Murrysville Artist Wins Grand Prize at Los Angeles Film Festival with Augmented-Reality App
Murrysville Artist Wins Grand Prize at New Media Film Festival with Augmented-Reality App
Murrysville artist Christopher Ruane had always enjoyed showcasing his augmented-reality app and videos to his family and friends. However, the real thrill came when his creation, “Welcome to Export,” took the grand prize at the prestigious New Media Film Festival in Los Angeles.
The 15th annual festival, held on June 5-6, featured judges from media giants like Marvel, HBO, Rolling Stone, and the BBC. Ruane, along with his business partner Aydaen Lynch, wowed the judges with their innovative use of XR reality technology to bring a historic photo of a train at Export’s former train station to life on users’ phones.
The app, which combines elements of augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality, allowed attendees at the 2023 Export Ethnic Food & Music Festival to experience a unique viewing experience by simply pointing their cell phone cameras at the large photo on display downtown.
“I’m pretty tired but I’m very happy,” Ruane said, reflecting on his recent win at the New Media festival. “I didn’t originally see my work as film, but the industry has evolved to include interactive experiences, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
In addition to winning the festival’s grand prize, Ruane also took home the award for Best Augmented Reality for his work on the “ARt” app, which immerses users in the beauty of the Orion and Messier 43 nebulae.
Despite his initial doubts about the project’s chances of winning, Ruane was pleasantly surprised by the judges’ positive reception. “I didn’t expect the Export submission to win, because it was such a small-town project,” he admitted. “But they were impressed by the way it comes out for the viewer.”
Looking ahead, Ruane is excited about the opportunities that come with the grand prize package, which includes studio time in California, post-processing with Mongo Media, and casting assistance. “We’re going to take full advantage of everything we can and explore those opportunities,” he said.
For Ruane, the recognition on a larger stage is a dream come true. “Getting it in front of people from Marvel, HBO, and other industry giants where we can push the boundaries of technology is fantastic,” he added.
With his innovative approach to storytelling and technology, Ruane is poised to make a significant impact in the world of augmented reality and beyond.
