Austin Gorlitz
Pronouns:
Research Mentor(s): Matthew Solomon
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Film, Television, and Media / LSA
Program:
Authors: Austin Gorlitz, Matthew Solomon
Session: Session 4: 1:40 pm – 2:30 pm
Poster:
Abstract
During the 1920s, representation of African Americans in film was minimal, although occasional exceptions can be found. One such exception is The Big City (1928), which featured a large cast of African American performers in a fictional Harlem cabaret called the Black Bottom. Unfortunately, however, the last known print of this film, along with several other major silent films, was lost in a 1965 vault fire at the MGM studio. This project works to recreate the scenes set in the Black Bottom through Virtual Reality. By using production stills taken during the making of the film to model the setting with the VR software Unreal Engine, the base models came quickly together through the architecture mode. The walls, floor, and ceiling were all set with dimensions similar to the nightclub. The interior was created using the texture softwares within Unreal Engine, using several variances of wood, brick, concrete, and steel. Several platforms made of wood were also built to hold the pianist’s position and the members of the instrumental ensemble. The result, though currently without the furniture typically seen in a 1920s nightclub, establishes a virtual replica of what was once seen in The Big City. The hope is that, as the creation of this 3D model continues to develop, avatars of each of the individual actors in this scene can be introduced, and that music appropriate for this scene can be added to create the perfect ambience.
