Rapid technological advances and
entertainment experiences are con ~ you the specs on tomorrow’s ente
Contributors: Catherine Bromley, Brian Donaldson, Miles Fielder, Helen
IT’S 2001; THE FUTURE IS now. In these days of hi-tech innovation and ever-changing cultural trends, we demand what’s next, now. Fridges that tell you when your eggs are out of date: want it now. The sequel to Rebel Without A Cause starring a computer reanimated James Dean: want to see it now. A music collection Nick Hornby would be envious of that can be held in the palm of your hand: want to buy it now. We are leisure industry orientated, technology literate and impatient consumers.
So what is future entertainment (‘futuretainment’ to give it the kind of catchphrase the American media loves) like just now, and what will it be like in the near future? Have you dispensed with old- fashioned shopping to get your films, music and games free from the internet? Will we really all be reading the next Stephen King bestseller in an e-book that looks like Spock’s tricorder? Will it be all medium and no message? The List provides an accessible, non-tech heavy breakdown of the entertainment innovations some of us are already making use of today and those that will affect all of us tomorrow.
12 1'". LIST 1—15 Mar 2001
I.
Data As an increasing number of galleries allow visitors to enter through their doors via cyberspace. we can now search for artworks on the net. Anybody. anywhere, at anytime. can log on and look at art. Although the quality ranges from very basic factual information to virtual tours. webcams and on-line interviews with artists. art galleries are making their presence felt on the web.
Prodlctlon Just imagine. No more queuing. no more turning up late to find the gallery closed and no more elbowing your way forward to see the artworks. Gallery- going will soon be a thing of the past. But what about the free champagne receptions at private views? Don't tell me. they've thought of that too.
Data Pixar Studios produced the first full-length computer generated image (CGI) film, Toy Story. in 1995. Now. CGI has almost completely replaced traditional cell animation (ie individually hand-painted cartoon frames). Live action and CGI technology was merged seamlessly in Terminator 2: Judgement Day with the shape-shifting cyborg. The technique. 'morphing'. developed to produce virtual characters (Jar Jar Binks in The Phantom Menace).
Prodlctlon Rapid advances in CGI technology may be acknowledged by Hollywood with a mooted Best Animated Feature Oscar. Will we see Buzz Lightyear and Woody the Cowboy Doll competing for the Best Animated Actor Oscar? The logical. but ethically questionable. conclusion of CGl developments is the return of dead stars: Marilyn Monroe in Some Still Like It Hot. James Dean in Rebel Without A Cause. anyone?
Data Did you know that blockbuster science fiction movie The Matrix has strong ties with comics? The film was
stOryboarded by comic artist Geoff Darrow. but more innovative is its website
boasts spin-off storylines by some of the comic world's top talent: David Lapham.
Bill Seinkeiwicz. Dave Gibbons, Ted McKeever and Pete Bagge. to name but a few. You can also check out new comics on-line by artist. try Scott McCloud at
‘ .‘.".'.i.fi<,(lllllJLLli llll l. or through publisher Fantagraphics at w it.'i;ii.ii:lii « i in. or even specialist outlet. the world leader of which must be Amsterdam's Lambiek (n.‘.».r.~.--.«.lqiiinl l!~"t‘- mi in .ii it liter),
Prodlctlon McCloud himself predicts the internet as the future of comics. and he should know; not only is McCloud the creator of top-notch alternative title Zot/. but he became the medium's guru with the groundbreaking book. Understanding Comics and follow-up Reinventing Comics. The tyranny of print publishing and corporate giants like DC and Marvel comes to an end.
Data Ever been stuck in a traffic jam. just a millisecond
away from being the next road rage headline? Your digital , car radio may well be your saviour. Akin to a jukebox in the ’1 sky. you will be able to download tracks from pre-
programmed specialist stations playing uninterrupted _ l~ sounds. covering everything from jazz to Christian rock and ¢ ‘3 hip hop to New Age. M Prodlctlon Soon. your shiny new car will have a satellite radio receiver as part of its standard equipment; should you be unable to afford this new motor, adapters and replacement radios can be purchased. And at the press of a few buttons. you will be able to order the CD playing or purchase tickets for the next gig in your area by that artist. Of course. you will still want to know the traffic. news and weather updates. so fears that local radio stations will be hit badly seem unfounded. Still, as Stephen Patrick Morrissey once sang. ‘Hang The DJ'.
Data Vinyl addicts will cry out in pain at this, but digital DJing could well be the future in clubland. Instead of lugging around heavy boxes of records. tomorrow's DJ need only leave the house with a hard disk full of MP3 tracks and a tiny piece of software called Tactile 12000. see f.'.‘/‘._'/Vii/Tiltl7"1’Il).(;0lll. He or she then plugs their laptop into ’ the amp and a fluid mix will ensue. Matt Black from Coldcut is among the growing number of laptop DJs and although it's currently impossible to scratch with this method, Japanese techno wizards