This book presents a comprehensive history and analysis of Secret Cinema - the leading producer of large-scale immersive experiences in the UK. It examines how the company has evolved over twelve years from an experimental and artisanal organisation to a global leader in the field. The book focuses on the UK in late-2019, a point at which the immersive sector had grown significantly through its increasing contribution to GDP and its widespread recognition as a legitimate cultural offering. It captures an organisation and a sector transitioning from marginal and subcultural roots to a commodifiable and commercial form, now with recognisable professional roles and practices, which has contributed to the establishment of an immersive experience industry of national importance and global reach.

Reviews

'The book offers a deep dive based on exhaustive research that goes beyond simply documenting the history of Secret Cinema. Instead, it advances a critical framing contextualising the organisations development historically, culturally, and industrially through numerous case studies.'
Media Practice and Education

1 Secret Cinema and the immersive experience industry
2 Secret Cinema as sandbox
3 Secret Cinema as format
4 Secret Cinema as immersive activism
5 Secret Cinema as industry
6 Secret Cinema as experience community
7 Secret Cinema, 2020-21: pivoting, pipelines and poaching
Index

Authors

Sarah Atkinson is Professor of Screen Media at King's College London

Helen W. Kennedy is Professor of Creative and Cultural Industries at the University of Nottingham