Amy McNickle and Steffie Yee’s brainchild, Worldline Corporations, presents a rare opportunity for patrons to experience time travel through a combination of film, music, and narration elements. The animations by Steffie Yee were a clever aspect of the time travel recruitment concept and McNickle’s score was ambient, tasteful, and set a good tone throughout.
Melbourne-based composer Amy McNickle graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) with a Bachelor of Interactive Composition, and is currently studying a Masters of Fine Arts at RMIT. Steffie Yee is a Sydney-based 2D, 3D and mixed-media animator and illustrator based in Sydney who graduated from the University of Technology with a Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Animation.
The premise was very enticing: “Worldline Corporations’ is hosting an open recruitment event to showcase our new time-travel facilities. If you think you’re resilient enough, come along and find out.”
Nestled in the greenery of Featherstone Place, potential recruits were led down a narrow staircase into a theatre room before the presentation. The script was witty and Yee’s opening animation elicited the subtle humour in McNickle’s writing.
“We are looking for other like-minded people to join us as time-travel recruits. The past is a very delicate thing, and as such you will be put through your paces to ensure you are suitable for a position at our company. For more information please visit worldlinecorp.com”
– Amy McNickle
McNickle’s production was categorised as Film and Digital/Interactive. I visited the website and it complemented the premise well, and made me want to summon up the courage to apply for a job at Worldline Corporations. However, that was as far as the interactive element extended as the experience was more cinematic and linear rather than interactive.
The underlying idea was strong, however, future seasons could benefit from some live actors and audience interaction. Though some elements of the live experience could be refined this production is recommended to sci-fi lovers with an interest in existentialism and original music.
Rating: ★★★1/2
Reviewed performance: Saturday 23 February 2019
Venue: Basement Studios
Season: Until 1.00 pm & 5.30 pm, 24 February 2019
Worldline Corporations – The Time Travel Experts (Teaser) from Amy McNickle on Vimeo.
