Augmented Reality | 2017
Directed by_ Eran May-Raz and Daniel Lazo
Concept_
Premiered at Sundance in 2017, this AR installation was one of the first collaborative experiences ever made in augmented reality.
Two participants embark on an educational journey through the human brain, illustrating its evolution over time and explaining why it is considered the most complex organism in the universe.
Creative Process_
In most VR and AR experiences, you put on a headset and only you can see the digital layer within your field of view. However, spatial computing can be even more powerful when it is shared among multiple people.
That's why our entire experience was designed with collaboration in mind. Just like our prehistoric ancestors, who huddled around the fire to tell stories, we created a circular bench so participants could sit across from each other and communicate naturally.
We started with a script and then visualized it into an animatic using After Effects. Finally we collaborated with the development team, who transformed our 2D video into a 3D collaborative experience using Unity.
Notes_
The experience was funded by Meta and powered by their headset. It was officially selected into the New Frontier program.
Media covrage:
https://vrscout.com/news/meta-interactive-ar-journey-natural-machine-sundance/
https://www.theverge.com/2017/1/26/14396976/best-vr-sundance-film-festival-2017
Credits_
Written and Directed by_ Eran May-Raz and Daniel Lazo
Technical Director_ Charles Niu
Software Engineer_ Paulo Jansen
Technical Artist_ Garrett Stevens
Music_ Hanan Revivo
Sound Design_ Boaz Bachrach
Producer_ Daniela Sagal
Creative_ Mattan Kitchales
Glass Brain Model_ Adam Gazzaley, Roger Anguera - UCSF
