An international team of scientists from the University of Bremen in Germany and Loughborough University in England is working on a project to digitize dancers’ movements during ballet performances. The data collected will be used to create visual cues that explain the meaning of certain steps in The Nutcracker and other popular productions. The research was published in the official gazette Web site University of Bremen.
Experts use sensory clothing to read performers’ movements on stage. Their pirouettes are then recreated using computer graphics in pseudo-projections, with commentary provided to help understand the nuances of narrative and emotions expressed in the dance.
Scientists compared these statements to bubble-shaped balloons that convey the words and thoughts of characters in comic books.
“Projections are used by dancers to convey messages and extend body parts towards important objects. For example, the artist moves towards a painted lake in the background of the scene. She stretches her arm towards the lake and her leg towards the barn support. The extended arm means he is walking towards the lake, the leg means he is leaving the barn,” explained project leader and former professional ballet dancer Dr. Arianna Maiorani.
The researchers are exploring how the resulting videos can help engage audiences with varying levels of familiarity with the choreography, with the goal of ultimately turning the project into software that will introduce the art of ballet to as many people as possible.
Scientists next plan to use the same technology to analyze the movements of circus performers and create character animation in video games.
previously ballerina shared Impressions of participation in the creation of the Russian video game Atomic Heart.