New Report Unveils Potential of Fulldome in UK Creative Sector

Live Cinema UK has released a groundbreaking report on the fulldome medium, aiming to unlock its potential for artists and audiences across the United Kingdom. This comprehensive study, funded by Creative UK’s New Ideas Fund with support from the UK Global Screen Fund, examines the current landscape, challenges, and opportunities for fulldome content creation and exhibition.

Fulldome, an immersive 360-degree projection technology traditionally used in planetariums, is emerging as an exciting new frontier for artistic expression and audience experiences. This report is the result of seven years’ of research overall, during which time Live Cinema UK visited venues and festivals incuding IDFA, Sphere Las Vegas, Hub Montreal, Jena Fulldome Festival and SXSW, as well as talking with UK-based fulldome experts including Michaela French, Fulldome UK Festival, Ruth Coalson, NSC Creative, Market Hall and CultVR, and international experts such as SAT Montreal, Ed Lantz, Kate McCallum, and Dome Fest West among many more. We also took artists from multiple artforms into fulldome labs to explore the medium’s potential for their work, which resulted in the production of new fulldome pieces including DJ Yoda‘s fulldome show.

The report traces the evolution of fulldome from its roots in educational content to its current status as a platform for diverse artistic and cultural experiences. It highlights the challenges faced by creators and venues, including limited funding and distribution channels, while also identifying significant opportunities for growth and innovation.

One key finding is the need for a curated archive to preserve and showcase fulldome artworks, ensuring that this unique medium’s history and potential are adequately documented and accessible. The report also explores the exciting possibilities for collaboration between visual artists and live performers, opening up new avenues for creative expression within the fulldome format.

Importantly, the study investigates the potential for adapting VR content to reach larger audiences in fulldome spaces, addressing issues of accessibility and scale that often limit VR experiences. This crossover between technologies could provide a significant boost to both the VR and fulldome sectors.

To support the growth of fulldome in the UK creative industries, the report offers five actionable recommendations:

1. Develop standardised technical specifications
2. Establish intermediaries to curate and distribute content
3. Create a dedicated cultural content archive
4. Foster collaborations across artistic disciplines
5. Secure funding for artist residencies and development

“This report is a crucial step in realising the full potential of fulldome as an artistic medium for audiences to experience collective immersion,” said Lisa Brook, Artistic Director of Live Cinema UK. “We hope it will spark innovation, collaboration, and new funding opportunities to bring immersive experiences to wider audiences.”

The study’s findings are expected to have far-reaching implications for the UK’s creative sector, potentially opening up new avenues for artistic expression, audience engagement, and technological innovation. By addressing the challenges and opportunities within the fulldome landscape, this report lays the groundwork for a more vibrant and accessible immersive media ecosystem in the UK.

Creators, venues, and industry professionals are encouraged to download the full report from the Live Cinema UK website and join the conversation about the future of fulldome in the UK. As the lines between traditional media, virtual reality, and immersive experiences continue to blur, the insights provided by this report could prove invaluable in shaping the next generation of creative content and experiences.

Download the executive summary

Download the full report

Posted in Research

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