We delight in exploring the line between virtual and real-world experiences. ‘In the Eyes of the Animal’ invites audiences to encounter England’s forests anew through an immersive virtual reality experience, told by four inhabitants of the forest. It hacks the senses and fully immerses the visitors in a kinesthetic interpretation of the perspectives of the forest’s creatures. This technology allowed us the chance to use first person perspective as a medium and to explore realtime dynamic visuals and sound, giving each visitor to the virtual world a unique experience. It truly created an inherent empathy for the woodland creatures through simulating their perspective.

This educational immersion in the forest enabled our audience to learn more about the woodland creatures in an unexpected way. Virtual Reality provides a rare and unique opportunity for us to step outside of ourselves and become totally immersed in another world.

Hiking though the Grizedale Forest the audience encountered six black orbs hung from the branches of a giant, beautiful oak tree. Each orb housed an Oculus DK2 and binaural headphones. Festival invigilators assisted individuals from ages 9 to 90 into vibrating Subpac vests and secured their headpieces. The film begins and the world is transformed as tiny pink particles swirl together, recreating the surrounding thicket. Through the course of the film the participant embodies four animals as environment changes to reflect the animal's different sensory perceptions.

The multiple sets of environmental particles created from Lidar data and dynamic particles coded by bespoke software. Set to a binaural soundtrack using audio recordings sourced from the surrounding woodland, the sounds were spatialised to move around the listener, adapting to the trajectory, head movements and visual experience of the listener. The audio experience was extended beyond headphones to the whole body through the use of a SubPac. This enabled listeners to feel their body vibrating in reaction to the buzzing, flying and croaking critters they embodied.

The sculptural headsets were created to be lightweight and adjustable to ensure comfort during the length of the film. Each black orb was adorned with a faceplate made of moss sourced from the Grizedale Forest. The headpieces took the experience a step further, truly allowing visitors to become part of the forest.

‘In the Eyes of the Animal’ took two months to create, bringing together a brilliant team of creatives, technologists, and designers for the complex production. The team donated their time and expertise, working tirelessly on this passion project for Abandon Normal Devices and England’s Forestry Commission.

First exhibited at the AND Festival in 2015 and at Sundance Film Festival this winter ITEOTA continues it’s tour through Europe and Asia.