Immersive Experiences and The Sphere Las Vegas (with Tim Jones)
From Fantasy/Animation by Fantasy/Animation
April 6, 2026 · 1h 9m · Episode 171
About this episode
The episode explores the intersection of immersive technology and live performances through the case study of the Sphere Las Vegas, featuring insights from Dr Tim Jones.
The latest episode of the Fantasy/Animation podcast marvels at the era of technologically-powered immersive experiences and high-tech live concert performances through a case study of the Sphere Las Vegas, whose 16K resolution/160,000-square-foot wraparound screen was announced via a series of 40 virtual reality concerts held by U2 between September 2023 to March 2024. Joining Chris and Alex as they navigate these new forms of concert illusion is Dr Tim Jones, an Assistant Professor of Media Arts at Robert Morris University who specialises in animation, film history, media production, and Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) experience design. Topics include fantastic environments and the aesthetic principles of immersion; the promise of limitlessness when liveness and animation collide, and the resultant spectacle of domed displays; site specificity, aura, and the scale of collective experiences; distinctions between contemplation and distraction; and how the Las Vegas Sphere operates as an expensive party trick that helps us understand animation’s own sacred spaces and sensory overloads. **Fantasy/Animation theme tune composed by Francisca Araujo** **As featured on Feedspot’s…
People in this episode
Hosts: Chris, Alex
Guest: Dr Tim Jones
Topics covered
- immersive experiences
- live concert performances
- virtual reality
- animation
- media production
- augmented reality
- collective experiences
Keywords
- Sphere Las Vegas
- U2
- 16K resolution
- spectacle
- site specificity
- sensory overload
Mentioned in this episode
Products: the Las Vegas Sphere, Sphere Las Vegas, virtual reality concerts
Books & works: Best 10 UK Animation Podcasts, Best 60 Movie Podcasts
Places: UK
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