Wake The Tiger has recently opened a huge extension to it’s immersive reality Amazement Park ®. We spoke to our alumni and staff working there to find out more about the immersive technology scene, why it’s popular and the serious message behind the experience.
What is Wake The Tiger?
From a quiet corner of St Phillips in Bristol, Wake The Tiger takes you through a portal into an incredible imaginary world. You’ll emerge two hours later from an adventure in another dimension.
It’s an immersive out-of-this-world experience unlike anything you’ve seen before. A self-guided walk through a labyrinth of sensory spaces, designed to transport you into another world where you are an active player in an unfolding story.
What is meant by ‘immersive reality’ and ‘immersive technologies‘?
“Virtual reality, immersive theatre, interactive technology, escape rooms, and gaming all have a lot in common. These kinds of mediums directly involve the audience, their audiences do rather than watch.”
explains Fi Nicholson, UWE Bristol alum and Creative Assistant at Wake The Tiger.
“There are many different types of immersive experiences, some are location-based experiences, and some use digital technologies to stimulate spatial environments. Regardless of their form, all immersive experiences share the common goal of evoking the sensations and emotions of ‘being there’.”
Sophie Shaw, Creative Producer at Wake The Tiger and Events lecturer at UWE Bristol.
From innovative virtual technology to intricate hand-made creative art installations, motion triggered soundscapes and interactive projections, Wake the Tiger embraces all means to weave their story and transport you far from a mundane reality. Watch this short clip.
Why do people love this kind of imaginative play?
“I find imaginative play a lovely way to get audiences to break out of their comfort zone and embrace something different. Not only are they learning something new about themselves, but they are generally more receptive to being open-minded in general.
Personally, I enjoy pure escapism that lets me forget the real world!
It is an inherent human instinct to play! People are born to laugh, be silly, and be weird, we just grow out of it and start wearing suits and ties. Experiences like Wake The Tiger offer a way to tap back into our childhood imaginations. We give audiences permission to open their mind and relax into silliness.”
Fi Nicholson
We live in a chaotic, stressful, and at times frightening world. Immersive experiences give people permission to play. Audiences are enveloped on all sides – you can get lost, express yourself creatively, and have a transformative experience, all in a safe space.”
Sophie Shaw
What if it’s all a bit over stimulating?
Some people love heightened sensory spaces and sound and visual stimulation, but not everyone. Wake the Tiger have designed the experience to be as accessible as possible.
“Our ‘sensory sensitive sessions‘ are for people who could potentially find a visitor attraction overwhelming when open to the general public. They may prefer less people and an environment where any sensory stimulation is managed, including the lights and sounds.”
Abbie Baker, UWE Bristol alum and Marketing Manager at Wake The Tiger
What’s the deeper meaning and why are visitors searching for funga?
Visitors arrive into the alternate world of Meridia, a place devastated by climate and societal breakdown due to industrialization and mass-consumerism.
The ‘Guilds’ work tirelessly to restore Meridia’s ecosystems and conserve its remaining flora and fauna through wild experiments. Their ground-breaking experiments reveal the transformative power of funga.
“The underlying message is that transformation is possible. Even in the darkest of times, hope remains. Our world may be damaged and depleted, but we have the power to heal it.
We use the creative process to raise awareness of real-world eco-activism initiatives. A recent example is the Flora Fauna Funga campaign for greater fungal inclusion in conservation policy.
We proudly gave funga a central role in the story in the Dream Factory and use the term ‘funga’ within the narrative to honour its equal importance with flora and fauna.”
Sophie Shaw
More on the creative technology scene in Bristol…
“The immersive and interactive tech scene is thriving! And very welcoming.
Pervasive Media Studio has recently announced Undershed, a dedicated space to bring immersive art and tech to the masses opening this Autumn.”
Fi Nicholson
Bristol’s leading creative technology scene is harnessing the power of extended, augmented and virtual reality technologies. Immersive Arts – led by UWE Bristol with Pervasive Media Studio and Watershed – is a new programme funding artists looking to break boundaries and map frontiers in these new worlds.
Our short film
When we met Fi and Abbie and they showed us around Wake The Tiger, we made this film too. Hear them talk more about their career journeys and take a look inside…
With thanks to:
Fi Nicholson
BA(Hons) Filmmaking & Creative Media, 2017.
Creative Assistant, Wake The Tiger.
Abbie Baker
BA(Hons) English, 2021 and MSc in Digital Marketing, 2022.
Marketing Manager, Wake The Tiger
Sophie Shaw
Creative Producer, Wake The Tiger and Events lecturer at UWE Bristol.