Grand Theft Eco: The iBear in the River

Grand Theft Eco is a machinima series and pedagogical engine that repurposes the video game Grand Theft Auto to explore possible eco-futures of LA in the year 2050.

It’s our great pleasure to invite you to a one-night-only screening of the latest LENS project!

Grand Theft Eco: Environmental Futures of Los Angeles repurposes the game engine and design of Grand Theft Auto 5 to creatively imagine environmental change and its consequences for Los Angeles in the year 2050. The first of three “machinima” (video game cinema) episodes, titled “The iBear in the River,” will make its debut on February 5 (episode description in image below).

To commemorate this release, LENS will hold two screenings, each with a production Q&A afterwards.

WHEN: 5:00pm and 6:30pm (Doors at 4:30pm and 6:15pm, respectively)

WHERE: The Darren Star Screening Room (Melnitz Hall 1422)

The Darren Star Screening Room has a 50-seat capacity. Because of the limited capacity, we ask that you RSVP in advance, if possible, for the screening you plan to attend. Standby attendees without an RSVP may be accommodated, space permitting. 

We hope to see you at one of the screenings, but even if you can’t make it, you will still be able to watch the episode on our website soon.

Screenshots from the film

Each episode offers an alternative to dominant dystopian narratives about climate change futures by developing nuanced storyworlds in which crucial environmental problems have been addressed, but issues of social inequality continue to trouble how the solutions are experienced.

Sizzle Reel

Sponsors: Department of English, Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, UCLA Design | Media Arts