Creator Talks: Cinephonic Studio on immersive storytelling

8 hours ago

DeoVR's Matt kicks off our new Creator Talks series with Ryan from Cinephonic Studio to unpack how they build award-winning communal immersive experiences. Where is the sweet spot between lean-forward and lean-back in long-form immersive? Let’s dive in.

Creator Talks: Interview 1

Creator Talks: Interview 2

Fresh from winning the SXSW 2025 Audience Award, Resolution: A Cinephonic Rhapsody for the Soul is an immersive dome theater film built around The Polyphonic Spree’s latest album, Salvage Enterprise. Crafted with world-renowned visual artists - including Oscar and International Emmy winners - the piece reframes album listening as a shared, transportive journey.

Format: Dome theater - designed for collective presence
Music: The Polyphonic Spree - Salvage Enterprise
Team: A collective of award-winning visual artists

Watch the trailer on DeoVR: https://deovr.com/86rog4

Finding the balance

Ryan breaks down how Cinephonic approaches audience agency and comfort for long-form immersive:

Rhythms of attention - alternate high-intensity sequences with open, contemplative space so viewers can breathe without disconnecting.
Guided choice - invite small decisions that feel personal but do not gate the story for others in the room.
Cues over commands - use light, scale, and spatialized sound as soft signposts instead of explicit direction.
Communal sync - design peaks that align the room, then let perception drift again for individuality within the group.

Craft and collaboration

Cinephonic’s process pairs musical structure with visual architecture:

Album-first story - treat the record like a screenplay for pacing, motif, and emotional arcs.
Visual orchestration - think in ensembles of imagery that can swell, rest, and return like musical themes.
World-class partners - collaborate across disciplines to keep each moment legible at dome scale.
Tech with taste - tools serve the performance, not the other way around.

Where to watch

For the first time, these pieces are rolling out on Meta Quest, PICO XR, and desktop/mobile browser via DeoVR. Start with the trailer today - the full scene from the album single is coming shortly, plus a second Creator Talk with the team. Keep your eyes peeled.