VIrtual Reality

Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness

Peter Middleton, James Spinney, Arnaud Colinart, Amaury La Burthe
As one goes deeper into blindness, one begins to live by other interests, other values.

One begins to take up residence in another world. After losing his sight in 1983, John Hull began recording an audio-diary documenting his discovery of a world beyond sight. John's original recordings, the sensory and emotional universe of his voice, form the basis of this interactive experience, which uses real time 3D, virtual reality, and binaural sound to explore the interior world of blindness. This creates a unique VR project where you have time and space to viscerally experience John’s story and explore how losing one sense can enhance others.

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Peter Middleton

Over the past three years Peter Middleton and James Spinney have made a number of successful short films together. Their first short Audiobook (2010) was nominated for the 2010 Virgin Media Shorts, followed by Everyday is Like Sunday (2011) which was nominated for the 2011 Sunday Times First Light Awards. In 2012 their drama short Wavelengths (2012) won Best Film at the Short Cuts Film Festival and was nominated for Film London’s Best of Boroughs Awards. They are currently developing their debut feature Into Darkness.

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James Spinney

Over the past three years James Spinney and Peter Middleton have made a number of successful short films together. Their first short Audiobook (2010) was nominated for the 2010 Virgin Media Shorts, followed by Everyday is Like Sunday (2011) which was nominated for the 2011 Sunday Times First Light Awards. In 2012 their drama short Wavelengths (2012) won Best Film at the Short Cuts Film Festival and was nominated for Film London’s Best of Boroughs Awards. They are currently developing their debut feature Into Darkness.

Arnaud Colinart

Arnaud Colinart is producer, head of new media at AGAT Films & Cie/Ex Nihilo in Paris. He is particularly interested in applying new technologies and interactive mechanisms in the conception of narrative works—whether documentary or fiction. 

Amaury La Burthe

Amaury La Burthe earned a master's degree in Acoustics and Signal Processing at IRCAM in Paris. He founded the startup, AudioGaming, focusing on creating innovative audio technologies and immersive experiences.

General sponsor

Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness

France, Great Britain
2016, 25'

Directed by:
Peter Middleton, James Spinney, Arnaud Colinart, Amaury La Burthe

Screenplay by:
Arnaud Desjardins, Béatrice Lartigue, Fabien Togman

Producers:
Arnaud Colinart, David Coujard, Mike Brett

Produced by:
Ex Nihilo, ARTE France, Archer's Mark, AudioGaming

Festivals & Awards:

Tribeca Film Festival 2016 – Storyscapes Award; British Independent Film Award for Best British Documentary 2016; Camerimage 2016 – Golden Frog; San Francisco International Film Festival 2016 – Special Jury Award; Sheffield International Documentary Festival 2016 – Storytelling and Innovation Award; Sundance Film Festival 2016; Leipzig 2016; Sydney Film Festival 2016; Melbourne International Film Festival 2016