Table of Contents
Interactive Video : WHY ISADORA?
Systems thinking
“Systems thinking is the key literacy absent from our educational system with the greatest bad impact on our social and political order” https://twitter.com/miniver/status/1254418126273343495
WHY ISADORA?
There are many other digital tools for working with video and developing interactive systems. Some are arguably more powerful, some are free, some are more popular, and some are easier to use out of the box. So why am I using Isadora?
I can teach it
It sounds stupid and obvious, but it's important! A) I use it, and I know it. B) the learning curve is easy enough that I can get people making new things very quickly, and hopefully not scar them for life. Hopefully. C) Some tools might be 'better' but they are too complex to just dive in, or the interface is too daunting. From my experience is a great way to start thinking dynamically about video and have fun.
it is an entry point to other tools
Once you grasp the interface, you might find you want to explore more complex tools and environments such as Max MSP or Touch Designer. Great. Izzy is a great first step into new tools.
Isadora is a tool for building tools
Isadora allows you build your own tools. Sure, if you really really just want to VJ, invest in something with an out-of-the-box VJ interface like Resolume. But you could also build your own with izzy, and in the process you'll realise you can build a hundred other things. Working with Isadora will change the way you approach making new work, and what you think is possible. W
Isadora is cross disciplinary
Because it doesn't do 'one thing', you can make work for many contexts. You can focus on projection mapping, or interactive installation, or generative graphics, communication systems, lighting design, video mixing, or sound. People who work with izzy find work in theatre, dance, art installation, film and motion graphics, interactive design and sound design.
it's programming for non-programmers
And it's easy! Programming is scary for many people (myself included), but this is a visual or node-based' interface. Once you grasp the basic principle (like plumbing) then you're away! You can't 'break' anything, you can just try plugging stuff in. From simple rules you can build very sophisticated systems.