Reviving memories: The art of virtual resurrection in live performance
Client: Winterrevue with friends, Antwerp
Background: The Winterrevue is a renowned live event in Antwerp, known for its spectacular performances. This year, the show aimed to create a unique and emotional experience by bringing back Nicole Josy, who had been a long-standing performer together with her husband Hugo Sigal. Nicole sadly passed away a year ago, but we made it possible for Hugo to sing together with his wife for one last time.
Challenge: creating a lifelike hologram of Nicole
Objective: To create a holographic representation of Nicole Josy for a live performance alongside Hugo Sigal. The challenge was to make the virtual Nicole lifelike and emotionally resonant, ensuring that it honors her memory and legacy while providing a unique experience for the audience.
Solution: advanced deepfake technology by Prismax
- Recording a stand-In: We started by recording a stand-in performer who could mimic Nicole’s stage presence.
- Reconstructing Nicole’s image: Utilizing old footage of Nicole, we meticulously reconstructed her image in 3D to capture her essence.
- Deepfake integration: We then applied deepfake technology to overlay the reconstructed 3D image of Nicole onto the stand-in, creating a seamless and lifelike virtual presence on stage.
- Technical and artistic collaboration: Our team worked closely with the show’s directors and technical crew to ensure a perfect integration of the virtual Nicole into the live performance.
Result: A poignant and memorable performance
- Audience reaction: The performance was met with astonishment and deep emotion from the audience, creating a memorable experience.
- Hugo Sigal’s experience: Hugo expressed that performing alongside the virtual Nicole was incredibly meaningful and emotionally powerful, exceeding his expectations.
- Media coverage: The event garnered significant attention, highlighting the innovative use of technology in live performances.
- Legacy and impact: This project set a new standard for how technology can be used to honor memories and enhance live performances, opening up new possibilities for the industry.
