Computer Science Seminar - University of Houston
Skip to main content

Computer Science Seminar

Research Experiences for Undergraduates Seminar

A Theoretical Framework to Represent Narrative Structures for Visual Storytelling

When: Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Where: HBS 315
Time: 11:00 AM

Speaker: Ergun Akleman, Texas A&M

Host: Prof. Ioannis Pavlidis

A Joint work with Stefano Franchi, Devkan Kaleci, Laura Mandell, Takashi Yamauchi, and Derya Akleman. In this work, we present a theoretical framework to represent and manipulate narrative structures for visual storytelling. This framework can be used in applications beyond visual storytelling, which includes formal representation of stories, emotional, social and even economical interactions among agents. Our framework significantly extends and formalizes classical narratology theories.

In our framework, we represent narratological functions as interventions by employing an extension of causal inference theory, as directed graphs that provide cause and effect relationships among agents. Moreover, we categorize them as real, expressed and observed interventions. This differentiation allows us to represent beliefs, lies and misunderstandings.

In our framework, any transformation in causality graph structure is called an event by providing a non-linear temporal dimension that can even allow time-travel.  This approach provides a general framework to develop tools for modeling narration and can help to investigate social and economic interactions.

Bio:

Dr. Ergun Akleman is a Professor in the Department of Visualization who is Joint Appointed with Computer Science Department. Akleman received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1992.  He is also a professional cartoonist, illustrator and caricaturist who have published more than 500 cartoons, illustrations and caricatures. His research work is interdisciplinary, usually motivated by aesthetic concerns.

He has published more than 125 technical papers in the areas of shape modeling, image synthesis, artistic depiction, image based lighting, texture and tiles, computer aided caricature, and electrical engineering and computer aided architecture. His most significant and influential contributions as a researcher have been in shape modeling and computer aided sculpting.

His work on a topological mesh modeling has resulted in a powerful manifold mesh modeling system, called TopMod. The initial version of the software, TopMod has been available as free software since 2007. Since then, many talented artists downloaded software and created very interesting sculptures using TopMod. Dr. Akleman, also contributed to University of Houston's popular IPhone apps, Walk¹N Play & Move'N Play, as an artist.