Immersive Experience Network Podcast Immersive Experience Network

We’re joined by Meri Mance and Sarah Morris to uncover the nuts and bolts of marketing immersive experiences, across different scales - exploring how targeting audiences for immersive work differs from traditional cultural experiences, from managing and enhancing audience expectations to your top tricks and tips to getting tickets sold! 
Our Guests:
Meri Mance is the founder of Mance Communications; founded in 2009, Mance Communications specialises in taking brands from start-up to business leader; pop-up to establishment and consulting on strategy and market positioning . Focusing on the immersive and experience sectors the team at Mance Communications have twenty + years’ experience and have established some of the UK’s foremost experiential, competitive socialising, food & drink and travel experiences. Find Meri on instagram @mancecomms  and LinkedIn
Sarah Morris is a Bristol-based Creative Producer who specialises in immersive and interactive theatre, location-based attractions, midway entertainment, and experiential marketing and advertising. Over the past 13 years, Sarah has been a driving force behind the creation and development of a diverse range of projects, guiding them from inception to delivery on a global scale. Her expertise spans both the creative industry and commercial sectors, showcasing a versatile and dynamic approach that is audience-centered - as a cultural studies graduate, Sarah's work is often inspired by popular culture, some of Sarah's highlights were creating the UK's longest-running immersive experience, Zombie SWAT, and co-created Merlin Entertainments first Escape Room for Madam Tussards San-Francisco. Find Sarah on Linkedin 
Hosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network’s, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ 
Instagram @immersiveexperiencenet
Mailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Were joined by Carl Dolamore, Oliver Lansley and Megan Stewart for a dynamic discussion which takes us deep into the creative processes and complex methodologies involved in casting and rehearsing for immersive experiences and the key differences in practice between these and traditional theatre making practices.
Our Guests:
Carl Dolamore is an actor and voice artist, currently studying on the MA Voice Studies course at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. He has worked in live and immersive theatre for about a decade and has recently started teaching and coaching actors as well. Carl has worked on The War of the Worlds (Layered Reality), The Gunpowder Plot (Layered Reality), Money Heist (Bearded Kitten, Fever & Netflix), further shows with Luna Cinema, Bompas & Parr & Path Group. www.CarlDolamore.com @cwildmore
Oliver Lansley is a British, Neuro-divergent writer, director and performer who works across stage and screen. Lansley is Artistic Director of the multi award-winning and pioneering theatre company, Les Enfants Terribles. The company has created many ground-breaking productions, including the Olivier Award nominated Alice’s Adventures Underground - which has enjoyed sell out runs in London and Shanghai; The Game’s Afoot for Madame Tussauds; Inside Pussy Riot, and recently The House with Chicken Legs (based on the best selling book by Sophie Anderson) - which has also just been nominated for an Olivier Award. The Company will be opening their own permanent immersive theatre venue - 'Labyrinth' in Waterloo in 2024 with the return of Alice's Adventures Underground. @olilansley @lesenfantsterr
Megan Stewart is a Scottish Writer, Senior Creative and Director. Her writing specialties are adaptations of existing IP; dialogue writing; character writing; game writing; and blended medium writing for the immersive theatre format. Her directing specialties include close- proximity immersive; personalised storylines within roaming group adventures; and crafting authentic audience experiences. Her performance direction is centred around building the ensemble and discovery through structured improvisation. Megan additionally consults for immersive theatre, advising in script development, actor safety, show flow, audience flow and operations. She is currently the Associate Director at multi-award winning immersive theatre company, Layered Reality in London; and Associate Creative Director & Writer at Sarner. @megansarastewart or find Megan on Linkedin
Hosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network’s, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ 
Instagram @immersiveexperiencenet
Mailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re joined by Sheena Patel and Mark Sarfo-Kantanka to discuss the nuts and bolts of scaling into commercial work - from managing budgets and finances to developing pitches, finding investors, exploring the international market and Obtaining IP. 
Our Guests:
Sheena Patel is an Experience Designer and Creative Producer with over a decade's experience across experiential campaigns and immersive productions.She co-created and produced Time Run (voted one of the best escape games in the world TERPECA 2018) and Sherlock: The Game is Now (Visit London’s 'Best New Tourism Business' 2020). As Director of YonderBeyond, she supports brands, independent companies and agencies such as Flavourology, Bearded Kitten, Bompas & Parr and Hotel Wonderland to consult on, devise or deliver new immersive experiences  Other titles and brands she has worked on include Money Heist, Peaky Blinders and Disney.
Mark Sarfo-Kantanka is Co-Founder of NEXUS, an incubator for creative, digital & tech innovative SME, helping them to scale. Mark is also Co-Founder of Cellar Door an audacious event management group that challenges people’s perceptions by implementing ground-breaking creative experiences unconstrained by venue capacity or location. Find Mark on Socials: @nexuscreativehq @cellardoorgroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-sarfo-kantanka/
Hosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network’s, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ 
Instagram @immersiveexperiencenet
Mailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-up
The IEN is made possible by the support of our industry partners. Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re joined by Polly Barker, Marie Klimis and Natasha Stanton to explore how organisations and individuals approach seeking funding, to create work in immersive contexts. From applying for public funds, through to the requirements of research bodies and third sector trusts and foundations - we get into the nitty gritty raising funds for immersive experiences.
Guests:
Polly Barker is Punchdrunk Enrichment’s Head of Development, leading fundraising with individuals, Trusts & Foundations, and corporate partners. Polly studied English Literature at Sussex before beginning her career in the Museum sector, working at the V&A in London, and at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide. Polly loves learning, the visual arts, travelling and is writing a novel in her spare time. https://www.punchdrunkenrichment.org.uk/, https://www.instagram.com/punchdrunkenrichment/
Marie Klimis is is currently Senior Producer at Coney.  She has worked as a Producer and Project Manager for a range of organisations, including the City of London Festival, Horniman Museum, Pure Expression or Arts and Gardens. She is a founding member and director of 27 degrees, a migrant-led collective specialised in socially-engaged immersive theatre. As a writer and designer, she specialises in intimate immersive projects in unusual spaces, including “I am Bird and The Paper Traveller”, two choose-your-own-adventure projects in library spaces.  https://www.instagram.com/marieklimis/
Natasha Stanton is a Senior Portfolio Manager at the Economic and Social Research Council and previously was a Senior Investment Manager at the Arts and Humanities Research Council and an International Stakeholder Engagement Manager at UKRI (UK Research and Innovation). https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-stanton-8413b589/
Hosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network’s, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ 
Instagram @immersiveexperiencenet
Mailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re joined by Katie Day, Arlo Howard and Chloe Mashiter - exploring how playability and gaming intersects in immersive contexts to offer a deep experience for audiences. We discuss how generating playable mechanics form part of the creative process, the importance of playtesting mechanics before experiences come to life and the common challenges that makers face when introducing audiences to playable work.  
Our Guests:
Katie Day is an award-winning artist and Artistic Director of The Other Way Works, who create new immersive experiences with the aim of provoking positive action to create change. Katie is an artist and director developing work where theatre meets new technologies with the aim of creating magical, immersive experiences. Katie is a 2023/24 BOM Resident, regular speaker at conferences and events, visiting university lecturer and a producer of professional development programmes. Insta and Twitter @otherwayworks  https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiedaytoww/
Arlo Howard They/Them is an international award winning, non-binary creator working at the intersection of theatre and games. Their work focuses on creating positive change and learning through playful theatrical experiences and games. Arlo is a current Associate Artist of Coney. They recently worked on “The Burnt City” with Punchdrunk and director/creator of “The Order of the Golden Scribe” www.arlohoward.com  Insta: @arlo_howard
Chloe Mashiter is an award-winning game- and theatre-maker whose work spans tabletop roleplaying games, interactive theatre, larps, megagames and ARGs. They are an Associate at Coney and Creative Associate at Bridge Command. www.chloemashitermakesthings.wordpress.com and www.rollflipdraw.co.uk
Hosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the Immersive Experience Network’s, Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ 
Instagram @immersiveexperiencenet
Mailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-up
The IEN is made possible by the support of our industry partners. Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summary: In the second part of our working with Venues theme, we explore the processes involved in setting up a space for immersive experiences - from business rates and running costs to grumpy neighbours. In this episode, Dr Joanna Bucknall chats with David Ralf, Tom Black and Joe Ball about programming and developing relationships with venues that host immersive work and the opportunities and challenges they’ve experienced in their journeys so far. 
Our Guests:
David Ralf is a producer, theatre manager, and production manager. Before joining Theatre Deli he was Executive Director of The Bunker Theatre and was Associate Producer of The Hope Theatre. He also produces theatre with his company, Loose Tongue, and writes plays https://www.theatredeli.co.uk/
Tom Black is an immersive theatremaker and interactive narrative design consultant. He co-created Parabolic Theatre's 'Crisis? What Crisis?' and is an Artistic Associate of the company. He's also a founder and Creative Director at Jury Games, and the Chief Operating Officer at sci-fi immersive experience Bridge Command. https://www.tomblack.uk @tomblackuk
Joe Ball Joe Ball has been running Exit Productions for the last 6 years, inviting audiences to start revolutions, colonise Mars, fix boxing matches, Decide if AI is sentient enough to end it's life, fixed cycle races and the host of the next world cup.  Recently he has been delivering interactive events for Boomtown festival, music acts and brands. Joe also co-runs Jury Games that has just found a permanent home in central London after becoming a global success online through lockdown. www.exitproductionsltd.com
Hosted by Dr Joanna Bucknall and produced by Natalie Scott for the IEN's Knowledge Bank. Funded by Arts Council England.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersive-experience-network/ 
Instagram @immersiveexperiencenet
Mailing List https://immersiveexperience.network/sign-up
IEN is made possible by the support of our industry partners. Illusion Design & Construction, Mance Communications, White Light, Unlocked Vision, Clockwork Dog, d&b audiotechnik, Scene2, Little Lion Entertainment , Entourage, and Vista Insurance. 


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.