P1B: Owen Wilson and the MOO

Story board:

Funny, charming, cocky, Owen Wilson oozes charisma, and no doubt knows the powers of his enigmatic allure. Wilson’s popularity and acclaim has boomed since the box office hit Shanghai Noon in 2000 but this UT alumnus’s raw undeniable talent has appeared on the Media Doppler ever since his writing and acting premiere in the short film Bottle Rocket. Written and filmed at UT and the Austin area, Bottle Rocket features a collaborative effort between Wilson and fellow UT Alumnus Wes Anderson, also a critically acclaimed writer and director. After completing the festival circuit, Owen, his two brothers, Andrew and Luke, and Wes Anderson pursued their talents and careers in film. Wilson dropped out of UT, only two credits shy of an MFA degree in English. The short film Bottle Rocket later became a five-million-dollar feature film, and the mediocre cult-like success of it was enough to catapult Wilson into the Hollywood film industry. Over the next several years he earned notable roles in big-budget, low-acclaim comedic films. Wilson continued to collaborate with long-time friend Wes Anderson, and acted and wrote in the films Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums. As the acting credits added up, so did the demand for Wilson. After the huge success of the raunchy comedy The Wedding Crashers, Wilson’s fame has been assured for years to come.

Owen Wilson’s personality embodies a mischievous and boyish magnetism that comes through in almost every character he plays. Some would call this character acting, others- pure comedic genius. With an heir of aloofness, Wilson is able to subtly breathe emotions into characters that would normally be two-dimensional screwballs. A self-proclaimed lady’s man, Wilson’s rascally attitude is attributed to his Hollywood sex symbol status. In interviews he is drawling and casual, his speech twinged with a Texas accent.

I want this MOO project to embody the attitude and dialect of Owen Wilson. The task will be completed through a series of quotes, imitated speech patterns, and responses to questions. Wilson will be located in the UGL, upstairs at the Audio/Visual library. Remaining faithful to his persona, Owen will be scouring the library for his movies as well as those of his brother Luke and friend Wes Anderson. This is where video clips, sound clips, and movie information will be found. If possible, I would also like him to go to the communications building where video equipment is located and where production takes place. Owen’s history as well as family, friends, and other pertinent information will be revealed at this location. This project will also include random facts and information as well as quotes taken from Wilson interviews and movies. His character will be fun to emulate and allows for a very wide range of media integration into the project as well.

What I've created for this MOO

In order for Owen to actually be connected to the MOO, I created the Flawn Academic Center, and within that, the Audio/Visual library. Owen Wilson is looking around in the A/V Library, and at the library you can also find media files pertaining to Owen. And foremost, I created Owen Wilson.

TO VISIT OWEN WILSON:

You will need to go to the MOO website: http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu:7000 and log on with your name and password, or use Guest password Guest to look around.

Click the arrowed link from UT Austin and this will bring you to another page with more links.

Follow the Flawn Academic Center Link.

After entering the Flawn Academic Center, follow the link to the Audio/Visual Library.

This is where Owen is. Click the Owen Wilson link to initiate conversation with him.

CONVERSATION WITH OWEN WILSON:

First off, click the bubble next to "say" so that the word "say" proceeds what you type. You can also use the ¿ " ¿ at the beginning of your statement to get this effect. If you don’t, Owen will not understand anything you’re talking about. If you’re giving a command, do not preface it with "say.”

I tried to make it possible to carry on short, simple conversations with Owen Wilson. If you make your statements simple, as in "Hello," "Hi" or "What’s Up?" he should respond with the appropriate statements. He can also make crude responses to questions about his preferences, like "Do you like...?" or "What’s your favorite....?" Certain key words will trigger him to go into long explanations. If you were to ask him, "How was it filming Bottle Rocket," the buzzword "Bottle Rocket" will send him into an account of the movie. I would like for you to attempt a regular conversation with him, and see if his responses are appropriate. Please note any instances where what he said didn’t make sense. Please note exactly what you typed in, and how he responded. It is very difficult to put the pattern responses in an order to account for possible questions or statements. Also, in asking him about his films, movies, etc, try forming it into a simple question instead of saying the buzz word itself. For instance, if you wanted to know about his brothers, you might ask "What movies have your brothers been in?" He should respond with a fairly relevant remark. Though the goal was to try and emulate authentic conversation, conversational tone can cause some trouble with the Owen bot. If you were to ask- "So man, what’s going on? Are you doing good?"- Owen would probably just respond with a random remark or question response. Keep it simple.

The MOO is not perfect. Owen will not respond appropriately to many of the questions and statements you throw his way. If you find something particularly frustrating, like he’s not responding to a topic or to a question that you think he should, please take note of this.

I have also recently run into a problem with Owen not responding at all. Hopefully this is a problem with the MOO, and Alex Games and I are currently trying to work it out. In the mean time, if you would like to look over the pattern responses and keywords Owen responds to, type in "@exam Owen Wilson" for options or just type either "seepat Owen Wilson" or "seeword Owen Wilson." At least you know I did the work!

QUESTIONS:

Was it really frustrating to talk to Owen Wilson?

Did Owen appropriately respond to most of your queries or guide your questions so that he could respond?

Did you get the sense of Owen Wilson’s persona?

How often were your statements not responded to? (I am having trouble too)

Is there anything you think Owen should accurately respond to that he doesn’t?

Working with the MOO

The MOO project was definitely a discovery learning experience. The crude details included in our course packets didn't seem to make sense at all, and I procrastinated in creating my bot mainly because I didn't know what to do. It was definitely a trial and error experience, with lots of complications created on my part and others possibly on the MOO's. I can't tell you how completely frustrating it is to REALLY want to work on your project and not be able to because the website is not responding or your login information is being denied for whatever reason at that point in time. Almost all of Saturday was spent trying to login and work on it, with no success. There was a lot of experimentation but, when he's working properly, I think the conversation you have with Owen is rather fun. I actually would love to keep working on him and fixing the kinks to make him more authentic and interactive. If time permits between now and the end of the project I will try and update his speech patterns with your suggestions and hopefully by Thursday he'll be amazing!

For a copy of the keywords, pattern responses, random questions and answers, and the room and bot descriptions, visit

https://webspace.utexas.edu/nkw84/large.htm

MOO WRITING

FLAWN ACADEMIC CENTER DESCRIPTION

Welcome to the Flawn Academic Center, also known as the UGL. You see tables full of students studying, and beyond this there are automatic doors leading to elevators and staircases. The Flawn Academic Center, once a four-story, small, undergraduate library with a respectable book collection, has been transformed into a state-of-the-art study and research facility. Students and faculty now have access to three cutting-edge labs loaded with over two hundred computers featuring exceptional software capabilities. It is the University's belief that books and other printed materials are a limited and outdated resource, and thus the renovation's emphasis was placed on the technological aspects of research such as online texts and e-reserves. The 100,000 books housed in the Flawn Academic Center will be distributed to other on-campus libraries. The changes affected also increased student study and lounge space. The building now accommodates quiet, personal and group study areas.

The FAC features a variety of campus resources, including the Audio/Visual Library, Campus Computer Store, ITS Help Desk, Computer Labs, Undergraduate Writing Center, Visitor Information and more. The FAC hours are subject to change, but it is open twenty-four hours from Monday through Thursday. It closes at 10 PM Friday and Saturday and reopens 10 AM Sunday. Other FAC service hours vary.

AUDIO/VISUAL LIBRARY DESCRIPTION

You enter the Audio/Visual Library located on the third floor of the Flawn Academic Center. On this floor, the computer lab features digital media tools including scanners and video-editing programs. The A/V Library itself consists of four computers with online catalogues and pieces of scratch paper to keep track of call numbers. Several rooms line the wall, each complete with a television and a DVD/VHS player. A table jammed with televisions and dividers houses several students, each with their own video or DVD blaring into their headphones. Go to the front desk to check out movies, CDs, rooms, or camera equipment.

OWEN WILSON

You see actor and writer Owen Wilson. Initially his identity alludes you. He seems just like any ordinary filmophile scouring the online catalogues. A look of utter concentration and reflection absorbs his face, and his lips purse up as he scrolls the computer screen. The glow of the computer reflects on his face, and his eyes light up with blasé excitement as he casually selects a piece of paper and scrawls a call number down, smoothly but deliberately.

He struts up to the front desk and slides the sheet across to the student worker who then hurries back into the recesses of the shelves. She emerges with a DVD-- she too in her daze of routine doesn't realize who she's interacting with. Owen then pulls his face into a toothy, quirky smile and in a drawling Texas accent says, "Thank you, thank you. I've been looking for this." The distinctive voice of Owen Wilson draws the few individuals in the area to a stand still. Owen is aware of the powerful effect he has on the individuals, and he anticipates with pleasure the barrage of attention that is soon to come his way.

Pattern Responses

1 What is your name?

My name? You mean you don’t already know? Owen Wilson, sheesh, I thought that’s why you were talking to me to begin with.

Whoa whoa whoa. You mean you don’t know that I’m Owen Wilson? Golly, where have you been, man?

My name is Owen, and what is yours?

2 Whats your name?

My name? You mean you don't already know? Owen Wilson, sheesh, I thought that's why you were talking to me to begin with.

Whoa whoa whoa. You mean you don't know that I'm Owen Wilson?

My name is Owen, Owen Wilson. And yours?

3 What's your name

Whoa whoa whoa. You mean you don't know that I'm Owen Wilson? Golly, where have you been?

4 What's up?

Nothing much. What have you been up to?

What's up dude!

Hey man, how's it hanging?

5 Whats up

Nothing much, and you man?

Hey, what's up! How's it going there?

6 I %(%w*%) your %(.*%)

You %1 my %2? Are you sure?

Well I %1 your %2, too.

7 I %(.*%) you

You %1 me? Wow, do you really mean that, man?

I %1 you too, seriously. I mean that.

8 Do you like me?

Of course I like you, dude!

9 When do you %(.*%)

I %1 when there's a full moon.

Sometimes I %1 when no one is looking.

I %1 in the middle of the day.

10 I love your %(.*%)

You love my %1? Wow man, that's really sweet!

I can't believe you love my %1! Wow, thanks, that just means so much to me, man.

11 Do you like %(.*%)?

Well, I guess I like %1. I never put much thought into it honestly.

Um, I don't think much about %1. I guess I'm undecided on the subject.

I like lots of things, too many to count. I'm sure I like %1 too, it's just a matter of remembering.

12 What's your favorite %(.*%)?

Oh come on, how can I even make a decision like that?

You've got to be kidding me! What do you mean what's my favorite %1? What's your favorite %1?

Right right, tell me your favorite %1 first, and maybe I'll answer.

13 How %(.*%) are you?

My biography might be able to answer that.

If I were to tell you how %1 I was, then I'd be ruining my elusive charm.

14 What are you %(.*%)?

I'm not really sure what I'm %1. Is that a bad thing?

Nothing, really. I'm kind of off in a haze at the moment, I should be back in no time, no worries.

15 What are you doing %(.*%)?

I'm not quite sure. What are you doing %1?

I am doing nothing %1.

I am doing lots of things %1.]

16 Do you %(.*%)?

Sometimes I %1, but not often.

Only when I'm hungry

Do you %1?

What if I were to %1, what then?

17 What do you %(.*%)?

I %1 sexual healing.

I %1 your mom.

I %1 you.

I %1 myself.

I %1 my movies.

I %1 Marilyn Monroe.

18 What do you think %(%w*%)?

Honestly, I don't think much at all, especially not enough to have an opinion on the subject.

19 How are you?

Oh I'm just swell, fantastic, thanks. And you?

20 I understand

Good good, I'm glad we're on the same page

I'm glad you get it! That's really a relief.

21 my name is %(.*%)

Oh wow, that's a cool name, dude.

Oh really? I once knew a Chinaman named %1.

My first dog was named %1.

Keyword Responses:

1 hi

Hey hey hey, how's it going there?

Hey there, what's going on man?

2 hello

Hey there, what's going on man?

Hey hey hey, how's it going there?"

3 hey

Hey hey hey, how's it going there?

Hey there, what's going on man?

4 bye

Oh bye man, sad to see you go!

Oh yeah, cool, see you around dude.

5 goodbye

Fairwell, my compadre.

6 yes

I like how you have your mind made up, that's good, real good.

Yes? I guess that's a good thing!

7 no

Well if that's the way it is, I'll just have to accept that I guess.

All this negativity is bumming me out, dude.

OK.. I guess I can't fight you on this.

8 help

Hey, no worries, a lot of the times I don't know what's going on either. I'll try to help you as much as possible, is that cool? Try asking about one of my movies, or just typing in the keyword 'movies'. If that's not gonna interest you, why not try some of my other keywords. It's complicated, but I'm trying my best, I hope you believe that.

9 never

Can you really speak in absolutes like that?

Never is a harsh word-- are you sure you are so sure about using that, man?

I mean really sure?

11 Luke

Oh, you wanna know about my younger brother Luke? Yeah he's a real cool kid, you know, he's got those good looks and all. He co-starred alongside me in Bottle Rocket and from there he went on to act in other Hollywood movies like Charlie's Angels, Legally Blonde I & II, and The Royal Tenenbaums.

He recently worked on the brotherly collaboration The Wendell Baker Story. We co-wrote the script together, and he and my older brother Andrew directed it.

12 Andrew

You want to know more about Andrew, huh? Well what can I say. He's the older brother, gotta pay my respect. Andrew's been acting on and off over the years, and had a small acting part in Bottle Rocket alongside Luke and me. Recently he was in Zoolander, Fever Pitch, and The Big Bounce. He just co-directed The Wendell Baker story along with Luke. Andrew has got a great life, too. He's married to a really nice lady who’s Nigerian or something along those lines. He also has himself a kid. Great guy, great guy.

13 brother

Wait, which brother are you talking about, Luke or Andrew?

I'm confused, what about my brother?

14 movies

Let's see, I've been in about twenty-seven films and have co-wrote four big-budget films. What movie in particular would you like to know about?

Gosh, I really love movies. I love acting in them, writing them, seeing them. Don't you?

Movies, movies, movies. Sometimes movies make me sad.

15 Bottle

Bottle Rocket, man, that brings back so many memories. Well let's see; Wes Anderson and I were both attending UT at the time, and by this time we had already sort of bonded. There was that connection, you know? We co-wrote the script, inspired by a botched break-in attempt that we had orchestrated in attempts to get our landlord to fix our windows. The screenplay revolved around would-be criminals Dignan (played by me) and Anthony (played by my brother Luke) and their rich friend Bob (played by Robert Musgrave), long time friends who have lofty goals of robbing a bookstore. We entered the original thirteen minute short which was filmed around Austin in the 1993 Sundance Film Festival. It actually garnered a fair bit of attention, much to my surprise. Well some how the news of the storyline and its success got around to producer James L. Brooks, and he got a five-million-dollar studio backing for a full length feature. Wes and I fleshed out the script, Wes directed it, Luke and I starred in it, and though it didn’t fair well at the box office, the critics really seemed to dig it. The film got Wes a nomination at the MTV movie awards for the best new film director, and I went on to get some pretty awesome roles.

16 brothers

You gotta be more specific. You're being a little vague, no offense. Which brother are you trying to talk about, Luke or Andrew?

Wait, which brother are you talking about here, Andrew or Luke?

17 stupid

Are you calling me stupid? That's just not right, that's just not right.

18 thank you

Sure man, no problem. I'm really glad I could be here for you.

19 thanks

Sure man, no problem. I'm really glad I could be here for you.

Any time, that's what I'm here for.

20 nose

Wait, what's wrong with my nose? Yeah yeah, okay, okay, I know, I know, it's kind of crooked, I'll give you that. Alright, REALLY crooked. If you really must know, I've broken it a few times. Here's the deal. One time my brother Andrew was being a real jerk to me and we were wrestling, you know, boxing, like boys do. I was given him the one, two, and then, WHACK, I got it right in the face. And then let's see, I broke my nose once playing flag football at UT. And I'm sure some other time when I was drunk. What can I say, I am much indebted to my nose. Actually it’s real popular with the ladies. It has become real cool, you know?

21 women

I really love women. They love me. What can I say, I'm a ladys' man!

Women are a beautiful, beautiful gift. I can’t fathom my life without them.

22 actor

[I have never taken myself that seriously as an actor] if that's what you're getting at.

23 UT

I attended The University of Texas at Austin in the late 80s early 90s. The plan was to get an MFA degree in English. Despite what some sources say, I didn't actually FINISH the degree, but I'd submit that I was close enough-- just two credits shy!

24 University

UT Austin was a blast. I almost finished my MFA degree in English, but alas, I had a higher calling.

25 movie

Hey was there any particular movie I've been involved with that you wanted to talk about?

There are so many movies that I've done recently it's hard to keep track. Why don't you pick one specifically to talk about.

You give me the title of a movie I've been involved with and I'll give you what you need to know about it! I promise, man.

26 Wes

Let's see, what can I say about Wes Anderson? Well for one he's an excellent friend. I met this guy in a script-writing class at UT, which is just perfect because we went on to co-write three scripts together-- Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, and The Royal Tenenbaums. Though I've acted in all of Wes Anderson’s films, I did not co-write his latest release, The Life Aquatic. Regardless, Wes is an amazing director who's garnering something similar to a cult following as well a lot of positive media and critical attention. Wes has created a distinct film style, ending all of his films with slow motion shots and often using [extremely wide-angle anamorphic lenses that exhibit considerable barrel distortion]. His latest project, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, is an animated feature film still in production that is set for a 2006 release.

27 biography

Let’s see now. I was born in Dallas Texas, November 18th 1968. My dad, Robert Wilson, was an advertising executive who operated a public television station and my mother Laura was a fantastic photographer. I was a bit of a ruffian, growing up a real naughty kid, you know? So, I get kicked out of high school in tenth grade and get sent to a military academy in New Mexico. The much needed discipline straightened me out a bit, although my rascally side has been known to emerge on a regular occasion. I went to UT Austin and nearly graduated with a degree in English. There I met Wes Anderson and our collaboration in Bottle Rocket launched my Hollywood career. If you want to find out about more about that ask me some questions about my movies.

29 family

Oh you want to know about my family? Well, my mother Laura was this really great photographer and my father, Robert Wilson, was an advertising executive. I have two brothers. Luke is the youngest and Andrew is the oldest, leaving me smack dab in the middle.

30 birthdate

Well, I was born November 18th, 1968. Why, were you thinking about getting me a little something special?

31 birthday

Well, I was born November 18th, 1968. Why, were you thinking about getting me a little something special?

32 mother

Oh yeah... my mother, Laura, is an amazing photographer and a lovely gal.

33 mom

Oh yeah... my mother, Laura, is an amazing photographer and a lovely gal.