During this seminar, Simpson will look to the future possibilities for the Visualisation suite as more than just a pre-show tool. "Whilst in theory we could, we don't yet use it to operate the productions live. At present the visualisation system is primarily used by the lighting department to pre-focus and design states for new shows, interrogate and analyse old shows and using the image it can create to archive focus positions for the future. My talk will discuss examples of this at every stage of the production process and many people will be amazed how many places visualisation is used that you wouldn't expect."
Whether you are permanently sited at a single venue or looking to fit a touring production into a multitude of different environments, using the Visualisation tool could revolutionise the way designers approach pre-production as Simpson explains, "At the Royal Opera House, our schedule limits the creative flow on stage and we rely entirely on well planned and thought out concepts. What we need is a second Opera House we can practice on and that is where I come in. In a virtual opera house, we can make anything happen to practise design ideas, develop concepts and ultimately set out the practicalities step by step so that when we get to stage for the first time - we have already done the work. In my talk I will be discussing a production of Miss Fortune which is coming to the stage at the moment and involves a complex blend of projection, lighting and automation. My role as a visualiser on this project was particularly exciting to work on as it involved linking three departments control systems into a visualiser to all work simultaneously."
When asked how visualisation will become embedded in the future of media and entertainment in all its forms, Simpson is unequivocal, "Visualisation is a current technology being used today but with huge scope for the future. I will be showing some examples of technology from the film and automotive industry that demonstrate incredible, seemingly unbelievable, concepts but ideas that are totally possible for the future of our industry. Although it started as a lighting tool it has expanded to include any technical element of a production. The theory is, if you can do it on stage, then you can do it in virtual reality and every department can engage with this to help prepare their idea for the stage."
