Earth Is Lost - An Immersive Sound Installation

Aim

Seeking £1,000 for a work-in-progress science fiction audio experience that's out of this world! 🚀

✨Embark on a Cosmic Journey with me!✨

Greetings, fellow explorers of the Unknown!

I'm excited to introduce "Earth is Lost", a work-in-progress sound installation that propels you into space. Part of the Up Next Festival 2024 at Unity Theatre, Liverpool, this is the first stage of an ambitious journey that delves into humanity's relationship with technology against the vast backdrop of the cosmos.

With a story told through 4 concurrent streams of audio, the piece combines atmospheric sound, dynamic lighting, multilingual elements, bespoke video projections and a site-specific approach to redefine the boundaries of the theatrical space.

✨The Aim✨

Although "Earth is Lost" is the initial stage of a larger idea, I am working to make it as developed and engaging as possible. I will be testing this show's multidisciplinary elements whilst ensuring a complete experience for the audience. 

✨What Has Been Achieved So Far✨

Sound Design: Sound is at the heart of this production. I am developing a complex soundscape of sonic artefacts, live atmospheres and captured audio, designed to transport the audience into the heart of the story. I am currently working with translators, bilingual voice actors and a professional recording studio, all kindly lending their time and skills for free.

Narrative Development: With the help of a narrative advisor, the storyline has been honed to ensure the deepest impact on the audience, weaving together the themes of humanity, artificial intelligence and possible futures.

Visual and Graphic Design: Talented professionals have lent their skills to create stunning digital and graphic designs that will enhance the themes of the piece and help achieve a greater sense of immersion for the audience.

✨Where I Need Your Help✨

While significant progress has been made, creating such an ambitious project - especially in its early stages - presents many challenges. I have been able to stretch the small budget I had from the Up Next Festival to cover most aspects of this production, and I am so close to being able to realise my vision for this stage of the project. Now I really need your support to help me complete the staging and set design elements of the installation.

By supporting this crowdfunding campaign, you'll enable me to:

• Enhance the audience experience: with your support, I'll be able to create a captivating set that elevates the immersion and engagement for audiences. I aim to completely recontextualize the theatre space, creating an environment that challenges expectations and stimulates new perspectives.
• Compensate the team: your contributions will also allow me to compensate the team for their time and expertise, ensuring they can continue to contribute their talents to the project.

✨Impact✨

Beyond the theatre, "Earth is Lost" aims to spark conversations about our relationship with technology and the importance of what binds us as humans, which has never been more important than now. Your support will contribute not only to an event but to the broader exploration of our humanity and our future.

One of my aims is to provoke debate around the use of today's emerging technology by looking at where it could end up. AI tools are already threatening and disrupting creative industries. Whilst there are some definite advantages to what these technologies do (or will soon be capable of), there are also huge potential negative implications, not least in terms of their impact on creative jobs. 

With this in mind, I am working with as many creatives as possible in different disciplines that appear to be under threat and, in order to better understand the technology of today, I have also used forms of generative AI both to write the blurb for my piece (as can be seen on the Unity Theatre website) and to create the image* to promote the installation. These processes will be described in the "Earth is Lost" podcast (coming soon) which will also feature interviews with some of the creatives I have been working with.  

✨Why Your Support Matters✨

By supporting my campaign, you're not just helping me fund this initial stage, you're becoming a crucial part of the journey towards realising a larger vision. Together, we can create a groundbreaking theatrical experience that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and immersive design.

✨Join Me on This Journey✨

I'm incredibly grateful for any support you can provide, whether it's through financial contributions or by spreading the word about this campaign. Together, let's make our vision a reality and create a memorable experience for audiences to cherish!

Thank you for believing in my project and for being a part of this journey.

Ed 

Sonic Mutiny

*The image used to promote "Earth is Lost" was created using Bing AI Image Generator for the purposes of the wider debate I am having around the themes of my show and will not be used beyond this initial stage of the work. An actual human graphic designer was required to make this AI image usable. His name is Ric and you can see more of his work here. He also designed the Sonic Mutiny logo.

This project successfully funded on 3rd April 2024