Fifty (50) Word Synopsis Seventy (70) Word Synopsis (A)
Seventy (70) Word Synopsis (B)
One Hundred Words Synopsis
One Paragraph Synopsis
Screenings - A Research Journey
Work-in-Progress Screenings - Conferences with Presented Papers
Screenings - Film Festivals
Screenings - Broadcasts
Reviews
Awards
Viewer Comments
Credits
Technical Details for Screening
Log Line:
Physical TV productions bring together the Spiritual, Physical and Technological.
One Line Synopsis:
A busy dancing man takes a nap in two realities.
Three Line Synopsis:
A busy dancing man takes a nap in two realities. His live self dreams and his avatar self dreams. Neither reality is quite so simple when they wake.
50 Word Synopsis:
Rather than alienating us from the spirit, can new technologies bring us closer to it? Expressed in a vivid mix of virtual world digital animation and real life imagery, and drawing on a Yogic/Buddhist worldview, Entanglement Theory offers a spiritual vision of the universe as a shared playground for an infinite variety of beings and forms.
70 Word Synopsis (A):
What ideas, images or stories does a mix of the online virtual world technology Second Life and real life dancing ask for? Entanglement Theory proposes the hypothesis that: a mash-up of Vedic spiritual philosophical ideas of multiple states of consciousness, different forms of body, and multi-dimensional realities, along with science fiction-like theories of quantum particle entanglement, can be explored with this mix of media. "New vitality...absorbing", The New York Times.
70 Word Synopsis (B):
Drawing on a Yogic/Buddhist worldview, Entanglement Theory offers a spiritual vision of the universe as a shared playground for all beings, regardless of their background, whether living on this or some other plane of existence. Expressed in a vivid mix of Second Life digital animation and real life dancing, Entanglement Theory is an uplifting celebration of the possiblity of unity and harmony and diversity. "New vitality...absorbing", The New York Times.
One Hundred Word Synopsis:
What ideas, images or stories does a mix of the online virtual world technology Second Life and real life dancing ask for? Entanglement Theory proposes the hypothesis that: a mash-up of Vedic spiritual philosophical ideas of multiple states of consciousness, different forms of body, and multi-dimensional realities, along with science fiction-like theories of quantum particle entanglement, can be explored with this mix of media. In other words that the two dancing men, each in their own reality, can meet, by crossing over boundaries of conventionally perceived time and space, and populate each other's performances.
One Paragraph Synopsis:
Entanglement Theory started life as a research project into dance, screen and mixed realities. It began with the question: what ideas, images or stories does a mix of the online virtual world technology Second Life and real life dancing ask for? Practical research by Karen Pearlman and Richard James Allen of Physical TV and Gary Hayes of MUVEDesign began at Critical Path in January 2009 with a range of processes for the mix of Second Life and real life being tested through improvisation and the development of intermedia choreographic ideas. Fragments of that material were then developed by Richard and Karen first into a live work, Do Avatars Dream of Human Sleep?, and subsequently into the screen work, Entanglement Theory, both of which propose the hypothesis that: a mash-up of Vedic spiritual philosophical ideas of multiple states of consciousness, different forms of body, and multi-dimensional realities, along with science fiction-like theories of quantum particle entanglement, can be explored with this mix of media. In other words that the two dancing men, each in their own reality, can meet, by crossing over boundaries of conventionally perceived time and space, and populate each other's performances.
Screenings - A Research Journey
Artistic Directors of the Physical TV Company, Richard James Allen and Karen Pearlman, presented a work-in-progress screening of their latest research production at Dance Shed on June 14, 2009. Following on from their groundbreaking work creating the online immersive world Thursday’s Fictions in Second Life, this new production is the latest in a series of experiments in the potentials for a mix of real life and Second Life dance. This phase has a working title of Entanglement Theory. This research began as part of a Responsive Program research grant from Critical Path in January, 2009. This support was kindly followed by an Ausdance NSW Space Grant at Queen Street Studios and a presentation on Short Sweet + Dance in March of the first stage of this “Mixed Reality” research, the dance and virtual world live and projected dance work Do Avatars Dream of Human Sleep?, which was described by Lynne Lancaster in ArtsHub as “a terrific blended world”.
The underlying questions of the research have been: what can be artistically achieved through engagement of dance with virtual world technologies? What are the themes and ideas asked for by this mix, if any? Is there an affordance for consideration of spiritual themes that this technology is uniquely able to provide? At Dance Shed, Richard and Karen presented a work-in-progress screening and some preliminary thoughts about where they are at with these questions. A more comprehensive presentation of this phase of research took place on September 19, 2009 at SEAM Symposium 2009 Spatial Phases, as one of a number of commissioned local works during this two week international focus on the nexus between architecture, dance and film presented in Sydney by Critical Path in collaboration with the University of Technology, Sydney, and the University of Hertfordshire, UK. The ideas behind the work were then further articulated on Friday October 2, 2009, at the time.transcendence.performance Conference at Monash Univeristy in Melbourne.
The completed Mixed Reality dance film Entanglement Theory first screened at III Mostra Internacional de Videodança de São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil, on November 25, 2009; and shortly thereafter at DANSCAMDANSE 2009 , Ghent, Belgium, between November 26 and 27; 2009. The 35mm film print of the film, generously supported by Deluxe Australia, was first shown at New York’s Dance on Camera Festival as part of the animation program on Sunday January 31. Further screenings at the 9th Annual U-M Dance on Camera Festival in Michigan between February 20 and 21, 2010 and the San Diego/Tijuana DANCEonFILM Festival between February 24 and 27th, both as part of the Dance on Camera Touring Program; at the Loikka Dance Film Festival in Helsinki, Finland, between March 25 and 27, 2010; the International Video Dance Festival of Burgundy in France on May 7; at Napolidanza in Italy on May 14 or 15, 2010; and at Dungog Film Festival in Australia between May 27 and 39, 2010; in competition Cinema D’Arte at the Festival Internazionale Del Cinema D’Arte in Bergamo, Italy from 16 to 24 July 2010; at the Museum of Fine Arts in Fort Worth, Texas, from July 10 to 25, 2010; at Austhetic at Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia, throughout August 2010;at the Oklahoma Dance Film Festival, Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday, August 28;at Wallpaper Dance in Trieste, Italy between August 21 and September 12, 2010; at EDIT 2010 International Dance Film Festival in Budapest, Hungary, on October 8, 9, and 10, 2010; at Mindscapes Festival at the National Film and Sound Archives in Canberra on Monday October 11, 2010; at Ohio State University, in Columbus, Ohio on October 13; at t-junction International Video Dance Biennale at the Filmhaus in Nürnberg, Germany, on October 15 and 16, 2010; at Dance Camera Istanbul in Turkey between November 22 and 30, 2010; at the InShadow International festival of video, performance and technologiesl in Lisbon, Portugal, between December 7 and 10, 2010; at the World of Women (WOW) Film Festival in Sydney on March 9, 2011, to be followed by a national tour of Australia, including to the Peacock Theatre in Hobart, Tasmania, presented by Salamanca Arts Centre on Sunday November 20, 2011; at the Woods Hole Film Festival, Massachusetts, on Thursday August 4, 2011; and at Motion Captured: An Evening of Dance on Film,at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Centre in Houston, Texas, on February 12, 2012. Its most recent screenings were at the Somatics & Technology Conference at the University of Chicester, US on June 23, 2012 and at the World of Women (WOW) Film Festival tour to the Blackbox Theatre in Ulaanbaatar, in Mongolia, on September 16, 2012.
Entanglement Theory has been acquired for four broadcasts on ABC TV in Australia. Its broadcast premiere dates were ABC2, Sun 31 October at 20:20; and ABC1, Sun 7 November at 16:20. Those unable to watch on TV, you were able to watch online at IVIEW for 14 days after the screening dates. Dance, drama, media and yoga educators may copy the program off air for educational purposes and download the Metromagazine/ATOM Study Guide.
Screened last on ABC on Sunday October 30, 2011 at 3.52pm.
Work-in-Progress Screenings - Conferences with Presented Papers
* Acquired for four broadcasts on ABC TV in Australia from 2010 Broadcast Premiere Dates: ABC2, Sun 31 Oct at 20:25 ABC1, Sun 7 Nov at 16:25
SCREENED LAST: ABC1, Sun October 30 at 15:50
Reviews
Review of Special Animation Event at the Dance on Camera Festival, New York City, January, 2010
“What’s animation? It’s striking here that almost all of these shorts combine cartoons with live-action photography. In the best of these, “Entanglement Theory” (directed by Richard James Allen, Karen Pearlman and Gary Hayes), this mixture gives a new vitality to the dream states that preoccupy so many of the current crop of Dance on Camera filmmakers.
“Entanglement Theory” shows us several main planes of existence: a young man with red hair in realistic, prosaic circumstances; the same man switching into dance activity (sometimes defying gravity); and the cartoon versions of himself, sometimes also dancing….as drama this film is absorbing."
Alastair Macaulay, “When Hippos Are Muses for Choreographers”, The New York Times, January 29, 2010 (online), and January 30, 2010 (in print, page C3 in the Dance)
Critical Response from screening at Il festival internazionale di Videodanza, Il coreografo elettronico, Naples, Italy, May 2010
• DanzaBlog (Italy): “ ‘Entanglement Theory’…the first dance movie that sees human dancers in a performance dialogue with their avatar.”
• Capri News (Italy): “Contemporary dance meets the language of multimedia communications. From this innovative experiment was born 'Entanglement Theory'…one of the few commercially available examples of ' mixed reality ', a multimedia stream of research that combines the real and the virtual world, with particular reference to the virtual Second Life online. The result is a succession of scenes in which dancers perform in true symbiosis with colleagues' avatars, offering a performance that erases the conventional perceptions of time and space.
• Nova (Italy): “Richard James Allen is the master of choreography, as well as of dance, and cinema.”
• Il coreografo elettronico Media Release (Italy): “From Australia, Richard James Allen, Karen Pearlman and Gary Hayes…the most technologically interesting piece of work. It is Entanglement Theory, the first dance film in 3D, born from a 'mixed reality' research project, which combines the real world and the online virtual world of Second Life, where a dancer and an avatar, each in their own reality, cross the limits of time and space as we conventionally perceive them.”
Reviews - Australia
"There are in Entanglement Theory moments of supple elegance and in the overall oscillation between worlds a fluidity of movement and editing that makes for a seductive reverie."
"...this fascinating mixed reality dance performance / film called "Entanglement Theory." Richard James Allen, Karen Pearlman and Gary Hayes collaborated on this dance multimedia piece that explores the lines between virtuality and reality. It's a very heady, spiritual work...Not usually my cup-of-tea when it comes to dance or performance. Still I like the idea of the relationship between a person and his avatar persona as expressed through movement. Makes we want to produce an avatar vs human b-boy battle.
* Pre-selection Finalist (Top 10), Best Experimental, 2010 Atom Awards
Viewer Comments
“Many congrats on the success of your brilliant film!” Laura Macdonald, Screen Programmer, Dungog Film Festival
“Your work is very important; your films and animations articulate complex ideas that are of central importance to our use of virtual worlds as a model for understanding human psychology and behaviour. I believe the models provided by virtual worlds are allowing us to express a higher evolution of conscious awareness.” Dr. Lisa Dethridge, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University
“Wow amazing stuff!!! Over the years Richard and his Physical TV Company have shown true passion, creativity and innovation in the field of dance and media through consistently pushing the boundaries and producing intriguing, beautiful and high-quality pieces.” Sabine Klaus, Creation Editor
“Hey guys, that was awesome. I really enjoyed it. Good on you.” Dr Greg Dolgopolov, Lecturer in Film, School of English, Media and Performing Arts University of New South Wales
“Dear Richard/ Physical TV, Thanks for the reminder. I'm glad I watched this. I liked the concept, and the movie makes it live - the 'cyberself' interpreting, dreaming, narrating events that happen in a controlled, stylised space, and the human dancer/s working to transcend quotidian body/ space. They meet/ don't meet... I loved the music, the whole thing, really, and I'll be thinking about the interface/ non-interface/ conundrum that this dance movie dramatises so well. Many thanks.” Kerry Leves
“A captivating film!” Fleur Beaupert
“Wow, amazing work, Richard, really loved the mix of live action and graphics, it’s a great sketch for a feature or even a whole new computer game series :-) I am serious too- a new platform for dance. Btw, I enjoyed your dancing and acting. Well done.” Annalouise Paul
“Richard I loved Entanglement Theory congratulations.” Aleta Lafferty
“Hi Richard, I watched Entanglement Theory – really great work. Congratulations…” Fern Jeldrez-Leon
“Hello Richard, Wow...i just watched your Entanglement Theory link… mmmm..very glad I did...I really connected. There was a distinct resonance, similarity, in the way I experience my body's exploration of space and the articulation of your body I saw through in the video. Possibly it's the Yoga in Flight... the navigation through the directional planes of movement... working the limitations while extending and expanding beyond the limitations? Thank you for your art, it's all very inspiring and very recognisable.” Zoe Braithwaite
“I really enjoyed this film, congratulations to everyone involved.” Daniel Portelli
“Hi Karen and Richard, What a perfect way to end our weekend: with a dance-animation as beautiful and refreshing as a good dream. We are so glad we saw this, and will certainly want to see it again, this time with the kids (who missed it last night). With congratulations and admiration. Remarkable piece.” Neva and Ethan Grant
“Hi Richard, Great work, the music, dance and artwork had me mesmorised. Can’t wait to see your other projects. Brilliant…Well Done!” Lily Kotevski
“Congratulations Richard, a captivating, colorful, metaphysical production. Keep up the good work.” Andrew Blair
“Very nice mate, very nice. Good job to the awesome threesome :-) I'm not sure why but the fig tree sequence made it for me... behold the beautiful dancer. It's fab…you...do something quite extraordinary… There's something quite human about it… mm the tree.... I'm trying to figure out the tree business. Why is that so appealing? Perhaps the curtain effect - like a natural theatre stage...” Therese Fingleton
“Entanglement Theory on Art Nation. Really interesting Richard – congratulations.” Pam Brown
“Really enjoyed this Richard, beautifully imagined, made and performed.... but it finished before I was ready!! I could've definitely watched more!” Nicky West
“Interesting concept which I enjoyed.” Felicity Smithson
“Very pleased to catch it - see art entangled in everyday life and letting the avatar do the dangerous stunts - great editing congratulations - (also to see bits of Sydney again we have moved north).” John Bennett and Bronwyn Rodden
“Thankyou that was fantastic!” Angelina Elkin
“Dear Richard, Michael and I saw Entanglement Theory... your beautiful, wonderfully lyrical and inspirationally thoughtful film... we already look forward to seeing the next one!!.... Your uplifting, uninhibited creative expression is so refreshing and much needed in a world where inspiration and heartfelt messages that spark hope and dreams seem to be replaced by empty marketing for the purpose of $'s and not much else. You remind our souls and spirits to fly and with yoga, you show us how as well. With thanks as always.”” Kathy Thomson and Michael Stroud
“Richard, Karen, Gary, Fantastic work! Yes it is really crucial and interesting that you are expanding our awareness of the number and variety of zones in which we can observe the nexus of virtual/real/augmented. Your Entanglement theory demonstrates there is "the real" then there is the "virtual" then suggests there is an antechamber that exists someplace in between; an abstract kind of space. And of course then there is the IMAGINARY which exists in another zone again... I really admire your work. It makes a lot of sense to demonstrate visually the kind of conceptual and phenomenological categories that we humans use to navigate our world. All this helps us understand epistemology and ontology, how we know what we know. At the same time, your creative work is beautifully executed; simply joyous and good fun. Great music too! Well done team! Dr. Lisa Dethridge, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University
“Your work is like no other. Your ability to have bought a new wave of culture into and with the beautiful format of dance and movement is a testament of you never seeming to age, you are somewhat the eternal wizard. I think it is time you got some big money and went and worked with Animal Logic or Wetta and created a fully animated and live action feature.” Gav Barbey
"Fantasical." Lyneve Rappell
"Richard, Karen & Gary have a wonderful ability to mix realities, combined with deceptively simple but intense dance choreography to create wonderful, unique works that can be interpreted on many levels. Whilst being visually stimulating and joyful to watch." Julia Pringle
Viewer Comments from the World of Women (WOW) Online Film Festival
“Beautiful!” Rebecca Romans
“Very unique and captivating!” Jade Sperling
“Wonderful!” Angelina Elkin
“I thought this film was entertaining and I appreciated the inclusion of the real life dance performances. Colour has been used well and the mood for the piece is enhanced by the music and choreography. It is great to clever collaborations such as this.” Judith Chestnut
“Very clever and innovative!” Ana Tiwary
“A brilliant film by a brilliant man.” Donne Restom
“Gorgeous Work!” Abigail Portwin
“Very interesting...” Mary Adner
“Engaging dance visuals.” Penelope Grace
Eloquent in expression and production. To me, this film brings the concept of multidimensional reality to screen. Through juxtaposing different technical genres with the movement and expression of dance, the viewer observes the experiencing of many different aspects of the self at the same time. Transcending the idea of linear time we are led to believe that there is more to the space we physically fill than we can physically perceive. I could also call this flick :"The Evolutionary Theory"..Well done Richard beautiful creation of a beautiful mind.” Zoe Braithwaite
“A beautiful rendition of the multi-layered life we inhabit, of the prismatic dimensions of being and the fluidity of self and the world surrounding us. Great work, Richard!” Nadine Helstroffer
“E.T. makes mind boggling existential questions (who are we? What is real?) into a playful dance/visual journey. The use of transformation and fluidity in the film's aesthetic is very effective. The sound track and the musicality of the editing exceptional. E.T. manages to take away the established boundaries (such what is inside, what is outside) and creates space for new perceptions and insights, in a very accessible way. Great work!” Jepke Goudsmit
“Thanks Richard, beautiful and discursive work as always.” Kyle Powderly
Credits
Entanglement Theory
A film by Richard James Allen, Karen Pearlman and Gary Hayes
Choreographer and Director Richard James Allen Second Life Artist and Animateur Gary Hayes Editor and Dramaturge/Writer Karen Pearlman Supervising Sound Editor Andrew Plain Composer Fiona Hill
Assistant to the Choreographer Marttaleena Luukkonen
Dancers
Catherine Davies Cloe Fournier Fei Lee Gary Hazlitt Katerina Rajch Kylie Wollongong Lachlan James Bell Marttaleena Luukkonen Rachel Ward Richard James Allen Rory Nagle-Runciman Rui Imizu Sanna Lundström Serena Chalker
Second Life
Second Life Machinimatographer Gary Hayes (SL Gary Hazlitt), MUVEDesign Second Life Found Settings Adam Nash (SL Adam Ramona), NBC Island Gary Hayes (SL Gary Hazlitt)/Physical TV Thursday's Fictions in Second Life, AFTRS Island Second Life Stock Avatar Animations Sine Wave, Abramination Second Life Stock Avatar Design Grendel's Children, June Dion
Live Action
Live Action Cinematographer Devris Hasan Live Action Second Camera Operator Craig Jackson Live Dancers Costume Designer Jacques Tchong Live Action Lighting Designer Larry Kelly Live Action Lighting Operator Dean Stephens Live Action Hair Stylist Anya Goy, Rainbow Hair Colour Stills Photographers Kyle Powderly Christophorus Verheyden Marttaleena Luukkonen
Titles, Grading and Mastering
Titles Design and Animation Tim Richter, SV2 Colourist Lasse Nikkari, Eden Media 35mm Laser Film Recording and Laboratory Services Deluxe Australia
Sound
Sound Editing and Mixing Facility Huzzah Sound Sound Editors Keith McDonagh Megan Wedge Foley Facility Feet ’n Frames Foley Artist John Simpson Foley Recordist Lisa Simpson Re-recording Mixer William Lawlor PrintMaster Deluxe StageOne Sound
Music
Flute and Piccolo Christine Draeger Oboe Rachel Tolmie Clarinet and Bass Clarinet Bobby Dimitrievski Trumpet Raymond Cassar Violin Veronique Serret Cello Rowena Crouch Music Recordist Andrew Covell Music Mixer Geir Brillian Gunnarsson
Supported by
This project was assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
Special Thanks to:
Margie Medlin, Katy Coote, Helen Martin, Critical Path Katherine Blashki, Peter Giles, AFTRS Cathy Murdoch, Larina Hansen, Ausdance NSW Samantha Chester, James Winter, Queen St. Studio Olivia Ansell, Heath Baldwin, Mark Cleary, Short Sweet + Dance Angela Hill, Andre Hayter, Dance Shed Mike Bonenti, Moore Park Gardens Paolo Gnecchi-Ruscone, Junktique Angela Phang, Derrick Ow, Life Source Yoga & Health Prue Fletcher, Stewart Dean, The LaB, Sydney Jan Newland, Eden Media Louise Carney, Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Anthos Simon, Simon Alberry, Nathan Smith, Jan Thornton, Jamie Hediger, Gordon MacPhail, Rebecca Dunn, Catherine Duroux, Deluxe Australia
Warm Thanks to:
Christophorus Verheyden, Jodie McNeilly, Darren Spowart, Carol Dilley, Rachael Brown, Jakub Jacko, Martha Goddard, Anton, Quinnie Wilson, Samantha Payne, Bronwen Whyatt, Antoinette Starkiewicz, Jade Dewi Tyas-Tunggal, David Kermode, Martin Fox, Lorraine Lythall
This film is dedicated to Sharon Gannon, co-founder with David Life of Jivamukti Yoga
See Sharon Gannon's Jivamukti Yoga August 2009 Focus of the Month on the "Panoramic World"
Technical Details for Screening: Screening media: DVD, QT, MiniDV, Betacam SP, or Digital Betacam Standard: PAL or NTSC Duration: 10 minutes (10:16) Number of Cassettes/Disk: 1 Aspect Ratio: 16 x 9 Speed: 25 frames per second Sound: 5.1 or LTRT
 Physical TV.jpg)
 Physical TV(2).jpg)
 The Physical TV Company.JPG)
 PhysicalTV.jpg){kind=avatar}
 Physical TV.jpg)
 Physical TV.jpg)
 Physical TV.jpg)
 Physical TV(1).jpg)
 Physical TV copy.jpg)
 Physical TV.jpg)
 Jivamukti Yoga.jpg)
 Physical TV.jpg)
