Empire At Sea, a 22-minute interactive mixed-reality drama directed by Peter Flaherty, debuted in competition at Venice Immersive during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, according to UploadVR. The production places ten participants wearing Apple Vision Pro headsets around a custom-built LED table to experience a branching narrative where volumetrically captured actors blend into the physical room via passthrough mixed reality.
A Solarpunk Story on a Remote Oil Rig
The narrative follows a group of climate scientists who relocate to a remote oil rig to build a sustainable community at sea, according to project descriptions reported by UploadVR. Their experiment changes course after a catastrophic event devastates the mainland and leaves the group isolated from the outside world. Five years after the disaster, a young woman named Lani spots a boat on the horizon. That sighting marks the first sign of civilization since the catastrophe, forcing the community and the headset-wearing audience to decide whether to welcome the strangers or keep them away by force, as reported by UploadVR.
Volumetric Capture and Shared Vision Pro Setup
Ten participants can move around the custom LED table simultaneously, changing their perspectives and influencing the branching story, according to UploadVR. The production utilizes volumetric capture technology from 4DV.ai to integrate digital actors into the physical space. Early viewers noted that the shared passthrough setup allows ten strangers to occupy the same fictional room naturally without isolating headsets separating them from each other, according to UploadVR.
Starring Cast and Immersive Industry Background
The production features a cast including Orlando Jones, Ayelet Zurer, Geoffrey Arend, Beth Grant, Imani Jade Powers, and Mary Chieffo, according to UploadVR. Director Peter Flaherty previously created the AR and projection-mapping experience The Dial at Sundance in 2019 and served as creative director for Marvel Studios and Disney’s Eternals AR project in 2021, according to UploadVR.
Future Showings at Lincoln Center and Consumer Versions
Commissioned by Lincoln Center and ASU Gammage, Empire At Sea will appear at Lincoln Center in January 2027, according to press notes cited by UploadVR. Creators also plan to release versions for VR headsets and mobile phones for at-home audiences, though specific platforms and release timing have not yet been announced.
Did You Know? Venice Immersive runs from September 2 to September 12 as part of the Venice International Film Festival, featuring projects built for VR, AR, and mixed reality from creators worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What headsets are required to view Empire At Sea?
The current live production requires an Apple Vision Pro headset, with ten participants gathering around a shared LED table, according to UploadVR. Future versions are planned for other VR headsets and mobile phones.
Who directed Empire At Sea?
The 22-minute mixed-reality drama was directed by Peter Flaherty, according to UploadVR.
When will Empire At Sea be shown next?
Following its debut at Venice Immersive, the production is scheduled to appear at Lincoln Center in January 2027, according to production press notes.
Which actors star in the production?
The cast includes Orlando Jones, Ayelet Zurer, Geoffrey Arend, Beth Grant, Imani Jade Powers, Mary Chieffo, Terrence Bernie Hines, Charlene deGuzman, Julanne Chidi Hill, and Robert Baker, according to festival and reporting sources.
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