Forget karaoke - Liverpool companies set to rock with videoke revolution

By on Apr 20, 08 08:31 AM

A VIDEO karaoke system developed by two Liverpool companies is attracting interest from around the world.

Videoke Stars, which was created by Liverpool events company Vital Attractions with creative entrepreneur Phil Matthews, means people's heads are superimposed onto dancing animated characters while they sing along to the music.

Players can also choose to buy a souvenir DVD of their performance, while recordings can be put online or sent by e-mail or mobile phone.

The concept has had interest from as far afield as Russia and Botswana, in southern Africa, while the company has also spoken to Disney and to Thomas the Tank Engine company Hit Entertainment. Videoke Stars was formed in 2006, and the technology was first showcased at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions trade show in Florida last year.

Naomi Cohen, of Vital Attractions, said: "We would like to pitch Videoke Stars eventually as an online interactive game.

"We want to see people like Hit Entertainment and other different animation companies using our technology.

"It's coming out of the beta (test) phase and we're just tweaking it.

"We're putting it out to the market and gaining feedback." The head tracking technology in Vidoeke Stars, which means people's faces move in line with the animated characters onscreen, was developed by Mr Matthews.

Mr Matthews, who founded Liverpool Science Park-based creative company Flamin Delux, said: "The reaction so far has been great. It's popular for corporate entertainment, and it was just used at a National Union of Students event at the Adelphi."

Mr Matthews spent three years working at BBC online, and has also worked with police forces to create specialist forensic reconstructions.

He is also part of the team working on The Shankly Show, the production at Liverpool Olympia next week, based on the life of legendary Liverpool FC manager Bill Shankly.

He has created some interactive elements for the show, which will use digital recording technology and giant projection screens, and is also working on spin-offs including educational DVDs.

The production is one of 14 commissions for 2008 from the Liverpool Culture Company to ensure small to medium-sized Merseyside-based companies are involved in the year's events.