critical distance
executive producer
Critical Distance, a social augmented reality (AR) experience, brings audiences into the world of Southern Resident Orcas. Seen through the eyes of Kiki – a five-year-old orca who carries the fate of her pod on her shoulders – Critical Distance tells the story of Kiki and her J-Pod, a group of 22 endangered orcas, who along with Kiki venture through and survive in the Salish Sea.
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Harnessing the power of Microsoft’s latest evolutionary leap in AR wearable technology – the HoloLens 2 – audiences will connect with the close-knit family and experience the daily perils facing the endangered group.
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This groundbreaking social augmented reality experience will empower audiences to ‘see sound’ and experience Kiki’s world of echolocation – and how human activity disrupts it. While the J Pod’s fate remains uncertain, the experience ends with hope, championing a path towards a positive near future and what we must do to better protect Kiki, her family, and the underwater world she calls home.
Collaboration
The experience was created by Adam May and the incredibly talented team at Vision3, in partnership with Unity, the Hololens team at Microsoft and Passion Pictures. I oversaw and collaborated on multiple components including concept development, production, impact strategy, and partnership development.





