ARTD6000 - Research

Research Paper Proposal & Discussion

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Research Proposal Form
(First Draft)

Research Proposal
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Key Texts

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​The Virtual Vloggers Taking Over YouTube

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​​BBC Worklife article published on the 3rd of October 2018 by Bryan Lufkin.

​​This article covers the history of virtual vloggers & 3D animated avatars as content creators. It also discusses the practical side of producing these forms of content creation & the cultural context of some of their designs. The unique appeal of virtual vloggers, for content consumers & content creators is explored, as well as the advantages of having a digital image/ body for the purposes of multi-platform content production.

REALITY: Broadcast Your Virtual Beings From Everywhere

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Conference Paper published in July of 2019 by Akihiko Shirai.

This paper addresses the technical aspects of VTubing within the context of a live performance, software involved, the degrees of motion-capture possible (full-body, just facial translation, or a mixture of both), human-to-avatar expression translation & solving issues of conveyance (software detecting & translating live-human expressions onto a less subtle avatar's face to make them readable), the translation of VTuber models into other digital spaces such as video-games.

An Introduction To Cybercultures​

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Cultural studies book published in 2001 by David Bell.​

This book contains a thorough examination of Cybercultures, with still-relevant ideas & concepts 20 years after its publication. There are many definitions & terms included in this book which will be useful for discussing VTubers (or any digitally-derived subculture). The many chapters of this book will provide ample opportunities for citations.

Essay Structure

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As follows is a list of possible subjects/ content that I may cover in my essay, this list is yet to be refined into a properly considered order:

• Abstract - critical theories & discussion topics
• Introduction to the world of VTubing - what is VTubing (Cite Shirai 2019) (specific terminology/ common language), general history, the cybercultural context. (Cite Lufkin 2018)
• Case studies
  • Independent VTubers
    • Projekt Melody - Virtual Camgirl to virtual Twitch streamer. (Adult-focused virtual streaming transitioning into general virtual streaming).
      Virtual performance evolution & possibilities within the adult entertainment industry.
    • Nyanners - Internet celebrity to virtual streamer. (Known internet personality adopting a virtual streaming format).
      Transition of a known personality into a virtual performer.
    • Ami Yamato - Virtual IRL Vlogger (Example of a very early virtual performer).
      The beginnings of virtual performance.
    • Kizuna AI - Virtual Youtuber™ (Early VTuber, coined the term "Virtual Youtuber" as a self-descriptor).
      The evolution of Virtual Youtubers as an archetype within cyberculture.
    • CodeMiko - Virtual streamer (Very open about the technological side of interactive/ live virtual avatars, showing the IRL setup & performer behind the VTuber performance).
      Behind the scenes of virtual performance.
  • VTuber Groups
    • Hololive/ Cover Corp - Japanese corporation that scouts VTuber talent & builds their Virtual Performance & brand (Very influential in the world of VTubing in terms of performance formatting, & cultural impact).
    • VShojo - American VTuber agency that focuses on VTuber talent on Twitch. (Western, more liberal VTuber agency but retains much of the Japanese influence which seems to be omnipresent within VTubing).
• Discussion on Cultural Imperialism - Heavy Japanese pop-culture influence (possible semiotics discussion).
• Gender Bias - There are vastly more female VTubers than male (possible reasons for this, advantages of a Virtual Performance vs. performance without an avatar).
• Sociology - The power of anonymity (negative aspects & positive aspects).
• Conclusion(s)
• Glossary
• Bibliography
• Image List

The World Of VTubers

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An important point to consider within my subject is that few people outside of certain internet subcultures will be aware of VTubers, so I will have to introduce & explain the concept of VTubers in a clear manner.

Some Examples Of Independent VTubers, & VTuber Groups.

Flow chart showing some wide-ranging examples of independent performers & performer groups within the world of VTubing & some brief context.