Ammonite: Developing a World Leading Performance Simulator
The Royal College Of Music, in collaboration with Imperial College, approached us as Creative and Technical Producers to construct a state-of-the-art laboratory at their flagship London faculty. The result is a real-time engine presented across three projection surfaces creating an immersive space, transporting the performer onto one of five stages and confronting them with scenarios akin to live performance.
Working alongside our long-term collaborators at Fray Studio, as well as Carolyn Downing, Daniel Orchard and G2 Digital, we looked at creating a solution to simulate real and heightened performance experiences under pressure.
By changing the receptiveness of the audience, triggering the many disruptions that can occur during a performance, adjusting the lighting and audience size, or setting up an intimidating audition or competition panel, performers and other users can hone their craft experimenting with performance under different conditions.
Since the initial development of the Performance Laboratory, we have further created two smaller versions of the simulator for more economical and mobile options:
- VR headset - using our meta AI audience, the performer can practice in front of others from any location
- Small space AV simulator - with 3 television screens on stands around the performer, an overhead lighting rig and surrounding curtains, they can feel immersed on stage with a set up that can be moved. The curtains also create an on/off stage feel, so the performer can rehearse walking onto the stage.
Media coverage on the project: https://www.thetimes.com/business/technology/article/royal-college-of-music-stage-fright-ctrxrtht0
If you are interested in discussing this project with our team, you can contact us on info@ammonite.ltd.
Edited by Grace McCaffrey