Release Notes: To use our Augmented Reality (AR) Android beta app and reveal the supporting LUCHA RD Congo media narrative, click the button above or search Google Play for "Socent Studios," download, and open app. Then scan each page in our Digital Graphic Novel for Peace Episode 2: Lumumba’s Light. To scan each page after the first, press the circular refresh icon top right of our app. iTunes version in development for future release. Stay tuned!
CLEVELAND, OH — Roughly a year a go I was invited to attend a CLEVR Virtual Reality (VR) event produced by Reynaldo Zabala which showcased several Northeast Ohio VR projects including Enyx Studios badass VR STEAM game, 'A Haunting: Witching Hour' (Congrats Don!). News cameras were also in attendance to capture the showcase. Everybody loves VR.
During this event I was introduced to Cleveland, OH's humble tech legend, Marty Tarr (thank you Bob!). An MIT graduate, Marty famously led his startup team and shareholders to a major exit and acquired 3 companies as a Northeast OH CEO-founder. Today, he is one of Cleveland's most beloved entrepreneur mentors and tech investors.
CLEVELAND, OH — Roughly a year a go I was invited to attend a CLEVR Virtual Reality (VR) event produced by Reynaldo Zabala which showcased several Northeast Ohio VR projects including Enyx Studios badass VR STEAM game, 'A Haunting: Witching Hour' (Congrats Don!). News cameras were also in attendance to capture the showcase. Everybody loves VR.
During this event I was introduced to Cleveland, OH's humble tech legend, Marty Tarr (thank you Bob!). An MIT graduate, Marty famously led his startup team and shareholders to a major exit and acquired 3 companies as a Northeast OH CEO-founder. Today, he is one of Cleveland's most beloved entrepreneur mentors and tech investors.
I would spend the next year texting with Marty episodically, occasionally updating him on Socent's developments and trying to stay on his radar.
Following our Plain Dealer feature as a 2018 Top Five Northeast OH Disruptor, selection to the 42nd Cleveland International Film Festival, first of a kind Digital Graphic Novel For Peace IP release and historical Terminal Tower Lighting For Peace in Congo, Marty and I would finally meet for coffee to discuss Socent Studios. In addition to his proud Cleveland spirit, battle-tested founder stripes and legacy example, one of the things I appreciate most about Marty is his genuine candor.
After leading me through a number of really smart questions about Socent and our Seed round Marty said, "I really do love what you are doing and want to invest; but not today. And let me explain why - I just invested $1 million in to my new tech startup and need to develop key performance first." Marty then proceeded to present his narrative-driven Augmented Reality (AR) technology and products, which amazingly included children's books. Incredible stuff. As it turned out, the table next to us took notice of our meeting and joined the conversation. Cleveland is filled with great people.
While interacting with Marty's tech my mind raced with how visceral the educational impact of his AR products is and all the human development possibilities both in general and with respect to Socent and DRC. I thought about all the Congolese youth I spent time with in eastern Congo (the Kivus) and all the at-risk youth attending Cleveland's Positive Education Program.
As I digested my excitement Marty looked at me and said, "So, what I'd like to do if you are open to it is work with you and your team to develop an AR app for Socent Studios to support your cause, graphic novels and website and get it up on Google Play. And I'll take care of everything; including the costs." Marty then rolled into the logistic breakdown of integrating his technology with our IP and the additional potential he saw for us moving forward.
Once we established our path forward I asked Marty if he would be willing to accept our invitation to join Socent Studios Advisory Board. He accepted our offer with a smile.
Working with Marty since this meeting to integrate LUCHA's AR media narrative into Lumumba's Light and publish our app to Google Play has been both a blast and deeply meaningful. Two more things I really appreciate about Marty as a CEO-founder; his production cadence and the fact that I can find him happily developing value at 1 am (founder jamz).
From all of us at Socent Studios thank you, Marty. We are grateful for your willingness to support our creative solidarity with Congolese leaders and mission to educate, inspire and mobilize the West towards helping Congo end the deadliest struggle for peace and human dignity since WWII.
Umoja!
Socent Studios AR App
To use our Augmented Reality (AR) beta app and reveal the supporting LUCHA RD Congo narrative click here or search Google Play for "Socent Studios," download, and open app. Then scan each page in our Digital Graphic Novel for Peace, Episode 2, Lumumba’s Light. To scan each page after the first, press the circular refresh icon top right of our app.
Studio Description
Socent Studios is the Cleveland based social enterprise creative producing interactive transmedia to educate, inspire and mobilize millions toward durable impact in the world. Our journey begins in working solidarity with our brothers and sisters in DR Congo.
Global Crisis
Due to predatory exploitation of Congolese and their world supply of mineral wealth, profitable demand for pop culture tech such as our game consoles, cell phones, tablets, laptops, PCs, cameras, and electric cars (Conflict Electronics) are directly fueling the deadliest struggle for peace and human dignity since WWII. Congo’s crisis led to the April 2018 UN Geneva summit classifying DR Congo as a Level 3 humanitarian crisis, the body’s highest level of emergency. Due to 20+ years of predatory exploitation of Congo and Congolese, planet earth's largest primates, eastern Congo's endemic lowland gorillas are also on the precipice of extinction.
Creative Solution
In working solidarity with prominent leaders of Congo's peace movement, Civil Society, wildlife conservation and foremost Western advocacy and Policy groups, we are creating short film, a Digital Graphic Novel For Peace, and a narrative-driven "World Game" (video game) franchise designed to share Congo's story, beauty, and hope with millions of online gamers and Conflict Electronics consumers around the world.
To accomplish this we have united an improbable team of top tier game Developers and legendary comic illustrators, famous storytellers and award-winning filmmakers, leading policy experts and international peace Activists, Ph.D.'s and scientifically recognized online community leaders dedicated to creating interactive post-tech products for peace, progress, and prosperity.
Learn more and follow our IP releases at www.socentstudios.com
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