Belfast studio secures second round of funding for VR Short

Belfast based Boom Clap Play is one of five companies to win the second round of funding from Creative XR Programme, which began with over 1000 applicants UK wide.

On the 27th July, London-based digital technology accelerator Digital Catapult announced the winners of its second round Creative XR programme. Boom Clap Play was one of five UK winners to share a pot of £350,000 for production funding on its virtual reality short film “When Something Happens”. The team were previously one of twenty UK teams who had taken immersive technology projects through a 3-month prototyping phase that involved pitching, workshops and rapid development of their work.

In addition to developing VR experiences, Boom Clap Play works on designs for branding, motion graphics and interactive audio. Founders David Baxter and Andrew McHugh previously worked for a large design agency together but have known each other through the local electronic music scene going back more than 10 years. Their diverse background in design, animation and sound
allows for a very agile approach in the type of projects and clients they work with.

“We’re delighted to make it into the second phase of the programme and very excited about this opportunity to realise the potential of the concept.", explained David Baxter. "We’ve moved into a new office in the city centre and have taken on an additional four full-time staff members to work on the project.”



The short film, entitled “When Something Happens”, is an epic journey that takes you from your bedroom to the outer reaches of the known universe.

“Combining animation, music and poetry, we hope this experience will inspire the next generation of scientists, storytellers and astronauts when next they look up at the night sky.”

The piece is written and performed by Leicester-based poet Boston “The Orator” Williams. The project is also supported by Northern Ireland Screen and the Northern Ireland Science Festival and is set to launch at the festival in February 2019.