In 2021, theatre-makers Russell Bender and Sarah Golding made a prototype of an interactive, immersive performance for a 6-11 year old child, supported by their family.  In the prototype, the child met Alex, an adult performer who asked if they could help her find her “Invisible Friend” from her childhood. Putting on a pair of head tracking headphones, the child could hear and play with the friend and guide Alex to rediscover it. Now, Russell and Sarah are planning to turn “The Invisible Friend” into a full production.  

Join Russell as he talks about and demos what they have learned so far about combining head tracking technology, spatial audio and live theatre, as he and Sarah embark on their next steps working out how these technologies can be used to bring a child’s imagination to life. 

Russell Bender is a theatre director and creative technologist. His company, Potential Difference, makes innovative new work at the intersection of science, technology and theatre.

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday 21st February 2025 at 1pm for the talk and to take part in the Q and A discussion afterwards. 

The Pervasive Media Studio is a partnership between the Watershed, University of the West of England and University of Bristol. The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region. Watershed is supported by Arts Council England.

Address:
Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX

Directions:
The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.

The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted. 

For more information on accessing the studio take a look here.

*Please note this is a hybrid event and will be live streamed so please be aware you will be in the live broadcast and recording when watching in the Studio.