Taylour Paige, the Grammy-nominated singer and actor known for her roles in 'Zola' and 'The Toxic Avenger,' has lent her voice to 'Astra,' an immersive experience created by Eliza McNitt set to debut at SXSW.
In 'Astra,' McNitt delves into the enigma of life in the universe, a theme she previously explored in her work 'Spheres.' The latter production, backed by Darren Aronofsky and featuring a star-studded voice cast including Jessica Chastain, Patti Smith, and Millie Bobby Brown, clinched the VR grand prize at the Venice Film Festival and secured a record-breaking seven-figure deal at Sundance in 2018.
'Astra' marks a reunion between McNitt and the award-winning French production company AtlasV, known for their work on 'Wallace and Gromit in the Grand Getaway.' The project, developed in collaboration with Meta, merges spatial storytelling with mixed reality and cinematic sequences.
The narrative of 'Astra' commences with the discovery of an astrobiologist's lost possessions, propelling users on a cosmic journey across our solar system and into the vast unknown. The quest for extraterrestrial life mirrors the human pursuit to comprehend loss on Earth.
McNitt expressed her admiration for Taylour Paige's talent, praising her ability to embody characters that are both relatable and ethereal. The director stated, 'I couldn't be more honored to collaborate with her on 'Astra,' as this mixed reality experience unfolds from the human perspective of exploring life in the universe.'
'Astra' is scheduled for release in the spring on Meta Quest 2 and 3 headsets. McNitt, a Sundance Institute Screenwriting and Directing Lab Fellow recognized for her work on the narrative feature 'Black Hole,' has been making waves in the industry. AtlasV, which recently signed with CAA, has been expanding its footprint in the U.S., with projects like the interactive animation 'Madrid Noir' under its belt.
