Experience History Elevated: The Making of "Get High with RUSS"
In January 2024, as the United Kingdom braced itself against the icy winds of the approaching Storm Eleanor, our team at RIVR set out to achieve something extraordinary: to bring the thrill of historical exploration to everyone, regardless of mobility or ability. The setting was the historic St. Mary’s Church, its tower swathed in scaffolding during a major restoration project. Our mission was simple in concept but complex in execution—allowing RUSS, who uses a wheelchair and faces the daily challenges of scoliosis, to ascend the tower and experience the world from its breathtaking heights.
A Collaborative Effort to Redefine Accessibility
This undertaking demanded meticulous planning, countless risk assessments, and a collaborative spirit. Before sunrise, we met over coffee with RUSS, along with Greg (an accessibility expert), Derek (our laser scanning specialist), and a trusted director we’d previously worked with on The Gadget Show. We discussed everything from harnessing the power of emerging technology to ensuring health and safety measures were firmly in place. Weeks of preparation and coordination allowed us to provide RUSS with the opportunity to ascend the scaffold, capturing an experience often reserved for those willing and able to climb hundreds of steps.
Cutting-Edge Technology Meets Historical Preservation
For years, RIVR has been pushing boundaries at sites like Warwick Castle, St. Mary’s Church, Lord Leycester Hospital, and the Market Hall Museum. Our expertise in photogrammetry, virtual reality, and immersive video production formed the backbone of "Get High with RUSS." On the day of filming, a 10-person camera crew, a drone team, and 360° video specialists were stationed around the church and its surroundings. The technology ranged from high-resolution still cameras to 3D180 virtual reality rigs, ensuring that every angle—every gust of wind and shifting shadow—was recorded.
We had already scanned every inch of the church, creating a detailed digital archive. This forward-thinking approach mirrors the method used to help restore Notre Dame after its tragic fire, thanks to the detailed digital scans that had been made previously. Now, should St. Mary’s ever face a similar disaster, our scans will serve as a digital blueprint, preserving its architecture and heritage for generations to come.
From Restoration to Immersion
The timing of "Get High with RUSS" was no accident. St. Mary’s had successfully raised £2 million for the tower’s restoration, and the scaffolding provided a unique window of opportunity to capture the structure’s hidden spaces. Each week, our team ascended the tower to scan and document the progress, culminating in the day when RUSS would join us at the top. Despite the biting cold and howling winds heralding Storm Eleanor, we managed to safely guide him upward, aided by a specialized electric stair-climbing unit and the unwavering support of his personal assistant.
Bringing the View to Everyone
Accessibility sits at the heart of this project. We wanted not only RUSS but all visitors—whether physically present at St. Mary’s or engaging remotely—to share in this experience. Within the church, a box of virtual reality headsets now allows anyone to virtually tour the top of the tower and explore areas previously sealed off to the public. QR codes placed around the site and in our promotional materials lead to an interactive 3D digital model, enabling viewers to immerse themselves in the tower’s lofty perspective right from their smartphones.
A Lasting Legacy, On-Demand
"Get High with RUSS" culminates in a 20-minute documentary, available at the bottom of this article. Above it, we’ve included three one-minute teaser videos to offer a taste of what’s in store. You’ll also find photographs capturing the day’s atmosphere—team members braced against the chill, drone operators waiting for a lull in the gusts, and RUSS, smiling from his vantage point at the top, defying expectations and inspiring us all.
This is more than just a film. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when technology, empathy, and human determination intersect. As the wind whistled through the scaffolding and Storm Eleanor rattled the rooftops, we rose above the challenges, literally and figuratively, creating an immersive, inclusive, and enduring window into history.
