29/08/2026
I've begun development on, what I'm calling, an 'Ad-lib Fiction Engine' (AFE) - a complex piece of software to drive my future animatronic art installations. I'll also be retrofitting it into The BushPunks.
The concept is to develop a modular software platform which will provide all the required core functions, leaving me to focus on developing the scenes, plots and character profiles of any installation without having to write new software each time (no more reinventing the wheel).
The AFE will include these units:
° Performance: stage, scene and plot descriptions, plus staging.
° Director: overall stage direction.
° Character(s): individual, complex role and personality descriptions, plus ad-lib Artificial Personality (AP) systems and autonomous body control.
° HAL: body(s) and stage hardware definitions plus the software/hardware interface.
Like The BushPunks already do, installations will be lightly scripted and largely ad-lib performances. The performance unit will get everything and everyone up and running and then hand the stage, plot and scene over to the director unit, who then starts the show and proceeds to send stage directions for the characters to ad-lib to.
Director: Catty -> "Introduce yourself and the band."
Catty (ad-libbing, using her unique AI personality profile and autonomously moving and talking) -> "Blah, blah blah."
Director: SpareHeads -> "Someone respond to Catty."..etc, etc, etc...