Two Bit Circus Syncs VR Experiences at the World Economic Forum and Sundance
Two Bit Circus synced together several virtual reality productions using new technology, allowing for immersive group experiences at The World Economic Forum and Sundance last month.
Two Bit’s first synced virtual reality experience occurred in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum where world leaders gathered together to discuss the important issues facing humanity. While on-site, Two Bit Circus provided attendees with synced viewing experiences in several locations. Groups of people as large as 85 were able to sit down and watch a fully-synced 360-degree film, with all participants starting and finishing their experience together.
Among the films presented was Collisions*, a 15-minute documentary-esque experience, which utilized live-action and animated film, and captivated audiences with truly cutting-edge moments. The film explores the homeland of an indigenous elder in Western Australia and the site of a collision between worlds, showcasing one of the world’s most advanced VR projects to date.
Just days later, Two Bit Circus’ VR team traveled to Sundance and showed Collisions to around 80 people, allowing the group to feel and experience the film together with synced technology. The experience was held the Egyptian Theatre in Park City, Utah. This was the first ever production to premiere a synchronized virtual reality screening at the Sundance Film Festival.
Shari Frilot, Senior Programmer of the Sundance Film Festival, was excited to “bring a VR simulcast for the first time to american audiences!”
Collisions premiered at Sundance immediately following a panel called “Power of Story: Evolution of Storytelling.” Led by John Underkoffler, with guests Nancy Bennett (CCO and head of virtual reality, Two Bit Circus), John Gaeta, Kevin Slavin, Lynette Wallworth (Collisions), and Reggie Watts (Waves). Underkoffler asked each panelist to speak about the real or plausible future of narrative, including possible new technology. Each panelist provided a 30–60 second clip they felt shined a beam, however oblique, on the panel’s theme.
Underkoffler wanted to break the format of the usual panel Q&A by driving a spontaneous, collaborative and creative conversation amongst the group. This included a rube goldberg-style narrative riff; each of the panelists interviewing one another and the screening of each of their pieces. This spontaneous and hive-minded experiment gave audience members a glimpse into the mind-blowing Future of story. When Bennett introduced her clip, she asked Reggie Watts if he would provide a spontaneous BeatBox improv as accompaniment…and he did.
Additional information about Two Bit Circus’ VR Syncing Tech:
The virtual reality syncing platform created by Two Bit Circus VR was originally developed using single Bluetooth connections, allowing multiple VR headsets to view the same piece of content together. Shortly after its inception, the technology was invigorated to run off of a locally networked WiFi broadcast, operating at a higher frequency. This gave the syncing system the ability to playback virtual reality experiences with fewer errors and at a broader distance. This makes the connection more reliable and scalable.
In preparation for the World Economic Forum and Sundance, the VR team created a notification system. A custom device add-on was attached to headsets which included LEDs that light up, allowing the demoers to see if the experiences triggered simultaneously. If one of the phone wasn’t playing, due to wireless network interference, they were easily be swapped out with another one that was working; making the system more robust.
Additional Links:
Two Bit Circus Technology Powers World’s First VR Synced Theatrical Film Debut
Verizon Integrates NFL Virtual Reality Into Retail Store (with Two Bit Circus)
Two Bit Circus Raises $6.5 Million In Series A Funding
Virtual reality offers NBA and NFL fans a more immersive experience
*Collisions is directed by Lynette Wallworth, produced by Nicole Newnham and Lynette Wallworth, and Executive Produced by Cori Sheperd Stern, Gigi Pritzker, Diana Barrett, and Sandy Herz. Wallworth is the first artist selected to participate in the six-month Sundance Institute New Frontier | Jaunt VR Residency Program.
