Step into the stillness of an abandoned school and enter ‘Gymnasia’, a place where the ghostly ephemera of a lost childhood await you. Recall the particular sights and sounds of a child’s world through the echoes of ball games, school lessons and choir recitals. ‘Gymnasia’ reanimates the memories of those forgotten days. This ground-breaking, cinematic VR experience is the first collaboration between the National Film Board of Canada, Felix & Paul Studios and Clyde Henry Productions. The project flawlessly blends 3D 360-degree video, stop-motion, miniatures and CGI, and pushes the art of puppet animation into uncharted territory. ‘Gymnasia’ is a dark dream – unsettling and weirdly wonderful. It is the first VR experience to induce the elusive anxiety that occurs when the lines between what’s real and unreal are blurred beyond belief.
Festivals
CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS 2020
BEST IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE MANCHESTER ANIMATION FESTIVAL 2019
BEST IMMERSIVE FILM OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FESTIVAL 2019
BEST VR ANIMATION B3 MOVING IMAGE FESTIVAL 2019
Creators and directors: CHRIS LAVIS I MACIEK SZCZERBOWSKI (CLYDE HENRY PRODUCTIONS)
Produced by: NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA and FELIX & PAUL STUDIOS Supported by The ADAM MICKIEWICZ Institute and TELEFILM CANADA
PRODUCERS: DANA DANSEREAU, FÉLIX LAJEUNESSE & PAUL RAPHAËL
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: ROB MCLAUGHLIN, STÉPHANE RITUIT, LOC DAO
CINEMATIC VR technology: FELIX & PAUL STUDIOS
Ambisonic sound: HEADSPACE STUDIO
MUSIC: PATRICK WATSON
