IMMIs were conceived in late 2003, and began with Vanessa B Baylen's interest in creating a murder mystery picture book. A volume which would primarily portray clues pictorially. The constraints of the 2D medium soon became apparent, and urged on by classmates (and an inspirational teacher) the clues quickly found their way into the 3D realms. The first IMMI was Evidence -- a gallery-like space where clues stood on pedestals, or hung on walls, awaiting avid detectives. It soon turned out that this format was too intimidating, and so back to the drawing board. Over summer the conceptualisation and presentation of IMMIs was revisited. How can more people be lured in? How can it be made more interactive? How can more lies and red herrings be incorperated into the mystery? The answer was simple - actors. A cast of 9 (none of whom had ever performed anything quite like this before) was assembled. Chosen for their strength in improvisation, the cast spent weeks learning - not a script - but the intricacies of thier character. The resulting show, Ambition, was excellently received, and the newly emerged creative goals of wanting to create something active (unlike passive filmwatching), stimulating, and above all enjoyable, were being acheived instantaneously. Following quickly after Ambition was House, an [click red tab for continuation] |