My PyConAU 2012 lightning talk exploring avenues for python becoming more of a live coding performance platform. Video of the talk on YoutTube at 26m29s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpW7l3ng6T4

1. Live python? Media arts & APIs
Michela Ledwidge
@michela
michela@modprods.com
© Copyright Mod Productions 2012

2. Let’s talk about live coding in python
• The idea
–Live coding - on-the-fly coding as AV
performance
• The community
• The software
• The question…
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4. Aims
• “Live coding” – “on-the-fly coding as AV performance
• The community
– TOPLAP Temporary Organisation for the Parsimony of Live
AudioVisual Programming http://toplap.org
– dorkbot http://dorkbot.org “People doing strange things with
electricity
• The software (no python?)
– Fluxus (Scheme)
– Impromptu (Scheme)
– Touch Designer (Touchscript)
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5. Q) Could Python be THE live coding platform?
• Python APIs
–Blender
–Maya
–Houdini
–Touch Designer (TBC)
• Python tools
–IPython?
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6. ACO Virtual Orchestra (2010 - present)
• “World-class ensemble ACO is
innovative and inspiring”
• Python web apps
• Installation (R&D / commission)
• 40+ people
• 6 months
• Lessons:
– Web apps on-set are a life-saver
© Copyright Mod Productions 2012

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12. Tag Town (2012)
• “Stop the virus. Save the city.
Get the girl”
• Python web apps & API
• Multiplayer multiplatform social
game
• Comic reader / Camera app
• Lessons:
– More pythonistas needed for play
– Playtesters (Sydney CBD atm)
– Developers (next phase)
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15. Headbin (2004-present)
• “If I could be anyone else… I
would be”
• Multiplatform participatory
cinema
– Cinematic storytelling with Mod
API
– Creatives Commons productions
• 200+ team members
• Lesson:
– Python powerful for prototyping
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18. Michela Ledwidge
@michela
michela@modprods.com RY
ATO
CIP A
TI EM
LIVE C PAR IN
ODING C
@remixable
@tgtwn
@headbin
© Copyright Mod Productions 2012