Step into a world where reality and imagination seamlessly blend together, with a story waiting to be explored around every corner. This is more than just entertainment. It’s an invitation to immerse yourself in a world created with passion and purpose. Immersive entertainment, a fascinating blend of technology, creativity, and collaboration, is emerging as a harbinger of 21st century innovation. UNCSA graduates will also be among the pioneers.
Immersive entertainment allows audiences, viewers, and participants to be surrounded by and interact with a narrative environment. As the curtain rises on this new frontier, our deans and faculty are excited about how UNCSA will be at the forefront of a generation of innovative people poised to redefine the way we experience art and storytelling. Explain what you are preparing.
The immersive revolution: A thirst for engaging experiences
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, society’s interest in immersive entertainment accelerated as art lovers around the world emerged from their homes and sought to reconnect with multidimensional experiences.
“People are hungry for experiences that they can be part of,” says Deborah Lavigne, dean of film production. “They don’t just want to have fun, they want to participate.”
Michael Kelly, director of design and production (D&P), agrees. “People don’t just want to sit in a theater and watch ‘Hello Dolly!’ anymore. They want something more dynamic and engaging,” he says.
Immersive entertainment’s path to fame includes iconic theatrical experiences like the long-running New York City show Death No More, blockbuster movies like Jurassic Park and Avatar, Disney’s Toy Story Land and It is characterized by popular theme park attractions like Universal. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The School of Theater and the School of Design and Production hosted an outdoor immersive entertainment performance, “Love and Depositions,” in spring 2021 as a way for audiences to experience theater while practicing social distancing. / Photo: Marina Zurita
Andy Parris, who teaches devised theater at drama schools, says there have been two processes in the development of immersive entertainment. “There is a technology trajectory with tools like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) and the physical immersion of putting yourself in the environment around you,” he explains.
Although its future is yet to be written, immersive entertainment is expected to grow exponentially around the world. Projected to generate $426 billion by 2030. Predictions include increases in theme park attendance, movies and games, interactive theater experiences, and art installations.
Creating the future of immersive entertainment
Whatever direction immersive entertainment takes, UNCSA graduates are well-equipped to lead the way.
D&P recently launched a graduate animatronics program. Kelly said the program is arts-based, but also uses science and technology to meet the specific needs of the entertainment industry. Beyond animatronics, the specific needs of immersive entertainment are incorporated into the curriculum in areas such as sound and lighting, wigs and makeup, costumes, props, and stage design.
“It’s all about transferable skills,” says Kelly. “If you can design stage productions, you have the skills to design in other settings.”
Parris says drama schools train actors to participate in events, no matter the format or structure. “As an actor, you have to listen intently, be present, breathe and follow your impulses,” he says. “It basically doesn’t change from place to place.”
Training in modified theaters and other less traditional structures will develop well-rounded actors and directors, Parris added. “Drama schools are investing time, energy and staying proactive in these times to prepare our students for success no matter what happens next.”
The School of Dance is also well-positioned to embrace this wave of immersive entertainment and is collaborating across disciplines to take advantage of immersive experiences, says Dean Endarin Outlaw.
Holiday Suite was a 2023 collaboration between schools of dance, film, music, and theater that immersed audiences in different cultural traditions. / Photo: Wayne Reich
“Projects like Holiday Suite, a collaboration between dance, film, music and theater, draw audiences into cultural traditions and demonstrate the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration. “Through workshops like choreography and performance, students hone their skills in each other’s fields and navigate this unique intersection between dance, film, and emerging technology,” she says.
“Going forward, we will focus on incorporating immersive techniques into our curriculum to enhance students’ interdisciplinary skills,” Outlaw added.
Harmony of art and technology
The fusion of music and cutting-edge technology is not just a trend, it is a fundamental element of the curriculum. As the industry evolves, so too does the Faculty of Music, ensuring our students meet the demands of the modern entertainment environment.
Dean Saxton Rhodes says the training organically supports immersive entertainment. For example, some music is created to be played on gaming headsets.
“The School of Music actively connects music and technology in a variety of ways,” Rose said, pointing to the composition graduate program for film and visual media, the new UNCSA Media Recording Label, and cutting-edge recording. That’s what I say. studio and sound stage.
This emphasis on technology integration in music can also be seen in the School of Film Production’s efforts to adapt to the growing demand for immersive and interactive media and take advantage of similar advances. The School of Filmmaking “recognizes young artists’ voracious appetite for creating AR, VR, and other immersive products, and the public’s desire to consume that experience,” LaVine explains. .
“We have a program for that. We’re on the cutting edge of technology, but the most important thing we teach is human connection,” she says. “Storytelling is at the core of our curriculum. We blend classic film tools with visual effects, puppetry, animatronics, and new tools such as AR and VR. Although it is up to the students to choose the vehicles, , the story is most important.”
Virtual reality and augmented reality are part of the technological trajectory that is being incorporated into immersive entertainment. / Photo: Wayne Reich
Regardless of the method, conservatory leaders agree the ultimate goal is to arrive at a compelling story. “Amidst the whirlwind of technology, let us never forget the foundations of this journey: the spark of imagination, the spirit of collaboration, and the unwavering belief that the power of stories shapes, inspires, and inspires us.” says Bob, a film production faculty member. sharp.
“In the coming years, the tools may change and the landscape may change, but one thing remains the same: we will paint our dreams into light, share them with the world, and share them with the world on this extraordinary journey. It is the human desire to join together.
Written by Lauren Whitaker
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