Demoscene - Hacker magazine tells what demoscene is and why it is needed.

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 (c) Paper magazine "Hacker" #2 2000  
          Interview with Peter Sobolev         
       (CodeRipper/Real Of Illusion)      
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                Reprinted with abridgement
                                          
                                          
Note: CodeRipper - Organizer
Enlight demo party '9S-97 (first
Russian demo-party).  Most famous
St. Petersburg in-scene man.                   
                                          
                                          
X> Well, first of all, tell me which hanger you use
Has the demo scene started for you?             
                                          
P>  It started very naturally.  And, I would
said, smoothly. In 9-10 grades computer science
We had Commodore 64 on our machines. So
it turned out that it was on these computers in
for the first time a real one appeared in the world
demo scene.  At that time I myself was not
too computer literate, so
I was more involved in studying than
creating something of your own.  Sat in the Exhibition Center with
morning until evening, dismantled into pieces
toys, demos, different loaders.
There was no documentation before everything
we had to get there ourselves. Maybe this
it was for the better.  Spirit of 64s, some
pieces of those people who created for him
software will remain with me forever.          
                                          
X>  By the way, I have long wanted to know how many
approximately takes time to create
one demo?                               
                                          
P>  I can talk about this more like
expert than as a creator of dem (Real of
illusion has never released one
full megademo).   In my deepest opinion
I am convinced that any announcements about planned
demo party should be done no later than
5 months before the start of the event. And
precisely because people need to be given time
for reflection and work on the demo. I don't
I heard someone write similar things
in one sitting -it usually lasts
months, and in most cases not
is brought to an end. That's life.         
                                          
X> And so people, I apologize for the expression, do not
I feel like spending megawatts of effort just to
so that some 17 year old
The boy, having looked at the demo, said: “That’s it,
Mom, I don't want to be Kevin Mitnick, but
I want Royal Ghost or MadMax.
Why do you need all this, what is the stage for you?
                                          
P>  The answer to this question is ambiguous.
Earlier, in the late 80s, reasons and explanations
there were fewer, now there are more.  If
list (in no particular order):     
                                          
l) "for fun" - that is, for entertainment,
just for fun.                            
                                          
2) To show that you are better than others.    
                                          
3) To find a job in any
companies.                                 
                                          
    Of these reasons, the true one (the one on
which he held on to and still holds on to
demomaking) is just the first one - "for
fun". As for the last one,then she is very
has spread a lot lately.
Unfortunately. This is speaking in
in general. If specifically, about myself, then for me
in this matter, the main thing, of course, is
first reason.   When I was studying
organization of the demo party, I was pleased
see how people get to know each other, with
how interested they are in discussing something new
ideas, solutions. In the end their respect
means a lot to me too. And I’ll also note -
it’s impossible to say what exactly the “scene” is for
me something.    I'd rather try
contribute to its development.  Standing as if
nearby.                                    
                                          
X>  Well, about respect, I’m not at all
I doubt it ;).  I remember very well the hum in
hall at Enlight, after
they said your nickname.  By the way, if we
touched on this topic, maybe you can tell our
readers about demo-patisses?                 
                                          
P>  Demo party appeared after some time
time after the emergence of the concept itself
"demo" (historically the first demo, or rather
intro, appeared as mini-intros for
hacked toys).  The idea was simple -
firstly, this is a way to measure strength,
after all, essentially a demo-party is a competitiondemomakers and their fellow intellectuals -
musicians and artists. Secondly (and this
very important), people at the demo party
meet and get to know each other in person. Discussing
common problems.  The network gives a lot, but not
everything.  From a certain point onwards
demo party another one appeared
purpose is a way to advertise
your work (and yourself, in a sense).
Previously, there were few demos, people waited for
looking forward to any release.  Over time
works began to appear so often that
no one has time to view them.  And
then gradually everyone realized that if
the work is not a masterpiece, which means no one
will see if it is not shown on demo
party and will not take up any space.
The demo party is organized by ordinary living people.
Those who are interested and who understand
question - as a rule, this is some kind of
demo group.  It takes desire, patience,
ability to implement plans
paying minimal attention to grades
those around you.    The question of money and
sponsorship is a very complex issue. Better
in total it is solved in the Scandinavian countries
(where, by the way, demomaking is most
popular).  But there are problems there too. B
Russia (or rather the Union) is dealing with
sponsorship is very bad. I think
The reasons for this are clear - there is no extra money.
Projects are supportedallowing
evade taxes, requests for help "for
acquaintance."   The important issue here is
mistrust of those who have money
resources to the organizers of the demo party.
Afraid to negotiate on dubious matters
financial transactions.  In general, the means
necessary for normal demo
party in Russia are measured in thousands of dollars.    
                                          
X>  By the way, about the Scandinavian countries. I
I know you recently went to Assembly'99. How
impressions than they are, except for sponsors,
cooler than domestic demos? ;)          
                                          
P>  Nothing.  Seriously.  I wrote in detail about
this in Infused Bytes magazine
(http://www.enlight.ru/ib).  If we talk
briefly - their organization itself
almost perfect.  And this is understandable -
Assembly has been held for about 6 years, except
Besides, there is a prosperous situation in Finland
in terms of finances and relative
availability of good equipment.  However
organization is not everything. Besides the organization
there is something for which a demo party is organized
these are works submitted to competitions,
communication between people who came to the party. On my
look, the level of work specifically at
Assembly'99 indemo and intro categories
extremely low. The feeling that people are not
able to come up with nothing new,
only improve and optimize the old ones
effects.   The funny thing is that in
In reality, this is not so - they can make it up.
After all, video clips and films are coming out where
Some good ideas are emerging, anyway
there is a plot.  There may be no incentive to
transferring all this to demos...
It’s difficult to name the exact reason, but
I am stating a fact. In the Union (ex-USSR) with this
it was better. Why was it - because because of
lack demo party demo scene
develops very slowly. Few teams
who actually do something. Appeared
people calling to “catch up with the bullies.” This
like in a humorous story about a driver
truck that tried to give way
old lady, and she always tried to hit
under his car :). Everything is like in normal life
some people want a plot and ideas, while others
so that the donut rotates faster. I was on
Chaos Constructions'99 demo party (passed
in August 1999 in St. Petersburg
http://www.chaosite.com/constructions) -
I liked a couple of works presented
in the ZX Spectrum demo and intro categories.
There is certainly potential.               
                                          
X>  Bagels - yes.  It used to be like
you'll twist your forehead... well, okay, what is it
I... How do you evaluate modern
state of affairs on stage? Most of my
computer-oriented acquaintances,
for example, I have never even heard of any
there are Enlights and Chaos Constructions...    
                                          
P>  That's right, the demo party itself is a thing
not for everyone.  The West talks about them too
no one heard except the organizers themselves
and fans.  The demos themselves are another matter. Their
they write for everyone.  Well, it's theirs
many see, for example, on computer
exhibitions (and it doesn’t matter that they don’t know
titles).  In other words - knowledge or
ignorance about ongoing demo parties - no
indicator of the state of the demo scene in the country. 
                                          
X>  What foreign demos of 99 are you
particularly memorable?                     
                                          
P>  I’m not very familiar with foreign ones (not
I do targeted viewing
coming out demos).  Nomad had something
pleasant.  Of ours I’ll also mention (on ZX
Spectrum) intro C2HSOH by Serzh Soft (c
CC'99). A very good thing.X>  Well then, back to ours... mmm...
demo people ;) Who even came up with this idea?
the idea of holding the first Enlight? and how is it,
actually it was? Still, the first damn...
By the way, Enlight is the first Russian
demo party?                               
                                          
P>  The idea is to carry out Enlight
(http://www.enlight.ru/) came to me, although
I don’t see any merit in this - for
hillock demo-parties have been held before.
As for Russia (and the Union in general), then yes -
This was the first demo party here. First
damn... I would describe Enlight'95
as "ok for the first time." I think
that I won't be much mistaken if I say that it is
there was a general consensus. There were some disadvantages - very
it's sad that the room we
planned to use it, had to
replace it with another, more modest one.  B
in general, most of the problems were
"irresistible character", however, it was enough
our own stupidity...            
                                          
X>  Continuing the theme "CodeRipper's top 100",
what Russian demo parties do you think?
mostsuccessful (both in terms of organization and
relative to the level of work of the participants)?    
                                          
P>  Regarding the level of work - Enlight'96
(it's easy to boast when other demo party
in Russia it simply wasn’t :)). What
When it comes to organization, it’s very complicated
question.  Definitely not Enlight, but call it
I'm at a loss. Chaos Constructions'99 to me
I liked it in spirit.                      
                                          
X> What is the average age of demo workers?        
                                          
П>  Let's say, at Enlight'97 the average age
all visitors were 19.8 years old. Overall
The age of PC sceners is higher - 19-24. Age
ZX Spectrum sceners below - probably
17-19.  This happened a couple of years ago. Age
those who write demos are older than those
who watches them. Maybe for 3-5 years. What
concerns the Commodere Amiga, then this part
Our scenes are very poorly represented. For
with the exception of the very first digit, that's all
rough estimates, seriously
no need to perceive. Everything I said
concerns Russia and the Union, in the West it may
be a different ratio, and in general the peopleyounger, judging by Asm'99.  For example,
a situation where parents drag
kid computers at the party, was there
very characteristic.   With us I can
submit with trdom.                      
                                          
X> By the way, what happened to Enlight'97? And
will there be Enlight'2000?                    
                                          
P>  Good question... I get asked 1-3
once a month :). First day of Enlight'97
(on which the ZX Spectrum and
Amiga competitions) passed completely, the Second
was canceled by us. The reason is impossibility
control the situation (underestimating the number
visitors approximately 2 times, absence
professional security, a number of very
unpleasant incidents).  Overall - low
level of organization due to complete
lack of any funding (for
excluding equipment). After that we
a decision was made (on my initiative,
as a leader) no longer carry out
Enlight until it appears
a really serious sponsor.   to me
several proposals were received, but
unfortunately, people had no idea what
get involved, and after explanations
refused (and rightly so).  One time
passedrefuse due to being too strong
differences in views on the meaning and methods
holding a demo party. About the year 2000
the question remains open at the moment.
I fully admit that at the exhibition
Invecom'99 this question is to some extent
will clear up.                               
                                          
X>  Got it.  Well now you can say
my last word to our readers. ;)  
                                          
P>  Don't listen to what they tell you
"authorities".  Don't listen to me either.
Read it, but do it your way - how
you like it better.  Let you l0 times
you'll be wrong, but it will bring to the demo scene
much more novelty than tenfold
repeating what others have already done...