in this project and I will make sure the logo contribution is used extensively as project identity.

I have all the basic materials to expand upon and create this capsule on all fronts. Optimism is fragile, but with over a month left I am driven to bring this project to fruition.

10-8-06 Back to the Drawing Board and a Stand Still

2006-10-08T17:33:00.000-07:00

(Drawing Board) My chemistry professor (Dr. Carl DeAmicis IUPUI & Dow AgriScience) has given me a great idea of how to design a "Smell Collection Machine" This way I could generate my own smells for the olfactory component. But for now its in design and I have been accumulating "smells" from all over the internet here is a short list of aromas that I have to command:

Burning Leaves
Apple
Oak
Grassy Meadow
New Mown Hay
Rain
Rosewood
Spanish Moss
Wood
Ocean
Forest Pine
Leather
Tobacco
Coffee
Basil
Bread
Graham Cracker
Mt. Dew
Toasted Marshmallow
Cedar
Clove
Smoked Beef

The construction has been temporarily halted due to storage issues back home in preparation for cold weather. I am going to take this break as a chance to really apply my component designs and the solenoid software. Funding is fair right now so supply gathering has been stopped for a bit so funding can catch back up. PAE is not over budget yet but the current path needs to be delt with. As you can see in this chart below (Yellow is real and purple is planned) the budget has used more than the allocated capital for each week. So now I am going to flat line it for 2 weeks and work with what we have to steer back on course.
In the past week my project has really slowed down, but as the project manager I have identified this and I am carving away the excess issues. Scope creep is certainly a factor here with these new ideas causing my colleges to suggest all kinds of new ideas, but I can only make a note of it for after this project. Otherwise this will never be finished.

9-30-06 More Forward Motion

2006-09-30T20:18:00.000-07:00

Saturday my brother and I worked in the shop for a while on our own projects, this is what I did below. My dad really helped out with the window wall.
This is only the 3 new walls leaned up against a tree. The size seems great, and I am going to accumulate the paneling to cover it all up soon. (So no problems there I was worried) The inside volume has been designed to about the same size as a minivan interior when the chairs are inside. Looks good so far a lot off work ahead, but I am feeling good.

9-23-06 Forward Motion

2006-09-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

Last friday sept 22nd my father (tool and dye maker) and I hashed out a final design and supply list for the enclosure. Saturday supplies were accumulated and construction started soon after.

On the composite componet front I am in debt to Jeff Brown of Rose Hulman Insitute of Technology for the design of the odor interface hardware. I have also secured an air compressor to run the composite, but it is so loud that I barrowed some sound proofing off the walls of my old recording booth to dull the compressor motor.

I am in touch with a friend of mine from South Bend, IN who is a heating and cooling referance. He should be able to help me with the temperature timeline.

Pictures of the capsule walls will be up soon.

The Artistic Design

2006-09-20T16:51:00.000-07:00

This is my original artistic rendering and after I finished the design I made a 1:12 scale model (below**).

The Project

2006-09-19T14:56:00.000-07:00

So my project deadline is the end of November 2007 to give time for preperation for the project premiere/ showcase. Now what is the P.A.E.-07 and how is it a New Media Capstone. First off I define New Media as: "The digitalization of concepts, ideas, and identities" And right off the bat when I chose to pursue New Media I knew I wanted to create full length feature films because of my tinkering in the past with films. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5kspg0nK5A , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLm-G7v7hS4, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg4UbF5j1nI)

So in early November of 2005 I set sail on my first script with the help of my friend Matt Schultz for idea reinforcement. I will not lie this 21 page script was not easy it took twice as long to revise than it did to write. The story is called "Weekend Assignment" and its about a young college student named Karl Patterson who is given the task of documenting real wildlife for a weekend homework assignment and his friend, whom is a man that is a member of the NSWA (National Sasquatch Watchers of America) and is as false of a person as his organization, wants to help Karl with this assignment. The entire film is about their journey (ofcourse this is a comedy film).

Now I have my film preproduction in motion and that would probley be enough to defend as a capstone, but if you know me than you know that I love to push the envelope. So my next school of thought was well since I can already picture this film and to me it will only resonate Amateur Film over and over no matter how celluloid I make it look or how many film festivals I submit it in. How can I make this film capable of something no other amateur films do?? This was my golden question for about a 4 days.... I broke it down to fundamentals, What is this film or better yet what is a film? And my answer was humbly two timelines (ie. Video and Audio) I can enhance each of these timelines with stereoscopics or 6.1 audio, but how do I create a revolutionary appeal to such a common form? I came up with the idea of adding 3 more timelines to the film to have 5 in all (Video, Audio, Humidity, Temperature, and Odor). This was it! The next 2 days I frantically drafted ideas of how to introduce such timelines and I came up with my final design the P.A.E.-07 Peripheral Active Environment.

Welcome to my Capstone Project Blog

2006-09-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

My name is Chauncey Frend and I am a Student of IUPUI's School of Informatics pursueing New Media. To graduate I must complete a Capstone project of my choosing and the school's approval. This is my official progress site to update friend's, professors, and family of where I stand. I will make a new posting to discuss exactly my plan shortly. The IMAX theatre in the Indianapolis Museum has agreed to help me with presenting my project when finished and I plan to graduate summer of 2008 therefore a premiere in early December of 2007 is when I am shooting for project completion.