3Bit #01 03 января 2005

Интервью

Miscellaneous - an interview with the author of acclaimed demos under the VIC-20 - Viznut / PWP.

     Interview with Viznut'om

(C) of this Site Construction Chaos: http://cc.enlight.ru

Random: For starters, tell me a little
about himself and his group.

Viznut: My name is Viznut / PWP, I demostsener from Finland:) 
My band, PWP, was formed in 1994 as a "joke band" on the BBS. I 
am the founder and consider myself primarily an encoder, but 
usually do and all others, including graphics and music 
(because the other team members are lazy and incompetent 
bastards:)) To date, we mainly focused on the 8-bit demo

(The main platform VIC-20), but also in
1996-1999, released a few intro
(4k and 64k) for the PC.

Random: Yes, your demo on the VIC-20 is really good, especially 
a series of Robotic. What there was the basic idea? I very much 
like a demo with the plot, especially stories about robots! :)


Viznut: The idea was for Robotic Warriors
what I wanted to do something unusual,
what no one else did (it's - one of the
most of my big motivation to do anything:)) and I thought that 
the synthesis vote on the VIC-20 would be crazy and

"Impossible" idea to implementation. Kakimto way I could do it 
(with a bunch of frauds, etc.) and, of course, I needed to make 
a demo to show off made:) First, the plot is not very important 
- I just did what the public will enjoy

(And I personally have always liked the dark and
tsapokalipticheskie things). The idea of ​​robots
exciting world of a cliche, I know, but
everyone is so pleased that I decided to make the demo more, 
with the same topic (for the Assembly, because I just had to 
show the world what a VIC-20:)) I definitely think that should 
be more things with the storyline in the demo. Technical demos 
are good, but purely technical demo that just "look and sound 
good, without any message or positions tend to become somewhat 
boring. 

Random: How did you hear about CC4? What spodvigli
you come to St. Petersburg?

Viznut: The first time I heard about CC4 in Germany when a bus 
carrying more than 60 Finnish sceners was leaving the venue 
Breakpoint'04 and heading to the airport. Nosfe talked about 
his plans to visit every European summer party and he mentioned 
CC4. I was immediately a interested, because I knew that CC4

held in St. Petersburg, which is much closer than
Kazan (I and several other Finns had planned to come to CAFe'03 
last year, but we started too of preparation for our

late and none of us could not do it). Lobotomy was sitting next 
to me and also said it was a great idea - to visit

Russian demopati. Nosfe also planned
come, but could not after such an intense "party" of the summer.

Random: In other words, you convince people
come with you on CC4? Thank you. It is a pity that
Nosfe could not, but maybe in the next
time will come ..

Viznut: Lobotomy, too, planned to visit
Russian party, even before we heard
of CC4, so that in fact I did
not convinced:) Anyway, we talked a lot about the trip, a few 
other scenery too interested, but probably discourage them 
repulsed inability overnight on partyplace.


Random: How do you get to Russia? Difficult
Whether it be? As you have resolved the issue with the visa
and where to stay in St. Petersburg?

Viznut: Actually, come to St. Petersburg -
simple enough. True, it requires much more "official fuss" than 
the trip to Europe. I got a visa through travel agency in my 
city and bought the tickets the train at the local station. 
Probably the biggest problem was my room, because I could not 
book hotel in advance. Fortunately, one of the organizers (L0d) 
found me a place at the Hotel "Kyiv". Very very big thank you 
to him for solution to this issue. A trip to the CC4 was

also my first trip to Russia and
with this I have related is very positive feelings. Most people 
I met, were very deserving, hospitality and

friendliness of some people - in spades. Also, I must confess 
that I had preconceived notions about thieves and the similar 
to Peter, but nobody even tried to steal anything from me, so 
that the warning that I heard, probably, have been somewhat 
exaggerated:) 

Random: So, next time you
Bring to a more iron? ;)

Viznut: I'm not worried about the hardware - I trust sceners, 
no matter what country. If someone stole the iron, I would have 
taken it as appreciation for my VIC-20 and drive:) I mostly 
worried about that someone will steal my bag / wallet / 
passport in the subway, and thereby make impossible for me to 
return home. I was only a 4-day visa, so that

could have serious consequences.

Random: What is your opinion about the work submitted for CC4? 
What were your expectations? They are justified? Do you have 
the most favorite work with CC4 and why?


Viznut: Most of all I was expecting Saturday's
8-bit competitions and was not disappointed. In
features in the demo compo had many wonderful works: I remember 
I liked both demos from 4th Dimension, as well as "R" from

CyberPunks Unity was excellent (although not
very interesting technically). I
like "aggressive" style in Russian
Spectrum demo, especially the United
with good effects, music and graphics.

  PC / Amiga contests on Sunday seemed to me a few bednovatymi 
compared with 8-bit, but I liked the atmosphere of the demo 
Crolyx. 

Random: Yes, in 8-bit demo and intro competitions were 
definitely a lot of quality work. Do you think it was a good 
idea to separate contests, 8-bit and PC / Amiga, as they were 
divided into CC4? 

Viznut: I think the biggest problem with
"Completely united competition" is that the demo made for 8-bit
cars always get to higher ground,
than the PC demo, so it's not very honest
for pisishnyh scenery:) And I'm not kidding - as
once this happens quite often in small Finnish party, where 
routine is the union of all platforms in the demo

and intro competitions. So I think that
This is good - split 8-bit and 32-bit competitions, while there 
are a sufficient number (and quality) of work in both 
categories. 

Random: I can imagine how the European party you attended. Than 
they were similar than differ compared with CC4?

What do you think of the Russian stage? What do you
most memorable for CC4? Is there
advice for the organizers of the future?

Viznut: Probably the biggest difference was
that the party hall was opened only when
held contests and other presentations, and
the fact that the contests were held one after the
other pretty quickly. This gives the party
a sense of focus on competitions.
On a normal European party primary
goal is to sceners place to dwell on the whole weekend
(All day) and quite often the first
day of the contest was not held. I was
for nearly forty demopati and this was the first
party, where I needed a hotel. At first I thought it was 
commonplace for Russian demopati, but then I heard that

Even in Russia patipleys normally open
all day (obviously someone wishful thinking:) Many of the 
Russian scenery, with whom I spoke, too believed that "24 
hours" is quite important for a good party. Nevertheless, I 
believe that Russian scene consists of almost

same crazy people like the Finnish (or
European) scene. I've spent enough
time with the guys from the CPU and Skrju (as well as
Spectrum sceners other and they
explicitly shared with us a similar attitude to
pati, demos, and so on. Before the party, I said
"CPU like MFX on the Spectrum" (based on
style of their demo) and after meeting with these guys, I see 
that my statement is even closer to the truth than I expected:) 
I'm fine spent time at the party and I was not even too tense, 
the organizers seriously spoiled some competitive moments,

especially on a Saturday (I was on a lot of party and I know 
that it is not uncommon). Despite this, I think it was pretty

inconvenient that the contests began with the
short-warning ("hey, let's show these right now!"), which 
sometimes are not allowed to leave the room and something to 
eat and so on. However, on Sunday was much better (a decent 
pause, declared before each contest). 

Random: Yes, we discussed this issue with the organizers and we 
look forward to next year problems with unexpected 
announcements of competitions will not be repeated. Do you 
think it be better to have extra CC party-place at night? 
(Unfortunately, the place that we now use very

expensive to rent 24 hours a day). You
think people will pay more only
would be able to stay up at night?

Viznut: Well, I can not talk about the financial situation of 
Russian scenery, but in Finland the usual ticket price for a 
small three-day demopati (from Friday evening to

Sunday) for about 10-20 euros and scenery of this is usually 
not annoying. In the end, if they go on the other end of the 
country and drink the whole weekend, the ticket price rather 
modest compared to these costs.:) The cheapest party, it is 
usually those who are trying to gather far from the scene

people (usually local-Gamer lamer). In
the late 90's was almost the rule making
"Common LAN / demopati" only to
to collect a sufficient number of visitors and to pay the rent. 
Nevertheless, this party is usually not considered good because 
of its lamerskoy atmosphere created by these blunt Gameren:)


Random: Are you planning a trip to the CC5 and
if so, whether you plan to take
participate in competitions? What?

Viznut: I seriously planned later this
year to put something on the contests, but was
too busy at work to anything
to make (I could not do anything for
Assembly, which is very sorry). My plan was to infiltrate the 
scene while Spetrumovskuyu would with a 512 byte intro 
(although I still then there is no real Spectrum).


Random: I hope you can achieve this
for next year. I'm looking forward to it eagerly.

Viznut: I would definitely come in the next
year, some Russian party (if
I will not stop anything serious), but
I'm not sure whether it will be CC or some
the other party. And I hope that nothing
does not stop me from writing a demo or
intro for this party.

Random: I, too, I hope. We shall be very glad to see you, your 
friends and your work on the improved CC5;) Did you have time

look at the exhibition of old computers?
Have you seen there anything interesting?
What do you remember most about the exhibition?

Viznut: I believe that this exhibition -
good idea. Although the problem for me (as a
man from the west) was the fact that most "exotic" cars were 
produced big Western firms (Atari, Commodore etc.), so I was 
already familiar with them. On the other hand, very few western 
sceners seen strange Soviet machines (clones Spectrum and PC, 
the options RK86, BC, UKNC and others) who are likely all 
familiar with Russian. 

Random: Is there a similar exhibition at the
European party? Will bring you the VIC-20
for CC5? ;)

Viznut: I do not think I've seen a real
"Exhibition of old computers" in the western
party. However, some party (eg,
Alternative Party) encourage people to bring different 
interesting cars and showing them in competitions. They even 
give a prize "The most bizarre computer" - in 2003,

For example, the prize went to Pravets 8D -
Bulgarian clone Oirc (an analogue of Apple
II and Agate). Unfortunately, in recent years
focus on the countries / old typewriters all
weaker.

  I do not know whether bring your VIC-20 next year, but at 
least it will not be the same VIC-20:) I gave the machine ELFu 
from the CPU, a big fan of my demos. Originally I intended to 
bring back Spectrum clone, but unfortunately I started to worry 
about this too late. 

Random: Do you have something to say to our Russian readers? 
What would you recommend to the Western sceners who thinks 
visit CC5, but it fluctuates? 

Viznut: I really think that should be
to be more communication between former sceners
USSR and the west, that should frequently go on
party to each other. I am very happy that the big western party 
(such as Assembly and Breakpoint) in recent years seen more and 
more Russian and that some of them (AND:)) releases there is 
very cool stuff. 

  Nevertheless, I'm still waiting for the day
when someone with a Russian Spectrum scene to take part in the 
competition for the old Machines on a positive western party. 
Russian scene is still very little known in the west and I 
believe the main reason for this - your work is very rarely 
seen. It is also may be one reason why the Western sceners not 
very interested in Russian party.


Random: With these resources, as Pouet, Orange Juice and, 
naturally, scene.org actually no real reason why the Western 
scene could not see the work Russian scene. I believe that the 
situation is improving and interest in the party and work from 
the former Soviet Union increased. 

Viznut: I was very happy to watch for a few days of advertising 
Spectrum demo, winner of CC4 at the main portal page Pouet:) I 
hope this could make more people aware of the existence of 
Spectrum scene and very good demo of the former Soviet Union. I 
think the big problem is that most people regardless of the 
availability of emulators and others look only "potentially 
interesting" work. So, to improve interest must often show rare

demo.

Random: Thank you for your detailed responses.
We will do its best to
provide for the European scenery festival mode non-stop.

Viznut: Despite all the shortcomings, I believe that CC4 was a 
very good experience and I also recommend that the Western 
sceners as a visiting Russian party. Nevertheless, I fear that 
a focus on contests might alienate some of them.


  Some interested in visiting
CC Finns did not want to come because
overnight at the hotel would be too on-lamerski. So, if the 
party will be more "European", at least in regard to the 
possibility overnight, I would really like to

all got there:)