There is one immutable truth in this world. Humans ‘think’ and humans ‘make choices’.
'Echoes of choice' represents a parallel universe, showing different outcomes based on human choices. What outcomes will your choices yield?
Step 1: Watch the film
Step 2: Make a choice
Step 3: View the result
*‘Echoes of Choice’ comprises two parts: an interactive film titled 'Psychiatric' and an interactive installation.
In the film 'Psychiatric,' I played the role of the protagonist, 'Hwasa'.
*To automate the interaction process, I employed multimodal AI to establish the voice recognition system.
There are three characters in the film 'Psychiatric'. Protagonist Hwasa, antagonist Dr. Owen, and helper Kai.
In the installation, the figure inside the acrylic sphere in the center is Dr. Owen, and the two figures on either side are Hwasa, existing in different universe. The characters stay still until the audiences make choice.
How it works:
After watching this film, the installation prompts viewers to choose between fighting for their lives or run away from the situation and go back to the hospital. When the audiences decide their mind and press a foot-operated button, a recorded voice in English is triggered. The system in the interactive installation receives the voice input and it shifts noise by 180 degrees. After the process of enhancing speech, separated through multi-channel processing, AI responds to 'fight for your life' or 'run,' by controlling motors for framework movement. This affects fluorescent strings connected to various branches, moving acrylic spheres with characters.
Depending on the chosen option, a motor rotates, causing the protagonist Hwasa to move accordingly.
Choosing "fight for your life" sways the left framework, moving Hwasa’s acrylic sphere toward the antagonist, Dr.Owen.
Opting for 'run' makes the right framework sway, but the acrylic sphere stays still, indicating Hwasa's choice to escape does not lead to any changes in her state.
* I have always dreamed of pushing the boundaries of filmmaking. After encountering films or series with multi-endings a few years ago, where the audience has the power to directly determine the conclusion, I was inspired to create 'Echoes of Choice'. I took on various roles such as director, video editor, actor, technician, and producer while creating this interdisciplinary art piece. Through the integration of interactive installation and film, combining elements of different senses, I aimed to offer the audience a fresh sensation and experience.
Synopsis of the Interactive Film ‘Psychiatric’:
Hwasa attempts to escape the hospital with Kai's help, but is exposed by Dr. Owens. Hwasa finds the key to escaping the hospital in the doctor's pocket while resisting the doctor.
*An interactive film titled 'Psychiatric' is originated from the collaborative project during my year-long exchange program in Georgia, United States. I played the role of 'Hwasa' in the proof of concept of this film.
* 'Psychiatric' earned two awards at the Pure Magic International Film Festival for Best Score Film and Best Student Short, along with recognition at the Florence Film Awards and Vesuvius International Film Festival.