THE TIME BEFORE

An Interactive Exploration of Childhood Memory

Haunted by unanswered questions about himself, Olly journeys through his past. His story unfolds in two starkly contrasting realms: the raw simplicity of his childhood, captured in his own drawings, and the fluid, surreal world of his dreams. We glimpse the fractured memories of his early years: an abusive father, a mother lost in the haze of the past, and his sister Sally, a beacon who urged him to find escape and control within his own imagination, transforming nightmares into refuges from reality.

This deeply personal, 13-minute interactive mixed media piece delves into the elusive nature of childhood and its profound impact on who we become. A lot of what defines us comes from moments in our childhood we cannot remember, let alone understand. The distant past can feel like a fuzzy dream we awoke from years ago.

The artist evokes these fragmented memories through raw, hand-drawn animations rooted in childhood art, while dreams, a vital refuge, are brought to life through immersive live-action underwater scenes and unsettlingly ethereal soundscapes.

Beyond its interactive elements, the VR experience fosters a unique mental participation. Within the intimate darkness of the headset, audiences are invited to contemplate the fragile nature of their own parental memories and their enduring legacy.

EXPERIENCE THE TIME BEFORE IN LONDON

Don't miss this powerful experience at our Raindance Immersive Showcase, hosted at VUE Piccadilly in London from June 19th to 22nd. Gain deeper insight by attending the creator’s talk at our Raindance Immersive Summit on Friday, June 20th. Entry is free for festival pass holders.

CREDITS

Directed, Filmed and Animated by Leo Metcalf

Voice Actors: Anouk Lawless-Monnot (Sister), Simon Chambers (Dad), Bean Downes (Mum) and Leo Metcalf (Narrator)

Sound Design: Harry J N Parsons

Composer: V.R. Alevizos

Additional Track: Kettel Dronie More (2005)

Assistant Animators: David Crump, Michelle Brand, Lisa Cruz, Megan Dupont, Lucie Levrangie and Lewis Heritz 

Lead Unity Developer: Michael Golembewski

Unity Development and Audio Implementation: Samuel Sturtivant 

Unity Developers: Joseph Roskilly, Thomas Carter and Kajus Lunas

Interactive Narrative | Runtime: 14 mins | Platform: Meta Quest

Award Nomination: Best Narrative for Impact