Olympic Opening Ceremony

[LashStoat]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Then how do you account for the other aspects using thousands of people, like the drummers, the Tai Quan Do performers? They also had specific-to-the-second instructions and they carried it out like a CG crowd made flesh. I'd say the Tai Quan Do part was far more complicated than guys in a box jumping up and down.

Dear CD,

...but these performers all did an identical routine (to each other - I love the CG analogy), so all a last minute substitute would need to know is the right wong to attach him/herself to in order to stand at the correct X-Y location on the field. Better still, direct the sub(s) with an earpiece.

The BIG difference with the uber-typewriter is that no two 'tiles' had the same sequence of moves over the length of the performance. Offset concentric intersecting ripples are one example. Can you imagine the rehearsals? "Tile A-52, raise by 6 inches...A-53, lower by 12...too quick..too...slow....Awe Jeez, Chen phoned in sick" et al.

By the time you'd provided feedback to the entire grid, you'd have spent one day on one frame's worth of animation...which would have to be practiced again and again, with each performer in isolation. The alternative is to provide a visual aid inside the box that anyone could interpret in a trice and save yourself the ...ummm... angst I think Alex called it. It would require a Commodore 64 and an L.E.D. bar for each box. LED's are cheap in China 'cos they manufacture them by the $hitload.

With respect to the level of complexity, any dance routine requires remembering the moves, and yes you could do the dance without any audio cue - the point in debate is the timing relative to other performers, which you'd have to admit would be way difficult if you couldn't see them.

Sorry to be so stubborn on this, but I know when I'm being sold an illusion.

Angst - nah...stimulating yep. Thanks for spending the bucks, China !!!

Love and hugs,

The Stoat XXX.