FEATURED PROJECT
MODELING CREATIVITYFaculty: Brian Magerko, Celia Pearce, Mark Ridel, Kathryn FarleyTeam Member(s): n/a Marion L. Brittain Postdoctoral Fellow, Kathryn Farley introduces the Modeling Creativity project. Please briefly explain the project. What is it about? Modeling Creative and Emotive Improvisation in Theatre Performance, is a three-year long investigation into the roots of human creativity, as it relates to the development of artificial intelligence. The project, funded by the National Science Foundation, examines the cognitive functions of improv actors through the process of protocol analysis and behavioral coding. The end goal of this process is to establish an algorithm for creativity that can then be transferred to virtual characters. Who are the team members? Brian Magerko is an Assistant Professor of LCC and the primary investigator. The co-primary investigators are Celia Pearce, Assistant Professor of LCC, Mark Ridel, Assistant Professor of COC, and Kathryn T. Farley Ph.D., a second year Marion L. Brittain Postdoctoral Fellow. In every semester we are working with numerous School of LCC graduate and undergraduate students who contribute greatly to the project. What is your role in the project? I am responsible for coordinating all communication with the improv involved in the experimental sessions. I also design the experiments and exercises for the sessions and help create journal articles and deliver conference presentations about the projects. How long have you been working on this project? We have started the project in 2008, and I have been on the team from the beginning. What outputs do you expect from this project? The end goal of this process is to establish an algorithm for creativity that can then be transferred to virtual characters. The proposed beneficiaries of this research will include AI specialists, game designers, and cognitive scientists. This project is also committed to publishing reports, articles and, potentially, books about our findings. What are the biggest challenges with this project? Coordinating large numbers of people, adjusting schedules to meet the needs of the entire group, and managing the organizational details for each project is difficult. But I wouldn't trade the experience of participating in either study. They provide me a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and develop new arts practices. Did the project supported by any grant/award? The Modeling Creativity project is funded by a large grant from the National Science Foundation. Prepared by Tanla Bilir |
Related Links |