Unconsciously interactive films in a cinema environment — a demonstrative case study

Kirke, A; Williams, DAH; Miranda, E; Bluglass, A; Whyte, C; Pruthi, R; Eccleston, A

Abstract

‘Many worlds’ is a short narrative live-action film written and directed so as to provide multiple linear routes through the plot to one of four endings, and designed for showing in a cinema environment. At two points during the film, decisions are made based on audience bio-signals as to which plot route to take. The use of bio-signals is to allow the audience to remain immersed in the film, rather than explicitly selecting plot direction. Four audience members have a bio-signal measured sensor for each person: ECG (heart rate), EMG (muscle tension), EEG (‘brain waves’) and Galvanic Skin Response (perspiration). The four are interpreted as a single average of emotional arousal. ‘Many worlds’ was the first live-action linear plotted film to be screened in a cinema to the general public utilizing multiple biosensor types. The film has been shown publically a number of times, and lessons learned from the technical and cinematic production are detailed in this paper.

Citation

Kirke, A., Williams, D., Miranda, E., Bluglass, A., Whyte, C., Pruthi, R., & Eccleston, A. (2018). Unconsciously interactive films in a cinema environment — a demonstrative case study. Digital Creativity, 29(2-3), 165-181. https://doi.org/10.1080/14626268.2017.1407344

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Feb 12, 2018
• Publication Date: Feb 12, 2018
• Deposit Date: Dec 12, 2019
• Journal: Digital Creativity
• Print ISSN: 1462-6268
• Publisher: Routledge
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 2-3
• Pages: 165-181
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14626268.2017.1407344
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14626268.2017.1407344
• Related Public URLs: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ndcr20/current