The virtual and augmented reality production studio will release the new experience at Future of Storytelling
MONTREAL, Oct. 5, 2017 /CNW/ - UNLTD, a virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) production studio with pioneering VR/3D camera and shooting technology, was commissioned by Fairmont Hotels, Ivanhoé Cambridge Properties and co-producer MassivArt Agency to create a VR immersive experience of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's bed-in for peace for the newly redesigned Suite 1742 of The Queen Elizabeth Hotel, where John Lennon and Yoko Ono held their iconic bed-in for peace in 1969. The pair engaged in this peaceful protest against the Vietnam War during a seven day period where they invited journalists and friends into their bedroom suite to visit, observe and participate in their protest. It was also during this week-long historic event that John Lennon recorded the famous "Give Peace a Chance" anthem while in Suite 1742.
Guests of the Fairmont's redesigned suite will be able to don virtual reality headsets, placed on the nightstands on either side of the bed, for an exclusive immersive experience—allowing them to sense the unique energy of the bed-in from the point of view of John or Yoko. The newly finished suite features the lyrics of "Give Peace a Chance" on one wall and window decals above the bed reminiscent of the original protest posters.
The VR experience was conceptualized and directed by Carl Ruscica, a director with over 20 years of experience, "Suite 1742: a virtual bed-in experience" takes the audience into the 2017 version of the suite 1742. As the participant relaxes on the same bed that John and Yoko held their protest on, a maid begins to clean the room and before they know it, they are transported back to the 1960s as journalists rush the room and bombard them with questions.
"The 'Suite 1742' project is an immersive voyage that takes you on a journey from the present to the past, it's part fiction and part documentary and offers insight into John and Yoko's ideas and values at the time, which are still highly relevant today," says director Carl Ruscica. Ruscica brings a fresh, original and authentic approach to virtual reality. His understanding and interpretation of the medium are truly unique and he has brought the medium of VR to another level with "Suite 1742".
In addition to being offered at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hotel in Montreal, the experience will be premiered internationally at the Future of Storytelling Festival in New York on October 6-8, 2017. The Future of Storytelling Festival is the leading immersive storytelling event open to the media and public. UNLTD was also named a finalist for the Future of Storytelling Festival "Corporate Award" for this work.
"Debuting this one-of-a-kind immersive experience at the Future of Storytelling is a natural fit because of the complex story we were able to tell using virtual reality, giving viewers a unique perspective shift. We worked hard to translate the experience and story of John Lennon and Yoko Ono in a way that allowed the viewer to step into the shoes of these icons, take a trip back in time and be a part of one of the most historic pop-culture events ever," says John Hamilton, CEO of UNLTD and producer of "Suite 1742."
For more information about UNLTD, visit http://www.go-unlimited.co or https://futureofstorytelling.org/project/suite-1742-a-virtual-bed-in-experience.
To view the "Suite 1742" trailers, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hKl-_iIthc&feature=youtu.be or https://vimeo.com/235910678/96980d9620
About UNLTD:
UNLTD is an innovative virtual and augmented reality production studio at the forefront of design and creation of high-end virtual, augmented and mixed reality experiences. UNLTD believes VR/AR/XR will enhance the way the world creates and consumes content. Founded in 2015 with the mission of taking entertainment to the next level through virtual reality. With the executive team's vast experience with 3D/360/Stereo camera and shooting technology, UNLTD develops and applies a variety of proprietary revolutionary production and post-production techniques to achieve the best result in VR/AR/XR entertainment experiences.
Through the company's three main core strengths – content creation, production and distribution – the team aims to expand the immersive reality entertainment industry.
"Suite 1742: a virtual bed-in experience'' Credits:
Co-production of UNLTD and MassivArt
Director: Carl Ruscica
Producers: Francis Gélinas, John Hamilton, Philippe Demers
Executive producers: Robert Boulos, Sébastien Gros
Director of photography: Sébastien Gros
2D/3D animation: El Toro Studio / Noah Ruscica
Sound Design: Audio Z
SOURCE UNLTD
Whitney Wells, BAM Communications, C: 561-927-7803, [email protected]
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