© J. Walt Adamczyk

J. Walt Adamczyk · From fps #6 · February 1, 2006 | I made my first computer animation on an Apple II in 1984. Since then, I've used all sorts of computers in a lot of different ways. I'm still amazed and excited about the amazing possibilities ahead of us in this digital age. The possibilities seem endless.

For the past two years, I've been exploring something new that could only be done with computers. I'm creating live animated theatrical performances. Some have told me that it's a new art form.

They might be right, but I'm a little hesitant to make such a bold claim. You've probably seen or heard of animation performed live in some form, but it's still pretty new stuff—and frankly, it's such a wide open field that nearly every artist has a different take on it.

I'm taking everything I know about animation, 3D graphics, filmmaking, live entertainment, interactive design, virtual reality, software interface design—each of which I've done professionally—and applied these skills with other hobbies of mine: music and fine art. I've brought in other art disciplines: sculpture, dance, theatre, and architecture. It all applies to what I'm working on these days. It's quite a mix, although I feel that what I'm doing is very organic and integrated. So maybe it is a new art form.

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You'll find it and many other articles in the January 2006 issue of fps, available for only 99 cents US.