Immersive tech artist and expert Christina Heller tells us what’s coming in the Metaverse and how women can lead there

Q&A by Carly Driggers

Q: How did you become involved in the Immersive Tech space?

Christina: I love using new technology to tell stories, make art and create content. I also love working with similarly-minded people to accomplish a goal through which we (ideally) find success by whatever metric we decide is important. Immersive tech is a great place if those are your passions. Throughout my 20’s, I worked as an entrepreneur in multi-media production: radio, TV and film. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, I had an intuitive feeling that I needed to go to Sundance in 2014, which I had never been to before. It was at New Frontiers where I tried the Oculus DK1 headset and the Beck concert experience where you got to be on stage with Beck. I became immediately obsessed with the idea of trying to make experiences for VR, which kicked off an almost 10-year journey into content creation for immersive tech. 

After Sundance, I started a company with a cross-disciplinary creative tech team called VR Playhouse, which I led from 2014-2017. I then had the opportunity to launch and lead a second immersive company, Metastage, which specializes in immersive experiences featuring authentic human performance using volumetric capture. I recently moved on from Metastage, though I’m happy to report the company is going strong. I do miss hanging in the studio with them! Such a fun team and amazing technology. 

Q: Many immersive projects you have worked on were featured at SXSW, Sundance and Festival de Cannes. Is there a project, in particular, you enjoyed working on the most?

Christina: There have been so many projects that I’ve enjoyed working on! At VR Playhouse and Metastage, we often teamed up with others to contribute to their idea or vision. Between the two companies, I was able to be a part of almost 300 immersive projects in some way or another. Picking one would be challenging! Defying the Nazis VR was a premiere piece for TIME’s immersive app. I loved working with Elijah Allan Blitz on a time capsule for an important piece of history. At Metastage, we did 3D capture for the Disclosure concert graphics and that was such a blast. We got to work with Sam Smith, Kelis, Slow Thai, Amine and Eric Thomas in one day. During the pandemic, I had the chance to direct and volumetrically capture 30 NFL players doing their signature moves. It was a very challenging shoot because of all the risks involved, but incredibly rewarding when it turned out well. I remember going to Santa Monica when we wrapped those three days, putting my feet in the ocean and crying a few tears of gratitude (and exhaustion).

Christina Heller

Q: You announced earlier this year that you are “hanging up your CEO hat for a while.” What plans do you have for the future?

Christina: This year, I am trying new things: contract work, venture scouting, producing and advising. I’m expanding my interests and enjoying life. What I’ve been happy to find is that I’m still very excited by the promise of VR, MR, and immersive technology. It’s already so fun, and it’s going to keep getting better. The more people who engage with it, the more fun it will be. I feel like I saw a glimpse of what it could be back at Sundance in 2014, and in 2024 that dream will be a reality.

“What I’ve been happy to find is that I’m still very excited by the promise of VR, MR, and immersive technology. It’s already so fun, and it’s going to keep getting better. ”

Q: Mckinsey & Company published an article late last year, “Even in the metaverse, women remain locked out of leadership roles.” As a leader in this field, what advice would you give to women trying to break into the industry? 

Christina: Go to tech or immersive technology conferences and meet people in real life. Once you’ve established that human-to-human connection, there are so many ways to connect virtually to keep up with those contacts. Figure out what unique vision or skill you want to bring to the space. What is your inspiration for pioneering this ecosystem? Where can it be improved?

As far as finding leadership roles, I had to give myself the title of CEO before someone else would give it to me. Then it was about putting myself out there, working as hard as possible, and constantly getting comfortable outside my comfort zone. 

Also, leadership can mean many things and be expressed in many ways. It can be as simple as thought leadership on social media. Listen to what is being said, and lend your unique perspective. Your thoughts are just as valid as anyone else’s. 

Q: What predictions can you share about what we can expect from the promised Metaverse over the next 1-2 years?

Christina: It’s a bit of an ongoing joke in the immersive community that “this year is going to be THE year for VR!” But I honestly think that over the next 12 months we are going to see an immersive tech renaissance. Amidst the peaks and valleys of Metaverse hype over the past decade, technologists, creatives and businesses have been working hard behind the scenes laying the groundwork for this new way of computing and connecting. The hardware has never been better. The software has never been better. The tools for content have never been so mature. And user adoption is increasing! It’s been a challenging road for us die-hards, but I really think it’s never been a better time to dream of the app you want to make.

“As far as finding leadership roles, I had to give myself the title of CEO before someone else would give it to me. Then it was about putting myself out there, working as hard as possible, and constantly getting comfortable outside my comfort zone. ”

Q: We host a popular Book Club and our community is always looking for recommendations, whether career-focused or just a great read. What are you currently reading? 

Christina: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin! Such an incredible fiction about game developers - I couldn’t put it down.