Jennifer Web and Jewel Jemison are 3D, digitally animated puppets that were created as Keynote Speakers for UMBC’s 2007 Center for Women and Information Technology (CWIT) Computer Mania Day.
“Jennifer and Jewel represent cutting edge technology that can figuratively and literally talk to girls to get the message across that technology is fun,”
Jennifer and Jewel built on previous research the IRC conducted with Kevin “Kal” Kallaugher in creating digital puppets. For these puppets, a distinctive Anime style was required. A real-time “toon” shader was created and programmed by undergraduate Computer Science student, Shane Lynch. Professor Colette Searls from the UMBC Theater Department coached three puppeteers to bring Jennifer to life.
Production Notes
| Project Director: | Dan Bailey |
| Client: | Center for Women and Information Technology |
| 3D Modeling and Characterization: | Eric Smallwood |
| Real-time Programming: | Shane Lynch |
| Puppeteer Coach: | Colette Searls |
| Puppeteers: | Samantha Duval, Renata Melillo, Pamela Ezzat, Tonya Cook, Siarra Mong, and Kindra Williams |
| UMBC Interns: | Kwabena Appiah, Julian Giles, Jamie Nolah |