CoSTAR Live Lab Call: New Frontiers for Live Performance

CoSTAR Live Lab invited companies, technologists, and creatives to help shape the future of live performance.

OVERVIEW

The CoSTAR Live Lab invited companies, technologists, and creatives to help us shape the future of live performance. Based at Yorkshire’s world-renowned Production Park – where icons like Beyoncé, Metallica, and The Rolling Stones prepare for their world tours - the CoSTAR Live Lab offers a unique setting for innovation.

Our capabilities include isolated experimental spaces, marker less motion capture, high resolution immersive audio and scalable virtual production all supported by a team of leading researchers with expertise in the use of immersive and virtual technologies, virtual production workflows, user experience, and the ethical use of AI for the creative industries. 

This call invited applications from teams with creative R&D projects focussed on the live performance sector, that would benefit from access to the CoSTAR Live Lab’s cutting-edge infrastructure to accelerate and advance their innovation activity.

In addition, applicants could apply for cash funding of up to £13,000 to contribute to the costs of their R&D project. In total, the support package on offer is valued at over £100,000 per project. 

WHO IS IT FOR?

Industry-focussed innovators that are tackling the unique challenges of the live performance sector, from advanced digital production workflows to audience engagement, with a focus on sustainability and scalability. We were excited to hear what new creative and technical possibilities could be developed through access to our advanced R&D infrastructure.  

These projects will help the CoSTAR Live Lab to trial, test and showcase new ways of supporting R&D in the creative industries. 

The projects selected through this call are expected to deliver tangible outputs. These may be early-stage prototypes or proof-of-concept demonstrations, or later stage product developments that leverage the CoSTAR Live Lab’s advanced infrastructure.  

This call sought projects that will push the boundaries of immersive and interactive experiences across key application areas, including (but not limited to): 

• Live Performance and Hybrid Events 

• Virtual Production 

• Audience Engagement and Interaction 

• Networked and Distributed Performances 

• Volumetric Capture and Motion Tracking 

• Spatial Audio and Sound Reinforcement 

• Future Venue Design 

• Creative and Immersive Technology Development 

More detail on the above can be found in the Call Brief document, which is available to download here. 

SOCIAL IMPACT 

Environmental Sustainability and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are central to our work at CoSTAR and all our Access Programmes. All projects, regardless of their main R&D focus, are expected to have a demonstrable engagement with either EDI, sustainability or both. This will be supported by training and mentorship in areas that include; equitable design, developing environmental sustainability principles and working with diverse user groups.   

For more detail on this and guidance on what to include in your proposal, please see the full Call Brief document here. 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP)  

Successful applicants will own any new IP created through their projects, however, some terms and conditions will apply. Please see the section on IP in the full Call Brief document for more details. 

WHAT IS ON OFFER?

CoSTAR support for this call offers a combination of access to equipment and facilities, research expertise, and additional cash funding to support project costs. The total value of this support package is valued at over £100,000 per project. Up to three projects will be funded as part of this open call. 

Successful projects will have the opportunity to access:  

• up to two intensive one-week development sprints at the CoSTAR Live Lab. This includes on-boarding and orientation on the required equipment by our technical team. Please see description of the Live Lab facilities here.

• research staff will guide and collaborate with you during the tenancy, and will also be able to provide up to 10 hours of ad-hoc support outside of these sprint windows over the project’s total duration. Please see description of the CoSTAR Live Lab’s research expertise here.

• cash funding of up to £13,000 to contribute towards costs in undertaking the project, such as contracting performers, interaction design, editing, consumables etc. Please see section on Eligible Costs in the full Call Brief which is available to download (see section on How to Apply). 

• in addition, if a project requires a period of residency (two or more days) at the CoSTAR Live Lab and if travel distance is more than two hours from that lab, a company stipend of up to £4,000 is available to support travel and accommodation. 

CALL BRIEF

Call Brief document here

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

• The problem that your innovation seeks to address is well defined.  

• The proposed solution is clear and achievable. 

• The specific R&D focus and/or innovation of the project is novel and well-articulated*. 

• The proposed solution has strong commercial value, with an appropriate route to market.  

• The project team has strong leadership, and the range of skills and experience needed to deliver the project. 

• The project management plan and approach to risk management is appropriate and achievable*. 

• The request for CoSTAR support is clear and reasonable. 

• There is a clear rationale for why CoSTAR support is required to progress and/or accelerate the project. 

• The project is of clear value to the performance and/or screen sectors. 

• There is a strong approach to engaging with Social Impact (EDI and/or Environmental Sustainability).  

* denotes criteria that will receive double weighting during the assessment process.

TIMELINE

Closing Date for Applications: Thursday 20 March 2025 17.00 GMT - This call is closed.

Application Outcome: You will be informed in writing of the outcome within 8 weeks of the closing date. 

Project Start and Duration: Projects can be up to 3 months in duration and must begin after 1 May 2025 and end no later than 31 October 2025.