Tell us about DARKFIELD.
DARKFIELD is a collection of experiences that use 360 degree sound and other sensory effects to create strange worlds that unfold in location based experiences and digital experiences transmitted online.
In the location based work, narratives unravel behind the doors of shipping containers, whereas the digital projects are broadcasted via the Darkfield Radio phone app, or via VR worlds.
The core of DARKFIELD’s work is this: each audience member is situated at the centre of intense evolving narratives using 360 degree binaural sound, pitch darkness and other sensory effects.
What inspired you to bring DARKFIELD to Australia?
It sparked from a disconnect in what we could experience abroad and what was on offer in Australia. We wanted to work with a creative team that was doing something totally different, so we could introduce new ideas and ways to use technology into the industry.
There has been so much growth in experiential entertainment in Australia in the past few years – to be part of that landscape is really exciting as there’s so much potential in a young market with such enthusiastic audiences.
Tell us about your career and background.
My career is actually outside of theatre. I started out, briefly, in the Melbourne music industry doing social media and PR, but then followed the flow of social media marketing which led me to a role in a big UK agency. After that I moved to a boutique PR agency in Melbourne, then a travel app start-up. Each different role has equipped me with the skills it has taken to build Realscape Productions, but as a small, fast-growing company, a lot of the time I am just jumping off the deep end into new things.
I met my partner Nathan, one of those people who knew what they wanted to do since being a toddler – THEATRE – and we instantly started hatching plans. That’s how I ventured into the industry, but my skills transferred easily. It definitely creates a new energy and passion when your work is creating exciting experiences that people love, as opposed to marketing consumer brands.
Describe a typical work day for you (if there is such a thing).
There is no such thing as typical – I am stuck to a computer most of the time and I wear many hats. Emails and admin like everyone else, lots of spreadsheets to cost up projects, logistics, hiring and HR, sometimes I’m up early to meet the truck as the container gets bumped in to a new site, or training staff. That gets mixed in with meetings with very interesting people, attending shows, festivals, travelling interstate a lot. It’s taken a while but I think I’ve finally worked out how to manage being all over the place, all of the time… sort of.
Has COVID-19 affected your business? How are you navigating that?
Everything stopped for us last March, until we were able to escape Melbourne to get to a regional season in WA in November.
We had some digital experiences via Darkfield Radio, but it meant nine months of chasing our own tails. The goal posts keep moving, so we were planning all eventualities and for most of last year, none of them would come into fruition.
We had to learn to be patient and persistent – even now that things are open we’ve taken a few more hits in the form of event cancellations, but it feels like we’re almost out of the woods.
The hit to cash flow meant we couldn’t retain or hire anyone, so there has been a big workload to deal with. We are only now reaching a position to resolve that.
Luckily people are so keen to attend events again now that restrictions have eased, so the main priority at the moment is working to get new dates booked in and making sure we’re razor sharp with our processes to minimise risk.
What advice do you have for those wanting to start a business?
One of the key strengths in the way we built Realscape was having a partnership – two brains, two skill sets and you don’t get isolated when things are tough.
It’s great to push boundaries and take risks, but always have parameters for a calculated risk:
- If it all went south, what’s the worst that can happen and can we come back from that?
- Does the idea propel itself – will media and audiences love it enough to gain great press coverage and word of mouth
What’s next for you, and REALSCAPE PRODUCTIONS?
We are moving onto the stage for the first time, bringing the West End production of Ghost Stories to Melbourne. It’s really exciting to be working with Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, plus the show is brilliant and scary – we think the audiences here will really get behind it.
We also have some exciting things happening in the world of DARKFIELD, which is ever evolving, with new digital and location based experiences in the pipeline.
For me personally, I’m reclaiming my physical and mental health after the obliteration of the last twelve months. Also hoping a cheeky trip to NZ could be on the cards.
Ghost Stories is playing at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre in October 2021. For tickets, visit ghoststoriestheshow.com.au
