#1249: Experiential Design Breakdown of “Reimagined Vol II: Mahal,” A Stylized & Mythic Story of Personal Grief

Reimagined Vol II: Mahal is the second edition of the Reimagined VR series that premiered at Tribeca Immersive 2023 (see my interview about Volume I from Venice 2022). It's a Quill animation piece that has lots of stylized cinematography, deliberate environmental and character design, a personal story that's very well-told through the lens of mythology. The synopsis says, "Inspired by Philippine mythology, the story focuses on Apolaki, Mayari, Tala, and Hanan, the four immortal children of the recently passed creator god, Bathala. As each of these deities wrestle with the grief of losing Bathala, their all-powerful actions create ripples throughout the universe."

I had a chance to catch up with the co-creators of the Reimagined series Michaela Ternasky-Holland (director of Volume II) and Julie Cavaliere (producer of Volume II) to unpack the experiential design process, their shared connections of grief, and innovations in visual and spatial storytelling.

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Music: Fatality