https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngk1QJJ5HpQ
Joshua Ellingson is an audio/visual artist working in San Francisco, California. He currently works with electronics, synthesizers, and light to create videos that explore real-time interactions and optical effects.
Originally from Flint, Michigan, Joshua grew up around antiques, taxidermy, and thrift store shopping. This instilled a passion for collecting and a do-it-yourself attitude that persists to this day.
In addition to sharing his work on social media, Ellingson exhibits work at art galleries and events. You can also see his work on film and television in advertising, music videos, and other productions.
If you’re not familiar with the term “Pepper’s ghost”, it’s what the special effects industry calls the type of practical effect where a reflection is blended in with real-life footage (or a live environment) to create a floating image. “Pepper’s ghost” sounds old-timey because it was popularized in the late 1800s by John Pepper. He swiped the idea from a guy named Henry Dircks and turned it into a traveling stage show act. The technique and its name have endured and you can still find examples of “Pepper’s ghost” today at Disney theme parks, sci-fi films, and DIY art projects like mine.
Here’s a page of demos and other resources for “Pepper’s ghost”:
Pepper’s Ghost Resources and Demos
What many people come to think of as “holograms” are from sci-fi films and other popular attractions that use special effects like “Pepper’s ghost”. Holography is an actual branch of optical science and real holograms are amazing and do exist. So, I try to use the special effects term rather than the science term when describing the effect that I use in my art. It’s just more helpful for people to find other examples of the effect.
For learning about audio synthesizers/synthesis, it could be as simple downloading the free version of VCV Rack synthesizer software and watching some demo videos (I recommend Omri Cohen’s beginner-friendly youtube videos). For video art, I recommend downloading the demo of VDMX and searching online for demos and tutorials. Sometimes I post short demos on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ellingson.
The main thing that I would stress is that it should be fun, even if it’s challenging. If it’s not enjoyable, it will be difficult to continue learning and so maybe check in with yourself before committing more time and money into it. If it keeps being enjoyable, keep going!
I don’t recommend buying lots of expensive hardware before you understand the basics. Things can get very expensive quickly. If you really feel the need to spend money, I recommend a semi-modular synth like the Moog Mother-32 (or Behringer’s version, Crave) and something like a Korg Volca Sample for drums sounds. You can find these things used on sites like Reverb. Also, if it stops being fun, I can resell your things on Reverb too.
I do make my own music most of the time. Almost all of it was created for the project that’s in the video. Sometimes I start with a musical idea or sometimes the sounds are inspired by the visual. Regardless, there’s not a lot of preparation in the beginning or editing at the end. It’s sort of in-the-moment, so almost none if it is “finished” material. Long story short, it’s probably not on Spotify but thanks for asking! **Update-**I have been posting some things to Spotify and other streaming services. I’m not expecting a Grammy, but I’m flattered that people ask me to post things.
Sometimes I post short demos of different parts of my process on Patreon for my supporters. If you’re interested in that, you might find some helpful tips at https://www.patreon.com/ellingson.
I use a combination of video wall hardware and live-video software and my Mac. I don’t often use networked Raspberry Pis for this but sometimes that method works too. It’s a lot of trial and error but I have a system that works for me but it doesn’t mean it will be the right fit for everyone.
Please drop me a line at [email protected]
Mostly no. I like to be transparent about how I work because I feel that the methods that I use and the process in-general are important to the artwork itself. I try to be helpful when I can but I don’t love it when someone insists on all of the specifics, especially if I haven’t already spelled those things out in my posts.
Did you know that I’m on Patreon? Monthly subscribers have access to updated demos, project walkthrus, and demos. It’s a great way to support this kind of ephemeral art making and your support means a lot! Please consider joining my growing community of Patreon supporters at https://www.patreon.com/ellingson.