“I like using ArKaos for its simplicity and for its real time effects over treated and synced a/v pieces (...) I also find it really reliable for live usage and for presentations.
I have found that you can bounce your DV footage back through a camera without having to render it which I find invaluable, and as for live hands on feedback no other software has had as much impact on teaching and training lessons/seminars that i give to people.
Its real time manipulation really starts to give people ideas when they see it in action, and I have already used it for "Live Cinema" experiments using narrative videos and anim's.”
[amoeba] was originally set up in 1995 to provide creative motion graphics for clients in the music, design, TV and club world.
Inspired by thee designers republic, underground resistance, robert anton wilson, thee meteors, psychic TV and crowley, [amoeba] was my vehicle for audio visual typographical semantic trickery, and proceeded to provide graphics, promo videos, live mixing and motion graphic work for the likes ov Soma records, channel4, andrew wetherall, Slam, muzik magazine, Percy X, Jeff mills, rub a dub records, the rotters golf club,transient records and ritchie hawtin throughout the 1990's, Amoeba also set up and provided the digital source material and graphics content for the scottish vj crew A.'.A.'.A who performed live all over thee uk and europe.
The [amoeba] style is highly creative, contemporary and graphical, utilising and combining creative 3d typographical animated montages with heavily treated and edited narrative video scenes and animations.
Interview (November 2003)
Where do you get your inspirations?
From the subliminal instructions/images and sounds that my consciousness creates everyday when I'm trying hard to do other things, and also from thoughts and feelings that constantly surround us everyday whether noted or subconsciously filed away.
How would you describe your content / visuals?
Creative, heavily layered typographical led, audio visual animations, that combine self created audio and midi synched/motion math ed after effects video/animation edits, to be used on their own or mixed with other self created a/v source live.
Generally my work has a strong graphic design style to it with heavily treated video sequences. I do not VJ with my content, I perform with all my own created a/v source at specialised events.
How do you prepare your content / visuals?
DV camera, After Effects edits and sequences, Final Cut Pro edits, Infini D rendered 3d typographical montages, overlayed using ArKaos VJ 3, re-edited in Final Cut Pro, remixed in ArKaos, then re-edited in After Effects and audio tweaked using Logic 4, then run through ArKaos live or triggered with Ableton audio sources.
Is it purely video / data or does it contain audio?
I have complete a/v control of my source, and do not perform with other peoples music.
What is your preferred genre of music to work with?
Creative self created electronic music in the same vein as UR, Basic channel and coil and rockabilly.
What are you working on now?
3 current DVD projects:
- [ a+p+l+e:arrange, process, loop and edit ]
A motion graphics mix DVD with remix extras and copyright free VJ loops - [hypnogogia]
An a/v DVD project containing 23 a/v animations relating to thee majikal process of communicating with your own [ H.'.G.'.A ] holyguardianangel - thee_stateDVD_01
A best of my a/v and pop promo work done since 1995
I am also working with JunkTV on a series of one minute films sponsored by south east arts relating to the psycho geographical relationship of people and certain places/objects and people.
Hardware & software
What kind of setup do you use; how does your VJ Setup look like?
Mac laptop, Evolution MIDI controlled keyboard, DV camera.
How long do you use ArKaos now?
Since about 1998/99
Why / when do you use ArKaos?
I initially used it on a commercial DVD project I was working on Ibiza called La_Esencia 2000, and found it invaluable for live effects over DV footage which I incorporated onto the DVD, I also road tested the DVD live with ArKaos and found it a serious piece of kit.
I now use it as a live source, and for editing and rendering quick sequences for animated pieces.
Your thoughts about ArKaos?
I like using ArKaos for its simplicity and for its real time effects over treated and synched a/v pieces. I also find it really reliable for live usage and for presentations.
I have found that you can bounce your DV footage back through a camera without having to render it which I find invaluable, and as for live hands on feedback no other software has had as much impact on teaching and training lessons/seminars that i give to people.
Its real time manipulation really starts to give people ideas when they see it in action, and I have already used it for "Live Cinema" experiments using narrative videos and anim's.
Time and money
How long is your preferred set?
I usually do around a 45 min - 1 hour full a/v show.
Which remuneration would you expect for a set?
For the a/v sets I usually get around £150 - £300.
Which country you like the most for VJing?
Anywhere in Europe as I find that they appreciate the effort and artistic creativity within my work.
Links & contact info
Website
http://www.theestateovcreation.co.uk/
Email
amoeba@theestateovcreation.co.uk
info@theestateovcreation.co.uk
Phone number
+44 (0) 1273 326 169
Achievements
- I have produced the titles for a Channel 4 dance program called [the mix].
- I have been commissioned by Addictive TV for a 10 minute motion graphics sequence for their [mixmasters] series on ITV.
- I have released one DVD of my own so far and have created two other commercial DVD for clients.
- I have also produced 7 pop promos for various record labels.
Latest big shows
- I recently performed with ArKaos at this year's AVIT festival here in Brighton, and have been performing with testcard.org my hypnogogia DVD release with Theta wave generators and 23 MIDI controlled brain machines.