Place des Arts and PHI are pleased to present a new augmented reality experience produced by Felix & Paul Studios in collaboration with The Jim Henson Company, showcased free for the audience in the Place des Arts Exhibition Room. This new presentation marks the fourth year of the partnership between Place des Arts and PHI.
Premiered last year in official competition at the Venice International Film Festival in the Venice Immersive section, the experience produced by Felix & Paul Studios is making its North American debut at Place des Arts. Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: The Seven Ravens is an augmented reality (AR) storybook that draws from advancements in AR to transport you to the heart of a timeless tale narrated in French by Canadian actor and writer James Hyndman.
Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: The Seven Ravens
In this enchanting tale, the night of Emma’s birth takes an unexpected turn when her seven brothers are cursed and transformed into ravens. The secret of her brothers’ fate is hidden from Emma until, 12 years later, hearing the whispers of the villagers, she forces the truth from her father, thus sparking her incredible journey.
Haunted by the guilt of her inadvertent role in the curse, Emma, following a magical compass, embarks on a quest across blazing fields, a burning desert, a tempestuous ocean, and into the expanse of the cosmos, guided by the radiant Morning Star. Her path leads her to the Crystal Mountain, an otherworldly realm governed by a deceitful Lord and inhabited by a giant, crystal-clad crab.
Through courage and sacrifice, she is able to remind her brothers of their humanity, causing them to reclaim their true forms. Their liberation brings joy and reunification, and they fly home, carrying Emma to their overjoyed father. Thus, the tale ends with the family’s heartwarming reunion, proving that love can overcome even the most powerful curses.
An Experience in Augmented Reality
Felix & Paul Studios have embraced a new medium by using augmented reality for the first time in one of their productions with an optical see-through device. This technology brings the story to life as you turn the pages. Interact with the book (move it forward and backwards, side to side, up and down) to explore the story as it expands before your eyes. Immerse yourself in an entirely original and immersive experience, while still retaining the familiar mechanics of turning the pages of a book.
“This project is a testament to our pursuit of redefining how stories are told and experienced, creating more engaging and personal connections between story and audience.”
Paul Raphaël, Chief Innovation Officer and Co-founder of Felix & Paul Studios
For more information about the experience or to get your free tickets, visit the Place des Arts website.
Acknowledgments
Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: The Seven Ravens is produced by Felix & Paul Studios in collaboration with The Jim Henson Company with support from the Canadian Media Fund, Magic Leap, Epic MegaGrants, and SODEC Quebec. Stéphane Rituit of Felix & Paul Studios and Lisa Henson of The Jim Henson Company are executive producers.
About
Felix & Paul Studios
As a trailblazer in the field of immersive entertainment, Felix & Paul Studios has established itself as a leader and pioneer in creating groundbreaking virtual, augmented, and mixed reality experiences that captivate audiences across the globe.
The studio’s commitment to innovation is rooted in the belief that technology has the power to drive new forms of artistic expression and transform storytelling into storyliving.
Its award-winning portfolio includes the first ever cinematic VR experience, Strangers with Patrick Watson; Space Explorers: The ISS Experience, the critically-acclaimed series which inspired Space Explorers: THE INFINITE; as well as collaborations with industry leaders and visionaries such as Cirque du Soleil, Universal Studios, and the Obamas.
Place des Arts
The Société de la Place des Arts de Montréal is tasked with operating a performing arts venue, managing Place des Arts in Montreal and the Amphithéâtre Fernand-Lindsay in Joliette, and with planning the artistic programming at the Maison symphonique for organizations other than the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. These activities specifically aim to provide a place of residence for major arts organizations, increase access to the various forms of performing arts, and promote Quebec’s artistic and cultural life. Place des Arts produces, co-produces, and hosts artistic works from home and abroad, featuring both emerging artists and international stars, in collaboration with arts organizations, producers, creative artists, and the entire cultural milieu.
PHI
Founded and directed by Phoebe Greenberg and based in Montreal, PHI is a multidisciplinary organization positioned at the intersection of art, film, music, design, and technology. Offering a panoramic perspective of radical ideas focused on collective experience, social impact, and audience interactivity, PHI is committed to future generations of art consumption.
PHI consists of the PHI Centre, PHI Studio, artist-in-residence programs, and PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art. Through eclectic programming and a strong emphasis on content creation, PHI fosters unexpected encounters between artists and audiences.
Public relations:
Myriam Achard
Chief, New Media Partnerships and PR
Tel.: 514 779-8868 • machard@phi.ca
