Out Of This World

Out of this world was a unique event combining elements of virtual reality, performance television and audience participation. It was staged at isea98revolution, part of the International Symposium of Electronic Arts which took place at various locations in Liverpool and Manchester.

The format of the event can be described in terms of the three visible layers of participation; performers, inhabitants and viewers.

Eight inhabitants formed two teams that competed in the virtual arena through a series of co-operative games, the winners gaining the right to escape from a doomed planet. The games were projected onto a screen that was viewed by an audience in a nearby auditorium. Each team was led by a captain, played by a performer in the auditorium who was immersed in the virtual world using a headset and tracking technology. Whilst a performace took place, four virtual camera men filmed the action under orders from the director.

Out of this world was a continuation of prevous experiments in Inhabited Television. It aimed to address the problems of lack of engagement, problems of pace, camera control and the use of awareness management techniques.