Abstract
Techniques of Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality (VR, AR, MR) have been used for puppet theater in different cultural contexts around the world. However, we are not yet aware of the use of these techniques in the Brazilian Northeast Popular Puppet Theater, a tradition known in Pernambuco as Mamulengo. We present here a system developed for “The Quarrel Between the Real Puppet and the Virtual Puppet,” a sketch created for the class Realidade Virtual e Aumentada of Computer Science program at CIn-UFPE. This paper aims to investigate how VR/AR/MR techniques can contribute to the creation of mamulengo shows. We used the method of qualitative case study, analyzing the audiovisual records of essays and presentation, the software solution developed in Unity 3D, and the data collected from a focus group interview with puppeteers. This study identified as weaknesses of our system: the hand tracking unreliability and the lack of tactile feedback, causing discomfort in experienced puppeteering professionals. As strengthens of the system, we found that the technology aroused interest because of its potential for expanding the options of tools available for popular puppetry shows creation in current times.
Highlights
We present a qualitative case study about the computational system used in “A Peleja do Boneco Real com o Boneco Virtual” (The Quarrel Between the Real Puppet and the Virtual Puppet)1, a puppetry sketch using Mixed Reality technologies, like hand pose tracking
Correspondences, and divergences between events observed in the rehearsal and presentation videos, the software design decisions, the video recorded system evaluation with comments made by our mamulengo specialists during the focus group
We will take as a starting point to present these results, the focus group interview held at the Escola Municipal de Arte João Pernambuco on July 12, 2019, in which Maria Oliveira, Fernando Alvim and Jarbas Jácome were present
Summary
We present a qualitative case study about the computational system used in “A Peleja do Boneco Real com o Boneco Virtual” (The Quarrel Between the Real Puppet and the Virtual Puppet), a puppetry sketch using Mixed Reality technologies, like hand pose tracking. Puppetry is present all over the world and took on different aspects and dramatic spirit, due to the cultural traditions in each geographical location. The Teatro de Bonecos Popular do Nordeste (Northeast Popular Puppetry) was officially recognized by IPHAN as a cultural heritage of Brazil in 20152. In the State of Pernambuco, the term “mamulengo” refers to the glove puppetry tradition; the puppet head is sculpted in wood (and other materials), and its body, made of cloth, which the puppeteer wears like a glove. Its realization does not depend on digital technological devices
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