Interview: Monster Media's Interactive Oscar Sidewalk Display for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

[itvt] Interview: Monster Media's Oscar 2011 Project by itvt

Earlier this month (see the article published on itvt.com, February 2nd), [itvt] reported that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had tapped Monster Media to build and install an Oscar-themed interactive sidewalk display at 1333 Broadway in New York City. The display features nine linked 46-inch LCD screens that the Academy says "literally envelop passers-by in a virtual red carpet experience." As people walk by the eight-foot high wall of LCD screens, specially designed sensors react to their motion and trigger what the Academy describes as a "flurry of virtual flashing paparazzi cameras and spotlights." Then, to conclude their "sidewalk celebrity experience," pedestrians are presented with an on-screen invitation to tune into ABC's February 27th broadcast of the 83rd Academy Awards ceremony. The virtual Oscar sidewalk display also features two digital photo stations that are located on either side of the LCD wall and that allow passers-by to pose for photos while "holding" a virtual Oscar statuette. Once they digitally "accept" their Oscar, a virtual keyboard appears on a touchscreen, allowing them to email their customized photo to themselves and their friends and family.

In this recorded episode of [itvt]'s talk radio show, "Radio [i]tvt," Tim O'Brien, VP of accounts at Monster Media, discusses the interactive Oscar sidewalk display in detail; explains how the company worked with interactive media agency, Media Storm, to conceptualize it; outlines how consumers have been interacting with the installation to date; and provides an overview of Monster Media's work in the interactive out-of-home space in general.

(Note: [itvt]'s regular daily news coverage will return shortly.)