FINELINE Immersive

Project partners: University of Nottingham, Lumo Company

XR Network+ supported the University of Nottingham and Lumo Company to create a prototype for live performance that combines contemporary circus and eXtended Reality (XR) technologies. 

The prototype blends motion capture, volumetric capture, and 360-video technologies to create a 20 minute virtual reality (VR) performance that situates contemporary circus in unexpected settings, offering audiences an innovative and immersive experience. 

Participants are fully immersed in five live-performance scenes including a thrilling high-wire performance above an ocean and acrobats undertaking captivating climbs in a futuristic cityscape. With users able to interact with performers that appear just inches away, the prototype challenges traditional audience-performer dynamics

The prototype was initially presented to a test audience of users at the University of Nottingham’s Virtual Production Studio, followed by a showcase in Oulu, Finland, in May 2024. The final demonstration took place at the School of Digital Arts, Manchester Metropolitan University’s Storytellers + Machines Conference in Manchester in July 2024.

The inherent nature of circus performances, often occurring at significant heights, presented unique challenges for the project team in capturing the intricate movements of performers with optimal quality. 

Future R&D will focus on identifying strategies and technical adaptations to enhance the quality of footage and develop the prototype into a fully-fledged VR performance.

The team will also integrate user feedback collected from test audiences to refine the overall experience before introducing the prototype to the market as an independent touring product. 

As XR technologies continue to evolve, their integration into the performing arts is expected to unlock new possibilities for innovation, sustainability, and accessibility. This project demonstrates that for performing arts companies considering the creation of VR prototypes, university partnerships can prove invaluable by providing access to cutting-edge technologies that might otherwise be financially unattainable

FINELINE Immersive is one of seven initiatives supported by round one of XR Network+ Prototyping, Impact and Acceleration (PIA) grants. Researchers at UK universities were awarded up to £10,000 to develop new ideas and complete existing research related to VP between September 2023 and March 2024.

Image credit to Mikki Kunttu.

Categories: Performance, Research, Technology