Hi Rebecca! How would you describe what you do/your business?
I’m a filmmaker and the founder of edge21 Studio. We create apps, films and immersive experiences which bring stories to life in new and refreshing ways. The business is quickly developing a unique identity as a company for film and TV fans and content creators.
How did you find out about the Clwstwr funding?
I initially found out about Clwstwr through a friend, following which I applied to join the first Ideas Lab. After that, I applied for seed funding and then on to further funding.
What inspired you to apply for funding?
While working on Reel Reality, my first immersive app, I realised the potential of augmented reality (AR) and other immersive tech. I knew Clwstwr funding would enable me to explore this area in a totally different way, to develop creative IP, open up possibilities and new opportunities in this field.
What were you aiming to do for your Clwstwr project?
The central idea was around combining augmented reality (AR) and film. There were two main questions I wanted to answer: Can we use AR to intelligently connect with film or television programmes? Can AR content be triggered and collected via a dedicated app, then used to explore narratives, solve puzzles or engage in programmes in new and informative ways?
What process did you use to carry out your Clwstwr project, stage by stage?
The first stage was to test the theory around using film as a way to trigger AR content. I shot a lot of test footage under a range of different conditions. Then, I worked with Sugar Creative, my collaborators on the project, to test the footage and ideas with the AR. Together, we were able to develop a ‘formula’ (which is a secret!) to enable the connectivity to work. We called the creative framework and tech ‘Evolvement’, which is now a licensable concept.
To demonstrate how Evolvement works and how it can be applied to a film project, we created After the Evidence - a new style of interactive film and game powered by the Evolvement engine. It’s an immersive story experience that combines film with investigation gameplay. Players gather the evidence while watching the film then use that evidence to investigate, make deductions and close the case.
What were the outcomes of your research?
The R&D led to us making After The Evidence as proof of concept. But, more importantly, the R&D enabled me to explore and test theories and ideas, to work with a range of people across the industry, to develop my company and its identity and to set a new pathway for future work.
Where do you think you’ll go next, having carried out the R&D?
After the Evidence is now on the festival circuit as both the immersive experience (film and game) and also a recut version of the film as a standalone piece, which works well as a way to attract people to the work and company. It’s a two-pronged approach, sharing content and making connections.
I’m continuing to develop opportunities with Evolvement in other work and looking to develop partnership projects to really push the boundaries of the idea and tech further. Edge21 studio will continue to develop as a film and immersive experience company and I can’t wait to get stuck into more unique ways of experiencing film and telling stories.