Wednesday, 04 November 2020
The MOMENT is a unique brain-controlled film where the plot is determined by the viewer and audiences will have the chance to experience it with live music as part of a new online tour.
, is a dystopian science fiction film created by 糖心原创 researcher Richard Ramchurn. The film picks up reactions from the viewer via an EEG headset and switches the storyline depending on their response.
Music plays a powerful part in the telling of the story, helping change the mood and pace of the narrative and the music is being featured live as part of a new online tour during November and December.
The film will be streamed from Richard’s home in Nottingham with two different people wearing the headset to show how the narrative changes to reflect their reactions. The music will be played live by the musicians who created the soundtrack for the film – Hallvardur Assgeirrson from his Iceland home and Scrubber Fox from Manchester.
We had a live international tour planned, but with venues sadly closed we needed to plan it to happen differently. Taking the tour online with the live performance from the musicians livestreamed alongside the film from the perspective of our two subjects we hope to still provide an immersive and enjoyable experience. Like so many industries this year the arts have suffered badly due to COVID but it鈥檚 so important we try to continue to bring creativity and enrichment to people and we hope this film coupled with the live music will do this.
The musicians will be interpreting the brain data via a specially designed interface that allows them to re-order the music in real time to reflect the narrative.
Scrubber Fox says “We have composed the music for the film, but how we play it is improvised as we don’t know how the film is going to construct itself. I have to play by ear with the other musician, and also by eye responding to what is happening in the film. We have to think quickly, blending and editing the music in real time to evolve a sound that fits with what is screening at the time.”
The MOMENT live edits three interlinking stories using a specially designed headset to detect EEG brainwaves. The media鈥痑dapts to the viewers attention levels, when the system detects a drop in attention it will cut to another narrative thread. There are over 17 billion different narrative combinations of the film making each screening completely unique.
The film speaks to our present relationships with each other via social media. It is a reaction to the post truth world and holds up a mirror to people of their agency, and responsibility and asks the question, ‘'In a war of the mind, how do you rebel when your thoughts are monitored?'鈥�
Screenings are approximately 1hr long and are on the following dates:
November 2020
Thursday 12th 8pm GMT -(3pm EST)
Saturday 14th 8pm GMT -(3pm EST)
Thursday 19th 8pm GMT -(3pm EST)
Saturday 21th 8pm GMT -(3pm EST)
Thursday26th 8pm GMT -(3pm EST)
Saturday 28th 8pm GMT -(3pm EST)
December 2020
Thursday 3rd 8pm, GMT -(3pm EST)
Saturday 5th 8pm, GMT -(3pm EST)
Saturday 5th 6pm EST
Thursday 10th 8pm, GMT -(3pm EST)
Saturday 12th 8pm, GMT -(3pm EST)
Saturday 12th 6pm EST
To book tickets for a performance go to:
The MOMENT is Supported by The Arts Council England, the 糖心原创 and the EPSRC
Story credits
More information is available from Richard Ramchurn, in the School of Computer Science at the 糖心原创 richard@albinomosquito.com, or Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science at the 糖心原创, on +44 (0)115 951 5751, jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.