News | Nov 2023
Another Kind of Blue Unleashes Creative Ingenuity with OptiTrack
The Netherlands-based contemporary dance company, Another Kind of Blue (AKOB), has received widespread acclaim for its groundbreaking performances that explore the relationships between humans and technology. Founded by visionary choreographer David Middendorp, the company not only utilizes technology as a subject of exploration but also as a dynamic tool for expressive storytelling.
“I've always been fascinated by the intersection of culture and technology,” said Middendorp. “People often perceive them as separate, but I firmly believe they are closely related. Technological innovations are often born from someone’s dreams. For instance, airplanes would never have been invented without the dream of flying. And I believe technology plays a significant role in shaping human nature. It contributes to our sense of identity.”
Earlier in his journey as a choreographer, Middendorp joined a small theater in The Hague where he had the freedom to experiment with his ideas for several years. To exhibit his creations, he started posting them on different online platforms, including YouTube. Eventually, his talent caught the attention of the show, “America's Got Talent,” where his choreographed performances reached the finals. Encouraged by the experience, Middendorp decided to establish AKOB. Several productions soon followed.
AKOB’s artistic live dance performances feature imaginative uses of motion capture (mocap) technology, aerial drones, digital elements and real-time visual effects and animations, captivating audiences with experiences that are both mesmerizing and thought provoking.
Discovering Motion Capture
Middendorp’s exploration of aerial drones initially stemmed from his desire to examine the concept of free will. He envisioned a duet between a dancer and a piece of technology that could be improvised. The early stages of the concept involved someone remotely controlling a single drone from the wings. Then, the idea evolved into a swarm of drones that would form into certain shapes. However, 10 to 20 people operating drones in synchronized patterns proved impossible. “We started to search for solutions,” Middendorp said. “One idea was to build our own localization system. Then, as we were looking at other possibilities, we discovered OptiTrack.”
Middendorp purchased his first eight OptiTrack cameras in 2015. In the ensuing years, he has slowly been accumulating more. Today, AKOB has 22 OptiTrack mocap cameras—16 Primeˣ 13 cameras and 7 Primeˣ 22 cameras. The configuration provides real-time, low latency tracking that optimizes accuracy across capture areas.
Initially, Middendorp and his team used OptiTrack to track and control two drones to fly pre-choreographed paths in unison with dancers in a performance called “Newton's Duet.” But as Middendorp became more proficient with the mocap system, they began using it to track dancers on stage wearing OptiTrack mocap suits. Using positional data from the mocap system, the dancers’ movements could be translated into commands for controlling the drones in real-time. The subsequent performance, “Airman,” featured 12 drones, some flying pre-determined paths, and others programmed to respond to the dancers’ movements.
In creating these productions, Middendorp emphasized the importance of a flexible mocap system. “With OptiTrack, we can track drones, dancers and other things. Another advantage is that the infrared cameras work in low-light conditions, which is crucial since we often darken the stage to create a specific ambiance.”
