Collaboration is the future of Experiential Entertainment

The visual impact was nothing short of mesmerising. Standing amidst projections that painted the air with light and colour. But as the world has become more familiar with the scale and 360 degree projection of images, these immersive experiences are fast becoming the baseline for what's now possible in Location-Based Entertainment (LBE). The future is Experiential Entertainment. A holistic engagement of all the senses that requires entertainment venues, content creators and technology providers to work more collaboratively than ever before. 

Experiential Entertainment will be a multi-dimensional approach with true immersion appealing to our full sensory spectrum—touch, hearing, smell, and, who knows, in the future possibly even taste!

The BBC Earth Experience in Melbourne is one such example. Here Panasonic, HIVE and Intel collaborated on the technology to create a new distributed architecture for immersive experiences - revolutionising traditional set-ups by decentralising the processing elements. Using the Intel SDM slot in Panasonic projectors, HIVE created a compact media server solution on a board, called the BeeBlade, which integrates directly into the Panasonic projector. Locating the media processing engine in the display device significantly reduces the need for extensive cabling and centralised control systems.

The result is a more streamlined, cost-effective, and energy-efficient setup. This system also offers greater flexibility, allowing for easier transportation and quicker assembly, essential for touring immersive experiences.

But in the same way that the Intel SDM slot has been used to revolutionise the costs involved in touring experiences, it can also be used to move Experiential Entertainment forward. Imagine AI-based Smart Display Modules that can turn projectors and audio systems into intelligent devices to create unique tailored experiences on the fly. In essence, the development of Intel SDM enables anything that can be created on a PC to be integrated into AV. The ability to integrate the latest technology developments into AV devices unlocks an unlimited world of new creativity.

One fascinating example of this collaboration is the Lumina Cathedral of Toledo. This immersive experience combines the power of history, spirituality and art to bring to life the story of this magnificent Spanish cathedral.

The development of the immersive experience was a meticulous process involving a multidisciplinary team of twenty-nine experts, including historians, theologians, audiovisual and scenography experts, professional script writers, engineers, architects, designers, voice actors, musicians and artists. 

As we look towards the future, the trajectory of LBE is unmistakably towards more integrated, collaborative efforts. This isn't just about using technology as a tool but as a platform for innovation, where diverse expertise and creative ambition can come together to create unparalleled experiences.

Panasonic’s collaborative approach underscores a broader industry shift. It's an essential element in creating experiences that fully immerse and engage the audience, marking an exciting new chapter in the story of entertainment. If you are involved in helping to create this new chapter, get in touch or find more information here. We would love to collaborate!