Wunderman Thompson Switzerland creates immersive surfing experience for Red Bull Media World

"The Beast": that's what surfers reverently call the over 30-meter-high waves in Nazaré, Portugal. Only the best and bravest surfers venture into the water there. But those who don't count themselves among this small group of extreme athletes can now still experience what it feels like - quite safely and without getting wet.

With "Nazaré - Surfing the Beast", Wunderman Thompson Switzerland has created an immersive experience for Red Bull Media World in the Museum of Transport that impressively demonstrates the power of the waves to visitors. The result is a multi-user experience that does not require any virtual reality equipment. The combination of real footage of Nazaré, visualized real-time silhouettes, dimensional play and spatial sound creates an experience that gives viewers the feeling of being one with the wave. With the result that even a layman can experience the thrill of big wave surfing like never before.

Elaborate technology

The technical implementation is complex: A 9x3m LED wall is controlled by a high-performance computer and uses full-body motion capture to detect users' reactions and interact with on-screen video content in real time. Three sensor modules capture depth information in real time, which is then visualized in 1:1 using Unity 3D. In addition, a custom spatial audio installation with 8-channel audio was programmed specifically for the exhibition space. The sensory spectacle is complemented by a dynamic interface for the room lighting.

The project was developed and realized creatively and technically by Wunderman Thompson in close cooperation with the agency Headtrip from Cologne. Headtrip specializes in creating immersive media experiences for brands using technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality and interactive spatial projections. From March 20, visitors can experience the Immersive Wall as part of the new special exhibition "Water - Breaking the Surface" in the Red Bull Media World at the Museum of Transport.

Responsible at Red Bull: Isabelle Hen-Wollmarker (Head of Red Bull Media World), Monica Muijsers (Exhibition Manager), Ignaz König (Multimedia Designer). Responsible at Wunderman Thompson: Benjamin Franken (Creative Direction), Nick-Patrick Herrmann (Consulting), Manfred Bacher (Consulting), Michael Meier (Chief Technology Officer), Dany Boletas (UX Design), Konrad Dirksen (Junior Motion Designer), Rabit Rexhepi (Software Development). Responsible at Headtrip: Eric Benz (Creative Direction), Olaf Hirschberg (Consulting), Felix Hild (Immersive Artist), Lamin Sillah (Software Development), Lennart Damann (Spatial Sounddesign).