SyPy intro toTeam Sanctuary

How python is powering the re-mixable film experience

overview

• Quickfire presentation

• Code demo

• Chat

MOD Films

• An improved studio system

• Online support for storytellers

• Fun for audiences• A more empowering story

– Scalable narrative– Re-usable assets– New formats– More possibilities

1) the re-mixable film format

• Titles you can play with like an instrument

• Titles you can MOD like a video game

• Access to story universe via:– traditional release (e.g.

DVD-Video, Blu-Ray)– web platform (e.g. ‘virtual

studio’ tools) – web service (e.g. API for

user generated content apps, pro tools used in sequel etc…)

– fans (e.g. authorised and unauthorised use online and offline)

Sanctuary (pilot / prototype)

• Cinema (passive) mode– sci-fi short, shot on 35mm

film, finished as HD

• Browser mode– asset library (entire project

CC licensed)

• Feeder mode

- access to new modes (aka ‘MODs’)

• 2 sample MODs:

– ‘Groover’casual game MOD

– ‘Switch’sample tool MOD for DJ/VJs

2) the virtual studio “modfilms.net”

• Web services for story-telling

• Support for full story lifecycle– from idea to re-mix in

100 years time

• Resources for fans for two-way relationship with story-tellers

• B2B (hosting, tracking, management)

• B2C (marketing, entertainment, education)

language considerations

• “It’s all about the script”

• “Test often test early”• “Always be

prototyping”• Geek culture - “shiny

new things”

• Industry trends– Lua (games)– Python (post)– Ruby, Java, C#,

<insert here>

rapid R&D

• turbogears• trac• pygame• Twisted• mod_python

• Maya• Shake• Blender• panda 3D

open pipelines

• turbogears– ‘Rails for python’

option– Mash-up framework of

existing tools• CherryPy• SQLite• MochiKit• Genshi etc…

– Video documentation

open pipelines

• trac – issue tracking

• TracShot plugin – track film/TV shots– manage post

production workflows– assign work to VFX

artists– track feedback and

budgets– email/SMS alerts

python pros and cons

+ Post pipeline support + Low barrier to entry+ Accessible – explicit

syntax+ Portable – Jython,

IronPython, Boost+ Re-mix friendly (e.g.

reload function)+ R.A.D. friendly + Not trendy – “Keep it

simple stupid…”

- Not trendy – “I prefer Ruby…”

- Search disaster “python”, “film”, “scripting”

- Key benefits are medium to long term

Lessons learned

• Re-mix culture creates coding opportunities(more fun for geeks)

• Re-versioning is inevitable and nothing new(new golden age for storytelling?)

• Language proliferation is unavoidable (but think twice)

• Accessibility matters(to keep stories alive)

Get involved

• Community sites (google ‘remixable films’) - http://remixablefilms.multiply.com

• “Team Sanctuary” volunteers• “Commando IT” freelancers• Private trials

michela@modfilms.com

http://modfilms.com/contact