3D animation performed live at scale
Phantom Animation is a startup building the stage for a new kind of theatre — actors inhabit virtual characters in a shared simulated world, as audiences watch the story unfold in real time from anywhere in the world.
Our vision for live animation
A Phantom performance is not a recording, not a film, not a game. It is theatre — happening once, watched live, never the same twice.
Actors perform
Performers wear VR headsets and motion trackers. The motion of their face, eyes, hands, and body is captured and streamed live as they perform. They can see and interact with each other, even if they are in different parts of the world.
Characters come alive
Every movement of the performers is mapped onto fully animated 3D characters in real time. Using physics, the characters interact with the virtual world and each other. Everything that happens is captured and streamed to an audience larger than any physical theatre could hold.
Audiences engage
On flat screens or headsets, the audience doesn't merely watch a video—they become part of an interactive simulation, akin to stepping into a multiplayer video game. This immersive experience unlocks a level of engagement and participation that traditional television or film could never achieve.
A new engine
for a new medium
Producing a live show demands more than just game development skills. It requires seamless coordination of rehearsals, cue creation and execution, blocking, choreography, and front-of-house management—all woven into the heart of creative workflows. That’s why we’re reinventing the 3D engine, crafting a powerful set of tools designed to empower a bold new generation of storytellers.
Focused on Animation
Thanks to the unique qualities of our medium, we're able to process animation in a way that eliminates the jarring movements and awkward poses often found in social VR. By removing these distractions, we ensure the audience stays fully immersed in the moment.
Empowering Artists
Programmers shouldn't be the only ones shaping creative experiences. That's why our workflows empower everyone by making coding optional, not mandatory.
Expanding the Stage
We're revolutionizing immersive theatre by solving its biggest challenge: distribution. Our scalable streaming technology allows a small cast to reach stadium-sized audiences, ensuring every viewer enjoys the best seat in the house.
From moving characters
to performing them
We are inspired by the powerful magic that unfolds when people come together to experience live art—transforming strangers into a community and sparking shared stories that evoke deep emotional connections. Our studio exists because live performance goes beyond entertainment; it creates a unique bond between actors and audience that static media simply cannot replicate.
In an era where discerning what's real can be challenging, we're dedicated to developing technology that fosters authentic and meaningful connections through live storytelling.
This is early days. We are a small team doing something genuinely new. If that sounds interesting to you, we would love to hear from you.
Take part in our story
The best collaborations start with a conversation. Whether you're a performer, director, engineer, potential collaborator, or just intrigued by what we're building, we'd love to hear from you. Or sign up below to follow along as the studio takes shape.
Contact Us