Danny Boyle and SODA students create new Matrix-inspired show for Factory International

You can listen to Danny and the students discuss their work in the latest episode of MetCast.

Oscar-winner Danny Boyle and students from Manchester Met’s School of Digital Arts joined forces to create exciting content for the acclaimed new Matrix-inspired performance at Aviva Studios.

Boyle worked with students to create compelling video content for Free Your Mind – directed by Boyle – which is a large-scale immersive performance based on The Matrix films.

Commissioned by Factory International, Free Your Mind is a dramatic re-telling of the classic sci-fi films through dance, music, and visual effects, created especially for the official opening of Factory International’s new home and Manchester’s new cultural venue, Aviva Studios.

From weekly workshops and tutorials at the School of Digital Arts (SODA), to attending dance rehearsals and technical rehearsals for the show, students have worked collaboratively over the past few months to develop their work for the show.

Boyle, director of iconic films including Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting, and co-chair of SODA’s Industry Advisory Board, said: “We’re doing a dance adaptation of The Matrix, not just the first film but The Animatrix and the many forms it takes.

“It’s a very inspirational work for a lot of people, a very prophetic work, and it just seemed the perfect opportunity to use the skills and resources of the students here at the School of Digital Arts to connect with The Matrix which is about our digital futures.

“It’s been wonderful to work with students who are digital natives as there’s always been screens in their lives. It expands the opportunities that we have with the show.”

Some of the video work created by students in the workshops features significantly within the immersive production. A group of nine students from the Filmmaking, Future Media Production, and Music and Sound Design programmes took part.

BA (Hons) Filmmaking student Lui Bauer said: “It’s been fantastic, and it’s also been a collaborative process. We’ve been working on an individual level, and then taking that forward and trying to be as professional as possible.

“Working in teams with industry professionals has really helped us to push our own individual output, and that of the team and it’s been fantastic bringing that together.”

Jill Griffiths, Head of SODA, added: “It’s been fantastic to see our students developing their work over the past few months alongside Danny Boyle. We’re extremely proud of what our students have achieved and to see some of their work featured in Free Your Mind is an incredible feat.

“We’re extremely grateful for the amazing opportunity Danny has given to our students who have learned so many invaluable skills and advice that will help them during their studies and beyond.”