Virtual Reality (VR) and the Metaverse With Max Horwich (Live from the Void, Pt. 1)
Love Music More · hosted by Luke F. Walton (Scoobert Doobert)
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Topics discussed
Host note
Max Horwich is the director behind Live from the Void, a 3D-rendered concert world where you're watching a live performance inside an environment that doesn't physically exist. He's also been teaching kids to make video games in an after-school program, which turns out to be a useful frame for the conversation: the tools that build games and the tools that build immersive music experiences are increasingly the same tools.
We get into the concept and production of Live from the Void, what it actually takes to make something dynamic and engaging rather than just visually novel, and how Unity (the industry-standard 3D rendering engine) works as a filmmaking and music platform. Max has a clear-eyed critique of VR too, a lot of it still feels like a waste of the technology: and that honesty shapes what makes the project worth doing.
The broader thread is what these 3D spaces actually enable for music storytelling: not just better concert visuals, but different relationships between sound, space, and audience that haven't been figured out yet.
Selected moments
- Max discusses teaching video game development to students. 1:32 Max shares his current work educating kids on video game creation.
- Behind the scenes of *Live from the Void* concept. 4:21 The creation process and initial concept of the project is highlighted.
- VR production challenges and solutions. 6:59 Max describes the evolution of their VR project and the dynamic visual elements.
- Experiences with Unity game engine. 8:21 Discussion around using Unity for music and film projects.
- Thoughts on technological advancements in VR. 15:26 The convergence of music and new technology in creating immersive experiences.
- Historical perspective on media evolution. 17:01 Exploration of how past technologies influence current media formats.
Selected excerpts
I've been teaching a lot lately mostly with like sort of early education younger kids doing like an after-school program teaching kids how to make video games right now...
And to give the listeners like a little bit of insight into what this is, this is like a 3D rendered world where you're seeing a live concert.
What else can we do with this? And how can we turn this into something that's dynamic and engaging?
One of the things that I've been using a lot is this game engine called Unity... it's one of the industry standard default 2D or 3D rendering engines.
I think a lot about a VR technology... for the most part... it feels like a waste of technology.
FAQ
What is *Live from the Void*?
*Live from the Void* is a multimedia project that combines live concert elements with immersive 3D-rendered environments.
How does virtual reality impact live music performance?
Virtual reality offers a new dimension for live music, enabling artists to create dynamic experiences that transcend traditional concert settings.
Who is Max Horwich?
Max Horwich is a creative professional focusing on innovative projects that blend technology and art, particularly in virtual environments.
These pages are host notes, not a full transcript. The episode itself is on the listen links above.