CoSTAR Live Lab Presents: Physiological Adaptive VR Horror Experiences
CoSTAR Live Lab, Production Park WF9 3NR
Event details
Ever wondered what happens when a VR horror film can sense your fear, and change how the story is told in real time? Join us for a live talk and demo exploring physiological, adaptive VR horror, volumetric performance capture, and AI-powered creative workflows.
We are excited to welcome Callum Berger (University of Lincoln) and Richard Ramchurn (AlbinoMosquito Productions) for an inspiring public talk as part of our CoSTAR Live Lab Presents series, on their exciting cross industry and academic collaboration creating “Physiological Adaptive VR Horror Experiences”.
CoSTAR Live Lab is an innovative R&D facility based at Production Park near Wakefield. Live Lab is part of the £75m government-funded CoSTAR Network, and supports innovation in immersive, multisensory and interactive technologies to transform audience experience, shaping next-generation live experiences for screen, stage and into the metaverse.
Your access needs:
When signing up for the event, we will give you the choice to complete a brief access rider form, which will help us to ensure that our event is planned to accommodate your needs. If you would like to attend, but are unable due to the proposed time, or for any other reason, we would really like to hear from you (costarlivelab-admin@york.ac.uk). Your feedback will enable us to learn about how we can make future events and activities as accessible as possible to everyone who is interested.
How to get to the event:
If you are attending in person, you can find detailed travel instructions in your confirmation email. You can also find information on how to travel to Production Park by car and public transport at the following link:
https://a.storyblok.com/f/226794/x/de32f604e6/production_park_site_map.pdf
When you arrive at Production Park, please report to the main reception.
If you are attending online, the webinar link will be provided in your confirmation email.
Access bursaries:
We are committed to making our events accessible for freelancers and others developing skills to join our industry, especially those from working-class or diverse backgrounds.
To help with travel costs, we are offering a limited number of bursaries (up to £50 each) for this event. If this support would enable you to attend, for example, if you are freelance, not currently working, or would need to take unpaid leave, you are welcome to apply.
Please complete this form at least 3 working days before the event you plan to attend:
https://forms.gle/MfjN8Ban1Hm4PgwD6
Bursaries are usually reimbursed after the event, but if you cannot cover costs upfront, please email us at costarlivelab-admin@york.ac.uk and we will do our best to help. When applying, please include a brief outline of your expected expenses so we can confirm they meet University of York travel policy (e.g. standard class public transport). We will reply within two working days to confirm. Please wait for confirmation before booking any travel.
About the speakers
Callum Berger is a PostDoc Research Associate at the University of Lincoln in the Centre for Defence and Security AI. His PhD research bridged computer science and film/media studies, establishing a novel approach to developing adaptive virtual reality (VR) horror experiences. Through his work, he provided actionable guidelines for immersive media creators while offering a comprehensive case study for evaluation. He explored fear responses in the brain using fNIRS, interviewed horror film directors to highlight their creative workflows, and co-created an adaptive VR horror experience titled "A Place for Everyone" in collaboration with the artist AlbinoMosquito which was showcased at film festivals and is now undergoing controlled lab studies. He is now researching the use of AI for decision-making within a defence and security context.
Richard Ramchurn, is creative director at AlbinoMosquito Productions, a filmmaker, artist–researcher, and Senior Research Fellow working at the intersection of cinematic storytelling, immersive media, and creative AI. His practice explores how technologies such as volumetric capture, virtual production, and generative AI can expand narrative form, embodiment, and audience agency. He is the creator of A Place for Everyone, a volumetric VR environmental horror narrative developed with real actors and AI-assisted workflows. The project investigates hybrid production pipelines that combine performance capture, virtual environments, and emerging practice as both a creative and research methodology. Alongside this, he develops experimental tools such as AI LENS, a live generative-AI camera that transforms real-time video into evolving diffusion imagery for performance and research. His work has been presented internationally at venues including Ars Electronica, Sheffield Doc/Fest, BAFTA, TATE Modern, and BRIC Brooklyn, and he collaborates across academia and industry on immersive, AI-driven, and robotic media projects.