IndieFlix and The IndieFlix Foundation have partnered with “It’s On Us” to launch a pilot program to bring “Perspective: Chapter 1; The Party” to colleges around the United States. The first schools to view the film include Whitman, The University of Oregon and The University of Illinois. “The Party” is an interactive virtual reality experience sharing two points of view addressing sexual assault in college. Imagine a young woman attending her first college party, her mind set on cutting loose and shedding the “shy girl” identity she’s struggled with since high school. At the same party, an awkward, but slightly charming young man is hoping for a similar reinvention. Add booze and misinterpreted signals, and two different stories emerge out of what happens during the night’s events. “Perspective: The Party” allows viewers to experience the same encounter from two completely different points of view.
Rose Troche and Morris May created “The Party.” It’s the first chapter in a series of virtual reality films that address social issues. Troche is an award-winning writer, director, and producer of film, television, and New Media. Her works include “Go Fish,” “The Safety of Objects,” “The L Word,” “Concussion,” and much more. Morris May is CEO and founder of Specular Theory, a virtual reality production studio and creative technology lab. May has been a digital effects expert for more than 25 years, working on 30+ Hollywood films, including two Academy Award winners: “Spiderman 2” and “Happy Feet.”
“There are a lot of moving parts to get this project off the ground because the technology isn’t there yet for mass consumption,” says IndieFlix CEO Scilla Andreen. “But the virtual reality aspect of ‘The Party’ is so incredibly powerful that I believe students who see this will have a better understanding of how things can go sideways… and maybe, just maybe we can affect real change.”
IndieFlix is partnering with “It’s On Us” to bring the film to schools around the country. “It’s On Us” is a nation-wide campaign to end sexual assaults on college campuses. “The experience of watching ‘The Party’ is a powerful reminder to students that campus sexual assault is a real and all too common occurrence,” says Kristin Avery, “It’s On Us” Campaign Manager. “By bringing this program to campuses across the country, we can continue to spark conversations around how students can step up and be a part of the solution, and not a bystander to the problem.”
IndieFlix is also partnering with WeLens to provide smartphones loaded with the content for the screenings. Other partners include DODOcase, Vrideo and The IndieFlix Foundation.
“The Party” premiered at Sundance 2015 with rave reviews and is not currently available through any other medium. After this pilot program, IndieFlix, “It’s on Us,” Rose Troche and Morris May will launch a national tour to bring “The Party” to hundreds of colleges across the US.
