Practice with Isadora

Isadora is a piece of software that lets you create an interactive piece of media, using different sounds and visuals. Mostly used by VJ’s, it is a method of video performance. By using the different tools provided by Isadora, you can give different commands that will change or alter the current video shown through Isadora, such as by pressing the space key, I can pause the video, or by clicking the mouse I can move onto the next scene or video. Interactivity can also be passed onto an audience by using a webcam. Different functions can be placed, such as by waving, the user can change the colour of the screen for example. Anything is possible through Isadora, however that is mostly what makes it frightening.

For Creative Media Practice, we were to be split into groups of three to four and create an Isadora project in the spirit of Halloween. Basically we were to make a horror/scary interactive experience. I was put into a group with Elicia Powell, James McKeown and Emma Daffern. After some brainstorming, we decided on a video where a user can take control of the paranormal experiences being shown through CCTV footage, much in the spirit of paranormal activity. By pressing the number keys on the keyboard, the software would play a video showing a ghostly event. After having a film session, where we placed a camera on a high tripod in the corner and acted out different paranormal occurrences, we edited the videos on after effects to get that CCTV look.

Once the videos were finished, I spent a good afternoon watching tutorial videos to help understand what we wanted to accomplish. By creating different scenes for each video, I programmed Isadora to change to each one by pressing a different numbered key and once the video was finished, it would take you back to the main video, which is programmed to go on a loop. In the end, despite our fears, the whole logic of the system was quite simple and easy to construct. It was accepted quite well by the lecturers and our fellow students.

I really enjoyed working with Isadora, as it was the same logic and workspace as game design. Back in college I was required to create a video game that had ten levels of game play, so that past experience really help me better understand how to work Isadora to its full potential. As I worked on the project, I could see every idea that can be brought to life with Isadora, though it is a shame that the software comes with its limitations. Isadora does not seem to have a way of exporting the file, so that Ghost Cam can be released as a game for the Internet. Also the fact that the demo version will not save any files provides some frustration, as you can lose hours worth of work if the program shuts down.

In short, Isadora is a fantastic and innovative method of interactive storytelling, but only if you can pay for it and not mind that the only way people can see your work is through your own computer.