The Lightmongers annual William Wright lecture took place on Wednesday 28th February and was a fascinating review of new tools that we now have available, and which are pushing the realms of storytelling in the entertainment sector.

The lecture was entitled from AI (Artificial Intelligence) to AR (Augmented Reality) and was presented by Sarah Cox, a lighting designer with extensive experience in the entertainment lighting world. Examples ranged from the electrifying Abba Voyage concert to the awe-inspiring Superbowl ceremonies. Through the lens of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality and Extended Reality – the 4Rs – we explored how the entertainment industry captivates us, allowing us to suspend our disbelief and dive headfirst into new dimensions.

Sarah was supported with an input from Lightmonger James Simpson, who showed a couple of examples of projects using these technologies that he has been involved in, one of which was a remarkable transformation of HQS Wellington, once a retired frigate, now reborn as an immersive museum thanks to the ingenious fusion of light and technology. Imagine reliving the adventures of a seafaring vessel on the wild Atlantic ocean!

Sarah and James making their respective presentations.

The lecture took place in the exclusive media production facilities of Target3D Studios, where we were made most welcome and where these new technologies can be vividly demonstrated and experienced.

The lecture was well attended by Lightmonger members and their guests, plus delegates from some of the other Livery Companies who had an interest in these new technologies.

The delegates, with the Master Peter McVeigh in the front row with Stephanie Wright.

The Master, Peter McVeigh, thanked Sarah, James and Target3D Studios for organising and presenting the William Wright Lecture 2024 and thanked all delegates for attending, extending a particularly warm welcome to Stephanie Wright.

The evening concluded with light refreshments and plenty of time for people to mix and discuss the technologies presented and their transformative potential.

Note:

The first Annual Lightmongers Lecture took place in 2016 introduced by William (Bill) Wright, Past Master of the Lightmongers and Chairman of the Education Committee.  Sadly, Bill died in 2017 after a short battle with cancer but his memory lives on in the lecture now named in his honour.