Web technology and its uses in performing arts

Presented by Katie Dircks

Terry HoulihanDominic Taranto

Content

a few brief examples of the most common online networking applications

a detailed insight into our main application (Twitter)

The pros and cons of these applications being used within the creative arts industry

Examples of what may come in the future with this new technology.

Applcation 1 Facebook

- online networking application- Individual/company profiles- intricate abilities of

interaction between other users

- easy access and advertising

Facebook example - SMUDGED

Facebook Implications

Facebook users can easily ‘like’ theatre companies, venues and festivals

Theatre companies, venues and festivals can let facebook users know about upcoming events/ performances

They can let facebook users know when good reviews are received

They can let facebook users know when shows are selling out

Information about jobs, auditions and opportunities for involvement can also be distributed through facebook

Application 2MySpace

- One of the original social networking online applications

- profiles mainly for bands, or other artistic groups to be followed

- easy, inexpensive advertising

MySpace example – Black Lung Theatre

MySpace Implications

Page is easy to set up and individualise - images, songs, videos can be uploaded

Other MySpace users can ‘friend’ theatre companies/ performers on MySpace

Non-MySpace users can view information Theatre companies/ performers can easily

let their MySpace friends know about upcoming events/ performances

Application 3 Blogs e.g. wordpress, blogspot

Blogspot example – Theatre Notes

Blog Implications

Blogs are easy to set up and can be about any topic

Great forums for reviews Tone used is personal Longer postings than social networks People can subscribe to blogs they are

specifically interested in either by receiving emails when new posts appear on the blog or otherwise by RSS feed readers

Applcation 4 Twitter

- A more simple blog related online application

- word - limited updates about individuals

- instant messaging and following capabilities

Twitter example - MalthouseMelb

Twitter Implications

Twitter users can follow theatre companies/ venues/ performers on Twitter

Twitter users regularly update their Tweets – give information about upcoming and current events/ performances

Often more informal/ personal Tweets Ability to re-Tweet and trending topics

More about Twitter... Twitter is a social networking and micro blogging service, owned and operated by Twitter Inc. It

enables users to send instant messages to other users called tweets. The name twitter came from its definition “a short burst of inconsequential information," and "chirps from birds." Now Twitter has gained notability and popularity worldwide and currently has more than 100 million users worldwide.

It was created in 2006 in San Bruno, California near San Francisco by Jack Dorsey. Jack Dorsey is the Chairman, Evan Williams is the CEO and Biz Stone is the Creative Director.

They have 141 employees , They have 190 million users monthly , Twitters revenue was projected in 2009 to be $400,000.

- By March 2010, Twitter recorded a 1,500% increase in the number of registered users and its staff had grown five times.

Twitter had 400,000 tweets posted per quarter in 2007. This grew to 100 million tweets posted per quarter in 2008. By the end of 2009, 2 billion tweets per quarter were being posted and in the first quarter of 2010, 4 billion tweets have been posted.

- Currently, about 65 million tweets are posted each day, equalling about 750 tweets sent each second, according to Twitter.

According to a study by Sysomos in June 2009, women make up a slightly larger Twitter demographic than men — 53% over 47%.

Twitter raised over $57 million US from venture capitalist growth funding, although exact numbers are not publicly disclosed.

Twitter collects personally identifiable information about its users and shares it with third parties. The service reserves the right to sell this information as an asset if the company changes hands. While Twitter displays no advertising, advertisers can target users based on their history of tweets and may quote tweets in ads.

More about Twitter...

According to San –Antonio based market research firm Pear Analytics Pointless babble — 41% Conversational — 38% Pass-along value — 9% Self-promotion — 6% Spam — 4% News — 4%

Top 5 most followed celebrities on twitter 1. Britney Spears 2. Ashton Kutcher 3. Lady Gaga 4. Ellen Degeneres 5. Barack Obama

Positives

Easy to stay informed Use links on these pages to find other

groups/ artists you might be interested in Real time information – particularly useful

for ticket sales information Groups/ artists are able to gauge

audience interest/ numbers A forum for feedback – creates a more

personalised relationship

Negatives

Too much information – SPAM Information being disseminated is

informal, one persons opinion – not necessarily the company line, not targeted like marketing materials

Interactive element allows for bad reviews – only one persons opinion and not necessarily an informed opinion, but broadcast widely it can have a very damaging effect

The Future?

There are theatre companies, production companies and individuals within the artistic community who have tried to use all these different types of online interaction applications to aid and/or contribute to specifically designed pieces of performance/music art etc. They explore and re-invent art mediums that embrace new technology!

“Etiquette” & “Wondermart”

An artist by the name of Silvia Mercuriali has created two pieces of work that do not specifically use Facebook, Twitter etc as a way of creating art but the production, distribution and feedback of its success are all supplied through such applications.

Viewers must download an MP3 file from a website or online profile, to their own personal device, and then follow instructions as to where and when they then listen to the “performance.”

As a result the viewer becomes apart of the art itself and the audience is whomever is around them at the time, the stage becomes the supermarket they visit in the case of “Wondermart.”

In order for any feedback and general communication between the artist and the viewer such applications like MySpace and Blogs are essential for this modern day artist.

In fact without these applications this artwork may not exist and would surely not be available to everybody with an internet connection.

Image of Wondermart Ad.

Questions

Bibliography

http://www.wondermart.co.uk/Wondermart%20site/Wondermart_en.html http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ArtsHouse/Program/Pages/Etiquette.aspx http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter