Tinker VR Experience

Tinker is a fully immersive virtual reality experience that brings to life the gradual loss of a loved one to Alzheimer’s Disease. Tinker combines motion capture technology with live improvisational theater to create an intimate and dynamic experience for every participant. This project was 6 years in devolpment, my role in the project is the creative director and founder of the studio with a team of 20+ people where we debuted at Sundance New Frontier 2021, won a grant from the Oculus Launchpad Program, and was featured in the Realtime Pavilion Siggraph 2021 + Games for Change.

What makes the experience so unique is that every interaction is customized. By integrating an interactive narrative fused with revolutionary technology, there is a genuine connection between the grandfather, performed by actor Randy Dixon, and each participant. The participant plays the role of the grandchild — getting to tinker, explore, and create inside the virtual workshop with the grandfather. The greatest creation yet becomes the memories they make together.

Tinker VR Sundance Articles/Press Interviews

Engadget- Our favorite films and VR experiences at Sundance 2021

XRMust- Interviews Sundance

Oculus Blog - CELEBRATE SUNDANCE WITH SIX STELLAR VR FILMS, PLUS BAOBAB STUDIOS AND TINKER STUDIO TO DEBUT NEW WORK

VRFocus- Namoo, Tinker, Prison X & More Premiere at Sundance Film Festival This Week

Filmmaker Magazine -Virtual and Actual Realities: The Narrative VR and New Media Works in the Sundance 2021 New Frontier Section

LATimes-Why Sundance’s interactive New Frontier works are right for this COVID-19 moment

Cool Hunting-SUNDANCE 2021: NEW FRONTIER HIGHLIGHTS

UploadVR - We Want More VR Previews At Home Like Sundance’s Tinker On Oculus Quest

Voices of VR
https://voicesofvr.com/975-critics-roundtable-for-sundance-new-frontier-2021/

Engadget Podcast: Virtual Sundance, Bezos leaves Amazon and the Apple Car

CNet -Virtual Sundance turned my home into a playground of disconnections and awe

Loud and Clear Reviews -Lou Ward on Tinker: “Memories are What Make ‘You’ You” (Interview)

The Verge IN 2021, THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL FOUND ART IN ZOOM, INSTAGRAM, AND VR THEATER

Park City TV Tweet

The memories become disrupted, however, when the grandfather starts to show signs of Alzheimer’s Disease. As time goes on, the narrative changes. Both characters grow older and the disease grows stronger. The way they both tinker together changes. How they explore and create together changes. And the memories they created together start to fade.

Millions of people are affected by Alzheimer’s Disease every year. We made this experience to bring awareness to the disease and its effects, to inspire more research, and above all, to generate understanding. Here’s a link to our marketing site and presentation deck