<link>http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home</link> <description /> <lastBuildDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 06:37:31 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency> <generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2</generator> <atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheBitjam" /><feedburner:info uri="thebitjam" /><atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="hub" href="http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/" /><feedburner:emailServiceId>TheBitjam</feedburner:emailServiceId><feedburner:feedburnerHostname>http://feedburner.google.com</feedburner:feedburnerHostname><item> <title>Hacking the audience http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBitjam/~3/zGzkbhdhe-o/ http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/hacking-the-audience/#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 06:37:31 +0000 bitjam http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/?p=662 For a number of years we have been experimenting with technology in the hope to blur the lines between audience and performer at the regular bITjAM sonic events. These events have drawn digital artists and new audiences from around Europe for over 5 years now and brought them together during the events.

From each of these events we have used various methods and interfaces with the intention of allowing the audience to be part of the installation.

Some of our most successful methods have included handing iPads to the audience which use OSC data to trigger audio and visual programmes, hacking into the Xbox Kinect sensor which then connects to Reason and Ableton live allowing the audience to use gesture to perform a sonic piece while other performers join in with the improvisation.

One of our favourites was turning Stan’s cafe into a giant human synthesizer using webcams and infrared sensors piped through Quartz composer which triggered software synthesizers. This allowed us to hand out infrared clip on buds to the audience as well as tracking the movement of the audience in a specific area (approx 50m sq) which triggered a soundscape using the synths and effects.

There is so much more to do to develop this audience interaction. The technology has improved tremendously in the last 5 years since we began this experiment. We are yet to master using the technology the audience bring with them, smartphones, blutetooth etc. We have yet focused on using online channels such as Twitter to allow the audience to interact with the audio and visual event.

We’re interested in working with theatre companies and participatory projects introducing these technologies to engage the audience, please get in touch if you’re interested.

Carl.

carl@bitjam.org.uk
07595692120

]]> http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/hacking-the-audience/feed/ 0 http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/hacking-the-audience/ 10 Tips on live streaming art events on the internet http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBitjam/~3/QbYnfA9Uyro/ http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/10-tips-on-live-streaming-art-events-on-the-internet/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 09:54:17 +0000 bitjam http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/?p=636 During our 6 years working in the digital arts and engagement area we have toyed around with using live video streaming from events. This has mainly been as a response to the challenges of getting people interested and involved in the arts. We’ve witnessed the evolution of the social web which brings along with it technologies that help people to connect over distances both geographical as well as social.

We have been experimenting with streaming from arts installations, events, community meetings, the Geeklab pilot (as part of DATfest) and recently bITjAM transmission.

It’s taken a while to get the tech right and to plan ahead to get the technology working and to be honest we have learned the hard way of getting it right.

To be honest some of the biggest challenges we’ve faced have been due to the venues been under equipped for running digital enabled events!

So through our experience we have now developed a good working knowledge what is required to live stream from events such as the like you see in community arts, meetings, art galleries and gigs.

So we thought we would share 10 simple tips to broadcasting arts events:

  1. Plan what you will be streaming (audio/video/both) depending on bandwidth you may have to prioritise one over the other
  2. Check out the venue for strong accessible internet
  3. Visit the venue and have a dry run
  4. Aim to get the best sound (multiple mics via a sub mixer)
  5. Use HD cameras where appropriate
  6. Take spare AV cables and adapters
  7. Take more than enough extension cables
  8. Make sure you have enough people to manage the live stream
  9. Prepare to get sociable on the live stream
  10. Have a back up plan
    11. ]]> http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/10-tips-on-live-streaming-art-events-on-the-internet/feed/ 0 http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/10-tips-on-live-streaming-art-events-on-the-internet/ Here’s a taste of what we’re up to.. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBitjam/~3/VnUCgrm3GkQ/ http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/heres-a-taste-of-what-were-up-to/#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:11:02 +0000 bitjam http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/?p=529 In case you missed it we have taken bITjAM up a gear and so we are increasing the number of projects we are focusing on.

    We have a real mashup of skills at bITjAM which also means our work will be varied too. We believe that a wide range of skills and experiences places us in a position to deliver cutting edge innovative digital projects.

    Our current projects focus on:

    Community development through the use of digital technologies
    Data mashing, visualisation and business intelligence
    Workshops and seminars exploring the use of digital technologies in a range of settings
    Research and development in digital engagement
    Community management, developing and managing online communities.

    We thought it would be useful to reflect on our current projects to give a taste of the kind of work we’re involved in.

    We are currently programming:

    Geeklab: Redesigning the workshop format, an interactive workshop focusing on skill sharing using online streaming services.

    bITjAM presents: Supporting emerging digital artists in a live environment. These events stem from the original format of bITjAM, bringing artists from varied backgrounds together, mashing skills together and nurturing new artistic directions.

    bITjAM transmission: We are now taking the original bITjAM live performance into a live streamed event online. The original bITjAM reinvented the idea of live performance and blurred the lines between audience and performer.

    DATfest our annual digital arts and media festival (February) working in partnership with b Arts and Stoke-on-Trent city council as part of Stoke your Fires film festival.

    We are also working on a variety of digital projects including a:

    Data mapping project for a GPs in the North West.

    Social media surgeries for NHS staff in the West Midlands.

    Interactive event programming for Cre8NET events.

    Please get in touch if you want to discuss an idea for a digital project:

    carl [at] bitjam.org.uk
    ben [at] bitjam.org.uk
    07595692120
    @bitjam

    ]]>     http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/heres-a-taste-of-what-were-up-to/feed/ 0 http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/heres-a-taste-of-what-were-up-to/     The future of bITjAM http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBitjam/~3/0qxl4UT4894/ http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/the-future-of-bitjam/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:58:49 +0000 bitjam http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/?p=504 Since 2006 bITjAM has brought together creativity and digital technology for the purpose of engaging and connecting communities together.

    During the last 5 years or so we have worked on numerous projects bringing a unique digital element to each and everyone of these ventures. These successes include the DATfest festivals, regular digital and sonic arts events, digital media/social media workshops and numerous community engagement projects.

    We have been running many of these projects outside of our full time jobs however decided in 2011 that we want to make the bITjAM a bigger more engaging and valuable digital organisation.

    So we have now registered bITjAM as a company and now work full time on developing new, innovative and exciting digitally enhanced projects.

    We are now following up on numerous regeneration project offers, digital engagement workshops, digital strategies and research & development opportunities.

    Don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss ideas or opportunities.

    Carl Plant
    @carlplant
    carl@bitjam.org.uk
    07595692120

    Ben McManus
    @ben_mcmanus
    ben@bitjam.org.uk
    07876757180

    ]]>     http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/the-future-of-bitjam/feed/ 0 http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/the-future-of-bitjam/     One week on- Reflections on DATfest http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBitjam/~3/YT7pbH-2FnI/ http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/one-week-on-reflections-on-datfest/#comments Sat, 05 Mar 2011 07:55:53 +0000 bitjam http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/?p=461 What a fantastic weekend. This post may sound like an acceptance speech and yet we have to thank our very good friends B-Arts for their partnership in planning and running DATfest. Also a big thank you to Stoke your fires, Stoke City Council, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery as well as City central library and of course The Exchange for STATIC and a great mid festival pop-up party!

    We had so many people who have contributed to planning and running DATfest we could end up missing people off the list, so, you know who you are, we thank you too.

    So, what actually just happened in Stoke-on-Trent?

    Well DATfest has firmly planted a new seed in a growing digital landscape. This seed is an idea, that amongst the challenges each family, business and organisation faces in the area there are people with the skills and creativeness to make a difference.

    We have seen young animators learning how to use free programs to bring to life their favourite heroes through lego.

    We have seen the evolution of site specific theatre with 100 stories using headphone based storytelling while participants engaged in a journey.

    The social media café’s shared valuable skills with people curious with how to connect through social media. The development of a social sharing experience of cinema through the use of Twitter.

    The #mediafail workshops and performance showed how unwanted media can be recycled into new forms of reactive and interactive art.

    Each workshop and performance has been a valuable contribution to the future of DATfest and has given something back to the local community.

    We have seen new connections made on and offline, new ideas being explored, bedroom creatives stepping out; social capital in the creative community has just expanded.

    However the one fantastic legacy of DATfest 2011 has been in the ability to empower and lead people into the digital future.

    ]]>     http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/one-week-on-reflections-on-datfest/feed/ 0 http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/one-week-on-reflections-on-datfest/     bITjAM update pre #DATfest and pre Transmission radio http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBitjam/~3/IhqIH33L4ec/ http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/bitjam-update-pre-datfest-and-pre-transmission-radio/#comments Fri, 18 Feb 2011 19:36:13 +0000 bitjam http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/?p=457 Well we’re busy around bITjAM towers with last minute prep for DATfest. The site is looking neat, workshops and events in order and caffeine supplies aplenty.

    We’re getting images and videos sent in for the #mediafail and even a bag of audio cassettes (??!!) for recycling, please send then through ready for the live mashups!

    We’re just hacking together the Twitterbug online ‘theatre performance’ platform which will be a mashup of Tumblr, Twitter and Google maps.

    We’ve got the second of the biTjAM transmission radio show on 6towns radio this Sunday which as last time should be goofy; I wonder what the intro tune will be this time?

    A late entry in the bITjAM digital sphere is….a newspaper!! Yes we have designed our first bITjAM newspaper focusing on what we are currently involved in. We love the idea of using retro to connect with peeps who are not yet plugged into the web. We’ve just sent a begging email to the printers to see if we can get the copies delivered in time for DATfest (only 20 so there pretty rare).

    Thats it for now folks

    Digital love

    Carl and Ben…

    ]]>     http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/bitjam-update-pre-datfest-and-pre-transmission-radio/feed/ 0 http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/bitjam-update-pre-datfest-and-pre-transmission-radio/     New free bITjAM text service http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBitjam/~3/QRSw_kN4x0Y/ http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/new-free-bitjam-text-service-2/#comments Sat, 22 Jan 2011 15:20:57 +0000 bitjam http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/2011/01/22/new-free-bitjam-text-service-2/ We have set up a free text service to keep in touch with new and old friends without the need to be online! We want to reach out across the digital divide so will be running more mobile applications and text based projects including sending your photos to DATfest #medial fail for the live mashup of photos and sounds!

    We’ve been busy at bITjAM towers putting together plans for DATfest, running the new radio show Transmission bITjAM and running the regular live bITjAM at the Rigger.

    There’s so much going on sometimes we don’t sleep!

    We have set up the text service to update you on events and bITjAM activities while letting you you share your love…or ideas even just to ask us any questions!

    We’re even going to play a text game over the DATfest weekend with hidden surprises across the city!!

    We all know people that can’t get online so please share the bITjAM text number and we’ll get in touch.

    To get in touch text: bitjam to 07786200690

    Digital love…The bITjAM team!

    ]]>     http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/new-free-bitjam-text-service-2/feed/ 0 http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/new-free-bitjam-text-service-2/     DATfest #mediafail- how to send your recyclable media to bITjAM http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBitjam/~3/5LymB1Zs_f8/ http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/datfest-mediafail-how-to-send-your-recyclable-media-to-us/#comments Sat, 22 Jan 2011 08:15:40 +0000 bitjam http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/?p=447 recycle your mediaOk, we’re now starting to collect your videos and photos ready to be recycled during DATfest 25th-27th February 2011.

    #mediafail is the name of the bITjAM project running during the weekend festival. We are asking people to send us videos, photos even audio that would normally get deleted due to being out of focus or for some reason not being good enough to keep.

    We will be collecting these little snippets of people’s unwanted media and during a workshops on 25th February 2pm-5pm at Hanley library (free entrance) where we will be showing you how to turn these bits of media into new pieces of digital art.

    Then on the Sunday evening we will use these recycled pieces in a live audio/visual performance at Fat Cats bar Hanley 7.30pm (free entrance).

    To send us your videos, photos or audio recordings either:

    • Email them to datmediafail@me.com
    • To send the media via MMS (text) simply text them with the words: MEDIAFAIL on 07786207695
    • Bring them along to the workshops over the DATfest weekend
    ]]>     http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/datfest-mediafail-how-to-send-your-recyclable-media-to-us/feed/ 0 http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/datfest-mediafail-how-to-send-your-recyclable-media-to-us/     Transmission bITjAM http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBitjam/~3/4830JLg2o60/ http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/transmission-bitjam/#comments Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:04:45 +0000 bitjam http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/?p=429 We’re piloting our bITjAM radio show on the 2/1/11 7-9pm as part of 6 Towns radio.

    Transmission bITjAM will be 100% pure electronic soundscapes and chilled beats, no chatting, no CDs just pure improvised electronic love.

    ]]>     http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/transmission-bitjam/feed/ 0 http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/transmission-bitjam/     DATfest #datmediafail http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBitjam/~3/bIRHiGmAh6U/ http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/datfest-mediafail/#comments Tue, 28 Dec 2010 08:03:25 +0000 bitjam http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/?p=427 Before you delete unwanted video recordings or photos from your camera please consider donating them to our DAT festival #mediafail project.

    We are collecting failed pieces of media and recycling them in 2 worskshops before a one off live performance as part of DATfest.

    Sending media files to us is EASY! Just click this link, upload your file and email to datmediafail@me.com SIMPLE….

    ]]>     http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/datfest-mediafail/feed/ 0 http://www.bitjam.org.uk:/home/datfest-mediafail/