PHOTOPLAY Offers A Ghost Train Ride Like No Other At Sydney Festival

Jasmin Tarasin, director at boutique production company PHOTOPLAY, is inviting invites audiences to take a trip through the inner-workings of the mind in ‘Ghost Train’, her latest multi-sensory VR project set to feature at this year’s Sydney Festival.
Working in collaboration with musician and co-creative director Jonnine Standish, Tarasin’s uniquely immersive ‘Ghost Train’ is a combination of VR, narrative adventure film, ethereal images, and haunting music packaged into a traditional ghost train ride.
The VR journey travels through rooms of the mind and finishes with a ‘choose your own adventure’ story that takes visitors to either purgatory or bliss.
From the moment you step into the physical train carriage and put on the Samsung Gear VR Headset, you are transported into a world that explores the theme of self-displacement and how in the blink of an eye, you can make a decision that can affect the rest of your life.
“We wanted to explore a ghost train of the mind – a psychological journey that maps out how the mind works and how we make choices – so the imagery your eye focuses on, and the directions you choose to look, will make decisions on the actual course of the train ride itself,” Tarasin said.
Instead of using a 360-camera, which is often employed in VR, Tarasin worked with the RED camera to map out the storyboards and to ensure the project had the same cinematic aesthetic that influences her commercial film work.
The first original VR concept of its kind to be developed in Australia, ‘Ghost Train’ provides an opportunity to showcase the works of numerous artists in a unique multi-platform project.
It marks the second multi-scale installation that Tarasin has delivered for Sydney Festival. Her first installation, ‘LIVE’ (2011), explored the art of performance and featured musicians including Juliette Lewis, Jarvis Cocker, and Martha and Rufus Wainwright.
PHOTOPLAY executive producer Oliver Lawrance said: “Jasmin is a truly interdisciplinary artist, just as comfortable with interactive platforms as film direction.
“She has a strong vision within which her art and commercial work both thrive, and we are super-pleased to see her talents come together in this highly immersive project.”
PHOTOPLAY has 20 complimentary tickets for any agency creatives or producers who’d like to attend ‘Ghost Train’ at the Sydney Festival. Email Lawrence at oliver@photoplay.co to secure yours.
CREDITS
Creative directors: Jasmin Tarasin and Jonnine Standis
Music: Mika Vainio and HTRK
VR artists: Patrick Hamilton and Joe Hamilton
Technical production: Richard Dinnen and Matt Scott
Producer: Liza McLean
Technology: Samsung and OptiTrack
Costume design: Michelle Boyde (Unconscious Collective)
Concept technical adviser: Nimrod Weiss (Eness)
Directors of production: Katie Milwright and Sky Davies
Hair and make-up: Nadja Mott
Logo design: Manuel Bürger
Underwater dress: Bianca Spender
Underwear: Baserange
Casting: Folk Collective
People featured: Rachel Rutt, Nynno Bel Air, Henry Charles Law, Rowan Oliver, Karina Utomo, Zeina Thiboult, and Arlo Jack
Latest News

Sky News Australia Nabs Ross Greenwood As Business Weekend Anchor
Australian business and finance expert Ross Greenwood has signed exclusively with Sky News Australia as business editor and anchor of Business Weekend. With more than 40 years’ experience covering business news in Australia and around the world, Greenwood brings expertise to the role of Sky News business editor where he will lead the network’s business […]

Christian Wilkins Becomes Pantene’s First Australian Male Brand Ambassador
Christian Wilkins beats out Peter Garrett and Josh Frydenberg to become Pantene's first Australian brand ambassador.

Brands Deploy Mittens Memes After Bernie Sanders Goes Viral
Becoming slightly bored of Bernie Sanders memes clogging your social media? Let B&T add just a little more clog here.

Bumble Goes Public Despite Apple Privacy Change Concerns
The B&T editor's authoritative research confirms Bumble is ahead of Hinge when it comes to getting completely ignored.

Dan Andrews Cracks Top 20 In Hottest 100: “It’s Officially Time To Get On The Beers”
Victorian premier now referring to himself as DJ Dan Man & The Comrades after snaring Hottest 100 top 20.

The Rise And Rise Of The ‘As A Service’ Model
Here's a top piece on data as a service model. And as data's adland's "new gold", you could turn it into a new tooth.

Fitness First Unveils ‘Put Yourself First’ Campaign Via Thinkerbell
Reinvigorate your New Year goals with this new campaign. Unless those goals were to get more slovenly & take up smoking.

Carat Unveils Its Annual 2021 Trends Report
Looking for flying cars & self-styling hair helmets in Carat's 2021 Trends Report? Alas, no news, B&T's sad to report.

“We Don’t Respond To Threats”: Frydenberg Hits Back At Google
The mudslinging continues between the government & the tech giants. Expect Google's return sludge some time tomorrow.

Cristiano Ronaldo Turns Down $10M A Year To Be Face Of Saudi Tourism Over Human Rights Abuses
B&T's sure Saudi Arabia would be the perfect getaway for NRL end-of-season tours, bucks parties & even schoolies week.

Girls React To Kamala Harris Inauguration In Inspiring Spot Via Girl Up
All your colleagues bludged off on a four-day weekend while you're stuck in the office? Find some motivation here.

Cricket Australia Stands Firm On Decision To Remove ‘Australia Day’ From Marketing Campaign Despite PM’s Criticism
According to Wiki, other reasons to celebrate 26th of January include 1918's Finnish civil war and Ellen's birthday.

The Year Of Trust: Why 2021 Will Be Ruled By The Consumer
Columnist says 2021 will be ruled by the consumer. Probably not the consumer who wants an overseas holiday, however.

Joe Biden Fronts TIME Cover Depicting Mess Left By Trump Administration
One minute you're "person of the year", the next you're excrement on the sole of a shoe. As Trump's discovered here.

Cooks Urged To Help ‘Killjoy’ Vegans By Embracing Plant-Based, Via Mush-Boom
New campaign urges us all to embrace mushrooms. Presumably the button-type, not the magic variety.

Kayo Launches New Free Content Offering
Kayo launches new free content offering. Sadly, still no love for fans of elephant polo, frog racing or cheese rolling.

Seven Snares Former Nine Exec Clare Gill To Head Government Affairs
Undoubtedly the first rule of any government affairs role is having to lie about pretending to enjoy Canberra.

Bus Shelters Filled With Golf Balls In New Holey Moley Promo, Via Seven + QMS Media
You'd have to admit, if Holey Moley proves a fizzer it definitely won't be from marketing the absolute crap out of it.

Google Has “No Real Choice” But To Disable Search In Australia If Media Code Legislation Is Passed
If Google turns off search in Australia, B&T can no longer guarantee outright plagiarism of other media sites.

Cannes Lions Jury Has Highest Representation Of Women In Festival’s History
In arguably bad news for ladder, chainsaw and ute ads, Cannes now boasts it's biggest number of female judges.

Bush Heritage Honours Heroes Of Bush Conservation In Latest Campaign
Here's one of those nice stories B&T likes to run. Makes a refreshing change from our usual evil & gutter journalism.

Australian Open Controversy No Cause For Concern For Sponsors
Could Nick finally do the nation proud at this year's Oz Open? Or will he bow out early in a huffy tantrum as usual?

Get On The Beers: BrewDog To Gift Brewery To Mashd N Kutcher If They Chart In Triple J’s Hottest 100
As a warning, if you're unaware of the Mashd N Kutcher song then this story will make little to no sense.

TV Host Jimmy Kimmel Farewells Trump With Glorious Spoof Send-Off Video
Admit it, much like the Sizzler restaurant chain, Gangnam Style & chlamydia you're going to miss the Donald, aren't you?

Can’t Cook Pasta Al Dente? Barilla Now Has Spotify Playlists That’ll Help
With all due respect, surely the perfect tune to cook pasta al dente would have to be Joe Dolce's 'Shaddap Your Face'.

Outdoor Industry Launches First $3M Pro Bono Health Campaign For Department Of Health
B&T's always happy to report on the industry doing good. Except if it requires a financial donation on our part.

Facebook Launches Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Events Grants Program
It's mid-January & that means two things: abandoning all New Year resolutions & the start of Mardi Gras stories on B&T.

Zenith Appointed To SBS’ Performance Media Account
Surely this SBS news would be more appropriate in Flemish or Hungarian, yet, sadly, it's all in English, we're afraid.

IMG Wins Asian Television Award For NBL20 Grand Final Series
Admittedly, we're not huge basketball fans here at B&T. Although we always enjoyed OJ Simpson's movies.

Wunderman Thompson Launches Annual Future 100 Report
New report says immunity wellness, cloud gaming & micropreneurs are in & storming the Capital dressed as a viking's out.