IMMERSIVE TEAMS UP WITH FOSTER + PARTNERS AND STEVEN SPIELBERG TO CREATE THE UNIVERSAL SPHERE

• Immersive joins forces with Architects Foster and Partners, and legendary Director Steven Spielberg to create world-first entertainment experience for the Comcast Technology Center in Philadelphia. 
• Immersive, recognized as a world leader in design and production of experiential media installations, conceived of this installation, and co-created the Universal Sphere to give audiences a peek into the future of entertainment.
• A legend in the world of traditional cinematic storytelling, Steven Spielberg worked with VR pioneer John Munro, Founder of Immersive to explore cutting edge techniques and technologies to create the Universal Sphere experience. 
• June 19, 2019 – London, UK - Immersive is recognized as a world leader in experiential media design, stunning audiences by transforming an entire stadium into one huge video screen for the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony with the AI Media Server, creating on-stage magic with massive holograms for Eric Prydz, and crafting the "grandest projection mapping the world has ever seen" according to Fast Company with Adidas during the FIFA World Cup.

Immersive is happy to announce the opening of the design firm's first collaboration with Foster & Partners and legendary film Director Steven Spielberg:

The Universal Sphere tm at the Comcast Technology Center in Philadelphia. Bringing together cutting-edge concept design and creative direction from Immersive and the guiding hand of master storyteller Steven Spielberg, the 360-degree dome installation will offer a shared Virtual Reality experience and give audiences a peek into the future of cinema. "It's not like a movie" describes DreamWorks Animation Producer Karen Foster, "it's a transportation to another place, another perspective."

"Immersive's focus has always been where spatial design and new technology meet to create unique entertainment environments. We developed the Universal SphereTM concept at our London studio as a way for audiences to all share the same Virtual Reality experience." says John Munro, Immersive Founder & ECD. "[Comcast CEO] Brian Roberts asked us for a future-proof experience that would amaze modern audiences. We had to bring together the best technological solutions available, but we also had to find a narrative heart for the experience that visitors could connect to. When Steven Spielberg came on-board to lead the narrative development, we were obviously thrilled." adds Immersive CD Jordan Foster. “Our idea of creating a real shared VR experience got everyone involved truly inspired from the start” recalls Immersive AD Anton Kononov.

"This effort to do something special inside the space, it's sort of a daunting challenge" Spielberg points out, “...the people that built the dome and envisioned it and came to us with the idea to provide content for the dome, they should all be applauded. They've done an amazing, Herculean job." Immersive initially worked closely with Spielberg to explore the narrative and cinematographic possibilities within a spherical space, workshopping visual techniques and potential narratives together before handing off production to Comcast's team at DreamWorks Animation.

After John Munro’s original concept was given the green light by Comcast, Immersive and Foster+Partners got down to work on the initial structural design. During a 7 month process Immersive put together a technical framework for the installation and assembled the main fabrication and construction vendors that would complete the project. Foster + Partners took over the build and their work on the outer shell geometry and all physical aspects of the sphere have created a structure that sits perfectly next to the work of artists Conrad Shawcross and Jenny Holtzer.

"We're extremely proud of the work done, and want to thank our partners at Gaia Nova, and NSC Creative who went the extra mile to help us achieve our vision." says John Munro, "I'd also like to offer special thanks to the core team: Jordan Foster, Anton Kononov, Sean Wilder, Ralph Lambert and Jaie Genadt. Much appreciation also to Russell Hales at Foster+Partners for sharing our vision and supporting us to create something outstanding. We look forward to many future collaborations with Foster+Partners as we continue to develop Immersive Storytelling as an entertainment medium".

The Universal SphereTM officially opens its doors to the public in May with screenings of Spielberg's 7-minute film "The Power of I", tickets can be booked online through the Comcast Technology Center website.

“Immersive storytelling is the future of Location Based Entertainment and we are extremely proud to show this example to the world.” says John Munro, “We are working on more exciting visions for the future, and I invite you to keep an eye out for our next works soon to be released on our website”

Immersive is redefining the public arts and live production industries through a combination of creative development and technical innovation. The company’s unique studio model unites the efforts of directors, artists, programmers, designers, producers and technical specialists, resulting in a deeply collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to making immersive installations, live performance stages, and bespoke creative explorations.

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