Xalter

03/09/2022

So great to see how the VR Dustbowl Experience continues to be a featured part of the Woody Guthrie Center. We can help you create powerfully immersive moments that make your story and spaces unforgettable.

03/08/2022

Greenwood XR Walking Tour Project - Reconciliation and Mixed Reality

Some stories come with a heavy burden; and none more so than the story of Tulsa’s Race Massacre. We immersed ourselves in this heart-wrenching story of tragedy and triumph.

XALTER Studios was part of a diverse team of passionate people tasked with telling this story. We were asked to merge old and new mediums to reach all the generations of Tulsa and it's visitors with the story of Greenwood. The result is the Greenwood Rising XR Walking tour app for iOS and Android Mobile Devices. It brings a century of history to life and, hopefully, contributes to healing and reconciliation in our community.

11/01/2021

A year ago today.

04/27/2021

We are thrilled to have such talented interns! This week's spotlight is on our creative intern, Abbie Brown. Read on to hear about Abbie's internship experience at Xalter:

'Hi! My name is Abbie Brown & I’m an intern here at XALTER. I’m studying Interdisciplinary Art & Design Studies at the University of North Texas in May. As an intern, I shadow our creators and showcase what I’ve learned through creative assignments. My short animation is my current favorite project that I’ve worked on all semester.

Here’s my advice for students looking to gain real-world experience through an internship: don’t be afraid to ask questions (no question is a dumb question), it’s okay if you don’t know what career path you want to go down yet, & you’re going to feel like you don’t know what you’re sometimes doing.'

Please join us in congratulating Abbie on her upcoming graduation from UNT! We can't wait to see what you will create next, Abbie.

03/31/2021

We're excited to give you a sneak peek into some of an incredibly impactful project that we have been working on with the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission:

03/08/2021

Here at XALTER, we celebrate women every day of the year, but especially on ! Thank you to all of the hard-working women on our team.

03/02/2021

We are honored to be represented at SXSW EDU this year for our efforts of blending immersive storytelling with . Our Director of Technology, Ashley Coffey, will be presenting with Dr. Teresa Cullen & Mike Lang on the importance of fostering storytelling using unspoken history. We hope to see you there next week!

https://online.sxswedu.com/event/sxsw-edu-online/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMzM1OTM4

01/20/2021

01/18/2021

Hello XALTER (formerly known as Steelehouse) followers and family. I wanted to make you aware that Mark Steele, the co-founder and namesake of this company for the last twenty years, life-long friend, and future collaborator is fighting Covid right now. He is having a rough go of it and is being admitted into the hospital today. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. If you feel led to help financially or in other practical ways, please do.

I know we are all mentally and emotionally tired from this total suck-fest, but join with us and renew your strength. This fight isn’t over. Do what you should, do what you can, to stop the spread. Be ready to support those around us in the middle of a fight. The Steele family needs our prayers and our support. Batter up.

Mark and Kaysie won't ask for this, so I (Kaysie’s brother) am asking for them. Mark has bee… Patton Dodd needs your support for Help Mark and Kaysie Steele

01/07/2021

20 Years in the Making. Steelehouse Gets an Upgrade.

This week we officially turn the page. Steelehouse Productions is rebranding to become XALTER.

Turning the page isn’t about forgetting the past, it is in part a celebration of it. Like every great story, each chapter builds upon the previous one. So much of what made the last twenty years great goes with us into this next stage. At our core, this team is still on a mission to move hearts and minds through moving mediums.

What has not changed is the conviction that great talent, collaborating as a team, produces superior outcomes. We are steadfastly committed to creative storytelling and content creation in the mediums that move us most. The classic mediums of video and animation will remain critical tools for crafting solutions for our clients, partners, and the audiences we serve. None of our current capabilities are going away.

Becoming XALTER is about recognizing and celebrating what is new. There is so much to celebrate!

In unprecedented ways, new realities are possible. Innovation and emerging technologies continue to enhance the power of story. Imbuing narrative and interactive media with a deepening impact on the audiences we seek to entertain, influence and educate. Persistently creating fresh ways to delight and engage us. The immersive mediums of virtual and augmented reality (collectively referred to as XR) represent nothing short of a revolution for the future of content. This rebrand is the culmination of our belief in that future.

As XALTER, we are upgrading our vision for ourselves and others to fully engage with what comes next. It includes a recognition that content creation and technology are so enmeshed and symbiotic now, that to innovate effectively, a team must master both seamlessly. The taproot and catalyst for this change is a fervent belief that the immersive mediums of virtual and augmented reality (XR) will be the next dominant platform for how we play, work, and learn. Like the personal computer, the Internet and the mobile devices that now rule the day, this change will not happen all at once. But let this milestone in our story be one more early indicator that disruptive, transformational change is heading your way!

As XALTER, we aren’t just embracing this future, we are already creating it. The last five years represent a very intentional investment in this new medium for content. The goal to be a pioneer and leader in immersive content solutions (to put the “XR” in XALTER) is complete. Our growing team has the talent, experience, and proven success to make it a reality today. A reality elevated by the timeless power of story, crafted in the mediums that move us most, and engineered with emergent technologies capable of unprecedented outcomes.

Whether you have been with us for a long time or just discovering our story, we hope you will celebrate this transformation and the future it represents. It is a bright, exciting one and we look forward to sharing it with you. We have set our sights high and we invite you to join us and “Expect wonders”.

Sincerely,

Kevin Anderson
Executive Producer / CEO
XALTER

Email: [email protected]

11/10/2020

The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art and Sanditen/Kaiser Holocaust Center’s new and expanded Holocaust exhibit will be open to the public tomorrow. It is critical that this darkest of chapters in human history is never forgotten. We were honored to produce all of the video elements for the new space, including the privilege of working with Eva Unterman. The last Holocaust survivor that calls Oklahoma home. Please visit and bring the younger generations with you.

11/06/2020

Behind the scenes clip showing the team working on the Crushing Snakes project.

10/31/2020

Capital Music reached out last year asking for a creative treatment to consider (along with asking others) for a music video. The one requirement was that it would be in classic cell-shaded animation and favor the limited animation style of Anime.

I (Kevin Anderson) listened to the song (Crushing Snakes) and was immediately in love with it. Always a fan of David’s music, but THIS song really stood out as something extra special. There was one glaring challenge, the song is inspired by Psalm 91 and Revelation 19 with some additional apocalyptic imagery from Revelation 1:7 and 17:14. It is pretty serious content. The end of the world, 2nd Coming kind of serious.

In spite of this, I listened to the song well over a hundred times. I even put it on repeat for two nights straight to get it into my sub conscience.

With several skeptics (for good reason) in the ranks, I wrote a creative treatment and sent an email asking for twice the time and budget they offered. While hearing nothing for months, I tried (and failed) to forget about it.

Then as the world seemed to be coming to an end via Covid 19, I got an email like a bolt from blue. David couldn’t get the treatment out of his head. He was hooked.

A few months ago, we celebrated the addition of Hannah Spangler to our team. Everything about this Crushing Snakes project is classic “us”.

When we hired her, Hannah was working full time at Hobby Lobby. No formal degree from a fancy art school or experience ever working for an animation studio. Trying to support herself as an artist when she could (but I expect a bit discouraged at this stage).

I met with her a few times, studied her work, could sense the roiling determination and fierce belief in herself. A zealots faith that she was destined to be a great artist. I explained the project in one last meeting, laid out all the potential pitfalls of attempting it. I looked her straight in the eye and said, “You will have this whole team supporting you all the way, but so much of this depends on you. There is zero room for failure, can you pull this off?”

Hannah has a great poker face, but I could see the cresting waves of fear at the edges of her gaze as she met mine. In spite of that she told me unflinchingly, “I can do this.”

What I hope she didnt notice, was my own fear and doubts. While I have had a hand in many of our projects creatively, this was one of the rare times where I stepped up alone into the writing and directing role. I wisely didn’t add this fact onto the pile of concerns (for Hannah’s sake of course). For me there would be no hiding behind others creatively if in the end the final result fell short.

But I LOVE living in that uncomfortable and thrilling place, where everything you have done to date is a great start, but alone isn’t enough. Where fear and faith grapple for supremacy along the faultlines of yourself. Walking that edge is my favorite high.

With the incredible support from fellow artists Adrian Carter and Brian Taylor, I am calling it.

Hannah “You can do this”. Also, “I can do this”. And team, We can do this”.

We all have some really big days ahead of us. Nobody knows what “new normal” really means or when it ends. Nobody knows what happens “after this”. Nobody feels prepared for what’s “next”. But I encourage those at risk of shrinking back from the threshold, breathe. Remember the faithfulness of God. Surround yourself with the people that see what is best in you. Look the future in the eye and repeat after Hannah Spangler, “I can do this”.

10/31/2020

So we did a thing. A wild story this one. But NOTHING could prevent it from happening. David Crowder Music thank you for trusting us with this incredible song and believing in our vision for the video. Honored to serve your amazing gifts. Let’s go crush snakes!

03/19/2020

This is Hannah Spangler! What a story she has to share. Steelehouse offered her a job as an animator on Friday and her first day was yesterday. Suck on that COVID-19! If you knew a little bit about her, you would realize that getting her dream job (getting paid to be an animator) in the middle of a world-wide crisis is the perfect plot twist. If you know a little bit about Steelehouse's story, you would recognize it is the perfect next page. This has always been a place where people who are too young, with dreams too big, living in too small a town and with too little experience are launched. Exceptional talent and the passion to push your gifts every single day are the ultimate requirements. Hannah is what this place is made of.

So in the midst of all this doom and gloom, we give you Hannah and this story. The project that just launched her career is as implausible as her being hired this week. A project that came our way late last year. It had ALL the problems you hope to avoid. Too small a budget, too short a timeline, too ambitious, high profile with a massive probability of epic failure. So after some discussions and falling in love with the project (sigh), we sent the email you never want to. The email said we cant meet the timeline, we need twice as much money, and the subject matter is fraught with a lot of risk. In spite of that, we also sent a creative treatment about what we would do if given the chance. We couldn't help ourselves, even if it seemed like a waste of time and effort. As expected, after sending that email we heard nothing. Nothing for months. Oh well....

Then against all odds and four months later (and literally as all hell was breaking loose), we get an email. They want to do it!? They can't get the creative treatment out of their heads. They can't move forward any other way. It is hard to describe how much that email encouraged us. How perfect it's timing was. How incredibly, ridiculously ironic the subject matter of the project itself is. It spoke to us in ways it would take days and many paragraphs to unpack. But in the simplest form it said loud and clear, "you are not alone, not even close".

There is purpose and significance orchestrating all around each of us. Just because you can't hear all the notes (or even any of them) doesn't mean it isn't happening. Our encouragement today (because we just got a wonderful reminder) is: "Just play your part". No more or less is possible. Bang that drum. Blow that horn. Do your thing. Don't lace what you don't know with fear. If you listen (really listen) there is an incredible concert playing all around you. Have you ever noticed how the high notes and low notes of our stories so often fit together? Surely you have had moments where coincidence as an explanation seemed highly suspect? Note a few of those today. It will do you good.

Today Steelehouse celebrates Hannah Spangler. Her story, ours, and some people a thousand miles away who have never met us, but are trusting us with something very important to them in the oddest of times. Below is some of the work from Hannah's day one (and some work from another of our amazing artist's, Adrian Carter. We couldn't resist because the "blowfish balloon" and "land shark" designs are too good not to share). LOVE and GRATITUDE to all those in our world, both old and new. Those who aren't yet, but are already destined to be. We all have so much more music to make together. Do what you love, be with your loves and don't miss a beat.

07/13/2019

Hanson encircling you for a private performance of a brand new song - captured in 360 stereoscopic (3D) video! Come by and check out the future of capturing experiences. Oculus Go, Insta360 Pro2

The Circle Cinema Film Festival proudly announces the debut of HANSON “Compromise” in 360: a Virtual Reality song performance featuring music from the band’s exclusive Members EP In Real Life. The VR experience, produced by Tulsa’s own Steelehouse Productions, ushers the viewer into the band...

06/04/2019

Excellent news.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed new legislation on May 7, 2019, designed to attract higher-impact film and television productions to the state. SB 200 increases the state’s film incentive cap and eligibility threshold to host major motion pictures and television series. “SB 200 will aid in ...

05/16/2019

Working on an extraordinary top secret project with some of our favorite people. That’s the Steelehouse way.

03/16/2019

As a storyteller and a lifelong Muppet fan, I heartily agree.

Despite the fact that the name Frank Oz is synonymous with everything from The Muppets to Star Wars to Sesame Street, he says he doesn't know what the term "children's entertainment" means.

03/16/2019

Our Dust Bowl VR is featured this weekend at the SXSW Festival.

Our Dust Bowl VR Experience is at SXSW this week. We recently created a road ready version for the Oculus Go. Put some red dirt in their eye Woody Guthrie Center! (Logan Davis check out your poster on display)

03/14/2019

Our Dust Bowl VR Experience is at SXSW this week. We recently created a road ready version for the Oculus Go. Put some red dirt in their eye Woody Guthrie Center! (Logan Davis check out your poster on display)

12/21/2018

THIS is how it is done.

What emotion? What passion do you want your product/service/brand to evoke? Moving people with moving stories. It is what Steelehouse loves to do. When it's done right, there is nothing like it.

12/20/2018

VR is a whole other thing. Those screams ARE real and if you haven’t put a headset on yet, it’s not something you can explain. You have to experience it yourself. Steelehouse has helped Walmart (twice), Echo, Ditch Witch, Manhattan Construction, The Woody Guthrie Center and more delight, surprise, and wholly engage their customers with virtual reality experiences. Looking for an edge in your marketing, communications or training strategy in 2019? Let’s get a headset on you and start dreaming about making something unforgettable.

12/19/2018

Welcome Sue Bea Montgomery! So excited to have you on team Steelehouse!

Oklahoma native Sue Bea Montgomery has joined Steelehouse Productions in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the role of Executive Producer, focusing on development, production and distribution of original entertainment. Steelehouse Co-Founder & Executive Creative Mark Steele says, “In the world of Oklahoma film ...

11/08/2018

We were thrilled to work with Merge to make this shoot happen in at Northeast
Elementary School. Working closely with MERGE to alter the trajectory of education in Oklahoma with AR and VR content. Special thanks to Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance, Tulsa Flight Night for the assist!

10/31/2018

A creative milestone for sure. One of the employees at MERGE dressed as our very own Hangry Herb for Halloween! MERGE is a leading VR/AR consumer products company focused on engaging and educational experiences for families with children. Steelehouse has partnered with them to produce mobile AR content just like Herb. More collaborations are in the works.

We expect Herb will be in a sugar coma before the sun goes down.

09/20/2018

Leveraging the ancient power of story and the latest possibilities in technology to diminish fear and pain in children. Now that is creativity of the highest form.

Ever wondered what you might accomplish using the same tools? We would love to wonder with you.

08/06/2018

A pleasant surprise to find our work in The Oklahoman on the Woody Guthrie Center Dustbowl VR experience featured along with the VR content deadCenter Film festival is showcasing. When it comes to embracing this powerful new medium for marketing and storytelling, we think SOONER is better than later!

https://newsok.com/article/5603843/interviews-photos-and-video-oklahomas-deadcenter-film-festival-woody-guthrie-center-embrace-virtual-reality-storytelling?

06/23/2018

06/15/2018

Location Based Entertainment using VR/AR and 4D Theatre Experiences is growing explosively. Our team is excited to be a part of this global trend and to bring this high profile opportunity home to Oklahoma. Looking forward to a wild ride!

FILM NEWS: Tulsa's own Steelehouse Productions has begun production on the animated short "Voyage to Cybertron". Using the Oklahoma film rebate, this film will be one of several attractions planned by DMG Entertainment for a series of Virtual Reality theme parks in China. Learn more: bit.ly/VoyagetoCybertron

06/04/2018

Monday morning have you in the dumps? Never fear! Episode 4 of The Sky High City of Steampuff is OUT NOW! More thrilling adventures are being animated at this very moment, so stay tuned for more Steampuff to come.

THE SKY HIGH CITY OF STEAMPUFF: Plummeting to imminent danger from a cog of great heights, Victor, Duchess, and Rivet must race through the tunnels and byway...

05/25/2018

At last – the adventure continues in The Sky High City of Steampuff - Chapter 4! Get ready, because a brand new episode of Steampuff premieres June 1st, 2018!

We've spent some time converting our production pipeline from a traditional rendered workflow to real-time rendering utilizing Unreal Engine 4. We're excited to show you what's in store for the SKY HIGH CITY OF STEAMPUFF!

Visit our YouTube channel to brush up on Chapters 1-3 right here – https://youtu.be/bzofkz15IBE

05/18/2018

Went on a breakfast field trip this morning with longtime friend Taylor Hanson to the Woody Guthrie Center and explored the past through Steelehouse's Virtual reality. Thanks for taking the time to dream big together in the midst of Hanson Day 2018 and The Hop Jam.