Immersive Experience Network Podcast

Eric Spring in 't Veld, the CEO and creative director of Mama Bazooka, is interviewed by Sarah Dodd (Co-Founder, Escape Room Industry Conference), one of the world's most renowned escape enthusiasts. In this interview, Eric will share his insights on escape room design, the journey of creating The Dome, and much more.Founded in 2013 by Eric Spring in 't Veld (CEO and Creative Director), Mama Bazooka pioneered real-life escape experiences in the Netherlands. Their 2018 creation, THE DOME, has garnered international acclaim, achieving a top ranking on Terpeca's prestigious list. This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gijs Geers, founder of DarkPark, is a pioneering force in the escape room industry. In an inspiring presentation, he unveils the secret ingredient behind DarkPark's unforgettable experiences, revealing for the first time how an invisible layer leaves a lasting impact on players.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Take a deep dive with Jeroen van Hasselt (Co-Founder, Entered), into the trials and triumphs of producing a unique, 200-minute-long game experience such as Demise of the Gricers, that pushes the boundaries of conventional escape game design. Explore the intricacies of world-building, next-level player equipment, narrative & system design, player engagement and training your actors to deliver upon a seamless, organic real-life immersive experience.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Lukas Rancher (Crime Runners), Dan Wiseman (The Detective Society), Bob & Nikki Kimber (Hysteria Escape Rooms), and Andrew Preble (Escape My Room) as they explore the advantages of episodic storytelling and how each approaches it differently. The panel will discuss why they choose this format, how it fosters player engagement, and the unique challenges it presents from both creative and business perspectives. Gain valuable insights and advice for crafting your own episodic stories in immersive experiences.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Creative Director Ivan Carić and performer Emily Carding as they share the challenges and lessons from running a 24-hour interactive experience set in the eerie world of horror and weird fiction. Discover how they blended immersive theatre, deconstructed storytelling, puzzles, and hospitality within the atmospheric setting of a 17th-century historic house to create a truly unforgettable experience.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adrian Hon (Game Designer and Author) is a prolific maker, writer and fan within the Immersive Entertainment space who has spent the past two years attending, assessing and discussing dozens of experiences around the world. He will be sharing key trends that are resonating well with audiences within the sector, common pitfalls and traps that he has identified across immersive strands and areas of learning and opportunities that could be adopted to offer more relevant, resonant and sustainable experiences for a spectrum of emerging to seasoned immersive experience goers. The talk also draws upon his recent interviews with founders and leaders of the biggest immersive experience organisations in the world.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jenny McNeil takes a deep dive into how to use food as a tool for conveying narrative and engaging the imagination. From understanding the key emotions that food and communal eating extract, to discussing how truly immersive food content can sit within larger scale experiences. Finally, we'll cover how food can be monetised within a customer or branded experience.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sami Hamid from Glitch Studios pulls back the curtain and reveals how wearable XR headsets can be implemented into live staged theatre performances, bringing virtual characters and set pieces to life alongside real actors. This talk touches upon the technical implementation of AR, how it works with your AV setup, how real actors can act alongside virtual actors, and how to achieve all this without blowing up your budget.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Barnes (Director, Entourage), Mairi Nolan (Puzzle Game Designer), Tom Lionetti-Maguire (Founder of Little Lion Entertainment), Farouk Dean (Co-Founder of NEXUS and Cellar Door) and Mark Sarfo Kantanka (Co-Founder of NEXUS and Cellar Door) in an open Q&A session, for our panelists and the audience to wrestle with the problems associated with developing your creative idea into a sustainable business. In this open discussion we're led by the audience and attempt to answer questions, offer advice and guidance and share our experiences developing live immersive work.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Michael Badelt from INTYA Creative as he explores turning mistakes into a success: How a small immersive scare attraction went from "Okay“ to "Oh Wow!!“Hear about the sometimes surprising learnings made through the iterations and how those were incorporated back into the show to create an experience that was not just entertaining but had a hidden meaning that was engaging audiences even after the show was over. We will also look at some of the basics behind the emotional concept of fear, its applications and why creating a rather sneaky rollercoaster across the full emotional spectrum might actually be scarier than just going "Boo!"This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon Brind discusses concepts of Agency and Alibi in the creation of Larp and their connections to creating meaningful experiences for participants. In this talk he explores 'Agency' - the ability of an active participant in a story to make decisions that change the story in meaningful ways (and what that means for dramaturgy), 'Alibi' '- the idea that the participant experience can be designed in such a way that they can act or behave in ways that they would not normally act and 'Bleed' - the transfer of experience from participant to character or from character to participant.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this talk, Megan Clifton (Head of Narrative, Boomtown Fair) will discuss her learnings in her three years holding the storyline, the challenges of managing a truly collaborative fictional world, and how the ground-up model of interactive storytelling continues to find its feet.Boomtown is the largest interactive theatre in the world, aiming to create an accessible, playable space where the audience can imagine new versions of themselves, new futures for themselves, try new realities on for size and become what they've always dreamed of becoming. Starting in 2009, Boomtown has kept a narrative throughline throughout, becoming deeper, more intricate and more multifaceted year-on-year. This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Ollie Jones (Co-Founder of SWAMP) and James Seager (Creative Director of Les Enfants Terribles) to learn more about their journey from entertainment providers to established brand collaborators as they share how they made a meaningful transition, what they wish they had known in the early days and the benefits, opportunities and challenges of the brand engagement and immersive entertainment worlds coming together.Both Les Enfants Terribles & SWAMP have a long legacy of delivering award-winning, innovative Immersive Entertainment experiences, leading to their signature styles and expertise being sought out by brands for experiential campaigns. This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this session, Jessie Fu (Senior Manager of Strategy and Partnerships) highlights what Fever have learned about how new technologies are empowering immersive experience creators. Jessi shares topline data on key components and considerations that have driven a show's successes from conception to execution, and discusses how integrating commercial and technical strategies can reduce risk. Jessie also unpacks how the strategic use of data and demand generation can better meet audience expectations and improve commercial performance. Additionally, she provides insights into how some of their experiences have scaled globally. This session was designed to equip creative leaders with the tools to blend artistic vision with business acumen, using technology as the connecting force.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Les Seddon-Brown (CEO and producer of Rematch) takes us through the makings of this unique show and how they were able to engage a higher-than-average attendance by first time Immersive goers of all ages and members of the global majority and dive into how the show resonated with a broad and diverse cast, crew, audiences and communities alike.Rematch remagine the greatest stories in sport as live immersive events. Part immersive theatre, part festival, Rematch allows audiences to time-travel back to experience these stories as if they were there. Over 78 shows, Rumble in the Jungle Rematch gave fans in London the opportunity to travel back to Zaire 1974 to witness the Greatest boxing fight in history between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this session, Laura Wilkinson and Ben Fredericks talk about the development process for incorporating accessibility in their immersive show "Choosing Children" from the outset of the creative process, the lessons learned, and where accessibility in immersive can go from here.Choosing Children was a dramatic and interactive live spectacle for an intimate audience, which aimed to be fully accessible and inclusive. Audiences could request British Sign Language, Audio Description, and/or Captioning in every performance through an integrated Access System.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Strickland (Digital Producer, DaDaFest), Laura Wilkinson (Producer, Ben Fredericks [Collaborations]), Thomas Florence (Artistic Director, But Why? Theatre) and Ben Fredericks (Writer and Director, Ben Fredericks [Collaborations]) discuss how the immersive sector can avoid disabling those audiences in the all too familiar ways they have been disabled by other forms of art and entertainment. This panel was a discussion between immersive creators about the broader topic of accessibility and how to make sure that creators and producers, can incorporate accessibility into events and experiences in a creative and effective way.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join creators Katie Day, John Sear and Sudha Bhuchar as they unpack how their form-busting book was made, and the new challenges they encountered working with the printed form rather than live events. They'll shine a light on development process structure, working with collaborators new to immersive, engaging target audiences as co-creators, and keeping to a tight budget. https://arainbowforamala.co.ukThis talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Immersive Artist Darren Emerson shares the challenges and experiences of bringing the multi-award-winning VR experience ‘In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats' to audiences in the UK and Internationally.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/Watch the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/rzgCM1reeTQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Led by Richard (Technical and Artistic Director) and Erica Warp (Director of Neuroscience for Brainstorms), this talk investigates music, art, science and commercial realities to create viable immersive experiences at scale. Brainstorms is an immersive experience exploring the brain's response to music and featuring the work of Pink Floyd and Imogen Heap, debuted at Frameless in London over 4 weekends in June 2024.A hugely ambitious project for a very small team, with a breakneck schedule and very limited budget, the exhibition was executed flawlessly. But was it ‘successful', and how are we measuring that success? This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CULTVR Lab has emerged as Europe's first immersive cross-disciplinary space, focusing on digital arts, XR live performance, and fulldome cinema with Matt Wright (Artistic Director) and Janire Najera (Managing Director) at the helm.This session explores the complexities of producing and touring Shared Reality content that blends virtual and physical environments, through learnings from the show "Arka Kinari: Artivism at Sea," showcasing how immersive arts can forge new pathways for human connection, spotlight global issues, and inspire tangible action.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Coney's Tassos Stevens (director) and Matthew Hawn (commissioner), as they discuss "Evergreen," a sprawling three-month adventure inspired by Matthew's wife Molly's love of children's literature and the couple's 20th wedding anniversary.After captivating 40,000 people with "The Golden Key" in Autumn 2023, legendary theatre company Coney embarked on a unique challenge: crafting an intimate experience for just two people. Launched with a sprig of spruce and a mysterious text at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Coney used dramaturgy and technology to send the couple on a seemingly serendipitous race against an ominous antagonist to recover four magical keys hidden around the UK. This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An in-depth dive with the creative and production teams from Bridge Command (Owen Kingston, Artistic Director and Tom Black, Executive Director), Illusion (Dan Hughes, Director), Entourage (Andy Barnes, Director) and Clockwork Dog (Sam Clear, Head of Production) who created Bridge Command, a unique and pioneering interactive experience that allows players to be the bridge crew of their own starship.This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network Summit in October 2024 and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners Illusion Design & Construct, Mance Communications, White Light, Deterministic, Immersif, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment, Entourage, and Vista Insurance.Discover more content from IEN: https://immersiveexperience.network/articles/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The video of talk can be found on our YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/p2pUSzzAqWcSophie Larsmon, a creative producer and director of live immersive experiences, presents data and diagramming tools to help create and structure immersive experiences.Talking about her previous work, particularly her collaborations with immersive experience production company Any One Thing, Sophie shares some insights into how she looks to create meaning in her experiences, going beyond mere spectacle to leave audiences moved and changed.Discover the full IEN "Making Immersive" Library: https://immersiveexperience.network/articlesThis talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network's Live Immersive Design Symposium in October 2023, and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners: Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

View the video of this session at https://youtu.be/Hv0fV7NGTlwExplore the creative process behind “Peaky Blinders: The Rise” with Rebecca Brower (Production Design and Costume Design) and Tom Maller (Creative Director and Director). They reveal how they turned the series into an immersive theatre hit, focussing on richly detailed set and costume design, combined with an engaging yet accessible narrative. They discuss overcoming the complexities of recreating 1920s Birmingham in busy Camden and categorise audience types, from narrative players to explorers, ensuring an experience that resonates with all.Discover the full IEN "Making Immersive" Library: https://immersiveexperience.network/articlesThis talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network's Live Immersive Design Symposium in October 2023, and is supported by Arts Council England and our industry partners: Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kat Gill (Access Producer), Jane Ensell (Audio Describer) and Colin Nightingale (Associate Creative Producer) discuss accessibility requirements and sensitivities in immersive experiences with Joe Bucknall (Immersive and Interactive Scholar).Their discussion explores their reflections on the successes and challenges of accessible productions they have been involved with, as well as the importance of access stewards, training resources and critiques of current approaches, with a focus on making experiences accessible to all audiences. Discover the full IEN "Making Immersive" Library: https://immersiveexperience.network/a...This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network's Live Immersive Design Symposium in October 2023, and is supported by Arts Council England and IEN Industry Partners: Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paddy Dillon introduces the Theatre Green Book as a model for making live arts and entertainment more sustainable, and offers a use case for how its advice can be applied to Live Immersive Experiences. From design elements to production processes, and covering performer riders and marketing as well, this deep dive into sustainable practice offers an argument for how immersive work in the UK can feasibly become as sustainable as possible as it develops as a sector and genre.Discover the full IEN "Making Immersive" Library: https://immersiveexperience.network/a...This talk was recorded at the Immersive Experience Network's Live Immersive Design Symposium in October 2023, and is supported by Arts Council England and IEN Industry Partners: Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we explore how systems of care for performers, backstage workers and audiences can be integrated into both the rehearsal process and live aspects of immersive experiences. We discuss the challenges and developments in creating cultures of care as well as the methodologies and mechanics used to keep everyone involved safe both in the making and delivery of live work.. Our Guests Dan Burman has been an immersive performer, fight director and maker for over a decade. From larger scale maximalist projects such as Secret Cinema and Boomtown Fair, to smaller and more intimate happenings he has honed his craft to integrate systems of care within the chaotic play space of the immersive sphere, both for those who inhabit and make the world, and those who come to play in it. Find Dan @dan_burman on insta and twitterRuth Parry is a Freelance Consultant In Production Stage Management and Producing. Previous projects include Rumble In The Jungle, The Gunpowder Plot and The Greatest Night Of The Jazz Age. Find Ruth on LinkedInNatalie Scott is a Director and Creative Producer of immersive experiences and Interactive Performance. She is an Artistic Director of The Lab Collective and since 2010 has been creating work in abandoned office blocks, greenfield festival sites, studio spaces and site specific locations in both the third and commercial sectors. https://www.natalie-scott.co.uk find Natalie on LinkedInHosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network's, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ Instagram @immersiveexperiencenetMailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-upThe IEN is made possible by the support of our industry partners. Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe is joined by Adipat Virdi to explore participatory practice in immersive contexts; we follow Adipat's journey from the path from architect to a creator of participatory immersive work, uncovering the powerful impact of connecting with audiences to reframe perspectives and more deeply understand the world around us.Our Guest Adipat Virdi engineers the creative potential of XR for commercial impact within global organisations (Meta, Charlotte Tilbury, BBC…) This has involved: evolved / immersive audience engagement ecosystems; streamlined business processes; open innovation-led agile workshopping; metaverse architecture; virtual commerce blueprinting and cutting edge storyworld and IP building to pivot brand DNA to be immersive-ready.Adipat is also working to pioneer how powerful XR narratives can deliver real world social change. His latest projects centre around (1) eradicating honour crimes, globally, through participatory engagement: story as software and (2) understanding how to overcome difference through a playable theatre experience that will be, amongst others, at Edinburgh Fringe in August 2024. Find Adi on LinkedIn or Twitter: @adipatvirdiHosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network's, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ Instagram @immersiveexperiencenetMailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-upThe IEN is made possible by the support of our industry partners. Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Rob Morgan and Joumana Mourad to discuss the joys and challenges of integrating immersive technology into live contexts - taking a deep dive into the myriad types of available tech ad different scales and exploring how the creative processes involved in creating tech forward immersive experiences inform the relationship between the work and the audience. Our Guests:Rob Morgan (he/him) is a writer, experience designer, digital dramaturg, and founder and Creative Director of London-based AR design studio Playlines. Rob writes and narrative-designs award-winning AR & VR experiences and has helped create story worlds and immersive experiences for some of the world's largest licences, attractions and cultural institutions. He is a pioneer of Mixed Reality theatre, and has collaborated on some of the most critically-acclaimed games in VR and interactive narrative. https://robmorgan.space/Joumana Mourad is The Bob Lockyer Award for Digital Innovation nominee in 2022. Step into the captivating world curated by Joumana Mourad, where boundaries blur, and innovation reigns supreme. As the Hybrid Performance Curator at Open Online Theatre and the visionary Artistic Director of IJAD, Joumana orchestrates a symphony of dance, science, and technology, transcending conventional norms. She has Transformed traditional theatres into immersive wonderlands, where dancers gracefully descend from ceilings and walls, defying gravity and challenging perceptions. In works like Pas de Cinq, audiences find themselves surrounded by projected water films, becoming integral parts of the performance.IJAD's global footprint is undeniable, from mesmerizing crowds in Taiwan to captivating audiences across 32 countries with the spellbinding In-Finite Space Part 2. Through commissioned productions and collaborations, Joumana and her team craft authentic narratives that resonate deeply with communities worldwide. At the heart of it all lies Open Online Theatre (OOT), a virtual haven where artists converge, pushing the boundaries of hybrid performance. Joumana's dedication extends beyond the stage, nurturing and mentoring artists through OOT's residency program, ensuring a future where art, technology, and cultural enrichment intertwine seamlessly.Hosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network's, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ Instagram @immersiveexperiencenetMailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Meri Mance and Sarah Morris to uncover the nuts and bolts of marketing immersive experiences, across different scales - exploring how targeting audiences for immersive work differs from traditional cultural experiences, from managing and enhancing audience expectations to your top tricks and tips to getting tickets sold! Our Guests:Meri Mance is the founder of Mance Communications; founded in 2009, Mance Communications specialises in taking brands from start-up to business leader; pop-up to establishment and consulting on strategy and market positioning . Focusing on the immersive and experience sectors the team at Mance Communications have twenty + years' experience and have established some of the UK's foremost experiential, competitive socialising, food & drink and travel experiences. Find Meri on instagram @mancecomms and LinkedInSarah Morris is a Bristol-based Creative Producer who specialises in immersive and interactive theatre, location-based attractions, midway entertainment, and experiential marketing and advertising. Over the past 13 years, Sarah has been a driving force behind the creation and development of a diverse range of projects, guiding them from inception to delivery on a global scale. Her expertise spans both the creative industry and commercial sectors, showcasing a versatile and dynamic approach that is audience-centered - as a cultural studies graduate, Sarah's work is often inspired by popular culture, some of Sarah's highlights were creating the UK's longest-running immersive experience, Zombie SWAT, and co-created Merlin Entertainments first Escape Room for Madam Tussards San-Francisco. Find Sarah on Linkedin Hosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network's, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ Instagram @immersiveexperiencenetMailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Were joined by Carl Dolamore, Oliver Lansley and Megan Stewart for a dynamic discussion which takes us deep into the creative processes and complex methodologies involved in casting and rehearsing for immersive experiences and the key differences in practice between these and traditional theatre making practices.Our Guests:Carl Dolamore is an actor and voice artist, currently studying on the MA Voice Studies course at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. He has worked in live and immersive theatre for about a decade and has recently started teaching and coaching actors as well. Carl has worked on Secret Cinema's Stranger Things & Rocket Raccoon in Secret Cinema's Guardians of Galaxy, Manuel Faulty Towers Dining Experience, Maze Master for The Crystal Maze, Money Heist Live Experience Show and Boomtown Fair.Oliver Lansley is a British, Neuro-divergent writer, director and performer who works across stage and screen. Lansley is Artistic Director of the multi award-winning and pioneering theatre company Les Enfants Terribles. The company has created many ground-breaking productions, including the Olivier Award nominated Alice's Adventures Underground - which has enjoyed sell out runs in London and Shanghai; The Game's Afoot for Madame Tussauds; Inside Pussy Riot, and recently The House with Chicken Legs (based on the best selling book by Sophie Anderson) - which has also just been nominated for an Olivier Award. The Company will be opening their own permanent immersive theatre venue - 'Labyrinth' in Waterloo in 2024 with the return of Alice's Adventures Underground.Megan Stewart is a Scottish Writer, Senior Creative and Director. Her writing specialties are adaptations of existing IP; dialogue writing; character writing; game writing; and blended medium writing for the immersive theatre format. Her directing specialties include close- proximity immersive; personalised storylines within roaming group adventures; and crafting authentic audience experiences. Her performance direction is centred around building the ensemble and discovery through structured improvisation. Megan additionally consults for immersive theatre, advising in script development, actor safety, show flow, audience flow and operations. She is currently the Associate Director at multi-award winning immersive theatre company, Layered Reality in London; and Associate Creative Director & Writer at Sarner. Megan has worked on The War of the Worlds (Layered Reality), The Gunpowder Plot (Layered Reality), Money Heist (Bearded Kitten, Fever & Netflix) and further shows with Luna Cinema, Bompas & Parr & Path Group.Hosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network's, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ Instagram @immersiveexperiencenetMailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Sheena Patel and Mark Sarfo-Kantanka to discuss the nuts and bolts of scaling into commercial work - from managing budgets and finances to developing pitches, finding investors, exploring the international market and Obtaining IP. Our Guests:Sheena Patel is an Experience Designer and Creative Producer with over a decade's experience across experiential campaigns and immersive productions.She co-created and produced Time Run (voted one of the best escape games in the world TERPECA 2018) and Sherlock: The Game is Now (Visit London's 'Best New Tourism Business' 2020). As Director of YonderBeyond, she supports brands, independent companies and agencies such as Flavourology, Bearded Kitten, Bompas & Parr and Hotel Wonderland to consult on, devise or deliver new immersive experiences Other titles and brands she has worked on include Money Heist, Peaky Blinders and Disney.Mark Sarfo-Kantanka is Co-Founder of NEXUS, an incubator for creative, digital & tech innovative SME, helping them to scale. Mark is also Co-Founder of Cellar Door an audacious event management group that challenges people's perceptions by implementing ground-breaking creative experiences unconstrained by venue capacity or location. Find Mark on Socials: @nexuscreativehq @cellardoorgroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-sarfo-kantanka/Hosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network's, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ Instagram @immersiveexperiencenetMailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-upThe IEN is made possible by the support of our industry partners. Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Polly Barker, Marie Klimis and Natasha Stanton to explore how organisations and individuals approach seeking funding, to create work in immersive contexts. From applying for public funds, through to the requirements of research bodies and third sector trusts and foundations - we get into the nitty gritty raising funds for immersive experiences.Guests:Polly Barker is Punchdrunk Enrichment's Head of Development, leading fundraising with individuals, Trusts & Foundations, and corporate partners. Polly studied English Literature at Sussex before beginning her career in the Museum sector, working at the V&A in London, and at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide. Polly loves learning, the visual arts, travelling and is writing a novel in her spare time. https://www.punchdrunkenrichment.org.uk/, https://www.instagram.com/punchdrunkenrichment/Marie Klimis is is currently Senior Producer at Coney. She has worked as a Producer and Project Manager for a range of organisations, including the City of London Festival, Horniman Museum, Pure Expression or Arts and Gardens. She is a founding member and director of 27 degrees, a migrant-led collective specialised in socially-engaged immersive theatre. As a writer and designer, she specialises in intimate immersive projects in unusual spaces, including “I am Bird and The Paper Traveller”, two choose-your-own-adventure projects in library spaces. https://www.instagram.com/marieklimis/Natasha Stanton is a Senior Portfolio Manager at the Economic and Social Research Council and previously was a Senior Investment Manager at the Arts and Humanities Research Council and an International Stakeholder Engagement Manager at UKRI (UK Research and Innovation). https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-stanton-8413b589/Hosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network's, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ Instagram @immersiveexperiencenetMailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're joined by Katie Day, Arlo Howard and Chloe Mashiter - exploring how playability and gaming intersects in immersive contexts to offer a deep experience for audiences. We discuss how generating playable mechanics form part of the creative process, the importance of playtesting mechanics before experiences come to life and the common challenges that makers face when introducing audiences to playable work. Our Guests:Katie Day is an award-winning artist and Artistic Director of The Other Way Works, who create new immersive experiences with the aim of provoking positive action to create change. Katie is an artist and director developing work where theatre meets new technologies with the aim of creating magical, immersive experiences. Katie is a 2023/24 BOM Resident, regular speaker at conferences and events, visiting university lecturer and a producer of professional development programmes. Insta and Twitter @otherwayworks https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiedaytoww/Arlo Howard They/Them is an international award winning, non-binary creator working at the intersection of theatre and games. Their work focuses on creating positive change and learning through playful theatrical experiences and games. Arlo is a current Associate Artist of Coney. They recently worked on “The Burnt City” with Punchdrunk and director/creator of “The Order of the Golden Scribe” www.arlohoward.com Insta: @arlo_howardChloe Mashiter is an award-winning game- and theatre-maker whose work spans tabletop roleplaying games, interactive theatre, larps, megagames and ARGs. They are an Associate at Coney and Creative Associate at Bridge Command. www.chloemashitermakesthings.wordpress.com and www.rollflipdraw.co.ukHosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network's, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ Instagram @immersiveexperiencenetMailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-upThe IEN is made possible by the support of our industry partners. Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summary: In the second part of our working with Venues theme, we explore the processes involved in setting up a space for immersive experiences - from business rates and running costs to grumpy neighbours. In this episode, Dr Joanna Bucknall chats with David Ralf, Tom Black and Joe Ball about programming and developing relationships with venues that host immersive work and the opportunities and challenges they've experienced in their journeys so far. Our Guests:David Ralf is a producer, theatre manager, and production manager. Before joining Theatre Deli he was Executive Director of The Bunker Theatre and was Associate Producer of The Hope Theatre. He also produces theatre with his company, Loose Tongue, and writes plays https://www.theatredeli.co.uk/ Tom Black is an immersive theatremaker and interactive narrative design consultant. He co-created Parabolic Theatre's 'Crisis? What Crisis?' and is an Artistic Associate of the company. He's also a founder and Creative Director at Jury Games, and the Chief Operating Officer at sci-fi immersive experience Bridge Command. https://www.tomblack.uk @tomblackukJoe Ball Joe Ball has been running Exit Productions for the last 6 years, inviting audiences to start revolutions, colonise Mars, fix boxing matches, Decide if AI is sentient enough to end it's life, fixed cycle races and the host of the next world cup. Recently he has been delivering interactive events for Boomtown festival, music acts and brands. Joe also co-runs Jury Games that has just found a permanent home in central London after becoming a global success online through lockdown. www.exitproductionsltd.comHosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the IEN's Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ Instagram @immersiveexperiencenetMailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-upIEN is made possible by the support of our industry partners. Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A huge feature of immersive experiences is the intense sensory experience and different routes that participants can take through physical spaces - from the complex architecture of shaping narrative and agency to creating worlds with audience experience in mind, making this work is a multifaceted process for creatives and production. In this episode Dr Joanna Bucknall talks with Colin Nightingale and Hannah Price about the rewards and challenges they have experienced when creating immersive worlds and the burgeoning language that makers use to describe creating different types of audience journeys.Our Guests:Colin Nightingale is Co-Founder of A Right/Left Project and co-creator of Beyond The Road a sound and visual art installation/walk through album experience which premiered at Saatchi Gallery in 2019 before transferring to Seoul in 2021. Colin is a member of the core creative team at Punchdrunk for over 20 years and is currently Associate Creative Producer. Find Colin on Instagram and LinkedinHannah Price is an award winning director and creative director, working across theatre, immersive, VR, digital, and game performance directing. Hannah is the Creative Director of the Gunpowder Plot. Find Hannah on Instagram and TwitterHosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network's, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.Find us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ Follow us on Instagram @immersiveexperiencenetSign up to our Mailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-upThe Immersive Experience Network is made possible by the support of our industry partners. Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Immersive Experiences often take place in non traditional cultural venues and finding a space that fits can pose a real challenge for makers and producers. In this episode we're talking to Will Ma and Andy Barnes about all things venues, from finding them to making sure they're safe and legal to host a project in. Our Guests:Will Ma is a Location Scout and Manager for Secret Cinema, Disney Star and Netflix, find him here on Linkedin Andy Barnes is a founding member of IEN and Director of Entourage, an event production Consultancy who specialises in delivering large scale ambitious projects for brands, agencies and immersive producers. Find him here on LinkedinHosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network's, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.Find us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ Follow us on Instagram @immersiveexperiencenetSign up to our Mailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-upThe Immersive Experience Network is made possible by the support of our industry partners. Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Making large scale immersive work can be daunting; in this episode we discuss the creative, operational and financial aspects of scaling up live experiences for larger audiences in a variety of venues. We're talking to industry experts to discover the exciting journey's they've made towards getting a production live as well as what keeps them awake at night as makers and producers. Our Guests:Miguel Hernando Torres Umba Creative Director for Rematch Live, Lest Enfants Terribles, Secret Cinema and performer and practitioner for Gecko. @MiguelHTorresUmba Fiona Porritt: Senior Creative at Les Enfants Terribles for Labyrinth Productions @fionaporritt_ Andrea Salazar: Head of Production at Punchdrunk and Executive Director at Darkfield. Hosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network's, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.Find us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ Follow us on Instagram @immersiveexperiencenetSign up to our Mailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-upThe Immersive Experience Network is made possible by the support of our industry partners. Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.