Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Background –Competition –Venue –Submission Constraints –Thematic –Technical –Design Story Assets The work to date

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Background: Competition –Competition for virtual 3D content that will be shown in Paris at the La Geode sponsored by Dessault Systemes: –New concepts for the general public based on real-time 3D and virtual reality are emerging every year. Being simple, user-friendly and interactive, they are are aimed at the broadest audience –Work in progress 8 Semi-finalist April Decision by selection committee Background: Competition –Competition for virtual 3D content that will be shown in Paris at the La Geode sponsored by Dessault Systemes: –New concepts for the general public based on real-time 3D and virtual reality are emerging every year. Being simple, user-friendly and interactive, they are are aimed at the broadest audience –Work in progress 8 Semi-finalist April Decision by selection committee

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Background: Competition –Creating new content Background: Competition –Creating new content

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Background: Competition –Creating new content Background: Competition –Creating new content

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Background: Competition –Creating new content: Khufu Revealed, Jean-Pierre Houdin Background: Competition –Creating new content: Khufu Revealed, Jean-Pierre Houdin

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Background: Venue –Imax Theatre upgrade 2007 –Hemispheric Screen m 2 –Largest VR theatre in the world – seating for 400 Issues –How interactive is a virtual environment with one person at the controls? Background: Venue –Imax Theatre upgrade 2007 –Hemispheric Screen m 2 –Largest VR theatre in the world – seating for 400 Issues –How interactive is a virtual environment with one person at the controls?

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Background: Venue –Location - Parc de la Villette at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Inustrie in Paris Background: Venue –Location - Parc de la Villette at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Inustrie in Paris

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Background: Venue –Imax Theatre upgrade 2007 –Hemispheric Screen m 2 –Largest VR theatre in the world – seating for 400 Background: Venue –Imax Theatre upgrade 2007 –Hemispheric Screen m 2 –Largest VR theatre in the world – seating for 400

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Background: Submission –Constraints Thematic: –History and Civilization –Science and Technology –Human Adventure –Nature –Great Discovery Background: Submission –Constraints Thematic: –History and Civilization –Science and Technology –Human Adventure –Nature –Great Discovery

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Background: Submission –Constraints Technical: –PC Cluster/NVIDIA –6 Passive Projectors: Barco (6000 lumens) –Each image 25 m wide –Interactive world »Challenge – with an audience of 400? –Virtools 4.1 Background: Submission –Constraints Technical: –PC Cluster/NVIDIA –6 Passive Projectors: Barco (6000 lumens) –Each image 25 m wide –Interactive world »Challenge – with an audience of 400? –Virtools 4.1

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Background: Submission –Constraints Budget –Modest for Phase 1 –Solution: »Use existing Assets »Use exiting scripts Background: Submission –Constraints Budget –Modest for Phase 1 –Solution: »Use existing Assets »Use exiting scripts

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD VR Cameras: Right (2), Front (1), Left (3), Floor (4) Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Views from the CAVE

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD A virtual kayak provides you with the means to explore the world of myth and natural phenomena –Objects in the physical world are linked to artifacts associated with the myths and culture of the Inuit. A virtual kayak provides you with the means to explore the world of myth and natural phenomena –Objects in the physical world are linked to artifacts associated with the myths and culture of the Inuit. Day Arises From its sleep Day wakes up With the dawning light Also you must arise Also you must awake Together with the day which comes Thule Eskimo, Lewis p. 27 Day Arises From its sleep Day wakes up With the dawning light Also you must arise Also you must awake Together with the day which comes Thule Eskimo, Lewis p. 27

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD The proposed virtual can be viewed as four separate worlds or objects making use of existing assets –Worlds –Scanned artifacts

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Existing Assets –An Inuit kayak

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Existing Worlds –Thule Whalebone House – the final destination in the Raven’s World is you home built from the bones of a baleen whale

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Existing Worlds: –Inuit Sod House – In a village in near the Mackenzie Delta the ancestors of the Thule built their homes out of driftwood and sod

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Opening Scene

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD First Clue Storyboard: Raven’s Story Day Arises From its sleep Day wakes up With the dawning light Also you must arise Also you must awake Together with the day which comes Thule Eskimo, Lewis p. 27 Day Arises From its sleep Day wakes up With the dawning light Also you must arise Also you must awake Together with the day which comes Thule Eskimo, Lewis p. 27

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Sedna Storyboard: Raven’s Story I am Sedna - You have found your first clue. - It is a whale oil lamp that keeps homes in the North lit and warm. Whales blubber is the fuel that burns in these lamps during the cold winter months. As an Inuit hunter you must have great respect for me, Sedna the Goddess of the sea and of the whales who live in my domain. All who paddle their kayaks on the northern seas know that when I am angry, the seas are violent and storms and strong. Now the sea is calm. When I combs my long black hair I free the seals and other animals which you must depend on for sustenance.

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Off to the next clue

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Sedna Swimming I am Sedna - You have found your first clue. - It is a whale oil lamp that keeps homes in the North lit and warm. Whales blubber is the fuel that burns in these lamps during the cold winter months. As an Inuit hunter you must have great respect for me, Sedna the Goddess of the sea and of the whales who live in my domain. All who paddle their kayaks on the northern seas know that when I am angry, the seas are violent and storms and strong. Now the sea is calm. When I combs my long black hair I free the seals and other animals which you must depend on for sustenance.

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Whale Clue

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Whale Skeleton For the Inuit the whale was an important source of food and building material. The blubber was used to light his lamp and as a source of food. The bones, sinew and skin were used to build homes, sleds, boats and tools of all kind. For the Inuit, sharing the bounties of the whale is a festive occasion which celebrates the mysteries of life.

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Whale Skeleton

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Off to the next clue

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Dancing Bear The bear, represents the king of the arctic animals. The Inuit believe that after death you will return as an animal, continuing the chain of life. The Bear represents is the "king" of the animal kingdom To return as a polar bear is a position of great regard, that is why we dance, to show my pleasure and joy. This is the legend of the dancing bear.

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Off to the next clue

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Raven overhead will lead the way

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Raven

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD I am the raven, the trickster. You now know how much I like to paddle my kayak. Many years ago, I was paddling my kayak and wondered what does it look like inside a whale so I waited until a whale yawned and walked inside. With a line attached to a whale tooth, walked deep inside to find a dancing girl strapped to the hear of the whale. I said to her, I am Raven. I made the world. Will you come with me into the world and be my wife? The maiden replied, "Raven, I cannot leave the whale. I am the heart and the soul of the whale. But if you want to stay here and keep me company, that would make me happy." The raven pulled his beak back down over his face and covered his arms with his wings. He grabbed the girl. He heard the strings snap as he flew with her out of the whale up into the sky. As the Raven I heard the whale thrashing below in the ocean. He watched the whale's body as it was tossed by the waves onto the shore. The whale was dead and the girl in his arms grew smaller and smaller and disappeared. For weeks I cried and cried, then I danced and sang for weeks and then I flew back up into the sky. From that point on, I have promised all humans and the animals that I would always return to this world as long as we cared for one another, understanding that everything in this world lives and dies and that all human and animal have hearts and souls. The raven cried his first tears and his dance and song of grief and healing were his first.

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Raven

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Off to the next clue

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Gull Clue One day a Nugumiut was out caribou-hunting. A monster sea- gull walked towards him and picked him up, and flew away towards the sea. Nugumiut became very much afraid, and thought of trying to kill the gull with his knife. He kept on stabbing the seagull with his knife until it fell into the sea. Nugumiut to pulled out two large feathers from the bird, tied them together to form a paddle. After many hours he paddled the gull to the shore. From that time on, Nugumiut was no longer afraid of anything.

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Off to the next clue

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Raven’s Story Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Skull of the whale You have made it safely to shore. You are now outside a house made of the bones of several whales. Many of these bones were found along the shoreline. In building these houses, the mandibles, cranium and maxillars formed the basis of these tent like structures. Tied together with strips of hide, these tent like structures would be covered first with animal skins then layers of sod would protect you from the wind and cold.

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Planned Improvements to existing world –Laser scanning of actual Inuit artifacts to replace the 3D models of Sedna

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Planned Improvements to existing world –Laser scanning of actual Inuit artifacts to replace the 3D model of the raven

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Planned Improvements to existing world –Laser scanning of actual Inuit artifacts to replace the 3D model of the dancing bear

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Planned Improvements to existing world –Laser scanning of actual Inuit artifacts to replace the 3D models of the gull

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Inside Thule Whale Bone House Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Exterior Views

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Inside Thule Whale Bone House Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Interior View

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Inside Thule Whale Bone House Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Movie: Construction Process

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Inside Thule Whale Bone House Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Movie: Construction Process

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Inside Thule Whale Bone House Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Movie: Construction Process

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Movie: Construction Process Storyboard: Inside Thule Whale Bone House

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Inside Thule Whale Bone House Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Movie: Construction Process

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Inside Thule Whale Bone House Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Movie: Making a Harpoon

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Movie: Making a Harpoon Storyboard: Inside Thule Whale Bone House

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Inside Thule Whale Bone House Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Movie: Making Clothing

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Inside Thule Whale Bone House Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Movie: Making Clothing

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Inuit Sod House – In a village in near the Mackenzie Delta the ancestors of the Thule built their homes out of driftwood and sod

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Storyboard: Inside an Inuit Sod House Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Movie: Construction Process

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD DEMO Richard M. Levy, PhD Producer Modeler, Programmer Peter Dawson, PhD Archaeologist Voiceovers Richard M. Levy Elizabeth E. Dickson 2009

Exploring Thule Culture: Constructing virtual worlds for 3D theatres Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD Cameras: Gull Camera - 8 Richard M. Levy, PhD Peter Dawson, PhD