Forsaken: A Revolution in Immersive Digital Art
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September 6, 2024
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Forsaken, a groundbreaking collaboration between Cinesite and director Roland Lane, exemplifies the cutting-edge potential of immersive storytelling, offering a visually stunning and thought-provoking experience that redefines live entertainment.
Immersive and mixed reality technologies are transforming live entertainment, offering audiences unprecedented experiences that push the boundaries of creativity. In the heart of London, Forsaken, a short film designed for the stunning wrap-around screens at Outernet London, exemplifies this evolution. Directed by Roland Lane and brought to life by Frameless and Cinesite, Forsaken marries breathtaking visuals with a powerful narrative. Supported by Greenpeace and Arts Council England, this groundbreaking project captivates and also invites viewers into a new dimension of storytelling and immersive art.
Director Roland Lane’s Forsaken merges ambitious digital artistry with a powerful environmental message, set against the stunning backdrop of Outernet London's wrap-around screens. Drawing inspiration from the immortal jellyfish, known for its unique ability to regenerate and renew its life cycle, the work celebrates this marvel of nature while reimagining its form within the venue. Yet, beneath its vibrant and captivating visuals, Forsaken delivers a sobering reminder of the ongoing threat of mass extinction, urging viewers to reflect on and act towards preserving the natural world.
Forsaken guides viewers through three captivating chapters, beginning with the lifecycle of the immortal jellyfish, moving into an abstract realm of color and scale, and concluding with the creature’s tragic fate. Drawing from the deep ocean’s colors, light, and bioluminescence, the installation uses the ceiling to evoke the distant, undulating sea surface. Displayed at Outernet, Europe’s largest digital exhibition space, Forsaken attracted approximately 175,000 visitors during its six-week run in January 2024, drawing crowds to experience its immersive narrative.
As a public installation, Forsaken invited individuals of all ages to explore and connect with its profound message, garnering widespread acclaim and enthusiastic responses from both the media and social platforms. Unlike typical immersive content that layers animation over still images, Forsaken pushed the boundaries with its fully 3-D presentation.
The ambitious project was displayed in 8k resolution across five screens at 50 frames per second, resulting in an impressive optical resolution of about 21K over its seven-and-a-half-minute runtime. The technical demands were substantial, requiring advanced rendering power and a robust workflow. Cinesite, the BAFTA-winning visual effects team, collaborated closely with the venue's technical experts to ensure the work's impressive impact.
Forsaken stands as a remarkable achievement in immersive and mixed reality, offering society a unique opportunity to engage with art on an entirely new level. This extraordinary work not only captivates audiences with its stunning 3-D visuals and high-resolution detail but also provokes thoughtful reflection on pressing environmental issues. By immersing viewers in a breathtaking digital world that showcases the beauty and vulnerability of the immortal jellyfish, Forsaken fosters a deeper connection to the natural world and its urgent preservation needs. The experience encourages audiences to consider their role in safeguarding our planet, making it a profound and inspiring encounter that extends beyond mere visual pleasure.
The exceptional work of Cinesite and Roland Lane in creating Forsaken has pushed the boundaries of immersive and mixed reality which earned them a well-deserved Platinum award at the 2024 LIT Entertainment Awards in the Live Entertainment - Immersive & Mixed Reality category. This accolade underscores the profound impact Forsaken has had on audiences, offering a transformative experience that merges art, technology, and environmental awareness. The project's success highlights the power of innovative storytelling and technical prowess in reshaping how we engage with and reflect on the world around us.
Credits
Entry Title: Forsaken
Entrant Company: Cinesite
Client: Roland Lane
Winning Category: Live Entertainment - Immersive & Mixed Reality
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